THE KEY OF SEA - LISTEN UP

Posted by Ella Reweti on 5 October 2010 | 0 Comments

Tags: Tunes

What do you get when you bring together eleven of Australia's most prominent up and coming musicians and bands and pair them with musicians from a refugee or migrant background?

You get The Key of Sea, a project bringing together the ideas and musical talents of people from vastly different backgrounds.

So this post might not be the most musically 'groundbreaking' you're going to read here on SB. Shit, you might not even like some of the artists involved. But what I find most interesting and inspiring about this project, is that it is bringing the issue of immigration (refugee in particular) to the forefront of people's minds, and in a positive way.

God knows it needs to happen.

That shit storm of an election campaign brought the issue up for all the wrong reasons, but what surprised me most was the overwhelming consensus from both major parties to "Stop The Boats." Television is no better. Hundreds of thousands of people tune in each night to 'Today Tonight' and 'A Current Affair,' shows that are so unabashedly xenophobic it's disgusting. And don't even get me started on 'Border Security.' And what does all this shit leave in peoples minds? One message, and that's "keep the bastards out."

People are making hateful decisions based on this information, which is ignorant at best. This ignorance is breeding a xenophobic and racist nation, but the worst part is that it's disguised (and justified) as "national pride." I don't know about you, but living in a country that treats refugees as criminals, a country which punishes those fleeing all sorts of social, economic and political persecution you wouldn't dream of in your worst nightmares, is certainly not something I'm proud of.

Education is so important in these issues, and Key of Sea is a brilliant way of getting people to open their minds, hearts and most importantly ears. It shows people the positive contribution multicultural policies have had on Australian society not only musically, but in plenty of other ways. 

Next time your eating Thai or Indian, have a think about it. Then take a look in the mirror and remember where your blood comes from. 

Chances are, it wasn't Australia.

You can check out The Key of Sea project (CLICK HERE FOOL) where you'll find details on the collaborations and a bunch of relevant links and what not. Check it out and get involved.