Everybody’s Trying to Find Their Way Home

When acclaimed songwriter and performer Jen Cloher (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi) started to learn about their Māori heritage their whole outlook on life changed. In the new podcast series, Everybody’s Trying To Find Their Way Home, Cloher speaks with icons like Dr. Lou Bennett about Sovereign Language Rematriation and Emma Donovan about the lasting legacy of Aunty Ruby Hunter.

At the heart of the podcast is a gentle provocation to us all. What does it feel like when we make the journey towards our own ancestral languages and traditions? How does that journey help to make our occupation on these lands more conscious and embodied? What joy can be found in knowing the stories of strength that come through our own bloodlines?

For Spring Fling, Cloher took to the stage with a panel of Māori and First Nations songwriters including Uncle Kutcha Edwards, Allara and Breanne Peters. Together they recorded a special live episode of Everybody’s Trying To Find Their Way Home, complete with an array of joyful musical performances.

This event was presented in partnership with RMIT Culture.

It was recorded on Saturday 14 October 2023 at The Capitol.

Featured music: ‘Mother Tongue’ performed by Kutcha Edwards, Allara, Jen Cloher and Breanne Peters and ‘He Toka-Tū-Moana ’ performed by Jen Cloher and Breanne Peters.

Podcast Producer: Simon Winkler. Sound Recordist: Simon Maisch. Sound Post-Production: Simon Cotter. Production Assistant: Joshua Suhaven.

Spring Fling was proudly supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the Melbourne City Revitalisation Fund. Special thanks to official bookseller Readings and accommodation partner The Sofitel.