Monica Karo

Fri 18 Feb 2022

Wuigada is a dedicated space where First Nations musicians can share and celebrate music made by other First Nations musicians with PBS audiences.

Wuigada was named and developed by the highly acclaimed indigenous singer songwriter, Kutcha Edwards. Wuigada in Mutti Mutti means 'to sing'.

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Monica Jasmine Karo performing live at Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee Festival

In this edition of Wuigada we hear from singer-songwriter, actor and spoken-word artist, Monica Jasmine Karo also known as MpathSoul.

Monica has been performing in Naarm for 10 years and has a soulful voice that highlights her Gunai, Gunditjmara and mixed European heritage. She infuses fiery spoken-word poetry with her music and her work has been described as “connected to earth and spirit, portraying important messages of womxn’s wisdom”.

In 2021 Monica performed alongside Allara, Bumpy, Alice Skye, Ensemble Dutala and friends, for the opening of the Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee Festival and the opening of Yirramboi Festival. Monica performed as a leading role in Ilbijerri Theatre Company’s production, Heart Is A Wasteland by John Harvey, music by Lydia Fairhall, directed by Rachael Maza, premiering at a sold-out season at Darwin Festival 2021.

Monica also worked with Culture Evolves to produce 'Wurk Wurk', inspired by the theme of Wurru-Wurru (which in Woiwurrung language means ‘Sacred Kingfisher’ and ‘sky’), curated by Yorta Yorta artist, musician and creative entrepreneur Allara Briggs Pattison and commissioned as part of FUSE Darebin 2020.

‘Wurk Wurk’ by Monica Jasmine Karo & Culture Evolves (Brent Watkins)

We caught up with Monica, and asked her to speak about a song that she has a special connection with:

"I remember the song Old Fitzroy by Dan Sultan had a big impact many years ago as a young person, I listened to it on repeat and even covered it on guitar, the essence and soul of Dan's song always made me reflect about the many stories I’d heard of my own family living and growing up in Fitzroy, the hardships, the Blak revolutionary movement, the sense of belonging, reconnecting with community, kinship, culture, and forming strong identity in an urban contemporary context, an Urban Dreaming I call it, still carrying ancient tribal connection, knowledge, language and culture. For us, Fitzroy was and still is the stomping ground for our people, many different mobs from the South-East and South-West of VIC as well as many other tribal peoples from across the continent have come to Fitzroy and called this place home. These stories are now being passed onto my young son, the next generation, so it's important that we acknowledge the true history of places like Fitzroy around Naarm, that have been places of refuge, empowerment, community and strength for our people who came to the city from the missions, including my Great Great Grandfather Ebeneza Lovett who came to Fiztroy from Lake Condah Mission, and was one of the leading men alongside William Cooper to set up the Aborigines Advancement League and protest against the treatment of Jewish peoples in Nazi Germany, WW2.

I also just wish to acknowledge the many artists in my community, young and old, who inspire, mentor, and support me every single day, I am constantly in awe of my community, friends and family at their ability to tell stories, revive language, heal, connect and grow through the powerful medium of music and storytelling, our continuing and culture/s and songlines.

I want to express my gratitude to my Elders both past and present for paving the way for us to be where we are today, who continue to inspire us and be an endless source of love, wisdom, resilience, and strength. I want to acknowledge Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung Country for nourishing me for many years here in Naarm allowing me to create, collaborate and more importantly learn and evolve on these lands as a Gunai and Gunditjmara artist."

Monica will be releasing her debut album in 2022, so be sure to keep an ear out for Monica Jasmine Karo. In the meantime, here are her top picks for Wuigada.

Corey Theatre - 'Ngathuk Ngalina'