EXPLORING ITALY WITH THE FAMILY SHOVELLER BAND: A JOURNEY OF MUSIC AND CULTURE

Visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy

During a recent trip to Italy, the Family Shoveller Band—a talented group of Indigenous musicians made up of family members—was captivated by iconic landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. "Yeah, it's a very different city," said Billy-Jo, one of the band's core members. "We rocked there with the spirit level." Though they were in awe of the tower's tilted appearance, Billy-Jo reflected on the contrast between Australia and Italy. "But it's something different. You don't see a leaning tower in Australia," he laughed. The local food and culture also provided a rich experience, deepening their connection to Italy as a family.

The Family Shoveller Band were invited to perform at the UN World Food Forum. They teamed up with Formidable Vegetable and wrote the song called Wyirrt Wyirrt (Food of the Country) which was showcased at the event.

Sightseeing in Rome

The cultural exchange was wider than sightseeing; performing in Italy offered the Family Shoveller Band a fresh perspective. "A lot of the people were really polite. They didn't know we were Indigenous Aboriginal, so we had the talent because they thought we were a different mob," Billy-Jo shared. As a family, the band had the opportunity to not only perform their music but also share stories of their heritage and culture with diverse audiences. "It was the best experience for us," he said, reflecting on how warmly the audiences embraced their unique sound and cultural expression. The family dynamic added a special touch to their performances, making the cultural exchange even more personal and meaningful.

Top Left: Visit at the Australian Embassy in Italy

The performance itself was a blend of global musical influences. The audience in Italy responded enthusiastically to their fusion of contemporary Aboriginal music. "They went off just like this fusion that we bring from our contemporary music into culture and fusion," Billy-Jo noted. The band’s ability to blend traditional sounds with modern music allowed them to connect with their audience in a powerful way.