opportunity

Interplay

Nexus Arts’ Interplay program offers a unique forum for contemporary musicians from culturally diverse and First Nations backgrounds to develop their practice, networks, and community.

Interplay provides individualised and group-based development activities over the course of one year. The program aims to provide dedicated space for artists to develop, share and connect, bringing contemporary musicians together in the spirit of intercultural communication, exploration and creation.

With the support of the Music Development Office, Nexus Arts is inviting contemporary musicians from culturally diverse and First Nations backgrounds to apply to take part in a unique program that encompasses career guidance, a tailored mentorship, a creative intensive and a performance series. The yearlong program aims to bolster creativity, connection, and community in an intercultural and supportive environment.

Program artists take part in:

One on one career development sessions with Nexus staff
A personalised mentorship with a creative or industry professional
A 5-day creative intensive at Nexus Arts with other program artists
An individual photoshoot with an experienced music photographer
A live music video shoot at Nexus Arts Venue
Development of your Electronic Press Kit
Artist catch up sessions
A performance series at Nexus Arts

In 2024, we are delighted to be working with:

Vincy Chan
Ms. Chipeta
Mahzad Fard
Kara Manansala
Steph Teh
Simi Vuata

Get to know the 2024 Interplay Artists:

Vincy Chan is a trans singer-songwriter and artist born in Hong Kong, currently based in Kaurna Yerta. They graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Music) from Macalester College, Minnesota focussing on jazz vocal performance. They’re a multi-instrumentalist trained in piano, voice, cello, and Ghanaian drumming.

Ms. Chipeta is a German-Malawian artist based in Kaurna Yerta, who writes songs rooted in soul and RnB. Having completed a Certificate IV and Diploma in Music Industry, the former frontperson of local band, The Meristems, is now developing her solo career.

Mahzad Fard is an Iranian musician based in Kaurna Yerta. She has studied Persian classical music from an early age, mentored by her father a professional santoor player. Upon moving to Australia, she joined an ensemble called NAVA performing Persian classical music in various festivals and events nationally.

Kara Manansala is a Filipino-Italian singer based in Kaurna Yerta. She studied a degree in jazz performance at the Elder Conservatorium of Music and has an extensive choral and vocal experience working with ensembles such as Gospo Collective and The 6Ft Pelicans. She writes music influenced by neo-soul, jazz, and RnB.

Steph Teh is a Chinese-Malaysian artist based in Kaurna Yerta. She is a multi-instrumentalist trained in voice, guitar, piano, and cello. Steph was recently selected to participate in the 2023 CAAP x Artist Lab during OzAsia. Her music is influenced by pop, jazz, classical, RnB, and soul, and she is working on creating an EP.

Simi Vuata was born into a musical family of Aboriginal and Fijian descent, and gained nation-wide popularity on The Voice in 2015. His music is inspired by great RnB, blues, and gospel singers such as John Legend and Kim Burrell.

Q&A with Simi Vuata

We asked Simi Vuata some questions in March after his successful Fringe season and ahead of his Eurovision debut!

You’ve taken a 10-year hiatus from music. What did it feel like, to bring your passion back to the surface and stage a debut performance during Adelaide Fringe 2024?
My passion allowed me to push past the fear of opening myself up again. I needed a 10 year hiatus to learn, growth, evolve and understand myself and my gift. It feels amazing to have successfully produced and presented my shows to the Adelaide Fringe audience.

Who would you say are your biggest musical influences, both as singers and as performers?
My number one of all time is Whitney Houston. Her gift both vocally and as a performer will forever be unmatched.

How useful was it to receive funding from Adelaide City Council for this Fringe season?
Funding from the Adelaide City Council allowed me to successfully produce and market to my audience as well as gain a new audience. I’m grateful to have recieved this. Without funding, it wouldn’t have been possible.

You are a member of Nexus Arts’ 2024 Interplay line-up, which is just so exciting. Who did you choose as your mentors and why?
The mentors I chose to work with are Leni and Naomi Keyte. Both incredibly talented artists that I feel I can utilise their resources and help mould myself as an emerging artist.

What are you hoping to get out of this one-year development program?
Collaboration, growth, collective development and aritist development being a part in my development being apart of this program. It’s new and fresh for me which is why I’m leaning into it.

You’re going to Eurovision 2024!!! When you found out that were you one of the backing singers for Electric Fields, what was your initial reaction?
Ecstatic is the feeling! The opportunity Electric Fields has provided me to be a part of Eurovision 2024 is both humbling and important as a First Nations artist. To be a voice for my people, the Wiradjuri people and to showcase this to the world is also very important to me. To support Electic Fields deliver such an important message of unity on a global stage is very exciting.

Finally, what are the three things you’re most looking forward to about this opportunity and your time in Sweden?
Being a part of the Eurovision machine is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The opportunity to be a sponge throughout, the growth and development it will give me and the opportunity to showcase one of the oldest living cultures on the planet to the rest of the world.