By Melanie Sjoberg
ADELAIDE — More than 30 of the city's dynamic young performers come together on Into One, an exciting new CD which is part of a broader program of events to raise awareness and funds for Animal Liberation.
Into One began as a song, written by Mel Watson and David Jaquier, which gradually evolved through strong audience recognition of its powerful lyrics into the title of a wider project.
Mel was seeking a charity to which to donate the funds when Cirkids coordinator Bev Luff suggested Animal Liberation. The idea took on a life of its own. Many of the performers on the CD will feature in an Animal Band Aid concert.
Watson and Luff say they believe that people know the future is in their own hands, and this is one way to do something about it. As well as raising funds for Animal Liberation, they aim to promote national awareness of Adelaide's original musicians and strengthen young people's professional development by involving them in this multi-media project.
The CD is a sample of the high quality music that can be found around Adelaide. Watson, at 26, is a 10-year veteran of the music circuit, having supported Black Sorrows, Hoodoo Gurus, Margaret Urlich, the Neville Brothers, Panzy Davison, the Commitments and Angelique Kidjo.
She has received the Queens Trust Award for Young Australians, as well as two South Australian music industry awards.
Watson is currently a member of the multi-talented band Fruit, which has won the "most outstanding SA CD release" award. Her huge vocal range is recorded on the title track of Into One, but nothing can compare with hearing her live.
Fellow Fruit member Susie Keynes' versatile jazz-blues style is also recorded in "One Bite", a kinky story of a boy led astray by another boy. The depth of her voice is most passionately felt listening to "Who's to Say", about the pleasures of journeying into a new relationship.
Heather Frahn captures the tradition of political folk on "Screaming", which exposes the contradictions of a society which divides people by race and leaves children "lying on [their] death bed".
Celtic-influenced Adelaide band the Borders also contribute, the mellow voice of Alex proclaiming "Independence Day" when a woman breaks out of her social conditioning and walks away from an abusive relationship.
Adelaide residents can indulge in this musical menagerie live at the CD's launch on November 17, 7pm at the Governor Hindmarsh; at the Animal Band Aid concert at Thebarton Theatre from 7.30pm on November 22; and at the March and Festival for the Animals from 11.30am on November 23.