A shared experience of tuning into Country

Deline Briscoe grew up singing. A Pentecostal Minister’s daughter, she sang every week in church and her first performance came at the age of four, lip syncing as a backing vocalist for an Al Green Gospel number.

She’s worked with some of Australia’s most celebrated vocalists including Archie Roach, Lou Bennett, Paul Kelly, Shane Howard, Emma Donovan, Airileke, Andrea Keller, Iain Grandage, and has toured the world with two vocally exquisite ensembles, Black Arm Band and Mission Songs Project.

Deline is a Yalanji woman with cultural connections in Julay-warra (Daintree River region) Kubirri-warra (Mossman region) and Burungku (Daintree region) and said her music is a unique blend of gospel, folk, soul, blues all intertwined with wawubarri.

During Horizon 25, May 2-11, Deline presents Light Line, two new First Nations music works, which embed sound at two specific locations, one on Kabi Kabi and one on Jinibara Country — capturing the magic in the changing light of dusk and dawn.

These can be experienced six times each day during the festival. Light Line - Kabi Kabi Country is in Ocean St, Maroochydore as part of the Festival Precinct and Light Line - Jinibara Country is at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. 

Kabi Kabi and Jinibara have been singing at dusk and dawn since their first sunrise.

Featuring Kabi Kabi and Jinibara languages, the works celebrate the significance of the horizon: the meeting point of the water with sky and the majestic canopy lines.

Audiences are invited to experience a moment of solitude, and reflection, as you listen to the stories and voices of this country that have always been here.

Deline describes these as a cultural creative expression that give space to the true voice of this powerful country—something for the entire community, audiences and listeners to be proud of,

When asked what she’d like audiences to take away from Light Line, it was that we can all share the experience of tuning into this country.

“Tuning in, not just with our ears, but by reading the tides, listening in to the streams, watching the wildlife, enjoying the sunrise and sunsets, and of course listening to the People of this land,” Deline said.

“The inspiration for this project was the opportunity to create music that supports intergenerational exchange and strengthens the voice of the Land Owners of this region. 

“I see this as a way of giving back to this country that I now call home,” Deline said.

“I always come into these projects ready to learn something about the people that I am creating with and the culture they come from. 

“The Jinibara and Kabi Kabi Songs are very different and each of the processes have been a learning experience for everyone involved.”

The Horizon Festival brings over 50 free and ticketed events across more than 10 Sunshine Coast locations from May 2-11. Explore the program, buy tickets and register for free events at horizonfestival.com.au