2023 - What is Wrong With Us? by Michael Weir

Composer

WORKING TITLE: WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?

Influenced by urban hip hop culture, What is wrong with us? is performance of mixed mediums incorporating, motion graphics, spoken word, and hip hop music to share the stories and experiences of our people. Drawing attention to the scale of collective and cumulative grief suffered over multiple generations, this story paints a clear picture of how trauma, and the structures and institutes in which we exist continue TO hold back and oppress First Nations people. We all know the horrible stats we represent, but do we understand how we got here? Is something wrong with us?

Michael’s Story

A proud Wiradjuri man, Michael is passionate about using his creative practice to share the stories of his people. The Deadly Award winning hip hop artist, songwriter and producer has penned songs about sovereignty, Aboriginal deaths in custody, black ANZACS, and the Stolen Generation. His talents for story telling were recognised in 2015 and 2016, when he was invited by the National Gallery of Australia to give his interpretation of their Colonial and First Nations exhibitions through a spoken word performance.

In 2022 he completed a Bachelor of Songwriting and Music Production with SAE in Byron Bay where he developed an interest in Theatre. Michael has since worked with NORPA on Bunjalung Nghari Indigenise for the Byron Writers Festival, and with Mooghalin Performing Arts on the Bruce Pascoe production – Cutter and Cooter. Currently completing a Masters of Creative Industries, Michael is excited about the stories he’ll go on to share.