Kaytetye producer and DJ RONA. is bringing her connection to Country and a life shaped by music into 'Everywhen', a new day party series launching in Naarm / Melbourne.
The Mparntwe / Alice Springs-based artist will headline the first edition at Footscray Community Arts on Saturday, December 5, creating a set shaped by local stories, sounds and relationships.
Her early musical education came through desert rock and reggae records and a family connection to Aboriginal broadcasting.
"I grew up surrounded by music," RONA. told National Indigenous Times.
"My nana co-founded the first Aboriginal media organisation, radio station and recording studio - CAAMA.
"We grew up with records from all the great desert rock and desert reggae bands and I feel thankful for the education I had growing up in this environment."
RONA. played instruments as a child and grew fond of electronic music at university, recognising another way to express herself and the stories connected to her.
Years of bedroom production preceded her first EP in 2022, with DJing following as a way to reach audiences.
"Producing came first and I created from my bedroom for many years before putting out my first EP in 2022," she said.
"DJing started as a way to share my music with the world, but I'm in awe of it as a completely distinct craft from producing."
Her influences span her desert home on Arrernte Country, recordings from Kaytetye Country, Naarm's clubs and touring across the continent.
Now living on a bush block, her surroundings continue to shape her work.
"I am constantly evolving, learning and responding to the changes in the energy of where I live and the relationships I hold to place," RONA. said.
"Country is always changing and my music changes with it."
'Everywhen' will allow her to explore those relationships through sets created for particular places, alongside artists connected to each region and beyond.
The series reflects her ambition to connect people with Country and possibilities for the future.
"I want to create music and spaces that reflect the past, present and future all intertwined as one," RONA. said.
"For people to hear sounds that draw them closer to themselves and Country, and create moments where we move with momentum towards better futures."
View this post on Instagram
"I've always dreamt of throwing a day party in an open air space," RONA. said.
"I love playing in spaces where I can feel the energy of Country."
RONA. lived in Footscray for several years, and her preparation will include listening to knowledge holders, exploring archives and recording spoken word and environmental sounds.
People connected to that Country will guide what is shared.
"Being on someone else's Country, everything will start and end with what people from that place want me to share," RONA. said.
"I'll be working in a completely emergent way based off how relationships grow and what unfolds between now and December."
Presented by RRR, the line-up includes Kamilaroi and Samoan singer Becca Hatch, performing with her band, and Boorloo-based Wongi DJ and producer Yikes.
Gunai/Kurnai, Gunditjmara, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta DJ Nayuka Gorrie will perform as naycab, alongside Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai Illum-Wurrung and Irish cultural practitioner Stacie Nicholson-Piper, performing as Stacie, plus special guests.
RONA. also plans to bring 'Everywhen 'to Mparntwe, with each edition shaped through listening and collaboration.
"Every set and context will be different for this party," RONA. said.
"I'll sit and listen before I amplify or speak.
"When I bring Everywhen to Mparntwe I'll sit and listen to Arrernte Mob and amplify the sounds of Desert Country in my set, work with local musicians or remix songs from the region that are reflected in a heap of new music shared in a set for that moment."
Tickets for Everywhen at Footscray Community Arts on December 5 are now available via Moshtix.
