KERFEW COLLECTIVE [INTERVIEW/SPOTLIGHT]
“a limit or restriction imposed upon south asian children designed to shield, and justified by the hope they will one day succeed if they remain protected and policed.”
Read this article from Verve Print Edition #1 while listening to the below mix from KERFEW member Scalymoth
Welcome to Kerfew, an emerging collective of South Asian creatives based across ‘Australia’, coming together to share culture through many mediums.
Drawing inspiration from the vibrancy surrounding collectives like Daytimers UK & No Nazar LA, Kerfew was born from a desire to celebrate the South Asian experience in ‘Australia’.We are artists, musicians, designers, radio hosts, and we are also students, economists, lawyers and community workers. Through events (watch this space), radio shows and showing UP, Kerfew will showcase the diversity present in our communities, and the range of experiences we have all had growing up on the stolen lands around ‘Australia’. As we continue to grow the collective, we also grow our awareness of our position as settlers in ‘Australia’. Kerfew not only provides the opportunity to build community, but to also interrogate how we do it.
Individually, and as a collective, we acknowledge that we live, work and create on the stolen lands of the Darug, Eora, Kulin, Tuurbal, and Whadjuk nations. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands as the rightful owners, that sovereignty was never ceded and that Australia needs a treaty immediately. This alway was, and always will be Aboriginal land.
Amar Singh
He/Him | Boorloo (Whadjuk Noongar)
Culture & Language: Punjabi Australian | English/Hindi/Punjabi
Creativity: Currently I’m a DJ, Radio Host (Cloudwaves on RTR FM) and Events Manager (HIVE). I’m also a black belt in Tae-kwon Do.
Why you are part of Kerfew: I think it would have been cool growing up to see something like Kerfew come to light and be a source of inspiration for my creative endeavours as kid/teenager/young adult. There’s something that’s so inspiring about seeing South Asian artists push to be successful in creative fields and are able to do it while championing their cultural roots in an environment which doesn’t necessarily support that. It’s like watching a flower blooming out of the concrete. I want the kids of the diaspora to know they can be themselves and still do cool stuff.
I’m inspired by everyone in the crew already so hopefully we can have the same effect on others to pursue and support their creativity.
Something you would like to share:
PSA: Please stop ruining Punjabi classics with Bollywood remakes. Thank you.
Deepa Alam
She/Her | Eora
Culture & Language: Mixed Race: Bangladeshi & Pakistani | Bangla, Urdu, English, Arabic (reading/writing) Religion: Muslim
Creativity:
Radio host (host of Saturday Sunset on FBi Radio, Bypass on Skylab Radio, Honey Point on Nomad Radio), DJ, events producer, curator, half of jazz-loving duo and Boiler Room alumni Honey Point
Why you are part of Kerfew:
For the diaspora!!! It’s all about community, finding and sharing the space, and celebrating our complexities! We have so many stories to tell; I’ve learnt so much about South Asia since being in Kerfew and we’ve only just started doing our thing - I’m so excited to learn and share! Growing up a brown kid is hard and it’s healing to have a space where we all somewhat understand what the others have gone through. There’s strength in resilience. And look at us doing it in our creative pursuits; we’re sharing our stories through music with bodies on the dancefloor; what a visceral outlet, how special?! We have so much talent, so much taste, so much perspective and I want to relish in it.
Something you would like to share:
You can never have enough cardamom in your chai.
Itrat Memon
He/Him | Meanjin (Jagera & Turrbal Land)
Culture & Language: Pakistani (Memon Ethnicity) & Irish | Memoni, Urdu, Irish Gaelic and English | Religion: Muslim
Creativity
I am a DJ, Producer, Live Electronic Performer, Bass Player in band Twin Haus, and co-founder of Meanjin-based dance music label, Pocketmoth. I’m a sucker for analogue gear such as synths, samplers and outboard units, all of which feature heavily in my solo work. My music intersects traditional South Asian rhythms with sample-based drums and modular synthesis.
Why are you a part of Kerfew?
The circumstances of our families coming to Australia meant that, while music is such a big part of our culture, we were often encouraged not to pursue a career in it. Idecided to do so anyway, and as a result, faced judgement and a lack of support from my ethnic community. Kerfew represents the establishment of a new, hybrid community that celebrates our differences, but also finds relativism through our love of art. This is the first time while I’ve lived in Australia that I have found a South Asian community that supports and understands my artistic endeavours.
What is something you would like to share?
‘Aadam’ by Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad with Humnawa - Coke Studio Sessions
James
He/They | Wangal land, Eora Nation and Burramattagal land, Dharug Nation
Culture & Language
Sinhalese Sri Lankan, mixed British / Western European ancestry | English, Learning Sinhala
Creativity
I love to dabble in lots of creative practices and make things. I am an artist and
illustrator working primarily in drawing, painting, and digital mediums. Writer.
Why are you a part of Kerfew?
For a very long time I didn’t feel very welcome in brown spaces and could never pinpoint if it was my whiteness, my queerness, or my disconnections from culture. It can feel like our broader social understandings of what it means to be a South Asian person in the west are rooted in the notion of a homogenous brown culture. Yet so much of that homogenous brown identity centres Northern Indian culture, and the cultural practices of the higher castes. Being a part of Kerfew is about fostering South Asian community that celebrates our creativity, intersections, diverse cultures, and stories. My Sinhalese parent was born into poverty and adopted at age 10, her story is one that is often never discussed because it takes privilege and education to be told in Western spaces. I believe that we can build South Asian spaces that celebrate and challenge existing notions and stereotypes of what it means to be brown in the west. I want to be a part of that change.
What is something you would like to share?
James makes incredible artworks for Kerfew, their work is featured throughout this spread [in the print edition].
Kamna
She/Her | On the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation.
Culture & Language: I’m a third culture kid. Half Malayali and half Telugu from Telegana, but I was born in Mumbai | Fluent in Hindi, English and food fluent in Telugu and Malayalam
Creativity
I explore my creativity through writing, djing, advocacy and in community building.
Why are you a part of Kerfew?
To build community, connection and expression about what it means to be South Asian here in so called Australia. I wanna help create a space for people to be celebrated that’s self-interrogative, inclusive, safe and fun. It’s been so nice to find friendships and shared experiences with new friends so quickly and I can’t wait for Kerfew to bring that to so many more people! Mainly I wanna play South Asian bangers at parties with my friends and yell loudly every time they drop a song that I practised dance moves to in front of the mirror as a kid.
What is something you would like to share?
According to Wikipedia, there’s at least 26 categories of biryani in the subcontinent and diasporas, and I’m on a mission to try all of them. I reckon I’m hovering between 9-10 rn.
Munasib
She/Her | Eora
Culture & Language
Bangladeshi born in Country Australia | Bangla, English, Hindi, Urdu, un poquito español |Religion: Muslim
Creativity DJ, Visual Artist, Designer, Radio Host
Why are you a part of Kerfew?
To showcase the range of south asian culture and throw parties that celebrate the land we’re living on, like never before through a south asian lens. We have a responsibility to carve out our own space as we are the FIRST generation of south asians to have this opportunity on this land!
What is something you would like to share?
Film: Satyajit Ray: The Apu Trilogy | Music: Anik Khan & Arnob | Poet: Rabindranath Tagore
Neil Kumar
He/Him | Eora
Culture & Language
Indian-Australian (Papa born in Chandigarh, Mum born in New Delhi) | Hindi & English
Creativity
My main discipline is Graphic Design/Creative Direction/Art Direction. I also make photographs and select sounds on occasion.
Why are you a part of Kerfew?
I am part of Kerfew to champion ‘The New South Asian Underground’. I want to continue providing a safe space for creatives of South Asian background as well as First Nations, exploring their identity and showcasing their artistic talents. Representation and shared community spaces were always limited growing up, it’s humbling to give back and witness the scene thriving in real time.
What is something you would like to share?
Films: Ramesh Sippy’s, ‘Sholay’ (1975) & Satyajit Ray’s, ‘Mahanagar’ (1963) Music: AR Rahman’s, soundtrack for Rangeela (1995)
She/Her | Meanjin
Culture & Language
Malayali, from Kerala, India| Malayalam & English
Creativity
I am a DJ and producer. Before this I was singing a lot - in choirs and at Eisteddfods.
Why are you a part of Kerfew?
I have been in the arts scene since I was old enough to go to shows. Growing up, I was always conscious that I was usually one of the only South Asians in the crowd. I want South Asian artists in so-called Australia to never feel that way. I think Kerfew is going to help a lot of artists, myself included, to relish in their South Asian-ness, to share their stories and teach their peers that South Asians are not homogenous, and bring some spice (couldn’t help it) to the industry.
What is something you would like to share?
Current favourite album share - Susheela Raman - Love Trap (2003)
Ria Pillai
They/Them| Naarm (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Land, Kulin Nation)
Culture & Language
Malayali (Kerala, India) | English, a little Spanish, and hopefully one day I’ll be fluent in Hindi
Creativity
I DJ, run non-profit community events and do a bit of music journalism
Why are you a part of Kerfew?
I joined Kerfew because I have never really been a part of South Asian community. I grew up in a really white area, where my family were the only brown people around (no joke), and NOBODY looked like me. As I grew older I started to want a connection with my brownness and my South Asianness, but I never knew how. Joining Kerfew gave me the opportunity to learn more about my culture, explore it through music, art, food and events, AND make gorgeous new friends. I can’t wait to see us tear it up South Asian stylez!!
What is something you would like to share?
ALBUM: दुनिया क्या है • Duniya Kya Hai (Lapgan)
Saieesh
He/Him | Boorloo (Whadjuk Noongar)
Culture & Language
Tamil, Sri Lankan| Tamil & English
Creativity
Musician/Producer
Why are you a part of Kerfew?
I feel like South Asians have been in and around the arts for such a long time because that’s what we enjoy doing! We sing, we dance and we enjoy community. But what I found challenging was that we had to subscribe so heavily to other cultures in order to be seen. That has changed so much over time and I’m just excited to see Kerfew be loud and proud about all aspects of all our cultures. Plus it’s fun to be around some stellar humans.
What is something you would like to share?
YOUTUBE: Ninaithale Inikkum Old Movie Songs | Engeyum Eppothum Video Song
Sidd
He/Him | Naarm (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Land)
Culture & Language
North Indian | Hindi, English
Creativity
I believe in the power of dancing but I’m embarrassingly uncoordinated, so I decided to become a DJ instead. Music has always been a third language for me to communicate through. When I was young, I remember swapping MP3 players with my friends and giving each other curated playlists that, in hindsight, were so much more than what we thought was cool at the time - we were sharing deep, intimate parts of ourselves, who we were and how we wanted to be seen through music. When I DJ, whatever the space is, I’m essentially continuing that practice. Step into my world, have a look around, take a seat and enjoy the space. You’re always welcome.
Why are you a part of Kerfew?
Having a visible platform for brown creatives in so called Australia is so overdue. Kerfew is a way for me to connect with new and old people, contribute to a safe space and also use it as a way to explore and interrogate my own brownness by learning and sharing with others.
What is something you would like to share?
Coconut oil in your hair is a life changer.
