Create sacred temple spaces and wild ecstatic states of self-transcendence

interviewarticle

3 May

Meet Syren, the singer and music producer who is bringing together her band for the Syren Sacred Body Show in Brisbane and Noosa.

Tell us about the show in 100 words or less

Syren’s new live show 'Sacred Body' brings together the mystical experience of her music to life with raw and powerful vocals as she performs original beats alongside majestic Harpist Cecilia Caleandro (Brisbane), and violin and flute player Caroline Trengove (Noosa). Together, they will create sacred temple spaces and wild ecstatic states of self-transcendence

Anywhere Festival takes place anywhere but a theatre. Tell us about your venue. What is it about your space that adds to your audience experience?

Elements Collective is a main hub site for Anywhere Festival. Elements Collective are leaders and innovators in Brisbane’s creative, dance and events scene. This iconic venue plays host to its award-winning dance company, along with a range of inspiring events both in-venue and abroad. Experiencing live music in a dance space is a really different concept and it’s wonderful for the audience to experience the space, very different to a bar or a club.

Sunshine Butterflies in Noosa is a unique property, a purpose-built, tranquil 5-acre oasis in the Noosa countryside. The vibe is bring your own picnic blanket or picnic chair and enjoy an afternoon sunset in the Noosa countryside. Sunshine Butterflies is a not-for-profit Disability Support provider that offers information, support, resources and activity programs to individuals and families living with a disability.

I love the concept of playing at Sunshine Butterflies on a beautiful farm as the sun is setting… I have played in unique locations all over Australia, from performing on the beach with the cliffs lit up at Nightcliff in Darwin, to the middle of the desert out of Alice Springs to the rainforest outside of Cairns. I love performing in nature.

What is your creative process like?

I design the set to be like a movie. We like to take the audience on a Magical Journey of Awakening like creating a new reality. My music has a full frequency spectrum, from bass music to trip-hop to tribal rhythms then add the musical instruments like the majestic harp, violin and flute. With my voice it’s like they’ve landed on a heavenly mermaid planet.

Tell us your origin story. How did your show start?

Syren aka Lulu Madill was born in Gympie and fell in love with music from the beginning of her life as her mother Gayle Madill was a part of birthing the Gympie Country Music Muster. She was surrounded by music from age one. At age seven she was playing the violin, and then progressed to the classical piano. She played the keys and sang in the high school band at 13 with lead role in the Rock Eisteddfod as well as many musicals through high school. At 21 in 2002, Lulu found her passion with electronic music while living in Glasgow, Scotland where she experimented with drum machines and synthesisers.

In 2004 Lulu enrolled at S.A.E. where she did six months of the audio engineering course before she commenced the planning and building of her own recording studio in Preston, Melbourne. At Buttons Touching Studio's Lulu recorded over 25 artists from pop, hip-hop and rock music. In 2008 Lulu travelled to the Northern Territory to work on music projects in remote Aboriginal communities for seven years. While touring her music around Australia she became Syren singing her songs of awakening, love and uplifting people spirits working with different musicians along the way.

Who is your perfect audience member? Who is going to LOVE this event?

People who love to dance and get lost in the moment of the magic music and play. Women who love to dance, move, feel, dream, vision with us…

Is there anything else we simply MUST know about the show?

The Syren Sacred Body show is best for people over 15 years old. We like to take the audience into wild states of transcendence so hang onto your soul sails for a gentle yet wild ride.

Syren takes place as part of Anywhere Festival on the 8 & 9 May in Brisbane at Elements Collective and 22 May in Noosa at Sunshine Butterflies.

AFmusicaf21Anywhere Festival

Nadia Jade

Nadia Jade is a Brisbane-based creative and entrepreneur with a bent for a well-turned phrase and an unerring sense of the zeitgeist. She watches a disproportionate amount of live performance and can usually be found slouching around the various circus warehouses of Brisneyland.