Jen Cloher reveals ‘Being Human’, the second single from their forthcoming fifth album I Am The River, The River Is Me – released on Friday, 3rd March 2023.
A powerful anthem committed to truth telling and Indigenous sovereignty, ‘Being Human’ builds its intensity upon an urgent drum beat, driving bass line, angular guitars and synth. The track breaks down before bursting into an exclamation of haka chants from Naarm based Kapa Haka (cultural performance group) Te Hononga o ngā Iwi. Fittingly the accompanying clip is a spirited live video also featuring Te Hononga o ngā Iwi. Watch below!
Cloher shares “Of all the songs on this album I am most nervous about, Being Human is the one. It’s earnest and basic and raw. Reclaiming your culture is an awkward and messy business. I can see why so many people shy away from it. When you’re not living on your own lands you have to seek it out and find the people who can support you. Some of the people who have been there for me are in the music video.
In this song I locate myself on unceded Aboriginal land. Who am I? Who are my people? And how did I come to be here? Why was this an amnesia for so much of my life? And how do I live here today in a way that enacts reparations and shows my respect to the True Owners? For some it will look like virtue signalling and for others it will feel encouraging. Whatever way it lands for you is none of my business. All I know is that through telling my own story without shying away from the truth – I have connected to something so precious – a depth I didn’t know was possible. I have become useful.”
Stream / purchase ‘Being Human’ here.
Pre-order / pre-save I Am The River, The River Is Me here.
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