Musicians and mentors travelling to the inaugural Musik Blok residency in Goroka.

Musicians and mentors travelling to the inaugural Musik Blok residency in Goroka.

THE inaugural Musik Blok residency has concluded in Goroka, marking the successful completion of a ground-breaking artist-led initiative connecting emerging Papua New Guinean musicians with leading Australian artists and mentors through 10 days of song-writing, music production and cultural exchange.

Founded by PNG-born, Australia-based artist Ngaiire, Musik Blok was created to strengthen contemporary music practice in Papua New Guinea by providing opportunities for mentorship, creative development and professional collaboration without requiring artists to leave PNG.

Supported by the Australia’s Cultural Diplomacy Grants Programme, the pilot residency brought together eight emerging artists with internationally recognised mentors including Nai Palm, Ant Enoch, Kaiit, Setwun, Cazeaux O.S.L.O, Airileke and Ariel Blum.

Throughout the programme, participants collaborated to write and record new original music while building skills in song-writing, recording and production. The programme also included a community-led cultural exchange in Watabung village, grounding the creative process in place, culture and connection with community.

Mentor and producer Ariel Blum said the experience had left a lasting impact.

"Taking part as a mentor in Musik Blok was one of the most transformational creative and cultural experiences I have had in my 25-year career in the music industry. 

Artist Brendan Lahui was one of the musicians chosen to take part in the programme founded by PNG-born, Australia-based artist Ngaiire.

“The opportunity to write and create music with Papua New Guinea's most exciting emerging artists was a deeply nourishing creative experience that taught me so much about cross-cultural collaboration, gratitude and presence. “The music created throughout the programme is truly world class and I can't wait to see the careers of the participants grow and flourish,” he said.

Founder and programme director Ngaiire said the success of the inaugural residency demonstrated what was possible when artists were given the time, space and support to create together.

"Watching this vision come to life has been incredibly moving. Over 10 days we witnessed artists from Papua New Guinea and Australia come together with openness, generosity and a genuine desire to learn from one another. The creative outcomes exceeded anything I could have imagined.

"What made Musik Blok so special wasn't just the music that was created, although that was extraordinary. It was the way the programme was grounded in culture, country and community,” she added.

The residency culminated in a ‘listening party’ where invited guests experienced original works created during the programme, offering a first glimpse into the creative outcomes of the pilot.