The promotional images suggest that he’s a rock star, as does his gruelling schedule – 25 live performances in the space of two months.
But the man himself, Kutcha Edwards, sees what he does differently.
“What I believe I’m doing is having an interactive conversation – I’m not actually, in a sense, performing,” Mr Edwards said.
“I liken what it is that I do as dropping an imaginary pebble in an imaginary pond and creating a ripple.”
That ripple will be reaching Sale next week, as he returns to The Wedge with his new stage show Circling Time: Songs & Stories.
The production will see Mr Edwards – a proud Indigenous man and survivor of the Stolen Generations – telling his story through music, which is interspersed with occasional pieces of narration.
All of the music is written and sung by the artist, and lifted from his Circling Time album.
The title of the album, and the show it inspires, refers to his belief that time is infinite and non-linear.
“Time doesn’t have a starting point, time doesn’t have an end – it’s circular,” Mr Edwards said.
“We, as Aboriginal people, believe we can enter the timeline at any time we choose.
“I believe that the vehicle that is my body is 57 years old, but my spirit is millennia (in age).
“You can name any number in your head, and that’s how old I am.”
The music of Circling Time draws upon multiple influences and spans multiple genres, making for an eclectic sound.
For instance, the opening number “Singing Up Country” has shades of soft-rock, whereas “We Sing” is almost gospel in tone.
Yet the highlight would have to be the haunting, blues-inspired tune “Mrs. Edwards”, telling the earliest memory Kutcha has of his biological mother.
“I remember the moment that led-up to me walking, barging through the front door of Cooinda Cottage, and seeing my Mum,” Mr Edwards recalled.
“I didn’t know who she was, and I was scared of her.
“And I’m haunted by that, knowing that six-year-old kid was scared of his mother.”
The importance of Circling Time goes beyond telling a narrative – it’s about changing attitudes.
“What I’m actually doing is putting a mirror up in-front of non-Aboriginal Australia, because Aboriginal Australia know what it’s like to be us – I know what it’s like to be me,” Mr Edwards said.
His hope is that his story will encourage people to be part of a conversation.
“If they’re adults, they will converse with their children, and if there are children in attendance, then children will say to their Mums and Dads, ‘Mum, Dad, imagine if that happened to us.’
“‘Why did it happen to Kutcha? Can you tell me why it happened?’”
“And then the conversation is being had in non-Aboriginal houses, and that’s the importance of what it is that I get to do.”
Circling Time: Songs & Stories will be appearing at The Wedge on Thursday, June 30 from 8pm.
Those wishing to attend can call the box office on 5143 3200 or visit thewedge.com.au
