Wauchope students create deadly beats in bushfire recovery project

The travelling music studio was set up at Wauchope High School for three days from June 9 with the aim to connect young people through creativity and technology.

The workshops run by Mad Proppa Deadly Indigenous Corporation were for students from Year 5 through to Year 10, with three songs written and recorded by the students at the end of the program.

Mad Proppa Deadly Indigenous Corporation, founded by Gumbaynggirr and Gamilaroi man Nate Weatherall, uses music to foster connection, learning and expression for young people in regional areas.

"We help the students write the songs and show them how to structure music," Nate said.

"Gauging what the students are listening to is also important, so they can write and create songs that they want to listen to.

"There is a mix of styles that the students are interested in and we tried to blend elements from each to create something that they like."

Students were involved in workshops with artists MC Solo from Horrorshow, Tamworth's Loren Ryan and Freddy Crabs from Sticky Fingers.

"They were very productive in the end. I think they were a bit shy to begin with when they first heard their voices, but then they see the process and how easy it is and they did end up becoming quite comfortable and enjoyed the process," Nate said.

"It does boost their confidence when they hear what they're able to make over just a few days."

The ReVibe studio is Mad Proppa Deadly Indigenous Corporation's program that helps young people in the wake of a natural disaster.

"One of my contacts in Wauchope said we should bring the studio out here and work with the kids and that's what really kicked it off for us," Nate said.

"We try and help communities after natural disasters by connecting them through music."

38 students from Wauchope High School and Wauchope Public School took part in the program.

"Seeing the students enjoy themselves makes it all worth it."

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