21/22 conscious Wrap by l-fresh the lion

What a ride. New year. New format. New artists. Same pandemic. An uncertain beginning with a strong finish full of firsts.

In 2021, we welcomed Saif, P. Smid, Clarissa Mei and Givitimy to the Conscious program, joining our community of alumni: Becca Hatch, Nardean, Jessica Jade, Zeadala, Mirrah, Slim Set, T Breezy, Spvrrow and A.GIRL. We formally introduced my team at Village Boy Entertainment into a partnership with Campbelltown Arts Centre to coincide with a new program format where we structured the industry and creative development aspects of the program around the commissioning of a new single to be released as part of their year with us in Conscious.

The engagement ended up being beyond a year, given the challenges of the COVID pandemic. The music industry globally had to show resilience and adaptability, and so did we at Conscious, with the first half of the program being conducted virtually over video calls with meetings and skills building sessions, with our series planning and creative conversations continuing over the phone. Each of the artists found their way through the unpredictability of the time and showed great resolve in their song-writing and performances. Their songs are a testament to how artists can be beacons during uncertain times.

The greatest personal highlight for me this year was seeing all of our artists come together to support both Clarissa Mei and Saif as they performed Campbelltown’s Festival of Fisher’s Ghost, which concluded a run of our artists performing at major events from the NRLW to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. The bond shared between this year’s cohort has been inspiring to see develop and it’s at the heart of the program: this sense of community between artists who, despite all coming from very different lived experiences and music styles, recognise their shared values and collective voice as artists from Western Sydney.

As we wrap for 2022, I can see in my mind’s eye a highlight reel of snapshots from studio sessions, Zoom meetings, half-time show performances and can also recall countless deep conversations shared between our Conscious community this year. I’m buoyed by the momentum that has been built for each of the artists this year and am excited for what seeds have been planted for Conscious moving forward.