Mixed Relations facts for kids

Mixed Relations was an Australian band started by Bart Willoughby. They played a cool mix of reggae, pop, rock, and jazz music. The band traveled a lot, performing in Aboriginal communities, Australian cities, and even places like the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, the United States, Europe, Canada, and Hong Kong.

Mixed Relations was chosen to be the final act at the first ever Invasion (also known as Survival) Day Concert in 1989. This concert took place at La Perouse, Sydney. They continued to be the closing act for this important concert every year until 1994. Their song, "Aboriginal Woman", was very popular and made it to No. 89 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1993 list.

The Band's Journey

Mixed Relations was a reggae and rock band formed in Sydney in late 1988. Bart Willoughby was the main person behind the band. He played percussion, sang lead vocals, played guitar, and even played the didgeridoo. Before Mixed Relations, Bart was part of other well-known bands like No Fixed Address, Coloured Stone, and Yothu Yindi.

A music expert named Ian McFarlane said that Mixed Relations played a "funky" mix of reggae, pop, rock, and jazz. He noted that the band became very popular for their live shows. Their very first performance was at the Aboriginal Music Festival in Darwin in December 1988.

In August 1991, the band went on tour in Europe and Canada. A writer from Green Left Weekly, Kaarin Davies-Cassin, described their music. She said it mixed traditional Australian rhythms and melodies with both traditional and Western instruments. This created a unique and interesting sound.

Music Releases

In October 1992, Mixed Relations released their first extended play (EP) called Take It or Leave It. It was released through Red Eye Records. The band members at this time included Bart Willoughby. Other members were Murray Cook on keyboards and bass guitar, Leroy Cummings on guitar, and Alvin Duffin on drums. Brenda Gifford played saxophone, piano, and sang backing vocals. Alice Haines sang vocals and played percussion. Vanessa Lucas played bass guitar, violin, and sang backing vocals.

After their EP, they released their single, "Aboriginal Woman", in February 1993. Their first full album, Love, came out in April of the same year. Nic Haygarth from The Canberra Times newspaper said the album was "a mix of joyful sounds." He felt it blended city and outback sounds, and traditional Aboriginal culture with electric music.

Bart Willoughby explained his musical ideas to Nic Haygarth. He said that Mixed Relations allowed him to work with anyone he wanted and play any style of music. He felt this style was a "middle ground" for him.

The song "Aboriginal Woman" was very popular. It was voted No. 89 in Triple J's listener poll for the Triple J Hottest 100, 1993. In November 1993, Bart Willoughby won the award for best Indigenous performer at the Australian Music Awards.

Band Members and Beyond

Other musicians who played in Mixed Relations included Megan Briansky on keyboards and vocals. Sharon Carpenter played percussion and sang vocals. Suzanne Irvin also played keyboards. The band stopped playing together in 1995. Bart Willoughby then went back to his Pitjantjatjara community to teach music. Later, in 1997, he started performing as a solo artist. In 2008, he brought back his old band, No Fixed Address.

After leaving Mixed Relations in 1992, Alice Haines acted in the play Bran Nue Dae. She also starred in the film Serenades. Later, she had her own musical show and released a solo album. Murray Cook joined the band Mental As Anything after Mixed Relations ended. Selwyn Burns played with No Fixed Address, Coloured Stone, and Blackfire. Vanessa Lucas was a short-term member of Tall Tales and True. Brenda Gifford, who became a music teacher, remembered her time with Mixed Relations fondly. She said it was a "great experience" that allowed her to see many parts of Australia and some of the world.

Discography

Albums

• Love (April 1993)

Extended Plays

• Take It or Leave It (October 1992) Red Eye Records

Singles

• "Aboriginal Woman" (1993)