Sorousian

With little contemporary music from Vanuatu available internationally, this debut from singer-songwriter Tio Bang is a most welcome release. A native of the island Ambryn (there are over 80 islands in Vanuatu, formally known as New Hebrides), in recent times Tio has been alternatively based in both the capital Port Vila and Melbourne, Australia. Having grown up with traditional Melanesian songs and stories in the local Daakaka language, his performance interest was first sparked learning to play wooden slit-drums known as tam-tam, before joining the Vanuatu roots reggae bands DropVkal and Koncerners.

Following on from his self-titled EP in 2015, Sorousian (Story) showcases Tio’s multi-instrumental versatility on ukulele, guitar, violin, djembé, tam-tam and bush bass, along with his own gently expressive vocals. Singing in English, Bislama (Pidgin) and Daakaka, his supporting musicians include Aboriginal-Tongan singer David Leha (Radical Son), PNG drummer Emmanuel Hakalitz, and numerous Melbourne luminaries cellist Helen Mountford, violinist Hope Csutoros, guitarist Phil Wales and keyboardist-producers David Bridie and Andrew Robinson. Whether reworking an Ambryn kastom dance song on ‘Mumbwe’, exploring the contradictions of island tradition versus urban modernity on ‘Black Butterfly’, or simply experiencing his own juxtaposed first-to-third world realities, Sorousian is totally authentic, very contemporary and absolutely gorgeous.