Big Pups shared more than music with the Pormpuraaw community on his tour with a beachside yarning session. Photo: Supplied.
From sharing lyrics to sharing life stories, Cape-loving singer Big Pups is encouraging men to be open and vulnerable through a shared love of music.
Pere “Big Pups” Paul finished off his fifth Cape York tour in Pormpuraaw earlier this month after singing and yarning his way through Bamaga, Seisia, New Mapoon, Bramwell Junction, Lockhart River and Weipa.
Although he has a deep love for every square inch of the Cape, Paul said he had built a close connection with the Lockhart River community over the years, facilitating yarning circles at the local men’s shed and providing them a space to open up.
“I told them that I’d return and just check on a brother,” he said.
“It was just talking about things in general, just keeping everything positive, and seeing how everything’s going in the community.
“These guys don’t get access to other resources like we do in Cairns or Brisbane, or anywhere where you’re able to just jump in the car and go and talk to people.”
This year, Paul led a music workshop for a few of the men who were interested in putting together a local band.
During Big Pups’ performance at the Lockhart River Social Club, the men got an opportunity to showcase what they had been working on.
“We had a couple of local boys that got up and played with me on the Saturday night after doing the workshop on Friday, and it was great,” he said.
“That’s something encouraging, because music is an international language, so you can share that gift with everyone, and people, especially in the remote areas, they need access to music as well.”
For the first time, he also organised a yarning session in Pormpuraaw, gaining a deeper understanding of the community he was performing for.
“When I go to these men’s yarns, it’s not about trying to lead a conversation, it’s trying to just let the conversation happen naturally,” the musician said.
“I was very fortunate to have a long yarn with one of the Elders in Pormpuraaw, and I learned so much about their community.”
Lockhart River’s aspiring musicians got the chance to perform alongside Big Pups after a workshop helping them to put a local band together. Photo: Supplied.
