Singer-songwriter Imogen Pemberton will be launching her new single "Cotton Wool" at Black Spark Cultural Centre in Northcote.
Cotton wool is a dedication to my friend Narayana Johnson who passed
away earlier this year. Narayana was a talented musician whom people
may know from his musical guises- “Willow beats” and “River boy”. He
truly was a beam of light to most people who knew him and was a
significant figure in my own personal growth and as a musician.
Within the song, I tried to capture the joy within the memories that I
experienced alongside him in my youth. His humour, his playfulness and
the feeling that he gave of having the world at your feet. I was lucky enough
to be able to walk beside Narayana at such a formative time in my life. In
the midst of a hard industry, he is one of the reasons I still write music. He
inspired me, believed in me and his passing has taught me the importance
of keeping joy and music in my life.
“Cotton Wool” is a celebration of his life, my gratitude for him and my grief
for a time that I must accept is no longer.
After the musicians are paid, the remaining proceeds of this event will be going to two families in Gaza.
We will be supporting these two families to buy food and medicine, and any other day-to-day survival items available on the incredibly scarce market.
Family 1. Mera, her husband and six kids (Mohammed, Besan, Mohammed, Nada, Kareem, Sela, Mela). Like many their home was completely destroyed in bombing attacks, for a while they were staying at Mera’s mum’s home which was only damaged a little, but the situation became too dangerous and they had to move. They have been tent hopping, Mera and her youngest daughter (2 years old) suffer from Asthma and are constantly struggling in the dusty environment, desperately longing for the walls of a home, they are constantly redirected, and fleeing military attacks and bombs. They have lost hope of a life in Gaza and wish to leave, but it it almost impossible. One of her daughters was recently hit with shrapnel waiting in a line for food on her birthday. Just a week ago Mera's brother was shot dead in the head falling beside her.
Family 2. Khaled (deceased)'s family. We were raising funds for Khaled but sadly in June he was killed by the occupation. His family are in dire need and we continue to raise funds for his injured mother, father and brother and other family members in need of food and other essentials.
