Sound Connections
A South East Asia/Pacific Strategy
Sound Connections is Tura’s new multi-year initiative reimagining the cultural and musical ties between Australia and its Indo-Pacific neighbours. Inspired by centuries-old exchanges, particularly between Northern Australia and the Indonesian archipelago, this program reconnects and reimagines these rich, cross-cultural legacies in a contemporary artistic context.
Tura builds on the success of its Kimberley Indonesia Project (2018–2019), once again turning to the concept of Kai Jawa – the term used by Indonesian traders to refer to the Kimberley prior to European colonisation – as a launching point for deeper artistic exploration and cultural exchange across the Indo-Pacific.
Reconnecting the Past, Imagining the Future
Before borders divided the region, sea-faring traders from Indonesia exchanged not only goods like trepang but also stories, songs, and knowledge with First Nations communities in Northern and North-Western Australia. Sound Connections revisits this deep history.
Our Vision
Building on Tura’s successful Kimberley-Indonesia Project, Sound Connections will spark fresh artistic collaborations from the Kimberley to Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific. The project aims to:
- Foster stronger cultural understanding between Australia, SEA and Pacific communities
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Highlight First Nations culture at the heart of regional connection
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Build on Western Australia's unique regional history
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Create long-term cultural and artistic exchanges
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Support government priorities in regional engagement
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Showcase Indo-Pacific voices to Australian audiences
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Bring Tura’s existing work to new international audiences
Artist Exchange & New Works: Musicians and cultural knowledge holders will collaborate through residencies, workshops, and new commissions.
Archival Research: ‘Tura Cultural Fellows’ will document and research musical legacies and cultural ties.
Symposia & Knowledge Sharing: Public talks and events will engage historians, academics, and artists across the region.
Touring & Showcasing: Tura’s existing and new works will be presented throughout South East Asia and the Pacific.
2025
- Research and collaboration in Indonesia
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Public showings in Jogjakarta and Jakarta
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Launch of the Kai-Jawa/Marege symposia
2026-2029
- Regional tours across SEA and the Pacific
- Showcases of archival material
- Premieres of new large-scale cultural commissions
- Annual Kai-Jawa/Marege symposia across Australia and the region
Tos Mahoney
Artistic Director
Tura’s founder, Artistic Director and CEO, Tos Mahoney has played a pivotal role in the experimental music and cultural sector in Australia over the last 35 years. Starting Evos, the predecessor of Tura in 1987, he has contributed as both an artist/musician and a producer during that time. Tos’s role as Artistic Director, curator and arts advocate has seen the initiation and roll out of a whole raft of projects and programs across Australia and internationally.
Kate Ben-Tovim
Strategic Advisor
International Producer Kate Ben Tovim manages the international production, overseeing coordination, partnerships, and logistics. Her expertise ensures smooth collaboration across borders and supports the project’s ambitious vision.
Nyak Ina Raseuki (Ubiet)
Tura Cultural Fellow (Indonesia)
Nyak Ina Raseuki, known as Ubiet, is an Indonesian composer and performer whose passion for vocal music began in her teens as a lead singer in popular music groups in Aceh and Jakarta. She studied voice at the Jakarta Institute of the Arts (IKJ) and holds a Master of Music and Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Wisconsin. A national and international performer, Ubiet now lectures at IKJ's Graduate School. Her focus on vocal ornamentation led her to collaborate with composer Tony Prabowo and Minang musicians to form the contemporary music group The New Jakarta Ensemble.
Chris Griffiths
Tura Cultural Fellow (Australia)
Chris Griffiths is a Miriwoong, Ngaliwurru, and Karangpurru man with over 20 years' experience in arts, tourism, media, and land management across north-west Australia. A respected cultural leader, mentor, and public speaker, he has worked with major institutions, served on boards, and supported landmark native title cases. As a lead songman and dancer, he plays a key role in ceremony and community life. Chris is currently the Strong Men’s Program Coordinator at Waringarri Aboriginal Corporation and was Cultural Advisor and Lead Songman for Tura’s The Journey Down project.
Gillian Howell
Social Impact Strategist
Gillian Howell is a musician and researcher living and working on Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung/Bunurong Country in Narrm (Melbourne). Her creative practice and Songwriter biographies research explore how music-making can support wellbeing, strengthen social fabric, and foster community dialogue. As Director of Tura’s Sound FX program, Gillian began working in Fitzroy Crossing on Bunuba country in 2017, collaborating with educators and children at Baya Gawiy and local schools to create new music and sound art about life in the Fitzroy Valley. “I feel deeply grateful for the trust, generosity, and knowledge shared throughout this project—especially the opportunity to learn from such powerful expressions of language, culture, and care for Country.” Gillian is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne and was the Project Leader of the Buga Yanu Junba Songbook project, as well as lead investigator for the songwriting action research.
