Melbourne-based singer songwriter Kiwat Kennell has taken a look towards some of the more prescient topics about mental health for his newest single, The Moment.
Arriving just weeks after his acclaimed performances at Bigsound, The Moment is an exploration of honesty and vulnerability, with Kennell’s sooth vocals and introspective lyrics underlining the importance of the topic at hand.
Written alongside Eskimo Joe’s Joel Quartermain, The Moment began life after witnessing a friend balancing their mental health struggles. Focusing on the intensity and significance of those crucial moments in life, the single is designed to spark conversation when it comes to men’s mental health, to break the stigma, and instead focus on “mental wealth”.
“The Moment is a song that speaks to the balance of fear-inducing anxiety that the future can bring, and the overwhelming depression of living in the past,” Kennell says of the track. “Sometimes our thoughts speak so loud, we cannot see the other side of the coin we are currently spinning on.”
Kennell’s first new song since the release of his Project Kiwat EP in February, The Moment is the first taste of his new series of works, Love & Hate.
The new project sees Kennell – a proud Eastern Torres Strait Islander musician from the islands of Ugar (Stephens) and Erub (Darnley) – reckoning with his conflicting life experiences, and serves as a testament to his resilience and cultural pride.
“The Moment is my first single from a series of new works from my latest project, Love & Hate, a depiction of what life is like in this colony as a Black Man who was raised to respect law enforcement, whilst simultaneously witnessing the systemic injustices indigenous people are faced with.
“This track is the beginning of something truly special.”
Alongside the release of The Moment, Kennell has also detailed a single launch show, scheduled for Sunday, October 13th at The Corner Hotel. Featuring The Terrifying Lows and Queen Rhii as support acts, tickets to the upcoming show are on sale now.
