Artist Residency at Dunmoochin

Back in September 2007 I published a blog post on housing cooperatives and other creative living solutions that could address Melbourne’s housing crisis.

Inspired by housing cooperatives like Moora Moora in Victoria and Stucco in the Sydney I dreamed of living somewhere similar: an intentional community where like minded people contribute to a common vision but also live their own individual lives.

I can’t believe it but I now live in one of those places! In April of this year I was awarded a year-long artist residency at the historic Dunmoochin Foundation, an artist colony established by the late Clifton Pugh.

The colony has several houses and studios were artists work on their particular art projects to be completed within the year of their stay. In my case that’s my debut record!

Living at Dunmoochin has been a really exciting time filled with much inspiration and reflection. So far I’ve recorded 6 songs, which I will release as an EP then I will work on several more to complete a full LP.

I’m always inspired here because the colony is amongst pristine natural bushland that has been permanently protected through Trust for Nature. I feel so lucky to be here with these majestic surrounds, sunset views and delightful neighbours (my fellow artists in residence). I just wish I could stay longer than a year! I certainly wont want to leave when April of next year comes around.

My most recent pieces of 'art' have been two songs “Something’s Better than Nothing” and “Far and Few Between.” The former explores the inner battle between an ‘all or nothing’ attitude and a ‘something’s better than nothing’ attitude. Far and Few Between is a little bit like a Zen Kaon: an attempt to create a riddle for the purpose of contemplation.

The magic of Dunmoochin and the inspiration it provides has found it’s way into both songs. (At least I like to think so!) Certainly nature is a reoccurring theme in many of my songs and in these two tunes I talk about nature that was saved, like the great Franklin river (Something’s Better than Nothing) and an ancient mythical wilderness that stretches beyond the our wildest imaginations (Far and Few Between).

You can listen or buy the songs below as a two-song bundle. I'm fundraising for the final duplication costs of my ep.

Rachael Byrnes EP: sneak peek release by Rachael Byrnes