The Pure Drop is an exploration and celebration of traditional and World Music. This website brings you musical performances from all over the global village, and explores the stories behind the music of multicultural Australia. The stories are presented in eleven episodes that combine short video documentary with interactivity. View highlights from The Pure Drop. Press the play button on the video player to start.
→ proceed to episode 2 Hotline to the Ancestors
The Pure Drop’s main themes are played out in the following episodes, which can be also be accessed from the menu across the top of each page. Other content, including video extras and downloadable mp3 files, can be found in the menu on the left of each page.
Hotline to the Ancestors
World music is grounded in traditions passed down through generations. Eliza Carthy and her parents talk about growing up in a folk music family.
Global Villagers
How do regional musical styles survive in a world where distance is disappearing? Silvia Entcheva is a Bulgarian singer who brought her music with her when she came to Australia.
Endangered Words
What are some of the ways lyrics are used in world music? Stiff Gins use songs to tell stories and to keep endangered languages alive.
Singing Legends
Sometimes living traditions become threatened with extinction. Jussi Huovinen is the last living custodian of the ancient rune-singing tradition of Karelia in Eastern Europe.
The Tune
Melody is the engine that drives most world music traditions. Melbourne band Trouble in the Kitchen put some Irish tunes on the dissecting table so we can find out what makes them tick.
Extreme Singing
Tanya ‘Tagaq’ Gillis and her cousin Celina Kalluk are two Inuit women who explore the outer reaches of vocal technique.
First get a Goat
World music is full of weird and exotic instruments. Linsey Pollak shows us some of the unique instruments he makes and talks about what makes a good world music instrument.
Roots and Branches
Many musicians have drawn inspiration from world music, without necessarily immersing themselves in a particular tradition. John Butler is an artist working with pop and rock forms who is still in touch with his roots.
Digital Gothic
Despite being rooted in tradition, world music is often remarkably receptive to technical innovation. Garmarna are a Swedish band who mix modern technology with traditional music.
Living in the Mainstream
Do you keep your music pure and play to 10 people? Or take it to the mainstream and play to millions? Mandawuy Yunupingu tells us how he took his music to the masses.
