“From Goroka to the Globe”
M U S I K B L O K
Musik Blok is a creative platform based in Goroka, Papua New Guinea. Spearheaded by PNG/Australian 4 x ARIA nominee Ngaiire, the platform is designed to support and develop local artists through music and cultural exchange.
The first program under Musik Blok is a 10-day songwriting and music production lab, bringing together emerging PNG artists and mentors from Australia to write, produce, and collaborate across borders.
Alongside studio work, participants take part in a community-led cultural exchange in Watabung village, connecting creative practice with place, culture, and community.
FOR THE MUSIK BLOK
SONGWRITING + PRODUCTION LAB
FOUNDER + PROGRAM DIRECTOR
NGAIIRE
“This project brings together tradition and innovation. It’s about honouring who we are while building the future we want.”
Founder and program director Ngaiire always knew she’d come back to Papua New Guinea to give back to her community after building an impressive 20 year long career in the Australian music industry. Ngaiire has performed at Glastonbury in the UK, Splendour In the Grass as well as opening and performing with Sampha, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Sufjan Stevens, and Flume.
MENTORS
Dr Paul Mac
One of Australia’s most influential electronic producers & a founding member of the ARIA Award-winning act Itch-E & Scratch-E. Across a three-decade career he has shaped the sound of Australian electronic music while producing and collaborating with artists including Silverchair, The Dissociatives, and Ngaiire. Paul is also a resident lecturer at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Nai Palm
Nai Palm is a 3 x Grammy-nominated artist and frontwoman of Hiatus Kaiyote, renowned globally for her genre-defying songwriting, production and vocal artistry.
Her work has influenced and been sampled by artists like Drake, Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar, cementing her as one of the most respected and innovative voices in contemporary music.
Ariel Blum
A multi-instrumentalist, producer and the founder of GRID Series, a global creative platform connecting artists through collaborative residencies, performances, and cultural exchange. His work focuses on building international networks that bring together musicians from diverse scenes to create new work and cross-pollinate ideas.
Kaiit (Keynote)
Kaiit is an ARIA Award-winning Naarm artist of Torres Strait Islander and Papua New Guinean heritage, known for her soulful fusion of R&B, hip hop and neo-soul.
Her breakout track OG Luv Kush Pt. 2 gained international attention and praise from Alicia Keys and Erykah Badu.
Cazeaux O.S.L.O.
Cazeaux O.S.L.O. is a DJ, beatmaker and rapper rooted in traditional hip hop culture, performing with groups SO.Crates, Man Made Mountain and Sunset Cities, as well as his own solo project.
He has shared stages with icons like Common, Talib Kweli and Madlib, and performed across major festivals including WOMADelaide, Melbourne Jazz Festival and Strawberry Fields.
Airileke (Guest Speaker)
Airileke is a PNG-Australian artist, producer and Artistic Director whose work bridges ancient Melanesian traditions with contemporary sound. A cultural leader and activist, he has directed large-scale Pacific events and collaborated with leading First Nations artists, while using his music to amplify stories of identity, resistance and West Papua’s fight for freedom.
Setwun
Setwun is a Solomon Islander-Australian artist known for a fluid sound shaped by soul, jazz and electronic influences.
Eora-based, with credits including Ronnie Scott’s and support for Kokoroko, Nubya Garcia, DJ Shadow and Chaka Khan.