Dewayne Everettsmith
Photo: Wendi Roberts
Singer-songwriter Dewayne Everettsmith's original songs are influenced by contemporary music, his life and his connection to both the Gunai nation of South-East Victoria and the Tasmanian community who thrived on Cape Barren, despite government policies which sought their removal.
Raised by descendants of the famed Tasmanian Aboriginal woman Fanny Cochrane-Smith, Dewayne spent six months learning the music of Cape Barren Island from the Island Coes – a band centred on three Aboriginal elders who by then were the only people left playing this unusual folk style.
Dewayne joined the Coes in 2003 for their final performances.
Since 2002, Dewayne has performed at numerous community events in Tasmania, opened for John Butler Trio, supported New Zealand’s Topp Sisters and performed at a number of major festivals around the country including Taste of Tasmania, Putalina, The Dreaming, Woodford Folk Festival and Ten Days on an Island.
Most recently, Dewayne was the support act for two shows by internationally-acclaimed Aboriginal singer/songwriters, Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter.
Dewayne's attendance at the 2008 Festival of Pacific Arts has been supported by Arts Tasmania.