On this episode Candy chats with musician, dancer and actor Samuel Gaskin. Based in Naarm with African and Maori heritage Samuel, in true multi-hypho fashion, can be heard on the radio and seen on our screens queering up and colouring in the Australian entertainment scene with his art.
Samuel’s most recent work, RECKONING “Te Waiata Paihere Wairua -The Sounds of Woven Souls” is a multi artform performance that fuses Indigenous cultures of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Te Whēnua Moemoeā (Land of the Dreamtime) Australia. When he’s not working Samuel can be found spending quality time with his kids, watching Temptation Island or listening to Christine and the Queens.
Discussion Points
Representation and BIPOC employment
within creative industriesThe necessity for the interrogation of
whiteness within institutionsThe internalised racism within Australia
The complexity of being attracted to whiteness
The hypocrisy of our white friends - are they
willing to walk away?
Biography
Samuel Gaskin is a commercial dancer and successful singer/ songwriter. Hailing from African, New Zealand and European roots, Sam has always been one to stand out in a crowd.
Embarking on a career as a commercial dancer at the age of 19 saw him feature in numerous video clips and awards shows such as the ARIAS, Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards and TV Week Logies.
His television and film credits include Orange, Neighbours, Angry Boys, Fit for Fashion & most recently “All together now the 100” for channel 7 as judge.
He has also appeared in various commercials and worked with the likes of Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy, Ricki-Lee Coulter, Vanessa Amorosi and Marcia Hines.
He hosts Christine Anu’s kids’ project, Chrissy’s Island Family annually, and made his theatre debut in 2008, playing Mowgli with the Australian Shakespeare Company’s Jungle Book Tour.
Since finishing the Hairspray Australian tour, Sam has been busy indeed, working with Australian icons including Tania Doko (Bachelor Girl) and Deni Hines on music collaborations.
His early work “GANK” spent 4 weeks at no.1 on the Triple J Unearthed Electro Charts in 2010. “Marathon” his collaboration with Congo Tardis number one was signed to New York label Gold Whistle. In 2016 Sam signed with Razor Recordings and released two debut singles “Good Enough” & “Love”.
Sam is passionate about uplifting and inspiring the next generation of performers and facilitates Master classes & workshops for Ausdance & Chunky Move he also helped roll out the “Diversity in Theatre” program for the VCA & Melbourne University through Stage a change. He is proud to sit on the National Performers committee for MEAA as the Victorian Vice President and also works as a speaker for beyondblue sharing his journey with mental health and well being.
Links
Watch Listen Learn list
Film
Music
