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JEN CLOHER
Reveals new clip for
I Am The River, The River Is Me

+ Announces supports for
next month’s National Tour

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Photo Credit: Marcelle Bradbeer

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Praise for I Am The River, The River Is Me

“Cloher is one of Australia’s finest songwriters, one who takes time between releases and produces music that is in equal parts contemplative and joyful.” – 4.5* Spectrum

“If Cloher’s previous album was an exercise in reclaiming their identity, I Am the River, The River Is Me is an unabashed celebration of who they are and what they stand for, empowering and inspiring in equal measure.” – STACK Mag

“At the end of the day, Jen is an amazingly observant, sharp, thoughtful, compassionate songwriter.” – Tim Shiel, Double J

“Across ten tracks, Cloher demonstrates thier ability to employ a variety of musical styles without compromising cohesion. This willingness to experiment would be the album’s most noteworthy attribute, were it not for the songs themselves. It takes courage to write with such vulnerability and whilst I Am The River, The River Is Me may lack the volume of past releases, this more muted approach does nothing to rob the album of its power, or emotional depth.” – 4ZZZ

“It’s only March I know, but I can confidently predict that ‘I Am The River, The River Is Me’ will be one of the best albums of 2023.” – Backseat Mafia

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Following the release of their acclaimed fifth album, Jen Cloher reveals the clip for the title track ‘I Am The River, The River Is Me’. Supports have also been announced today for the national album tour which kicks off in Perth on the 6th of May and concludes June 1st at the Sydney Opera House as part of the VIVID Live program.

The title is taken from a Māori proverb with Jen sharing further insight saying “It holds especially deep significance for Iwi (tribes) along the Whanganui River in the North Island of Aotearoa, NZ. In 2017 they won a landmark legislation when the New Zealand government granted the Whanganui River legal personhood—a status that is in keeping with the Māori worldview that the river is a living entity. The legislation refers to the river as an “indivisible, living whole,” conferring it “all the rights, powers, duties, and liabilities” of an individual.

At the heart of this album is a remembering of our purpose as human beings. We are not of this earth, we are the earth. When we frame our dependence in this way, we remember our purpose as guardians, caretakers – as kaitiaki.”

The clip – filmed by Nick McKinlay – is a day in the life story of a young Māori boy growing up in Collingwood, balancing the modern world with the traditional practices of his culture. His parents (Fallon Te Paa and Kodie Heremia) are members of Te Hononga o ngā Iwi, kapa haka (a Māori performing arts group) who appear across the album and will be joining Jen on tour for the capital city shows. Discussing the clip’s creation, Jen shares “When we were writing the treatment for the clip, Fallon and Kodie joked how their life is spent dressing up to be Māori. We ran with this idea which shows the time and care that goes into every performance. Like the song, the clip contrasts the grind of modern life with the transformative joy of connection, family and culture.”

This magnificent expression of culture will be front and centre as Te Hononga o ngā Iwi, kapa haka take the stage at Jen’s capital city shows this May. Also joining Jen to open the shows across the country are the dynamic supporting acts, including the likes of Bumpy, Platonic Sex, Workhorse, ENOLA, Dancing Water and more.

A journey of self discovery, rich in culture and history, wrapped in achingly addictive indie-rock, alt-folk tone, it’s no wonder the omnibus scored Feature Album across Double J, RRR, PBS, RTR, 2SER and received 4.5 stars in Spectrum’s national review. The album is verdant and rich; it luxuriates in stillness, and carries itself with cool, unfussy confidence. It’s not urgent, or hurried, but it is vital, made with the care and ease of someone who knows that their past began before birth, and will continue long after they’re gone.

Stream / Download I Am The River, The River Is Me here: https://jen-cloher.lnk.to/iamtheriver

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JEN CLOHER
Australian Tour

Saturday, 6 May
Rechabite, Perth with T’HONI Kapa Haka
And special guests Boox Kid and Banjo Lucia

Friday, 12 May
The Princess, Brisbane with T’HONI Kapa Haka
And special guests Dancing Water and Platonic Sex

Saturday, 13 May
The Eltham Hotel, Eltham
with special guest Emily Lubitz

Saturday, 20 May
Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide
with special guests Workhorse and Naomi Keyte

Friday, 26 May **SOLD OUT**
Anglesea Memorial Hall, Anglesea
with special guest Danika

Saturday, 27 May
Northcote Theatre, Melbourne with T’HONI Kapa Haka
And special guests Bumpy and ENOLA

Thursday, 1st June
Sydney Opera House, Sydney with T’HONI Kapa Haka

For tickets and more info: jencloher.com/shows

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JEN CLOHER
I Am The River, The River Is Me

Mana Takatāpui
Harakeke
My Witch
Being Human
I Am The River, The River Is Me
Protest Song
The Wild
Aroha Mai, Aroha Atu
He Toka-Tu-Moana
I Am Coming Home

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Follow JEN CLOHER
Website – Instagram – Facebook
Spotify – Twitter

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AMNPLIFY – ML