Soulful harmonies, rap, and the BEST EP in Logan
BEST Disability Support is alive with the sounds of music.
The centre, which offers young adults living with a disability the chance to explore passions in a range of areas, including mechanics, barbering and more, also has a state-of-the-art recording studio at its Slacks Creek premises. And this May, 3 EPs are being released by the centre.
Two talented Logan singer-songwriters, Bede Gow and Miracle Fitisemanu, will release solo EPs and the BEST EP is a collaboration between staff and members at the centre – an all-of-community effort.
Chris Stan, founder of BEST Disability Support, owner of Meat Tray Productions and occasional featured rapper on the EPs, says music is a great way for people to express themselves, and there has been a lot of interest in the music studio.
‘Everyone had a chance to be part of the BEST EP songwriting and recording process,’ Chris says.
‘With the BEST EP, it has been a fantastic process to get across some of the things that our members want to say.’
For Bede, songwriting and singing has been a passion for a number of years – and recording an EP of self-written songs was a fun, challenging process.
‘I have always loved music and I write about my own life and experiences,’ he says.
‘I write about what it is like to be gay and to live with autism, about my relationships and friendships, all those sorts of things.
‘I really hope people relate to my songs and enjoy my music. It was a challenge to see them all come together but I knew what I wanted it to sound like and I am happy with it.’
Bede says his musical inspirations include Rihanna and Billie Eilish, and while his smooth, soulful vocals and vulnerable, moving lyrics are those of a seasoned, confident pro, he says in reality, he feels nervous about his music being out in the world.
Bede recently released his single The One which is available on Spotify and Apple Music.
For Miracle, whose music is influenced by 90s hip hop, music is also a way of working through complicated feelings. She’s written lyrics to help her work through her own struggles, including the death of a much-loved family member, as well as relationships and challenges in her day-to-day life.
‘I was nervous when we started recording the EP but I just have fun with it,’ she says.
‘I really like writing and performing and just want to keep on doing it.’
Chris says the 2 solo EPs and the BEST EP show the talent within the community, as well as being a window into the world of young people who live with a disability and want to share what that is like and how it impacts them.
‘I really wanted Bede and Miracle to have an authentic experience of recording, so as well as the studio here we went to Brisbane and recorded at Alchemix Recording Studios. They were involved in every step from the writing to the recording and the mixing,’ he says.
‘With the BEST EP, everyone was really keen to produce something that tells the story of the people who come here: a story that has challenges, but also an incredible sense of community, and feeling part of something really positive.
‘We are all really proud of Bede, Miracle – and everyone involved in the BEST EP too.’
Head here to listen to the music of BEST, Bede or Miracle.
To find out more about BEST Disability Services, head here.
