For Mitch Tambo, an office job was never going to cut it. The singer knew that he’d never be happy unless he gave his passion of music a real go.
Being authentic, honouring who you are, and embracing what brings you joy is something Mitch and his wife – singer Voice of Lele – live by.
The pair who are parents to four daughters aged 19 to 3, recently released a duet of the classic song My Island Home and say working on the joint project together was something they both found immensely rewarding. Here they tell us how creating music has helped shape who they are.
My anxiety held me captive
“Growing up, I can recall overthinking in primary school a lot,” says Mitch. “Overthinking to the point where I’d end up physically sick. I realised anxiety had held me captive for most of my life as I was always second-guessing myself, not trusting my ability or my potential.
I thought about various things for a career such as sport but decided to train as a youth social worker. However, I never wanted to just have a ‘regular’ job. I had to make peace with being a creative person and somehow not deny it.
I decided to develop cultural workshops in my business which combined my two passions – talking to kids and performing. For me it was the best path. However, I’m not telling people to throw in a great job to become a full-time starving artist!
I’m just saying if you’ve got a creative itch there are so many people nowadays doing the side hustle – still doing their bread-and-butter job but finding ways for an outlet for their creativity – or else embracing it as a hobby. If you’re a creative person don’t pretend, you’re not.
I feel living and breathing your purpose is so important. If I was stuck in a job laying bricks all day long and there was little outlet for my creative side, I shudder to think how I’d cope. It would worsen my anxiety. When I create and perform, I get a rush that makes me feel good.
I question how many jobs out there actually give you any sort of rush or jolt of happiness. Perhaps some people don’t need that, but perhaps you’re the kind of person who’d love that? I think that’s a really important question to ask yourself once you get to mid-life.
I still get anxiety even though I’m doing what I love. But rather than run from my thoughts, I’ve been able to slowly implement strategies to get through them and try to take control back. It’s an ongoing journey.”
I had to get over my middle-aged mum fears
For Mitch’s wife Voice of Lele, music was always in her blood. “I was born into a West Papuan family and was really close to my dad [famed Pacific songman Agustinus Rumwaropen],” she says. “My parents fled West Papua – one of the most strife-torn places on earth – before I was born, but Dad understood how vital it was for his children to keep our culture and language alive. He did that by embedding our identity into us through music.
We moved to Canberra in 1988, and my sisters and I later formed our own music group The Black Sistaz and had success performing.
However, it was only last year that I decided to give a solo career a go. But it’s easier said than done – I had to get over my middle-aged mum fears!
My dad passed away years ago from a sudden heart attack and while I feel sad he’s not around to see my career grow, I do feel like I’m carrying on Dad’s legacy through my music. Mitch and I work so well together, I wish he could have seen what we’ve produced.
I sing mainly in Pacific languages such as Tok Pisin and being able to share that has brought me a renewed sense of purpose. It feels like a gift from my father that continues to give. His legacy lives on — not just for me, but for my children and theirs.
On another level, it’s been gratifying to shine a light on West Papua and its struggles. For West Papuans, music is so much more than art; it’s a vital tool. It helps us share our cultural identities with the world and protect our culture for generations to come.”
My Island Home is available on all music streaming services with My Island Home by Mitch Tambo, My Island Home (Ailan Ples Bilong Mi) by Voice of Lele, and My Island Home (West Papua Mix) available from 7 February 2025.
