I acknowledge I am an uninvited guest on the lands of Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin nations from which I live, work and create. I acknowledge the sacred lands, seas and communities. I pay deep respect to all elders past and present and those emerging. Sovereignty has never been ceded, treaties have never been signed. I stand in solidarity with Blak people fighting for justice and self-determination across the country
About
Ripley Kavara-Verran, also known as Lakatoi, is a highly regarded experimental producer, musician and curator hailing from Naarm Melbourne.
His creative endeavors focus on world-building immersive spaces where artists can convey narratives through sound, embodiment and spiritual connection. Through these endeavours, Ripley aims to foster reconnection and catharsis, providing conduit for community to reclaim their stories and feel intangible emotions.
Ripley's impact extends beyond his individual artistry. As a DJ and live performer, including as one half of rap duo Kandere, he has ignited dancefloors and supported acclaimed artists such as Moor Mother, GAIKA, Leonce, Asmara, and Elysia Crampton and Yves Tumor. Moreover, he has played a pivotal role in cross-cultural diasporic organising efforts as a co-founder of the Alterity Collective, organising QPOC parties across 2014-2016. Through projects like FAMILI, Ripley has woven together the voices of queer individuals from Pasifika, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, offering visionary platforms for expression - he asks the big questions, “what is the sound for our region? ” .
With a career spanning years, he has established himself as a pivotal figure in the industry. Notably, Ripley served as the organiser for the groundbreaking Lapdance 4 Trans Rights event: an event that uses ‘pleasure activism’ to fundraise for critical issues in the community.
Ripley’s vision; home, diaspora, futures, disruption, belonging, Spiritual homecoming – with no limitations. He is of Papua New Guinean and Scottish heritage, Ripley lives on unceeded Wurundjeri country.
Archive
Curatorial
2024, Queer Art After Hours, Art Gallery New South Wales
2023, Lap Dance 4 Trans Rights,
2020, Famili EP Launch - Midsumma
Programs
2024-2025 - Culture Lab, Arts House
2022- 2023, Future Leaders Program, Australia Council for the Arts
Creative Director
2019-2024 - FAMILI
2019 - 2024 - Lap Dance For Your Rights
Selected Gigs
2024 - Next Wave 40th Anniversary party, VIC
2024 - A DUTTY SHUTDOWN, VIC
2024 - CRIP RAVE THEORY, NSW
2023 - Reverberations, AGNSW, NSW
2023 - Polyrhythmic #2, Liquid Architecture, VIC
2023 - Queer Nu Work, PACT, NSW
2023 - More than Less than <>, Project 8 Gallery, VIC
2020 - Midsumma presents FAMILI, VIC
2018 - KLEIN (UK) ft. Various Asses, Netti, Girl Zone, VIC
2018 - Liquid Architecture: Moor Mother and Rasheedah Phillips, VIC
2017 - TOM TOM X MOOGFEST: ALWAYS ON: International Livestream
2017 - Liquid Architecture: Elysia Crampton , VIC
2017 - SPANK! Feat. Juliana Huxtable, VIC
2017 - DARK MOFO ft. GAIKA, Kojey Radical, TAS
Residencies
2024 - Bandalang, Australian National Univeristy, ACT
2024 - The Red Rattler Theatre, NSW
2023 - PACT, NSW
2023 - Performance Space, NSW
2022- Centre for Arts Design and Social Research, Spoleto, Italy
2022 - Garambi Baan, VIC
2022 - Arts House, VIC
2021 - Moreland City Council, VIC
2021 - Footscray Arts Centre, VIC
2020 - Abbotsford Convent, VIC
2020 - Testing Grounds, VIC
2019 - Time, Place, Space , VIC
Panels and Talks
2023 - Polyrhythmic #2, Liquid Architecture
2023 - Videogames, Funding and Creative Practice, ACMI & VicScreen
2019 - All Booked Up, Emerging Writers Festival
2018 - Freeplay Conference ‘What’s Real? Reparations versus Representation’
2018 - Liquid Architecture ‘Sound School x LA: Klein’
2016 - Listen Conference: Feminist Futures
Workshops & Facilitation
2023 - Darebin City Council - Ableton Workshop - Instrument creation & Sampling
2023 - Darebin City Council - DJing 101
2019 - Brimbank City Council - ‘WAVES’ Music making about Climate change
2019 - University of Melbourne Student Union - 'Electronic Music Workshop'
2018 - ACCA - Summer Program : Electronic Music Workshops
2016 - Footscray Community Arts Centre 'Recording & Producing Words'
Consultations
2020 - Midsumma, Pride Anniversary consultation
Comissisions
2023 - More than Less than <>, Project 8 Gallery
2016 - Remotley Intimate, Community Broadcasting Association
Selected Press
VICE Magazine
Liminal Magazine
The Saturday Paper
contact:
Image credits: Atong Atem, Lexi Laphor, Nory Gite, Lucy Foster and Gianna Rizzo