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Sydney Opera House collaborates with Ziggy Ramo on music video for 'Little Things'

Sydney – Friday 28 May, 2021. The Sydney Opera House has collaborated with pioneering hip hop artist Ziggy Ramo Burrmuruk Fatnowna on a music video featuring the artist on top of the Opera House’s sails to accompany his latest release, “Little Things” featuring Paul Kelly, as well as a behind-the-scenes documentary, ‘Making Little Things’. The music video and documentary are both available to watch now on Stream, the Opera House’s recently launched streaming platform that showcases world-class performing and digital arts.

With the blessing of Australian music royalty Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody, Ramo has reinterpreted Kelly’s classic song “From Little Things Big Things Grow”. The accompanying film clip is Ziggy Ramo’s directorial debut. Produced in collaboration with the Sydney Opera House’s Digital Programming team, it is a gripping portrayal of Ziggy delivering his powerful lyrics from the top of the Opera House’s iconic 65m high sails in a mesmerising video that resonates with its vital truth-telling and magnetic visual imagery.

The Opera House has also produced a short documentary to accompany the music video, 'Making Little Things', which outlines the development of the song and music video. From the land-rights movement that inspired Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody's 1991 original, to filming on top of the Sydney Opera House sails, the ten-minute film offers insights into the multi-generational collaborations that created this new work.

Ziggy Ramo describes the making of the music video, "For 50,000 years we have been storytellers and although I have been disposed and disconnected, this tradition is deep rooted inside of me. Whether it is through my music or through film I want to keep preserving the stories that have been passed down to me. I am an artist and I want to continue to explore all mediums. I am grateful to the Sydney Opera House for trusting in my vision and supporting me to bring this story to life.

“It's not every day you simultaneously get to climb the sails and make your directorial debut. Working on this project has been an experience like no other, but I knew if we could pull it off it had the chance to be special. For all involved it has been a huge undertaking and I am so honoured to be able to share what we have created."

Sydney Opera House Head of Digital Programming, Stuart Buchanan, said, “The Sydney Opera House is extremely proud to have continued our ongoing relationship with Ziggy Ramo to produce this important and historic music video and documentary. Ziggy made his Opera House debut in his ground-breaking performance of Black Thoughts for the 2020 digital season From Our House to Yours, followed by his electrifying performance at Barrabuwari in April 2021 on the Forecourt; and now for “Little Things” on top of the world-famous sails.”

In 2020, Ziggy floored the industry with the release of his album Black Thoughts and its vital and powerful messages, commanding the attention of listeners and commentators around the country. One of those admirers was none other than Paul Kelly, with the two striking up a fierce friendship that ranged from coffee conversations to creative collaborations. Those conversations led to Paul handing over the original “From Little Things Big Things Grow” master to Ziggy, so he could rework the iconic song and share his message.

“Little Things” was shot at various locations around Sydney Harbour, and was produced by the internationally award-winning visual effects and post-production studio Heckler team of Will AlexanderGeorgia Noe O'BrienAndrew Holmes and Matt Fezz, with cinematography by Tyron Seeto, drone cinematography by Bill Blair and Mat ChangMiska Mandic edited ‘Making Little Things’.

“Little Things” and ‘Making Little Things’ form part of the annual program of original digital presentations commissioned exclusively for Stream, the online streaming platform featuring highlights from the Opera House’s incredible multi-genre archive, livestreams of new performances, presentations by resident companies and original digital content. The Sydney Opera House is dedicated to making the exceptional art performed on its iconic stages and sails accessible to everyone.

LINKS:

"Little Things" on YouTube

"Little Things" and 'Making Little Things' on Stream

Ziggy Ramo on Spotify

Ziggy Ramo on Apple

For media information, please contact:

Julia Barnes
Senior Communications Manager
+61 402 678 589
jbarnes@sydneyoperahouse.com