As they approach the March 24th release date of their new LP Oro, Plata, Mata, Mo’ju has continued their upward trajectory executing spectacular shows with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Hamer Hall, bringing the party to Golden Plains and sharing the stage with the likes of Kylie and Charlie XCX for Sydney World Pride and a special intimate live set for RRR.
A short break and Mo’Ju will be heading out on a national tour to celebrate the launch of Oro, Plata, Mata, with some special guests to be announced.
MO’JU
Oro, Plata, Mata Album Tour 2023
Sat Apr 15 | Boorloo Heritage Festival Boorloo | Perth WA
Fri May 26 | Fat Controller Kaurna Country | Adelaide SA
Sat May 27 | Howler Wurundjeri Country | Melbourne VIC
Wed May 31 | The Outpost Meanjin | Brisbane QLD
Thur Jun 1 | Mary’s Underground Gadigal Country | Sydney NSW
Sat Jun 3 | Saltwater Freshwater Festival Guruk | Port Macquarie NSW
Recent years have seen ARIA-nominated musician and songwriter Mo’Ju enter new realms of renown, their brand of visceral storytelling striking at the heart of a country whose social and cultural climate was manoeuvring a particular state of unrest and change.
The inability to categorise where an artist such as Mo’Ju fits has been a common narrative throughout their career. However, the Naarm-based musician, songwriter, storyteller and third culture kid (Filipino/Wiradjuri), is not here to be boxed in and commodified. Their music is created in alignment with a central artistic vision that is built on truth, authenticity and most importantly, legacy.
Oro, Plata, Mata the fourth studio LP from Mo’Ju, explores a myriad of themes and experiences anchored by a direct homage to Mo’Ju’s late Tito (uncle) Peque Gallaga, the album’s title references Oro, Plata, Mata, a 1982 historical war drama Gallaga directed.
Whilst the overarching narrative is different, the album is similar to the film in the way it follows a three chapter structure; each chapter containing three songs that revolve around a central theme. Both the album and the film share the name of, and reference, a Filipino architectural superstition of the number three.
Oro, Plata, Mata threads sounds from the old and new worlds together in creating a sonic landscape that is contemporary and engaging. Kulintang (traditional percussion) blends with woodwind and dramatic piano, before careening into lush soundscapes marked by glitchy, almost industrial production.