Setwun

Setwun is the musical brainchild of singer-songwriter, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and DJ – Josh Panakera-Molony. Sitting at the cross-section of many music worlds. Shapeshifting through sound, instinctively soulful, his brand of futurist fusion weaves through the purview of contemporary jazz, beats and electronica with feeling. Whether psychedelic neo-soul, broken grooves, or rhythmic experimentation, Setwun makes affecting music, no matter the twist. The Eora based Solomon Islander-Australian is as versatile as he is prolific. A much respected figure within Australia’s ever-fertile music scene, the hype has been bubbling with every small offering and tip-offs from some of the world’s most revered. 2020 stamped Setwun’s official arrival. His debut EP Our World via Mandarin Dreams and a collaboration project, Yeah Definitely with producer Hugh B, both were met with a rapid spread of support and instantly showcased his versatility of styles as a soul producer and vocalist. In 2022, his live band project, The Soulstranauts, made their European debut, highlighted by invites to play We Out Here festival along with a feature show within the hallowed walls of Ronnie Scott’s and The Jazz Cafe. Releasing via CoOp Presents 2022, They’re Energised compilation further demonstrated his acumen for the club space and gained more overseas attention. Setwun was then invited to Kilifi, Kenya, to perform and participate in a collaborative writing workshop hosted by London record label Extra Soul Perception, which housed his next EP ‘Visions in Venus’. Setwun has been invited to support a diverse list of revered artists from Amp Fiddler, Kokoroko , Nubya Garcia, Thee Sacred Souls, Dennis Bovell, John Carroll Kirby to Digable Planets, DJ Shadow, and Chaka Khan. As a club DJ, he remains one of Australia’s most in-demand selectors. With a string of forthcoming releases now in the pipeline, it feels as though Setwun’s enigmatic reputation won’t be retained for much longer