Loren Ryan Premieres Film Clip For Touching Single ‘Human’

Loren Ryan has released an accompanying film clip for her deep cut Human from her latest EP, Homecoming. The third film clip from the Homecoming project, this video captures another part of the singer-songwriter’s upbringing, both as a Tamworth Woman and a First Nations Gamilaraay woman.

Announcing the clip’s release on Facebook, Ryan delved into the powerful meaning behind the song:

“This song is about the 1967 Australian Referendum to include Aboriginal people in the census as human and not "flora and fauna." She begins.

“My own mother was 5 years old before she was counted in the census in her own country. 

This song is for anyone who has ever felt unseen.”

Talking to Countrytown last year, Ryan detailed some of the further adversities faced by Aboriginal people, especially those wanting to enter the music industry. 

“There are so many Blakfullas in the industry of Australian country music that are up and coming, and they deserve to have a shot, but they won’t even try because of racism,” she began.

“Events and things like that will tokenise us and put us on as ‘the Blak face’. Some festivals need more Blak faces in their environments. Mainstream media is out here underestimating Blak media, but more radio and media coverage helps.

“If you’re one of the last people to champion First Nations acts, you’re going to be old news. The time is now to make a difference – to be a mover and shaker for inclusivity.”

At the start of her film clip for Human, Ryan sings, “What makes us different? What makes us the same? Is it the love that we feel? Is it pride? Is it shame?” The ‘us’ in question references the divide between Aboriginal and Colonial Australia. 

A touching callback to her EP Homecoming, the video shows Ryan in various locations across the neighbourhood of Coledale in Tamworth, where the singer grew up. Green scenery and humble Australian kit homes circa the 80s line the sleepy streets as Ryan’s mournful song soars against the soft Bokeh of suburbia.

Combining her love for her hometown, Tamworth, as a capital of country music and her ancestry, Ryan continues to break down the border, excluding Indigenous representation in country music.

Check out the video for Human below.