For Barkindji, Narungga and Wotjobaluk artist DJ Fosters, music and culture cross over on a two-way street.
Fosters (Henry Purcell) is one name on the lineup set to take over one of Australia's, maybe the Southern Hemisphere's, most famed and best-loved nightlife spots for NAIDOC Week.
The NAIDOC Dance returns to Naarm's Revolver Upstairs for their Sundays schedule on July 13, the event's fourth edition.
"As much as I feel that my culture influences my music, I also feel that my connection to music also influences the way that I connect with my culture and my own people within my culture as well," Fosters said.
"Music's the perfect language to be able to bring people together, to be able to create a space that's safe enough to be able to have some of these more difficult conversations."
It's also an opportunity for First Nations people to showcase their creativity, culture, traditions and overall, how they express themselves, Forsters added.
Across 10 hours, from 1pm, eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander DJs hit the decks, including Anima Omada, Mount Mike, Dayle, Yarra, Berg Jr, Pvrtle and Trey alongside Fosters.
100 per cent of ticket sales and a slice of bar sales will go towards VACCA (Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency) to support their work.
For Trey, NAIDOC is one of the best weeks of the year - one his friends and family always come together for.
"Just get on down and support. We just want you here, bringing it all together, and let's have a fun time," the Palawa DJ said.
Pvrtal has been DJing since he was 17.
He said music has always been a big part of who he is, and a big part of his culture tied to tradition of storytelling.
NAIDOC Week "is a really good opportunity for the community to come together", Pvrtals added.
The NAIDOC Dance at Revolver is presented in partnership with Naarm-based First Nations-owned and operated creative agency Little Rocket.
"The NAIDOC Dance is an event that celebrates the power of culture, strength and resilience of our First Nations Communities. Partnering with events like this allows us to amplify our people, honour our stories, and champion the next generation of Blak excellence," the agency told National Indigenous Times.
Tickets are available online, with additional fundraising efforts for VACCA encouraged.
