Nestled between Queensland's Cape York and Papua New Guinea, the Torres Strait is as remote as it is unique.

For thousands of years, the Islanders have maintained their strong cultural heritage and customs.

None more so than music.

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Local musician Cygnet Rapu, says music is part of the Torres lifestyle. "Music is used to soothe arguments" he says. "Without music an Islander is sad for the rest of his days but with music it keeps him going."

In recognition of the Strait's unique sounds, the Queensland Music Festival will in July launch this year's festival at Thursday Island.

In the lead up to the event, musicians have been holding workshops on Thursday Island in a bid to unearth emerging talent.

Living Black travelled to Thursday Island to catch up with the organisers and some talented local artists.

TRANSCRIPT:

This year's Queensland Music Festival has chosen the Torres Strait to launch its event in July. In the lead-up, musicians have been holding workshops on Thursday Island in a bid to find fresh new talent. Living Black went along to meet some of the local artists.

VOICEOVER: Nestled between Queensland's Cape York and Papua New Guinea, the Torres Strait is as remote as it is unique. About 270 islands divide the Coral and Arafura seas, dotted across the Strait's turquoise waters. For thousands of years, the islanders have maintained their strong cultural heritage and customs. None more so than music, which in more recent times has been influenced by gospel songs from the Strait's Christian missionaries.

CYGNET RAPU, MUSICIAN: It's part of our lifestyle. Music is used to soothe down arguments, music is used to bring families together - unite families. Without music, an Islander is sad for the rest of his days, but with music, it keeps him going.

VOICEOVER: In July, the Queensland Music Festival will launch its biannual event on Thursday Island.

PATRICK LEVI, MUSICIAN: There's been a lot of cultural festivals, September months, but nothing big like this.

ERICA HART, QUEENSLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL: The Torres Strait has an original culture that we want to share with the rest of Queensland.

VOICEOVER: But that's not the only reason. The festival is hoping these music workshops - being held in the lead-up to the festival launch - will unearth some fresh artists that could become the next Uncle Seaman Dan - arguably the Strait's most prominent musician.

CYGNET RAPU: Island music is a cross between our traditional cultural and country western, sorta normal, traditional Island-style music, but then there is Island reggae, Island rap.

VOICEOVER: Today, local musicians are teaching high school students traditional and country Islander music.

CYGNET RAPU: We'll be teaching them songs, both traditional and contemporary, and also, maybe, how we write words - how we put words to chords, and what inspires us to write down lyrics and stuff like that.

VOICEOVER: After a tentative start to the day, these shy teenagers are starting to find the beat.

PATRICK LEVI: We'll be there to help them along the way and give them new ideas and show them some new steps - old steps.

ERICA HART: And in 2011 we're hoping to have a major community event.
VOICEOVER: Until then, festival organisers and the 18-member Black Arm Band are busy planning for their July concert, that will no doubt see this quiet paradise take on a temporary anthem.
Source: Living Black SBS