The Australian band performs at the 13th International Guwahati Trade Fair at Chandmari on Wednesday. Picture by S.H. Patgiri

Feb. 23: “We fight a common fight with our hearts and not with guns, we believe that freedom is the right of everyone, to live in harmony and in safety from the war, a right to our own identity is what we’re fighting for. We have got stories of our own, the Seven Sisters have got stories of their own.”

It was an unusual time for a rock concert ? in the afternoon. But nonetheless, the crowd was sizeable and it lapped up these lines from the Australian rock band, Aurora Jane and Massive Change’s number, penned only recently.

The group ended their tour of the Northeast with a performance at the 13th International Guwahati Trade Fair here yesterday. The fair, one of the most-awaited annual events in the city’s calendar, is organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA) in the Northeast. It is on till March 4.

Seven Sisters, the song to which these lines belong, is likely to be the lead number in the band’s yet to be recorded album, Universal Language.

“I penned the song on my way to Dimapur. The song has been inspired by stories of people belonging to this part of the world and its present political situation,” said 23-year-old Jane Hole, lead guitarist-cum-vocalist-cum-lyricist of the four-member band. “The region is full of stories and it is a composer’s dream,” she said.

The other two songs composed by Jane, during her 15-day tour are The Way It Is and Forever Wondering.

The two-year-old band includes bass player Linden Lester, drummer Ben Karsay and back-up vocalist Carla Versitano. Gavin Spokes accompanies the band. He makes music on the didgeridoo, an aboriginal instrument of Australia.

The band kicked off their tour from Shillong where they performed at the 11th edition of the Roots Festival organised by the Spring Board Surprises group. The next hops were Dimapur, Imphal and Aizawl. The band is is scheduled to perform in Calcutta on February 24, followed by Goa and New Delhi.

“The warmth of the people everywhere in the region left us overwhelmed,” said Jane. “But it is sad that several problems have bogged down the region from achieving peace and prosperity. Hope all problems will be resolved soon.”

Echoing her, Gavin said: “The region is any adventurous musician’s dream. We will try to come back here as soon as possible.”

Gavin, who is also a filmmaker, is planning to make a documentary on his debut tour and his experiences in the region. His first film, Festival Dreaming, made in 2004, was based on a music festival at Ladakh where he and his group of friends participated.

“I have come here with my film crew. The film will showcase the region through music,” said the musician-turned-filmmaker. He also has a passion for angling and sailing.

The group’s debut album, What Is It, made it a name to reckon with in Australia. Ever since, the band has been on a roll.

Jane, who is also a teacher, conducted workshops on music in Shillong, Dimapur, Imphal and Aizawl. “We have interacted with several indigenous musicians of the region and I must say their work has a universal appeal,” said Jane.