Sue
26th Jul '10
11:44 pm

Just saw your show in Milton Keynes and thought it was mesmerizing - actually got a lump in my throat after it had finished!

Shame about the other connotation that has been brought up.
It was a spellbinding performance for me and the other stuff far from my mind!

Roderick
16th Jul '10
7:34 am

Dear Carmella and Puzzled,
As the person who founded the company and named it, I can say with some authority that the image of lynching was certainly not in my mind when the decision was made. The company performed all around the world for 5 years or so before anyone raised objections. Audiences, once they have seen a live performance, realise there is no connection whatsoever. A strange fruit in Australian parlance is an eccentric person, a colourful individual or an outsider. For every person offended by the name, 10,000 are delighted by the performance. (The world's most popular soft drink is named after a Class A drug!) A name change after so many years and so many wonderful performances would be a very strange decision.

Bernard Catry
28th Jun '10
10:43 pm

J'ai assisté hier dimanche 27 juin à l'abbaye de Chaalis (Oise France) a une de vos prestations par 4 de vos artistes. J'ai trouvé ce spectacle incroyable, magnifique et touchant. Je félicite grandement ces 4 jeunes artistes qui nous ont fait passer un moment inoubliable. Encore merci

Bernard

Michelle Wild, Ceo
21st Jun '10
5:44 pm

Please note that Strange Fruit has been in the process of a company name change for some time now. This is a lengthy process which we are undertaking as quickly as possible.

Watch this space!

Carmella
21st Jun '10
1:04 pm

I am a 20 year old college student, and one of the people MANY people who know what the term "Strange Fruit" means, and fully aware of the disturbing history behind it. I don't think the concept of "Strange Fruit" for this company is innocent and naive at all. It's directly derived from the original meaning of "Strange Fruit."I think they knew exactly what they were doing, having people swaying from "poles" just like they were swaying from the trees by being lynched. It's a very direct correlation. This is bad, and should be changed ASAP.

-And please do not be mistaken that people my age don't know about the term "Strange Fruit" in it's original context, because a large number of us do.

Carlo @ Wolfsburg, Germany
8th Jun '10
6:08 am

Hey :D

i really managed to get there watching your show and i must say it was just awsome! it was a lovely show i'll never forget! i've never seen that before and was positivelly surprised :) Keep on doing that !! and it was a pleasure to meet you daniel, ( hope you get a cake ?) :D the way you move your body is great :D would be nice to see you all again.

Carlo

Theant
26th May '10
4:32 am

I saw you guys in Canary Wharf last week. I thought you were awesome.

@Puzzled: Grow up, will you? These guys are called Strange Fruit. You point out the name "Strange Fruit" also makes reference to hangings of black people (I didnt even know about the Strange Fruit you refer to, and I bet most people who saw them with me did not either). Very unfortunate incidents, but nothing to do with these guys. Same name, different things. Are you familiar with the concept of Homonyms? Why should they even consider changing their name?

Danny
25th May '10
1:58 pm

Wow, I saw your performances at the new stadium launch in Melbourne. It was amazing. Such a clever show and really entertaining. It was good to see you performing in your home town. Thanks

Puzzled
21st May '10
2:28 pm

That's really good to hear. I don't think that anyone could accuse you of anything but initial naiivety given your response.

I don't particularly feel the need to enter into a private dialogue given that this is already public (and would be so even without this message board conversation given your current name). I also understand that it may be impractical for you to discuss every step of your process here.

So just one more question from me: on what sort of timescale are you aiming to rebrand?

Thanks again for actually engaging.

Strange Fruit
21st May '10
1:53 pm

Dear Puzzled,
We are in the process of re-naming and re-branding the company.
If you would like more information and would like to discuss this further please email us at info@strangefruit.net.au

Puzzled
21st May '10
1:18 pm

Thanks for responding, and for engaging with my comments; it's appreciated.

I can fully understand that the term/name Strange Fruit could have been derived independently of the song and lynching connotations. I also appreciate that not everyone will know of name's history. However, I do think it's reasonable to think that when choosing a name for oneself, that one might ask whether the name has been used before and in what context. Whether this was done before you settled on the name or not, once aware of the context I cannot imagine how you could think it appropriate for you to continue to be called something that evokes such violence and bigotry (and for a huge number of people).

On the other hand, choosing the name you have could be a positive thing if you used it, perhaps with a show that told the story behind the original use of the name. Or (and I can also understand that perhaps you aren't a political or 'issue'-led group) otherwise, change it. It is impossible for anyone who knows the song or history to see you without the pictures I'm resisting posting here but are readily available to see on the web, e.g. if you look at the wikipedia page for Strange Fruit.

You may have canvassed people you know or supporters and found that perhaps they only know you and not the history. But please be aware that even if that's the case, there are very many other people who do know (they may be older, or know more about music, or be more politically aware, or be outside Australia, or be black, or affected by racism directly or through someone they care about, or any combination of the above, or anyone else).

The point is that even though this may have been a completely naiive choice of name, you're aware of it now.

You could keep it and dismiss the hurt and offence it causes.

You could keep it and acknowledge its origins and state your position on it.

You could change it and acknowledge its origins and state your position on it.

You could change it without comment.

You've probably worked these options out for yourself. Forgive me if I've missed any.

What will you do?

Strange Fruit
21st May '10
10:58 am

Dear Puzzled, the inspiration behind the use of the words 'Strange Fruit' was a somewhat innocent and naive attempt to describe the abstract wonder of the sway poles. The concept for the creation of the poles was inspired by a dream which led to a vision of an airborne population of 'strange' unearthly inhabitants, sprouting up from the earth on tall stalks swaying in the breeze like a Field of wheat (hence the title of the company’s first work The Field). The word 'Fruit' was used in an effort to capture the exotic and colourful nature of these inhabitants.

The use of the two words together - 'Strange Fruit' - was in no way a direct reference to the themes associated with the Billie Holiday song. However we completely acknowledge the significance of associating the company with such an evocative and sensitive subject, and it is an ongoing matter for discussion amongst current board members, staff and company.

Puzzled
21st May '10
12:12 am

Do you not think it's odd at best and utterly insulting at worst to name yourselves Strange Fruit without some acknowledgment or explanation of where the term comes from (i.e. lynchings in the US and the Billie Holliday song)? Or did you not do any research on your name?

Thiago
19th May '10
5:34 am

Oh my my, I will never forget the time you guys came to Brazil, at International Theater Festival, it was when I saw THE FIELD which made me not believing in what I was seein'... so uncanny!!
Not mention after the shows everyone at teh BAR dancing and comenting about... Scoot McBurnie is an amazing person, so polite... quite hard to have these kind of people in my country!! Just loved it!!
It's a shame to think that I would love to see you guys again and sadly to think that it will be quite impossible! but who knows!!!

Congratulations Folks! you deserve all success and more! Hugs to all...
xxx

Arun
18th May '10
11:52 am

I saw you guys in Vanderbilt University, Nashville a few months back. It was awesome. Hope you guys will come back to Nashville again :D