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WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers and listeners are warned that the following contains the names and voices of deceased persons.
Celebrating the 2018 NAIDOC theme ‘Because of Her, We Can’, 4ZZZ’s Indigi-Briz, Soul-Jah Sistars and Music Industry Inside Out, Songbird Sistars competition has brought some incredible music from Murri women in Meanjin to a wider audience. We’re very fortunate to include those songs in this weeks Best New Arrivals, while highlighting incredible music by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from around the country.
Local
Phi Sandy: Thank You (Single)(Independent) - An offering of gratitude from local singer Phi Sandy, a winner of the Songbird Sistars competition, Thank You is a simple, guitar-driven song of thanks from her to the women that came before her. Permeated with a strong atmosphere of compassion, the track honours "the work Indigenous women have undertaken inside and outside the Queensland Museum to make change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people". You can check out her awesome performance from this week's edition of Right Here Right Now below! (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Jahneen: Don't Want To Let It Go / Lie To Me (Singles)(Independent)
- Taking out title of Songbird Sistars runner-up with two singles - the former couched in huge pop/RnB production, the latter a stripped-back emotive ballad; both allowing her vocals to soar - Jahneen is a force to be reckoned with. Really Janine Tang-goi Croft, the singer songwriter's mob is the Woppaburra people from the Keppel Islands, and her Woppaburra name is Tang-goi pronounced Tang go I, meaning turtle, and she's joined by her godson Two C aka Nikson Jackson on Don't Want To Let It Go. With two EPs and two separate performances at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre under her belt, this local artist looks poised for huge things. (Liz Ansley) [Embed not available - to listen, 1:02:32 in playlist above]
Dawn Daylight: Culture / Moonshine (Singles)(Independent)
- The songs ‘Culture’ and ‘Moonshine’ from Aunty Dawn Daylight immediately transport you into another time and space. No easy means you would agree, for any song to be able to accomplish. Listening to both songs is the physical equivalent of floating down a slow moving body of water, bathed in sunlight, momentarily putting life and its concerns to the back of your mind. The two tracks do share some similarities musically and stylistically, however their main appeal is the ability to invoke and resonate feelings of pure bliss and relaxation. (Jasmine Dunn) [Embed not available - to listen, 3:40 in playlist above]
Miss Gertrude: 123 (Single)(Independent)
- Another incredible entry in Indigi-Briz's & Soul-Jah Sistars' Songbird Sistars competition, the juxtaposition of the 'cheery', kid-like melody layered with the song's lyrics of the stolen generation pinpoint the traumatic history of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander families. Miss Gertrude's song brings a sense of discomfort where the listener deeply feels the lost sense of childhood that children of the stolen generation were forced into. Without aggression, Miss Gertrude depicts the tragedy and discrimination of Aboriginal peoples, composing a powerful and thought provoking track. (Jade Rodrigo) [Embed not available - to listen, 59:31 in playlist above]
Troy Jungaji Brady: Ancient Kings (Single) (Independent)
- Ancient Kings is an emotionally exposed, yet feel-good track from Western Gugu Yelanji and Birri Gubba songman Troy Jungaji Brady. The song is reminiscent of a golden era of Australian pub rock all while being intertwined with references to Brady's rich cultural heritage. Brady's soulful vocals and masterful guitar skills make this an important and memorable song which you should definitely check out. (Harry Bain)
Australian
The Mob: Speak With Me (Single)(Independent / Desert Pea Media)
- Silky smooth vocals and a solid rapping flow, Speak With Me is an invitation from The Mob to sit and connect with one another in unity. The chill reggae beat and vivid imagery embodies the feeling of togetherness and harmony. Through storytelling, the talented, young artists of The Mob have helped build a bridge and platform for everyone to unite and belong. (Jade Rodrigo)
The Condo Crew: How Ya Feelin' (Independent / Desert Pea Media)
- How Ya Feelin' has a beautiful optimism about it that is nothing but infectious. Providing comments (and criticism) on the state and handling of youth mental health in indigenous communities in Western NSW and stylishly presented by the crisp production from Josh Nicholas (aka Hazy). To cleverly get the kids involved while using obvious stylistic callbacks to 90s era hip-hop productions with lyrics about rewinding and remembering where you came from, it's no wonder this track is an instant grinner. (Peter Strasser)
Dhapanbal Yunupiŋu: Märi Wurrapa (Single)(Independent / EM Media & Events)
- A song that begun its journey with her father Dr M Yunupiŋu (of Yothu Yindi), Märi Wurrapa is about the whale as it travels the world revisiting the Yolgnu people every migration. This ode to the connection that the Yolgnu people have to the whale was presented to Dhapanbal by Baninaylil in 2017, and entrusted the song to Dhapanbal. A faithful, soulful, and touching song with a contemporary twist makes for a borderline spiritual experience. (Peter Strasser)
B-Town Warriors: Rewrite Your Story (Single)(Independent / Desert Pea Media)
- Using a pen as their weapon, B-Town Warriors lay doown a super fierce track. Together with the punchy synths, syncopated piano chords and solid rapping flow, the B-Town Warriors challenge Indigenous youth to rise up and challenge the status quo. Through their cool yet motivational attitude, these talented young women will support and empower communities to change the world. (Jade Rodrigo)
Glen Heald: All Your Laws (Single)(Independent)
- All Your Laws is a striking political reggae-rock fusion off Glen Heald’s 2017 album Marrawah, but it's just arrived in the Zed library. With themes of class and race, intolerance, segregation and the miseducation of Australian history, Heald examines Australia's intolerance, ignorance and discrimination against its true Owners. All Your Laws packs a punch with its memorable chorus, mixing of genres and hard truth attitude that doesn’t shy away from its purpose. (James Chadwick)
Yothu Yindi & Gavin Campbell ft. Baker Boy: Treaty '18 (Single)(Razor Recordings)
- Yothu Yindi and Gavin Campbell’s 1991 single Treaty is surely one of the most important and widely loved activist songs ever. Twenty seven years have passed and now "Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land" Baker Boy has released his own remix titled Treaty ’18. Featuring Dhapanbal Yunupiŋu, Yirrnga Yunupiŋu and fellow MC/songwriter Dallas Woods who recently bust out of the gates with 9 Times Out Of 10, Treaty’18 is a star studded addition to the original and proves that Yothu Yindi’s original message is still vital over a quarter century later. (James Chadwick)
LamBros.: Do Something (Single)(Independent)
- LamBros is Sydney brothers Connor and Harry Lambrou, who manage to expertly bring together a blend of blues, rock and traditional sounds with their track, 'Do Something'. This track is full of energy and gusto; fast drums, hard guitar strumming and the didgeridoo which match well with Connor's confident and punchy vocals. It's an addictive and catchy tune. Give it a listen. (Harry Bain)
Githabul Next Generation: Looking Out For Country (Single)(Independent / Desert Pea Media)
- A group of formidable young First Nations artists evolved from a storytelling project coordinated by local elders from Muli Muli, Githabul Next Generation assert the importance of environment and country as a foundation for everything. Bright sunny dub-rap with a simple but affecting chorus. (Liz Ansley)
Wambool Worldwide: Changes (Single)(Independent / Desert Pea Media)
- Written during a 5-day workshop to create awareness and conversation about mental health and wellbeing for young Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in Western Sydney, Changes was inspired by the words of local elder Aunty Gloria Rogers. Centring the feelings and opinions of young people and the idea of cultural strength, the result is a sweeping, heartfelt hip-hop ballad buoyed by double-time bars and synth stabs. (Liz Ansley)
Waak Waak Djungi: Mother, I'm Going (Single)(Independent / Efficient Space)
- A winding, minimalist and otherworldly experimental electronic track, Mother, I'm Going is a taste of the "little-heard" mid-90s recordings made by three Yolngu songmen from Northeast Arnhem Land - Bobby Bunnungurr, Jimmy Djamunba and Peter Milaynga (d. 2007) - working in collaboration with Victorian musician Peter Mumme. Reissued by Efficient Space this year, their White Cockatoo EP showcases their unique approach to creating "evocative dream transmissions animated by deep folklore and natural magic". (Liz Ansley)