Sometimes things are best said straight from the horse’s mouth, that is, from the artist themselves..

Usually a big intro is written up for the bands and musicians profiled on the Music NT website. But after reading the beautifully-worded bio for Sunshine Reggae Band, clearly there’s no need to word up any further…

Everything you need to know about the background of this talented Central Oz band has been succinctly put into words by Nathan Brown, the band’s spokesperson and manager, author of said ‘bio’.

It is worth noting that Sunshine Reggae make top of the list of Tjupi Band’s favorite NT acts (the Tjupis  homage them in the triple j Unearthed interview they gave after winning opening spot for One Night Stand in Alice). “Making our sound,” said the Tjupis, “we listened a lot to Lucky Dube, Peter Tosh and Bob Marley, and so we wanted to take our sound in that direction, making our own style of Desert Reggae. Apart from Warumpi Band, who we were always listening to and dancing to when we were growing up in Papunya, we got some influence from older fellas than us; like Sunshine Reggae Band in Haasts Bluff that is a community just near Papunya, and other bands like Saltwater Band  from the Top End, and Youth Yindi”.

Handing over to Nathan now, he’s also interviewed below, speaking on behalf of Sunshine Reggae Band as they get ready to make a splash at Woodford’s Dreaming Festival in June…

“The Sunshine Reggae Band hails from the town of Haast’s Bluff, a small western desert community roughly 250 kilometres west of Alice Springs. The band began to play together as young men in 2002 and recorded their debut album “Watjillarinyi” (Homesick) in 2004 with CAAMA Music.”

“Soon after the release of their CD, the demands of young families took priority over music. Until 2008 Sunshine Reggae were on hiatus. Since then however, the band has had a great run of successes and in the two years since reforming, have performed with Jamaican reggae legends Luciano, Mikey General and Jack Scorpio, toured with Melbourne band The Basics, put on numerous shows throughout the Western Desert and wider Northern Territory, and played festivals as far away as Brisbane.”

“While heavily influenced by desert reggae, Sunshine Reggae have a unique sound, singing songs about their country and traditions, love and contemporary Indigenous issues in both English and their native tongue, Lurritja. “

“This year plans are afoot to record a new album, perform at CAAMA’s 30^th anniversary concert, Greenfest and the Dreaming Festival in Brisbane as well as hosting renowned musical inventor Steve Langton  for two weeks of creative collaboration. “

MuNT: Sunshine Reggae Band formed in 2002 – who are the members, and what do they each play?

NB: George Butcher plays bass, Terry Marshall plays rhythm and sings, Jeffrey Zimran plays lead and sings, Kieran Multa plays drums, Joseph Zimran plays keys and Herbert Multa sometimes sings.

MuNT: You all live in Haasts Bluff – in the Ikuntji Community..?

NB: Yes. Ikuntji is a few hours’ drive west from Alice Springs and Kintore is nearly in W.A. Jeffrey and Herbert spend most of their time in Kintore, Joseph has been in town for the last six months.

MuNT: Who are some of your favorite NT artists and bands? And what other artists and bands have influenced Sunshine Reggae Band?

NB: Warumpi Band is obviously a big influence, given how close Papunya (Warumpi) is to Haast’s Bluff and the mainstream success they achieved. Bob Marley is the Godfather of Reggae, and Lucky Dube is a hero throughout the Western Desert.

MuNT: Tell us about a ‘typical’ Sunshine Reggae Band gig – how does the audience react? Can you tell us about some of the best times you’ve played?

NB: We have played in so many different settings – from small Indigenous communities to big festivals in Brisbane and acoustic shows in Darwin – that it would be hard to think of a typical gig or audience reaction.

Greenfest last year was a highlight, but maybe the most excitement we’ve ever had at a gig was performing with Jamaican artists Luciano, Mikey General and Jack Scorpio. [They toured the NT in 2008 – Ed.]

MuNT: You’re playing at the Dreaming Festival in June and you also played at Wide Open Space Festival recently in May. Do the band members enjoy playing bigger festivals?

NB: Absolutely. We were very excited [about playing at Wide Open Space]. It’s great for us to be performing in front of larger audiences but also to get a chance to see bands that might not come to Alice Springs.

We have been to – and played in – lots of different places. But by the end of every show, people – no matter where we are – are dancing.

MuNT: Would you like to tour around Australia or overseas with the band? Or are you happy staying in the NT and playing music there?

NB: Yes. Music is a great way to see places that we wouldn’t otherwise get to see but we’re always very happy to come home after being away for a while.

MuNT; If you had a ‘dream gig’, who would you most like to play with?

NB: If he were still alive, Bob Marley, definitely.

MuNT: What’s the most important thing about playing music for you as a band?

NB: It makes us and our families happy.

MuNT: Please finish this sentence: “In five years time Sunshine Reggae Band would like to be…”

NB: … Listening to their third (very successful) album with family, and (hopefully) getting excited for their first overseas tour!

Sunshine Reggae Band are on the bill at Dreaming Festival in Woodford, June 11-14, 2010. Visit Sunshine Reggae on the CAAMA Music website or their MySpace.

And read about the 5 NT acts heading to Dreaming Festival on the Music NT website.

Thanks to Nathan Brown for the interview.