East Journey frontman Rrawun Maymuru - a rockstar reception! Pic: Peter Eve

Northern Territory band East Journey launched their long-awaited debut album ‘Guwak’ on March 30, 2012, in the community of Yirrkala – “the Yolngu homelands” – North East Arnhem Land.

The band played to over 600 community members and leaders – including NT Minister Ms. Malarndirri McCarthy and family member and mentor Mr. Mandawuy Yunupingu – ” in an incredible open-setting underneath a river of stars,” says the Susan Sandery, Guwak executive producer.

She said that Yothu Yindi member and traditional owner Witiyana Marika – along with elder and musician Djawa Yunupingu – shared duties as ‘Masters of Ceremony’ for the evening, with “Yothu Yindi frontman Mandawuy Yunupingu – and long time mentor for the members of East Journey – special guest”.

“The statesman, musician and educator received a tumultuous roar from the packed crowd as he walked to the stage to launch the album and introduce East Journey to their hometown of Yirrkala,” she remarked.

Mandawuy said “I wish East Journey the best because I want to encourage the young people to stand strong and live a healthy life for the future.  It is East Journey’s turn to continue the musical legacy from Yothu Yindi, to unite Indigenous and white Australia.  East Journey are new and different; they are the next generation and it makes me feel very proud.”

East Journey is the long-time music project of Garrangali Band member, Rrawun Maymuru, winner of the ‘Emerging Talent’ Award at the 2011 National Indigenous Music Awards.

A former member of Yothu Yindi, he also wrote Bayini on Gurrumul Yunupingu’s 2011 double platinum-selling second album, Rrakala.

East Journey launch 'Guwak' in Yirrkala. Pic: Peter Eve

Guwak was recorded in 2010 at Subsonic Studios in Darwin, and Level 7 Studios in Sydney, and mastered by well-known NT music producer Matt Cunliffe, in Los Angeles.

The album will also be released “nationally” on April 20th, through major label “MGM in Sydney.”

It is a fusion of “rock, reggae and acoustic” genres, sung in Yolgnu language.

Like Rrawun Maymuru, East Journey‘s other band members also live within the Laynhapuy Homelands and Yirrkala, in Arnhem Land, NT.

They  include Marcus Marawili, Malngay Yunupingu (backing vocals and dancer), Patrick ‘PJ’ White (lead guitar), Gathapura Mununggurr (drums), Arian Pearson (acoustic guitar), Ngalkanbuy Mununggurr (yidaki) Marcus Marawili (bass) and Ses ‘Fury’ Frank (rhythm guitar).

The band has performed gigs in Sydney at the Manly Boat Shed, at the 2011 Barunga Sports & Culture Festival, and were also selected to perform at the 2011 Fest’ Napuan music festival in Vanauatu, with another concert in October 2011 at the Powerhouse in Brisbane, as part of its Planet live music series.

The band says their inspiration and material is taken from ‘ceremonial song poetry, traditional melodies and instruments, through guidance and encouragement form their old people’.

Then fused with ‘Western musical traditions’ this music transforms into ‘saltwater reggae’.

East Journey with Yolgnu elder, Mr. Mandawuy Yunupingu. Pic: Peter Eve

Two new music videos have been produced for East Journey, due for release shortly, to accompany promotion for this new album.

The Yirrkala audience was treated to a special sneak preview of both music videos, Ngarrpiya and Song of Arnhem Land, “which saw the younger generation move closer to the stage and dancing and singing to the music videos,” added Susan.

“The music video screening was followed by a full set from East Journey, culminating in a rousing rendition of Yothu Yindi’s Mainstream with Yothu Yindi member Witiyana Marika.”

Stay tuned to the Music NT website for links!

• See a photo gallery from the album launch on the Music NT Facebook page.
  
• Read more about East Journey here and here.
• Visit the East Journey website.
• Read more about the NIMAs.

Words: Megan Spencer. Sources: Susan Sandery, East Journey Music, ‘Guwak’ media release, Music NT, Vicki Gordon.

Pictures courtesy Susan Sandery, taken by Peter Eve.

eMDee play the Adelaide Fringe Opening Night Concert, 2006. Pic: courtesy of eMDee

High energy drum n’ didge Darwin duo eMDee have launched a brand new album.

Titled Parallel, the CD launch event was filmed for a live concert DVD at Darwin venue Happy Yess, to be released in 2012.

Band members Mark Hoffman – who plays up to four didgeridoos at once – and percussionist Lukas Bendel, promised to get “pulses racing and sweat dripping” with their high-octane music set, featuring new compositions.

Hailing from Humpty Doo just outside of the Territory capital, eMDee formed in 2002, and say Parallel marks their sixth CD release.

It comes at the end of a highly successful 2012 for eMDee, who were part of the NT’s award-winning ‘The Bang Collective’ at this year’s Montreal International Fireworks Competition.

eMDee's Mark Hoffman at work. Pic: Eva Pettifor

Made up of fireworks specialists Howard & Sons and musicians eMDee, the “pyro-musical collective” won a Bronze Jupiter Medal overall for entry The Colours of Kakadu, with eMDee’s music recognised with the Best Soundtrack Award.

The Parallel launch gig took place at Happy Yess Saturday November 12 in Darwin (with special guest Liam Monkhouse and supports).

Just after the Darwin CD launch, Mark Hoffman took time out to chat to Music NT about the fine art of being eMDee…

Music NT: How did the band originally come about?

Mark Hoffman: I went looking for a drummer on the east coast and I came across [NT funk band] The NEO in Noosa. I asked Lukas – who was the drummer – if he was keen to do some drumming for me and he agreed. I then asked if we could do some songs in between The Neo sets on their east coast tour, and the rest is well…

MuNT: How would you describe your ‘music journey’ to this point?

MH: Well it’s been a very fun and adventurous time. Also very hard and painful at times too.

MuNT: Mark – how did you come to learn didge? And who were you taught by?

MH: The didgeridoo was a gift – well not the didge itself, but the ability to play it..

I was introduced to the instrument by a friend of mine back in 1992. He showed me how to circular breathe and I picked it up within the first 30 seconds, and have never put it down since!

I am self-taught from years of living and travelling around Australia; sitting in the bush, copying calls, inspired by beats or rhythms from either my surrounds or my inner self, and the motivation to make people dance and be happy.

I have never been taught any traditional Indigenous rhythms, though I have been approached by many, many Indigenous people wishing to give me a skin name and to claim me as their own!

MuNT: What attracted you to playing the didge?

MH: The very strong pull of the sound, and it was a very special time in my life when it came to me, to share with the people.

MuNT: What inspires your compositions and can you give us a bit of insight into your songwriting?

MH: The beats that I bring to the music are stories of many things that have happened to me. For example, the song ‘Cheeta’ on the Didge n’ Drum album is about my recovery to fitness.

MuNT: Do you each have to do any particular kind of training to keep the physical demands up during a gig – if you have a ‘regime’ maybe you can give us some insight?

MH: I get this question often. I was a triathlon athletic person, with 15 years of martial arts and I love to ride mountain bikes. This may all help somewhere I am sure. It’s not the coffee, haha!

eMDee at Mindil. Pic: Eva Pettifor

MuNT: Do you guys have ‘day jobs’, or is eMDee able to sustain as a career?

MH: Well yesterday I sat in front of a computer working on our new CD and DVD, and today spent all day mixing down.

Then tomorrow it’s computer work for gigs, then a gig, then rehearsal, then family life, then gig.. Then more computer work, then shit! It’s a week gone again!

Work – we as eMDee never stop. Music all the way!

MuNT: How hard do you work at keeping eMDee going? Who does what in terms of the business side of the band?

MH: Well I never knew how much work was involved in making a living out of music. Some bands get it easy and get grants to do their thing, or get radio rotation, or just get a lot of help from many people. I have very rarely received that ‘helping hand’ within the industry, so it’s up to eMDee to save save save, and then try to make the right decision about how to spend those savings, and try to get further down the track.

As eMDee is now myself and Lukas, we both make the decisions. Even though at the  end of the day I give the final approval on a project, it never really  happens that way: Lukas and I work great together on decisions for eMDee.

MuNT: When did you start writing songs for the new CD? And who did you work with on it – as in musicians and production?

MH: eMDee was lucky to have a studio at the time of the CD. We spend at least a year or so on our songs for the CDs before we record them.

Lukas is the man behind the recording desk and James Newhouse is the Master. We have had Liam Monkhouse (aka MC MONK from Culture Culture), drop on in one song, and  New Orleans rapper Scar, with the bullet wounds to prove it!

MuNT: Is there a particular story behind naming the new album ‘Parallel’?

MH: It’s two opposites working on a level together: didge and drums, going in the same direction alongside each other.

eMDee in the NT News on the even of the Parallel launch. Pic: Michael Franchi/NT News

MuNT: You’ve sold ‘close to 50 000 CDs from the streets to the stage’. And have distribution through MGM. That’s a lot of CDs for an independent artist…

MH: I don’t think it is a lot of CDs for us. There are many, many other bands that have sold millions of CDs in that time. I have been playing and they are independent as well; they have great support teams and I know that would help.

It sounds like a lot of CDs to the fans, but in reality it’s a very small amount. But I am very happy to have achieved this.

MuNT: What are the advantages of that kind of business model?

MH: Our music is so different to the norm; that’s our advantage to keep gigs coming. We have never really had one type of business formula or model. We just go wherever the music takes us, and we never say no to a helping hand if it comes our way.

MuNT: And of basing yourselves in the NT?

MH: I moved to the NT many years before I decided to play music for a living, I was attracted to the open spaces, the raw feeling you get from living in the bush and the fact that the culture is so much stronger here than anywhere else in Australia.

I went busking at the famous Mindil Beach Markets in 1998, performed to tourists, and the rest is history!

MuNT: Do you have a particular approach or philosophy to making music? Specially when it comes to the gigs and your relationships with your audience?

MH: Well I’m always one to get into the high energy beats as I find that people really want to get down and go a little crazy on the dance floor. So I do try to create the beats for this to happen. You are on stage for an hour  so give it all and have fun doing it! People want to see live performance these days, and are over ‘the sit down’.

MuNT: You’ve played a ton of festivals and gigs – what have been some of your highlights and why?

MH: Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, many…. From Dr. King and Iggy Pop to John Butler and The Waifs to… OMG too many to write down!

But the biggest was meeting James Brown and having a half hour chat about music and its place in people.

I also toured with a band from WA called Blue Shaddy. These mob were an inspiration to me as I got to see what it takes to be a stage junkie – I couldn’t have had a better crew to learn from.

Then meeting Lukas and doing many big festivals around Australia has been a blessing…

MuNT: Winning the awards at the Montreal International fireworks Festival this year must have been a massive highlight, specially to play to such an international audience. Do you have any plans to continue with The Bang Collective in the future, and also to tour the new album interstate and OS?

MH: A high it was, as the crackers lit the skies over Montreal to eMDee beats..

We are booked into the biggest ‘show’ in Australia  – that is the Sydney Easter Show – for two weeks.  Every night we will be performing to thousands of people. 1,200,000 people attend the fire works over the two weeks, so it’s going to be great for eMDee. And  also putting Darwin on a new map for the people I hope. (OMG, a good manager would be a good idea  I think maybe ??! This will be great for the musicians of Darwin, and Darwin itself I am hoping as well.)

Triatheletic breathing.. Mark Hoffman from eMDee.

MuNT: Where do you feel you are at with your music career – are things about to change for you?

MH: I have no idea were I am at, but I know no matter what, I will always be playing music, as it’s something you just do. The rest just comes if your heart is in the right space.

Change is always happening but in Darwin, steady, steady way…

MuNT: What is it that makes your audience respond so well to your music?

MH: Thanks for the nice words, I’m sure it’s Lukas ha ha…

I also believe that Lukas and me give absolutely everything in our performances – we don’t hold back. People see this and feel the energy in our live performances, and it resonates with them somehow – shakes them loose!

MuNT: Please finish this sentence: “In 5 years time eMDee will be…”

MH: Touring the globe on international stages as an ambassador for multiculturalism. (My little dream but don’t tell anyone..!)

eMDee has been invited ‘to jump on stage’ at the Summer Rhythm Festival in Canberra, December 9-11, 2011.

Visit eMDee’s website for more information, and ‘Like’ the band on Facebook!

Read more about eMDee in Canada here, and in the NT News.

Words: Megan Spencer. Interview: Mark Hoffman Source: emDee, NT News. Many thanks to Mark for the interview and Lukas for the pictures!

CD cover art for 'Angels In Berlin', by Leon Spurling

Leon Spurling is a hard-working Alice Springs musician, about to release his third album, ‘Angels in Berlin’.

Atmospheric, introspective, acoustic and compelling, it’s the work of an artist inspired by the world around him – whether it be ‘small town Alice’ (which he loves to write about), or World War II Berlin and its influence over some of his personal music heroes (think Lou Reed, Nick Cave, The Beatles…)

He’s also an artist with a healthy sense of humour and a healthy musical following in the Territory.

Here are some tasty morsels about Leon which he is happy to share with those who come his way..

• His first band was a death metal act called ‘Sickness’. They soon split up after signing to Sydney record label, Vampire Records.
• Leon’s dad Fred is a taxi driver in Alice Springs and Leon’s biggest fan. To help with his son’s career Fred sells his customers Leon’s CDs direct from his taxi, where he plays them on high rotation.
• Leon’s first CD was called ‘SONGS ABOUT LOVE, DRUGS, FAME AND SUPERMARKETS’.
• As a solo artist Leon has supported David Bridie, Christine Anu, Frank Yamma, John Butler Trio, Pete Murray, Neil Murray, Magic Dirt, Darren Hanlon, the Hilltop Hoods and… Russell Crowe. (More on that later)
• Leon has sold in excess of 4000 CDs and tapes to fans all over the world.
• Leon’s music has been described as a cross-between Nick Drake, Crowded House and Wilco.

Dedicated to songwriting and with his music roots firmly wedged in the world of \m/etal, Leon is one of those people who make the NT music scene so fantastically unpredictable, uncompromising and fun to be part of. Likewise, Leon has his own unique NT story to tell.

‘Angels in Berlin’ is Leon’s fifth CD release, with two EPs and two albums previously under his belt. Music NT spoke to Leon Spurling on the eve of his latest album launch.

Music NT: How long have you been playing music and what got you into music in the first place?

Leon Spurling: I began playing guitar at around 17. I’m 38 now, so over 20 years – which is crazy when I think about it. Actually I should be better than I am after that long!!!

I was writing songs/lyrics well before 17 though,  probably around 14. I would write books full of songs and have all the music and melodies in my head as I didn’t play an instrument at that stage. I think the first song I ever wrote was called ‘Rebel’ – pretty original hey!!!

I play acoustic & electric guitar and a little bit of bass, and I sing. I really don’t consider myself a musician to be honest, more a songwriter than anything, although I do love to crank up my Marshall and pump out a bit of metal!!!

I’ve been into music as far back as I can remember. My first memory of getting into music was sitting in my dad’s old yellow Falcon and listening to Hank Williams on cassette for hours on end. As a young kid the sound, feel and emotion of Hank’s voice and lyrics had a huge impact on me and I think has definitely influenced my songwriting.

The reason I began playing music was probably the same reason as for a lot of young blokes in Alice at the time – and maybe even now! To kill the boredom of a small town, to impress the ladies, and to have fun with my mates on the weekend.

MuNT: How did you come to be in Alice Springs?

LS: I’ve been in Alice Springs for over 25 years.

Mum and Dad moved up to Alice Springs from Murray Bridge [South Australia] for work in the late 70s. I was about 7 or 8 at the time, and apart from living in Melbourne for a couple of years I have been in Alice Springs the whole time. I love living in Alice; lots of interesting characters around, the heat and wide open spaces…

Alice Springs songwriter Leon Spurling. Pic: Leon Spurling

MuNT: How would you describe your music, and what has helped to shape its particular sound? And do you think living in Alice informs your sound and songwriting sensibility?

LS: I think living in Alice Springs has definitely helped shape my sound and influenced my songwriting, without a doubt.

When I lived in Melbourne – nearly ten years ago now – the whole time I was there I could hardly write anything at all. it was just too busy and I found myself getting influenced by all the other artists, to a point. There’s so much space in Alice. It’s relaxed and not so rushed as the big city, and I’ve always thought there was something special about the town and its people. It continues to inspire me.

My music has been described as a cross between Nick Drake, Crowded House and Wilco, which is interesting; I would simply describe my music as honest with an acoustic base to it, with a heavy reliance on the lyrics to drive the story.

But I also have my metal and punk side which I love just as much as the acoustic stuff I write… Punk/metal bands I’ve played/sang in over the years in Alice are ‘Sickness’, ‘Dead Famous People’ & ‘Exit Earth’.

MuNT: What do you love about making music – and the music culture – in Alice? And the most challenging? And why?

LS: My main love is writing lyrics and being as honest as I can in them.

Writing songs like ‘My Alcoholic Life’, ‘Somedays I Wish I Wasn’t born’, ‘Song For The Lonely’, ‘Tenderman’ and ‘Fuck the Queen’ come from a deep place  and it’s rewarding  when you get positive feedback about songs that you hold close to your heart.

I love making music as there are no rules or boundaries. It’s an open license to be as creative as you can and say things differently to the next songwriter who comes along. The music culture in Alice has it’s ups and downs. Gigs can be hard to come by, or 5 in a month. I don’t feel it’s as close a scene as it was 10 years ago – or as original. But things change… Having Music NT is fantastic and keeps the whole Territory music scene vibrant and up-to-date with what’s happening.

The most challenging thing about Alice is convincing locals to come out and support local original talent.. The size and lack of venues and recording studios too..

MuNT: Do you have any particular music mentors? And who do you listen to?

LS: When I first started playing in metal bands around Alice I was influenced by a local guitarist/singer, Craig Tilmouth (Mothman), who played and sang in Alice Springs’ first heavy metal band, Nemesis.

Later he went on to form and front the awesome Alice band, Nokturnl. I remember seeing Nemesis one night many years ago at a Todd Tavern jam session on a Monday night. They played my favourite Metallica song at the time ‘Jump in the Fire’. I was under-age and snuck in to listen to ‘em – man blew my mind!!

I love listening to so much different music. It really depends on my mood at the time, My favourite artists at the moment are, Manic Street Preachers, (favourite band) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Sinead O Connor, Megadeth, Johnny Cash, Alicia Keys, Leonard Cohen, Morbid Angel, Nirvana,  John Lennon, The Beatles, Naipalm Death,  Cat Stevens, Jimi Hendrix, Oasis,  Neil Young, just to name  a few!

MuNT; You’ve played with some pretty big names in Australian Music…Can you tell us about some of those experiences?

LS: I have been lucky enough to play with some awesome Aussie acts for sure.

Supporting Magic Dirt was cool, just me and my acoustic… I spent 20 hours on the bus from Alice with a broken foot to come up to Darwin to support ‘John Butler’ few years ago – glad I got a good reception!

Playing after Russell Crowe here in Alice was a little embarrassing – for Russell that is! Man he was crap! He’s the opposite of Elvis – he can act, but his music is rubbish!

Hilltop Hoods was a great support, but the artist I enjoyed supporting the most was Alice singer/songwriter Frank Yamma. He has great songs and stage presence and his voice just rips my heart out every time I hear it.

MuNT: Can you tell us about one or two of the best gigs a) you’ve ever played, and b) you’ve seen in the NT?

LS: One of the best gigs I’ve played was supporting Neil Murray a few months ago. Everything on the night  just worked for me: my ‘between song’ banter was gold, my voice felt great, good crowd reaction – trust me, I generally get nervous as hell and hardly speak to the crowd at all, but the night gelled perfectly..!

I had a great gig supporting Hilltop Hoods as well. It’s hard to win over a hip hop crowd with just an acoustic guitar, but it worked out fine.

One of the best gigs I’ve seen in Alice for a few years was a band called Mammal. They played BASSINTHEDUST a couple of years back and went off! The singer had so much energy, the band were tight as hell, awesome songs and rhythms. I was talking shit to the singer before their set and thought he was just some roadie. Nnext thing I know he’s on stage abusing the crowd – loved it!

CD artwork, by Leon Spurling.

MuNT: Which NT band and artists inspire you?

LS: I don’t have a any particular NT artist I like better than others, I respect all NT artists and musicians doing their original thing and following their dreams and vision.

NT artists and musicians I enjoy are Frank Yamma, Tashka Urban, Gareth Dawkins, Catch the Fly, Night’s Plague, The Moxie , Sassy J (Jacinta Price), Culture Connect, Dan n’ Dee, Roy Mackonkey, Ben Slip, Ginger Porter Band, Amunda, Damien Armstrong (ex-Nokturnl), Dr Strangeways, Warren H. Williams, Cain Gilmour, Dennis Pearson, Exit-Earth, Built for Comfort, Matt Byrnes, Ross Muir… There’s probably a few I’ve forgotten as well no doubt!!!

MuNT: What do you do for a day job? How does music compliment or fit into your life in Alice?

LS: I’ve worked at the Alice Springs Hospital for the last 8 years, the last 4 years being at Patient Travel – which can be extremely challenging and having music is a great release after a stressful day!!!

As I think about my music 24/7, it does get challenging to balance home life responsibilities and music.  Ideally it would be great just to write music all day, not have to work, worry about bills and other pressures.. (But until I win lotto!!!)

Having a wonderful supportive family, good friends and a good supportive network does tie music and lifestyle together perfectly here in Alice.

MuNT: Can you tell us about your latest album, ‘Angels in Berlin’? It seems a long way from Alice Springs!

LS: ‘Angels in Berlin’ was recorded in Alice Springs earlier this year in one day at Hugestar Recording studios, run by the talented Matt Byrnes.

The songs were recorded live-to-tape in one or two takes as I really wanted to capture the emotion and feeling of performing the songs live – not doing vocal overdubs which I don’t enjoy. The recording is sparse and naked, just  acoustic guitar and voice, with minimal overdubs.

I originally planned on doing a ‘concept album’ based on World War II, which I will do at a later stage. But the newer songs I was writing – such as ‘Tenderman’ and ‘Angels By Your Side’ – were drifting away from that original idea. So I wrote a whole bunch of other stuff, keeping a couple of songs I had written for my World War II album: ‘In Berlin’ & ‘London Will Burn’. And here it is!

The title is loosely based on the songs ‘In Berlin’& ‘Angels By Your Side’. Plus I’m a big fan of the impact Berlin the city has had on musicians I get into, such as Lou Reed, Nick Cave, The Beatles etc..

The inspiration for ‘Angels in Berlin’ was my 1 year-old daughter Jett Violet, and wife-to-be Loren. And also to record as quickly as I could and not fart-arse around thinking about things to much, which I have a habit of doing.

I’m heaps proud of the way ‘Angels in Berlin’ has turned out and I hope people enjoy the songs.

MuNT: Seems your dad is your biggest fan?! More please!

LS: Dad’s a classic! He used to drive taxis in Alice Springs and retired couple of years back.

He would play my songs to his customers and flog them a CD. I’m sure he locked the doors at times and wouldn’t let them out until they bought one!!!

Over the years he’s sold a hell of a lot of CDs to people from all walks of life. Friends have told me he used to forget that he had already sold them a CD and would try and flog ‘em another one, which is awesome! I just need a ‘dad’ like him in every town and I’d be laughing!!! Dad loves his music and was always very encouraging, as was mum.

MuNT: How would you describe your music career so far – and do you have any big ambitions for your professional music career and this new album?

LS: I’ve never really thought about trying to make a career out of my music. I’ve always been happy doing it the way I have and just glad I’ve always stuck to my guns and never tried to sell out and be something I’m not, which I think is really important. I love the freedom of being an independent artist and doing and saying whatever I feel like…

I am excited about ‘Angels in Berlin’ and have some plans for next year – just wait and see what happens I suppose…

Leon's guilty pleasure.. Duran Duran.

MuNT: What’s a secret that people may not know about you?

LS: When I was younger I used to be a massive Duran Duran fan!!!! And also I get very nervous before playing generally.

MuNT: And what’s the best piece of music advice that you’ve been told about making music? And what’s the best bit of advice you would give to others?

LS: It’s one and the same: to not to think about things too much, be true to yourself and to not copy others.. Concentrate on getting the songs and lyrics right before image and everything else, and just enjoy being creative!!!

‘Angels in Berlin’ is for sale at Leon’s Myspace or through Murray Neck Leading Edge Music, Alice Springs.

‘Angels in Berlin’ will be launched at Alice Plaza, Todd Mall, Alice Springs, Saturday December 4, 10.30am. event details on the Music NT Forum.

Words: Megan Spencer. Thanks to Leon Spurling for the interview.

It’s official: Saltwater Band have released their third album after 15 years together as one of the Territory’s most well-loved  and successful musical groups.

Titled ‘Malk’ – Yolgnu for ‘skin name’ – it has been produced and released through Skinnyfish Music, the NT music label which recently won an Austrade export award from the NT government for “their work in promoting Indigenous music to the world.” The album was co-produced by Michael Hohnen and Craig Pilkington, and is described on the Skinnyfish website as “essentially an islander reggae album”, with Saltwater’s trademark “fusion” of contemporary and traditional music.

Saltwater Band – who hail from Elcho Island, North East Arnhem Land – consists of eight Yolgnu musicians, two of whom being Australia’s most well-known and successful Indigenous musicians: Gurrumul Yunupingu and Manuel Ngulupani Dhurrkay, who also recently played at the Bush Bands Bash at Alice Desert Festival. (Read more about Mr. Dhurrkay’s current tour with Sand Tracks).

Saltwater Band. Image source: MySpace

Saltwater Band were also a headline act at the 2010 Indigenous Music Awards where Gurrumul not only performed with Saltwater Band, but also won ‘Act Of The Year’.

Singer Natalie Pa’apa’a from Melbourne-based roots band Blue King Brown – who also made a surprise appearance on stage with Saltwater Band at the IMAs – appears on the new album, performing on the title track ‘Malk’.

Read more about Saltwater Band and their new album ‘Malk’ on the Skinnyfish website and sample their music on MySpace.

Words: Megan Spencer.

Artwork from 'Brightest Beginnings'.

Called ‘Brightest Beginnings’, musician Kris Keogh reported that the album took “three years” to make. “It looks and sounds a million bucks – if I do say so myself!” he said just before its release.

Since the album’s release, several songs have been played on triple j radio, and FBI radio in Sydney.

To date Red Plum & Snow have released EPs ’20 Power Hits’ (“recorded as a tour CD for a trip to Adelaide in 2009″) and ‘Small Songs’, released in March 2010.

Their ‘Cake & Lazer Show’ at DEC on October 1 was a collaboration between RP&S band members Kris Keogh, Gretchen Ennis and systems light designer and digital artist  Richard Allen (Future Art Research) from Melbourne. This project – and the ‘Cake & Lazer Workshop’ at Happy Yess in Darwin – was also funded by an arts grant from Arts NT. Read more details here.

Cake & Lazer show...Red Plum & Snow.

Keogh also has plans to release a solo EP in January 2011,  returning to his “homeland” in Gove from Darwin to set up a new studio and work undistracted to meet the deadline. The EP is releasing through Sydney record label, New Editions.

Download the “exclusive preview track” ‘Waiting’ here. Brightest Beginnings released October 15, 2010 on Bandcamp.

Check out Red Plum & Snow on MySpace and Facebook.

Words: Megan Spencer

Alice Springs-based CAAMA Music have released a brand new compilation CD, “Desert Pop, Lock & Drop”. Proving just how versatile music from the Northern Territory can be, local singers Cassandra Williams and Mei Lai Swan came up with a sound that CAAMA says it’s been “heading for”. Other tracks range from hip hop (courtesy of 13 year-old Darlyhne Lillico) and pop rock (Tom Ghea, ‘Falling Star’), to lush ballads by Jessica Laruffa (‘Feelin’ This’) and Kirra Voller (‘The Ending’), and reggae from the Yuendumu Community. Find out more at the CAAMA website.

Listen to Desert Lock Pop and Drop now!

Jagit Album Cover - Peace in Kaos

Jagit is a four-piece alternative rock band formed in 2002. Combining elements of grunge, punk and a hip groove to produce a new and unique sound. Raw and edgy vocals combined with muscular guitar riffs, and spectacular lyrics, their music is for all fans of alternative rock genre. Hard hitting and relevant, Jagit’s music explores life.

Jagit has a huge following in Central Australia, particularly amongst a young audience. Jagit is a dedicated and passionate band, who aim to develop their audience and fan-base throughout the Northern Territory and nationally, playing a number of local gigs in Alice Springs and various communities before performing a live-to-air show in Tennant Creek, braodcasting the show through the CAAMA radio footprint.

Jagit then recorded and released their first album, 9 to 5, in 2005 with CAAMA Music and produced two video clips, “Better Place” and “Mistaken Identity”, that have had television broadcasts including ABC (“Stateline”), ICTV and NITV. Jagit was nominated as finalists in the NT Indigenous Music Awards, in the Best Emerging Artists and Best Album Art Design categories in 2005.

Jagit has composed sound tracks for CAAMA films and documentaries, including “Black and Dustry” (Broadcasted on Imparja TV), “Yota” (broadcast on NITV) and “Sunset to Sunrise” (Melbourne Film Festival and broadcast on ABC).

Jagit played at THE BASS IN THE DUST concert in 2005. In 2007 Jagit toured Melrboune with CAAMA music and Blackwing Music. Jagit received positive feedback from all the contacts made in Melbourne.

In 2009/10, Jagit has recorded and released their second labum “Peace in Kaos”. This album has the same alternative hard-hitting rock, with some great ballads. We are in the process of making three new video clips with award winning filmmaker Warwick Thornton using his creativity to produce and shoot the three video clips from this album.

Jagit has now arranged distribution of their two albums (“9 to 5″ and “Peace in Kaos”) through CAAMA Music, Skinnyfish Music and Sanity Music Stores.

Band Members

• Steve Tranter: Rhythm Guitar, songwriter, manager
  Occupation: Audio Engineer, over 12 years with CAAMA Music and four years as a Technician with Imparja TV and CAAMA. When working as a sound engineer with CAAMA Music, Steve has had the pleasure of working with many fellow enginners.
• Wade Humm: lead rhythm guitar, backing vocals
  Wade started plyaing guitar at the age of 15 and formed a band at the age of 16, called LSD. Later on, Wade moved to the east coast as a session musician and for three years he toured up and down the coast playing covers, with a repertoire of over 300 songs. Wade has been a member of Jagait for the last six years.
• Swainson Rio: Main vocals, Bass guitar
  Since 20, Swainson has played in numerous bands such a Sumemr Sould, Drifters and the Swainson Rio band. Swainson has been a member of Jagjait for the last six years.
• Adam Provis: Drums

Song of the Year nomination: Close Your Eyes by Jagit

Hear Jagit’s Peace in Kaos now:

Artwork/Design of the Year nomination – album artwork:

Sleeve back cover

Inner sleeve

Listen to Kililpi now:

Or you can visit the Yapa Beats website now.

Screenshot from Choice by Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation

Created for and completely by the Elcho Island community in remote north-east Arnhemland, this unique anti-smoking campaign spread like wild fire across Arnhemland as mini video clips being passed around through peoples mobile phones.

The corporation’s Tobacco Control Project coordinator, Ric Browne, said the key was making a message in language and finding the best way to distribute it.

“Not many Yolngu homes have computers, but everybody’s got a mobile phone,” he said.

‘Cough n Rap

‘Cough n’ Rap’ – Miwatj Health from Skinnyfish Music on Vimeo.

Director: Jonathan Manirri Yunupingu and Tim Wood
Music by: Duanne Preston

Choice

Choice – Miwatj Health from Skinnyfish Music on Vimeo.

Director: Lloyd Malalung and Tim Wood
Music By: Laurance Dhamarrandji, Duanne Dhamarrandji, Lloyd Malalung, Music Produced by: Duane Preston

Life

Life – Miwatj Health from Skinnyfish Music on Vimeo.

Director: Marcus Mungul Lacey and Tim Wood
Music By: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu