WARUMPI BAND FOUNDERS @ NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tjungu - the long awaited album by Neil Murray and Sammy Butcher was released in 2019. 

Described by American reviewer, D.H. as an, "Amazing album! A sort of musical biography of guitarist Sammy Butcher created with Neil Murray with production by Jim Moginie (Midnight Oil). Songs full of sadness, wonder and defiance, but most of all mutual respect." 

National Folk Festival punters may have the chance to hear the one or two songs live on Monday 18th April on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra.
"For the National we wont really be showcasing songs off Tjungu.... Its more about the finale featuring 'Blackfella Whitefella' and 'My Island Home'. I'll also be doing a couple of my own sets at the NFF," explains Neil. 

The pair often wrote deadly songs together for the band. In 2007, 'Jailanguru Pakarnu' (Out From Jail), the Warumpi Band’s debut 1983 single, with lyrics in guitarist Sammy's Luritja language, was honoured by the National Film And Sound Archives - Sounds Of Australia series. Respected as a significant recording in Australia's heritage it is credited as the first commercially released rock single in an indigenous language. Neil's composition, 'My Island Home', as recorded by Christine Anu, received the same honour in 2016. 

Some journos have written that the Warumpis disbanded in 1987, but as Neil has said, "The Warumpi Band didn't split in 1987 - we just took 3 years off and reconvened in 1990. It's correct we did formally retire in 2000 but did subsequently play a couple of one off shows - once in 2004 and finally in 2006."

Neil has concentrated more on his solo career and since 1989, has recorded ten studio albums, starting with Calm and Crystal Clear. Sammy has built a recording studio in his home of Papunya, where he teaches youngsters and records their musical efforts. He is of the opinion that, "Every child in Papunya can play an instrument or sing", and he feels the studio can help train professional musicians and sound engineers.

BUY CD on Neil Murray's SQUARE or download from iTunes and Spotify. 

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Yothu Yindi Returns

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Original members including, songman/dancer Wityana Marika, bassist Stu Kellaway, Ben Hakalitz on drums, keyboard wizard Matt Cunliffe and dancer Mangatjay, with young guns Malngay Yunupingu and Rrawun Maymuru (East Journey) on lead vocals, will be reviving the deadly Yolgnu funk-rock sound beloved by fans this year at festivals around Australia. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above: Yothu Yindi performs at the 2012 ARIAs 

featuring the late Drs. M & G Yunupingu, Paul Kelly, Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan and Peter Garrett.

 

"Even in their earliest stages, Yothu Yindi were recognised as a unique act. They combined the sounds and instrumentation of western rock ‘n’ roll with songs and performances that date back tens of thousands of years. They took the ancient song cycles of north-east Arnhem Land – featuring such traditional instruments as the bilma (ironwood clapsticks) and yidaki (didgeridoo or hollow log) – and juxtaposed them with western pop sounds to present a true musical meeting of two diverse cultures. They took traditional Yolngu dance performances – describing the behavior of crocodiles, wallabies, brolga and other fauna of their homelands – and worked them into the context of contemporary performance. The result is a band that’s been hailed as “the most powerful blend of indigenous and modern music to emerge from the world music scene”.

"Coming together in 1986, Yothu Yindi consists of both Yolngu (Aboriginal) and Balanda (non-Aboriginal) musicians and embodies a sharing of cultures. The band promotes the strength of Yolngu culture, presenting non-Aboriginal people throughout the world with an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy aspects of that ancient culture."

"The band recorded their first album Homeland Movement in Australia’s bicentennial year, 1988. Combining contemporary western rock with the traditional song cycles of the Gumatj and Rirratjingu clans of north-east Arnhem Land, Homeland Movement was recorded in one day and mixed in another and won the band a contract with Australia’s leading independent record company." - Mushroom Records. (< Click here for more info)

Yothu Yindi released their timeless hit ‘Treaty’ in 1991 as a protest against a broken promise by the Hawke Government. Clearly the time is right for the band to hit the road again, raising awareness for the need for treaty with Australia’s First Nations People.... 

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The bran nue Yothu Yindi will perform @ National Folk Festival

on Monday 18th April. 

UNCLE ARCHIE'S KEEPING ON KEEPING ON

Nothing keeps this good man down! After having his  final tour interrupted by the covid lockdowns Archie Roach is keen to play to his adoring festival audiences again. 

Catch him at the National on FRIDAY 15TH & SATURDAY 16TH APRIL.