STACK #203 Sep 2021

MUSIC FEATURE

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In the four years since the passing of Dr. Gurrumul Yunupingu, the world's ears have only bent closer towards the First Nations artist and Australian icon's uniquely stirring music.To discuss the release of the first anthology of Gurumul's works, The Gurrumul Story , we put some questions to the man's collaborator, spokesperson and confidante, Michael Hohnen. Words Zoë Radas

GURRUMUL THE STORY OF A MUSIC MAN

it a natural choice, as Bayini was a female character, and Sarah’s tonal quality and style also complemented the part. The new, official clip for Wiyathul (Longing For Place) is incredible (especially after reading about theWiyathul bird itself, and how its life is reflected in the performed totemic dance).Who directed the clip, and what can you tell us about the dancers? The direction and cinematography was by a guy named Paul Shakeshaft, who has toured with Gurrumul’s family, and who helped create the Bunggul show. He flew to Elcho Island to shoot the clip. It was also directed by a Yolngu elder, Don Wininba. The story is shot on the country that the traditional song comes from. This is country at the Northern top of Elcho Island. The dancers are very close relatives to Gurrumul: Nebbie Burarrwanga, David Yunupingu and Nelson Yunupingu. The story is of the lead dancer, danced by Nebbie, who is a Wiyathul or orange-footed scrub fowl, protecting its nest from two other, antagonistic scrub-fowls danced by David and

show different elements shine at different moments, but as his musical career ended on such a high point with the orchestral recordings [From Djarimirri (Child Of The Rainbow) , it seems fitting to not do the same with The Gurrumul Story project. There are undoubtedly many vocalists who would've loved to sing the second part in Bayini 's new duet iteration; how did you decide on Sarah Blasko? Sarah was living in London at a time that we visited. After the original Bayini song was released, we were introduced to a version that had an English verse written as the rest of the song, by Rrawun Maymurru, Gurrumul’s grandson. Having that perspective and having us in the same place at the same time made

After the success of Gurrumul's four studio albums – including the AMP- winning, posthumous Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) which went to #1 – how were the songs which comprise this collection chosen? Did the eventual tracklist stand out to you immediately, or was it a rocky and frustrating journey of whittling-down? The journey in this collection is chronological. It's difficult because all four studio albums were treated with their own direction and narrative. I realise that when people hear Gurrumul they hear his voice, but throughout the time of the four releases there were quite galvanising views on the directions that were taken. Ultimately, trying to tell a story across any artist’s career will

14 SEPTEMBER 2021

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