STACK #252 October 2025

MUSIC FEATURE

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BAKER’S DELIGHT “ S till blak, still deadly, I’m the same Baker Boy! ” Baker Boy’s second album, Djandjay , shows that success Baker Boy pays tribute to his grandmother on his powerful second album.

HIP HIP Djandjay is released on Baker Boy’s 29th birthday. “When we were working through timelines, the proposed date was the third, but I was like, ‘Nah, let’s push it a week.’ Little gift to myself!”

say and do… that is the everyday experience for a Person of Colour.” War Cry concludes with a moving message from Baker Boy’s grandmother: “ Love you! ” “It was one of the last videos sent to me before she passed,” Baker Boy explains. “Momu Djandjay was

hasn’t spoiled the Yol ŋ u artist who broke big with his debut album, 2021’s Gela , which

won five ARIA Awards, including ‘Album of the Year’. But he points out that his line of pride and defiance, in War Cry , “isn’t about fame or success changing me. “It’s about other people’s perceptions of me. War Cry is a response to the Black

a strong matriarch of my family. She introduced hip hop to Arnhem Land back in the late ’80s after she’d been to America, which led to my dad and uncles starting the OG Baker Boys, which, of course,

Djandjay by Baker Boy is out Oct 10 via Island/UMA

Baker Boy

Baker Boy works on artwork and videos with his partner Aurie Indianna. The striking album cover was inspired by the North-East Arnhem Land landscape – rich red earth, pandanus fruits, and the lush green of the wet season. The barefooted Baker Boy is wearing a black Gucci suit. Draped around his shoul ders is a handwoven pandanus mat, crafted by family. His jewellery honours the Olive Python, his totem. And he’s carrying a spear made by his father. “It’s a reminder of home, of culture, and of the support I carry with me. COVER ME

Lives Matter Movement, when I had people messaging me to criticise how I was/wasn’t publicly reacting to the murder of George Floyd. Balanda (non-Indigenous) people who think of themselves as allies trying to tell me how I should feel and what I should

then led to me. “She was just this incredible force. Always encouraging us to chase our dreams, to dance and to practise culture. Everyone talks about me being so positive and I think so much of that came from Momu.” Jeff Jenkins

TAKE COVER Paul Dempsey turns back time to tackle an eclectic array of songs on his second covers collection.

COVER ME On an album of covers, the cover is also a cover, with Paul paying tribute to The Shining , one of his favourite films. “Also, I see this whole project as me versus the music: I’m attempting to do something that perhaps shouldn’t be attempted, so that’s reflected in the photo of me swinging an axe at a jukebox.”

Dog Eared (Carla Geneve, 2021) “This just knocked me off my feet. It’s punk and raw, but so cleverly written. I hope it makes people check out Carla’s stuff; she’s incredible.” Because the Night (Patti Smith, 1978) “This has got Springsteen’s signature epic street feel: us against the world, like Born to Run . And Patti Smith’s voice and attitude gave it something else.” Light Pollution (Bright Eyes, 2005) “I’m a huge fan of Bright Eyes and Conor Oberst – he’s one of my favourite lyricists. This song had an extra ring of truth, in our current moment in society.” Losing My Religion (R.E.M., 1991) “A monumental song, one of the greatest ever written, so you get a little nervous covering it. I just did my best to bash out an honest version, with simplicity and respect.” If I Can’t Change Your Mind (Sugar, 1992) “Bob Mould has a great ear for melody. Definitely one of the godparents of power pop.” Way of the World (Max Q, 1989) “I was just really struck by this song. It was unexpected from Michael Hutchence – it was quite angry. And that anger remains. It was a song I wanted to sing right now.” The First Part (Superchunk, 1994) “I listened to a lot of underground American music like Superchunk and Sonic Youth and Fugazi. I would have covered this earlier, but I could never get up there vocally. Now I can, though it’s a stretch.” Jeff Jenkins

T welve years after Shotgun Karaoke , Paul Dempsey’s compelling collection of covers, comes Vol II . The approach remains the same: One man, one guitar. Sung in the original key. “I tried to keep it as simple and as live and spontaneous as possible, because that to me is the charm of bashing out covers on an acoustic guitar,” Dempsey smiles. “It’s a guy in a bedroom strumming on a guitar.” If I Could Turn Back Time (Cher, 1989) “Like everyone else, I remember the outrageous video. But it was also an epic song. I thought it would be ridiculous for me to attempt that on an acoustic guitar – and heaps of fun.” Twist in My Sobriety (Tanita Tikaram, 1988) “I was 12 when I heard this song; it was haunting and mysterious and unusual. And I don’t think I

Paul Dempsey

knew what sobriety meant. The arrangement is really interesting, but when you pull it all back, it’s a 12-bar blues.” Boys of Summer (Don Henley, 1984) “Absolutely one of my favourite songs of all time. I remember hearing it on the radio when I was nine, listening to American Top 40 with Casey Kasem. I’ve loved it ever since.”

Shotgun Karaoke Vol II by Paul Dempsey is out Oct 24 via EMI

86 OCTOBER 2025

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