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MUSIC FEATURE

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FIRST NATIONS APPRECIATION Indigenous acts you should know 10

The Australian musical landscape is obviously teeming with Indigenous talent, and while we have collected ten of the best into this spotlight feature, there are oceans of awesome deadly music out there. Listening to First Nations stories and experiences first-hand – not just via music, but all methods of expression – is the best way to learn about (and further appreciate) Australia’s First Peoples. Get in! Words Zoë Radas

Baker Boy

THE YOUNG GUNS

W e’ve been astounded by the effervescent talent of Danzal Baker – AKA Baker Boy – since his tracks Cloud 9 and Marryuna won the then-20-year-old the Triple J Unearthed National Indigenous Music Awards comp in 2017. (That latter track features another young gun, Baker’s mega-talented cousin Yirrmal – keep an eye out for his own debut album just around the corner!) Baker’s debut Gela (2021) is a collection of propulsive gems that thump with bright basslines and rhythms, alongside the rapper’s irresistible flow which incorporates both English and Yolngu Matha. Gela was shortlisted for the 17th Australian Music Prize, and we can’t wait to see what the Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land does next. Also earning an AMP nom in 2020 was the debut from R’n’B-soul singer songwriter and proud Pitjantjatjara and Torres Strait Islander woman Miiesha . We thought the gobsmacking Nyaaringu was “unique, universal, and profoundly personal”; the 20-year-old has just released her follow-up EP Smoke & Mirrors , our review of which you can read on page 56. And in the ‘so fresh their debut isn’t out yet’ bucket is last year’s Unearthed Artists of the Year, King Stingray . The all-fella five-piece may be green, but they

boast a remarkable pedigree; vocalist Yirr ŋ a Yunupi ŋ u’s uncle was the late Dr M. Yunupi ŋ u, and guitarist Roy Kellaway’s father is Stuart Kellaway, who were both founding members of legendary pop rock band Yothu Yindi. Yirr ŋ a and Roy grew up playing music together in North East Arnhem Land, plaiting indigenous melodies with surf rock. They eventually formed King Stingray in 2020, with Dimathaya Burarrwanga (rhythm guitar, backing vocals, yidaki) Campbell Messer (bass) and Lewis Stiles (drums), and their debut Camp Dog is out next month on JB-exclusive opaque yellow vinyl with exclusive artwork! Baker Boy is playing Splendour in the Grass 22/7, Queenscliff Music Festival 26/11, and a handful of dates in between; details at handsometours.com/tours/baker-boy/ . Miiesha isplayingSplendourintheGrass22-24/7, and Listen Out Festival 23/9 – 2/10; details at miiesha.com/shows . King Stingray are playing Splendour in the Grass 24/7, and across the country Sep-Dec; details at kingstingrayofficial.com/shows-1 .

King Stingray

Miiesha

46 JULY 2022

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