This time, I’ll go straight to the point.
”Yaa Djamurrkali” [pronounced Yah JAHM-arr-koo-lee] means “Children. Let’s Dance!’” in English. And it does exactly what it says. It’s impossible not to tap your foot to this catchy, laid-back song. Even if you’re a (boring) adult.
It’s because it was written to make people happy.
PART 184 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band are experts in crafting songs that entire families can enjoy together.
This First Nations act hails from one of the remotest corners of Australia – the North-East Arnhem Land that forms part of the Northern Territory. But that unfavourable location hasn’t stopped them from assembling a world-class ensemble of musicians.
Together, they’ve pulled off the most exciting release from the North since Yolŋu surf rock combo King Stingray’s self-titled 2022 debut album.
Frontman Andrew Gurruwiwi’s influences are wider than the Arafura Sea. He’s a popular broadcaster on Yolŋu Radio in Arnhem Land. So – undoubtfully – he listens to heaps of music himself. Among his inspirations are the rhythms of Africa, Jamaica, India, and Mexico. He also skillfully mixes blues, rock and flamenco.
“It’s about making our own sound, our own music,” he says. “Every time we play music, we listen for the big sound, then we change it. Do it a different way. Different style. Whether it’s the bass, the keyboard, the guitar, or the bongo, we change it ‘round until we can get the right beat and the right rhythm. Our sound.”
That sound can be labelled as Yolŋu funk.
The band has been playing together for around four years, having earned a loyal following for their vibrant live shows and booty-shaking songs.
Their previous single, “Gatjumak” was an instant hit. Double J added it to its rotation, and it scored a ton of airplay across the community radio network. The video is an absolute must-see film clip, with more than 18k views to date.
2023 was a big year for Andrew Gurruwiwi Band. The group was granted the APRA/AMCOS Professional Development Award. It also captivated audiences with showstopper performances at the Port Fairy Folk Festival, SXSW Sydney, Garrmalang, VIVID Sydney, Golden Plains, Queenscliff and Parrtjima Festivals.
Recognising the act’s potential, ABC (the national radio) called it “an exciting new voice in Australian music.” They also interviewed the frontman – “the shy-but-extravagant, blind, keytar-wielding Yolngu elder.“
Andrew Gurruwiwi Band are back in 2024 with a new release that hit streaming platforms on May 8th.
And it looks like “Yaa Djamurrkali” will become another crowd favourite on the dance floor. A vibrant melding of contemporary Yolŋu rhythms with West African ‘hi-life’ guitars, it’s a testament to the calibre and musical excellence of the Arnhem Land musicians.
The song is taken from the groundbreaking debut album, Sing Your Own Song, coming mid-year. Laden with eclectic, infectious grooves and impressive musicianship, it’s impossible to stop dancing to.
It will be tested at Australia’s festival circuit in 2024 and 2025. But it’s already destined to take the country by storm due to its visionary, joyous and rebellious vibe.
The 10-song record is something of an extended family affair. In constant pursuit of freshness and fun, the band enlisted the help of some friends.
Recorded in Sydney’s Parliament Studios, the late 2023 sessions saw the group joined by acclaimed musicians. Guitarist Frances Diatschenko (Gurrumul/The Sheikhs), Kiwi dub fusionists Sub-Tribe in the horn section, founding Yothu Yindi bassist Stu Kellaway, Mali’s guitar maestro Moussa Diakite, violinist QVLN and production wizard and global instrumentalist Julian Belbachir all contributed to the album.
Guitarist and co-producer Andrew Grimes said the band was incredibly excited for the world to finally hear what’s guaranteed to be one of the most impressive debut albums of the year.
“To get to a point where we’re now putting this body of work out, where every song is so different, but you can tell it’s from the same band – we love that,” Grimes says. “It’s our own, and we’re very proud. In our hearts, we knew the answer lay along this path by going our own way. Singing our own song.”
The band will officially launch the album live at this year’s Clancestry Festival at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) on July 31st. Themed “WARRIORS”, this year’s concert will showcase WARRIOR spirits – those men who lead the way in mental health, keeping mind and body strong with song. Also on the lineup are Radical Son, Jungaji and J-MILLA.
So while you’re waiting for the record to drop, enjoy this absolute delight of a music clip for “Yaa Djamurrkali”.
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