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Category Archives: Music
Music of the Spinifex Country
A few weeks ago, thanks to my friends Deb and Matt, I had the chance to view Mick Angus’s 2006 film from Marcom Projects, Ooldea. It tells the story of a collaboration between composer Iain Grandage and a group of … Continue reading
Yolngu Songmen: Rorruwuy Manikay
Last week I shared a couple of clips of Yolngu rock ‘n’ roll from the Seven Star Band, a bunch of rowdy young rockers (and I say that with love in my heart). This week, I want to turn to … Continue reading
Yolngu Songmen: Seven Star Band
Each year at Christmastime I try to kick back a little and instead of putting together an essay, I try to offer a little lighter entertainment: photographs, or short reading lists, or something similar. This year, it’s time for some … Continue reading
Big Name No Blanket
At the end of May 2007, I found myself in Alice Springs for a couple of days as part of a tour of Aboriginal communities and art centres sponsored by Austrade. We had an afternoon free and so I made … Continue reading
At Last, The Sapphires Play the States
We finally got to watch The Sapphires last night. I expect that everyone in Australia who’s reading this saw the film a long time ago, but it had very limited theatrical release in America. It is, however, out on Netflix now, so … Continue reading
Warakurna Artists and the Yurliya Band
I’m delighted today to present a guest post by Edwina Circuitt, the long-serving coordinator at Warakurna Artists. After nearly a decade of service to the art centre and the elders who find occupation, companionship, and purpose there, Edwina is now … Continue reading
Black Arm Band Premiers ‘Dirtsong’ in the US
Shellie Morris celebrated her birthday in style this year. Along with other members of the Black Arm Band, Shellie was in Hanover, New Hampshire, at Dartmouth College, to present the US premier of their third major production, dirtsong. Immediately after … Continue reading
Posted in Music
Tagged Black Arm Band, Crossing Cultures, Dartmouth College, Hood Museum of Art
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Murundak Alive!
I wasn’t prepared at all for the emotional impact of Murandak: songs of freedom, the concert film and documentary tagged as “a journey to the heart of Aboriginal protest music with the Black Arm Band.” I’d downloaded the album from … Continue reading
The Arts Issue
The October issue of The Monthly has hit the stands and the net, with Deborah Mailman on the cover, announcing “The Arts Issue.” And there’s some good stuff here for fans of Indigenous performing arts, and desert music in particular. (I … Continue reading
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Rip Rock: It’s Not About Hip-Hop
Earlier this week I was thinking about breaking the string of book reviews I’ve posted lately with something different when CAAMA came to the rescue by posting an old music video by my favorite post-apocalyptic, no-nonsense, mean-as-nails and sweetly lyrical … Continue reading
Aboriginal Art & Culture: an American eye 