Please tell us your story! How did you get to where you are today?
I honestly feel like I’ve lived multiple lives, I moved from Groote Eylandt when I was 6 and a bit and lived in Meanjin for years and now I live and reside in Lutruwita/Trowunna. I’m a mum, author, director, producer… there’s so many different hats I wear. Honestly, I don’t know how I got to where I am, but I never gave up, every time I felt like something was too hard, or if the task was difficult, I just switched up my perspective clawed through it all to be honest, sometimes I felt like I was crawling, but I never stopped and never let myself say “I give up”
Tell us about your NARA LP?
NARA is a celebration of all the feels, it takes you through portals and weaves words that’ll make you cry, smile or want to punch people. It’s a reflection of my personal experiences and what I’ve went through so far in my life.
“If it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it, if it does, go for gold”
Your NARA LP; for those who are yet to listen, but are familiar with your past releases. What makes this body of work uniquely stand out on its own accord?
To me what makes it stand out is the raw and real vulnerability across the whole record. I remember when we were recording, we’d finish listening to the song and there’d be piles of tissue, my vocal engineer Caiti Baker and I would sit there and cry, reflect, talk and feel. This album was made in such a safe space and community is honestly at the heart of it.
Why did you want to get into your industry?
To be honest, I didn’t know much about it, I just knew I LOVED music, I wanted to sing my songs on big stages and hear people singing back- I was a little girl when I started. Now that I’m a grown woman, I really wish I was told more about boundaries, looking after yourself and being a business woman.
“I think there’s so many things that the music industry is behind on, one being it being about the actual MUSIC. Another would be the tokenism of First Nations people, we’re not ticks for your boxes.”
Have you had to overcome any challenges or adversity in your career, and if so, how did you approach them?
All the damn time. I’m always compromising my spirit when I’m in certain places, as a Warnindilyakwa woman I am aware that I walk in two worlds when I’m in this space, sometimes it feels like multiple worlds. I try to remember that though people are human and make mistakes, some people make an active choice to do dumb shit. Therefore the most I can do is protect my energy and the people around me. I don’t think we can ever run away from the shit fuckery, just gotta be bold about our boundaries.
Who are your top 3 artists to watch?
What is the best piece of life advice you’ve ever received?
“If it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it, if it does, go for gold”
What would you tell your younger self if you could tell them anything?
“You’re about to go on a crazy wild ride but You’re gonna be okay and I promise it’s all worth it”
What has been your proudest achievement so far?
My daughter, K’iigari.
“Don’t let others define what motherhood is to you, that’s your story to tell.”
What have been your career highlights to date?
Oh there are way too many….
Touring with Jack Johnson, hearing Mavis Staples say she wants to “bottle my laugh up and take it with her”, releasing a children’s album in my language Anindilyakwa, travelling the country and singing to the most wildest, stunning landscapes, bringing my community and family with me… I’ve been very blessed with the career I’ve had so far, there are so many moments to be grateful for.
Do you think the Australian Music Industry is where it needs to be in regards to diversity? If yes or no, what would you like to see/have you seen?
Most definitely not. I think there’s so many things that the music industry is behind on, one it being about the actual MUSIC. Another would be the tokenism of First Nations people, we’re not ticks for your boxes.
What does true allyship look like to you?
Allyship to me is when people actually listen, like don’t come up to me saying you’ve been to a remote community and have worked with community members and “understand where I’m coming from,” you will never understand on my level. What you got was a glimpse into the life of what it is to be Aboriginal in this country.
“I think coming to understand when we take up space, we’re not taking it up, it should have always been this way.”
Is the music industry adequately financially supported by the Government?
I don’t believe so, I think it’s so limiting. There are so many aspects, but why the fuck would you give mining companies money? People NEED music. Artists, venues, festivals, industry workers, they need support. It’s a bit of ironic when you see them politicians running around on Aus Music T-shirt day. But, hey, that’s what communities for right?
Do you have any advice for all those within the music industry navigating their own motherhood journey?
Take your time with it, don’t let the industry pressure you. Don’t let others define what motherhood is to you, that’s your story to tell.
What is your cultural heritage? How has it played a role in your artistry?
My father is filipino/Chinese/Spanish
My mother is Aboriginal/Greek/Turkish/
It’s interesting because we only found out recently who my grandfather is. Growing up as a filorigine as my pop would say was interesting. I lived in two different worlds and cultures, but very similar in some ways. I think coming from this mix really allowed me to explore different genres of music. I love world music, world in different languages, instruments, learning about different cultures through songs and their stories. Music is such a core practice to alot of cultures.
“like don’t come up to me saying you’ve been to a remote community and have worked with community members and “understand where I’m coming from” you will never understand on my level.”
In reality, the Australian music industry is predominantly White Australian represented, what are some of the obstacles within the industry that you have faced as a Warnindhilyagwa woman?
Being the tick a box for alot of events, even spaces i’ve been put in. I find it difficult to navigate sometimes because I don’t know if i’m there because they forgot to add an Indigenous person to the lineup or if they genuinely wanted me apart of it. I’ve come to understand though that I’m allowed to be here, no one has the power to take away what makes me happy.
What are some considerations or perspectives that you would like those who aren’t directly of the land or First Nations heritage to be more informed/ respectful about when working with First Nations music creatives?
There is lore we have to follow, having a welcome to country is beneficial for everyone, being properly acknowledged by the TO’s of that particular country is something we have done for thousands of years, there are protocols we have to follow through and community is at the core of who we are. Denying us that, is dangerous, to all our spirits and to the ancestors of that land. I think coming to understand when we take up space, we’re not taking it up, it should have always been this way.
“Now that I’m a grown woman, I really wish I was told more about boundaries, looking after yourself and being a business woman.”
What does music mean to you?
I could not define it to be honest, it’s a feeling for me that transcends words.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
My go to Karaoke Song would be Three Little Birds by Bob Marley