Songlines of the far north

INDIGENOUS singer Gawurra is using music to take his culture from the remote Northern Territory to the rest of the world — and it’s Hobart’s turn tonight.

Stanley “Gawurra” Gaykamangu is a Yolngu singer from Milingimbi in North East Arnhem Land, who performs in Gupapuyngu language and belongs to the Gaykamangu Buyalamarr clan.

His talents first began to receive national recognition and mainstream media coverage in 2016 when his track Ratja Yaliyali (“Vine of Love”) won the pop category at the NT Song of the Year Awards.

Ratja Yaliyali was the lead single and title track from Gawurra’s acclaimed debut album, a collection of tracks inspired by the traditional songlines of his homelands.

At the 2016 National Indigenous Music Awards Ratja Yaliyali was named Album of the Year, with Gawurra also taking home the trophy for New Talent of the Year. Ratja Yaliyali also scored a 4.5-star review from Rolling Stone magazine; and was nominated for Best World Music Album at the ARIA Awards.

Gawurra’s star continued to rise last year, as he established himself as a “must see” live act thanks to his appearances at major music festivals and soldout headline shows on his first Australian national tour.

Now, having recently returned from his first US tour, Gawurra performs in The Spiegeltent on the Hobart waterfront from 6.30pm tonight. Tickets are $40/ $35 concession, go to www.spiegeltenthobart.com for bookings.