KING STINGRAY
THEY ARE a mind-bending musical smoothie of surf, soul, funk and roots on a base of the inimitable Indigenous rock stylings made iconic by acts like Yothu Yindi. Founding members Yirrnga Yunupingu (vocals) and Roy Kellaway (guitar) actually met as toddlers in Yothu Yindi’s touring entourage in the ‘90s, and it’s clear as day that music runs through their families’ blood.
THEY SOUND LIKE the first sip of a cold beer after a scorching summer’s day in the Australian outback; bold and refreshing, with stacks of character. And, much like a good brew, they improve every music festival they’re present at.
YOU’LL DIG THEM IF YOU LIKE Yothu Yindi (of course), Warumpi Band, The War On Drugs, and feeling the sand slink between your toes as you scale the beach on a warm Saturday morning, taking in the soothing smell of salt water and the sweet sounds of waves crashing over chirping seagulls – then whipping out a surfboard and cutting sick like your life depended on it.
YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT the first two cuts of what we’re certain will evolve into a truly Herculean discography: “Hey Wanhaka” and “Get Me Out”. Few bands have managed to carve out such a prodigious identity with the first two songs they put out, but you’ll only have to jam through them once to find out how King Stingray pulled it off. Of course, that first jam will undoubtedly turn into a second, and then a third, and then a fourth, and then... Well, you get the jist.