CATCHING UP WITH… UNCLE MARTIN FROM JUMBAAL DREAMIN’

Who is your biggest creative inspiration? Ray Charles. I was six years old when he played at Sydney Stadium, and the first song I ever learnt was “Born to Lose”. How would you describe your relationship with music? Traditional music didn’t really become part of my sound until my wife wanted to start a dance troupe, and I named the group after my totem, Jumbaal. What do you want more people to know about traditional music and dance? It can be implemented into telling stories of the old, the now and the new. It’s important because it captures the true essence of a culture that was disturbed and removed by the government. We practise it ‘cos that’s who we are – there’s a big sense of belonging, not only with the tribe, but also with family members. What helped inspire the band’s newest single, “Jagunda”?

My son Kevin wrote the song in jail. He wanted to get out and he’d dream about it every night. It took a long time to create this song because Kevin was in and out of jail for most of his life, and while we managed to play a version together, we never recorded it before he passed. During the creative process, do you prefer working in a group or solo? I like to work in a group because ideas come from each person in that space. Sometimes it’s tricky ‘cos we’re working with family. So far, what has been your proudest achievement? Getting into local government and becoming a councillor for Nambucca Valley Council, and staying for 20-odd years. What advice would you give to a budding creative? Be yourself, be honest and try and bring out the love for Country, because that’s where our creation started.