Spinifex Gum is a musical collaboration that celebrates the talent of our Indigenous youth. One that examines the problems and reconceived ideas of this country. It’s one that ignites change through a united collective voice. It has the power to disarm, inspire and speak to us in a way that no individual voice can.
Created by the Cat Empire’s Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill for the Cairns-based Indigenous choir Marliya, of Gondwana Choirs, and featuring guest vocalists Adam Briggs, Peter Garrett and Emma Donovan in a song cycle reflecting the dramatic contrasts of the Pilbara region of northern WA.
Our debut album was born in the Pilbara amongst the clash of industry, nature, community and politics that exist there. Sisters emerged mostly from Marliya’s hometown of Cairns in Far North Queensland. The first album sung of contemporary Australia with a clenched fist. Sisters is an embrace, its inspiration is the warmth of the singers themselves. To be in proximity of Marliya Choir, to hear their collective voice is an experience that never leaves you. It gets under your skin. If all Australians were fortunate enough to be with them in that room, by that stage, or on that country, things might be different. There would be less meanness and cynicism in the way we see ourselves, and by extension those around us. Sisters is our invitation to be somewhere nearer that place.
Musical snapshots of life in the Pilbara, north Western Australia, performed by the lush voices of Marliya from Gondwana Choirs, young Indigenous women singing in English and Yindjibarndi. Joining the choir are Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill of The Cat Empire, who wrote and produced the music, and special guests Adam Briggs, Peter Garrett and Emma Donovan.
For all performance and presentor enquiries please contact hello@spinifexgum.com.au