Project Description

Interview

With 

KARDAJALA KIRRIDARRA

Interviewer: Vicky Hebbs 

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Kardajala is the name of the mysterious bush woman from the sand hills behind the community of Marlinja. Kardajala Kirridala are an Indigenous band who are the descendants of this mysterious bush woman. They are women of the Northern Territory communities of Marlinja and Kulumindini (Elliott).

Their songs focus on female empowerment and they performed at the NIMAs this year. Recently I spoke with band member Beatrice.

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How did you all meet and decide to start producing music?

I am from Melbourne and have been lucky enough over the last few years to work in the Central Australian desert on various musical projects. I was about to take off from the desert when I met Eleanor Dixon, the main vocalist of Kardajala. We sat down to drink some lalija (tea) and I knew I was in trouble, she is one of the most powerful spirits I have ever met and we connected very strongly immediately over music and life. The first proper song we wrote together was called Abala Barlawa (Everything was at Peace). I recently read something Eleanor wrote about that: “When I first sung that Abala Barlawa … the song came out of country. So both me and Beatrice knew from then that the very sound of the country needed to be heard”. That song then went on to become the opening track of our album and we both realised there was a strong story that needed to come through.

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How would you describe your sound to anyone who has not heard your music yet?

It sounds like what that desert country feels likes. The epic never ending blue skies, the red dirt, the clear air, the rain, the storms, the emptiness and the fullness. I have a strong feeling that this music isn’t really ours. I feel like this music has it’s own spirit and that spirit is what the desert feels like and the music sounds like.

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Many of your songs, like Kirridarra (Women’s Song), celebrate the power of females. Is it important to you to have strong women to look up to? Who are the female inspirations in your life?

We all have amazing women in our families, our mothers are all very strong and they inspire us and take care of us. The other ladies in Kardajala all have very powerful daughters as well, Eleanor’s daughter is one of my favourite people in the universe and I am totally convinced she’ll one day take over the world.

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If you could bring any female performer on stage to perform with you, who would it be?

I know I speak for all of us when I say Rihanna.

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What kind of music did you grow up on? Are there Indigenous artists you can think of who have inspired you musically?

Ruby Hunter was a really big inspiration for me and for all of us I think, she was so powerful and strong yet so vulnerable and connected and heart based. I know for the others we have talked about artists like Emma Donovan and the work Shellie Morris did with the Borroloola Songwomen. So many!

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What was the inspiration for track, ‘Two Worlds Collide’?

Two Worlds Collide is a story of a young indigenous women standing in between her traditional world and the modern world, trying to work out where she belongs.

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What does it mean to you to be nominated for the NIMAS this year? How does it feel to have your music recognised with a nomination?

It is such an honour. The people who we are in the same category as are some of the most incredible musicians of our time. We are honoured and I really don’t mind if Dr G wins everything, he deserves it.

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Do you have any plans to tour or record new music in the next year?

Yes absolutely. I feel like there is a lot of new music ready to come through, and hopefully we’ll begin to write some.

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If you could play any venue in Australia or beyond, where would it be?

I personally feel it would be pretty special to have a concert in Marlinja, the community where Eleanor and Janey live. It’s a very special place and it would be nice to play that music there. I just put a picture on Instagram of the water, it’s the most beautiful colour. Maybe that could be the show we could ask Rihanna to.

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Connect with KARDAJALA KIRRIDARRA!

Select Music   triplejUndernearthed    Instagram

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AMNPLIFY – JB