My Wiradjuri translation of @sade classic ‘No Ordinary Love’
Tbh i’m so obsessed …and every time I sing this, I’m transported somewhere else, beyond here. It’s hard to explain but it feels like something really special. Like there’s magic in there and if I keep singing, I might find it!
Wiradjuri language is so beautiful.
I’m stronger in myself every time I sing it and love every opportunity I get to perform it.
This was filmed side stage for my @emilywurramara_ NARA National Tour support show at Waywards Newtown. I’m very thankful to you sis for having me on the tour. It was really nice double blak girl billing on Gadigal with you and singing up our languages to everyone.
Mandaang guwu miimi! ✨
#wiradjuri #keepthefireburning
#wiradjurisinger #aboriginalsinger
#sade #blakmagic #firstnations #80000+
I grew up with Wiradjuri language in the house. My mother made sure of that.
Professionally I started singing in language during my time at @blackarmband I toured 3 different shows with them over the years and instantly that meant singing in many First Nation languages- not just Wiradjuri.
This is where I defined my ear and tongue for our First Nation languages and learnt a lot…
Inspired by this time and also by the Badu Gili ‘Wonder Woman’ installation at the @sydneyoperahouse I went and created my first Wiradjuri interpretive translation. I didn’t feel the need to translate ‘Australiana’ songs, but rather songs that seem to instinctually and organically resonate with me.
I was curious.
I created this and I fell in love with my language even more. So much so, I never need to hear this song in English again.
The excerpts in this reel are LIVE and recorded during the support shows for @emilywurramara_ NARA TOUR 2025 - on iPhones. 🖤 Thanks again sis for giving me a platform to sing and share my language.
To give everyone perspective, not but a few decades ago, there was only 20 known Wiradjuri speakers in existence. It was an endangered language verging on extinction.
To all mob out there, I hope this inspires you to connect and learn your language.
I am part of the revival and survival of our mother tongues and I hold that torch with pride. I’d love you to feel that too!
#firstnations #wiradjuri #language
I just wanted to say that I’ve been reading all your lovely comments (⚡️) and wanted to let you know I am totally releasing original music soon!
I’ve been performing my solo stuff live for years but it’s definitely time to get it out there to access anytime.
I’m really excited to get music out to you!!
In the meantime I’d like to introduce you to my band - First Nations electro-soul trio Bow and Arrow.
@bowandarrowland
Recently I had a dear friend message and say they needed to hear my voice to get them through the day… I happened to be here so I put them in my pocket at this gig and sent them this lil lifeboat…
I don’t know if anyone else out there needs a big neck serenade but I’m back in Redfern today…. and I’ll be singing in Wiradjuri! And if you can’t make it, enjoy my pocket, while I continue to paint these streets red black and yellow 🖤💛❤️
#firstnations #wiradjurilanguage #live @awesomeblack.studio@southeveleigh@i.amjack
🖤
Wiradjuri yura nguyaguyamilang-nguyaguyamilang!
That means
“Wiradjuri language very beautiful”
I began this specific translation because I was so sad about losing somebody very dear, very special to us all (RR) and I needed to put the sadness somewhere…
So here is a snippet of my latest translation ….and enjoy the accompanying face card.
#strongblak #wiradjurilanguage #firstnations #shineonyoucrazydiamond #ancient
“Badu Gili: Wonder Woman” at @sydneyoperahouse (2021)
This was my very first collab with @damorobo from Wicked Beats. Unforgettable, this recording session changed my life.
The projection was incredible and celebrated the work and stories of six female First Nations artists.
This particular snippet features the art of Kaylene Whiskey.
I was stratospherically proud to contribute to this work and sing deeply empowering statements about women, in Wiradjuri language. 🖤
#firstnation #firstnationwomen #badugili #wonderwoman #wiradjurilanguage
…And then some mornings you’re literally head to toe by 10am because it’s a @mrboyd_official gig and you’re opening Maitland Stocklands singing Roy Orbison’s ‘Crying’ in Spanish, Des’ree ‘Kissing You’ and John Farnham’s ‘Burn For You’ and then somebodies mother chases you down an escalator to let you know their 5 year old son enjoyed your singing so much, he grabbed her wrist completely doe eyed and said in a whispery voice,
“Mummy…
She’s the most beautiful goat I’ve ever seen….”
This moment was captured from side stage during @blackarmband international tour of ‘Dirt Song’ to Singapore in 2015.
“Dirt Song is a soulful, vivid telling of the cultural and linguistic diversity of Australia, and the Aboriginal people’s connection with their homeland in the past, present and future.”
I had the honour of learning this song in Yorta Yorta language directly from one of my greatest mentors and idols, Lou Bennett.
This is her song, Dirt Song.
I’m joined by songsisters @emmadonovan_music and @yalanji_mama and at Victoria Theatre we performed this across 3 nights to full houses, singing up big for Aunty Lou.
#firstnations #firstnationslanguage #yortayorta #blackarmband #loubennett
Please don’t ask me how I’ve been getting off.
You master pain the way you master a wild horse: not by breaking it, but by learning its breath. You stop calling it an enemy and start calling it for a cuppa. You sit inside the dark, ask its real name, and listen until the roar becomes stillness. You assign a boundary like a riverbank and let it move without flooding you. When it tries to write prophecy across your skin you answer, steady, with a longer exhale. Then pain leans in closer and asks, quiet as a blade,
“Are you still awake?”
You master pleasure the way you master fire: by loving it without leaning into it too fast. You don’t chase the flare, you tend the ember. You slow down, you drink it in, you let sweetness have a body and allow it to land within you, without grabbing for more, without turning it into a hunger that chews the moment to pieces. It climbs your spine like a vine, braiding itself into a wick, and leaves you marked, not emptied. You hold the heat tenderly with open hands, not to own it, but to prove you can touch something bright without burning the whole world down.
When it fades, you don’t panic.
You smile, because you were there for the whole song.
Image: @josephmayersphotography
Show: Boganvillea
@sydney_festival@bennygraetz
#pleasureandpain
Big big tings grow!
🌱
Even with my eyes closed I could feel her softly soaking in every moment…
I felt like a million bucks next to this special little Tingkati lore woman with her little big eye on me while she was sitting up on my stool getting ready for her big moment!
How special is this little side stage glimpse I shared with her and the girls during @electricfields_music concert singing “From Little Things Big Things Grow” with the @brisbanesymphonyorchestra
I will treasure it.
#clancestry2025 #bigtingsgrow #firstnations #electricfields
Oh gosh the massive start to my year continues with another pinch me moment!!
Late last year the BBC contacted me for an interview on my Wiradjuri translation of @bobdylan ’s ‘To Make You Feel My Love’.
I was interviewed by Mair Bosworth from @bbcradio4 in the UK who runs a show called ‘Soul Music’. It is also released as an international podcast on @spotify that @esquire magazine named “the gold standard of music podcasts”.
Each episode is a compilation of people around the world discussing their connection to a particular song snd how it has affected them. In this episode you’ll hear from me representing my Culture and language on the world stage amongst other amazing Artists like @anebrun and @adele (‘s manager) to name a few…
I was nervous and excited for the interview but we connected and spoke for 2 hours. At the end I recall Mair saying it was her most favourite interview in years and that she didn’t want to edit it at all! I then went and created a demo in 24 hours to accompany the interview.
The demo has Yidaki, Burrbil (possum skin drums) and Wiradjuri language in it.
I’m so proud of this demo and I’ve honestly been so moved receiving messages from people all over the world requesting this version.
“Making translations is also a way for me to say that we’re still here. Our language lives... Our people live…
So when you listen, you’re not just experiencing a song, you’re witnessing a language refusing to die.”
I’d really love you to check the whole thing out!
Link in bio
#wiradjuritotheworld
#firstnations
#indigenousx
#wiradjurilanguage
