Deadly Awards' 2009 winners of 'Band Of The Year'. The Saltwater Band consists of eight musicians from remote Elcho Island off the coast of North East Arnhem Land. Their two albums, Gapu Damurrun and Djarridjarri/Blue Flag showcase two styles of contemporary indigenous music. Contemporary traditional songs (such as 'Gopuru' and 'Mala Rrakala') that sound as though they were written yesterday but in fact are over. 10,000 years old, and new contemporary pop songs such as the reggae/ska influenced 'Saltwater Music' and the beautiful 'Gurrumul History'.
The major influences within The Saltwater Band are Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, the bands most experienced member (having toured extensively in the days when he was a member of Yothu Yindi and a major contributor to that band's very successful Tribal Voice Album), and Manuel Nulupani Dhurrkay, lead singer, and with Gurrumul a major song writing influence for the Band.
Manuel's strong vocal leads set the tone for the Saltwater Band's unique harmonies. Gurrumul and Manuel write songs both to entertain and educate their audience about the strong traditional ties they have with their land their culture and their people.
'Malk' is a great leap forward for Saltwater Band and will not disappoint any fans of Saltwater or Gurrumul. The beaufifully packaged album is released through Skinnyfish Music/MGM on Sept 10.
