Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
'the definitive Australian folk record of our times.' - Chris Johnston, The Age
"Rrakala" is out now!!! Buy on iTunes here (also available at all good record stores)
Winner of Best World Music Album at the 2011 ARIA Artisian Awards.
Rrakala debued at #3 on the ARIA charts.
Titled 'Rrakala'; a sub-group of people within the Gumatj clan, Gurrumul’s songwriting and choice of songs reflects deeper into his Aboriginal identity.
It follows in the footsteps of the multi ARIA award winning double platinum debut album released in February 2008 and which has gone on to sell half a million copies world-wide.
Rrakala was released in the UK during the latter part of 2011.
Sting - 'the sound of a higher being'
Rolling Stone Magazine - 'Australia's most important voice'
Kathleen Noonan - 'Gurrumul will change the way you breathe.'
Bruce Elder - '...you will surrender to the greatest voice this continent has ever recorded'
First Album Release
With the release of this, his first solo album, Geoffrey highlights the tremendous talent he has to offer Indigenous music in Australia, and indeed, the world.
Available through iTunes and Skinnyfish Music
Album Songlist
1. Wiyathul | 2. Djarimirri | 3. Bapa | 4. Gurrumul History (I was born blind) | 5. Marrandil | 6. Marwurrumburr | 7. Galiku | 8. Baywara | 9. Gathu Mawula | 10. Galupa | 11. Wirrpanu | 12. Wukun
Upcoming Tours
Latest News
- Gurrumul, Princess Mary, Sarah Blasko and Missy Higgins
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An extraordinary performance with Missy Higgins at the 2011 ARIAs; a surprise collaboration with Sarah Blasko in Canberra; and the opportunity to present the Princess Mary with a signed copy of his limited edition vinyl album in Melbourne – topped off another stellar week for Gurrumul.
During their royal tour of Australia, Gurrumul was invited to perform at a gala dinner on the 23rd November, hosted by the Danish Crown Couple. Celebrity MC Matt Preston (MasterChef Australia) introduced the Gurrumul to the surprise of 500 invited guests from the Australian and Danish business sector. In the setting of a beautifully decorated warehouse in the Docklands, you could hear a pin drop as one of Australia’s finest musicians performed. Prior to the event, the Crown Couple took the time to meet Gurrumul, and learn a little about the culture and life on Elcho Island, home to the stories behind his songs.“The Royal Couple were immediately engaged with intrigue, both by meeting Gurrumul and his partner in person, and hearing about his upbringing and history. The interest was genuine and The Princess earnestly asked if this was purely a showpiece gift or whether we would be happy if she actually played the vinyl. I answered with Her Highness was very welcome to play it if she had access to a turntable! It was a relaxed and pleasurable conversation”. Michael Hohnen
Following two amazing performances in London and Zurich on his recent European tour, Gurrumul was joined on stage for the finale of his first ever Australian tour in Canberra Saturday 26th, by Sarah Blasko. You could literally hear the crowd gasp in anticipation when Michael Hohnen introduced Sarah as the special guest at the Royal Theatre concert. Accompanying Gurrumul for a verse in English and vocal harmonies in ‘Bayini’ – a song all about the female spirit - Sarah Blasko created another incredibly special moment for the audience and Gurrumul.
With a 2011 ARIA Award already in hand, Gurrumul brought the audience at this year’s ARIAs to a standstill with his spellbinding collaboration with Missy Higgins. This stand out live performance to 4000 people (broadcast nationally) featured Missy on piano, joining Gurrumul in vocal harmony and creating a rare hush across the whole crowd. Missy wowed everyone (including Gurrumul) with her sensational job of learning and singing in Yolngu Matha. This performance of ‘Warwu’ – a poignant song about grieving – received an impressive amount of hits on You Tube and is available for download through iTunes.Buy the song of Gurrumul and Missy Higgins performing Warwu from iTunes here
Buy the video of Gurrumul and Missy Higgins performing Warwu from iTunes here
- US President Obama meets Gurrumul
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Thursday 17th November 2011: US President Barack Obama commenced his day at Parliament House in Canberra, as Gurrumul started his morning in the remote northeast Arnhem community of Elcho Island. Both men were preparing to fly to Darwin for only a few hours: Obama to address Australian and US defense troupes; and Gurrumul to perform for them and to meet the President himself.In a specially decked out, bomb-swept hanger on the RAAF base, the voice of Gurrumul kicked off celebrations as he sang to 1500 military personnel, 300 invited guests (including political, business and sporting identities) and international media, all of whom were shuttled into the coveted location via special transport, through top level security clearance. After Gurrumul performed, fellow NT indigenous singer-songwriter Jessica Mauboy took to the stage.
The military band keep the audience entertained as Gurrumul and Jessica were escorted to the highest-level security zone known as ‘the clutch’. Here, only a dozen people were invited by the White House to meet and be photographed with President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Accompanying Gurrumul into this area was bass player, collaborator and close friend Michael Hohnen who said “Gurrumul was struck by the sensitive, personable and caring nature of the President in his brief meeting today”. The President's warmth and moments to pause and make Gurrumul feel special, resounded with the silent but communicative indigenous singer.
Gurrumul joined his Skinnyfish Music team back in the VIP seating area with the wider audience who were by now, bubbling in anticipation of seeing this enigmatic world leader. The Prime Minister & President literally bounded onto the stage where Gurrumul had just performed, to deliver their speeches before a personal farewell and a hand shake to those lucky enough to be seated upfront (including Gurrumul’s girlfriend Bronwyn Gurruwiwi).
All guests were required to stay in the hangar (where specially installed air-conditioning brought the temperature down from forty to thirty degrees Celsius) until the President had boarded his plane. During this time Gurrumul connected with many people including fellow countryman Gullarwuy Yunupingu.
Just at the moment Gurrumul and Jessica Mauboy departed the hangar, the Air Force One jet taxied past scores of military personnel who were able to wave and cheer for both the President of the Unites States and two of Australia’s most celebrated performers, as they all departed Darwin having shared centre stage on this very special occasion.
Photo by Mr Howard Moffat, AUSPIC
- New Gurrumul merchandise available
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Hot off Gurrumul's last Australian Tour are new T-Shirts and Calico Bags. Go to the Skinnyfish Music website to order them.
- WOMAD New Zealand
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Gurrumul is excited to announce that he will be performing at WOMAD New Zealand 2011. The festival takes place from the 16th to the 18th of March 2012. Gurrumul's last and only appearances in New Zealand were at the 2009 WOMAD in Taranaki, NZ.
For more details: www.womad.co.nz