GANGgajang Guitarist Goes Classical

Seminal guitarist of GANGgajang, Robbie James, has released a new classical album that is a far cry from the 1980s hit Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia). The new album, The Marree Sisters, follows the lives of five women - the composer's own mother and aunts - in their journey from a small outback town, Marree, to the big streets of Adelaide. 

The story unfolds, depicting the harsh landscapes that these women had to endure and the community they created featuring people from European settler colonies, First Nations peoples and Afghan cultures. These women and their search for love, belonging, and friendship shines through as the string quartet brings to life James' classic take on an old Australian tale. 

Before his dive into the classical scene, James has been busy creating a body of work outside his original start in GANGgajang. For the past 20 years, he has made a name for himself, touring with Yothu Yindi and creating three albums - two jazz, one pop-rock - cementing his name as a revered Australian musician.

Despite his long tenure, this is his first venture into the classical world, and while fans of GANGgajang might find James' new expedition a little off the beaten path, his passion and talent for storytelling defy any limitation of genre. Particularly in this release, The Marree Sisters, where there are no lyrics to be found. Despite the heavy contrast between his earlier releases and this classical attempt, James' intense respect for the land and culture of Australia, especially concerning first nations peoples, continues to shine through in all his work.