Six Indigenous Groups You Should Get To Know Before This Year's Bush Bands Bash

The 2016 Bush Bands Bash, held each year in Alice Springs, is fast approaching, with six outfits unveiled today as finalists selected to take part in this year's Bush Bands Business development program.

Chosen from among 16 acts located from remote communities who applied for the program, the elite six will will undergo an intensive skills development camp to broaden their knowledge as well as being granted a performance spot at this year's 13th annual Bush Bands Bash this August, providing them with positive connections and development opportunities with the national music industry.

"It's incredibly exciting to see how Bush Bands Program just keeps growing," program co-ordinator Adelaide Wood said in a statement. "This year the band selection encompasses an East Arnhem Land band and an all-female band as well as some great new talent from the Western Desert region. We are now starting to see young bands applying to the program who are actively being mentored by their community for this opportunity.

"The whole Central Desert music scene is going from strength to strength and MusicNT is proud to be at the forefront of supporting it."

The bands will undertake their Business program from 24-27 August at Ross River Resort before heading on to hit the Bush Bands Bash at The Telegraph Station, Alice Springs, on 28 August.

Get to know the Bush Bands Business finalists below, and see more information about the Bush Bands Bash at the event's website.

Lander River Band

Willowra community | Warlpiri language

Thirteen-year veterans as a group, singing reggae-flecked songs that "reflect the beauty of the river area around Willowra and the stories that make up this land and dreaming". Stalwart performers around their community, having supported Lajamanu Teenage Band, Blackstorm Band, Desert Mulga and Tjupi Band over the course of their career, as well as laying down tracks with CAAMA Music and a featured track on Tanami Tracks for Indigenous media organisation PAW Media.

Eastern Arrernte Band

Santa Teresa community | Eastern Arrernte language

Up-and-coming outfit out of Santa Teresa, with their minds and hearts firmly focused on themes of "place, country, family and nature". They're so fresh we couldn't track down any of their songs online, in fact, but the band work under the mentorship of Bush Bands Bash veterans and countrymen the Eastern Reggae Band, so they're in the right hands to make a splash this year.

Irrunytju Band

Irrunytju comminty | Ngaanyatjarra and Pitjantatjara languages

Renowned, eclectic five-piece blending rock, funk, blues and reggae into a distinct sound of their own and a platform from which to deliver the powerful, emotive tunes, which have already given them a solid reputation in the NG Lands. They released their debut full-length, Titji Kutju, in 2012

Iwantja Sunset Reggae

Indulkana community | Pitjantatjara and Yankunytjatjara languages

Blues/country/reggae/rock vibes straight outta Indulkana, in the APY Lands in South Australia. Iwantja's membership includes guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Jeremy Whiskey, drummer Jacob Baker, lead & rhythm guitarist Grant Cooley, bassist Steven Brumby and vocalist/keyboardist Stewart Gaykamangu, a first cousin of celebrated Indigenous musician Gurrumul. Their album, Palya, is available via iTunes.

Kardajala Kirr-Darra (Sandhill Women)

Elliott community | Mudburra language

The first all-female band to take part in the Bush Bands Program in its storied history. Born out of a collaboration between Eleanor Nalyiri Dixon and the Mudburra women, with producer Beatrice Lewis, Sandhill Women are the result of Barkly Shire Council's Desert Cultures program, and specialise in expertly blending traditional storytelling against contemporary soundscapes.

Salt Lake band

Umbakumba community | Anindilyawka language

Proud torch-bearers of the Anindilywakwa culture, the 10-piece Salt Lake are the first-ever Arnhem Land-based act to be a part of the Bush Bands Program. This is despite the outfit having more than 15 years together under their belt, building up a reputation for being first-class performers, masterful storytellers and fantastic musicians over the ensuing decades.