Triple J Commit To Unearthing Indigenous Talent

While on one side of the Brisbane River tensions between the Brisbane City Council, Queensland Police and the city's indigenous population reached a disturbing high, at New Farm's Brisbane Powerhouse three of Queensland's most prominent indigenous bands were on hand to discuss a new initiative between triple j Unearthed and MusicNT's National Indigenous Music Awards.

Busby Marou, The Medics and D-Kazman from Dubmarine were joined by triple j's Maggie Collins to launch the triple j Unearthed NIMA competition, an initiative to further promote promising young indigenous music talent to the nation. Bands will initially be nominated for the competition through a public vote before a panel of judges from throughout the music industry whittle down the list and select one act who will be flown to the awards in Darwin to play the awards and attend the iNTune Music Conference, as well as given two nights accommodation.

Also announced this morning were the first three acts to be performing at the festival, with The Medics themselves playing the event, alongside Kalgoorlie's Yabu Band and East Journey from the Laynhapuy Homelands.

This will not only be the first time The Medics have played the event, but also the first time they have played in Darwin.

“We definitely feel honored to play such an event and I think our families will be proud,” frontman Kahl Wallace said.

While this is a triple j partnership, MusicNT director Mark Smith acknowledged the support that other radio outlets have given indigenous music in a statement released today.

“Importantly I cannot thank enough, all the indigenous radio stations and media in general who have tirelessly supported and promoted Indigenous artists for decades, giving them airtime, accolades and importantly recognition and encouragement,” he said. “Without this support we would not be here today. This initiative is a pivotal point in the journey of Indigenous Music.”

Busby Marou and Dubmarine have led the charge for contemporary indigenous music of late by taking their music to the world, an experience that both acts said was very different to playing in their home country. The Dubmarine frontman's words at today's launch were particularly encouraging for young indigenous musicians looking to spread their music further abroad.

"The interest that the rest of the world has in our culture… The interest in who the indigenous people are was overwhelming,” D-Kazman said. “Over here there are walls and barriers, over there the walls are taken down."

The National Indigenous Music Awards take place at Darwin's Gardens Ampitheatre on Saturday 11 August. Bands can upload their music at triple j Unearthed to be in the running; entries close Sunday 1 July.