East Journey follow in the footsteps of Yothu Yindi

An emerging Aboriginal band from North-East Arnhem Land has arrived in Sydney to record their new single, ‘Bright Lights Big City’.

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East Journey lead guitarist Patrick White.

During today’s recording session, East Journey was joined by some of the biggest names in music, including original members of Yothu Yindi and LA based producer, Stevie Salas.

The eight-piece band has produced the perfect fusion of modern and traditional sound for the release of their new single and second album this year.

“When we break down to the traditional part, that’s where the feeling is and hearing that in the land itself inspires us to make that music and twist it around into contemporary,” said East Journey lead guitarist Patrick White.

Mr Salas says the inclusion of traditional language in East Journey’s album will set the band apart from other emerging artists.

“The language is so different to anything I’ve ever heard but somehow like a lot of Indigenous language, they sing some parts that I don’t know what they are saying at all but I can feel what they are saying, and it turns out what I’m feeling from the lyric is actually what they’re saying,” said Mr Salas.

Yothu Yindi’s drummer, Ben Hakalitz was also present in the studio today as a mentor; sharing his of knowledge with the East Journey band members.

Mr Hakalitz is confident the young band will be just as successful as Yothu Yindi.

“They are Yothu Yindi. These are the kids that carry the blood line of the old man and if they want to be the next Yothu Yindi then by all means we are going to get them out there sounding like that,” said Mr Hakalitz

Their new single will be released on May 5, with the album set to be launched later this year.


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Published 3 April 2014 5:38pm
Updated 3 April 2014 6:31pm
By Tara Callinan
Source: NITV News

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