indigiTUBE PULSE | First Sounds Update:: Bullyman :: BIGSOUNDS 2022

In early August, indigiTUBE brought 4 deadly music acts to Darwin to connect with visiting music and media industry representatives and to perform at a showcase gig ‘First Sounds LIVE presented by Spotify’ on the eve of the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs).

Akala Newman, Carissa Nyalu, Flewnt and the PAW HOUSE BAND were selected from applications submitted by previous artists featured on First Sounds Volumes 1-9.

After being welcomed to the lands of the Larrakia by Richard Fejo Sr, the artists connected with First Nations representatives from triplej’s Blak Out, Australia Council for the Arts’ First Nations Arts and Culture office, Support Act, MusicNSW, Creative Victoria’s First Peoples Directions Circle and Spotify as well as non-First Nations representatives from triplej, MusicNSW, Creative Victoria, Tik Tok and Spotify.

The four First Sounds acts Akala Newman, Carissa Nyalu, Flewnt and the PAW HOUSE BAND were later that night joined by some local and visiting First Nations talents to put on an incredible music showcase for local audience and visiting industry guests at the Mayberry in Darwin city.

Joining the bill was Eleanor Dixon, Jacob Ridgeway, Kootsie Don and Yung Milla. The showcase event First Sounds LIVE was presented in partnership with Spotify and supported by the NIMAs.

First Sounds is a project of First Nations Media Australia's indigiTUBE project in partnership with the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia 's Amrap and is supported by the Australia Council for the Arts.

Bullyman was the debut single from Newcastle vocalist Jacob Ridgeway, released independently in July 2019.Since this release, Bullyman was featured on Triple J, Triple J Unearthed, Community Radio as well as being incorporated into the curriculum in local schools.

Bullyman also took out the honour of winning the 2019 National Indigenous Story Award Grand Prize. Bullyman gives a nod to Jacob’s First Nations Worimi and Gamilaroi Identity whilst utilising a chamber choir to juxtapose the contemporary arrangement of a modern story of hurt to an ancient people. Listen here on indigiTUBE!

indigiTUBE for the first time, participated at the annual BIGSOUND conference and music festival. Held on Meeanjin Country (Brisbane Qld) from the 5th–9th of September.

BIGSOUNDS is the southern hemisphere’s largest music industry gathering and is based around music artists from around Australia gathering to discuss different aspects of music.

“By day, the industry’s leading players gather at BIGSOUND conference to grapple with the big issues of the day, and by night, the future of music is discovered at BIGSOUND Festival.”

indigiTUBE held a stall at the First Nations Hub with FNMA’s Membership Officer Stephanie Stone and Project Support Officer Mikayla Friday Shaw taking part in the event on behalf of IndigiTUBE. Stephanie and Mikayla showcased all things indigiTUBE and helped create a greater awareness and recognition of the platform. They also attended several conference events and checked out the music festival. The indigiTUBE representatives were fortunate enough to meet many First Nations musicians, artists, keynote speakers and some FNMA familiar faces as well. In addition to this, they had the opportunity to be a part of a podcast series, with an FNMA Project Manager, Kirstyn Lindsay in relation to what music does for the people of Australia.

BIGSOUNDS is a great and beneficial event to be at if you are an upcoming artist or wanting to upskill, through experienced keynote speakers, workshops, also panels and presentations with vast supporting and helpful information for all kinds of artists who are in the industry.

indigiTUBE would like to send out a huge thank you to all the crew at BIGSOUND especially Tanya Malouf, who looked after all our travel and accommodation needs and of course the one and only Uncle Kev Starkey.