Over the past 12 months, Music NT has featured a number of stories about – and interviews with – Territory author, journalist, musician and poet, Andrew McMillan.

In particular, his tough battle with cancer, the Living Wake staged by local artists to raise funds to assist him, and most recently, the formation of band his The Rattling Mudguards, and plans for the release of a CD and anthology of his writing.

Andrew McMillan sadly lost his battle with cancer on January 28 of this year. Longtime friend Chips Mackinolty sent out the following statement:

“Respected Northern Territory writer Andrew McMillan, 54, died this evening at his home in Darwin. He was with friends.”

“Andrew was one of the Territory’s great eccentrics—but also one of its best contemporary writers,” said Mr Mackinolty.

“He came to the Territory chasing music as a journalist, which led to the influential book Strict Rules which covered the Warumpi Band/Midnight Oil tour of the Territory and never looked back as a writer.

“He followed this with Death in Dili, Catalina Dreaming and An Intruders Guide to East Arnhemland — the latter led to his being awarded NT Writer of the Year in 2009.

“He was also the leader of the band, Darwin’s Fourth Estate, a notorious collection of journalists and real musicians. The band’s last performance was held nearly a year ago, to celebrate a Living Wake for Andrew.

“He was working till the end, writing, performing and producing a CD with his latest band, The Rattling Mudguards, as well as finalising an anthology of his writings. Both will be released posthumously.

“At his wish, Andrew will be buried near Larrimah, followed by a wake at the Railway Club on dates to be announced.

“Andrew made it known that he is deeply grateful for support over the last year given to him by the Palliative Care staff at Royal Darwin Hospital.”

The Rattling Mudguards played their last gig with Andrew at the Darwin Railway Club  late in 2011, and recorded an EP, ‘The Last Ball Advantage’, for Laughing Outlaw Records.

A ‘musical wake’ and tribute will be held at that venue on February 19, from 5pm, to celebrate the life and work of Andrew McMillan. Artists interested in performing are invited to get in touch with Denise Officer at deniseofficer@gmail.com

Many tributes have been written and posted/published nationally about Andrew McMillan, since January 28. The Age newspaper, ABC News, Sydney Morning Herald, Melbourne radio station RRR-FM, Linda Jaivin and many other people and outlets have made mention of his achievements and contributions to Australian culture, particularly to his beloved Northern Territory.

While he would surely spurn the idea, Andrew’s own story was as interesting as those he wrote about, prolifically – a true Territory character, scholar, gentleman and staunch, active supporter of NT music and culture..

Affectionately dubbed by his friends ‘The Jesus Of Westralia Street’, Andrew McMillan will be missed by all who met him and read his work. Vale.

Read more about Andrew McMillan on the Music NT website here and here.

Jenny Scott. Pic: Stuart Walmsley, NT News.

Music NT would also like to send condolences to family, friends and colleagues of Jenny Scott, the “guiding light”, president and choir leader of Darwin Chorale.

Awarded Territory Finalist for ‘Australian Of The Year‘ in 2011, Jenny lost her battle with cancer late January, 2012.

She was loved and admired by many for her passionate contribution to local music – in particular to the Darwin Chorale which she co-founded in 1984 – local theatre and health, also working tirelessly with the Cancer Council of NT.

She will also be sorely missed in the Darwin community.

Read this ABC story about Jenny’s work with the choir ‘exchange’ between Darwin and Dili, from 2008, and more about Jenny here.

Words: Megan Spencer

Create/Control is a new label “that seeks to give artists a fresh perspective on record companies and how they work”.

Founder Paul Pittico says “it is an innovative project with an emphasis on artist control, with higher returns to the artist, the latest technologies to connect musician and fan, and extremely flexible terms that allow the artist to control their releases and own their copyright in an ever-changing recording market”.

Paul Piticco is behind a number of profile Australian music industry businesses, including Splendour in the Grass,  Secret Service Management, Secret Service Public Relations, Secret Service Digital and Secret Sounds Touring.

Create/Control is also run by the creative team behind Dew Process Recordings, home to artists such as Mumford & Sons, Sarah Blasko, Bernard Fanning, The Grates, The Living End, Bluejuice, Last Dinosaurs and many more.

All campaigns will be overseen by this collective, helmed by Piticco and run by the core team of Craig May (Head of Marketing), Megan Reeder Hope (Head of Press and Promotions) and Carney Nir (Head of Digital), along with their experienced teams.

They say that this “100% independent label has been set up to cater for artists that don’t need an A&R investment to create amazing music or that have releases ready-made. Create/Control is aimed towards emerging artists, established artists that might not have felt at home in the major label system and international artists that are looking for a label in Australia and New Zealand”.

Create/Control intends to build a hand-picked roster of artists with the intention of emulating the successful strike rate of its sister label Dew Process, known for an artist roster which manages “to walk the tight-rope line of commercial viability and artistic credibility”.

Deal terms “see the artist retain 100% of their copyright, allowing artists to maintain control of their catalogue while benefiting from considerably higher returns.  Create/Control will distribute artist content to digital retailers around the world as well as physical retailers within Australia and New Zealand”.

“In addition, the artist will have access to a first-class digital store to sell digital music, CDs and merch directly to fans, as well as access to a range of online tools and analytics to track and manage their sales and fanbase, and thoroughly integrate into social media”.

Create/Control will be launching mid-2012.

For more information on Create/Control, drop them a line at info@create-control.com.

• Visit Create/Control on Soundcloud
• Like C/C on Facebook
• Follow C/C on Twitter

Source: Secret Service Public Relations media release. Edit: Megan Spencer

Territory bands and venues are getting into the spirit of the first national SLAM Day, with a growing number of NT artists getting involved in live gigs on February 23.

So far gigs in Darwin and Tennant Creek have officially registered on the SLAM website, with another gig in Katherine  forthcoming.

SLAM – Save Live Australia’s Music – has grown out of the momentum gathered from the series of rallies held in Melbourne in 2010 – “to protest against the Victorian Government’s policy link between live music and violence”.

The movement has now gone national, championing live music at small venues, and its importance to the health of our national culture.

Says Mark Smith of Music NT, “By participating in National SLAM Day, it sends a message to the rest of Australia that the NT live music scene is alive and well. By booking both local and visiting artists, venues are supporting live music for the benefits of artists and punters alike.”

A small but enthusiastic number of NT venues and artists have registered (or are in the process of doing so!) on the official SLAM Day website. They are:

• Darwin Railway Club (Darwin) - Busby Marou (Qld), with local support Dave Spry & The High Moral Ground
• Happy Yess (Darwin) - Emma Rowe, Black Can Clan, June Mills, and reggae Dave & The Iries
• Peko Park (Tennant Creek) - The Tableland Drifters, Winanjjikari Allstars, Dr. Fluoride, Jezza from Budd (Vic) with further guests TBA.
• Katherine Tick Market Compound (Katherine) - Riverside DJs, Kellie Lee & Tom E. Lewis, with further acts TBA.

Darwin teenage post-punk band Skarlett are also running an appeal to find an under-18s venue willing to host a gig in Darwin on February 23, so that underage bands and musicians can also show their support for this national day of live music action.

Anyone wishing to help can contact them on skarlettband@gmail.com .

Not wanting to be left out of the opportunity, Skarlett say “We want to celebrate SLAM at a gig targeted at young people”.

“In Darwin, there are limited venue choices for under 18s to go and hear live music, and we want to play a big part in changing that”, they added, inadvertently summing up the fundamental point of SLAM Day.

With SLAM Day not far away – and a healthy number of live music venues operating across the NT – it’s still not too late for Territory venues and bands to register their gigs on the SLAM website. Just visit this link.

Otherwise YOU can support the cause by attending one of the gigs registered in your neck of the woods!

• Read more about SLAM Day.
• Read more a out Skarlett’s SLAM Day appeal.

Words: Megan Spencer. Sources: SLAM website, Skarlett media release

Alice Springs musician Ben Allen has won the APRA Tropscore Competition, at this year’s Tropfest Short Film Festival, held in Sydney.

Also working under the name Yellow Streetlight and Broadwing, Allen beat 900 other entrants, by composing an original music score to the short film Returning, by Amelia Olsen-Boyd.

The film score was his first, and with the $5000 prize money Ben says that he now has “the funds to buy studio equipment and the chance to speak to people in the film industry.”

A record amount of musicians and composers entered Tropscore this year, boosted by the APRA support of the competition.

Festival director John Polson said “We’ve had more entries for Tropscore this year than any of our previous years. Because of APRA’s connections… we were able to reach out to even more emerging musicians.”

The judging panel included Australian musicians Dave Faulkner from the Hoodoo Gurus, and goth music legend-turned-movie composer Lisa Gerrard (The Insider, Gladiator).

Returning will be screened to over 150 000 people on February 19, as part of the Tropfest national screening program. Now in its 20th year, Tropfest is billed as “the world’s largest short film festival”.

Music NT congratulates Ben on this big win! Looking forward to hearing more music from you soon!

• Read more about Ben Allen performing at 2011 iNTune Alice Springs and on ABC Radio
• Read an interview with him on the Music NT website.
• Hear his music online at Yellow Streetlight and Broadwing.

Words: Megan Spencer. Sources: Inside Film, APRA

Skarlett play the 2010 Sweet Amber CD launch. Pic: Damien ''Damo" McCartney

Territory teenage band Skarlett are keen to secure an under 18s music venue in Darwin, in order to support the 2012 national SLAM Day campaign, on February 23.

Distributing a media release, in it the band says “SLAM (Save Live Australia’s Music), is an opportunity to celebrate and protect the future of the live music industry, and recognises the significant contribution the live music industry makes to the community. SLAM aims to bring people who love their music ‘live’ together at local gigs held across the country”.

SLAM celebrations will be held around Australia on 23 February. “A SLAM gig will be held at the Darwin Railway Club but that’s targeted at adult gig goers. We want to celebrate SLAM at a gig targeted at young people” said Skarlett.

One of the Territory’s most abitious and energetic young bands, Skarlett is made up of two sets of brothers – all cousins.

Jack, Sam, Arran and Lachlan are aged between 11 to 18 years and are focussed on wanting to increase young peoples access to live music at local venues. “In Darwin, there are limited venue choices for under 18s to go and hear live music, and we want to play a big part in changing that”.

Skarlett regularly perform live at under 18-friendly music venues around Darwin, such as Casuarina Shopping Centre, the Royal Darwin Show, the Katherine Festival, Happy Yess, Darwin Railway Club and many others, supported by their schools Casuarina Secondary and Kormilda Colleges.

“We love it and the kids who come to live gigs love it” they said.

Schools, clubs and venues interested in supporting Skarlett to celebrate SLAM or other live gig opportunities for young bands and young people can contact them at skarlettband@gmail.com

• Read more about SLAM Day here.
• Visit Skarlett on Facebook.

And tell us what you’re doing for SLAM Day in the Northern Territory! Email megan@musicnt.com.au or post to the Music NT Facebook page.

Source: Skarlett media release. Words/edit: Megan Spencer

Double-timing... DT-3.

Darwin hip hop trio DT-3 have made it to the Top 50 of the SupaFest Search for a Supastar Competition.

Presented by MTV, the SupaFest Search for a Supastar Competition is billed as a “national urban talent competition in serach of a raw, unsigned undiscovered artist”.

Entrants upload audition videos to You Tube and invite the public to vote for them.

Winners of the overall competition will be given a performance spot in the 2012 Supafest concert – “Australia’s largest urban music festival” – which travels to Brisbane Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in April.

They will also have the chance to sign with record label “TOTW/Paper Chase Records”.

Headline acts announced so far in the 2012 line up include P-Diddy, Ice Cube, Lupe Fiasco and Kelly Rowlands.

With the ultimate shortlist of ten decided by popular vote, DT-3 are hoping to recruit as many as possible for their audition video, in order to make it through to the next round.

Band member Liam Devine (aka Devine1) is keen to recuit votes. He says that “first voting is from January 5th-19th”, to decide the Top 25. Another round of votes will then determine the Top Ten.

He says the “Top 10 will fly down to Sydney perform in front of a judging panel”.

“Unsigned and un-managed” hip hop and R&B artists and bands are eligible. According to Liam, DT-3 is “the only NT entrant” to have made it to the Top 50.

Promoter of Supafest Dwayne Cross says “I feel there is a lot of raw undiscovered talent across Australia that don’t have the means or know-how to get their music to record labels.”

“We would love to give these talented urban youths the opportunity of a lifetime to perform live on stage in front of over 100,000 people, and alongside some of the world’s biggest rappers and artists.”

DT-3 were one of three Territory hip hop acts to support US rapper Xzibit at his December 2011 concert at Darwin Convention Centre.

DT-3′s other members include MCs Zac Calma (Big-Z), and Nathaniel Polkinghorne (Creepa), and DJ Mitchell Russell (R-Faktr).

Visit this link to view DT-3′s audition video for Supafest. Voters need to sign up this link.

Visit DT-3 on Facebook and read more about their Supafest quest in the NT News.

Words: Megan Spencer.

Sources: Phil Eaton, Liam Devine, Supafest, Vulture, NT News.

Ollie MC, pictured on the cover of his CD, 'Navigate the Crosswind'.

Music NT sends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Ollie MC, at the devastating loss of such a talented, adventurous and inspiring human being.

Ollie passed away in a car accident in Victoria, late in 2011.

Ollie wasn’t in Central Australia long, but in the time he was, he made a lasting impression.

Simultaneously able to charm people and challenge assumptions, he was an inspiring artist not afraid to stand up for his beliefs.

In 2011, Music NT’s Milyika Scales brought Ollie in to work on the annual Desert Divas professional development and music mentoring workshops.

She says “Ollie was a huge part of Music NT’s 2011 Desert Divas program, stepping in at the last minute to mentor and accompany the girls in their songwriting and performance workshops.”

“Ollie was amazing. He slotted in so well, and his beautiful personality, tenacity, and fantastic musical ability mentored and supported the younger girls in particular, to arrange and perform their original songs on stage.”

Ollie MC on stage with Desert Divas Jacinta Price & Rita Tomlins at the 2011 Alice Desert Festival. Pic: Megan Spencer

She adds “for many it was their first performance, and Ollie’s musical legacy will live on as these young Indigenous women grow into experienced talented performers.”

“Words can’t express the shock and sorrow felt in Alice Springs at hearing the news, and our thoughts and love go out to you, in particular Izzy and Basey, at this terrible time.”

– Milyika and the team from Music NT

More of Ollie at work with the Desert Divas here and here.

Heats for Mission Australia’s youth music talent program Urban Quest will be held around the NT early in 2012.

• Alice Springs heats – 24 February at 10am and 25 February at 9am at Youth Hub
• Darwin school heats – 2 March from 3.30pm to 5.30pm at Palmerston Community Room, Darwin Middle School & Malak Theatre.
• Darwin community heats – 10 March from 3pm to 5pm at Palmerston Community Room & Malak Community Theatre.
• Katherine – 9 March at the Training Centre from 4pm to 6pm.

Please note that Mission Australia can only provide sound equipment at the semi-finals and finals. For heats, acts are encouraged to sing unaccompanied or accompanied by acoustic music. Practice amps can be used but must be supplied by the act.

Download and fill in the registration form at this link and email the completed and signed copies to urbanquest@missionaustralia.com.au

You can also post your entries to: Urban Quest Committee Mission Australia,
PO Box 2498, Palmerston, NT 0831.

It costs $10 per contestant to enter Urban Quest.

Mission Australia says it first first developed Urban Quest as way of using music to connect with young  people living in and around Dandenong in Victoria.
Urban Quest is now also a celebration of young Territorian talent, music and community.

When Mission Australia introduced the talent competition to the NT in 2011 it was embraced  by schools, students and communities across the NT.

In 2011, Darwin High School’s Tevita Moala took out the competition title after performing a moving rendition of John Legend’s ‘I Won’t Complain’ at the Urban Quest Final at the Darwin Entertainment Centre. The night attracted around 2,000 people, including guest hosts Mark Holden and Deni Hines, as well as local media.

More recently, the competition has attracted the attention of the producers of Australia’s Got Talent, who were interested in showcasing local talent uncovered at Urban Quest 2011.

In 2012 Urban Quest heats will be held in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs in late February and March. The top performers will then go through to the 13 April semi-final at Darwin’s Casuarina Square and Alice Springs Youth Hub on 10 March.

The semi-finals will also  kick off Youth Week 2012.

The finalists will then take to the Darwin Entertainment Centre stage on 15 April to impress MA’s ‘star’ judges – Mark ‘Touchdown’ Holden, soul singer Deni Hines and country singer-songwriter Paul Costa (a Mission Australia Ambassador).

Tickets to the final are $20, with the sales use to cover the costs of staging the event, and to help fund youth services in the NT. Tickets will go on sale in March.

• Read about the 2011 Urban Quest in the NT News, and more info about entering here.
• Download the registration form here.

Source: Mission Australia media release

It’s been a whopper of a year for independent original music in the Northern Territory – maybe even the biggest ever!

Our music activity is constant, busy, progressive and, at an all time high..  We now have a Territory Anthem; our Indigenous music awards – the NIMAs – went national for the first time, and one of our biggest music stars, Gurrumul Yunupingu, not only met and played for the Queen, he also played for the US President!

As you read this, The Tableland Drifters are preparing to head to Woodford to play their first Dreaming Festival (Frank Yamma will perform as well), with other NT artists also scheduled to play throughout the Australian music festival season.

The Sandridge Band is gearing up for the February release of album Brolga Dreaming, as are East Journey for their debut Gawuk, due to come out in March 2012.

Pushing forward with an aggressive digital release strategy Roymackonkey are about to embark upon their latest East Coast tour, as single Sleep Tonight continues to get airplay in the NT and beyond; while Alice Springs songwriter Colin Lillie has just signed a publishing deal, even before the official release of his debut EP.

The profile of Territory music is on the rise nationally and internationally, with the continued touring and/or chart success of many NT artists, like Leah Flanagan, Jessica Mauboy, Shellie Morris, Iwantja Band, eMDee, Worldfly and Gurrumul, who not only took Europe by storm but won a ton of awards for his second album Rrakala, which also reached platinum sales.

The Song Peoples Sessions project and CDs – featuring Territory treasures Warren H. Williams and Shellie Morris – also brought national attention to the Barkly region’s fertile cultural ground, with major media outlets covering the unique collaborative music project, as it progressed throughout the year.

Thanks to the perseverance and efforts of our Indigenous artists – and many of those who collaborate with them – it’s becoming  more common now to hear songs on radio sung ‘in language’, sometimes even on commercial stations and networks.

Territory artists receiving regular airplay on local radio also continues to the rise, with some radio programmers – beyond the ABC -  finally opening up their playlists more often to support homegrown music (TerritoryFM is one).

triple j Unearthed is also a space where more and more NT artists are making their presence felt to a national audience. At one point this year, Darwin high school band Skarlett was sitting atop not one but two Unearthed charts!

An increasing number of independent NT acts are also programmed on AirIt, while new CD releases from NT artists have been a constant throughout the previous 12 months.

To name but a few: Kris Keogh, Black Can Clan, Gurrumul, Tracy Bunn, eMDee, Unbroken Expanse, Iwantja Band, Seldom Party, Warren H. Williams, with compilation CDs from Red Sand Culture and Black Wreath.

Promised for 2012 is a Desert Divas CD – with solo outings for both Catherine Satour and Jacinta Price on the way – Worldfly, Shellie Morris, Roymackonkey, Lanrae and the long-awaited, as yet untitled debut album from Tennant Creek musician/producer, Dr. Fluoride. And that’s just for starters.

A strong touring circuit within the NT is also developing, with artists such as Reggae Dave, Tjupi Band and Seldom Party all receiving touring grants to take their music around the Territory and beyond borders.

Artback/Music NT’s Music Touring Manager Vanessa Hutchins reports that the NT Music Touring Program – which included artists such as Tjupi Band, Iwantja and Reggae Dave – played to approximately 15,000 people in 18 venues and communities across the Territory in 2011.

“Momentum is growing as the program develops for 2012″, she adds.

Other bands like Tennant Creek’s Unbroken Expanse, punched two fists in the air, independently embarking upon NT touring circuits of their own – and off their own bat.

Not to mention the success of the Long Way To The Top End II tour to the Fuse Music Festival & Conference in February, which saw 13 NT bands travel to Adelaide, to play across 6 nights at 4 venues.

NT acts are exploring new technologies to distribute, market and fund their music (Roymackonkey have recently embraced the free DIY phone App Songpier). Both Worldfly and Sietta ‘crowdfunded’ projects in 2011 through pozible.com, with the latter making it to an international showcase in Singapore as a result, and the former working hard to reach their $20 000 target by the end of January 2012, to support the recording of their new album.

Musicians are also banding together to launch music collectives (Black Wreath), music magazines (Shamzine), hugely active online Forums (Darwin Music Scene, ReviewsNT),  gig guides (Darwinlive) and new music promoters are emerging, bringing international acts to the Territory at a rate of knots…

Then there were the two iNTune Music Conferences, Bush Bands Business, national media coverage for the NIMAs…

The above ‘end-of-year round up’ only scratches the surface… Suffice to say that, yes, it has been a mighty year in Northern Territory music.

Music NT would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a hearty congratulations on amazing work. It’s just getting bigger and better every day. We look forward to working with you in 2012 – stay safe, and all the best for the New Year.

- The Team at Music NT: Mark, Phil, Lisa, Milyika, Vanessa, Fiona & Megan

If there’s such a thing as ‘national treasures’ in Territory music – and there is! – Shellie Morris certainly qualifies…

Big voice, big talent, big heart: Shellie has all three in spades.

And a smile that goes on for days..

Shellie’s reputation as one of the hardest working musicians in Australia – let alone the Territory – also precedes her.

Anyone who follows her many journeys knows that at any given moment she could be rehearsing for a show with the Black Arm Band; on stage with Sinead O’Connor at the Melbourne International Arts Festival; taping an episode of RockWiz; being filmed for a French TV documentary in Arnhem Land with a famous Brazilian singing star; recording in Tennant Creek in language for a groundbreaking collaborative CD; on her way to sing at a delegation in Japan; giving workshops to kids ‘out bush’ in the outback, or on stage at the Sydney Opera House singing up a storm with her Yanyuwa family to a national TV audience…

It can leave you breathless trying to keep up, such is the length and breadth of her travels and music accomplishments.

Alongside NT musicians and performers such as Gurrumul Yunupingu, Leah Flanagan and Jessica Mauboy, Shellie Morris is another of our incredibly talented Indigenous artists – music ambassadors if you will – busily flying the flag for NT music and culture, moreover NT Indigenous music and culture, by exploring ways to entertain, inspire and ultimately educate local and international audiences, at the highest level.

Carefully considering gigs and opportunities, Shellie is still self-managed and fiercely independent. She has spent her life in music, honing her craft, songwriting and powerful, soulful singing style.

This year in particular has been a big one for the artist. She worked in music with her family  from Borroloola for the first time, singing in her grandmother’s language, via the Song Peoples Sessions, a project run through Winanjjikari Music Centre. (Shellie also appeared in award-winning music documentary murundak – songs of freedom, about The Black Arm Band).

So.. ’Bout time then that Music NT spoke to Shellie Morris, about her mammoth year in music, personal growth as an artist, and what’s on her (already) busy horizon for 2012.

We managed to track down Shellie traveling between interstate shows for the 2011 Christmas RockWiz  Tour…

On the red carpet... Shellie with Jack Thompson at the 2011 Deadlys. Pic: Tito Media

Music NT: So Shellie, the busiest lady on the planet! What are you up to at the moment?

Shellie Morris: At the moment I am on the road with the Rockwiz Christmas Tour with Jon English, Ross Wilson, Josh Pyke, Patience Hodgson, Lanie Lane and Rebecca Barnard. It’s been awesome and then when I get back Darwin I go bush for a couple of days helping write a lullaby with the Ladies from Barunga.

The next few months I will be recording a new album for myself, an acoustic one. I’ve also got some gigs in January in Melbourne, and also maybe a quick trip to India for a couple of gigs!

MuNT: How would you describe this year for you? What were some of your musical highlights?

SM: I think this year has been one of the best yet, so many opportunities. I think the biggest highlight was singing with Mavis Staples and Joss Stone at the Melbourne Myer Music Bowl (in Notes From The Hard Road, closing night event of MIAF).

Also meeting some of the most amazing people this year that have really helped me in so many ways.

Performing at the Opera House with my family from Borroloola, and working on the Song Peoples Sessions album together, Ngambala Wiji Li Wununu (Together We’re Strong). I believe this truly has been a dream come true. [The CD is due for release early in 2012].

MuNT: Can you tell us about some of your plans for next year?

SM: Over January-February I’ll be doing some bush work with the Fred Hollows Foundation and record a new album.

I am going to Wales in March for a collaboration with some Welsh musicians for the London Olympics.

Then there’s the launch of the Song Peoples Sessions CD in Borroloola. I have a 6 week Australian musi  tour, Shellie’s Story.

Then I have a 3 week tour with [Brazilian world music star] Gilberto Gil through 10 countries in Europe; London Olympics performance; Wales Performance; back to Australia for the Darwin Festival; then in August off to Toronto…

Then I will be singing at a 100the birthday party! LOL

MuNT: Reckon you would be be racking up a fair few frequent flyer points – where have you travelled to this year?

SM: I stayed in Australia this year so that was nice. Plenty of trips to the Red Centre and major cities, and rural work also. And yes – got some miles clocked up now! LOL

MuNT: You seem so very busy – how do you find time to write music?

SM: Well I am always writing with projects so this never stops. I like to write as I feel I need to. I still have many songs that need to be recorded and released. I keep a note pad handy for planes, trains, trams and buses – lol – so always ready!!

MuNT: Can you give us a bit of insight into your writing process – what inspires you, your ‘routine’ if you have one..

SM: I think that people and life really inspire me.. How I write? There isn’t a real ‘process’ or way to write.. It just happens as it happens. I never try to force it and I really enjoy the collaboration with songwriting at the moment. I have a few projects coming up this next year..

Song Peoples on stage.. Shellie Morris with the Yanyuwa Women Singers from Borroloola at the Sydney Opera House, for the 2011 Deadly Awards. Pic: Vibe Australia/Deadlys

MuNT: The Yanyuwa Song Women CD through the Song Peoples Sessions has been a big part of 2011 for you. Can you please give us a bit of background about how it came about? What has come from that project and where it is moving to?

SM: The idea was from dear friend [music producer] Patrick McCloskey. He sourced the funding and also Vanessa Hutchins [Artback NT/Music NT music touring manager] suggested that I go back to my grandmother’s country to record.

The album – or the project – is about language and keeping our culture strong. Also for me I had to go back and learn from my grandmothers, and aunties; they were my guide throughout the whole recording and songwriting process. We did the album together the whole way. Not a note was recorded without their approval.

Where is the album moving to? Hopefully all over the globe,! LOL, but you know we are so proud as a family. We are just happy that we made something beautiful together.

Ans as soon as people have heard this album we have been offered gigs all over Australia and now all though Europe. But I think with this project we will take little steps at a time and carefully choose where we will go.  As you can imagine, I have to take good care and have a responsibility to the women. We have been offered a tour through Europe which I am carefully looking at with the family and this will take many months of work in preparation.

Also we have documentary-makers wanting to come and record our story so there is so much to do! But as I said we will take small steps together.

MuNT: Do you think the Song Peoples Sessions is important and/or unique in Australian music?

SM: This project is amazing and wonderful, but it’s truly Australian music – not world music! Also this is a Womans’ Project, and that is quite rare and precious.

No words really can express this journey together. I am proud that we can share our culture with the rest of the world and we are very proud and strong people. This is what I think is the most important. There are so many wrong and no-good stories, we want to share a good story of strong and proud women who have much to give.

MuNT: And the Black Arm Band – do you think it is changing Australian music? What’s it like to be a part of that group for you?

SM: AWESOMENESS! We’re not changing Australian music at all; we just trying to make a difference for our people in standing strong in our culture.

7 Songs To Leave Behind.. Shellie Morris (left), with Sinead O'Connor & Lou Bennett, Leah Flanagan, Melbourne International Arts Festival, 2010. Pic: CarbieWarbie/MIAF

MuNT: You were on RockWiz this year, you performed at Melbourne Arts Festival in 2010/11, you have done so much this year and your profile is very much national.. Do you feel as if the hard work is paying off in your career?

SM: Well I am slowly getting there but really I am just stoked to be able to be heard and to share my music.

I think it’s about so many things.

Black Arm Band has helped a lot and of course being on Rockwiz now has opened up so many doors also.

I think the main thing is I have always tried to remain true to myself and belief in my own style; I have tried not to be pressured into what I would feel would be wrong [for me]. I’m just just happy to get gigs really! LOL.

MuNT: What do you love most about making music in the Northern Territory?

SM: I think that the NT has so many things to offer – not only Australia, the world. We have of course our Aboriginal culture, but also so many wonderful people in the NT.. Great bands have emerged from smaller cities and towns.

I think it’s laid back nature and the warmth of the people have really made an impact in the industry just because of who we are – people from the NT.

I think we all have a great sense of humour and a gentle, humble nature. As I travel so many people of the bigger cities have so much more to deal with – the business and the stress of the city – we are so lucky in a way. Sometimes it’s harder but a journey that’s not hard doesn’t get the same results.

Shellie singing at BAMFest, Tennant Creek, 2011. Pic: Megan Spencer

MuNT: The best thing about 2011 for you? The hardest?

SM: The best is the album with my family from Borroloola [Ngambala Wiji Li Wununu (Together We’re Strong)].

The hardest has been more personal issues and trying to find myself in all of that has been extremely hard, and I still have a long way to go with it all.

But I am looking forward and enjoying each moment with gratitude.

MuNT: And will you share with us the one thing you’ve learned in the ‘business’ – or life – that keeps you inspired and moving forward?

SM: One thing I have learned is to be humble and not expect too much from others; to try and stay positive, to be a nice and kind person to others in the industry – don’t get offended and try not to hold grudges. To wish others well on their jouney.

I think the main thing is find where you fit into the industry, and to undestand that being unique is a good thing!

MuNT: Can we expect a new CD from you soon?

SM: YES YES YES – been a bit distracted with so many other things in my life! Like finding myself and my identity; that has been at the forefront of my life.

Now I can get onto the making of albums and forging forward that way. I have so many things to learn but I am ready now to hit the studio, and I am looking forward to having some surprise guests on my album and part-producing it myself.

READY NOW! LOL!

To stay up-to-date with Shellie’s news and gigs, visit

• Watch Shellie Morris on the RockWiz Christmas Special, Saturday December 24, at 9.30pm on SBS!
  
• The Shellie Morris official website
• Facebook fan page
• Song Peoples Sessions
• Flickr for more MIAF pics
• Watch Shellie perform with the Yanyuwa Ladies at the 2011 Deadlys
• Watch Shellie at work with kids in Kintore on the CAAMA website
  

Words: Megan Spencer. Many thanks to Shellie Morris for the interview!