Speak To Me
GANGgajang Featuring William Barton & Jack Thompson
Universal Music Australia 2023
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be bringing you some musical responses to the voice referendum from a number of Australia’s preeminent musicians.
Iconic Australian band GANGgajang have added their voices to the campaign for the YES vote at the up-coming referendum.
The band is not a late comer to the issue as they, along with other prominent writers and bands, have broached the subject of recognition before.
Over the years the band members have discussed the issues of recognition and reconciliation amongst themselves and with friends and colleagues, both indigenous and non-indigenous, and all that experience has been distilled into a three-and-a-half-minute song.
The genesis for Speak To Me can be traced back to GANGgajang’s 1989 album Building Bridges where writers Mark Callaghan and Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup both contributed songs on the issues of Australia’s history, and in particular the place of First Nations in that history.
GANGgajang’s involvement in the plight of our indigenous Australians runs deep. The band’s guitarist, Robbie James, performed with Yothu Yindi for five years and Mark Callaghan, who was then A&R manager for Festival Records, signed legendary indigenous performer Uncle Jimmy Little when he released his incredibly successful Messenger album.
GANGgajang were further enmeshed in indigenous issues when Buzz Bidstrup became Jimmy Little’s manager.
Jimmy and Buzz went on to set up a charity, Uncle Jimmy’s Thumbs Up, which provides nutritional information in remote communities. Buzz is the CEO of that charity.
Before he passed away in 2012 Jimmy wrote to every politician in the Federal Government asking for one thing: that they listen to indigenous people on matters that affect them.
GANGgajang’s reputation is such that they have been able to secure the services of both William Barton, Australia’s world-renowned didgeridoo player, and the dulcet speaking tones of legendary Australian actor Jack Thompson for the track.
GANGgajang proudly stand with Uncle Jimmy Little in saying YES to the voice.
