MTK046 – Nick Wales & Rrawun Maymuru

Motorik! is humbled to announce a new collaboration between Yolngu
Songman Rrawun Maymuru of East Journey and Yothu Yindi, and Sydney-based composer and producer Nick Wales.

Rrawun and Nick’s work fuses the traditional songs of Rrawun’s ancient heritage with Nick’s electronic and classical sound worlds. Their new song Yolngu is a call to spirit from Rrawun to the Yolngu people of Northeast Arnhem Land for celebration and pride of their skin and custom, and is a statement of two cultures walking together at an important time in our history.

The release features four dance floor-focused mixes, two reconstructions from Sydney producer Deepchild and another pair from Nick Wales himself. All channel the pride of the original into the club setting with immense power.

Rrawun Maymuru comes from a long line of Yolngu songmen from Yirrkala, a remote community in Northeast Arnhem Land (NT). He is the direct grandson of Mandawuy Djarrtjuntjun Yunupingu (Yothu Yindi) and sings in both English and Yolngu Mata. His songs reflect a love for country and culture as well as his distinct perspective on the modern world.

Rrawun and Nick’s collaboration has previously featured for Sydney Dance Company and most recently with composer-pianist Sophie Hutchings for her new release on Mercury KX. The pair won the NIMA award for Best Song in Language for their piece ’Nyapillingngu Spirit lady’ in 2019