Butchulla Songman Fred Leone and musical polymath Samuel Pankhurst are Yirinda. They unite an ancient Aboriginal language with sublime modern production to invoke thousands of generations of story and culture, whilst emerging as something entirely new.

In a live context it takes on a weighted significance—with Fred, whose background encompases a culture stretching back millennia with contemporary hiphop, introducing and contextualising songs in his inimitable fashion. He’s both an MC and a master of ceremony.

Samuel Pankhurst’s productions are contemporary exercises in sonic pointillism, evoking the vocabulary of electronic music while retaining a grounding in physical instrumentation. It’s a fine pairing to Leone in that it manages to encompass two universes.

Together they are beyond compelling—a transcendent experience that rewards deep listening—and when joined by a wider ensemble they are a force to be reckoned with.

Yirinda have recently completed an Australian tour with numerous sell out performances including the Melbourne Recital Centre and the Sydney Biennale. They are currently booked to play Unsound Adelaide as well as supporting Hiatus Kayote on select dates of their Australian tour. They have also have performed at the Australian Art Music Awards, Vivid, Golden Plains, Mona Foma, Supersense and been covered by ABC Radio, NME Australia, BBC6, Bandcamp, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian and more.

Images: Mark Crannitch, Thomas Calder