Wuigada is a dedicated space where First Nations musicians can share and celebrate music made by other First Nations musicians with PBS audiences.
Wuigada was named and developed by the highly acclaimed indigenous singer songwriter, Kutcha Edwards. Wuigada in Mutti Mutti means 'to sing'.
In this edition of Wuigada we hear from Mudburra man Ray Dimakarri Dixon.
Ray Dimakarri Dixon lives in the Marlinja community in the Northern Territory, 700km south of Darwin. His music reflects his desire to share culture and to fight for the future health of the environment. Ray has become a leader in the cause to stop fracking on country and across Australia.
We caught up with Ray and he spoke about how music and activism are a part of him and his family.
“I come from an activist background. My old dad was an activist, and from that I grew up and got introduced in a cultural way, across the board, with music from cultural music to modern. The whole family are a music family. Along the way we were inspired by other indigenous musicians which helps us grow.
Having an indigenous background, when you hear other indigenous musicians, you get inspired by it and you are connected to their music and song, you learn the culture and the story. That’s why I write songs, we want to share our culture and who we are. We want more of our mob having that platform to create more indigenous music.”
There are a few songs that have special significance for Ray, he recalls seeing Coloured Stone play in the mid 80s and the profound impact that song had on him and the audience.
“'Dancing in Moonlight', it was the first time I saw Coloured Stone play. They were on an album tour in the NT and that song related to everyone, it connected you to your song, to who you are, and your country. And they were playing the concert in the moonlight.”
'Koorie Rose' is another song that Ray recalls that speaks to how music draws people together and strengthens family ties.
“It was a country song; we all grew up listening to country music and 'Koorie Rose' was one of the biggest hits and it inspired me because of the connection to family. And the way the music has been put, and the way everyone sang along to the song. It is still one the greatest songs written today.”
Although Ray has been a musician all his life, he has just released his first solo album, to much critical acclaim.
“I did my solo album last year, my first solo album. It's called Standing Strong. I was up for National Indigenous Music Award Album of the Year, in the running with Uncle Archie Roach. It was great to have that recognition. I haven’t been able to tour yet, but I might do one next year, in Darwin.
We have to keep out culture strong and look after our environment. My music is a part of that.”
It is with immense pleasure that we share Ray Dimakarri Dixon's top 10 songs for Wuigada:
Roger Knox - 'Koori Rose'
Kevin Gunn - 'Anywhere But In The Kimberly'
Ray Dimakarri Dixon - 'Standing Strong'
Frank Yama - 'She Cried'
Rayella - 'One Moment At A Time'
Warumpi - 'Jailanguru Pakarnu'
Blekbala Mujik - (Peter Miller) 'Don’t Worry Just Be Happy'
Kutcha Edwards - 'We Sing'
Coloured Stone - 'Dancing In The Moonlight'
Listen to the Wuigada playlist in full via YouTube now.
Visit all the Wuigada stories, or check out: BUMPY, King Stingray, Lance O'Chin, Izy, Alice Skye, Radical Son, Black Rock Band, Allara, Emma Donovan, Marlene Cummins, Benny Walker, Stiff Gins, Ripple Effect Band, Waveney Yasso, Sue Ray, Troy Jungaji Brady, Dave Arden, Shellie Morris, Deline Briscoe, L.J. Hill, Selwyn Burns, Roger Knox and Kutcha Edwards.
Artwork by Dixon Patten.
