Stiff Gins

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 the iconic duo of Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs, the Stiff Gins. These two highly accomplished musicians have been combining stunning harmonies and humour for over 20 years, transporting listeners to a world of joy, spirit and song. 

After getting through 2020, Stiff Gins are looking forward to getting back into live performance. 

"We have some new material we've been working on, and are planning to work on, which we're looking to stream, so keep an eye out for that. We also have an interesting live concept which we will be working on for 2022.  We have just locked in a few new shows around NSW/ACT, including April 3 at Good Folk Festival, in Queanbeyan and a community gig in Walgett on April 15, until we can travel interstate again. We've also been in talks to head to Tasmania in July, and NT in August to play live, so stay tuned for that too."

In developing their list for Wuigada, Kaleena Briggs notes their connection to Inside My Kitchen by Tiddas (1992).

"When Stiff Gins were starting out back in 1999 we played Tiddas a lot. The harmonies, the words and the fact that they were these strong beautiful voices really resonated with us. This song was played a lot. Also, at the time many of our song writing sessions were at Nardi's place sitting around the kitchen table with the guitar and cups of tea. Nardi's mum, who is wonderful, would make us lunch and it was this happy place to hang out. So when I think of that song I now think of that cosy kitchen and all the songs we sang there and also all the amazing meals and joyful happy moments I've had in that kitchen over the last 22 years."

Here is the beautiful selection of songs Stiff Gins have made for Wuigada:

Tiddas - 'Inside My Kitchen'

 

No Fixed Address - 'We have Survived'

 

Christine Anu - 'Party'

 

Marlene Cummins - 'Pension Day Blues'

 

The Pigram Brothers - 'Going Back Home'

 

Frank Yamma - 'Coolibah'

 

Bobby McLeod - 'Wayward Dreams'

 

Tiddas - 'Anthem'

 

Archie Roach - 'Beggar Man'

 

Ruby Hunter - 'Welcome to All People'

Listen to the Wuigada playlist in full via YouTube now.

 

More Wuigada stories: Ripple Effect Band, Waveney Yasso, Sue Ray, Troy Jungaji Brady, Dave Arden, Shellie Morris, Deline Briscoe, LJ Hill, Selwyn Burns, Roger Knox and Kutcha Edwards.

 

Artwork by Dixon Patten.