JOY Music Highlights

21 May 2016

GANGgajang

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Katie from Three Chords & The Truth recently spoke to Buzz Bidstrup, founding member and drummer of iconic Australian band GANGgajang.

GANGgajang have been part of the Australian music landscape since 1984; their self-titled debut album dropped in 1985 and contained the hits ‘Gimme Some Lovin’’ and the classic ‘Sounds of Then (This Is Australia)’. Now they have an excellent new single, ‘Circles in the Sand’, and a striking music video shot in front of majestic Uluru. They are the first band to be given permission by the traditional landowners to shoot a music video at the sacred site.

In their wide-ranging chat, Katie and Buzz talk about the band’s origins, the distinctive riff in ‘Sounds of Then’, Buzz’s work with the Jimmy Little Foundation and the Mutitjulu community near Uluru, and the new single. Buzz tells Katie that ‘Circles in the Sand’ was inspired by the painters of the Western Desert, who drew sand ‘paintings’ that evolved into the modern ‘dot painting’ style. The music video was shot by filmmaker Chris Tangey and edited by Phil Evans, and features Dani Young and Indigenous icon Warren H. Williams singing in the Arrernte language.

‘Circles in the Sand’ has been added to a totally remastered release of the album GANGgajang.

GANGgajang are currently on tour, playing live everywhere from Gladstone to Perth – for tour dates and further info visit the official website.