Timely reminder to ‘Get Back to The Land’
“Such a harrowing week it's been particularly for Djab Wurrung mob…it's tough to say I have music to release during such a sad week for [them]. I do hope it can be as some source of value and strength in this time.” - DRMNGNOW via Instagram
If you are mob, DRMNGNOW’s re-imagining of Uncle Archie Roach’s ‘Get Back to the Land’ will evoke the simultaneous, juxtaposed feelings that comes with living through times where we experience our resurgence whilst also (still) enduring such colonial violence: pain, grief, strength + healing.
The track, featuring the always soul affirming vocals of Emily Wurramara, was released this week as part of the upcoming Deadly Hearts: Walking Together compilation album from ABC Music.
Recorded beside Kaiela (father water / so called Goulburn river ) on Yorta Yorta country, the ancestral homelands of DRMNGNOW, this release continues the decolonial work we have come to respect from this artist. To honour a song like Uncle Archie’s ‘Get Back to the Land’ DRMNGNOW did exactly that, put the actions in place from his country and that ancestral connections reverberates throughout.
If you are not mob, I urge you to listen to this track and reflect on your role in allowing Indigenous people to protect country: “How are we gonna heal if our Mother’s disrespected?”