Yilila come from one of Australia’s most remote Aboriginal communities in Arnhem
Land, Northern Territory, Australia. Yilila perform their own raw blend of high energy reggae
and world music with displays of colorful traditional Red Flag dancing. Red Flag Songs and
Dances belong to the band’s Nundhirribala clan and have come from hundreds of years of
contact with the Maccassan traders from Indonesia. Yilila’s songs are rooted in traditional
Aboriginal, reggae and rock music and from there they look to the rest of the world for
inspiration and sounds. Yilila have previously collaborated/performed with artists like Zakir
Hussein, Raka Mukherjee, Sultan Khan, John Butler and David Bridie.
Yilila’s first CD “Manilamanila” won 2 awards at the 2005 Indigenous music awards for
“best release” and “song of the year” and was nominated for “best artwork”. The music is
based on songs, dances and stories unheard and unseen by audiences. The CD was
recorded at Melbourne’s prestigious SingSing Recording Studios and mixed & master by
Robin Mai (known for his work on “Sunrise Over Sea” John Butler Trio and also CDs by Joe
Camilleri and Bomba) at Woodstock Studios, Melbourne.
Yilila stand alone as an exceptional group of musicians and dancers. Their live
performances are filled with energy, culture and stunning singing. The lead singer/songwriter,
Grant Nundhirribala, has had professional experience dancing and singing with Bangarra
Dance Theatre, Australian Ballet Company and Yothu Yindi and members of Yilila performed
at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games. Grant’s mixture of traditional and
contemporary singing stands up against other vocal legends of the world music scenee. Yilila
sing powerful songs sung in Nunggubuyu, Anindilyakwa, Maccassan language and English.
Yilila are currently working on a collaborative music and dance project with the remote
village of Watublapi on the island of Flores in Indonesia. Helping other remote and developing
communities to use their traditional arts to build business and opportunities, is a focus of the
band. Many of the mothers and fathers of the band members grew up and lived as Aboriginal
people from their region had grown up from the beginning, in the bush with no contact with
the outside world. Keeping their communities traditional culture alive is essential for the
cultural health of their communty.
CD Digipack album “Manilamanila”
Independent release May 2005
Winner of “Best CD Release” & “Song of the year”
Music DVD “Red Flag Jamajama”
Independent Release December 2005
Music Videos, Culture, traditional dancing DVD
CD Digipack EP “Aeroplane”
Independent release August 2006
Featuring Indian Classical Vocalist Raka Mukherjee
and Slide Guitarist John Butler
2002 GARMA Festival, Arnhem land NT, Australia
2004 WOMADelaide Festival, Adelaide, Australia
2004 Darwin Festival, Northern Territory, Australia
2004 Jabiru Mahbilil Festival, NT, Australia
2004 Alice Springs Festival, Australia
2004 Winner of “best new emerging act”
NT Indigenous Music Awards
2004 Telstra Art Awards, Darwin Museum/Art Gallery
2005 Release CD “Manilamanila” Darwin Amphitheatre CD Launch
2005 Barunga Festival, Northern Territory, Australia
2005 Australian International Music Market, Brisbane.
2005 NAIDOC week headline Mindil Beach, Darwin
2005 Darwin Festival, Santos Concert, Darwin Esplanade
2005 Winner “Best CD Release” & “Song of the Year”
NT Indigenous Music Awards
2005 Cairns Festival, Queensland, Australia
2005 Released Music/Culture DVD “Red Flag Jamajama”
2006 Port Fairy Folk Festival, Victoria, Australia
2006 Lead singer Grant Nundhirribala 2 month season as featured guest artist with
Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Australian Ballet Company at the Victorian
State Theatre and the Sydney Opera House.
2006 Release EP “Aeroplane” featuring classical Indian vocalist Raka Mukherjee
and slide guitarist John Butler
2006 Winners “Act of the Year” and “Best Male Musician” at 2006 NT Indigenous
Music Awards. Nominated for “Act of the Year” 2006 Deadlys.
2006 Darwin Festival, Star Shell, Darwin, Australia
2006 Headline Act, NT Indigenous Music Awards, Darwin Amphitheatre, Australia
2007 Festival of World Cultures, Ireland.
2008 Festival Mundial, Tilburg, Netherlands.
2008 Bellingen Global Carnival, Bellingen, Australia
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