10 July

Blak Country

Roger Knox, photo: Nicolette Dixon

Frank Yamma, photo: Matt Day

Loren Ryan

Jarrod Hickling

Kyla-Belle Roberts, photo: Donna Faulkner

Blak Country is the first of two free Wednesday night events during Volume, held across both of the Art Gallery of New South Wales buildings. Coinciding with NAIDOC Week’s celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Blak Country will feature the icons and rising stars of Aboriginal Australian country music today, including Des Ahoy, Jarrod Hickling, Roger Knox, Dennis Pitt, Kyla-Belle Roberts, Loren Ryan and Frank Yamma.

In between the live performances, a playlist compiled by assistant First Nations curator and Volume co-curator Liam Keenan will be heard throughout the Art Gallery. Dubbed ‘Music from Malabar Mansion’ after the nickname given to the Long Bay Correctional Complex, it features songs that have been written, performed and recorded by men and women in NSW correctional facilities as part of the Songbirds project run by the Community Restorative Centre.

Date and time

Wednesday 10 July 2024, 5–10pm

Location

Art Gallery of New South Wales
Naala Badu, our north building
Lower level 2 , Meers Hall

Naala Nura, our south building
Ground level , Kaldor Hall

Pricing

Free

Jarrod Hickling

Jarrod Hickling

Jarrod Hickling is a 28-year-old Githabul man hailing from Muli Muli, NSW. Growing up in a home with strong ties to the church, music has always been a powerful influence in Hickling’s life. His sound is a mix of traditional country and gospel, making him a dynamic and unique artist in today’s country music scene.
Roger Knox

Roger Knox, photo: Nicolette Dixon

Uncle Roger Knox is a true pioneer of Indigenous Australian country music. The Gomeroi songman from Toomelah Mission in northern NSW has been writing and performing for well over 50 years, establishing himself at a time when Aboriginal performers were just breaking into the commercial music industry.
Uncle Roger’s life story is the stuff of country music legend, having narrowly survived a plane crash early in his career while touring in the remote communities of South Australia. After learning to walk and play guitar again, he went on to tour North America multiple times to great acclaim.
His longstanding commitments to empowering new generations of Indigenous artists and his consistent dedication to performing for those on the fringes of society have seen him labelled as Australia’s own Johhny Cash.
Kyla-Belle Roberts

Kyla-Belle Roberts, photo: Donna Faulkner

Kyla-Belle Roberts is a proud Gomeroi teenager from Moree who is fast becoming an Indigenous country music sensation. Having had a love for music from an early age, Roberts has already garnered a devoted following across regional NSW with her powerful vocals and passionate performances. Having shared the stage with artists such as Roger Knox, Stiff Gins, Kobie Dee and Loren Ryan, her star continues to rise.
Loren Ryan

Roger Knox, photo: Nicolette Dixon

Loren Ryan is a proud Gamilaraay woman making a profound effect on the music industry by combining her love of music and her traditional language. Ryan crafts original compositions and translates well-known Australian songs. She became the 43rd winner of the Toyota Star Maker event in January 2023 following her performance at the final, held at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Star Maker is Australia’s most prestigious and longest-running country music talent quest and Ryan’s name has been added to a long list of successful contestants including Keith Urban and Lee Kernaghan.
Frank Yamma

Frank Yamma, photo: Matt Day

Uncle Frank Yamma is one of Australia’s most significant and acclaimed First Nations songwriters. A Pitjantjatjara man from Central Australia, Yamma sings in his language and English, sharing music and stories that cross cultural and musical boundaries.
In his three-decade long career, Yamma has released several critically acclaimed albums, leading to numerous tours of Europe and the UK, where he has amassed a strong cult following for his unique songwriting, magical guitar playing and deeply evocative voice. His moving songs speak of Country, protection, heartache, travel and love.