Radical Son shares “Elder“, offering a deeply powerful statement of devotion to country, his Kamilaroi and Tongan cultures and his iron-willed intention to endure that sets neck hairs on end. “Elder” drops with an equally commanding music video filmed in the Blue Mountains by Djugun/ Yawuru/ Gooniyandi director Cornel Ozies. It features rocker Vic Simms, Australian of the Year Shane Phillips, Forgiveness Project advocate Ray Minniecon, Kamilaroi elder Paul Spearim & more.
Radical Son is part of the long story. “I wish to be an elder, an old man on this land,” he sings in a voice so immense it seems to emanate from the rock beneath his feet.
“Elder” is the first taste of Biliyambil (The Learning), the highly anticipated second album by Radical Son, aka David Leha.
It’s the keynote to the album’s themes of hard-won survival, belonging and acquiring wisdom from life experience. It’s a song sung from mountaintops, loaded with a storied past and fully facing the future.
“Elder is a song I began three or four years ago when I was working on country in Moree and Armadale, New South Wales,”
David says.
“I was working on a program with emerging artists called Yanayai, which means ‘returning’. I was helping these artists to create a piece in a genre of their choice and the conditions were that they had to have three generations of their family help them, and they also needed to incorporate some language into that as well.
“The bones of the song were there then. The language section from Jida Gulpilil (son of David), that came later. It’s quite simple. It’s just saying, ‘Let’s move, let’s dance and celebrate’.”
In a world where music often acts as a powerful force for cultural expression and societal transformation, every once in a while, an artist emerges who not only captivates audiences with their melodic prowess; weaving a rich tapestry of centuries-old traditions with contemporary rhythms.
This week, we have the privilege of chatting with David Leha – a musician who artfully melds ancestral wisdom with modern influences, forging a path towards recognition, understanding, and unity thru his harmonious creations.
How has your cultural background influenced your music and artistic expression?
It’s great having a First Nations background. I guess the greatest way in which I’m influenced by my Cultural background is that it aligns with one of life’s greatest purpose. That is that we can do better. That change is possible and that this is not the only way that we can live.
What messages or stories do you hope to convey through your lyrics and music?
We hold the key. Within ourselves we can change things for ourselves and make lives of others better in the process.
How do you fuse your cultural identity with contemporary music genres to create your unique sound?
It’s done through collaboration – I did what I do “lyrics” , the musicians did their part the music, and the producers did the rest.
How does your music contribute to the preservation and celebration of First Nations cultures in Australia?
I have contributed to the preservation and celebration of First Nations by maintaining an integrity in the work I have done. By staying true to the game. By doing this whilst growing from a younger troubled man to a man now at the age of Grandfather.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
Tevita, Tim, John, Sonny and Shane Leha, Harold Harrison, Jimmy Little and Archie Roach
What challenges have you faced in the music industry, and how have you overcome them?
There are challenges in the music industry just as there are challenges with any occupation or career.
I face my challenges the same way any challenges should be faced. That is by understanding why I’m doing music and by having quality me time. Time that nourishes my soul. I like Scuba and Spearfishing. It gets me into water, onto Country in the Sun and in the elements. It gets me out with Mob and I’m extremely grateful for those times.
What themes or issues do you like to address through your music?
I’d like us to think about, remember and value the elements of our Culture that have and are being left out of the First Nations narrative’s.
Can you share any upcoming projects or events that we can look forward to?
I am excited to be releasing a sophomore album later this year or early next. Titled “Bilambiyal” it means “The Learning”. I am very proud of this work and grateful to those who have collaborated with me to bring it to life.
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