Indigenoise

Based in Byron Bay, INDIGENOISE are a clique of Indigenous poets, artists, producers, musicians and practitioners. The five-piece featuring Coedie McCarthy, Minjarrah Jarrett, Roslyn Barnett, Jannali Doncaster and Benjamin Robinson, all who carry mixed ancestry, represent the 4 nations of the earth: red, black, yellow and white people.

The album name describes the mission that INDIGENOISE have embarked on, which is to bring the much-needed knowledge of the ancestors forward into the new world, acting as a voice for all tribes young and old. With a Hip Hop backbone the album floats through many genres including trap, bass, tribal flow and psychedelia. The band answer some questions for Hi Fi Way: The Pop Chronicles.

Indigenoise sounds like a really exciting project, how did the band form?
It is! We got asked to play Manifest festival and Coedie brought us all together and was like “right, its now or never” … The name and concept had been brewed up when we were in our teens so it just organically happened.

Did it take time to find the right people to be involved?
No, we had been jamming all together since we were young so it was a super quick process actually.

How were those initial jam sessions in working how the band would sound?
The boys had a folder full of material which was brought out and remade and I wrote a few choruses and just jumped on in. It was super chill we all just loved each others vibe. We still do jam together to see what flavour to do next so it never really stops.

How would you describe Indigenoise sonically to someone who hasn’t heard of the band before?
Hip hop, electronic, dub-infused, rap psychedelia with some trap bass and conscious flavour. We like to think we are genre -less / re-inventing music standards dabbling in a bit of everything and bringing it all together.

Were you surprised with how quickly things came together?
Very. For myself personally i kind of did the first show as a favour to Coedie because they wanted a vocalist… I wasn’t thinking id continue let alone expect it to become what it is now. We all feel so blessed that it has happened so fast.

Did you enjoy making the video?
We have made a few videos and each have been such a unique experience. From green rooms & home job make up in the bush to high end set life with qualified directors and assistants, all of them have been so much fun. One Mob was fun because we got to connect with people from all over the world and hear their stories. It was lovely to see so many people resonating with the lyrics and message

What was your reaction when you played the final version of the album back for the first time?
Excitement. firstly because , ahhhhhh, finally its done and secondly, wow we have a first album. As artists i think we will never be fully satisfied with any end product haha but we are so proud and stocked that we can share it around now.

Have you been blown away by the reaction from music lovers to the album?
100% . we are always so humbled to see people taking in our message and enjoying our vibe. Its been such a rewarding feeling seeing people sing along to lyrics and hear our song being played in cars and on the radio… a bit of a trip but so blown away.

Are there plans to tour around Australia during the summer?
Oh yes please. We are the most happiest on the stage. A tour is something we are brewing on at the moment in the country and out – we want to take our music to every corner of the world fingers crossed it flows quick.

Interview by Rob Lyon