Five Indigenous Artists That Have Inspired Marlon’s Journey Into Music

Marlon is taking to the stage to launch his latest track, Blood in the Water. Blood in the Water is a record written in reflection of the reality in the Australian society when it comes to the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It represents the mentality that we as a country hold, knowing of the injustices that takes place towards people of colour, yet many of us are content to live on in our day to day lives as if these injustices are non-existent.

Marlon brings an intimacy filled with charisma and thought provoking lyrics. Marlon’s music has always been an important part of his life, a place he can reflect on his own experiences as well as those that play out around him. Born and bred in Darwin, Northern Territory, Marlon is of Aboriginal Larrakia, and Thursday Island heritage. Marlon shares with Hi Fi Way the five indigenous artists that have inspired his journey in to music.

Mainstream – Yothu Yindi
Yothu Yindi is the sound of my childhood in Beautiful Darwin, Northern Territory. Everytime I play their music I feel like I teleport right back to my country on the saltwater fishing and hunting. It reminds me of my family back home, and reminds me to never forget who I am and where I’m from. Mainstream is about living in the western mainstream world, that a lot of the time I struggle to navigate.

World is Turning – Yothu Yindi
World is Turning makes me feel strong and confident down here in the mainstream world, helps me remember to be great and reminds me of seeing Yothu Yindi on the Television when I was young and wanting to be like them.

From Paradise – Archie Roach
I remember during some of the toughest times as a child in my household escaping the chaos by finding Jamu Dreaming and playing From Paradise by Archie Roach on my Stereo Player. Such a powerful song, written with and about Ruby Hunter being taken from her family here on Ngarrindjerri Country in Southern Adelaide.

Dr. G Yunipingu – Bapa
When I hear Dr G sing, it’s a moment that becomes more than a man singing on a arecord, it transcends what we as humans are and what we can do. Bapa is about the relationship with your father, one of my favourites.

Xavier Rudd – Full Circle
When I was touring with Brother Xav, I would jump up during his set so I would have In Ear Monitors with me the whole night . I would have his mix playing in my ears each night and he would play Full Circle second every night and I would put my In Ear Monitors back in and get lost, thinking about how one day I want to create this moment for someone else through the magic of Great music.

Catch Marlon performing Blood In The Water at The Octagon at Gluttony as part of the Adelaide Fringe on Saturday 17 February at 9.45. Tickets from FringeTix…