Description
It’s been almost 20 years since Midnight Oil unveiled a new longform release, now we have THE MAKARRATA PROJECT.
Last month, the live-sounding lead track ‘Gadigal Land’ (featuring Dan Sultan, Joel Davison, Kaleena Briggs & Bunna Lawrie) provided an incendiary first taste of this themed collection. A second single, ‘First Nation’ (featuring Jessica Mauboy & Tasman Keith), was also unveiled prior to the physical release. Driven by a tough drum/guitar/synth groove, this new song recalls the more sonically experimental end of Midnight Oil as featured on trailblazing works like 10 TO 1 and REDNECK WONDERLAND.
The list of collaborators who contributed to various songs features a wide cross section of prominent First Nations’ artists; from Jessica Mauboy, Alice Skye and Tasman Keith through established talents such as Leah Flanagan and Troy Cassar-Daley to revered elders Kev Carmody, Sammy Butcher and Frank Yamma. One song also features an achingly beautiful posthumous vocal by the legendary artist known as Gurrumul. The collection concludes with an all-star reading of The Uluru Statement From The Heart including prominent Indigenous Australians – Stan Grant, Ursula Yovich, Pat Anderson and AFL trailblazer Adam Goodes.
“These songs are about recognising that our shared history needs settlement, and that more than ever, as the Statement From The Heart proclaims, we need to walk together to create a better future.” Peter Garrett.
Midnight Oil will donate their share of proceeds from THE MAKARRATA PROJECT to organisations that seek to elevate The Uluru Statement From The Heart. Sony Music Entertainment Australia will match any artist contribution.
