1 00:01:27,120 --> 00:01:29,475 Interviewer: So, let's just come and sit down 2 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:30,640 and we'll just take a moment. 3 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:32,432 We won't launch into anything just yet. 4 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:34,158 Michael's been telling me 5 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:37,709 how much you love doing interviews, gurrumul. 6 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:41,508 Michael: There's two cameras. Three, actually. 7 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:43,056 Interviewer: We're surrounded by cameras. 8 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:46,356 Michael: And a microphone and there's a light. 9 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:48,669 Interviewer: Well, we'll just give it a whirl 10 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:50,989 and see how we go. 11 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,992 Should I call you Geoffrey or gurrumul? What do you prefer? 12 00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:57,470 What's the... what would you prefer me to call you? 13 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:00,597 - Michael: Gurrumul, I think. - Interviewer: Gurrumul, yeah? 14 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:02,193 Can we talk about your blindness? 15 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:07,797 There are a lot of very well-known blind musicians. 16 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:10,229 Does being blind give you... 17 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:13,596 Make you a better musician, do you think? 18 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:16,239 And why do you think that is? 19 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:20,594 No. Ok, ok. 20 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:22,591 Gurrumul, you haven't performed 21 00:02:22,640 --> 00:02:24,232 in the opera house before, I take it? 22 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:31,231 Yeah? 23 00:02:31,240 --> 00:02:34,232 Gurrumul, have you been surprised or... 24 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:38,631 As to how popular this album has become? 25 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:41,517 What do you think about that? 26 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:45,159 When did you first start playing the guitar? 27 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:53,513 Or maybe Michael can tell us about how it came about. 28 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:55,988 You're not going to get off the hook that lightly, though. 29 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:58,798 I'm determined. 30 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:00,598 You're going to have to get used to doing this. 31 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:02,079 You know that, don't you? 32 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:06,232 You're going to have to learn to enjoy it more. 33 00:03:09,640 --> 00:03:11,870 See, he smiled now that it's finished. 34 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:18,233 What a relief, he says, that's finally over. 35 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:22,079 Susan: I can tell you the truth 36 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:25,709 and every song that he'd been singing... 37 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:32,989 He sings, he sings of himself. 38 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:44,356 So the world wants to know more about him. 39 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:46,999 The message is simply passed 40 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:50,595 through songs and the songlines. 41 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:56,790 Through closing their eyes and open their hearts, 42 00:03:56,800 --> 00:04:00,156 they will see him clear. 43 00:04:09,440 --> 00:04:11,158 Michael: Perfect. 44 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:22,072 - Is that comfortable? - Yo. 45 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:23,752 Ok. 46 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:29,598 Michael. Okay, we'll turn it louder. 47 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,034 Yeah. 48 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,918 Michael: We might track it. Yeah. 49 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:37,036 - That one? - Michael: Yeah. 50 00:04:37,040 --> 00:04:39,713 - I sing like that? Ma. - Yeah. 51 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:41,438 Michael: Okay, I'll count you in. 52 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:45,991 - Yeah. - One, two. One, two, three. 53 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,590 Michael: Gurrumul's voice still affects me now, 54 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:56,795 like the first time I ever heard it. 55 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:58,199 How was that one, Michael? 56 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:02,313 Michael: That last note, really nice. 57 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:03,912 Whoo! 58 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:06,992 Michael: Beautiful. Whoo-hoo! 59 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:08,194 Whoa-ho. 60 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:10,031 Michael: I had no idea when I first heard it 61 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:13,032 how much it would impact on both our lives. 62 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:22,032 I was running a music industry course out of Darwin 63 00:06:22,040 --> 00:06:26,909 and this was one of the first communities I ever went to. 64 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:29,514 I'd recently relocated from Melbourne 65 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:31,750 and here I was on elcho island, 66 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,752 one of the most remote places in Australia. 67 00:06:34,760 --> 00:06:36,637 No-one spoke english 68 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:38,631 but everyone could play an instrument. 69 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:45,472 I was introduced to this guy called gurrumul. 70 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:47,152 He was also called 'miltjirri', 71 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:49,430 which I found out later meant 'blind boy'. 72 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:54,031 The young guys presented him as their Ace. 73 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:57,476 He was the one that was going to get them to the top. 74 00:06:57,480 --> 00:06:59,198 He was a really impressive musician 75 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:02,437 who could play anything that he picked up. 76 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:04,471 The other guys were in awe of him 77 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:06,596 because he'd been in yothu yindi 78 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,795 but he'd left a couple of years ago. 79 00:07:08,800 --> 00:07:11,633 ♪ I heard it on the radio 80 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:15,753 ♪ and I saw it on the television 81 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:20,639 ♪ back in 1988 82 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:22,437 ♪ all those talking politicians... ♪ 83 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:25,438 Michael: Yothu yindi were really huge at that time. 84 00:07:25,440 --> 00:07:29,353 Gurrumul was completely unassuming about that. 85 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:31,191 He had toured the world 86 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:33,634 and he was a very practised performer. 87 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:36,757 He was shy, really shy, 88 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:40,594 but could really sing and play - just a natural. 89 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:42,716 Song: ♪ treaty ma 90 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:46,076 ♪ treaty ma treaty ma. ♪ 91 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:49,591 Michael: There was so much raw talent 92 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:51,636 but I'm just a musician. 93 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:53,790 I didn't really realise the full potential 94 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:56,314 until I met Mark. 95 00:07:56,320 --> 00:07:58,914 Mark: I'd been living in remote communities 96 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:00,035 for over 10 years and 97 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:03,197 I'd never seen anything have such an impact 98 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:06,909 on young aboriginal men like this music program. 99 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:09,354 It seemed to me that music was something special, 100 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:12,193 something that could make a difference to communities. 101 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:15,152 So Michael and I decided to take a chance 102 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:19,039 and we formed a record label called skinnyfish music. 103 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:21,235 Our first signing was the saltwater band 104 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:23,071 featuring gurrumul yunupingu. 105 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:26,915 Mark: Manuel and Geoffrey and me and Michael, 106 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:30,799 we had a big talk about saltwater band in the future. 107 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:32,552 I was going to say to everyone - 108 00:08:32,560 --> 00:08:34,073 let's sign this contract about being here. 109 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:36,071 But I'm not going to worry about that now 110 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:38,435 because I know that you guys are serious. 111 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,396 You guys are onto it now. 112 00:08:40,400 --> 00:08:42,550 So what can happen from now on 113 00:08:42,560 --> 00:08:44,994 is a really good future for saltwater band. 114 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:48,515 Really good, I mean really good future. 115 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:50,636 You can go anywhere. 116 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:52,073 Saltwater band! 117 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:55,757 Mark: We had a simple plan - 118 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:58,513 get aboriginal music to aboriginal people. 119 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:00,431 And the simplest way to do that 120 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:03,318 was get the band in a bus and head for the bush. 121 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,116 Mark: One thing about saltwater, though - 122 00:09:56,120 --> 00:09:57,678 I could never understand 123 00:09:57,680 --> 00:10:00,069 why the quiet blind guy 124 00:10:00,080 --> 00:10:01,877 who was playing a guitar upside down 125 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:03,199 never got any attention. 126 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:05,998 The cameras, the media, everything 127 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,070 would always focus on the lead singer, 128 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:10,833 who was standing, who was full of energy, 129 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:14,753 and right next to him was this quiet genius 130 00:10:14,760 --> 00:10:18,275 that everyone saw but no-one actually... 131 00:10:18,280 --> 00:10:20,555 You know, the camera rarely went to him 132 00:10:20,560 --> 00:10:23,199 to go, "what's going on here?" 133 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,875 Michael: On the third saltwater record, 134 00:10:26,880 --> 00:10:30,634 he and I recorded a couple of tracks just with him. 135 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:32,437 I thought it would be really special 136 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:34,431 if we could do something like this 137 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:35,998 and it was just him playing. 138 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:38,753 And so I finally put it to him 139 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:41,672 that what if he did something solo? 140 00:10:41,680 --> 00:10:46,754 I got the usual answer, which was silence. 141 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:48,113 It was almost like 142 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:51,317 it's against a yolngu person's nature to go out on their own 143 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:54,312 and go and do something solo or by themselves. 144 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:57,869 And then one day, Mark and I talked to him 145 00:10:57,880 --> 00:11:00,633 and once he realised kind of what we were talking about, 146 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:04,189 he said, "ma, let's go." 147 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:39,750 Michael: Perfect. 148 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:43,839 Michael: His voice, its purity, its longing. 149 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:47,628 I just thought, "that is... 150 00:12:47,640 --> 00:12:50,518 "That is like nothing else I've heard." 151 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:36,630 Susan: Those tears in your eyes 152 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,837 are telling you that you understand his songs. 153 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:44,514 Those people that is just closing your eyes 154 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:48,069 and just listening to his songs, 155 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:53,677 you know that his singing that touch your heart. 156 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:58,435 That's him, gurrumul. You know it. 157 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:02,638 Already the song has told you 158 00:15:02,640 --> 00:15:05,950 who he is in the world. 159 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:08,110 Thank you and goodnight. 160 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:55,190 Michael: That was amazing. 161 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:03,753 Michael: John, the sound engineer, John O'Donnell, 162 00:16:03,760 --> 00:16:05,432 said, "they just kept clapping. 163 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:07,078 "And I just turned the sound right up 164 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:08,832 "and turned the lights right up 165 00:16:08,840 --> 00:16:11,832 "and they just kept clapping and stomping their feet." 166 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:13,637 Michael: What do you reckon? 167 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:27,990 Audience: More! More! 168 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:31,072 Michael: Look, I'm downstairs begging him but he won't come. 169 00:16:32,520 --> 00:16:34,829 I'm so sorry. Thank you so much. 170 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:39,438 Michael: This is out of control. 171 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:41,635 I don't know what happens now. 172 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:44,438 So I think I haven't really thought past today. 173 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:48,510 Radio host: The voice of Geoffrey gurrumul yunupingu 174 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:52,115 was introduced here on mornings early in the year. 175 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:55,999 It was Stuart matchett, who chooses our album of the week, 176 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:57,991 who selected the right moment. 177 00:16:58,000 --> 00:17:00,878 It was when Kevin rudd said sorry in parliament 178 00:17:00,960 --> 00:17:04,316 and we played tracks from that cd throughout the week. 179 00:17:04,320 --> 00:17:05,992 And each time we played one, 180 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:09,629 listeners rang up wanting to know where they could buy it. 181 00:17:09,640 --> 00:17:11,278 And a wave sort of started 182 00:17:11,280 --> 00:17:15,193 and pretty soon, the little skinnyfish record company 183 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:16,633 in the north of Australia 184 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:18,557 was getting calls from Sydney record shops 185 00:17:18,560 --> 00:17:19,913 asking, "who is this guy?” 186 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:21,797 Let's catch up with Michael hohnen, 187 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:23,279 who is his collaborator. 188 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:25,748 You act as his spokesman 189 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:27,637 and perhaps you'd better explain why that is. 190 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:33,277 Well, he doesn't talk much. He hasn't spoken at all today. 191 00:17:33,280 --> 00:17:38,399 But also, english is his fourth or fifth language 192 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:43,155 and he is always asking me to speak for him. 193 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:47,790 And I think, yeah, sometimes I feel uncomfortable doing that 194 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,030 but that's the way gurrumul wants it 195 00:17:50,040 --> 00:17:53,191 so that's how it has to happen. 196 00:17:55,920 --> 00:17:58,036 Mark: If you wanted to succeed in the music industry, 197 00:17:58,040 --> 00:18:00,270 you would look at gurrumul and do everything the opposite, 198 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,794 because everything that he was doing 199 00:18:02,800 --> 00:18:07,032 was absolutely anti-success. 200 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:11,158 No media. You know, he wouldn't tour extensively. 201 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:13,549 He wouldn't do any sort of promotional stuff 202 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:15,755 that had no meaning to him. 203 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:16,988 There's no history in Australia 204 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:21,278 of albums that are completely in language 205 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:22,633 having any success. 206 00:18:22,680 --> 00:18:24,318 But what's happened 207 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:27,198 is that because his reluctance to do these things 208 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:28,269 is genuine - 209 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:32,990 he has no real fear of his career ending - 210 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:34,877 it's actually had the opposite effect. 211 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,792 The media have gone, "here's a mystery here." 212 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,189 Here's someone who couldn't care less about the hype. 213 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:42,919 Here's someone who doesn't talk to the audience on stage. 214 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:46,549 Here's someone who genuinely says through his music, 215 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:48,790 "listen to the music, don't listen to me. 216 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:51,633 "My words are nothing except when I sing." 217 00:18:51,640 --> 00:18:54,029 In this, you know, mad sort of frenzy 218 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:56,793 of having things rammed down our throat all the time, 219 00:18:56,880 --> 00:19:00,156 that's an incredibly refreshing approach to take. 220 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:03,996 Man: You're welcome, guys. I wish you all the best. 221 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:06,275 Michael: Okay, have a good day. 222 00:19:06,280 --> 00:19:08,555 Same to you. All the best, mate. See you later. 223 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:10,312 Michael: No worries. 224 00:19:10,320 --> 00:19:15,872 Susan: There should be trust. They have to trust. 225 00:19:15,880 --> 00:19:20,635 Number one priority is trust and faith - 226 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:23,393 whether Michael feel 227 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:27,154 that he can be trusted by gurrumul's family. 228 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:29,310 Michael: He wants to ask you a question. 229 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:31,390 Every year I do portraits - 230 00:19:31,440 --> 00:19:34,398 a portrait for the Archibald prize. 231 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:37,278 And it's a portrait 232 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:41,876 to do with influential Australian people, basically. 233 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:44,314 Susan: Gurrumul and Michael, 234 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:49,269 their story how they been along together. 235 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:51,191 - Yeah. - Yo. Ma. 236 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:53,555 - Yeah, well, that's alright. - Yeah? Okay. 237 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:56,632 Susan: If they tell the world 238 00:19:56,680 --> 00:20:00,434 and the picture comes out, 239 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:04,797 it's a big picture about... 240 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:07,553 Yeah, you too. Good luck with the painting. 241 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:10,199 Nice to meet you. Thank you so much. 242 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:12,270 - If you win one tonight... - Mmm? 243 00:20:12,280 --> 00:20:14,635 What are you going to say? 244 00:20:14,680 --> 00:20:16,079 Are you going to say anything to anyone? 245 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:18,150 Yeah, yeah. 246 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:20,310 No, no. 247 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:24,796 Yeah, yeah, but in yolgnu matha, yaka english. 248 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:26,074 Yeah, yeah. 249 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:27,798 Yeah. 250 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:29,916 It's fantastic because they'll all be listening. 251 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:32,434 They'll all be waiting. 252 00:20:32,440 --> 00:20:35,034 And, you know, if they know you're talking to them... 253 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:37,156 And everyone in the northern territory 254 00:20:37,160 --> 00:20:39,037 would be really proud. 255 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:48,157 And this year's Aria award for best independent release 256 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:50,310 goes to... 257 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:53,676 Gurrumul yunupingu. 258 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:03,278 Announcer: Formerly from yothu yindi 259 00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:05,430 and also a part of the saltwater band, 260 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:07,635 gurrumul's also nominated tonight 261 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:10,632 for best male artist and album of the year. 262 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:17,638 Yo. 263 00:21:23,440 --> 00:21:25,556 Sydney. Yo, thank you. 264 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:33,029 Yeah, amazing, to look at gurrumul up there now. 265 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:38,755 I can't... 266 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:44,748 Radio announcer: I'll just read a little quote 267 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:46,796 from the Sydney morning herald - 268 00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:49,394 "surrender to the greatest voice 269 00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:51,908 "this continent has ever heard." 270 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:55,310 The first time I heard gurrumul's cd, 271 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:57,276 which is simply called gurrumul, 272 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:00,795 I was in... lying in bed with headphones on. 273 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:02,074 It was a full moon 274 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:04,036 and I've got a dormer window in the bedroom 275 00:22:04,040 --> 00:22:05,871 so I was getting shadows from the moon 276 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:08,314 on a breezy night with shadows of the trees 277 00:22:08,320 --> 00:22:09,673 dancing on the ceiling, 278 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:11,875 listening to gurrumul"s music. 279 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:16,396 And I don't know where that music took my head 280 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:19,676 or the rest of me followed it, but I don't know where it was. 281 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:21,875 It was places that I've never ever been - 282 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:24,439 in fact some were places I didn't even know existed. 283 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:43,279 Susan: When he sings yothu djarimirri, 284 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:45,794 he's singing about himself, 285 00:22:45,800 --> 00:22:47,916 how he was brought to the world 286 00:22:47,920 --> 00:22:50,388 and he's covered with rainbow. 287 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:52,311 Djari is a rainbow, 288 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:57,917 and he is a child with a beauty all around him, 289 00:22:57,920 --> 00:23:01,151 and all the colours of the rainbow is around him. 290 00:23:01,160 --> 00:23:05,278 He's in the middle. He's inside of a rainbow. 291 00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:18,199 And inside that rainbow is a special child 292 00:23:18,280 --> 00:23:22,990 and that special child is called gurrumul yunupingu. 293 00:23:35,640 --> 00:23:41,317 I'm happy long time now, yo. 294 00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:43,675 See my son. 295 00:24:41,080 --> 00:24:44,629 Susan: I remember my sister who was pregnant with him 296 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:47,996 and we both didn't know. 297 00:24:49,560 --> 00:24:52,393 We just know it 298 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:57,519 when he was falling around, 299 00:24:57,520 --> 00:25:01,195 bumping onto something. 300 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:05,034 And that gave us a shock, you know, because we were not... 301 00:25:05,040 --> 00:25:08,749 The family were not expecting him to be blind. 302 00:25:21,640 --> 00:25:27,272 It gave us family a heartbreak, 303 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:30,272 hurt, sorrow 304 00:25:30,280 --> 00:25:34,876 when we found out that gurrumul was born blind. 305 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:39,396 Song: ♪ I was born blind 306 00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:44,036 ♪ and I don't know why 307 00:25:46,440 --> 00:25:49,193 ♪ god knows why 308 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:55,031 ♪ because he love me so... ♪ 309 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:37,150 Susan: We used to take him to the church every Sunday 310 00:26:37,160 --> 00:26:40,550 and this is where he got the Harmony. 311 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:12,790 Daisy: He was very, very happy, smiling all the time. 312 00:27:12,880 --> 00:27:16,759 Every time he heard ceremonies somewhere, 313 00:27:16,760 --> 00:27:20,196 gurrumul went there. 314 00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:23,397 He was learning from dancing 315 00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:26,915 and he was learning from manakay 316 00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:29,195 and he started singing. 317 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:33,073 "When you grow up, be you..." 318 00:27:36,800 --> 00:27:39,633 I said to him, and he was just laughing to me. 319 00:30:03,280 --> 00:30:05,794 Susan: It's an old language 320 00:30:05,800 --> 00:30:08,030 that is spoken through the songs. 321 00:30:08,040 --> 00:30:11,919 When they sing song of this world, 322 00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:14,639 the nature, the environment, 323 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:16,915 it's giving them a strength. 324 00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:22,199 They're pulling that strength of their understanding 325 00:30:22,200 --> 00:30:24,919 to themselves. 326 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:30,392 Understand the world, understand the environment, 327 00:30:30,400 --> 00:30:34,154 understand the songline. 328 00:30:35,800 --> 00:30:38,678 Because it's old 329 00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:41,399 he's making it easier for the world to understand 330 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:44,153 and he's making it new. 331 00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:48,639 He's presenting that message to the world 332 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:50,198 through songs. 333 00:31:10,040 --> 00:31:11,268 See ya. 334 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:33,795 If you want to say hello to gurrumul, 335 00:31:33,800 --> 00:31:36,678 you say, "namirr, gurrumul.” 336 00:31:36,680 --> 00:31:38,636 Audience: Namirr, gurrumul. 337 00:31:38,640 --> 00:31:40,517 - Manymuk! - Michael: That means go away. 338 00:31:40,520 --> 00:31:42,875 No! 339 00:31:46,800 --> 00:31:49,189 "On paper, Geoffrey gurrumul yunupingu 340 00:31:49,200 --> 00:31:51,794 "sounds like a preposterous pop star. 341 00:31:51,880 --> 00:31:53,029 "He never gives interviews 342 00:31:53,040 --> 00:31:54,632 "but plays his guitar upside down 343 00:31:54,680 --> 00:31:55,908 "and honestly believes 344 00:31:55,920 --> 00:31:58,150 "that he is closely related to the saltwater crocodile 345 00:31:58,160 --> 00:32:01,675 "and descended from rainbow pythons." 346 00:32:01,680 --> 00:32:03,750 Does he identify with that animal? 347 00:32:03,760 --> 00:32:04,795 He is that animal. 348 00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:06,677 He is? What does that mean? 349 00:32:06,680 --> 00:32:09,638 That's what he, he... 350 00:32:09,640 --> 00:32:14,555 In aboriginal society there are many fathers. 351 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:17,028 There's the blood father 352 00:32:17,040 --> 00:32:21,750 but then uncle, uncle, uncle - they are all father. 353 00:32:26,920 --> 00:32:28,990 His mother is that rainbow serpent 354 00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:30,797 and he's the child of that. 355 00:32:30,880 --> 00:32:34,031 It's again a kind of spiritual connection. 356 00:32:34,040 --> 00:32:35,393 Maybe. 357 00:32:42,280 --> 00:32:43,554 Yeah. 358 00:32:43,560 --> 00:32:47,030 Geoffrey garrumul. 359 00:32:47,040 --> 00:32:49,759 This year's Archibald prize with his portrait 360 00:32:49,760 --> 00:32:53,036 of blind aboriginal singer Geoffrey yunigumi. 361 00:32:53,040 --> 00:32:55,918 Hello, my name is garrumul. 362 00:32:55,920 --> 00:32:58,434 Reporter: Guy maestri is now the toast of the art world, 363 00:32:58,440 --> 00:32:59,919 taking out this year's prize 364 00:32:59,920 --> 00:33:03,310 with his depiction of singer Geoffrey gurrumul yunupingu. 365 00:33:03,320 --> 00:33:05,276 Gurrumul couldn't be present at the ceremony 366 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:08,795 but maestri read a statement on his behalf. 367 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:11,553 "I would like to congratulate guy for his painting 368 00:33:11,560 --> 00:33:13,198 "and for the recognition he deserves 369 00:33:13,280 --> 00:33:14,395 "in winning the Archibald. 370 00:33:14,400 --> 00:33:15,913 "I would also like to tell everyone 371 00:33:15,920 --> 00:33:17,399 "that I didn't win this money 372 00:33:17,400 --> 00:33:20,039 "so please don't call me asking for some of it." 373 00:33:31,400 --> 00:33:32,549 Come on, take your shirt off. 374 00:33:32,560 --> 00:33:33,754 Yeah! 375 00:33:33,760 --> 00:33:36,399 Don't know what's that... Gurrumul comes. 376 00:33:36,440 --> 00:33:37,873 Gurrumul. 377 00:33:37,880 --> 00:33:39,552 - Who's that bloke? - Gurrumul. 378 00:33:39,560 --> 00:33:40,629 Gurrumul? Who's he? 379 00:33:40,680 --> 00:33:43,558 He's from north - arnhem land. 380 00:33:43,560 --> 00:33:46,677 - Oh, yo? - And I love his music. 381 00:33:46,680 --> 00:33:48,636 I found the secret of touring with him 382 00:33:48,680 --> 00:33:52,389 and that is have an open access phone account 383 00:33:52,400 --> 00:33:55,676 at all times so he can talk to family and then he's laughing. 384 00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:00,036 Michael: I think homesickness is a big thing 385 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:04,158 for yolngu touring, and it's come out really well, 386 00:34:04,160 --> 00:34:06,037 the fact that he can ring home 387 00:34:06,040 --> 00:34:09,828 and talk to everyone on a daily basis. 388 00:34:11,680 --> 00:34:14,990 This is what being a musician is all about. 389 00:34:15,000 --> 00:34:18,595 It's being on the road, it's the best time - 390 00:34:18,600 --> 00:34:24,072 having fun, jamming together, sharing a musical experience. 391 00:34:24,080 --> 00:34:26,833 It takes you out of normal life 392 00:34:26,840 --> 00:34:30,037 and puts you in almost like a fantasy life. 393 00:34:41,360 --> 00:34:45,831 But as soon as we leave the room, he won't say a thing 394 00:34:45,840 --> 00:34:50,356 and I suppose that's how I've become his public voice. 395 00:34:52,160 --> 00:34:53,752 Michael: When most of us are born, 396 00:34:53,760 --> 00:34:58,072 we're not born with much of an identity 397 00:34:58,080 --> 00:35:00,071 or knowledge about ourselves. 398 00:35:00,080 --> 00:35:03,834 We're born with a name and a birth weight 399 00:35:03,840 --> 00:35:06,115 and hopefully some parents. 400 00:35:06,120 --> 00:35:10,318 When gurrumul's born, he's born with an identity, 401 00:35:10,320 --> 00:35:11,389 a skin name, and 402 00:35:11,400 --> 00:35:15,393 he's connected to lots of different parts of the earth 403 00:35:15,400 --> 00:35:19,518 and the animals, including the baru, the saltwater crocodile. 404 00:35:19,560 --> 00:35:21,835 And this is all about him - 405 00:35:21,840 --> 00:35:24,399 this is all about the saltwater crocodile. 406 00:35:24,400 --> 00:35:25,833 It's called: 407 00:36:00,360 --> 00:36:02,590 They've been trying to get gurrumul on taratata, 408 00:36:02,600 --> 00:36:04,158 which is one of the big French music shows. 409 00:36:04,160 --> 00:36:07,630 The song they've asked us to do is every breath you take, 410 00:36:07,640 --> 00:36:10,200 which is a bit of a weird choice 411 00:36:10,280 --> 00:36:13,192 because gurrumul doesn't sing about that sort of stuff 412 00:36:13,200 --> 00:36:16,192 and the sentiments are not very yolngu either, 413 00:36:16,200 --> 00:36:18,430 so they're also hard to translate 414 00:36:18,440 --> 00:36:20,032 unless you do them literally. 415 00:36:20,080 --> 00:36:25,598 So gurrumul will sing the chorus in english with sting 416 00:36:25,600 --> 00:36:28,194 and the verses in his own tongue. 417 00:36:29,880 --> 00:36:31,757 No way he can do that. 418 00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:36,038 That's where we're at now and it's the night before. 419 00:36:36,080 --> 00:36:38,753 So I don't know what's going to happen. 420 00:36:40,760 --> 00:36:43,354 Man: How'd brother get there so quickly? 421 00:36:43,360 --> 00:36:47,273 Man: Maybe because he left 45 minutes before us. 422 00:36:47,280 --> 00:36:48,998 Thank you. 423 00:36:52,400 --> 00:36:54,197 Ready to go, guys. 424 00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:59,157 Michael: I was separated from gurrumul. 425 00:36:59,160 --> 00:37:02,197 He was out there by himself in the middle of the room 426 00:37:02,280 --> 00:37:04,919 when suddenly he's plunged into a rehearsal 427 00:37:04,920 --> 00:37:10,153 where he has no words, no lyrics, no translations. 428 00:37:10,160 --> 00:37:11,195 He hasn't got a context 429 00:37:11,200 --> 00:37:12,679 of what's supposed to be happening. 430 00:37:12,680 --> 00:37:16,878 So his comfort zone in that situation is just silence 431 00:37:16,880 --> 00:37:20,589 and I just sat side of stage, helpless. 432 00:37:21,640 --> 00:37:23,437 - Not happy at all. - No, furious. 433 00:37:23,440 --> 00:37:25,192 I think we'll lose it, to be honest. 434 00:37:25,200 --> 00:37:26,792 Michael: I think they were threatening 435 00:37:26,800 --> 00:37:29,109 to drop the whole segment from the show. 436 00:37:29,120 --> 00:37:31,839 "He doesn't know the song. Why doesn't he know the song?" 437 00:37:31,840 --> 00:37:35,196 And I'm saying, "he doesn't even know who sting is." 438 00:37:35,200 --> 00:37:40,513 I've had, "why did you agree to this?" And all that stuff. 439 00:37:40,520 --> 00:37:43,159 Gurrumul keeps saying to me, "is sting a big name?" 440 00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:44,798 Like... 441 00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:49,794 I said, "yep, he is." Now I'm going to cry. 442 00:37:49,800 --> 00:37:52,109 His uncle sent this through today 443 00:37:52,120 --> 00:37:54,270 so he wants to listen to it now. 444 00:37:54,280 --> 00:37:56,635 Dijunga: Every breath you take. 445 00:38:09,360 --> 00:38:11,430 It's going to be hard work. 446 00:38:11,440 --> 00:38:14,637 Michael: Once he'd done that rehearsal, everything changed. 447 00:38:14,640 --> 00:38:16,676 He had a context. 448 00:38:16,680 --> 00:38:18,511 He knew that sting was good. 449 00:38:18,520 --> 00:38:21,114 He knew the band was incredible 450 00:38:21,120 --> 00:38:24,157 and there was an expectation that he would kill it, 451 00:38:24,160 --> 00:38:25,832 he would nail it. 452 00:38:25,840 --> 00:38:28,513 A lot depended on this - he could feel it. 453 00:38:32,600 --> 00:38:36,593 Yo! 454 00:38:56,680 --> 00:38:58,989 Man: Michael, stage in five. 455 00:39:00,040 --> 00:39:03,874 Man: ♪ every bond you break every step you take 456 00:39:03,880 --> 00:39:06,110 ♪ I'll be watching you. ♪ 457 00:39:25,640 --> 00:39:30,395 ♪ Oh, can't you see ♪ 458 00:39:30,440 --> 00:39:33,796 ♪ You belong to me 459 00:39:33,800 --> 00:39:39,318 ♪ how my poor heart aches 460 00:39:39,320 --> 00:39:44,314 ♪ with every step you take 461 00:39:44,320 --> 00:39:48,677 ♪ every single day 462 00:39:48,680 --> 00:39:53,515 ♪ every word you say 463 00:39:53,520 --> 00:39:55,875 ♪ every game you play 464 00:39:55,880 --> 00:39:58,189 ♪ every night you stay 465 00:39:58,280 --> 00:40:00,840 ♪ I'll be watching you 466 00:40:26,800 --> 00:40:31,191 Sting: ♪ I'll be watching every breath you take 467 00:40:31,280 --> 00:40:34,113 ♪ every move you make 468 00:40:34,120 --> 00:40:36,270 ♪ every bond you break 469 00:40:36,280 --> 00:40:39,078 ♪ every step you take 470 00:40:39,080 --> 00:40:41,355 ♪ every single day 471 00:40:41,360 --> 00:40:43,430 ♪ every word you say 472 00:40:43,440 --> 00:40:47,035 ♪ every breath 473 00:40:47,040 --> 00:40:52,990 ♪ I'll be watching you. ♪ 474 00:41:16,520 --> 00:41:17,669 Welcome. 475 00:41:17,680 --> 00:41:19,796 - Hey, Geoffrey, it's sting. - Thank you. 476 00:41:19,800 --> 00:41:23,076 My brother, that was so delightful to sing with you. 477 00:41:23,080 --> 00:41:25,548 You are a truly wonderful artist. 478 00:41:25,560 --> 00:41:27,835 It's a big honour for me, thank you. 479 00:41:27,840 --> 00:41:30,354 How did you feel? Did you enjoy it? 480 00:41:30,360 --> 00:41:33,033 - Yep. - Good. You sang great. 481 00:41:33,080 --> 00:41:36,436 We should do more of this. 482 00:41:36,440 --> 00:41:37,759 Should do more. 483 00:41:37,760 --> 00:41:39,352 Except it's very strange 484 00:41:39,360 --> 00:41:42,591 for me to sing, "oh, can't you see" in that song. 485 00:41:42,600 --> 00:41:44,670 There's a strange irony there. 486 00:41:44,680 --> 00:41:47,069 You have a sense of humour, I know that. 487 00:41:48,520 --> 00:41:50,590 So listen, good luck on your travels. 488 00:41:50,600 --> 00:41:52,352 - I'll see you again, I hope. - Yep. 489 00:41:52,360 --> 00:41:54,157 Okay, bye-bye. See you later. 490 00:41:54,160 --> 00:41:55,388 Michael: Thank you. 491 00:41:56,840 --> 00:41:59,115 Sting! 492 00:42:03,840 --> 00:42:05,831 Mark: We've stressed ourselves sometimes 493 00:42:05,840 --> 00:42:09,037 about getting him to deliver but he's always done it. 494 00:42:09,080 --> 00:42:13,596 It seems that he has an ability to do that. 495 00:42:13,600 --> 00:42:15,795 He has an ability to go, "it'll be alright. 496 00:42:15,800 --> 00:42:17,199 "Things will work out." 497 00:42:17,280 --> 00:42:19,350 If you imagine, right, we have two minutes on the TV. 498 00:42:19,360 --> 00:42:22,272 Next week if we confirm "what not what' show 499 00:42:22,280 --> 00:42:24,589 which we think Robbie Williams might be on 500 00:42:24,600 --> 00:42:25,919 but we're not too sure... 501 00:42:25,920 --> 00:42:28,798 The booker was here tonight - fell in love with him. 502 00:42:28,800 --> 00:42:31,439 If we ain't staring at a hit record, 503 00:42:31,440 --> 00:42:34,318 I don't know what is a hit record. 504 00:42:34,320 --> 00:42:35,673 This is confidential. 505 00:42:35,680 --> 00:42:38,114 Confidential? Say it to the camera. 506 00:42:38,120 --> 00:42:42,033 We appointed dramatico our us partners today. 507 00:42:42,040 --> 00:42:43,109 Big day. 508 00:42:43,120 --> 00:42:46,396 This deal is going to break us in the us. 509 00:42:46,440 --> 00:42:51,195 So we're going to have a glass of orange juice in a moment. 510 00:42:56,520 --> 00:42:58,750 Thank you very much. Yo. 511 00:42:58,760 --> 00:43:01,035 Zurich, Switzerland. 512 00:43:01,040 --> 00:43:03,270 And goodnight. 513 00:43:05,560 --> 00:43:07,835 You're a good audience. 514 00:43:09,320 --> 00:43:12,676 Michael: If he chooses to do this, then his life's set. 515 00:43:12,680 --> 00:43:15,831 He's at the level that very few people get to 516 00:43:15,840 --> 00:43:19,116 in terms of originality, performance, musicianship, 517 00:43:19,120 --> 00:43:23,750 expression, the albums - everything's in place. 518 00:43:23,760 --> 00:43:25,830 Mark: There's an incredible future for him 519 00:43:25,840 --> 00:43:29,799 if he wants to embrace music and touring. 520 00:43:30,880 --> 00:43:33,872 The possibilities for him are limitless 521 00:43:33,880 --> 00:43:36,838 but whether he wants to do that or not, 522 00:43:36,840 --> 00:43:39,035 that's the question. 523 00:43:44,120 --> 00:43:47,157 There's going to be more media, yeah? 524 00:43:47,160 --> 00:43:49,116 Then you have to do it all over again. 525 00:43:49,120 --> 00:43:50,792 - It's going to be... - The wall? 526 00:43:50,800 --> 00:43:52,836 No, not the wall. You have to talk to the media. 527 00:43:52,840 --> 00:43:54,876 It's going to be pretty busy all over again, yeah? 528 00:43:54,880 --> 00:43:58,031 If you win, you get up from your seat 529 00:43:58,040 --> 00:44:00,349 and you go for photos and then you go for... 530 00:44:08,040 --> 00:44:13,990 Susan: It hurts me but somehow it pleases me. 531 00:44:15,840 --> 00:44:19,310 I feel happy about him being blind. 532 00:44:19,320 --> 00:44:21,276 Gurrumul, it is an honour and privilege 533 00:44:21,280 --> 00:44:23,191 to meet you here on the red carpet at the arias. 534 00:44:23,200 --> 00:44:25,668 I hear you have a very special performance in line? 535 00:44:25,680 --> 00:44:27,432 - Yeah. - Yeah? 536 00:44:27,440 --> 00:44:29,829 Are you looking forward to anything in particular? 537 00:44:29,840 --> 00:44:31,432 - Yes. - Yeah? 538 00:44:31,440 --> 00:44:35,592 How did you dress yourself tonight? Much effort? 539 00:44:35,600 --> 00:44:38,034 Okay. Thank you very much, guys. 540 00:44:38,040 --> 00:44:39,189 Thanks. 541 00:44:40,160 --> 00:44:43,835 Because I don't want him to learn 542 00:44:43,840 --> 00:44:47,879 all sorts of things of this world, 543 00:44:47,880 --> 00:44:54,399 so he can focus only on the songline. 544 00:44:58,840 --> 00:45:00,671 Michael: I might take him back now. 545 00:45:00,680 --> 00:45:02,511 He just doesn't want to be here. 546 00:46:22,360 --> 00:46:26,672 They were very happy. Yeah, your mum was crying. 547 00:46:26,680 --> 00:46:29,592 Gurrumul: Ahh. Huh? 548 00:46:29,600 --> 00:46:31,830 - Your mum was crying. - Ah. 549 00:46:34,040 --> 00:46:36,998 Michael: The tour that we're about to do into America 550 00:46:37,000 --> 00:46:38,831 is like an artist's dream. 551 00:46:38,840 --> 00:46:43,914 He knows that America is the key to his musical life. 552 00:46:43,920 --> 00:46:47,879 We've got primo venues and festivals, 553 00:46:47,920 --> 00:46:50,593 his cds are in every store in America 554 00:46:50,640 --> 00:46:52,551 and we're just basically on the brink 555 00:46:52,560 --> 00:46:55,836 of making the biggest go for it we can. 556 00:46:59,600 --> 00:47:02,273 Susan: We have a different two worlds here. 557 00:47:04,280 --> 00:47:10,833 Our world is run and occupied by two different worlds. 558 00:47:14,600 --> 00:47:17,910 The one world is balanda 559 00:47:17,920 --> 00:47:21,037 and the other world is yolngu. 560 00:47:21,080 --> 00:47:24,277 When you're carrying the two world on your back, 561 00:47:24,280 --> 00:47:26,510 what do you feel? 562 00:47:26,520 --> 00:47:28,875 How do you feel? 563 00:47:28,880 --> 00:47:31,439 How do you classify that one 564 00:47:31,440 --> 00:47:35,399 with two world on your back? 565 00:47:37,800 --> 00:47:40,997 The world pulling you down 566 00:47:41,000 --> 00:47:43,150 or is it... 567 00:47:44,640 --> 00:47:47,154 Making you standing up? 568 00:48:23,600 --> 00:48:25,909 Michael: We're about to go on an American tour 569 00:48:25,920 --> 00:48:30,118 and gurrumul has not turned up. 570 00:48:30,120 --> 00:48:33,192 We don't know what's going on or where he is, 571 00:48:33,200 --> 00:48:35,759 or actually what to do. 572 00:48:35,760 --> 00:48:39,196 That's a fairly interesting stage... 573 00:48:41,360 --> 00:48:42,634 The night before, 574 00:48:42,640 --> 00:48:45,598 the day of the tour starting throughout America 575 00:48:45,600 --> 00:48:48,353 to launch a massive album in America 576 00:48:48,360 --> 00:48:51,875 and the artist can't go. 577 00:48:57,360 --> 00:48:58,998 Has he done this before? 578 00:48:59,000 --> 00:49:02,037 - No, never. - No, never done that. 579 00:49:04,360 --> 00:49:07,591 If... Andrew, if he had done this before, 580 00:49:07,600 --> 00:49:09,909 we wouldn't have committed 581 00:49:09,920 --> 00:49:13,071 to saying yes, he will come on a tour. 582 00:49:13,080 --> 00:49:14,877 Because... 583 00:49:14,880 --> 00:49:18,589 And I can't ever commit for him to come on a tour again. 584 00:49:18,640 --> 00:49:21,199 Look, I think it's past being homesick. 585 00:49:21,200 --> 00:49:22,838 I don't think he cares about that. 586 00:49:22,840 --> 00:49:25,115 He's got me there, who... 587 00:49:25,120 --> 00:49:27,679 I'm, you know... He's really close to. 588 00:49:27,680 --> 00:49:29,910 He's got a sold-out gig in New York on Tuesday. 589 00:49:29,920 --> 00:49:31,592 Yeah. 590 00:49:31,600 --> 00:49:34,034 And it is sold out. 591 00:49:34,040 --> 00:49:35,678 Yeah. 592 00:49:35,680 --> 00:49:37,830 That's your immediate worry. 593 00:49:37,840 --> 00:49:39,592 He can't blow out the 15th, you know? 594 00:49:39,600 --> 00:49:41,318 - Yeah, I know. - That's an important date. 595 00:49:41,320 --> 00:49:44,118 That's when that letterman guys are coming to see it. 596 00:49:44,120 --> 00:49:46,588 - That has to be on. - Yep. 597 00:49:46,640 --> 00:49:48,119 Yeah. 598 00:49:49,520 --> 00:49:51,112 Hello? 599 00:49:51,120 --> 00:49:52,838 Yeah, I'm here. 600 00:49:52,840 --> 00:49:54,558 Sorry, someone just arrived outside 601 00:49:54,560 --> 00:49:55,675 and we thought it was gurrumul. 602 00:49:55,680 --> 00:49:58,319 Can he remember when his grandfather was alive 603 00:49:58,320 --> 00:49:59,673 or his great-grandfather - 604 00:49:59,680 --> 00:50:02,035 that's how many generations it's going to take 605 00:50:02,040 --> 00:50:05,032 before any other yolngu gets this opportunity. 606 00:50:05,040 --> 00:50:05,870 Yeah, I know. 607 00:50:05,880 --> 00:50:07,871 It will be 100 years or more. 608 00:50:07,880 --> 00:50:11,395 Maybe 200, maybe 500 years, maybe more. 609 00:50:11,400 --> 00:50:13,789 I don't want to see you guys get into the shit. 610 00:50:13,800 --> 00:50:15,597 I don't want to see that either. 611 00:50:15,600 --> 00:50:19,149 And I know how awful these promoters can be, honestly. 612 00:50:19,160 --> 00:50:22,914 They are the worst. They haven't got a... 613 00:50:22,920 --> 00:50:25,593 They haven't got a bloody piece of emotion in them, 614 00:50:25,600 --> 00:50:27,113 - any of them. - Yeah. 615 00:50:27,120 --> 00:50:29,031 I've never met one that does, anyway. 616 00:50:29,080 --> 00:50:30,399 Yep. 617 00:50:30,440 --> 00:50:33,034 What about their insurance? Haven't they got insurance? 618 00:50:43,920 --> 00:50:46,036 Mark: The saddest thing for me 619 00:50:46,040 --> 00:50:49,555 is the possibility that the relationship is gone. 620 00:50:49,560 --> 00:50:51,596 If that relationship was lost, 621 00:50:51,640 --> 00:50:54,393 that's the saddest thing about it all. 622 00:50:54,440 --> 00:50:56,256 Woman: If you need to talk about anything again... 623 00:50:56,280 --> 00:50:58,032 - Yeah, great. - Just give him a call. 624 00:50:58,040 --> 00:51:00,395 - Thank you very much, Robin. - Okay. Thanks, Mark. 625 00:51:00,400 --> 00:51:02,038 Bye-bye. Okay, bye. 626 00:51:08,040 --> 00:51:10,998 Mark: I don't know how he feels about both of us. 627 00:51:11,000 --> 00:51:13,195 I don't know how he feels. 628 00:53:07,360 --> 00:53:10,511 Mark: What you saw was a clash of culture. 629 00:53:10,520 --> 00:53:13,159 It was a clash of a worldview 630 00:53:13,160 --> 00:53:15,993 that we don't fully understand, I think. 631 00:53:17,360 --> 00:53:19,874 We just have a different understanding of time. 632 00:53:19,880 --> 00:53:21,836 We have a different understanding of now 633 00:53:21,840 --> 00:53:23,876 and a different understanding of tomorrow. 634 00:53:26,120 --> 00:53:29,590 We worry about the future endlessly. 635 00:53:29,640 --> 00:53:31,835 They worry about now. 636 00:53:31,840 --> 00:53:33,671 They don't worry about tomorrow. 637 00:53:35,880 --> 00:53:38,758 We have to learn to live with that 638 00:53:38,760 --> 00:53:41,832 more than he has to learn to live with us. 639 00:53:42,800 --> 00:53:45,394 Susan: Today you thinking about the past... 640 00:53:46,840 --> 00:53:49,434 And you look your head... 641 00:53:49,440 --> 00:53:53,831 Turn your head to that future. 642 00:53:57,520 --> 00:53:59,636 It's like a shadow. 643 00:54:01,920 --> 00:54:05,674 It's just a shadow because you never... 644 00:54:05,680 --> 00:54:07,159 You haven't seen it. 645 00:54:14,080 --> 00:54:18,392 Tomorrow, tomorrow, next day. 646 00:54:20,760 --> 00:54:23,320 But today we don't know it. 647 00:55:05,600 --> 00:55:06,919 Gurrumul: Michael. 648 00:55:06,920 --> 00:55:08,353 Michael: Sounds really sweet. 649 00:55:09,640 --> 00:55:12,029 Ya-hoo! Exactly right. 650 00:55:17,600 --> 00:55:19,158 Michael: Do you want to try some vocals? 651 00:55:19,160 --> 00:55:20,354 Yeah. 652 00:55:20,360 --> 00:55:21,759 I'll give you some vocal lines 653 00:55:21,760 --> 00:55:24,832 and you can do it a couple of lines at a time. 654 00:55:24,840 --> 00:55:26,637 - Yeah? - We'll get you to open up 655 00:55:26,640 --> 00:55:28,835 to the really sort of loud, full voice 656 00:55:28,840 --> 00:55:31,274 but really sweet, like what you're doing now. 657 00:55:31,280 --> 00:55:35,193 So let's listen to more of that Keith talking. 658 00:56:03,840 --> 00:56:06,877 Susan: A few people knows forgiveness. 659 00:56:08,600 --> 00:56:11,114 Few people knows forgiving. 660 00:56:14,000 --> 00:56:18,994 Only few people knows how to give... 661 00:56:20,280 --> 00:56:22,077 How to take. 662 00:56:24,680 --> 00:56:27,831 Michael: Yeah, you nailed it. 663 00:56:30,360 --> 00:56:33,113 Mark: We always knew this business was a risk 664 00:56:33,120 --> 00:56:35,509 but it was a risk worth taking. 665 00:56:35,520 --> 00:56:38,830 On the us tour four years ago, we lost, 666 00:56:38,840 --> 00:56:40,831 but all we lost was money. 667 00:56:40,840 --> 00:56:43,354 We didn't lose the relationship with gurrumul. 668 00:56:54,320 --> 00:56:59,394 Susan: Michael and gurrumul is like... 669 00:56:59,440 --> 00:57:01,749 And what does this means? 670 00:57:02,840 --> 00:57:05,877 Do we have same mother or different mother? 671 00:57:05,880 --> 00:57:12,353 How can these two brothers call themselves wawa?? 672 00:57:12,360 --> 00:57:18,390 When I see them, I see them two coming together to be one 673 00:57:18,440 --> 00:57:23,594 and you are giving me a picture, 674 00:57:23,640 --> 00:57:28,111 a great picture of a person being one. 675 00:57:28,120 --> 00:57:29,917 Two but one. 676 00:57:29,920 --> 00:57:36,553 It's a very amazing thing to happen in your life. 677 00:57:36,560 --> 00:57:39,358 Gurrumul: Where you going? 678 00:57:39,360 --> 00:57:41,590 Where you going? 679 00:57:41,600 --> 00:57:44,751 Children: Cool! Coo! 680 00:57:44,760 --> 00:57:46,273 Michael: He and I have talked for years 681 00:57:46,280 --> 00:57:48,839 about what song we want at each other's funeral. 682 00:57:48,840 --> 00:57:52,037 We talk about lots of really in-your-face stuff 683 00:57:52,080 --> 00:57:54,036 to do with death 684 00:57:54,040 --> 00:57:56,838 and he and I have spoken about... 685 00:57:58,000 --> 00:58:00,559 Looking after the other one's kids 686 00:58:00,560 --> 00:58:02,630 if something ever happens to us. 687 00:58:02,640 --> 00:58:04,756 We were only laughing the other day - 688 00:58:04,760 --> 00:58:08,309 Charlie, my son, was talking about... 689 00:58:09,360 --> 00:58:12,193 When you die, some people give their organs over 690 00:58:12,200 --> 00:58:14,589 or give parts of their body for research 691 00:58:14,600 --> 00:58:16,591 or to other people who need them. 692 00:58:16,600 --> 00:58:21,833 And he said, "tell bapa I will give him my eyes if I die." 693 00:58:21,840 --> 00:58:24,638 And, you know, so I told gurrumul this week 694 00:58:24,640 --> 00:58:27,200 and we laugh about things like that. 695 00:58:45,080 --> 00:58:46,593 Gurrumul: Yo. 696 00:59:42,920 --> 00:59:47,675 Susan: I know it's too painful to say this. 697 00:59:49,600 --> 00:59:54,594 It's hurtful, painful 698 00:59:54,640 --> 00:59:58,110 but life is life. 699 01:00:01,280 --> 01:00:04,158 We have one life, one death. 700 01:01:22,880 --> 01:01:24,836 Mark: I haven't lived here for a few years 701 01:01:24,840 --> 01:01:27,673 and coming here almost makes me cry. 702 01:01:27,680 --> 01:01:30,513 These people here in this community get to you. 703 01:01:30,520 --> 01:01:32,556 They get really deep inside you. 704 01:01:32,560 --> 01:01:35,836 Having that connection with gurrumul and the people here 705 01:01:35,840 --> 01:01:37,114 is just... It's like coming home. 706 01:01:37,120 --> 01:01:39,554 And it's a funny thing to say for a whitefella, 707 01:01:39,560 --> 01:01:41,835 to say that it feels like coming home 708 01:01:41,840 --> 01:01:46,072 into an aboriginal community, but that's truly how it feels. 709 01:02:09,440 --> 01:02:12,876 It's a sad occasion but yolngu do funerals really well. 710 01:02:12,880 --> 01:02:15,633 They grieve really well. 711 01:02:15,640 --> 01:02:18,393 They present the final act in someone's life 712 01:02:18,400 --> 01:02:19,674 in an amazing way. 713 01:02:19,680 --> 01:02:21,193 It's an honour to be a part of that. 714 01:02:21,200 --> 01:02:24,829 And to say farewell to that old lady, 715 01:02:24,840 --> 01:02:27,195 you know, give my condolences to the families, 716 01:02:27,280 --> 01:02:29,794 is a great privilege to be able to do that. 717 01:02:45,080 --> 01:02:48,675 Susan: We have one life, one death. 718 01:02:48,680 --> 01:02:51,433 And where is the finishing line 719 01:02:51,440 --> 01:02:54,193 and where is the starting line? 720 01:02:54,200 --> 01:02:56,031 We just don't know it. 721 01:02:57,760 --> 01:03:04,598 Gurrumul is djungi for his mother tribe. 722 01:03:04,600 --> 01:03:10,835 Djungi has a responsibility, a role, 723 01:03:10,840 --> 01:03:15,197 to carry out what's been given to him 724 01:03:15,280 --> 01:03:17,555 from his mother clan. 725 01:03:17,560 --> 01:03:21,109 Like today, when we look at gurrumul now, 726 01:03:21,120 --> 01:03:25,830 his responsibility in djungi are growing up as well. 727 01:03:25,840 --> 01:03:29,833 When his songs are growing up, he is the right person 728 01:03:29,840 --> 01:03:32,638 to present that message to the world. 729 01:03:34,760 --> 01:03:38,833 Susan: I am thinking about gurrumul. 730 01:03:38,840 --> 01:03:42,389 His life book is closing. 731 01:03:42,440 --> 01:03:45,671 The last pages is open. 732 01:03:47,360 --> 01:03:50,557 This is the last page that we're going to read it 733 01:03:50,560 --> 01:03:52,869 and then close it. 734 01:03:58,040 --> 01:04:01,794 Susan: Gurrumul has a responsibility to sing, 735 01:04:01,800 --> 01:04:04,268 to harmonise his mother. 736 01:04:06,440 --> 01:04:07,839 And he has every right 737 01:04:07,840 --> 01:04:10,638 to present that message to the world 738 01:04:10,640 --> 01:04:13,200 because he is called djungi. 739 01:04:46,760 --> 01:04:48,671 Michael: Gurrumul's been talking about 740 01:04:48,680 --> 01:04:53,799 going deeper into his roots, into traditional music, 741 01:04:53,800 --> 01:04:56,792 his language and where he comes from. 742 01:04:56,800 --> 01:04:59,678 And so we're going to try to match 743 01:04:59,680 --> 01:05:02,752 yolngu chants and yolngu songs 744 01:05:02,760 --> 01:05:05,752 with minimalist classical repetitive music - 745 01:05:05,760 --> 01:05:09,355 elements of both of our cultures' music together, 746 01:05:09,360 --> 01:05:11,828 to his world and to our world. 747 01:05:17,200 --> 01:05:19,316 Michael: Yeah, okay. 748 01:05:36,520 --> 01:05:38,397 Erkki? Yeah. 749 01:05:38,400 --> 01:05:43,838 Erkki, can you come and listen to the yidaki part 750 01:05:43,840 --> 01:05:46,638 and just check that it is matching? 751 01:05:47,840 --> 01:05:50,149 Erkki: I've done really careful listening 752 01:05:50,160 --> 01:05:51,991 of the yidaki parts. 753 01:05:55,040 --> 01:05:58,112 And then I've notated them into western notation. 754 01:05:58,120 --> 01:06:00,918 Trying to find a western notation 755 01:06:00,920 --> 01:06:05,914 for the oral culture is a real challenge. 756 01:06:05,920 --> 01:06:08,673 Michael: No, it's not the same as what you're singing. 757 01:06:08,680 --> 01:06:09,829 - Erkki? - Yep? 758 01:06:09,840 --> 01:06:11,353 Maybe play the whole track again 759 01:06:11,360 --> 01:06:14,079 and come and listen to what he sings, 'cause it's different. 760 01:06:14,080 --> 01:06:15,354 Erkki: Sure. 761 01:06:23,840 --> 01:06:26,991 Michael: This is Australia's only music. 762 01:06:28,280 --> 01:06:32,159 And once you discover it, you work out 763 01:06:32,160 --> 01:06:35,357 that that's a language that no-one here knows. 764 01:06:35,360 --> 01:06:39,592 None of the players here today know that language. 765 01:06:39,640 --> 01:06:41,517 Erkki: I wouldn't mind doing that section 766 01:06:41,520 --> 01:06:42,748 just one more time. 767 01:06:48,080 --> 01:06:50,355 Erkki: Okay, let's do that again, yep. 768 01:06:51,920 --> 01:06:54,832 Yeah, sorry. Yep, that's cool, cool. 769 01:06:57,080 --> 01:06:59,753 Do you mind doing that just one more time? 770 01:06:59,760 --> 01:07:02,399 That was great. Alright, sorry, sorry. 771 01:07:02,400 --> 01:07:03,515 Woman: I'm sorry. 772 01:07:03,520 --> 01:07:05,078 That happened right at the beginning. 773 01:07:05,080 --> 01:07:08,629 Erkki: Yeah, great, cool. Alright, take five seconds. 774 01:07:08,640 --> 01:07:11,359 We all need a break, I know. 775 01:07:11,360 --> 01:07:12,873 Michael: We found the best way 776 01:07:12,880 --> 01:07:14,871 to understand gurrumul's language 777 01:07:14,880 --> 01:07:17,599 was to change the way we were listening to it. 778 01:07:17,600 --> 01:07:20,797 Well, if they play the track again, can you play me... 779 01:07:20,800 --> 01:07:23,030 Just clap what the belma does? 780 01:07:58,080 --> 01:07:59,832 Yeah. Great. 781 01:07:59,840 --> 01:08:01,353 - Erkki: That kind of thing? - Yeah. 782 01:08:01,360 --> 01:08:02,588 That's the right thing? 783 01:08:02,600 --> 01:08:03,828 Something heavy underneath it. 784 01:08:03,840 --> 01:08:05,671 - Yeah, like a bass drum. - Yeah. 785 01:08:05,680 --> 01:08:07,910 And erkki, flags. 786 01:08:07,920 --> 01:08:11,913 Erkki: Yeah, yeah, for sure. Yeah, yeah. 787 01:08:11,920 --> 01:08:13,990 - Like dancing, you know? - Yeah, yeah, yeah. 788 01:08:14,000 --> 01:08:16,559 - I think that would be great. - Yeah. 789 01:09:15,240 --> 01:09:18,038 Michael: It's great. 790 01:09:23,880 --> 01:09:27,156 Michael: The more and more we all share ideas, 791 01:09:30,280 --> 01:09:35,559 because he realises that I'm inside his head 792 01:09:35,560 --> 01:09:37,994 and that he's inside mine. 793 01:09:38,000 --> 01:09:42,232 I feel... I feel lucky being able to work with him. 794 01:10:10,520 --> 01:10:12,272 Michael: Yeah, it's beautiful. 795 01:11:13,280 --> 01:11:15,714 Great ending. 796 01:11:15,720 --> 01:11:17,551 - Erkki: Did that feel good? - Yeah, amazing. 797 01:11:17,560 --> 01:11:18,709 Erkki: Beautiful. 798 01:11:57,040 --> 01:12:00,112 Michael: We're going back to the United States 799 01:12:00,120 --> 01:12:02,873 to try again. 800 01:12:04,040 --> 01:12:07,032 This time it's going on a musical journey 801 01:12:07,040 --> 01:12:09,998 rather than a big promotional exercise. 802 01:12:10,000 --> 01:12:12,753 What gurrumul sees of success 803 01:12:12,760 --> 01:12:16,719 is when his family recognise what he's doing 804 01:12:16,720 --> 01:12:19,439 is most representative of them, 805 01:12:19,440 --> 01:12:21,556 their culture and their music. 806 01:12:21,560 --> 01:12:25,872 What I see it as is being recognised 807 01:12:25,880 --> 01:12:28,235 not just in Australia but internationally 808 01:12:28,240 --> 01:12:30,708 as something that's really significant. 809 01:12:30,720 --> 01:12:34,679 So we're going with slightly different agendas 810 01:12:34,680 --> 01:12:36,591 but I get this really strong feeling 811 01:12:36,600 --> 01:12:39,717 that gurrumul's trying to do something for us this time. 812 01:14:54,920 --> 01:14:58,037 Michael: The anxiety has kind of diminished for me a lot 813 01:14:58,080 --> 01:15:00,275 because I know that he feels like 814 01:15:00,280 --> 01:15:03,113 he's completed a lot of things that he never would have 815 01:15:03,120 --> 01:15:06,237 without this journey that we've been on. 816 01:15:06,240 --> 01:15:08,674 Never would have gone near it. 817 01:15:12,880 --> 01:15:15,633 Mark: In everything that we do in this business, 818 01:15:15,680 --> 01:15:21,152 every project that we do with artists, 819 01:15:21,160 --> 01:15:22,912 we treat it as though 820 01:15:22,920 --> 01:15:25,514 it's the last thing we're ever going to do with them, 821 01:15:25,520 --> 01:15:31,231 because you can't be certain, for lots of different reasons, 822 01:15:31,240 --> 01:15:35,153 that there is a future for anyone. 823 01:15:35,160 --> 01:15:39,790 And so we've had to basically operate 824 01:15:39,840 --> 01:15:43,230 with a fatalistic view that everything that we do - 825 01:15:43,240 --> 01:15:45,435 the next album we do, the next concert we do - 826 01:15:45,440 --> 01:15:47,396 is the last one. 827 01:15:47,400 --> 01:15:51,279 But where's it going to end? Could end tomorrow. 828 01:16:12,160 --> 01:16:15,436 Michael: Gurrumul lost his father this week. 829 01:16:15,440 --> 01:16:19,194 So this is a dedication to him. It's called bapa. 830 01:19:48,320 --> 01:19:50,993 Susan: From the oldest son, 831 01:19:51,000 --> 01:19:55,915 the father passes his responsibility 832 01:19:55,920 --> 01:20:01,836 to carry on whatever is in this world, 833 01:20:01,840 --> 01:20:04,673 including the cultural thing. 834 01:20:14,440 --> 01:20:16,635 That's the real role 835 01:20:16,640 --> 01:20:22,795 for a person that can stand in the middle... 836 01:20:24,400 --> 01:20:26,834 And do his part 837 01:20:26,840 --> 01:20:31,789 as an eldest son usually do. 838 01:22:56,320 --> 01:22:58,993 Susan: The end of the book... 839 01:22:59,000 --> 01:23:02,072 That book soon will be closing, 840 01:23:02,080 --> 01:23:04,639 but to me, 841 01:23:04,640 --> 01:23:09,794 that book will be open to me and my children. 842 01:23:09,840 --> 01:23:12,673 That book will be still open 843 01:23:12,680 --> 01:23:17,276 and know his life will be open to us in future. 844 01:23:22,680 --> 01:23:27,151 And that's what his life is all about, 845 01:23:27,160 --> 01:23:28,912 his yolngu life. 846 01:23:28,920 --> 01:23:32,879 And what's the stories about his life 847 01:23:32,880 --> 01:23:38,637 and what everything that he sings and compose song - 848 01:23:38,680 --> 01:23:44,630 it's about life, life here on this earth. 849 01:23:47,400 --> 01:23:49,277 And all those... 850 01:23:49,280 --> 01:23:53,831 Those pain that we had in the past - 851 01:23:53,840 --> 01:23:58,356 seeing him, that he was born blind, you know - 852 01:23:58,360 --> 01:24:00,237 that pain is gone. 853 01:24:00,240 --> 01:24:07,510 That pain and that sorrow and that hard, hard head is gone. 854 01:24:07,560 --> 01:24:13,396 You know? It's very amazing. 855 01:24:13,400 --> 01:24:16,790 I can say it's amazing, you know. 856 01:25:09,680 --> 01:25:12,239 Man: Wak means he's a crow. 857 01:25:12,240 --> 01:25:17,633 Crows leads us to our promised land. 858 01:27:14,240 --> 01:27:17,630 Mark: There are songs in aboriginal Australia 859 01:27:17,640 --> 01:27:20,199 that go back 10, 20,000 years. 860 01:27:20,200 --> 01:27:22,316 So they tell the history of the country. 861 01:27:22,320 --> 01:27:25,437 They give an explanation for the world and how it is. 862 01:27:25,440 --> 01:27:28,591 So, culturally, this is amazing content. 863 01:27:28,600 --> 01:27:33,390 But we don't, as a country... 864 01:27:33,440 --> 01:27:35,635 We don't take it very seriously 865 01:27:35,640 --> 01:27:37,631 or we don't treat it with the respect 866 01:27:37,680 --> 01:27:40,035 it should be treated with. 867 01:27:40,040 --> 01:27:43,794 And I always look at the opera house and think, you know, 868 01:27:43,840 --> 01:27:48,868 if every day one tile fell off the opera house 869 01:27:48,880 --> 01:27:50,233 and no-one did anything about it, 870 01:27:50,240 --> 01:27:52,708 there would be an absolute outrage. 871 01:27:52,720 --> 01:27:54,711 That's what's happening in aboriginal Australia. 872 01:27:54,720 --> 01:27:59,236 These things are national treasures. 873 01:27:59,240 --> 01:28:00,719 The songs, the stories, 874 01:28:00,720 --> 01:28:03,234 the language, the experience of aboriginal Australia 875 01:28:03,240 --> 01:28:04,434 are national treasures. 876 01:28:04,440 --> 01:28:07,796 Every day a tile falls off. Every day a word gets lost. 877 01:28:07,840 --> 01:28:10,912 Every day a song gets lost. Every day something gets lost. 878 01:28:10,920 --> 01:28:13,718 And no-one does anything about it. 879 01:35:31,080 --> 01:35:34,117 Man: Did you enjoy the playing the first time in a pub? 880 01:35:34,120 --> 01:35:35,872 Yeah. 881 01:35:35,880 --> 01:35:38,872 You should do it more often. You just change your name. 882 01:35:38,880 --> 01:35:41,269 You just come in as g-unit. 883 01:35:41,280 --> 01:35:44,397 Yeah, g-unit. 884 01:35:44,440 --> 01:35:48,718 - Not gurrumul, g-unit. - Yeah, not gurrumul, g-unit.