Kardajala Kirridarra, or ‘Sandhill Women’, is the name of a group of bush woman from the sandhills of the Malinja community in the Northern Territory, and it is the descendants of these mysterious women who, together with Melbourne producer Beatrice Lewis, have formed a musical project which carries the same name as their foremothers.
Kardajala Kirridarra make music to empower. Made up of songwriter and vocalist Eleanor Dixon; multi-instrumentalist and electronic producer Beatrice Lewis; key translator, storyteller, poet and Eleanor’s aunty Janey Dixon; and rapper, MC Kayla Jackson, the creative collective aim to powerfully convey the connection between Aboriginal women and country and remind the world of the importance of women as creators.
Premiering here today, ‘Ngurra (Rain Song)’ is the latest spellbinding single from Kardajala Kirridarra, which blends elements of ambient electronica, pop and traditional rhythmic beats. Sung in Mudburra, the song’s chorus translates to: “Look at that cloud over there, it’s coming with lots of water” and according to Janey Dixon is about “how we connect to the country through rain and how water is so important to us.”
‘Ngurra (Rain Song)’ is taken from Kardajala Kirridarra self-titled debut album, which is out Friday 7th July. Have a listen here.
