Ripple Effect Band, “Loving and Caring”

Sometimes, even in this hyper-digital age, the hardest thing for a band to do is get their music heard.

For the Ripple Effect Band, an all-female ensemble from Maningrida, Arnhem Land, a small community of fewer than 3,000 people in the Northern Territory, it’s harder than most.

But this is where the Bush Music Fund comes into play.

The First Nations Music Pathway program provides valuable support to First Nations artists and helps reduce the barriers faced by artists in remote areas in building sustainable music careers.

The Bush Music Fund offers financial support and services in three categories: New Artist, Emerging Artist and Established Artist. This year, the Ripple Effect Band was selected in the latter category.

Now the musicians, who were the first women from their community to play instruments and form their own band, will receive two years of $30,000 in grants, as well as the opportunity to release an album, tour the record and do vinyl pressings. “Life-changing” is an overused term, but it’s the one that immediately springs to mind here.

To kick things off, the rock band has released a music video for their latest single “Loving and Caring,” which you can watch below.

You don’t need to understand the Australian Aboriginal language Kune or English to feel the emotion of the song. “Njale yi-njilng warreminj kangurdul-me (If you are angry with me, show me how you feel, tell me what you mean)”, they sing at the beginning, after a sparkling acoustic guitar intro.

The accompanying video perfectly complements the relaxed, slow number, featuring footage of the band doing their thing on stage and singing amidst beautiful nature. (Maningrida Dance, who previously supported J-MILLA on stage, also makes an appearance.)

“Loving and Caring” follows the band’s previous single “Walaya” and Ripple Effect Band has a new song ready for release.

“Na-Kalamandjarda” is out later this month and to celebrate they are going on tour for a few shows, including a performance at the Daminmin Festival on July 27th. Ticket information for their upcoming shows can be found here.

“Loving and Caring” by Ripple Effect Band is out now.