Skinnyfish Music
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| Skinnyfish Music | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 |
| Genre | Indigenous Roots |
| Country of origin | Australia |
| Location | Darwin |
| Official website | www |
Skinnyfish Music is a Darwin, Australia based independent record label. The label blends traditional Australian First Nations sounds, language, and instrumentation with modern western music genres.
Skinnyfish Music was co-founded in 1999 by Mark Grose and Michael Hohnen.[1][2] The label connects remote Indigenous communities to mainstream global music markets[3][4] through business development mentoring, education and promotion.[5]
Skinnyfish undertake extensive community engagement around the production and cultural preservation of First Nations music, through consultation with the musicians, family members and community elders. They also support a model of fostering economic independence in their artists[1] and encourage local music at community events.[6]
In 2009 they struck a deal with Dramatico Entertainment for the Pan-European release of all the label's albums, after the success of "Gurrumul" across Europe [7]
In 2023 in an international, cross-cultural effort with Dr. Lily Yulianti Farid, Skinny Fish Music helped to facilitate the recording of a Yolngu-Macassan version "Bayini", a significant story for Yolngu peoples.[8]
Notable artists associated with Skinnyfish Music
- Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu[9]
- Lonely Boys[4]
- B2M (Bathurst to Melville)
- Saltwater Band
- Mark A Hunter, Songs from the Buffalo Country (2008)[10]
- Nabarlek Band[11]
- Ego Lemos, O Hele Le (2009)
- Wildflower Band
- Manuel Dhurrkay
- June Mills, I'll be the One (2005)[12]
- Shellie Morris
- Mambali Band
- Tom E Lewis
- Dewayne Everettsmith
Community engagement
The label engages with Indigenous communities through touring music groups and artists to festivals, where the main message is of cultural pride, healthy lifestyle education[13] and social change promotion.[1]
The label has also been notable for its championing of fair compensation for artists.[14]
Skinnyfish Music has played a significant role in addressing pressing social issues within remote Indigenous communities.[15][16]
Projects and festivals
- Galiwin'ku Festival - Healthy Lifestyle Festival started in 1998 and was managed by the Ngalkanbuy Health Clinic.[17]
- Barunga Festival - A celebration of remote Indigenous community life, held annually on the Queen's birthday long weekend June in the small community of Barunga.[18]
- Darwin International Jazz & Arts Festival[19] - held on one night in July (the Dinidjanggama heavy dew season) of Garramilla, Gulumoerrgin, Larrakia country[20] Initiatied by Skinnyfish Music in 2023.[21]
- Skinnyfish Sound System - Modern Tribal Late Night Dance Party[22] bringing indigenous musicians from remote Australia to remix their traditional songs to popular beats[23]
