Three brothers bring Karajarri sounds to IOT
Regional Arts WA
The Australian Government and Regional Arts WA are delighted to bring the Family Shoveller Band to Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) this March.
Carrying its sound from the red desert of the Kimberley to the glistening shores of the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT), the Family Shoveller Band is sure to wow local audiences.
Performing a unique blend of reggae, pop, rock and contemporary tunes, the Family Shoveller Band features three brothers: Francis Shoveller on drums, Billy-Jo Shoveller on guitar and lead vocals, and Jordan Wright on bass.
Originally from the remote community of Bidyadanga, south of Broome, the brothers were taught to play by their father, Frankie Shoveller, and now share songs in both Karajarri language and English, telling stories of their culture and life on the land, and passing their stories to the next generation. Their music has entertained plenty of fans around Western Australia, including performances at the Nannup Music Festival, Fairbridge and the State of the Art Festivals, and these laid-back rockers really know how to get the audience up and dancing.
The Family Shoveller Band bring an upbeat blend of reggae, pop and contemporary tunes. Photo courtesy The Family Shoveller Band.
The Family Shoveller Band tour forms part of Regional Arts WA’s long-running presenting program, providing support and capacity-building initiatives for regional arts organisations to program high quality performing arts in their communities.
Regional Arts WA CEO Paul MacPhail says it is important that the organisation’s statewide presenting program could extend its reach to the (IOT).
“This program supports regional presenters like Arts and Culture Christmas Island and the Shire of Cocos (Keeling) Islands to enrich the creative lives of their communities with high quality performances, inspiring people from all walks of life to participate in the arts.
“The Family Shoveller Band is an incredibly talented group of First Nations musicians, who will bring a uniquely Western Australian sound to the islands.”
The Australian Government, through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, Territories Division, provides funding to the WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Regional Arts WA, Arts and Culture Christmas Island and the Shire of CKI to bring arts to the IOT.
Tour dates:
Friday 26 March, 6pm
Scout Park
Locally presented by Shire of Cocos Keeling Islands
Sunday 28 March, 4pm
Home Island Foreshore
Locally presented by Shire of Cocos Keeling Islands
Thursday 1 April, 1pm
Christmas Island District High School
Locally presented by Arts & Culture Christmas Island
Sunday 4 April, 7pm
Police Padang
Locally presented by Arts & Culture Christmas Island
