Tag: Christine Anu

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Chris Tamwoy Rerecords “Kulba Yaday” With Original Artist, Christine Anu

Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Chris Tamwoy has joined living treasure Christine Anu for a beautiful new version of her song “Kulba Yaday.” I must admit, I wasn’t familiar with the original but I’m glad it’s on my radar now. It’s such a calming, soul-nourishing track. Listen out for backing vocals from another emerging artist, Tania-Rose Gibuma.

“Kulba Yaday” means “old talk” in Christine’s mother language, Kalaw Kawaw Ya. The song takes the listener through a journey of the traditions and culture of the people of Torres Strait.

“Kulba Yaday is one of my personal favourites,” Chris explained. “I come from a very big family that are music lovers and majority of them play instruments and sing songs. In this case, Kulba Yaday has always been a ‘go to’ song to sing and jam along to.

“Torres Strait language is a vital part of growing up; it’s what paints our identity as First Nations Australians. The conversations I have with my old people, old people being my Elders, are generally focused on preparing me for the challenges that lie ahead. ‘Kulba Yaday’, meaning ‘old talk’ by ‘Kulba Mabaygal’ meaning ‘old people’ is the foundation to our life. The ‘old talk’ contains messages of wisdom and understanding to assist us in the future to become better men and women. It holds the answers to questions that we will ask ourselves later down the track.”

When Christine heard Chris wanted to record the song, she jumped at the chance to help out. She’s a real fan, calling him an artist who “should be celebrated for an individuality, his uniqueness.” Like Christine, I think we’ll be hearing a lot more from Chris Tamwoy.

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu and Greg Gould Team Up For “Without You

I go see more musicals than the average Aussie I think, but none has stayed with me like RENT. I saw it the first time it was performed in Australia, with Christine Anu playing Mimi. Remarkably, that was 20 years ago. I feel so old! I’ve seen RENT twice more since then: once in New York and again in Newcastle with an amateur theatre production. It’s that kind of musical that stands up to repeated showings, thanks largely to the strength of its songs. So I was thrilled to see Christine has revisited one of the most beautiful ballads from the musical, “Without You,” with the phenomenal Greg Gould.

“It’s not just that it’s a beautiful song,” says Christine. “But the themes from the show and the sentiment in the song are still so relevant. Social media shows this world of perfection and magnifies any sense of loneliness or separation. Greg has explored some of these in his own music which is why I’m excited to do this song with him.”

Like me, the music of RENT has long resonated with Greg. “Obviously I relate to many of the themes but the show follows people as they search for happiness in the face of intolerance, persecution and hardship. So many people in my life have been there.”

This new version of “Without You” has been released with a stunning clip exploring the way that life has changed for people with HIV thanks to medical advances and access to new medications and health services.

Hopefully this release will remind people how relevant and important RENT is and we can see another major production on our shores sometime soon. Twenty years is far too long!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Releases Video for Native Language Song

With Christine Anu’s new album Restylin’ Up 20 Years now in stores, I figured it was worth taking a look at one of its bonus songs, “Kulba Yaday.”

It’s a beautiful number performed in the language of the Torres Strait Islands. You might not understand the words, but I’m sure you can sense the sadness in Christine’s delivery. It speaks of Indigenous people losing their culture and stories passed down through the generations.

“’Kulba Yaday’ unfortunately did not make it onto the original album, but it was always a song I wanted to be part of Stylin’ Up. It is written in KKY (Kalaw Kawaw Oya) language and is a song of lament,” says Christine. “This wonderful song came to me in a dream and was written with a cultural elder and family member and is a very special song to me. Partly because it is sung in language but also because it speaks to my Torres Strait Islander heritage which I am enormously proud of.”

Remember, if you love Christine you can see her performing this song and others from her Restylin’ Up 20 Years album at the following shows.

13 June 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
14 August 2015 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 August 2015 – The Basement, Sydney
21 August 2015 – The Bean Bar, Taree
22 August 2015 – The Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2015 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
12 September 2015 – Laycock Street Theatre, North Gosford
24 October 2015 – The Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Celebrates 20 Years with Live Album & Tour

Can you believe it’s been 20 years since Christine Anu made a splash on the local music scene with her debut album Stylin’ Up? Featuring the hit singles “Party” and “Island Home,” it introduced Australia to one of its most enduring singers.

Christine is celebrating the milestone with a brand new live album, Restylin’ Up 20 Years, due for release on June 19. It features the tracks from that first release plus two extra songs, “Island Home’s” B-side “Kulbay Yaday” and another bonus track, “Ocean of Regret.”

Christine is currently taking music lovers back to the 90s with her Stylin’ Up 20th Anniversary tour. Here are the remaining dates.

13 June 2015 – The Street Theatre, Canberra
14 August 2015 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
15 August 2015 – The Basement, Sydney
21 August 2015 – The Bean Bar, Taree
22 August 2015 – The Jetty Theatre, Coffs Harbour
11 September 2015 – Illawarra Performing Arts Centre, Wollongong
12 September 2015 – Laycock Street Theatre, North Gosford
24 October 2015 – The Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Spreads Festive Cheer with “Island Christmas”

I don’t mean to alarm you, but Christmas is just two weeks away. If you’re stressed because there aren’t enough shopping days left and you’re dreading family get-togethers, then check out Christine Anu’s new film clip. “Island Christmas” should get you in the mood for the season as we celebrate it here in Australia. The clip definitely speaks to me a lot more than some depiction of a winter wonderland!

“Island Christmas” is the title track from Christine’s brand new Christmas album, which is in stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Christine Anu Celebrates Festive Season with “Island Christmas”

I love Christmas. It’s only November but I’ve already started my Christmas shopping. I’ll be dragging out my decorations and Christmas CDs once my husband breaks down and decides it’s no longer too early. But I must admit, I feel about silly singing about winter wonderlands and sleigh bells in the snow when the mercury’s soaring. So I was thrilled to learn that Christine Anu is releasing her much more Aussie-friendly festive album Island Christmas tomorrow.

The album features duets with Steve Clisby and Jay Laga’aia, and even a cameo from her own kids Kuiam and Zipporah on the title track.

“I wrote the title track when my kids and their friends and cousins were quite young – we love singing – and I’d always get them to sing along with me. So even though they’re now a lot older, the inclusion of their voices on the album is incredibly nostalgic for me – it’s what Christmas is all about, in creating and recalling special memories each year,” said Christine in a press release.

“The song is a little tongue-in-cheek, with Aussie slang sound bites from Australian poetry and prose, conjuring up images of a unique summer Christmas spent at the beach, with family and friends, meeting up again for that one special time of the year.”

Look out for Island Christmas in stores tomorrow.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jazz in the Vines Just Keeps Getting Better

Jazz in the Vines is gearing up for another big year with more food, more wine, more music and more fun!

The annual Hunter Valley jazzfest is scheduled for October 31. A stellar line-up has already been announced, including The Australian Army Band and Dixieland Jazz Band, Watussi, Galapagos Duck, the fabulous foursome Christine Anu, Grace Knight, Paulini, and Monica Trapaga, and perennial favourite James Morrison.

Add six of the area’s premier wineries and a host of local restaurants and you’ve got a recipe for a fantastic day out.

Tickets are available from May 11 for the bargain price of $65. Get yours from the  Jazz in the Vines website, and all Ticketmaster and Moshtix outlets.

Image source: Stephen Michael Barnett @ Wikimedia Commons