Entertainment
11 December, 2024
Indigenous artist hopes to inspire
A LOCAL musician recently showcased his artistry in front of a big crowd at the Tanks Art Centre in Cairns and hopes his achievement can strengthen his positive influence on the Indigenous youth that he is a proud mentor of.
Nathan “Naynay” Rodgers is an emerging First Nations artist from Mareeba and recently had the opportunity to perform at the Cairns Music Industry Gathering held at the Tanks.
The event was organised by QMusic, with the aim to “foster growth and collaboration in the Cairns region by uniting industry professionals, artists, venue operators and key stakeholders”.
“The event was for linking up and connecting with other musicians,” Nathan said.
“They had big event organisers there and it was a good opportunity to just learn about the industry.”
Born and raised in the small Aboriginal community of Yumbas in Mareeba, music has always had a strong grip on the 41-year-old’s heart.
He performs under the name Naynay Muluridji Music and sings a variety of original and cover songs in the reggae, country and Aboriginal (or Bama) genres.
“It has definitely always been my passion,” he said. “Music is everything to me. It gives me purpose and it gives me respect from other people.
“My uncles down in Kuranda formed an Aboriginal reggae band (in 1978) called Mantaka and they really inspired me and had a big impact on my life growing up.”
Nathan’s use of guitar, didgeridoo and other Aboriginal instruments blend tradition and soul in an authentic way.
“I grew up going to church in Yumbas (Mareeba Community Fellowship Church), that my dad and his brothers built back in the 80s,” Nathan said.
“That definitely inspired me to want to build something of my own one day and I hope to do that with my music.
“I started learning guitar when I was about nine, both in church and from some of the elders who came to the primary school to teach us at lunch times.
“I started singing much later, and only properly started learning how to recently,” he laughed, “maybe over the last three years.”
Nathan has been playing gigs for many years locally, performing in Mareeba, Mossman, Ingham, Kuranda and Cairns, among other places. He also played at the recent
Tablelands Folk Festival.
He started writing his original music around four years ago and hopes to inspire his people by sharing his life experiences through music.
“I only started writing when I was about 37 and there’s so much that I’ve been through, so it’s good that I can write about my life experiences now,” he said.
“We’re trying to build another park down in our reserve and that’s why I’m doing these gigs, so I can raise a bit of money and hopefully get more people involved.
“I’m also doing gigs to pay for studio time, so I can get my originals recorded and upload them online for everyone to hear.
“I’m going to a recording studio in the Gold Coast in January next year and they’re going to teach me about certain software and how to record my own music.
“It’s a program for First Nations and they want me to take part. After that, hopefully I can bring back some knowledge and do something in the community,” he added.
Beyond performing, Nathan studies Music at TAFE and is dedicated to mentoring Indigenous youth, planning to become a music teacher once his studies are finished.
He tries to inspire the next generation to embrace their roots and express themselves creatively through music workshops, volunteering and benefit concerts.
“I want to inspire the younger generation,” he said determinedly.
“Hopefully speaking through my music will bring respect back and bring a sense of community back to Mareeba.
“I want to start a program up here next year to teach the younger ones to play instruments and sing or write music.
“Next year I’ll be linking up with the International Club to perform, fundraise and maybe even bring in Indigenous stalls to sell art and other things like that,” he said.
For more information about Nathan’s music visit www.naynaymusicproductions.com.au/
