Well, this was something else. I was called by the Northern Territory of Australia Tourism Department about the V8 Supercar races in Austin. They, along with Brad Jones Racing, asked me to play for the crowd and cameras at the Austin 400 race, during the grid walks.  So I got Omid Laridjani to join me as we rocked the paddock for 2 demonstrations before each race.  It was a bang up time.  Fast and furious.

The Rainbow Serpent (Snake) is an important part of the beliefs and culture of the people of western Arnhem Land. Today the Rainbow Serpent is associated with ceremonies about fertility and abundance, as well as the organisation of the community and the keeping of peace. The Rainbow Serpent is also part of the beliefs of Aboriginal people in other parts of Australia, but is best known from Arnhem Land.

The Rainbow Serpent has been described by George Chaloupka, the foremost expert on the rock art of Arnhem Land, as follows:

“The belief in the Rainbow Snake, a personification of fertility, increase (richness in propoagation of plants and animals) and rain, is common throughout Australia. It is a creator of human beings, having life-giving powers that send conception spirits to all the waterholes. It is responsible for regenerating rains, and also for storms and floods when it acts as an agent of punishment against those who transgress the law or upset it in any way. It swallows people in great floods and regurgitates their bones, which turn into stone, thus documenting such events. Rainbow snakes can also enter a man and endow him with magical powers, or leave ‘little rainbows’, their progeny, within his body which will make him ail and die. As the regenerative and reproductive power in nature and human beings, it is the main character in the region’s major rituals.” (from page 47, “Journey in Time”, Reed 1993).

Source: http://www.aboriginalartonline.com

Image of the olive python, known in northwest Australia as “Witdidj,” is one of Australia’s largest snakes.

I’m proud to be one of the backers for this movie by L.A. Director Joshua Bell. I can’t wait for its premiere. For more updated information, please click here.

Why Is No One Listening documents Djalu Gurruwiwi, Australian Aboriginal elder, leader of the Galpu clan, and world-renowned didjeridu master, as he fights for the future of his family and his community. Alcoholism and drug abuse run rampant, while a ravenous bauxite mining company continues to swallow up sacred land and precious resources. Armed with his yirdaki (didjeridu), and a mixture of Aboriginal spirituality and adopted Christianity, Djalu struggles to maintain his culture and traditions within the tiny mining community of Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory.

The future of Djalu’s Galpu clan remains uncertain. Despite Djalu’s intentions to preserve tradition, his open heart, and his willingness to speak to the Western world are frowned upon by other clan leaders. Without a clear successor to his leadership, Djalu, in his eighties, is uncertain as to who will carry on his legacy and sacred knowledge of traditional didjeridu.

With unprecedented access into the daily lives of Djalu and the Gurruwiwi family in Australia’s Top End of Arnhem Land, this compelling documentary provides a unique examination of the experience of the modern aborigine and reveals crucial challenges to a clan’s survival. Shot on location, Why Is No One Listening is a mystical journey of discovery, giving voice to an ancient wisdom essential to the world’s cultural heritage.

Photos: August Thurmer

Additional Resources and Press:

Djalu Gurruwiwi has received press and recognition from around the world. Below is a list of additional information that can be found on Djalu, the didjeridu and the Yolngu:

Djalu’s Website

http://www.djalu.com/djalu.html

Djalu’s Complete biography

http://www.djalu.com/files/djalu_biography.pdf

Australian Didjeridu Cultural Hub

http://www.ididj.com.au/

Buku-Larrngay Mulka Art Center

http://www.yirrkala.com/index.html

My longtime friend Paul Taylor is very involved with Yidumduma Bill Harney and Wardaman people of the Yubulyawan clan. He is currently director of the YUBULYAWAN DREAMING PROJECT (website coming soon) in documenting the Yubulyawan clan wisdom for the masses. Below is a site link for the program Global Spirit which featured Yidumduma Bill Harney and western dream “specialist” Dr. Stephen Aizenstat. check it out!

www.cemproductions.org/globalspirit/dreams-visions-and-realities/

Where does your consciousness “go” at night when you sleep? For many Western psychologists, dreaming provides an opportunity for the rational mind to encounter its unconscious intuitions, associations, and inner guidance — an awareness not easily accessible during our highly-structured “awake” lives.

For many indigenous cultures, dreaming is a way of being that is always informed by a spiritual presence. In the Aboriginal concept of “The Dreaming,” all life exists within a state that blends past, present and future simultaneously.In this Global Spirit program, host Phil Cousineau presents different interpretations and domains of dreaming — blending recent scientific discoveries from an American dream specialist with rare insights on the native wisdom of “The Dreamtime” by an Australian Aboriginal elder.

This program features Yidumduma Bill Harney, an Aboriginal elder, master storyteller, painter, and highly-respected Wardaman Dreamtime authority, and Dr. Stephen Aizenstat, a dream specialist explains how the dreamer’s symbols and archetypes can reveal the hidden intelligence within a dream, or what he calls: “Nature’s dreaming.”

“Moving Mountains”  by Barra and Govinda

(Austin, Texas) -  Austin Didjeridu player and percussionist, Barra (aka Ron Crose), combines his unique playing style with electronic artist Govinda’s modern beat wizardry and virtuoso violin. The new release “Moving Mountains” is a mid-tempo, global electronic sound with a cinematic approach as it bridges old and new worlds of music.

“Moving Mountains” features special appearances of musicians like Fared Shafinury, the Iranian-American setar player who has had the privilege of studying under some of Iran’s most prominent Masters including: Ostad Mozaffari, Ostad Zolghadr, Ostad Shaari, Ostad Soukuti and Ostad Mohammad Reza Lotfi. Chinese vocalist, inspirational speaker and performer Yuan Miao joins in on Moving Mountains and Sea Dragon, and vocalist Naga Valli can be heard on Birds of a Feather and One Life.
Listen & Buy Here
 

A new 2012 release by Kai and Barra. Crystalline Transition…Codes of Ascension

Codes of Ascension – conceived by James Tyberonn and performed by multi-instrumentalists Kai and Barra weave together flute, guitar, didgeridoo, chimes, and other percussion.  Awaken to the magic and frequencies of this unique musical project!  This entrainment tool assists by helping you achieving a theta state, opening the pineal gland and co-create.

“This amazing music is utterly astounding. Simply the best meditative compilation of tones and frequencies I have ever heard. I use it for channel as well as ‘Intra-Travel’. This remarkable music is truly channeled &  lifts one into theta field thru entrainment. Theta field is the key for creative thought manifestation and co creation.”   – James Tyberonn

Album conceived by Tyberonn.  Performed by Kai and Barra.  Engineered and recorded by Davis Blanchard.  © BMI 2012

I’ll be performing with very special guest Shane O Madden of Govinda at GaneshFest, this Saturday, Sept. 29th at Wanderlust LIVE in Austin. Naga Valli will join us on stage as well. Lots of other great music and workshops this weekend. Check it out!  Facebook.com/GaneshFest  |  More fundraising details here

On Sunday, I will be playing with Tom Robertson and Omid Laridjani, under the band name, Bindu Moon. We have the pleasure to support Gioconda and Sarah Luna’s yoga flow from 12-1:30pm. Then we will be suporting Dharma Yoga’s set from 3:30pm-4pm. We will have el john joining us on percussion!

Please join us in coming together as community and supporting the Austin Yoga Tribe, and their Global Seva Challenge efforts to work to eradicate sexual-trafficking in India, and supporting those who have been liberated from slavery.

http://www.facebook.com/GaneshFest

More fundraising details here

Didjeridu player Barra, AKA Ron Crose, combines his shamanistic sounds of the didjeridu together with Asian influences to make this a very unique album.  Featuring Govinda, Yuan Miao and Lama Norbu from China, this album is infused with Dragon and Garuda spirit from start to finish. Mystical and trance-inducing global music featuring Australian didjeridu (didgeridoo, yidaki), gongs and percussion.

You can purchase this song and this album at: CD Baby,  iTunes or Amazon

Listen & Buy Here
 

Well, its not a video, per se…but it is on youtube and it’s free. Check it out. This song is from the 2011 album “West Wind”. If you are interested in hearing more from “West Wind” or to purchase this song, click here for CD Baby, or if you prefer you can buy it on iTunes or Amazon

An eclectic fusion of ambient world music featuring the didjeridu, flute, and a variety of percussion, this release is based off of their live sets, and is as ethereal as it is energizing. “Released” (2010), from Ron Crose and Fred Mitchim is now available online.  This innovative duo weaves together flute, didjeridu (didgeridoo, yidaki), tablas, guitar and more. Fred Mitchim and Ron Crose, based in Austin, Texas, bring together years of musical experience, thus creating a meditative and introspective journey in everything they do.

Listen & Buy Here