After 17 years Midnight Oil announces new song “Gadigal Land”

The Australian band Midnight Oil announced their first new song in 17 years in a post on their official social networks. “Gadigal Land” will be part of the next album entitled The Makarrata Project. The work will arrive on digital platforms next August 7th.

In the same statement, the band said it would release a video of this single on August 8 during the broadcast of NITV, the National Music Awards of Australia.

Midnight Oil said about their new single “Gadigal Land”:

“This Friday we’ll be releasing our first piece of new music in nearly 20 years with ‘Gadigal Land’. The first single from our forthcoming mini-album ‘The Makarrata Project’ (out late October). It features special contributions by vocalists Kaleena Briggs, Bunna Lawrie and Dan Sultan. Plus a lyrical section written and delivered by Gadigal poet, Joel Davison.”

“The following night, a special studio video of the song will premiere during the National Indigenous Music Awards (www.nima.musicnt.com.au) telecast on NITV. From 7pm AEST. Also simulcast on National Indigenous Television (NITV), Doubl​e J, National Indigenous Radio Service, TEABBA, Facebook, Youtube and ​Twitter.”

They continued, saying:

“We’ve always been happy to lend our voice to those who call for racial justice. But it really feels like we’ve reached a tipping point. We urge the federal government to heed the messages in the Uluru Statement From The Heart and act accordingly. Hopefully this song and ‘The Makarrata Project’ mini-album we’ve created alongside our First Nations friends can help shine a bit more light on the urgent need for genuine reconciliation in this country. And in many other places too.”

“After centuries of struggle for recognition and justice, 2017’s Uluru Statement called for the establishment of a ‘First Nations Voice’ enshrined in the Australian Constitution. Also the establishment of a ‘Makarrata Commission’. To supervise agreement-making and truth-telling between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

“We will donate our share of any proceeds received from this release to organisations which seek to elevate The Uluru Statement From The Heart. In particular and Indigenous reconciliation more broadly (www.fromtheheart.com.au). Also Sony Music Entertainment Australia will match any artist contribution.”