KING STINGRAY ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM + RELEASE NEW SINGLE & VIDEO

by the partae

After much anticipation, Arnhem-land’s King Stingray today announce the release of their self-titled debut LP on August 5, via Cooking Vinyl Australia. To help us see out the wait, the five-piece have let one more belting Aussie anthem out of the bag.

New single ‘Let’s Go’ could very well be a road trip classic for the ages. Documenting the whimsy of hitting the road with “Central Arnhem highway on my mind“,  the track is instantly endearing and evocative. Through ‘Let’s Go’s limber, lazy chorus you can damn near feel the shudder of corrugated outback highways.

Almost like the backbone of good times, the Central Arnhem Highway was the big road to fun times for us growing up, and still is to this day” guitarist Roy Kellaway explains.  “Whether it’s packing up the troopy with dusty, half broken band equipment and driving 12 hrs to Darwin for a gig, or just going bush to enjoy the great outdoors with our loved ones and friends.”

The accompanying video will have you ready to drop everything and get in the car, as King Sting offer shotgun for the drive…

Hailing from the Northern Territory and Queensland, this tight-knit crew of Yolŋu (Aboriginal people of northeast Arnhem Land) and balanda (non-Indigenous) musicians have produced a set of 10 tracks to rival any Australian band’s debut.

Think Warumpi Band’s Big Name, No Blankets. Tame Impala’s InnerspeakerThe Chats’ High Risk Behaviour. Then add an ancient tradition of manikay (song/songlines) that dates back tens of thousands of years, and a profound love of country and Mother Earth, and there sits King Stingray. Raw, wild and free.

King Stingray’s do-it-yourself ethos and connection to home and family resonates through every song on their debut album, from the funk-laden joy of Milkumana, to the soaring Milk Mirri Wayin, the sweet melancholy of triple j favourite Get Me Out, the boppy fun of Camp Dog, the punk rock thrash of Raypirri and the acoustic beauty of album closer Life Goes On.

Recorded and produced between the NT, Brisbane and the Byron Bay hinterland, King Stingray rocks vibrant and colourful like a great glowing djäpana (sunset) through the East Arnhem Land sky. The album is a vital entry to Australian music and cements the band’s status as one of the most exciting acts to burst out of the NT in years.

King Stingray’s self titled debut album is available to pre-order now.

Let’s go!

KING STINGRAY – ‘KING STINGRAY’

TRACKLIST

1. Lupa
2. Hey Wanhaka
3. Get Me Out
4. Let’s Go
5. Raypirri
6. Milkumana
7. Sweet Arnhem Land
8. Malk Mirri Wayin
9. Camp Dog
10. Life Goes On

KING STINGRAY – UPCOMING SHOWS

Thursday June 16 – Wollongong, UOW UniBar (Ball Park Music support)
Friday June 17 – Sydney, Hordern Pavilion (Ball Park Music support)
Saturday June 18 – Newcastle, Uni (Ball Park Music support)
Friday July 1 – Territory Day, Nhulunbuy
Saturday July 16 – Melbourne, Forum (Ball Park Music support)
Sunday July 24 – Splendour In The Grass, Byron Bay
Saturday September 3 – Jungle Love, Gootchie
Friday September 30 – Savannah In The Round, Mareeba
Saturday November 26 – Spilt Milk, Canberra
Saturday December 3 – Spilt Milk, Ballarat
Sunday December 4 – Spilt Milk, Gold Coast
Thursday December 29 – Lost Paradise Festival, Glenworth Valley
Friday December 30 – Falls Festival, Birregurra
Sunday January 1 – Falls Festival, Byron Bay
Sunday January 8 – Falls Festival, Fremantle
About King Stingray:

King Stingray is a story of lifelong friendship and two cultures coming together. Growing up together in Yirrkala in North-East Arnhem Land, founding members Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu (frontman) and Roy Kellaway (guitar) have been playing and making music together for as long as they can remember.

Yirrŋa and Roy formed King Stingray with mates Dimathaya Burarrwanga (rhythm guitar backing vocals and yidaki), Campbell Messer (bass) and Lewis Stiles (drums). The band seamlessly blend ancient indigenous melodies with surf, indie and funk influences to create a unique sound of their own: Yolŋu surf-rock.

Propelled by the instant success of their debut track “Hey Wanhaka” in October 2020, accidental lockdown anthem “Get Me Out”, groove-laden dance jam “Milkumana” and latest hit “Camp Dog“, the band have soared to unexpected heights.

Hailed as “one of the most exciting acts in the country today” (NME), the band have taken out triple j’s ‘Unearthed Artist of the Year’ J Award for 2021, as well as NME Australia’s ‘Best New Act From Australia’ Award and Rolling Stone Australia’s ‘Best New Artist’ 2022.

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