Yirrmal

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Yirrmal
Birth nameYirrmal Marika
Born1993
Yirrkala, Northern Territory, Australia
OriginNorthern Territory, Australia
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
Years active2013–present

Yirrmal Marika (born 1993), known mononymously as Yirrmal, is an Indigenous Australian vocalist. A Yolngu man, his music features traditional sounds and elements of Yolŋu music.[1]

Early life[edit]

Yirrmal Marika was born in 1993 in Yirrkala in the Rirratjingu clan and began learning music at age 11.[2]

Personal life[edit]

Yirrmal's father, Witiyana Marika, was a singer and dancer in Yothu Yindi and is related to Dr Gurrumul Yunupingu on his mother's side.[1][2] Yirrmal cites his grandfather and former lead singer of Yothu Yindi, Dr Yunupingu as his biggest influence saying "He was my inspiration since I was a kid. He did great things for all Australians. There are a lot of other Indigenous people that I look up to also – people such as Archie Roach, Gurrumul, Saltwater Band, Dan Sultan, Jessica Mauboy and Rrawun Maymuru. I see what they have done for their people."[2]

Yirrmal moved to Geelong, Victoria in 2011.[3]

Career[edit]

In 2013, Yirrmal released his debut single "Deep Blue Sea". He performed the song at numerous events including Australasian Worldwide Music Expo as a solo artist and as Yirrmal & The Yolngu Boys.[2]

In November 2016, Yirrmal released his debut EP Youngblood, telling the ABC Radio "We're living in two worlds, learning in two worlds, carrying a message, a sharing of culture".[4] Melissa Davis from Forte Magazine gave the EP 5 out of 5 saying "His rich voice combined with his lyrics tells the stories of dreams, the issues in society and his culture – a unique insight."[3] ABC Radio called it "deeply affecting and joyously celebrating his upbringing and place in the world."[5]

In 2017, Yirrmal featured on Baker Boy's "Marryuna". The song ranked at number 17 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2017.[6] At the Music Victoria Awards of 2018 "Marryuna" won Best Song.[7] and at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2018, the video won Film Clip of the Year.[8]

In August 2022, Yirrmal released "Promised Land", featuring Dami Im. The song was produced by Andrew Farriss, and is expected to be taken off Yirrmal's self-titled debut album, scheduled to be released later in the year.[9]

In March 2023, Yirrmal released "Love Sweet Love" co-written with Shane Howard of Goanna.[10]

Discography[edit]

Extended plays[edit]

List of EP, with release date and label shown
Title Details
Youngblood

Singles[edit]

As lead artist[edit]

List of singles, with year released
Title Year Album
"Deep Blue Sea"[11] 2013 non album single
"For Everyone"
(with Jordie Lane)[12] 		2019 TBA
"Dhaliwuy Bay"[13] 2022 TBA
"Promised Land"
(featuring Dami Im)[9][14] 		TBA
"Shining Light"[15] TBA
"Love Sweet Love"[10] 2023 TBA
"Keep Rolling On"[16] TBA

As featured artist[edit]

List of singles as featured artist, with year released and album shown
Title Year Album
"Marryuna"
(Baker Boy featuring Yirrmal) 		2017 Non-album single
"Keep On Rolling"
(Neil Murray featuring Emma Donovan & Yirrmal)[17] 		2021
"Ride"
(Baker Boy featuring Yirrmal)[18] 		Gela

Guest appearances[edit]

List of guest appearances, with year released and album name shown
Title Year Album
"Blackfella/Whitefella" 2017 Deadly Hearts (Volume One)
"Treaty"
(Midnight Oil featuring Yirrmal) 		2018 Armistice Day

Awards and nominations[edit]

AIR Awards[edit]

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known informally as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2018 "Marryuna" (with Baker Boy) Best Independent Single or EP Nominated [19][20]

APRA Awards[edit]

The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 "Marryuna" (with Baker Boy) Urban Work of the Year Nominated [21]

National Indigenous Music Awards[edit]

The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) recognise excellence, dedication, innovation and outstanding contribution to the Northern Territory music industry.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Yirrmal New Talent of the Year Nominated [22][23]
"The Bridge" Song of the Year Nominated
2019 "For Everyone" Film Clip of the Year Nominated [24]
Song of the Year Nominated
2021 "Ride" (Baker Boy featuring Yirrmal) Film Clip of the Year Won [25]
2023 "Promised Land" (featuring Dami Im) Song of the Year Nominated [26][27]
"Indigenous" (Indigenous Outreach Project w/ Gunyangara, Yirrkala & Dhalinbuy featuring Yirrmal) Community Clip of the Year Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Oderberg, Isabelle (7 September 2016). "Yirrmal on Beat". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Yirrkala Music Man". Deadly Vibe. November 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Davis, Melissa (2016). "Yirrmal: Young Blood". Forte Magazine. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Yirrmal spans two cultures in song and voice". ABC. 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Yirrmal: Youngblood". ABC. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Baker Boy has two songs crack Triple J Hottest 100 countdown". NT News. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Previous Winners". Music Victoria Awards. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  8. ^ "2018 National Indigenous Music Award Winners". National Indigenous Music Awards. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Eurovision star Dami Im collaborates with Yirrmal on new song 'Promised Land'". AussieVision. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  10. ^ a b ""Yirrmal's Captivating New Single "Love Sweet Love": A Stunning Showcase of Australian Soulful Blues and Roots Sound"". Crush Cop. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Yirrmal Marika". Forte Magazine. 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  12. ^ "For Everyone – Single by Yirrmal & Jordie Lane on Apple Music". Apple Music. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  13. ^ "New Aus Music Playlist Additions 20/05/22". Music Feeds. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  14. ^ "New Aus Music Playlist Additions 26/08/22". Music Feeds. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Shining Light - Single". Apple Music. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  16. ^ "Yirrmal Drops Inspirational New Single 'Keep Rolling On'". The Music. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  17. ^ "Keep On Rolling – Single by Neil Murray on Apple Music". Apple Music. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  18. ^ Rose, Anna (24 March 2021). "Baker Boy collaborates with Yirrmal on fresh new single, "Ride'". NME Australia. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  19. ^ Jenke, Tyler (17 April 2018). "2018 AIR Awards Nominees". The Industry Observer. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  20. ^ "History Wins". Australian Independent Record Labels Association. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  21. ^ "2019 APRA Awards nominees announced". noise11. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  22. ^ "2017 National Indigenous Music Awards finalists". theindustryobserver. July 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  23. ^ "2017 Winners". National Indigenous Music Awards. NIMA. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  24. ^ "National Indigenous Music Awards Unveils 2019 Nominations". nima. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  25. ^ Cashmere, Paul (8 July 2021). "NIMA Nominees Revealed". noise11. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  26. ^ Mary Varvaris (12 July 2023). "Budjerah & Wildfire Manwurrk Lead NIMA Finalist Nominations". The Music. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  27. ^ "Here Are All the Winners from the 2023 National Indigenous Music Awards". Music Feeds. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
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