GIG: The story of Australia’s oldest culture is being told across the world thanks to the musical stylings of Sunshine Coast indigenous group OKA.
Fresh from a run of shows across the UK and Canada, the OKA crew is ready to return to their homeland to spread the love with their unique blend of folk dance music.
Chatting to entertainment ahead of their Prince of Wales gig this Thursday, frontman Stu Fergie was battling the aftermath of some serious jetlag but had some amazing memories from their four-and-a-half month tour.
“Our sound went down really well in Europe – it’s something that evolves naturally wherever we go based on where we are, as we travel to different countries and become exposed to different kinds of music,” he said.
I remember last time I was at the Prince I had this insane toothache and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to play, but then I had a shot with the sound dude Lizard, got some energy and got lost in the moment – Bunbury is such a fun town
- OKA frontman Stu Fergie
The overseas crowds were treated to music generated from OKA’s authentic indigenous heritage – a world many would never have been exposed to.
“They were really receptive of the culture – in Australia we are cool with it and will sit and listen, but people become a bit blasé, we’ve all heard the didgeridoo before,” Fergie said.
“In Europe they sit in complete silence and just take it in, it’s amazing.
“It’s good to be able to share it with them because they see a lot of non-authentic representations of indigenous culture – this is something they can really grab onto.”
The response to OKA’s offerings was so positive that they were thrust into the spotlight, sharing headline position with John Butler at a festival in the Czech Republic in front of 20,000 people.
After the buzz of high-energy festivals wears off, the crew like to unwind by hosting their own little “chill out” festival called OKA Campout in the Mount Warning Rainforest Park in New South Wales.
Described as a “blissfully intimate weekend of music, yoga, food, fun and festival vibes,” the campout invites music lovers to enjoy OKA around the fire and under the stars.
But Bunbury fans can slip down to the Prince of Wales Hotel this Thursday to get a dose of the crew.
“I remember last time I was at the Prince I had this insane toothache and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to play, but then I had a shot with the sound dude Lizard, got some energy and got lost in the moment – Bunbury is such a fun town.”
OKA will hit the Prince this Thursday, September 25 before heading back over east, so don’t miss out.
- By Shanelle Miller.
