King Stingray – a surf rock band from north-east Arnhem Land – is one of Australia’s hottest new acts with five ARIA Award nominations this year, and one of its members is from Logan.
The six-piece band is made up of Yolnu (Aboriginal) and Balanda (non-Indigenous) members from the Northern Territory and Queensland, who all came together during Covid (March 2020) to record some ‘ideas’ in a studio.
Two months after, they released their first single Hey Wanhaka and in 2021 they took out the title of #1 Most Played Australian Track on Triple J for their second single Get Me Out.
The boys are now touring across Australia with sold out shows in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin.
The band’s drummer, Lewis Stiles grew up in Daisy Hill and went to high school in Rochedale, where he kicked off his music career in an emo punk band called Mary Handsome, playing alongside King Stingray’s now guitarist Roy Kellaway.
“Our first ever gig was in Arnhem Land, Roy’s father put on an event called Yarrapay in the heart of the community. Roy grew up in Arnhem Land and when he moved to Brisbane in year 12, he started Mary Handsome and I tagged along,” he said.
“Arnhem Land has this multicultural aspect which is awesome, the white fellas and black fellas there are all living together. It reminded me of my hometown in Daisy Hill, because Logan is great with that multicultural side of things.”
Mr Stiles said while he was in Arnhem Land, he met the Yolnu boys – Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu (King Stingray’s lead singer) and Dimathaya Burarrwanga (guitarist).
“For a good five years I was with Mary Handsome and then as we all started graduating university and moving away, we didn’t have much time to play anymore,” Mr Stiles said.
“Just before Covid (March 2020), Roy gave me a call and said I’ve got this track with the Yolnu boys, and I want you to come to the studio and lay down some drums for me.
“That’s when we recorded Hey Wanhaka and Get Me Out. A month later, he called and said we’ve got a gig with The Chats (a punk rock band from the Sunshine Coast).”
The band’s songs incorporate a mix of Indigenous language and English as well as the ancient tradition of Manikay (song/songlines) and stories from country and mother earth.
Originally a five-piece band, they’ve has just welcomed a sixth member, Didgeridoo player Yimila Gurruwiwi.
“The story behind the didgeridoo is that it originated from Yimila Gurruwiwi’s history, his land and his last name, many tribes had to go to his clan and get their blessing to be able to play the didgeridoo and progress,” Mr Stiles said.
“He adds an incredible element to our music and completes our band and our vision of what we saw from the start of all of us being together.
“That’s the message of King Stingray, it’s the stories of the Yolnu boys, of their generation passed down and it’s our story too. It’s about sharing messages about balance in society and how we can all work together as one.”
Rock band drummer life is a far cry from Lewis Stiles’ upbringing.
“I grew up a Christian and I learnt how to play the drums in church,” he said.
“Throughout my young life I had never heard of Yothu Yindi music (80s Australian band with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members) or any world music, it was all Hillsong and Christian bands and as soon as I left church and moved into the city, I started to learn about the world a bit more in a really great way.
“I had never even heard of Arnhem Land until I met Roy.”
Mr Stiles said his mother is relieved his drumming hobby turned into a career.
“I thank my mum so much; we lived in a small unit in Daisy Hill and after hounding her for a drum kit she finally said yes,” he said.
“For six years in that unit I would practice every day after primary school and high school, we would get noise complaints and even eviction notices.
“Today mum says thank god all that wasn’t just for nothing.”
Along with upcoming festivals and gigs, King Stingray are heading over to the US this month to do some showcases and share their message with the world. However, Mr Stiles says no matter where he goes Logan will always be his hometown.
“From my small little hometown in Daisy Hill, to be part of this journey in learning and sharing our message with Australia and the world, it’s just an honour and a privilege,” he said.
“I’m proud to be from Logan, it’s a magical city and holds a lot of great memories for me.”
“Us Logan folk, we’ve got to fly the flag.”
