We’re pleased to present Projects 2 - a long, lost collection of film and television work from David Bridie and John Phillips on David’s Bandcamp webpage. While you’re there you can also find a few other out-of-print gems in almost any format you like, including CD quality lossless versions.

Kelly Kwalik was well known for two inherent issues. As land owner, he opposed the Freeport Mine because of the human rights abuses it had caused his people and the irreparable environmental destruction it had created to the land. Also, as a Commander  of the Independence Movement, the OPM, he advocated independence. He joined the OPM in 1974 after finishing teacher college in Jayapura. He had been in the jungle for 37 years eluding many efforts to capture him.

Journalists are not allowed into West Papua. So the true story of what actually happened in the build-up to his murder will once again be elusive. West Papua is our closest neighbour. Kwalik was falsely accused of being involved in the killing of Australian mine worker Drew Grant.You’d think our media might be all over this story. I may have missed something but I havent read a thing.

When I went hiking around the gloriously beautiful Baliem valley in the highlands of West Papua,I stayed in this village and the only English my guests could say was “this is Kelly kwalik country.”

The military report says they shot him in the leg and he died of compications in hospital. Unfortunately, I have this awful feeling that the truth was much more brutal than that. Australia and the USA receive big dividends from the Freeport mine. When are we going to honourably stand up for these Melanesian people?

I’d like to share with you in honour of Kelly Kwalik a song from the “Curious” album by My Friend the Chocolate Cake entitled “Kelly Kwalik Country”.

These two unlikely collaborators, a grassroots PNG villager and a suburban Melbourne boy, have forged a close friendship from years of recording and touring. Two of this region’s finest songwriters and performers, Telek and Bridie will perform highlights from their extensive repertoires.

Their first collaboration happened when Bridie’s band, Not Drowning, Waving, was recording their acclaimed ‘Tabaran’ album in Rabaul, PNG. Telek was already PNG’s foremost recording artist with top selling solo, rock band and string band albums. Since then, their collaborations have featured international albums (including the ARIA award winning ‘Telek’ and The Times’ Top Pop Album of the Year ‘Serious Tam’), tours throughout Melanesia including the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, throughout Australia and in the USA, New Zealand, the UK and Germany.

The release of Telek’s new album ‘Pairap Ken’ will coincide with this Australian tour. His fifth international album is a beautiful collection of Tolais songs, some traditional, some string band, but very true to his home province of Rabaul, with a just hint of Beatlesque songwriting. Telek’s songs and his hauntingly beautiful voice traverse many musical styles perfectly capturing the spirit of the proud cultural heritage of the Tolai people of Papua New Guinea.

Seven time ARIA award winning songwriter and composer David Bridie has enjoyed a distinguished career as one of Australia’s most innovative and elegant artists. Whether performing solo or with his bands Not Drowning, Waving and My Friend the Chocolate Cake, Bridie has certainly stamped his mark as an international soundtrack composer, producer, lyricist, leading expert on Pacific music, and a uniquely Australian songwriter and singer.

Bridie’s recently released solo album ‘Succumb’ marks a change of pace from recent offerings; while rockier, it is infused with the trademark Bridie passion and flair.

Enquiries to Bridie Music bridie.music@gmail.com

Tour Dates

Oct 2-4 Bellingen Global Carnival www.globalcarnival.com
Oct 8-9 Court Theatre, Townsville 07 4721 1771
Oct 10 Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns www.ticketlink.com.au
Oct 11 QACI Theatre, Kelvin Grove www.oztix.com.au
Oct 15 Logan Entertainment Centre 07 3412 5626
Oct 17 Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi 07 5442 8144
Oct 18 Mullumbimby Civic Theatre 02 6684 5570

Reviews of Telek

“One of the coolest things about world music is that your next big surprise can come from any little corner of the planet. “Serious Tam” is a perfect example.” Billboard

“A finely wrought synthesis of the world and pop-rock genres.” LA Times

“This indigenous music will stir you with its timeless beauty.” New York Post

“Atmospheric… jungle sounds and pulsating drumbeat…brooding rock.” The Age

“Whether in sparse semi-acoustic settings, chanting over pounding and complex percussion, or telling stories in fields of ambience, Telek is utterly compelling.” Rolling Stone

Reviews of David Bridie

“Trademark passion and beauty…” Drum, Perth

“A beat that envelops you like the warm salty pull of a gentle ocean tide.” Green Left Weekly

“Bridie’s wry, dry social commentary is on show…terrific storytelling, evoking heartfelt images… More substance than the current mush in the Top 40… Bridie is no doubt the thinking person’s songwriter and a consummate musician to boot.“ Inpress