In 2000 Clinton Walker released a book, film and double compilation album called Buried Country. Their subject: Australian indigenous country music artists. The book was re-released in 2015 and Mary Mihelakos approached Walker about including a live performance component to the Buried Country story.
Says Mary: ‘It somehow came together and the ball started rolling with rehearsals in Tamworth early this year in the hometown of Murri elder and country music legend Roger Knox as well as his son Buddy and grandson Teangi playing in the house band, The Backtrackers along with Brendan Gallagher from the Sydney band Karma County and producer of two albums by Jimmy Little as Musical Director. We knew were on to something special with this group of musicians that also included L.J. Hill, Leah Flanagan, Luke Peacock, Warren H. Williams, James Henry, Franny Peters-Little, Jim Elliott and Jason Walker.’
That performance became a concert film, showing as part of the Melbourne Festival on 13 October.
Buried Country at the Melbourne Festival
It will also be part of the biennial Artlands Festival/conference in Dubbo, NSW on Friday 29 October at the RSL Auditorium.
Watch the trailer for Buried Country below.