Musicians

Tjupi Band

Origin
Papunya, Northern Territory, Australia
Genre/styles
Reggae | Roots
About Tjupi

"Tjupi" means honey ant. The band sings in Luritja and English.

Tjupi Band has been described as epitomising Central Australia desert reggae--sparse, upbeat, driving kick and snare, in-language; the songs are about loneliness for country, love lost, listening to elders, following tradition, social issues, skin pride and tribal unity [[#1 'NT tour beckons for Papunya band', Koori Mail 503 p.59]].

Band members: Barnabus Daniels (Lead Singer), Jason Butcher (Guitar), Malcom Karpa (Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals), Jeremiah Butcher (Keyboards), Lesley Pearce (Keyboards), Dwayne Abbott (Backing Singer), Desmond Inkamala (Drums), Ethan Macdonald (Bass Guitar / Backing Vocals).

Discography

Album formats explained

Album formats

  • 10": 10 inch vinyl records were played at 45 or 33 1/3 rounds per minute (rpm). The former could hold 9, the latter 12 minutes of music per side.
  • 7": 7 inch records (often referred to as 45s) were played at 45 rpm or 33 1/3 rpm, with about 4:30 or 6 minutes of music per side.
  • LP: Long play, is a vinyl record played at ​33 1⁄3 rpm with a 12 or 10-inch diameter.
  • EP: Extended play, are vinyl records that allowed two or even three songs on each side.

Kuunyi (Poor Thing)

Released
6 March 2006
Tracks
  1. Petola Wanti (Leave Petola Alone)
  2. Nyuntu Ngayunya Payinu (You Told Me To Leave)
  3. Tjupi Music
  4. Wilurrarakutu (Towards West)
  5. Ngayulu Nyinanyi (I Was Sitting Alone)
  6. Youngubela Kutju (One Young Fella)
  7. Kunkangkuni Wanikatingu (My Girl Left Me)
  8. Wati Palangku Kulila (Listen Carefully)
  9. Anangu Luritjiku (For The Luritja People)
  10. Ngurra-Nganampa (Our Homeland)
  11. Wati-Kutju (One Man)
  12. Wajilpa-Wajilpa (Sad, Feeling Lonely)
  13. Ngayulu Nyangu (I've Seen It All)
  14. Jamunya-Kapalinya (Grandfather And Grandmother)

Ananyi (Going)

Released
4 June 2012
Tracks
  1. Ananyi (Going)
  2. Kapi (The Rain)
  3. Yangulpala Kutju (One Young Man)
  4. Wati (Man)
  5. Pipirri Ulanyi (Baby Crying)
  6. Walungurrulakutu (To Kintore)
  7. Amunturrngu (Mt Liebig)
  8. Puyu Wanti (Leave Your Smokes Alone)
  9. Kungka (Woman)
  10. Prisoner
  11. Ula Kutju (One Little Boy)
  12. Wati Kutjungku (One Man)
  13. Aliluya (Hallelujah)

Kutju Ngarala (Standing Alone)

Released
16 January 2013
Tracks
  1. Irtitja Tjutaya Nyinapayi
  2. Wiima Paluru
  3. Amunturungu
  4. Yangabala Kutju Ananyi
  5. Kutju Nagarala
  6. Wati Kutjungku
  7. Watjalarinyi
  8. Standing by the tree
  9. Ngura Walytja
  10. Wantirra
  11. Putu Kulini
  12. Wati Kutjunya
  13. Dancing in the moonlight
  14. Ngura Watirra Ngalyanu

Find Tjupi Band albums & CDs

Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through any album links.

Go exploring!

Use the Aboriginal music timeline to view albums over time.

Cite this page

Korff, J 2018, Tjupi Band, <https://www.creativespirits.info/resources/music/tjupi-band>, retrieved 29 March 2024

Creative Spirits is a starting point for everyone to learn about Aboriginal culture. Please use primary sources for academic work.

Join thousands of Smart Owls who know more!