Red Desert Man

Indigenous singer-songwriter Dave Arden is a gifted Kokatha-Gunditjmara guitarist, storyteller and contemporary songman. Previously best known as a collaborator and backing musician for the likes of Aboriginal singers Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter and Bart Willoughby, he was also a member and co-musical director with the all-star indigenous Black Arm Band. But this album might deservedly bring him more to the fore in his own right.

Through a collection of personal stories, exploring the well-trodden issues of the search for Aboriginal identity and individual voice, Arden is able to avoid clichés and make the genre his own, with expressive imagery and heartfelt vocals. Addressing topics of family, community, history and culture, on ‘Kokatha Gunditjmara Clan’ the thoughtful lyrics speak of his father’s tribal heritage from Western Victoria, along with his mother’s people from the West coast of South Australia. The title-track harks back to Arden’s memories of his own upbringing, learning old stories from his grandfather. He also highlights a shared family-written song, ‘So Young’, which was originally featured on Archie Roach’s classic 1993 album Jamu Dreaming. Elsewhere he creates cover versions of songs from other Aboriginal songwriters, including Kutcha Edwards, Joe Hayes, Toni Mcintosh and Andrew Alberts.