Tjupi Band is an is a Central Australian Indigenous band from the community of Papunya, Northern Territory. They sing in Luritja and English and play desert reggae.[1] The lineup changes depending on who is available and can include Barnabus Daniels, Sammy Butcher, Jeremiah Butcher, Jason Butcher (from Spin.FX), Malcolm Karpa (from Spin.FX), Esau Marshall (from Spin.FX), Dwayne Abbott, Ethan McDonald, Samuel Inkamala, George Butcher and Peter Lowson. Tjupi Band were featured on an episode of triple j tv’s The Hack Half Hour which covered an annual Alice Springs concert, the Bush Bands Bash.
Tjupi (Honey Ant) come from the Papunya region 250 – 300k north west of Alice Springs. Tjupi Band members are made up of fellas with strong country and family ties right across the region including Mt Leibig, Kintore, Haasts Bluff, Kiwikurra communities. The main language spoken in this area is Luritja and this is the language used to perform their songs.
Papunya is the main base for Tjupi Band activity; Papunya is place with a rich music tradition. It is the home community of Sammy Butcher, mentor for musicians throughout the region. Sammy, who is famous as lead guitar for the Warumpi Band, has been a major influence in the development of contemporary indigenous music; his skill as a guitarist has been emulated by many but not matched, by any. He has encouraged the establishment of a recording studio in Papunya which has led to various independent productions and contributed generally to the fertile music environment of Papunya.
The sound of Tjupi, in many ways epitomizes 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, tribal unity.
The Tjupi line up is variable, it depends on who is ‘on the road’, ‘in town’, ‘playing football’; mainly, Tjupi includes a preponderance of members of the Butcher family. A typical set up includes Barnabus Daniels (vox, keys, rhythm), Sammy Butcher (lead, keyboards, bass, drums), Jeremiah Butcher (drums), Jason Butcher (drums).
BAND MEMBERS:
Jason Butcher Lead Guitar
Malcolm Karpa Rhythm Guitar
Jeremiah Butcher Keyboard
Dwayne Abbott Vocals
Barnabus Danials Vocals
Ethan McDonald Vocals
Samual Inkamala Drums
George Butcher Bass Guitar
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