King Stingray

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King Stingray
King Stingray, April 2023
King Stingray, April 2023
Background information
OriginNortheast Arnhem Land, Australia[1]
Genres
Years active2020–present
LabelsBargain Bin Records, Cooking Vinyl Australia (2021+)
Members
  • Roy Kellaway
  • Dimathaya Burarrwanga
  • Campbell Messer
  • Lewis Stiles
  • Yimila Gurruwiwi

King Stingray is an Australian rock band from Northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory.[1] With a sound self-described as "Yolŋu surf rock",[2] the band perform songs with lyrics in both English and Yolŋu Matha.[3] King Stingray released their debut single, "Hey Wanhaka", in October 2020,[1] and their self-titled debut album on 5 August 2022.

Career[edit]

Two of the band's founding members have known one another since childhood – lead vocalist Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu is the nephew of Dr M. Yunupiŋu, and guitarist Roy Kellaway is the son of Stuart Kellaway, who were both founding members of Yothu Yindi.[2] The pair grew up together in Yolngu country, in the community of Yirrkala.[4] They were joined by guitarist/didgeridoo player Dimathaya Burarrwanga and bassist Campbell Messer to form King Stingray in 2020.[3] They signed to The Chats' Bargain Bin Records in 2020.[3]

King Stingray's debut single, "Hey Wanhaka", written by Yirrnga Yunupiŋu and Roy Kellaway, was released in October 2020.[2][3]

In January 2021, King Stingray released "Get Me Out"; a song described by Double J as "a tribute to the importance of home".[5] According to a press statement, the song was written following a family member of the band getting lost in Melbourne when they were on tour with Yothu Yindi. The band said: "She had no phone, [and] Yolŋu style, she navigated her way back to us miraculously and we now laugh about it."[6] Dan Condon from the ABC said "It's as catchy as it is stirring and will no doubt help this new band continue to win the hearts of a broad range of music lovers."[5] Lewis Stiles joined on drums in early 2021.[4]

In August 2021, King Stingray signed with Cooking Vinyl Australia (a partner of Sony Music[7]) and released "Milkumana"; a song described by triple j as being "about the power of passing on knowledge". The music video was filmed in the band's hometown of Yirrkala, and features tribal elders Mangatjay Yunupingu and Malŋay Yunupingu.[8][9] In January 2022, both "Milkumana" and "Get Me Out" charted in the triple j Hottest 100 at number 56 and 46, respectively.[10]

In March 2022, King Stingray released "Camp Dog". The title refers to the dogs that wander the streets of Yirrkala.[11] The following month, the band supported Midnight Oil at the latter's final headlining show in Sydney on their Resist tour.[12] In May 2022, King Stingray released the single "Let's Go" and announced their debut self-titled album. The album was released on 5 August 2022.[13]

In July 2022, King Stingray were featured on the cover of NME Australia for an in-depth interview feature about their debut album, conducted by Torres Strait Islander freelance journalist Rhianna Patrick.[14]

In October 2022, King Stingray released a cover of Men at Work's "Down Under" as part of a new campaign for Tourism Australia.[15]

In June 2023, King Stingray released "Lookin' Out".[16] August 2023 saw King Stingray win three AIR Awards: Best Independent Rock Album or EP, Independent Album of the Year, and Breakthrough Artist of the Year.[17] They helped to see 2023 out by performing at the ABC New Year's Eve concert at Sydney Harbour.[18]

Band members[edit]

  • Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu – lead vocals, clapsticks
  • Roy Kellaway – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dimathaya Burarrwanga – guitar, backing vocals, didgeridoo
  • Lewis Stiles – drums, backing vocals
  • Campbell Messer – bass, banjo, backing vocals
  • Yimila Gurruwiwi – didgeridoo, backing vocals

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[19]
King Stingray
  • Released: 5 August 2022[13]
  • Label: Cooking Vinyl Australia
  • Format: Streaming, vinyl, CD, digital download
 6

Singles[edit]

List of singles
Title Year Album
"Hey Wanhaka"[20] 2020 King Stingray
"Get Me Out"[21] 2021
"Milkumana"[22]
"Camp Dog"[11] 2022
"Let's Go"[13]
"Lupa"[23][24]
"Down Under (Under One Sun)"[15] Non-album single
"Lookin' Out"[16] 2023 TBA
"Through the Trees"[25] 2024 TBA

Awards and nominations[edit]

AIR Awards[edit]

The Australian Independent Record Awards (commonly known informally as AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's Independent Music sector.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Get Me Out" Independent Song of the Year Nominated [26][27]
2023 King Stingray Independent Album of the Year Won [28][29]
Best Independent Rock Album or EP Won
"Camp Dog" Independent Song of the Year Nominated
King Stingray Breakthrough Independent Artist of the Year Won

APRA Awards[edit]

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.[30]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Get Me Out" (Roy Kellaway & Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu) Song of the Year Shortlisted [31]
"Milkumana" (Roy Kellaway & Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu) Shortlisted
2023 "Lupa" (Roy Kellaway & Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu) Song of the Year Nominated [32][33]
"Milkumana" (Roy Kellaway & Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu) Most Performed Rock Work of the Year Nominated
Roy Kellaway & Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Nominated
2024 "Lookin' Out" Song of the Year Shortlisted [34]
Most Performed Rock Work Pending [35]

ARIA Music Awards[edit]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 King Stingray Album of the Year Nominated [36][37]
Best Group Nominated
Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist Won
Best Rock Album Nominated
Kayla Flett, Gabi Coulthurst & Dimathaya Burarrwanga for King Stingray – King Stingray Best Cover Art Nominated
2023 Tourism Australia: Come and Say G'day (M&C Saatchi Sydney) Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement (duration of 2 minutes or less) Nominated [38][39]
Tourism Australia: G'day Short Film (M&C Saatchi Sydney) Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement (over 2 minutes duration) Nominated
Sam Brumby for King Stingray – "Lookin' Out" Best Video Nominated
That's Where I Wanna Be Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated

Australian Music Prize[edit]

The Australian Music Prize (the AMP) is an annual award of $30,000 given to an Australian band or solo artist in recognition of the merit of an album released during the year of award. It exists to discover, reward and promote new Australian music of excellence.[40]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 King Stingray Australian Music Prize Won [41][42]

Environmental Music Prize[edit]

The Environmental Music Prize is a quest to find a theme song to inspire action on climate and conservation. It commenced in 2022.[43]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Hey Wanhaka" Environmental Music Prize Nominated [44]
2023 "Milkumana" Nominated [45][46]

J Awards[edit]

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 "Milkumana" (directed by King Stingray and Sam Brumby) Australian Video of the Year Nominated [47][48]
King Stingray Unearthed Artist of the Year Won
2022 King Stingray Australian Album of the Year Nominated [49]
King Stingray Double J Artist of the Year Nominated
2023 King Stingray Australian Live Act of the Year Nominated [50]

National Indigenous Music Awards[edit]

The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 King Stingray New Artist of the Year Nominated [51][52]
2022 Artist of the Year Nominated [53][54]
"Milkumana" Song of the Year Won
2023 "Let's Go" Won [55][56]
Film Clip of the Year Won

National Live Music Awards[edit]

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 King Stingray Best Live Act Nominated [57][58]
Best Live Act in the NT Won
Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu (King Stingray) Best Live Voice Nominated
Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu (King Stingray) Best Live Voice in the NT Nominated
Lewis Stiles (King Stingray) Best Live Drummer Nominated
Roy Kellaway (King Stingray) Best Live Guitarist Nominated

Rolling Stone Australia Awards[edit]

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.[59]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 King Stingray Best New Artist Won [60]

Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition[edit]

The Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition is an annual competition that "acknowledges great songwriting whilst supporting and raising money for Nordoff-Robbins" and is coordinated by Albert Music and APRA AMCOS. It commenced in 2009.[61]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022 "Milkumana" Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition 1st [62]
"Camp Dog" 3rd

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "King Stingray on Triple J Unearthed". Triple J Unearthed. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Hennessy, Kate (14 October 2020). "'Loud and proud, wrong and strong': the 'Yolŋu surf rock' of Yothu Yindi's next generation". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Meet King Stingray, who come from royalty to share their first single, Hey Wanhaka". pilerats.com. 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b "KING STINGRAY MORE THAN A PROTÉGÉ BAND". www.grass-fires.com. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b Condon, Dan (3 February 2021). "King Stingray's latest single is a tribute to the importance of home". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  6. ^ Jackson, Langford (18 January 2021). "Listen to King Stingray's new single "Get Me Out"". NME Australia. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  7. ^ Eliezer, Christie (13 February 2018). "Sony Music makes "significant investment" in Cooking Vinyl Australia". The Music Network. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
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  9. ^ Triscari, Caleb (19 August 2021). "King Stingray release disco-infused new single "Milkumana"". NME Australia. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Countdown | Hottest 100 2021 | triple j". www.abc.net.au. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  11. ^ a b "King Stingray Release New Single "Camp Dog" On Tour Now". Music Feeds. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  12. ^ Condon, Dan (31 January 2022). "Midnight Oil have enlisted brilliant support acts for their final tour". Double J. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
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  14. ^ Patrick, Rhianna (27 July 2022). "King Stingray: "We're full of love in our heart – that makes us believe in ourselves"". NME. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  15. ^ a b Disalvo, Tom (18 October 2022). "King Stingray share cover of Men At Works 'Down Under'". NME. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
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  23. ^ "Feature Video: King Stingray - Lupa". ABC. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
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  25. ^ "King Stingray Ponder Time on New Single 'Through the Trees'". Rolling Stone Australia. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
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  27. ^ Tyler Jenke (5 August 2022). "Genesis Owusu Wins Big At The 2022 AIR Awards". MusicFeeds. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
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  31. ^ "2022 Peer-Voted APRA Song of the Year shortlist revealed!". APRA AMCOS. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
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  41. ^ "Shortlist Revealed for the 18th Australian Music Prize". Music Feeds. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
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  57. ^ "Nominees Announced For The 2023 National Live Music Awards". The Music. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
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  61. ^ "About the Vanda Young Global Song Writing Competition". APRA AMCOS. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  62. ^ "King Stingray nab the top gong and over $50k at global songwriting competition". MSN. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
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