King Stingray’s Cat 5 (Cyclone): A Surfy Aussie Thrill Ride

Aussie band King Stingray is braking new musical ground with its fusion of classic surf rock structures with Indigenous instruments and Yolnu Matha, which is the Indigenous language of Northeast Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. This mix creates a sound that is the heart of Australia and bridges the gap between the red sand and the crystal blue ocean.

The pioneering aspect of King Stingray is how they can blend traditional Indigenous instruments with classic surf rock arrangements / guitar riffs. Sometimes attempts at fusion are chaotic and don’t quite fit…look no further than the metal/hip hop fusion movement of the 90s. Some bands like Rage Against the Machine could pull it off, while others, like 311, were hit and miss. Some of the best examples of fusion in an Australian context are Xavier Rudd’s blend of Aussie folk/roots with the didgeridoo and Baker Boy’s fusion of Indigenous culture and West Coast hip hop. The mix between surfy guitars, lush wah wah pedals and hints of didgeridoo work really well and create this carefree vibe where you can feel the ocean water splashing on your face.

King Stingray themselves describe their music as “Yonlu surfer rock,” which is pretty accurate. The rolling vibe of the music is complimented by the breezy and warm vocals. The band will move back and forth between English and Yonlu, which firmly grounds the song in culture and community. The lyrics further reinforce the connection the band has between themselves, culture, community and the land. There are constant references to the nature at the heart of Australia, as well as how connection to people provides safety in the storm. Most importantly, everyone is really bringing it on the vocals, which bring endless joy.

This is probably one of the most Australian songs you will hear. King Stingray gives us the land, the ocean and the connection to tens of thousands of years of Indigenous culture. Like I said before, this track is a bridge between Australia’s red sand heart and its ocean soul. Most importantly, King Stingray is inviting us in to be part of their community and share in their joy.

Listen to Cat 5 (Cyclone)