RADICAL SON SHARES NEW STEREOGAMOUS REMIX OF ELDER NEW ALBUM BILAMBIYAL (THE LEARNING) SET FOR RELEASE JULY 11
“…a deeply powerful statement of devotion to country and his Kamilaroi and Tongan cultures.” – The Music
Renowned for his immersive melding of hip hop and soul alongside his dynamic vocal performances, Kamilaroi and Tongan artist Radical Sonreturns today, teaming up with Australian leading electro-pop wizard Stereogamous, aka Paul Mac, to conjure an unforgettable remix of RadicalSon’s single Elder. Coated in a contemporary sheen, Elder (Stereogamous Remix) effortlessly heightens the commanding messaging of the original track, with the original also set to feature on Radical Son’s impending sophomore album Bilambiyal (The Learning) due out on Thursday July 11.
Expanding the potent narrative of its original, Elder (Stereogamous Remix) finds Radical Son, aka David Leha, mightily connecting with his cultural roots, while also calling on others to do the same. With unwaveringly sharp intensity and authenticity, Radical Son soars singing, “I wish to be an elder, an old man on this land”, surrounded in its new remixed form by trance-like beats, swirling electronic elements and fluctuating textures that take you from breathless to catharsis and back again. While certainly not Radical Son’s first foray into the world of remixes, with his singles Warrior, Black Baptism and Wicked all featuring remixes on his EP Soul Passenger, Elder (Stereogamous Remix) presents as a fluid continuation of Leha’s soul and hip hop-hued stylings, ultimately emerging as a powerful modern conduit for the track’s significant essence alongside the sleek input from Stereogamous. “I think remixes are a great way to get your music out,” Radical Son shares of the new remix. “I have a great deal of gratitude to my team and all those that are getting behind us and supporting what we do. I’m really looking forward to hearing the feedback from others. It’s such an honour knowing that remix may take it to new audiences. A great message to pass on.”
Teaming up with Stereogamous, aka the multi–ARIA Award-winning composer, songwriter, musician and producer Paul Mac, Radical Son’s brand new remix bridges Elder’s powerful narrative and core with modern hues that respectfully and positively translate into a contemporary setting. And, as Mac explains, the Stereogamous remix of Elder has already proved to be a resounding success in a live setting, shared and heightened by the power of dance. “Elder is a vital song that speaks to honouring those who have gone before us and a positive call for our place in emerging futures,” shares Mac. “As veterans of the LGBTIQA dance scene, we are grateful to see our dancefloor as a safe space for intergenerational community. We are thankful to have been given the opportunity to remix this powerful track with uplifting chords and earthy beats and to share it via dancing. You’re never too mature to belong on a dancefloor. We have road tested the Stereogamous remix throughout Mardi Gras season from Bondi views to sweaty basements and outdoor raves – and the response is always joyful.”
Elder’s original form is also set to shine on Radical Son’s upcoming new album Bilambiyal (The Learning), with the hotly anticipated full length set to further showcase Leha’s cultural connection, innate integrity and powerful perception across its 12 tracks. Releasing via Leha’s own label, Wantok Musik, and following on from his debut LP Cause ‘N Affect, Bilambiyal (The Learning) was also crafted alongside a powerhouse team, including Full Circle Audio, Marcus Longfoot, Andy Robinson, David Bridie, Frank Yamma and Emma Donovan and many more. Opening with the starkly intimate Elder Reprise, Bilambiyal (The Learning) from start to finish is a compelling and routinely beautiful experience, from Leha’s spellbinding delivery on the warm and driving How Long Must I Wait through to swirling bluesy soul (All My Life), ambient, meaningful ballads (Until You Call My Name), reggae tinges laced with hope (Only One Life) and gripping narratives from Leha’s Kamilaroi roots, particularly front and centre on the undeniably dynamic Yuluwirri Wandabaa, aka Rainbow Demon.
An album that is as stylistically diverse as it is captivating, the ultimate lustre driving Bilambiyal (The Learning) is Leha’s powerful devotion to his country and his soul, shown vividly on the stunning might of the original version of Elder, as well as the album’s own title track, with the latter offering an unforgettable emotive punch as Leha declares: “How many days should I go on, how many times must I do wrong, how many tears must I cry, ‘til I learn the meaning of life?”. And it’s ultimately Leha’s raw and ravishing soul-searching and nuanced calls to action layered throughoutBilambiyal (The Learning) that drives home the Radical Son core message: “Life’s a journey and we all have so much to learn. And my pet hate: people who think they know it all and those with no humility.”
One of the most compelling artists in the Australian cultural scene, Radical Son, the son of an Aboriginal woman and Tongan man, channels his experiences from his past into immense power and resolve, with his trademark sound pulsing with the urgency of hip hop and emotionally-charged soul. A festival favourite, cemented by his show-stopping cover of his mentor Uncle Archie Roach’s Walking Into Doors in 2022, Radical Son has performed to standing ovations at Bluesfest, St Kilda Festival, VIVID, the AFL Dreamtime 2032 game, and the official Uncle Archie Roach memorial in Melbourne and Sydney.
A highly skilled concert artist, with performances alongside classical ensembles and high-profile collaborations under his belt, Radical Son’s artistry also expands to film and TV, with credits including Defining Moments, a six-part NITV documentary exploring life-defining experiences, and theatre work, including the lead role of Pemulwuy in I am Eora at the 2012 Sydney Festival.
Studying as a musician at The Eora Centre for Visual and Performing Arts in Redfern, as well completing a Bachelor of Music from Newcastle Conservatorium, Radical Son’s creative prowess and steadfast substance is only matched by his otherworldly stage presence that repeatedly transfixes; and this fact is only set to heighten with the upcoming release of Bilambiyal (The Learning), as well as Radical Son’s upcoming performance in July as part of QPAC’s Warriors Concert for 2024’s Clancestry Festival in Brisbane, alongside Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Jungaji and J-MILLA.
“After having played the new songs a few times now and enjoying the positive responses, I’m really excited to see where this goes,” Radical Sonconcludes. “I believe I’m performing better than I ever have. Radical Son is playing with a new lineup. I’m looking forward to playing with new musicians, fans can expect to see an old Warrior that still burns brightly. And we are already writing new songs for the next album.”
Elder (Stereogamous Remix) is out today via Wantok Musik.
Bilambiyal (The Learning) is due out on Thursday July 11.
RADICAL SON – UPCOMING SHOWS:
WED 31ST JULY | QPAC PRESENTS WARRIORS CONCERT AS PART OF CLANCESTRY FESTIVAL | ALL AGES
Tickets available from qpac.com.au