RUSSELL SMITH

Scenic Rim Musician

IMAGES AND WORDS BY CARIN GARLAND

“Be true to yourself,” are words that Pitjantjatjara man, Russell Smith has lived by for as long as he can remember. These words have seen him through the hard times, they have buoyed him and pushed him to want more, seek more, and to never settle for a life of mediocrity.

Born in 1964 in South Australia’s Port Augusta, Russell was born into a life of poverty that most do not escape from. From the age of seven, along with his four siblings and mother, he lived on the Umeewarra Mission Children’s Home, a Christian Brethren home and school for Aboriginal children. It was mission life that taught Russell how to be tough. Every scrap of food on the table had to be fought for and life was merely about surviving.

At 14 he was forced to leave the Umeewarra Reserve; it was 1978 and very little value was placed on educating Aboriginal children. He was on his own.

He bussed and trained, making his way across to Esperance in Western Australia to start a panel beating apprenticeship. This life as a young “vagabond” is something that still shocks Russell. “Anything could have happened to me. I could have been kidnapped or lost,” he says softly, his voice trailing off, temporarily in another place and time.

He hated panel beating however.

“It got my hands dirty,” he says, laughing and switching tempo. Somehow even at that age something in him sensed that his hands were made for a life of creativity. He travelled home to Port Augusta for a time before departing once more, this time bound for Sydney in the search of the better life he wished for, leaving his troubled adolescence behind him.

He trained as a wood machinist and immersed himself in the Sydney music scene, starting his own Christian band at the age of 15.

Spy v. Spy, Jenny Morris, Hunters and Collectors and an emerging band at the time, INXS were all hugely influential to his music, and imbued him with inspiration.

Russell cites David Gulpilil as another influential figure. Watching him dance and perform in 1987’s Storm Boy was of great importance to him. This strong Aboriginal man helped validate Russell’s own sense of self, music, and connection to Aboriginal culture.

In 1996, along with Melbourne’s who’s who of music; Dave Mudie, Lee Morgan, Ben James, Matty Vehl and Phil Ceberano. He formed the band Brolga; their combined efforts creating a unique blend of rock, blues, funk and indigenous sounds.

The music of renowned Australian Icon, Archie Roach has been the soundtrack to Russell’s life and together they toured through Asia, Europe and America, Archie offering Russell guidance, friendship and mentorship.

“This wooden stick has taken me around the world,” Russell says proudly, referring to his didgeridoo. As well as performing all over the globe with his dear friend Archie, he has performed with Tommy Emmanuel in Lorient, France, another defining and career solidifying moment. He has performed for Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, regularly shares the stage with Paul Kelly, and was paramount in putting together last year’s Rocking the Rainforest concert held on Tamborine Mountain.

Equally important to this celebrated musician is philanthropy. He has always felt a deep need to help others and giving back and contributing has always been a personal priority. He has travelled to many Aboriginal communities, teaching other young aspiring artists how to write grants, offering inspiration and guidance whilst helping them to forge their own journey of selfimprovement and creativity.

Under mentor Helen Morris he completed a philanthropy internship with the Myer Foundation and establishing his own foundation is something that he is working towards. In between touring and being a husband and father to two children of course.

What does the future hold for Russell?

“I really need to get back home and sit in the red dirt for a bit and eventually I’d love to perform the didgeridoo in Antarctica. But right now I am content. I feel like musically I have made it. I am living the dream and life is no longer about surviving. I'm thriving.”

2023 Tours

PAUL KELLY

Red Hot Summer Tour

For Russell’s album release date and more tour information head to www.brolga.band

To book Russell, contact manager Ben Cunningham: ben@bencu.net