JUNGAJI NEW SINGLE ‘KALKURR’ FEATURING SON DEAN BRADY + ALBUM RELEASE & TOUR DATES

“The song’s empowering lyrics are enriched by a stirring piano line that introduces ‘Kalkurr’ with Topology’s Christa Powell adding elegant strings, the emotion already overflowing as Dean’s mesmerising vocals hypnotise, Jungaji harmonising beautifully with his son, their Gugu Yalanji language deepening the song’s soaring mood, proving again music is the universal language.” – Scenestr

Queensland Music Award winner Jungaji has released his soulful new single ‘Kalkurr’ (May 9), featuring the powerful vocals of his talented son Dean Brady, sung in Gugu Yalanji language which originates from southern Cape York. The official music video, directed by James Latter, has premiered on SCENESTR.

‘Kalkurr’ – meaning ‘The Road’ – is the latest offering from Jungaji’s forthcoming debut solo album ‘Betting On Blak’ which will be released on June 13. With national tour dates to celebrate, shows have been announced in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and FNQ, with more national dates coming soon.

“The ability to express one’s inner feelings in Gugu Yalanji is a beautiful space & responsibility to be standing in,” Jungaji said. “The feeling I get from singing this song is one of empowerment, one of cultural identity, to sing about Kalkurr (meaning ‘the road’), and also Kalkurr meaning the Milky Way, the stars and how vast the universe is.” 

“I have written this song from a place of being lost within the road of life and trying to find my way. I’m speaking to God, I am speaking to nganjan (heavenly father), and speaking to those we have lost who are wawunyor (high spirits), trying to make sense of life when it gets hard and to ensure that I make the right decisions. Interweave that within a landscape of music and melody, it’s a beautiful gift that comes from a dark place but to find the light throughout that process is what this song means to me.  I had to live hard, really really hard to find the essence of what and who Jungaji is. It’s a beautiful number to sing and to gift the world.”

Whilst most of his songs are sung in English, Jungaji was the proud winner at the 2025 Queensland Music Awards for a previous single ‘Gummy Bamarra’ (Grandson Story) which is also sung in Gugu Yalanji language. In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Jungaji spoke of his “32-year apprenticeship” in the music industry, to winning this award for a unique emotional song. This powerfully moving song has clocked up more than 255,000 streams on Spotify and has received glowing reviews around the world.

Jungaji is a Western Gugu Yalanji & Birrigubba songman whose music journey spans more than 30 years, from the 90s R&B of his Inala vocal group Aim 4 More, to a profound cultural rebirth inspiring his solo career. Now named “Jungaji” (meaning rock, strength, and knowledge – pronounced Jun-gah-jee), he shares his contemporary cultural stories through his music, visual art, theatre and advocacy, inspiring resilience and empowerment.

Jungaji’s ’Betting On Blak’ album is out on June 13, with limited edition vinyl and merch packages available to pre-order now via Suitcase Records.

JUNGAJI ‘KALKURR’ single FEAT. DEAN BRADY is OUT NOW
on Spotify – YouTube – Apple – Bandcamp & more
‘BETTING ON BLAK’ album out FRIDAY 13 JUNE

FRIDAY 13 JUNE – POWERHOUSE, BRISBANE
6.30pm, All Ages. with Toni Janke & Rudy Matoy
https://www.simpletix.com/e/jungaji-betting-on-blak-album-launch-tickets-214366
www.facebook.com/events/1223894865921136

SATURDAY 14 JUNE – THE PRESYNCT, SUNSHINE COAST
6.30pm, 18+. with Chocolate Strings, Andrea Kirwin & Rudy Matoy
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/8fcfeab3-f6ba-48e1-ba8b-caf2f0d56a63
www.facebook.com/events/1000755488872527

SUNDAY 15 JUNE – MO’S DESERT CLUBHOUSE, GOLD COAST
4.00pm, All Ages. with Chocolate Strings, Jamie-Lee Dimes & Rudy Matoy
https://tickets.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/d7131251-8a32-451b-8748-2836bdb7dd17
www.facebook.com/events/1015690740657984

9-12 OCTOBER – SAVANNAH IN THE ROUND, FNQ
with Zac Brown Band (USA), Jackson Dean (USA), Kasey Chambers, James Reyne, Baby Animals, Rose Tattoo & more www.savannahintheround.com.au