Mitch Tambo

Mitch Tambo is an Australian singer, songwriter and political activist, who self-released his debut EP in 2016. In 2019, he reached the final of the ninth series of Australia's Got Talent and garnered national attention.[2] In November 2019, Tambo was signed to Sony Music Australia.[3]

Mitch Tambo
BornSydney, Australia
OriginAustralia
GenresDance, electronic, hip-hop, pop[1]
Instrument(s)Vocals, didgeridoo (Yidaki)
Years active2010–present
LabelsSony (2019–present)
Websitehttps://www.mitchtambo.com

Early life

Tambo was born in Sydney and moved to Tamworth when he was 18 months old. Tambo says his mother Roz Parker empowered him to embrace his Aboriginal Australian (Gamilaraay) culture and identity, while his Aunty Bernadette Duncan helped him revive his language. Tambo said "My mum has been my greatest influencer, period. When it comes to culture, she empowered and encouraged me 1000 per cent to dive in and never look back. She's seen the power in it and what it's done for my spirit."[4]

In 2010, Tambo travelled to Rome for the canonisation of Mary MacKillop.[5]

Music career

In 2016, Tambo self-released his debut extended play titled Guurrama-Li. It was re-released on Songbird Records in July 2018.[6]

In 2019, he auditioned for the ninth series of Australia's Got Talent, where he performed his single "Walanbaa". He progressed to the semi-final after receiving the golden buzzer from judge and former Pussycat Dolls lead singer Nicole Scherzinger, who was visibly moved by his audition, describing him as "a true representative of Australia's beauty, culture and talent".[7] In the semi-final, he received another golden buzzer from judge Natalie Bassingthwaighte after performing a bilingual version of "You're the Voice" (in Gamilaraay and English) wearing the Dhinawan and Murray crest and feathers.[8] He progressed to the final, where his placing was undisclosed.[9]

Immediately following the Australia's Got Talent, his EP began charting on iTunes charts across the world and a fan Twitter campaign was launched to have Tambo represent Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest.[10]

In November 2019, Tambo announced he had signed a record deal with Sony Music Australia.[2][3][11] On 19 November 2019, Tambo was announced as a participant in Eurovision - Australia Decides; in an attempt to represent Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020[7][12] with the song "Together". In the Eurovision - Australia Decides final, "Together" placed 5th in a field of 10. During the campaign for the Eurovision Song Contest, Tambo experienced toxic cyberbullying, which impacted his mental health.[13]

In December 2019, and after performing it in the semi-final of Australia's Got Talent, Tambo released the bilingual version of "You're the Voice" in English and Gamilaraay.[8] He performed the song at the NITV sunrise ceremony for Australia Day on 26 January,[14] and later with John Farnham as the finale of the Fire Fight Australia concert in February 2020.[15]

On 15 May 2020, Tambo released "Love". In a statement, Tambo said "'Love' is a reminder to reach deep down within, heal and set our spirits free with love, healing and hope for a better tomorrow."[16]

In September 2022, Tambo released "Come Together" with Lee Kernaghan and Isaiah Firebrace.[17]

In May 2023, Tambo released "Yugal Yulu-gi", which means "song and dance". The song was used during the NRL Indigenous Round on Fox Sports.[18]

On 3 September 2023, Tambo performed his bilingual version of "You're The Voice", standing in for John Farnham at a concert which was part of the "Yes" campaign in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum, a vote to change the Australian Constitution to enshrine a Voice to Parliament for Indigenous Australians.[19][20][21] The song plays as a soundtrack for a video ad directed by filmmaker Warwick Thornton, which is being rolled out on social and other digital media and television.[22][23]

Other activities

In 2013, Tambo hosted children's TV series Muso Magic Outback Tracks, a production which showcases and highlights positive stories in remote Aboriginal communities.[5]

In 2015, he started True Culture, a program that empowers young people to explore their identity through cultural performance, mentor workshops, bush tucker, and art experiences and to empower disengaged kids, those in foster care or on the brink of juvenile justice.[4]

Personal life

Tambo is a Gamilaraay and Birri Gubba man and lives in Melbourne.[4]

Tambo is expecting his first child with his wife Lele in November 2021.[24]

Discography

Extended plays
Title Details
Guurrama-Li

Singles
Title Year Album
"Walanbaa"[25] 2017 Guurrama-Li
"Gulagama-Li"[26]
"Yidaki"[27]
"Dhiidhaan"[28]
"You're the Voice"[29] 2019 non-album single
"Together"[30] 2020 Australia Decides
"Love"[16] to be confirmed
"Absolutely Everybody"[31] Deadly Hearts: Walking Together
"Dreamtime Princess"[32] 2021 to be confirmed
"Heal"[24]
"Come Together"
(with Lee Kernaghan and Isaiah Firebrace)[17]		 2022
"Silent Night (Gamilaraay)" [33]
"Great Southern Land"
(with Reigan)[34]		 2023
"Yugal Yulu-gi"[18]

Awards and nominations

Country Music Awards of Australia

The Country Music Awards of Australia is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. They commenced in 1973.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023"Come Together" (with Lee Kernaghan and Isaiah Firebrace)Vocal Collaboration of the YearNominated[35]
Heritage Song of the YearNominated

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night recognising Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Mitch Tambo Best Pop Work Pending [36]
Mitch Tambo MAV Diasporas Award Pending

NIMA

The National Indigenous Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises the achievements of Indigenous Australians in music. The award ceremony commenced in 2004.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020 Mitch Tambo New Talent of the Year Nominated [37][38]

References
  1. "Triple J Unearthed Mitch Tambo". Triple J. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  2. "Mitch Tambo Signs With Sony Music Australia". The Music. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  3. "Mitch Tambo Joins Sony Music Entertainment Australia". Sony Music Australia. 14 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  4. "Mitch Tambo talks Australia's Got Talent and Gamilaraay culture". Northern Daily. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  5. "Mitch Tambo". Sona Productions. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  6. "Guurrama-Li". Apple Music. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  7. "Australia Decides: Australia's Got Talent star Mitch Tambo and triple threat iOTA are latest confirmed acts". Wiwibloggs. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  8. "Mitch Tambo releases version of John Farnham's "You're the Voice"". amnplify. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  9. "Kristy Sellars wins Australia's Got Talent 2019". TV Tonight. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  10. "Fans Want Indigenous Artist Mitch Tambo To Represent Australia At Eurovision After He Missed Out On AGT Crown". Huffington Post. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  11. "First Nations artist Mitch Tambo joins Sony Music Australia". The Music Network. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  12. "Two more acts revealed for 'Eurovision – Australia Decides' 2020". SBS. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  13. Turner, Ross. "How culture helped Mitch Tambo stand up to online bullying". NITV. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  14. "Mitch Tambo performs John Farnham's You're the Voice in Gamilaraay language – video". The Guardian. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  15. "Fire Fight Australia: John Farnham closes with "You're the Voice"" (Video). Sydney: 7News Australia. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  16. "Mitch Tambo shares a message of hope in new single "Love"". NME. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  17. "Isaiah Firebrace, Mitch Tambo and Lee Kernaghan release new song "Come Together"". Aussie Vision. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  18. "Australia's Got Talent singer Mitch Tambo releases new high-energy single". National Indigenous Times. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  19. Cleal, Olivia (3 September 2023). "John Farnham's 'You're The Voice' becomes official song of the Yes campaign for the Voice to Parliament". Women's Agenda. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  20. Visentin, Lisa (3 September 2023). "John Farnham backs Voice, permits his anthem to front Yes campaign ad". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  21. Butler, Josh (2 September 2023). "You're the Voice: John Farnham lends song that 'changed my life' to yes side advertisement". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  22. Yu, Andi (3 September 2023). "John Farnham's hit song You're The Voice the official soundtrack for the 2023 referendum Yes campaign". ABC News. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  23. You're the voice that will make history The Uluṟu Dialogue: John Farnham on YouTube (2:47) 3 September 2023.
  24. "Mitch Tambo reveals the trauma behind his new single Heal as he awaits the birth of his first child". 7news.com.au. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  25. "Walanbaa – Mitch Tambo [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]". 25 January 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2019 – via YouTube.
  26. "Gulagama-Li – single". AIRIT. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  27. "Yidaki – single". AIRIT. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  28. "Dhiidhaan – single". AIRIT. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  29. "You're the Voice – single". Apple Music. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  30. "Together – single". Apple Music. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  31. "Absolutely Everybody - single". Apple Music. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  32. "Dreamtime Princess – single". Apple Music. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  33. "Silent Night (Gamilaraay) - Single". Apple Music. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  34. "I'm over the moon to announce our version of Great Southern Land is out now ready for your ears". Facebook. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  35. "Tamworth Toyota Golden Guitar Award Nominees Announced". The Music. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  36. "Nominees, Hall of Fame Inductees Announced for 2023 Music Victoria Awards". Music Feeds. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  37. "Announcement: National Indigenous Music Awards Finalists Unveiled". noise11. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  38. "2020 Finalists". NIMA. July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
External video
video icon Courtney Act's One Plus One: Mitch Tambo, One Plus One, ABC News
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