Meet Tjaka, the ascendant Australian group with new single 'In A Box'

+ PLAYING THE GREAT ESCAPE THIS MAY

Meet Tjaka, the ascendant group from Magandjin/Brisbane in so-called Australia, who today share their new single ‘In A Box’. LISTEN HERE. 

Comprising of two Fabila brothers Geoff and Jake, cousin Luke, and close friend Felix Fogarty, Tjaka is derived from "Tjakamarra", the skin name given to the Fabilas, who are proud descendants of the Jabirr Jabirr tribe in the Western Australian Kimberley. Blending elements of electronic, funk and hip-hop with Aboriginal ancestral influences, Tjaka’s vision sets out to showcase the connections between the old and the new, crafting music that is deeply connected to their Aboriginal heritage. 

Rich in character and culture, today’s single ‘In A Box’ is a propulsive cut that speaks to the value of boundaryless, custom-build sound and style. “Categories are lame. We weren’t born with labels saying we are going to grow up being this or that. You don’t have to do the same thing twice, we are born to experiment, try new things and change ourselves freely as we want. This song came together very quickly in one studio session. After still enjoying the demo we made 2 days later, we knew we had to get this out to the world because if we love it, others might too.”

They continue, “We are influenced by many artists and bands who live this mantra of dipping their toe in different waters. We wanted to demonstrate as musicians that we can mix and match different sounds and make it work with our energy. This one was inspired by genre bending artists such as N.E.R.D, Limp Bizkit, Beastie Boys and A Tribe Called Quest.”

Incorporating the Didjeribone (a slide didgeridoo similar to a trombone) and The Face Bass (a seismic microphone used inside the mouth) to enhance traditional Aboriginal elements in their music, Tjaka pair finely-tuned electronic beats with a malleable rap flow, resulting in a project that refuses to be pinned down. With a live resume that extends across to Splendour in The Grass, Dark Mofo, BIGSOUND, SXSW Sydney, Woodford Folk Festival and PASIWALI Festival, the news of the single follows their recent addition to The Great Escape lineup in the UK this May, which is just the tip of what they have in store this year. 

Praised as “a band who are destined for evolution, lead by their passion” (triple j Unearthed), Tjaka are building on the wave of plaudits from their previously released ‘Dancing Mood’, ‘Break It Down’, ‘Bada Dada’ and ‘The Shake Up’ with Dameeeela. For Tjaka, performing is an act of empowerment, of which they set out to capture the idea of transformation through the feeling of heightened ‘superpowers’ when stepping on stage - a sense of becoming invincible and connected through music and culture. 

'In A Box' is out now, buy/stream it here.

TOUR DATES
Sat 29 Mar - Dashville Nights w/ Xavier Rudd - Wonnarua/Hunter Valley
Thu 15 May - School Nights - London UK
Fri 16 May - The Great Escape Festival - Brighton UK
Sat 16 May - The Great Escape Festival - Brighton UK
Mon 19 May - O2 Islington w/ South Summit - London UK

Stay connected with Tjaka:
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