Thu 23 Sep 2021

Wuigada is a dedicated space where First Nations musicians can share and celebrate music made by other First Nations musicians with PBS audiences.

Wuigada was named and developed by the highly acclaimed indigenous singer songwriter, Kutcha Edwards. Wuigada in Mutti Mutti means 'to sing'.

In this edition of Wuigada we hear from one of the founding fathers of contemporary Indigenous music in Queensland, Lance O'Chin. Best known for the songs 'Cherbourg Boy' and 'I Wonder Why You Cry', Lance has regularly performed alongside other legendary acts such as Mop & The Dropouts, Roger Knox, and Paul Kelly. A captivating live performer, Lance has recently had to pause appearing live due to COVID. When we caught up to talk about Wuigada, he told us that he is looking forward to get back into touring as soon as circumstances allow. Lance also spoke about the importance of the song 'Cherbourg Boy'.

"Cherbourg Boy was written by my brother Robin O'Chin but it was developed from a Torres Strait Island song back in the early days of World War II. A lot of people were sent to Cherbourg at the start of the war, and that's where my brother heard a tune that sounded like 'Cherbourg Boy'.

The song and tune sat idle until I was looking for a song to go onto a single 45 that I did in the eighties. On the A side was 'I Wonder Why You Cried' and on the B side was 'Cherbourg Boy'.

A copy of the record is at the Cherbourg radio station.

The song is now played at football games, funerals and parties. It is well known all over Australia, from Darwin to Melbourne."

 

It is with great pleasure that we share Lance O'Chin's top 10 songs for Wuigada: 

Mop & The Dropouts - ‘Brisbane Blacks’ 

Brisbane Blacks - MOP & THE DROPOUTS

 

Bobby McLeod - ‘Wayward Dreams’ 

Wayward Dreams.... Bobby Mcleod

 

Tribal Link - ‘Woorabinda Song’ 

Woorabinda Song

 

Coloured Stone - ‘No More Boomerang’ 

No More Boomerang - COLOURED STONE

 

Lance O’Chin - ‘Cherbourg Boy’ 

Cherbourg Boy

 

Mop Conlon & Lance O'Chin - ‘Our Land’ 

Our Land

 

Roger Knox - ‘Koorie Rose’ 

Koori Rose

 

Chris Phillips - ‘My People My People’ 

'My People My People' - Goori classic by the late Chris Phillips

 

Mop & The Dropouts - ‘Mother's Eyes’ 

Mothers Eyes - Mop & The Dropouts

 

Dennis Rose - ‘Yarrabah’ 

Watch it here.

 

Harry Whaleboat - ‘Look For Me’ 

Harry Whaleboat. Look For Me (cover)

 

Listen to the Wuigada playlist in full via YouTube now.

Visit all the Wuigada stories, or check out: IzyAlice SkyeRadical SonBlack Rock BandAllaraEmma Donovan,  Marlene CumminsBenny WalkerStiff GinsRipple Effect Band, Waveney YassoSue Ray, Troy Jungaji Brady, Dave ArdenShellie MorrisDeline BriscoeLJ HillSelwyn BurnsRoger Knox and Kutcha Edwards.

Artwork by Dixon Patten.