Gina Williams
Artist website: http://www.ginawilliams.com.au/
Gina Williams is a Balladong (Noongar) woman with links through her grandmother's line to the Gitja people of the East Kimberley. She is one of those rare performers who captures hearts and imaginations by connecting deeply through the power of song. You know when it happens, there's that magical moment when a hush falls over the room; you can feel it, and you know it's special. It's even more special when it's in a rare language.
Yet that's exactly what Noongar singer-songwriter Gina Williams has been doing with audiences all over the world. You don't need to understand the words; love, loss, joy all means the same things no matter how you say it.
With less than 400 speakers of this language left in Western Australia, Gina brings (with guitarist and collaborator Guy Ghouse) a modern take on ancient traditions, matching powerful storytelling, guitar brilliance and that incredible, incandescent voice. The natural rhythms of the language are perfectly captured, and there's a disarming onstage presence that comes from a heart that simply refuses to surrender her voice and language to silence.
Winner, 2013, 2014 2015, 2016 & 2018 WA Music Industry Indigenous Act of the Year (with Guy Ghouse), Winner, Aboriginal Category, 2017 West Australian of the Year Awards, Inductee, 2018 West Australian Women's Hall of Fame, 2022 appointed Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division), Patron, Fairbridge Festival, APRA/AMCOS Ambassador, Patron (with Guy Ghouse) Perth International Cabaret Festival.
2021 career highlights include sold-out Perth show "Koort" for Perth Festival, sold out season of opera debut Koolbardi wer Wardong (with West Australian Opera), pre-match entertainment (with John Butler, The Waifs, Stella Donnelly, Eskimo Joe and Baker Boy) AFL Grand Final, launch of book Kalyakoorl, ngalak warangka (Forever, we sing), published by Magabala Books.
"...this music...this is where the ancient meets the contemporary...it's beautiful...I love it..."- Archie Roach, Singer-songwriter, national treasure
Events featuring Gina Williams
4 Sep 2020 : Songs From A Stolen Senate