It’s been a hell of a day for Thelma Plum. She’s just announced her debut record, Better In Blak to be released next month, alongside the video clip for her single of the same name, and the big names appearing on the album; Dave Le’Aupepe from Gang Of Youths, The Gravy Man himself, Paul Kelly, oh, a little collab with someone named Sir Paul McCartney. No biggie. Extremely no big deal whatsoever.
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Gamilaroi singer-songwriter and literal dream angel, Thelma’s seen solid success with her work since she won Best New Talent at the National Indigenous Music Awards back in 2013, and with two EPs and a handful of great singles under her belt, she’s now ready to release her debut album onto the masses.
Better In Blak notably features a strong co-write with Paul Kelly, collaboration with David Le’aupepe from Sydney group Gang Of Youths, and closes out with Sir Paul McCartney-penned guitar parts on ‘Made For You‘, and if that doesn’t solidify Thelma Plum as a force to be reckoned with, I don’t know what will.
The album itself explores Thelma’s experiences in a modern world as an Indigenous Australian, and a woman, and if the title single is anything to go by, her experiences with racism and sexism as a minority will be a real eye-opener for some.
“This album reflects some pretty dark times in my life but these songs kind of helped pull me out of it, it’s cathartic in a weird way,” Thelma says.
“I’m excited for people to hear these songs but some of them come from grim places, so it’s a bit daunting having them see the light of day. There’s some funny stuff on there, too, it’s not all doom and gloom!”
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The video clip itself is stunning too, and created a very special moment for Thelma Plum; it’s the only time she and all of her sisters have been in the same room at the same time.
Flanked by her sisters and other indigenous women that she admires, Thelma’s video for ‘Better In Blak‘ celebrates gender and identity, and her reclamation of the two from the world around her.
Check it out the video below, and you can preorder Better In Blak on her website before it drops on June 12.
That’s not all, either. After her set at Splendour In The Grass, Thelma Plum will be headed out on tour in August to celebrate her debut record, grab tickets through Moshtix and catch her at the following dates.
THELMA PLUM BETTER IN BLAK AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2019
FRI 09 AUG
MIAMI MARKETTA, MIAMI QLD (18+)
TICKETS
SAT 10 AUG
THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE QLD (18+)
TICKETS
THU 15 AUG
UNI BAR, WOLLONGONG NSW (18+)
TICKETS
FRI 16 AUG
CAMBRIDGE HOTEL, NEWCASTLE NSW (18+)
TICKETS
SAT 17 AUG
THE FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW (18+)
TICKETS
THU 22 AUG
SOOKI LOUNGE, BELGRAVE VIC (18+)
TICKETS
FRI 23 AUG
THEATRE ROYAL, CASTLEMAINE VIC (18+)
TICKETS
SAT 24 AUG
CORNER HOTEL, RICHMOND VIC (18+)
TICKETS
FRI 30 AUG
LION ARTS FACTORY, ADELAIDE SA (18+)
TICKETS
SAT 31 AUG
FREO.SOCIAL, FREMANTLE WA (18+)
TICKETS
