Fred Leone is one of the Butchulla Songmen with Aboriginal, Tongan and South-Sea Islander roots. He comes from the Garrwa and Butchulla tribes.
Fred’s role as a Songman sees him as one of the custodians of the traditional songs of the Butchulla tribe and one of a handful of keepers and custodians of their language. Fred is active in his role as a Songman, ensuring that contemporary Butchulla stories are embedded into the collective memory of the tribes oral histories and ceremonies going forward.
As a Songman, his primary instrument is his voice, yet he uses Kuluru (Garrwa language for Yidaki aka Didgeridoo), boomerangs (Bargan in Butchulla language), Emu egg (Ngurunj in Butchulla language), tree branches, sand and other objects from K’gari to form his traditional sound pallet.
Fred has been touring the world for over a decade, and has shared the stage with the likes of Public Enemy, Xavier Rudd, John Butler, as well as receiving invites to collaborate and play with contemporary artists such as Jeff Lang, Tenzan Choegyal, Xavier Rudd, Birdz & Amanda Palmer and many more.
Fred blends his love of Butchulla Language and his unique vocal style with his adeptness playing traditional instruments as well as guitar, ukulele, percussion and drums to create an utterly new and unique sound. He’s known for his abilities to transcend genre and form whilst bringing the true integrity of his life’s calling as a Songman to the forefront of all that he touches.
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Recently, his guest appearance singing in Butchulla on his cousin Birdz’s track Bagi-la-m Bargan helped see the song become a hit, with millions of streams, a placement at #30 on Triple J’s hottest 100 as well as taking the top prize of Best Song Composed for Screen in 2022 in the coveted APRA Screen Music Awards.
Sign up to his email list to find out more and you’ll also receive a demo version and liner notes of the song “Calling”.
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