Arian Pearson
Hailing from northeast Arnhemland, East Journey are this generation’s incarnation of pioneering Australian rockers Yothu Yindi. Like their musical forebears, East Journey walk in two worlds – the whitefella world and Yolgnu world– and make music that combines contemporary rock with traditional sounds.
OTL's Liz Trevaskis catches up with Arian Pearson, guitarist and songwriter of East Journey, who will be performing with Yothu Yindi as part of The Genesis Project at this year’s National Indigenous Music Awards.
What was the first concert you ever went to?
Yothu Yindi at the Yirrkala oval when I was about 12, with friends, family and pretty much the whole community.
What’s your favourite album of all time?
It’s impossible to decide which one is my favourite – but it’s between Ghoststory by Coldplay, and Tribal Voice by Yothu Yindi.
My friends would describe me as...
Humble and easy going.
Whose posters did you have stuck to the wall when you were a teenager?
Despite the huge influence of Yothu Yindi on my life and music, I actually had posters of Tupac on my walls as a teenager – but I haven’t kept any of them.
Describe your sound in three words.
Cultural, land, life.
Catch East Journey at this year's National Indigenous Music Awards. Event lisitng: http://www.offtheleash.net.au/events/view/national-indigenous-music-awards
