Punk legends Violent Femmes, most famously known for their 1983 anthem ‘Blister in the Sun’, say their love for Indigenous music began after playing with Yothu Yindi at local music festival Big Day Out in 1992.
Guitarist Brian Ritchie, now a resident in Tasmania, the ABC: “Although the music itself in influenced by western music, obviously, the methodology goes back to the beginning of music making.”
The US' Violent Femmes collaborated with Indigenous band Rayella last weekend in the capital of Western Australia.
Rayella’s Eleanor Dixon and her father are two of the homegrown band's four members. They come from Marlinja, a community half way between Alice Springs and Darwin in the Northern Territory.
Ms Dixon is the lead singer and says she draws inspiration from the strong women around her.
“As women, Aboriginal women, we have stories to tell... beautiful stories, because women, we hold the key, we give life” she told the ABC.
Western Australian Senator Linda Reynolds praised the event.
"It was a wonderful evening," she told NITV News.
"I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to see Rayella in concert to do so."
After the collaboration, Rayella took to social media to share their experience.
"It's been an amazing experience and a privilege to be able to share a stage with the Violent Femmes," it posted on its Facebook page.
Femmes bass player Brian Ritchie, who mentors emerging Indigenous artists, first met Rayella in 2014 when they played at the Bush Bands Bash in Alice Springs.
He told the ABC he was drawn to their unique style of music and that it provides an insight into a life a lot of Australians aren’t aware about.
“Culturally, I don’t think many of us in Australia – I am an Australian citizen – really know what’s going on in the communities.”
The performance took place at the US Consul Generals residence as part of an Abmusic event facilitated by the US consulate.
