Indigenous talent shines at RESONATE 2025

Velvet Trip, BADASSMUTHA, Kaybee and more are RESONATE’s class of 2025 

Joining in the studio are DOBBY, Anna Laverty and Rob Amoruso. 

Now in its fifth year, RESONATE took place at 4000 Studios Meanjin/ Brisbane 10-13 June
 

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO)’s four-day signature in-person songwriting camp RESONATE took place last week at 4000 Studios in Meanjin/ Brisbane. RESONATE brings together top Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songwriters, music producers and artists from across the country to collaborate on writing and recording new music. 
 
Now in its fifth year, participants working hard in the studio include:   
Githabul, Migunberri-Yugumbeh reggae alt-pop artist BADASSMUTHA, 19-year old Walmatjarri and Bunuba artist and 2x Unearthed High Finalist  Kayps, Kuku Yalanji R&B and soul artist Kaybee, FNQ’s RYEZ, Noonuccal (Stradbroke Island) born and NATSIMO LIFECYCLE Recording Grant recipient Sachém and Wiradjuri-born, Gadigal-based psych rocker Zeppelin Hamilton (Velvet Trip). Filipino & Murrawarri hip hop artist and drummer DOBBY is producing the sessions, with Special Guest Producers Anna Laverty and Rob Amoruso.  
 
The selected crop of artists at this year’s RESONATE not only highlights the tenacity of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, but also the diversity across Indigenous Australia. 

All photos by Glen Hunt.

Leah Flanagan, NATSIMO Director: "I'm incredibly proud of what we achieved with this year's RESONATE program. Bringing together such talented songwriters and producers and witnessing their collaboration, resulting in fun, innovative, energetic, and moving songs, was truly inspiring. Thank you to our participants and producers, Rob Amorouso, DOBBY, and Anna Laverty, for their generous spirit. The impact of these programs on our music community and creative environments fosters unity and pride. I am constantly amazed by the talent of our world-class songwriters, and this program only highlights their potential and talent. " 

Dominik Felsmann, 4000 Studios: “We’re super happy to be hosting RESONATE at 4000 Studios again in 2025. Last year’s camp was incredibly inspiring - the songs, stories and people that came through brought an unforgettable energy to our space. Being chosen again for this amazing initiative means a lot, and we’re grateful to continue our collaboration with our friends at NATSIMO.” 

The NATSIMO is elated about this year’s RESONATE program and can’t wait to hear the tracks that are created. 
 
Scores of blockbusting tracks have been created at RESONATE. At 2022’s camp, Jem Cassar-Daley penned her AIR Awards Independent Track of the Year-nominated track ‘King of Disappointment’ with fellow participant Brendan Boney. The song has garnered over 3.7 million streams on Spotify alone, and won the AIR Music Awards’ Song of the Year 2024. Also written at that camp was Boox Kid’s ‘Talking to Myself’, co-written with Candace Lorrae and Cloe Terare. Sue Ray’s ‘Walking These Streets’ was co-written with MOSS and Tia Gostelow  at 2023’s RESONATE. Gostelow also co-wrote 3%’s ‘Sleezy, Steezy, Cool’ at the camp. 

RESONATE 10 – 13 June 2025 
Participants: 
 
BADASSMUTHA 
Kayps 
Kaybee 
RYEZ 
Sachém 
Velvet Trip