VIDEO PREMIERE: Luke O’Shea feat. Jade Kennedy - ‘Dharawal’

Luke O’Shea’s new album, Different Drum, drops today, with ten tracks for fans to fawn over.

But, in a Countrytown exclusive, we also have the music video of the lead single, Dharawal, here for your viewing pleasure.

The song follows the story of First Nations peoples, specifically the Dharawal mob, and features Dharawal man Jade Kennedy sharing language. 

“The overwhelming message of the song is 'Yulunga', 'Welcome', to all those who wish to connect and with respect, hopefully, one day soon, together we shall walk Dharawal guided by Biame,” O’Shea said in a press release.

“This song probably means the most to me on the album. As a songwriter you can skirt around subject matter that may cut a little too close to the bone - but it was definitely time that I sang up the Dharawal mob whose traditional lands I grew up on and still share today.”

The music video to Dharawal gives off a similar vibe, celebrating the beautiful lands of Australia. It cuts between shots of nature and First Nations people - but it isn’t all joy.

“It is a personal reflection - a lament of sorts - due to the very strong feelings of dislocation that I felt as a young man growing up in the Royal National Park with no elder around that could teach or guide me through my stunning backyard,” O’Shea said.

“The single tells of the loss and confusion I felt when experiencing regions of significant energy and not having a rite of passage that declared to the world, and myself, that I truly belonged and that I had a purpose and a role to play in looking after it.”

During the darker lyrics, the video plays more sinister clips, including videos of mining and oil rigs.

Overall, though, Dharawal is an uplifting song, celebrating the First Nations people of Australia. 

“I have a strong Irish ancestry running through my veins but, after five generations of living on this land, I feel we are learning how to connect to the power of country and there is still so much to learn from those who looked after it for more than 50,000 years,” O’Shea said.

Watch the video for Dharawal below.