High-flying debut album

Fly
Bidngi Birds
Reviewed by Trish Corcoran

Fly is the debut album of the Bidngi Birds. The songs reflect the writers' awareness of and concern for the world around them. Issues are raised in the 14 tracks include women's rights, the environment, homophobia, Aboriginal rights and respect for indigenous culture.

Bidngi Birds are Angelika Heinrich (alto sax), Kaeleen Hunter (guitar) and "whoever they happen to be singing with". The album has been recorded with a range of different people and instruments — didgeridoo, piano, flute, clap sticks, djembe, shakers, bells, darabuka, organ and bass.

In a society whose music industry is currently dominated by men, the number of women who were involved in the process of creating Fly is very impressive.

Heinrich and Hunter formed Bidngi Birds because they share the desire to be in a band that dares to tackle taboo subjects and expose the feelings of women. They don't think they have all the answers; they sing about the issues so that discussion escalates. "Change is coming and they won't stop singing till it does", says the album's publicity release.

The mood varies throughout the album — in both the lyrical and the musical sense. Some of the songs are slow and mellow, accompanying the more serious and reflective themes. There are also those with an up-beat tempo, sometimes expressing anger, or looking at the lighter side of life.

My favourite track is "Still haven't seen the light. Here's a little taste: "I went for a float and sank like a stone./ My spiritual master won't come to the phone/ And my guides have begged me to leave them alone./ And I still haven't seen the light."

The Bidngi Birds are currently based in Melbourne; to track them down for a gig or to order an album, their mobile number is 015 625 768.

From GLW issue 226