Goolwal Goolwal • Keynote • In-ConversationSongman: Fred Leone In Conversation

Fred Leone is one of the Butchulla Songmen with Aboriginal, Tongan and South-Sea Islander roots. He comes from the Garrwa and Butchulla tribes.

Fred’s role as a Songman sees him as one of the custodians of the traditional songs of the Butchulla tribe and one of a handful of keepers and custodians of their language. Fred is active in his role as a Songman, ensuring that contemporary Butchulla stories are embedded into the collective memory of the tribes oral histories and ceremonies going forward.

In this conversation, Fred joins Bo Spearim to discuss the importance of honouring this role and how it intersects with his contemporary music career in Hip Hop and Country and all the way to Sweden this year for Eurovision.