Hand to Earth

In Hand to Earth, Yolŋu song keepers Daniel and David Wilfred recontextualise their 40,000 year old song tradition in a resolutely contemporary setting with Korean born vocalist, Sunny Kim, trumpet and electronics maestro, Peter Knight, and woodwind virtuoso Aviva Endean. 

Hand to Earth, has quickly developed an international reputation as one of Australia’s most distinctive contemporary music ensembles winning international praise and a slew of awards. The quintet’s third album, Ŋurru Wäŋa, produced by ROOM40 boss Lawrence English, and Peter Knight, has just been released accompanied by a UK Europe tour which saw the band collaborate with British superstar, SHABAKA, for performances including the Barbican Centre London, Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, and De Singel Antwerp with Sami singer/composer, Ánnámáret.

Daniel sings in language, and is the keeper of Yolngu Manikay (songs) from North East Arnhem Land that can be traced back for over 40,000 years. His is the oldest continuously practised music tradition in the world. Sunny sings in English and Korean intoning gestures that invoke raw elemental forces. Together they sing of the stars, of fire, and of the cooling rain against the drone of David Wilfred’s didgeridoo and atmospheres created by Peter Knight and Aviva Endean who draw on the minimalism of Brian Eno and Jon Hassell to create a setting for these beautifully contrasting voices.

“A moving meditation on belonging, memory, and continuity, this music connects multiple traditions without diluting any... Ŋurru Wäŋa conjures sound worlds that are both grounded and transcendent.” The Wire

“It’s elemental and visceral, windswept, punctuated with rustles and chitters. It exists in a space outside of time, yet also feels oddly pragmatic—a somatic response to the circumstances of its origin.” Steve Smith - Night After Night

“Both traditional and experimental vocals blend seamlessly alongside birdcalls, yidaki, bilma (clap sticks), minimalist instrumentation and ethereal electronics. Simply sublime.” ★★★★ Songlines

“With Ŋurru Wäŋa, Hand To Earth sing of another life – and it’s another world, and one we should all aspire to.” Auralaggrevation.com

“Breathes with the spirit of the land itself – rising and falling, humming softly, a dance where memory and the present fold into one.” FBi Radio Album of the Week

“These songlines will keep resonating, blurring, and vibrating in the listener’s mind long after this moving, beautiful album ends.” Salt Peanuts

“Ambient electronics and bass drones anchor First Nations singer Daniel Wilfred’s yearning vocalisations and Wáglilak language lyrics, producing six moving tracks that reflect on a search for home.” The Guardian

“This is one of those albums that stays with you long after it’s finished playing, and I’ve found myself drawn back to it again and again. Simply stunning!” This Is Darkness

CONCERTS 2025

June 12th - Phoenix Central Park Sydney

June 15th - Dark MOFO festival Hobart

June 20th - Arts House Melbourne for Liquid Architecture

September 12th - The Barbican Centre London with Shabaka

September 17th - De Singel Antwerp with Ánnámáret

September 20th - Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin with Shabaka

CONCERTS 2024

May 29th - Kelvin Club Melbourne in conversation with James Hewison, Daniel Wilfred, and David Wilfred 6-8 TICKETS

June 14th  - Jersey City Theatre Centre New York - Hand to Earth TICKETS

June 15th - Lincoln Centre New York - Hand to Earth THE CROW (US premiere) in partnership with Jazztopad Festival DETAILS

June 16th - Public Records Brooklyn - Hamid Drakeand Hand to Earth for Jazztopad Festival

June 19th  - Suoni Per Il Popolo Montreal with Hand to Earth THE CROW DETAILS

June 22nd - Ottawa Jazz Festival with Hand to Earth THE CROW DETAILS

June 26th - Vancouver Jazz Festival with Hand to Earth THE CROW DETAILS

July 17th- Volume Festival Art Gallery of NSW Sydney DETAILS

July 19th- Open Frame, Powerhouse Brisbane DETAILS

CONCERTS 2023

November 23 - Bimhuis Amsterdam

November 22 - ArtEZ University Arnhem Netherlands

November 21 - Nijmegen Netherlands for Music Meeting at Lindenberg Cultuurhuis

November 19 - Jazztopad, Living Room Concerts: Meredith Bates' Like The Mind x Hand to Earth

November 18 - Jazztopad Festival Wroclaw, Poland 'The Crow' EUROPEAN PREMIERE

November 16 - Luxembourg Philharmonie Rainy Days Festival

Sept 21st - 23rd Jeonju International Sori Festival, Korea

September 24 Banjul Art Space Seoul

October 28 - The Substation, Melbourne International Jazz Festival  with Amalia Umeda (POL), The Crow, WORLD PREMIERE

June 11th 2023 Vivid Sydney Carriageworks for Soft Centre TICKETS

June 7th 2023 Rising Melbourne The Forum TICKETS

June 4th 2023The Bridge Hotel Castlemaine VIC 3pm

April 8th 2023Four Winds Festival Bermagui NSW

CONCERTS 2022

August 21st 2022 Darwin Festival

August 22 - September 10 Tour of remote outback Northern Territory produced by Artback

June 10th & 11th 2022Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin

March 12th & 14th 2022 WOMADelaide

May 21 2021 Canberra International Music Festival

WINNER 2024 Music Victoria Award for Best Avant-Gard Work

NOMINATED for 2022 ARIA Award for Best World Music Album

NOMINATED for Songlines UK Top of the World 2022

NOMINATED for AMC Art Music Awards 2022 & 2024 Best Jazz Album