We've said it before and we'll say it again, when it comes to addressing Indigenous affairs in the music scene, no one does it quite like Chasing Ghosts frontman Jimmy Kyle.
The proud Thungutti Country vocalist/activist has been making music that gets you thinking, while educating the alternative scene about the atrocities First Nations people have endured over time - something which was neglected to be taught or spoken about in school. So Jimmy is taking the reigns and is doing the storytelling himself through releases such as 2021's Homelands EP and today's new offering 'Amnesia Everybody' - which as the title suggests, is inspired by the ignorance of Australia's historic treatment of First People.
Think back, were you taught about the treatment of Aboriginal peoples from the English invasion? How about the true story of the 1856 Towel Creek Massacre? Chances are these historical events - and others like them - were left out of curriculum and conversations in favour of a more acceptable version of our country's history.
Not one to yield in his rise as one of Australia's outspoken Indigenous indie punks, the Naarm-based, NIMA-nominated act aims to make sure these true stories of the past are brought to light, instead of being hidden away or forgotten about by the wider public.
When discussing 'Amnesia Everybody', Kyle shares:
“Anthropologist W.E.H. Stanner talked about “The Cult of Forgetfulness”, and “The Great Australian Silence” in reference to non-indigenous Australians and their failure to acknowledge not just the atrocities of our past, but in also choosing to not think about them at all. Instead, a different history arose in Australia - one of negative stereotypes that victim-blamed First Nations Peoples for our own marginalisation and systematic decimation."
"This song references the stark realities and historical data of this country’s background; that 50% of Australian massacres that were led by colonial police and often murderous politicians…and yet it is these same perpetrators who have streets named in their honour, heritage listed graves, statues, electorates, towns, and cities; glorifying their names and misrepresenting their reputations for sanitised and palatable amended versions of history”
With gripping lyrics like 'There should’ve been someone to tell you / There should’ve been someone to say / Protecting polished statues / While they lie to your face / Amnesia everybody,' you can't but hear the passionate heartbreak in Jimmy's voice as he turns uncomfortable subject matter into a history lesson through melodies and thought-provoking messaging.
The new song also comes with the announcement of Chasing Ghosts' Amnesia Everybody Tour - which will find Jimmy and co. heading up the East Coast alongside MUDRAT this October. So whether you want to learn at your own pace, or jump straight into the thick of it, this will be a great place to start. Chasing Ghosts will drop an album in 2025, so get the ball rolling by checking out the lead single below.
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Stream 'Amnesia Everybody' here
