“Empowering Mparntwe First Nations Musicians through career-building mentorships”
In partnership with
Who We Are
Xpress is a Mentorship program Supporting Mparntwe First Nations musicians through Mentorship, Training, and Community projects. Xpress equips Artists with the tools and confidence to navigate today’s Music Industry and create pathways to sustainable careers.
Mparntwe (pronounced M-ban tua) is the Indigenous (Arrernte) name for Alice Springs.
Xpress acknowledges the unique hurdles faced by Indigenous musicians, including limited access to resources, cultural barriers, and systemic inequities. We are empowering the next generation of Indigenous artists to share their stories and inspire the world.
Our Program
Nurtures Talent: Identify and support talented Indigenous musicians.
Develops Skills: Provides hands-on training in music production, recording, songwriting, performance, mixing, theory, and business skills.
Fosters Community: Creates a supportive community of Artists and Mentors.
Builds Careers: Assist Artists in developing sustainable careers in the music industry, including providing direct job opportunities within the program.
Preserves Culture: Promote and preserve Indigenous musical traditions and knowledge.
Cultivates Future Leaders: Trains a new generation of Indigenous music Mentors to ensure the program’s sustainability and cultural impact.
Complements Existing Education: Enhances existing educational pathways by offering practical, hands-on training, mentorship, and industry connections.
Provides Mentorship: Experienced Indigenous musicians provide guidance and support to emerging artists, fostering strong mentor-mentee relationships.
First Nations Apprenticeship: Equipping Indigenous musicians with professional skills and training to become future Mentors.
Community-Based Projects: Collaborative projects that foster creativity, community engagement, and cultural exchange.
Industry Connections: Networking opportunities with music industry professionals and organizations to facilitate career advancement.
Mental Health and Well-being Support: Providing resources and support to ensure the overall well-being of participants.
By empowering First Nations Artists in this way, Xpress aims to create a vibrant and sustainable Indigenous Music Industry that is fully integrated in the Community. Through the development of skilled Mentors passing on the knowledge, we ensure the longevity of the program and the continued growth of Indigenous Music.
Welcome, please take a look around & enjoy learning about our Mentors & Artists
Thank you for celebrating original First Nations music
Core Principles
Individualised Learning: Recognising that each Artist has a unique journey, Xpress provides tailored support and guidance.
Practical Experience: Hands-on training and real-world opportunities that foster practical skills and industry connections.
Mental Health and Well-being: Prioritising mental health enables Artists to overcome challenges and navigate real-life as part of their journey.
Community and Collaboration: Fostering a supportive community of Artists and Mentors encourages collaboration, networking, and shared learning.
Cultural Sensitivity: Respecting and celebrating diverse cultural backgrounds and musical traditions.
Connect • Collaborate • Create
Meet Our Team
Each of the core members of the Xpress team has an extensive history and connection with working in Indigenous Music. This is the outcome of years of project development between the team, tailored to meet the unique needs of the Alice Springs region. Now we are inviting others who, like us, are passionate about music and education with Indigenous Australians, who have a special connection to this region and want to give back to the community.
Meet the Mentors & Artists
Mentor
Dan the Underdog
"Dan the Underdog is the most criminally underrated rhymer in Australia" - Hugh Winterflood. Dan the Underdog is an award winning Northern Territory based MC/ producer. He has been pivotal in establishing the Northern Territory Hip Hop scene. Whether as a solo act or as part of a crew, he has always been about dope beats and a live stage show. Dan the Underdog is Adelaide Born, Buffalo Bred, & NT Based, all of which come through in his music and storytelling, he makes real Hip Hop music that people from all walks of life can relate to, while always giving his listeners punchlines and details that bring them into his world. His day job is running Music Workshops in Juvenile Detention & Bail Centres, indigenous communities, schools, and drop-in centres to develop tracks for various workshops & projects, helping countless numbers of youth organisations win competitions and get funding, but more importantly, build up the self esteem of the young people involved. You can check his solo music, group projects, and production credits at Dantheunderdog.com where you can also sign up for his mailing list and follow his socials.
Mentor
Darcy Davis
Alice Springs born and bred record producer and musician Darcy Davis has been immersed in music since beginning piano lessons at age 4. Following in the footsteps of his father Bill Davis who is a piano player, record producer and co-founder of the Central Australian Aboriginal Music Association (CAAMA). Darcy has come to be recognised as a master of the keyboard and recording producer in his own right with his original acts Dr Strangeways (Space Rock), D-Day (Hip Hop) and The Purple Patch (Blues Rock). Add to this Darcy’s skill, as a live DJ mixing beats and bringing bangers to the doof’s, you have a musical talent from Central Australia not easily eclipsed in a generation. On a quest for mastery over his multiple musical disciplines, Darcy has put in countless hours refining his skills as a keyboardist, sound engineer and producer. Darcy also has a Diploma in Music Performance and 3 years completed towards a Music Production Degree at Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA. Darcy has produced records for many artists at his father’s hand-built rammed earth, and aptly named “Red House Recording” studio. Collaborating recently with Harry Angus (Cat Empire/Jackson Jackson) on the production and recording of the Children’s Ground album of children’s songs in Eastern Arrernte language was a career highlight. Recently Darcy worked with Aboriginal musicians from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands recording and producing the soon to be released UPK 7 Compilation album of songs in language by various artists. A continuation of the original UPK project started in 1989 by Bill Davis and CAAMA Music. From the most distant traditional lands to the remote townships to the biggest cities in Australia, Darcy Davis is making noise of the best kind. Whether it is producing kids albums with folk music royalty like Sally Balfour (Clara The Crocodile), rapping as D-Day and playing keys with Territory reggae hip hop artist Katanga Junior or rocking the B3 organ with The Purple Patch (Classic Rock), Darcy’s sonic fingerprint is in the sound.
Artist
Big J
Big J aka James Nelson is an upcoming Warlpiri MC from Alice Springs (Mparntwe). He started rapping at the of 11 with his brother/cousin AJ Mic aka Ashley Marshall. He met Dan the Underdog at a Music Workshop at St. Joseph’s where he currently attends High School. In 2024, he started working in the studio with Dan the Underdog, his childhood Partner in rhyme AJ Mic would come along to some of the sessions, they recorded a few songs, including his first single “Lord Forgive Me” which also features Dan the Underdog and Ntaria Reggae legend, Jamie Fejo. The single was well received and gets regular play on Community Radio. He got some good National exposure when ABC News came to Dan the Underdog’s studio to discuss the work he does in the community, Big J was recording a song that day and got to be a part of the interview. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-27/rap-helps-young-peoplestay- on-track-in-alice-springs/103370448 In May 2024, he wowed the audience when he performed his first solo single “We Still Here” live at Wide Open Spaces Festival in Ross River. On this song he discusses the harsh realities of being an Aboriginal man navigating a racist system. He is currently working on an EP of the same name. He intends to release “We Still Here” in August 2024. His second single and first music video ‘Chosen’ with AJ Mic was released in Early June and was immediately picked up by Music NT and nominated for the NT Song of the Year in the Hip Hop Category. It’s still early days but there is big things in the pipeline for Big J, keep your eyes peeled.
Artist
King Abo
King Abo aka Hakiem Abbott is an MC/Producer originally from Mt. Isa, he grew up travelling all over but spent much of his formative years between Palmerston and Alice Springs. He grew up rapping and loving Hip Hop. At the age of 14 he caught some assault charges in Alice Springs and was in and out of the Juvenile detention System for 2 years. This is where he met Dan the Underdog and decided to start taking music a bit more serious. He wrote and recorded most of his first album between the Detention Centre and the bail centre. When he finally got free he was determined to turn his life around and stay out of the system. He linked with Dan on the outside and got in the studio, putting the finishing touches on his first solo release “King of the Slums”. He released a slew of Music Videos, “Best Of Me”, “Section”, “One Take” with AJ Mic and "Big Dogg” with his Mentor Dan the Underdog. In July 2024 he did his first gig at the Tangentyere Youth Centre in Alice Springs opening up for Big J and is planning an August release for his album.
Artist
Jamie Fejo
Jamie Fejo, hailing from Ntaria (Hermannsburg), is a musician and rap vocalist who has been immersed in music since he was in nappies. Jamie plays most instruments and produces himself using his Yamaha keyboard workstation, singing in multiple Aboriginal languages like Luritja, Arranda and Pitjantjatjara. His musicality spans genres from reggae to R&B and rap. Jamie plays live streamed across TikTok and YouTube + all the major platforms. Fejo demonstrates deadliness through not drinking or smoking and carving it up on the footy field.
Artist
Narbz
Born in Alice Springs (Mparntwe) and raised on Arrernte and Walpiri homelands, Narbz, also known as Narpipe Kngwarreye, is a gifted poet and rapper from the centre of Australia. Since 2023, he has been making waves online with his music, recording most of his tracks on his phone using Bandlab. His resourceful, guerrilla-style approach to music production showcases his determination and creativity as an independent artist. Narbz has even established his own record label, Narbz Media, which highlights the talents of local artists such as Jamie Fejo, Islau and Jamahl Palmer. Over the past six months, Narbz has honed his engineering skills in a professional recording studio at the Red House (Old Eastside) through the Xpress program. He plans to bring his refined talents to his community at Snake Well Studio in the near future. Narbz has a fresh flow and ideology that is powerful and profound.
Artist
Yulubala
YULUBALA - Artist Bio Hey, I'm YULUBALA, an Aboriginal artist from Alice Springs, NT. I began producing music as a way to escape the relentless turmoil of my own mind, which constantly forced me to relive the most harrowing episodes of my life. This journey into music became a lifeline, helping me navigate through the darkness of suicidal ideation, depression, and substance abuse. My passion for music is deeply rooted in my desire to inspire others, especially my family, friends, and local Aboriginal youth. I want to show them that they can achieve anything if they believe in themselves and are willing to work for it. In addition to my music, I’ve launched a Not-for-Profit organization, Gudjela Indigenous Corporation, which is dedicated to advancing the education, mental and physical health, and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in rural and remote areas of Australia. Through this work, I aim to empower young people to realize their potential and overcome the challenges they face. My music explores the boundaries of perception and reality, inviting listeners to question the freedoms we often take for granted. My debut release, "Dreamscape (feat. Ayjla)," is an anthem of self-determination, celebrating the raw, untamed force within us all to shape our futures. Influenced by artists like Flume and Skrillex, my sound is a blend of innovation and deep emotion, creating an electrifying experience that resonates on a profound level. "Dreamscape" was brought to life with the incredible support of XPRESS | Global Sounds School, D-Day, and Aylja, and was recorded at the serene Red House Studio in Mparntwe. This is just the beginning of my journey, and I’m excited to share more music with the world as I continue to inspire and uplift through my passion.
Artist Music
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