Kev Carmody

Kevin Daniel Carmody[1]

1946 (age 77–78)
Cairns, Queensland, Australia

1987–present

Larrikin/Festival, Song Cycles

Music career[edit]

1987-1989: Pillars of Society[edit]

In the early 1980s, Carmody began his musical career. He signed a recording contract in 1987[5] and his first album, Pillars of Society, was released on the Rutabagas label (a label founded by artist Frances Mahony and technologist Joe Hayes); the rights were later transferred to Larrikin Records/EMI in December 1988.[4][6] It drew heavily upon country and folk styles with tracks such as "Black Deaths in Custody" and "Thou Shalt Not Steal" describing ignorance and oppression experienced by indigenous Australians.[4][10] In the song "Thou Shalt Not Steal", Carmody draws attention to the hypocrisy of British settlers who brought Christianity to Indigenous Australians, including the commandment prohibiting theft, and yet took the land that the Aboriginal people had inhabited for more than 60,000 years. He emphasises the importance of land to the indigenous people, "The land’s our heritage and spirit", and turns the Christian lesson given to indigenous people around: "We say to you yes, whiteman, thou shalt not steal".[13] A Rolling Stone (Australia) journalist, Bruce Elder, described it as "the best album ever released by an Aboriginal musician and arguably the best protest album ever made in Australia".[6][10] Pilllar of Society was nominated for a 1989 ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release. In subsequent recordings Carmody adopted a broad range of musical styles, from reggae to rock and roll.

Awards and nominations[edit]

ARIA Awards[edit]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987. In 2009, Kev Carmody was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.[30][31][32][34]

"Jack Deelin" (1988)

"Thou Shalt Not Steal" (February 1990)

"Eulogy" (November 1990)

"Cannot Buy My Soul" (December 1991)

"Blood Red Rose" (April 1992)

"Living South of the Freeway" (October 1992)

"Freedom" (July 1993)

"" (1993)

From Little Things Big Things Grow

"On the Wire" (May 1994)

"The Young Dancer Is Dead" (1995)

(2008). From Little Things Big Things Grow. Kev Carmody, with paintings by Peter Hudson, illustrated by Kalkarindji School children from Gurindji Country. Camberwell East, Vic: One Day Hill Publishers. ISBN 978-0-9805643-1-0.

Kelly, Paul

Official website

@ Allmusic

Kev Carmody

@ Discogs

Kev Carmody

on Australian Screen

"From Little Things Big Things Grow"