There is something special about Western Australian country duo JoKeria’s sophomore album, Red Country. The imagery within the songwriting is so vivid, it is almost as if you are standing in the heart of the ‘red country’ the songwriters’ drummer Josh Philpot and vocalist and guitarist Kendall Smith have written about. There is something almost tangible about the storytelling – showcasing not only the landscape, the people, and the culture, but even the small intricacies of JoKeria’s homeland.
Following on from their 2017 debut Back No More, JoKeria took their second release back to the drawing board. Where many bands may have packed up their bags and headed for the big smoke, Josh and Kendall instead dug their heels in, embracing their local community and creating an album that alludes to a township that has had its ups and downs but most importantly is the sum of its people and their experiences.
Their community – Roebourne – with a population of less than a thousand people has a strong sense of family and it was this that JoKeria wanted to bring to the fore in Red Country. Josh and Kendall have been playing music together in their community since the age of 22. For the two musicians, real country music was something that resonated with them both. A large part of what makes up the identity of the band is Kendall’s Indigenous lineage. Born of an Aboriginal Father and a Non-Aboriginal Mother, he grew up understanding what he describes as ‘both sides of the story, and both sides of the fence’, something that he has translated into the band’s songwriting. The importance of storytelling within his Indigenous culture is something JoKeria has also embraced, ensuring their songs have a storytelling narrative to connect with people.
In a serendipitous twist, JoKeria will be launching their album at the Red Country Music Festival, apt indeed for an album that embodies the spirit of the Red Country. It brings full circle everything they wanted for the release – a hometown launch and a chance to showcase their community to a wider audience. They are already planning a West Australian tour and looking ahead to Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2020. More importantly, they are looking forward to sharing their music – true-grit Australian country music – with the world.
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