Every now and then an instrumentalist comes along that changes the rules completely. Chris Tamwoy is one such musician. Brought up in Torres Straits where sports was the main subject of interest amongst his peers. Chris taught himself to play in his own inimitable style. His unique two handed guitar playing technique raises eyebrows wherever he plays. He is still unable to read music, however, this doesn’t seem to have slowed him down!
Chris was given his first guitar by an uncle, he then proceeded to hide the new guitar away from family members and friends, afraid they would break the strings on his treasured instrument.
The 19 year old certainly has made a name for himself in recent years, including local and national radio stations, television shows, print media, and getting to play in front of well known musicians such as his childhood hero Jon Butler. He has appeared at TEDx Brisbane for two consecutive years, as well as at the Woodford Folk Festival, and the Byron Bay Blues Festival 25th Anniversary, where he performed solo, and also graced the stage with Grammy award-winning Zydeco musician Terrance Simien.
While music is his passion – Chris is a strong believer that “your culture is your identity” and he is becoming a humble ambassador for his culture, and an advocate for his audiences to pay respects to the country they live on, as well as the ancestors past, present and future.
Chris is becoming increasingly in-demand for gigs around Australia, including the Brisbane G20 Cultural Celebrations, repeat shows in North QLD and the recent Island Vibe festival on Stradbroke Island. He was also a special musical guest at the Canberra NAIDOC Ball & Awards night and AIATSIS 50 year anniversary celebrations.
Check out the video of Chris below
Chris plays the main stage at Kuranda Roots on Saturday June 13 at 3pm
You can get tickets for Kuranda Roots at:- www.rudekatrecords.com and www.ticketlink.com.au
These stores: In Cairns – Happy Herbs, Shi Sha Beads, Fetish 4 Life, Shiva Moon
In Kuranda – Junglist & Jungle Juice Kuranda in the Original Markets, Tantrika, Kuranda Healing opp. Post Office
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