Healing the child within

Indigenous student launches debut single through UQ

UQ student Jamaine Wilesmith, known as Durriwiyn, in the Corella Recordings studio at UQ.

UQ student Jamaine Wilesmith, known as Durriwiyn, in the Corella Recordings studio at UQ.

Contact chats to Indigenous artist Durriwiyn about the release of his debut single through UQ's Corella Recordings and the musical journey towards self-healing.

Jamaine Wilesmith was brought to tears when he wrote the music to his debut single Little Bird. It was an involuntary reaction that he says was all part of healing his inner child.

“I started writing my EP at a time I felt stuck and had lost my grip on myself,” Jamaine said.

“I cried quite a bit – it was pretty confronting. The lyrics stem from my childhood trauma. It all ties into the lyrics, and if you listen carefully, you'll understand.

“It's basically me telling my inner child that it's okay to be hurting. It's okay to feel lost. And I'll be there to help soon.”

The emerging Indigenous artist, known as Durriwiyn, has become the first student to release a single through UQ’s record label Corella Recordings.

UQ student Jamaine Wilesmith.

The Biripi and Worimi man is studying a Bachelor of Arts (Popular Music and Technology Major) at UQ’s School of Music. He wrote, co-mixed and co-produced Little Bird, which was recorded by fellow students as part of a collaborative Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course.

With ‘an ambient bass line and deep-rooted lyrics’, Little Bird explores the themes of inadequacy and self-healing.

“It had to be very moody, deep and emotional, but overall hopeful,” Jamaine said.

“I want people to feel safe in it, like I'm speaking for them without them having to say anything.

“I want my music to heal people, I’ve always been big on that.”

Listen to Little Bird by Durriwiyn.

Jamaine grew up in Taree, New South Wales, and moved to Brisbane to study at UQ in 2020. Despite having no formal music training before attending UQ, the HASS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship recipient has found his calling through the WIL course, as well as a “family away from home”.

“I’m pretty much a self-taught singer,” Jamaine said.

“I was in a choir in primary school, but I didn’t fit in there too well. From there, I had to find my own way in music.

“I love pop and ballads, or anything instrumental, but my culture and spirituality has inspired much of my music and I’m very in tune with it.

“My grandmother is the reason behind that. She encouraged me a lot and was always there to teach me anything I needed to know. That allowed me to express my deepest emotions through my music.

“My artist name, Durriwiyn, is from a dream I had. It means ‘something spirit’. We don't know what ‘Durri’ means, but we know ‘wiyn’ means ‘spirit’ in our language – the Gathang language from Biripi.

“Normally, I'd be nervous singing about these things in front of my friends. But having my classmates there was soothing in a way.

“Recording in the studio with them was great fun and it actually made me more comfortable.”

Little Bird is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, with Durriwiyn’s debut EP Before Now due for release through Corella Recordings later this year.

An image of UQ student Jamaine Wilesmith.

UQ student Jamaine Wilesmith.

UQ student Jamaine Wilesmith.

Label director and course coordinator Dr Chris Perren said he was proud to see Jamaine work with the other students to produce such a meaningful product.

“Jamaine's work has been so fantastic, and it's been wonderful to see him grow as an artist through the whole process,” he said.

“He's learnt skills in production and songwriting, and he's been able to apply those skills.

“I’m so excited for Jamaine but also for the other students involved in the background as part of Corella Recordings’ WIL experience.

“The music industry can be difficult to navigate, but this course creates practical outcomes and provides music students with industry experience.”
An image of Jamaine Wilesmith working with Corella Recordings director and lecturer in music technology, Dr Chris Perren, in the recording studio at UQ.

Jamaine Wilesmith works with Corella Recordings director and lecturer in music technology, Dr Chris Perren, in the recording studio.

Jamaine Wilesmith works with Corella Recordings director and lecturer in music technology, Dr Chris Perren, in the recording studio.

Corella Recordings was launched in 2022, to allow students to work with music staff and professional artists to produce and distribute new music.

“From music production to digital content and media management, web design, copywriting, project management and communication, students are constantly building their portfolios,” Dr Perren said.

“The process is as meaningful as the end product.

“The record label is about connecting with the wider Brisbane and Australian music scenes and building a reputation for passionate and adventurous projects.”

Corella Recordings

Corella Recordings is a record label based in the UQ School of Music. The label champions new music and local composers and performers within the UQ School of Music (students, staff) and its surrounding community (alumni, friends).