“The songs are selections from my favourite First Nations bands, with many being my countrymen from the central deserts of Australia,” Frank Yamma tells Apple Music of his playlist, created in honour of NAIDOC Week and its 2023 theme, “For Our Elders”. The title, Inma Palya, translates to “strong songs” and reflects the dignity and resilience on display across these tracks. “The overall musical feel is strong Blakfella artists who sing proudly about their country and people,” he says. “I hope listeners will enjoy, perhaps sing along and learn something.” The Pitjantjatjara man has been recording achingly poignant music since the mid-1990s, reflecting on the triumphs and travails of his culture in both English and his Pitjantjatjara language. His work combines folk and blues influences with traditional First Nations storytelling—much like some of what you’ll hear below. Yamma found inspiration for this playlist in some of the First Nations artists who have most influenced him, including his father, Isaac Yamma, who made music on his own as well as with Areyonga Desert Tigers. You’ll also find songs that span First Nations rock innovators like Coloured Stone and No Fixed Address alongside more recent artists like Emily Wurramara and Radical Son. Below, read on for more on some of Yamma’s picks. Mixed Relations, “Aboriginal Woman” “Singer and writer Bart Willoughby had a great influence on me. He paved the way for many of us mob. His work in both No Fixed Address and Mixed Relations is groundbreaking.” Warumpi Band, “Stompin’ Ground” “Sammy Butcher from the Warumpi Band is a fellow countryman of mine. He’s from Papunya. He, like Bart, had a huge influence on me. The Warumpi Band and No Fixed Address showed us the way.” Areyonga Desert Tigers, “Woma Wanti” “Great bush band. Love their sound: raw and strong.” George Telek, “Melbourne City” “George Telek is from Papua New Guinea. We are on Wantok together. We’ve played shows together at the London Olympics. He is a legend and very talented. I’d love to go and play gigs with him in PNG. PNG musicians and us Australian mob are very similar. Their culture is different and wonderful.” Black Rock Band, “Skin Name” “I love watching these young fellas coming through. So much talent and energy. Like their name suggests, they’re Blak and they rock hard. Their singer, Richie Guymala, is a big talent.” The artwork on this playlist was created in collaboration with Gunu Baakandji artist Maddison Gibbs. Apple acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.