Selfless Orchestra - Yeelirrie '50 Years of Resistance' — Alyian- Portfolio of Steven Aaron Hughe

Selfless Orchestra - Yeelirrie '50 Years of Resistance'

A single released by Selfless Orchestra in conjunction with a book that looks at the long battle to stop Uranium Mining in WA. I produced the single which I originally wrote on the Walkatjurra Walkabout protest walk in 2018, then was revamped with Selfless Orchestra and recorded in the West Australian Goldfields as part of the Barefoot Bands project in 2021 and then finally released in 2023 at a special event hosted with the Conservation Council of WA at the Rooftop Movies venue in Perth, WA.

After such a long journey it was an honour to contribute creatively to the story of the indigenous people of central WA and honour their fight to protect their country.

Music Video

Offical Music Video for ‘Yeelirrie’

Press Release

“Yeelirrie is taken from the word yulara which means to weep, like weeping in mourning. It is a place of sadness, of death and mourning. People shouldn’t go there. We were told not to go there.”

Celebrating 5 decades of resistance to uranium mining in Western Australia, Selfless Orchestra perform a special live set at Rooftop Movies to release their new single ‘Yeelirrie.’

Presented by the Conservation Council of WA, the evening honours a joint release with the new book "Yeelirrie 50 years of Resistance" that tells the story of the fight against a proposed uranium mine in the West Australian Goldfields. ‘Yeelirrie’ is a song written in reflection of the unique land that has been persistently under threat and the valiant determination of the community that has stood up to defend it for 50 years.

Selfless is a Post-Rock Orchestra featuring celebrated West Australian musicians that perform immersive live sets to cinematic visuals, creating vivid spaces in which hope and despair co-exist to inspire social and environmental justice. The single was recorded out in the goldfields in the abandoned Coolgardie Train Station and engineered by Karnivool (WA) guitarist Drew Goddard who also played drums on this recording. ‘The story of Yeelirrie and 50 years of resistance’ is a book of hope, celebrating the power of solidarity, unity and resistance and survival over multinational companies and politics.

Don't miss this special event which will bring together people from around the state who have stood together to fight the uranium mine at Yeelirrie. Support comes from legendary goldfields singer Delly Stokes from Yabu Band. Drinks from the Rooftop Movies bar and Food from Huxtaburger available on the night + copies of the book available to purchase at the event.

‘Yeelirrie’ will be available as a digital single Friday March 10th. 2023

Selfless Orchestra features members of Perth Symphony Orchestra and WA bands Last Quokka, Injured Ninja, Karnivool, Usurper of Modern Medicine and more. Their debut album ‘Great Barrier’ is out now via Stock Records.