Kalo had a big 2025. His fourth child (Kallum Junior) was born, he toured Perth and Pilbara a number of times as well as gigs all over the Kimberley, launched music videos and maintained his leadership on important Mowanjum and Dambimangari projects. Amidst this he managed to write and record this album...
For me, it keeps balance in my life.. keeps me happy and going.. thats why to me it was important. Like all this busy time, when i come back home i play the guitar for a bit... play a few songs, any song.. just to keep myself connected you know?
Some of the songs took a while because they hold big meaning to me, like Kings and Queens, to me I'm paying respect to all my ancestors who moved from Kalmunya Mission down to Wotchalum Mission, Pantijan... doesnt matter where they went Ngarinyin, Woddordda and Wunambul... its for all the old people, during the times they got moved. That song really came to me when my grandmother passed... that first line "how many loved ones lost".. it just got me at that emotional time... I was walking around the house at night thinking, everyone who played a major role in my life is gone now."
IMAGE: Album Cover shot by Jim Hall in remote Yarloon community, accessed only by boat.
And that danny tribute (Loong's Medley, pictured)... I got to know more about him before his passing.. he used to come round we'd sit down all hours of the night just talking music and singing, id play guitar for him (in his final years it became very hard for him to play guitar). And that helped me understand music, listening to his story, his travel, what he done. not just listening to his music, but having him talk about how his songs came about.
And that Bardawarra, its the same thing too, im paying respect.. This Bardawarra is a Junba... im explaining the event in Woddordda... of what the Junba is about.
Junba are songs and dances that come to composers in their dreams, gifts from country. Bardawarra as a Junba was composed by Kalo's great grandfather Sam Woolagoodja.
With Empty House, I wrote it about this house i spent most of my childhood, and when i grew up and got a house of my own, it was straight across from this house. sometimes when im sitting outside with myself just looking, no one at home, im back in my childhood picutring myself running around, hearing laughter and whatnot. I was just sitting here mucking around with guitar, strumming the chords and looking at that house.
Raise Em Up is Kalo's raw feelings about alcohol abuse in Derby/Mowanjum.
And Turn It Around "was written when i was in school... with my schoolmates. Over the years it became my song..."
IMAGE: Danny Marr from Fitzroy Xpress, a Kimberley music legend, passed away in 2025. Loong Medley is Kalo's tribute to him.
This album was funded by the WA Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport through their Arts Projects for Organisations program.
For more info and RSVP HERE: https://community.lawsonflats.com/event/KALLEMMUNGULU
Three short films produced by James Hall and Melle Branson follow Kallum and family out on Worrora Country, via a 4hr boat trip north of Derby. Through songs and stories, Kalo takes us on a journey to a place only few have travelled. The evening will also feature an interview and live performance from Kallum. Door fee on the night.
