Budjerah’s Gift Is Song. He Might Even Serenade You With It

When you chat with Budjerah, don’t be surprised if he breaks into song mid-conversation. That’s exactly what happened during our Zoom call about his new single – his soulful voice brightening up a gloomy winter morning.

“My parents were my first musical mentors. Mom sang, Dad played drums at church, and all my uncles and aunties performed together. I remember walking into church and hearing my uncle strumming his guitar, setting the rhythm as people walked in,” he says, spontaneously drifting into a favourite gospel song from his childhood. 

“Music and bringing people together has always been such a massive part of my life. I think that’s what drew me to being a singer in the first place – to connect with people through my voice and music.”

Budjerah’s sweet charm is one of the big reasons why Australia has taken so well to his music. The Coodjinburra artist from New South Wales has scooped up multiple ARIA Awards, despite being just 22.

In 2023 alone, he won the Best New Artist award at the Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards and Artist of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards. He joined Ed Sheeran on his arena tour across the country, and their collaborative single, “2step”, earned Budjerah a nomination for Best Solo Artist at the ARIA Awards. In between all of that, he also dropped massive singles in the form of “Therapy” and “Video Game”.  

But that was last year: right now, Budjerah is excited about his new single, “Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense”, an upbeat song featuring his stunning vocals and a chorus that’s bigger than anything he’s ever made. It may have started out as a humble New Year’s resolution song about quitting a coffee habit, but it turned into a cathartic expression of growing up and dealing with increasing fame.

“So much has changed in the last couple of years,” Budjerah shares. “I got signed at 17, right in the middle of the pandemic. Now, I’ve got all these awards, a platinum record, and I’m touring with Ed Sheeran, playing the biggest shows I could imagine. It’s surreal to be hanging out with people I see as heroes. Sometimes, I feel very out of place and wonder why it’s me doing all this.

“Relationships can be confusing too. This song really captures those feelings of things not making any sense and not knowing how it’s going to be in the future. It describes everything that I feel right now.” 

“Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense” came to life with help from Aussie drumming powerhouse G Flip and producer Aidan Hogg during a writing trip in Melbourne.

Budjerah and G Flip, who both featured in our ‘Future of Music’ series, had only briefly met before, but their friendship really took off after a pool game at Splendour in the Grass with Baker Boy and Ruel. Who won? “Me, surprisingly!” Budjerah laughs. “Baker Boy’s a pool genius. He gave me tips.”

Budjerah loved collaborating with both G Flip and Hogg. “I wanted something energetic and uptempo, and G [Flip] and Aidan were perfect for that. Growing up with gospel and soul music, [and] getting into indie rock was a fun change. The rhythm was different – gospel hits on the two, indie rock on the one. We just hung out and played music all weekend. The best songs come from having fun and not overthinking.”

Speaking of fun, Budjerah clearly had a blast making the music video for “Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense”.

The clip brings the song’s initial coffee theme to life, with Budjerah and his band as baristas, causing a stir among fans about why their favourite artist was working a café shift. 

“We made it look so real,” Budjerah laughs. “The comments have been hilarious online. Stuff like, ‘Is the label treating you okay? Are times tough?’”

It wasn’t an entirely new experience for Budjerah. “I used to work at McDonald’s, and they wouldn’t even let me near the coffee machines,” he grins.

It’s not just new music keeping Budjerah busy.

He’s gearing up for his ‘Therapy Sessions Tour’ this September, with stops planned in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, and Brunswick Heads. It will be his first headline shows in nearly two years (see full dates here). 

“I’m excited to bring everything I’ve learned over the past couple of years and see my fans. I just love singing live. That’s the most real part for me. I want people to leave feeling happy, and amped up,” he says. 

The tour will be a family affair, with cousins in the band and his dad acting as the “music director.” Budjerah says his dad’s presence keeps everything in check.

“My dad used to handle music at church, so he helps me put together my setlist. We plan for a high-energy opener and then bring the crowd in close, stuff like that. He also keeps my cousins and me in line and makes sure we don’t stay up too late.

“My cousins make it fun and keep me grounded, making sure I don’t get a big head. They remind me that I’m still just the little cousin, which is a good thing,” he laughs.

Looking ahead, Budjerah is also working on new music and collaborations worldwide, including in Los Angeles. But he’s keeping his cards close to his chest for now.

“I can’t wait to share what’s next!”

Budjerah’s “Is It Ever Gonna Make Sense” is out now via Warner Music Australia.