King Stingray: Bigger Dreams, Same Spirit

Two years back, King Stingray surged from the Northern Territory, blending indie rock with deep cultural roots in a debut that declared: “Living the dream in Arnhem Land, simple ways in harmony.”

With raw talent, a natural groove, and Yolŋu magic, they quickly won over fans – and the accolades weren’t far behind: Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, Australian Music Prize, ARIAs, AIR Awards, NIMAs.

You’d think all that praise might have weighed them down coming into their second album, but not King Stingray – they’re cruising, grounded, and ready to light it up again. Bigger dreams, same down-to-earth spirit.

“We really believe in what we sing about – our stories and our songs,” says the band’s vocalist/guitarist Roy Kellaway (and son of Yothu Yindi’s founding bassist, Stu Kellaway). Alongside lead vocalist Yirrŋa Yunupiŋu – nephew of the legendary Dr. M Yunupiŋu from Yothu Yindi – they’re continuing the Northern Territory’s musical legacy.

On a sunny day in Sydney, the band—Kellaway, Yunupiŋu, Dimathaya “Dima” Burarrwanga, drummer Lewis Stiles, and bassist Campbell Messer – meets up with Rolling Stone AU/NZ at Jackson’s Landing in Pyrmont. Beers in hand, soaking in the harbour views, they’re right where they’re meant to be.

This easygoing outlook is what’s carried them from the NT to the national spotlight, and that journey pulses through their second album, For the Dreams. “It’s a really present album,” say Kellaway. “It captures our lives over the last two or three years.” Stiles nods. “When we listen to these songs together, we’re back in those moments. Tracks like ‘Nostalgic’ and ‘Soon As’—they’re more than songs; they’re snapshots of who we are right now.”

The album, full of joy and resilience, is a celebration of road life, memories of home, and family strength. It builds on the rawness of their self-titled debut, with fresh synths and upbeat tones. Tracks like “Soon As” and the nostalgic “Southerly” bring a sense of calm and belonging, while “Lookin’ Out” captures the band’s trust in facing whatever comes next: “We don’t know what’s coming up ahead, but if we work together, we can figure it out.”

For King Stingray, music isn’t just a job  – it’s a calling. “Yaka Muckaround!”(“We’re not mucking around”) was their mantra in the studio, squeezing in recording sessions between shows across Australia, balancing life on the road with industry pressures.

“We made this album in the busiest time of our lives,” says Kellaway. “Coming from small towns, then facing the music industry, travelling, and touring, we had to keep focused and motivated. This is bigger than any of us. We’re here to keep the fire burning – for us, for our families. We’re not mucking around.”

The band’s purpose hasn’t changed. Language and culture sit at the heart of their music. Burarrwanga emphasises the blend of English and Yolŋu Matha, their traditional language: “It’s important to bring out both languages. We create a space where these two worlds meet, making music that’s unique and contemporary. Good music that holds culture.” 

Nature, too, is central to their message. “A lot of our songs are written outdoors, in the shade of a tree,” explains Kellaway. “Yolŋu people live in synergy with nature, and I think a lot of younger people have forgotten that relationship.

“It’s easy to get distracted by life—jobs, careers, all these things – but without the environment, we don’t exist. We need the bush to survive. These are themes we touch on in the album – our experiences, but also universal ones.We all have feelings of nostalgia, missing home. It’s not just our story; it’s a human story.” 

For King Stingray, it’s all about family, legacy, and culture. They honour the past while pushing forward. “Bands like Yothu Yindi and Diamond Dogs really paved the way, for us” Kellaway acknowledges. “We look up to them, we respect them, and we know that music brings people together, and the power that it can have. We’ve always known this was bigger than ourselves. It’s about making people proud and keeping the legacy alive.” 

King Stingray see the band as a link in Arnhem Land’s long musical chain, building on the path laid by their heroes. “We’ve got our legacy to uphold, and we want to pass it on to those who come after us,” Kellaway continues. “Who’s next? It’s exciting to think about.”

Their real reward isn’t in awards; it’s in moments back home in Bawaka, surrounded by family, celebrating when their song hit triple j’s Hottest 100.“We looked at each other and thought, ‘This is something special,’” Stiles remembers. “Being at home, playing the record with family – that’s the reward.”

“It’s those warm, cozy moments, being together,” Kellaway agrees. “Doesn’t matter if it’s thousands or just a few – it’s about staying true to who we are.”

Right now, they’re riding the wave, taking their music to the US with King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and next March, they’ll headline their biggest Australian tour to date. Live shows are where King Stingray truly shine.

“Being nominated for two ARIAS for the best live act, we take that really with a lot of weight,” says Kellaway. “It can be really tiring away from family, but we really work hard at it.”

A few days after our interview, King Stingray played an impromptu set in Sydney’s Chinatown. No mics, no amps – just them, a guitar and a didgeridoo, drawing a lunchtime crowd. After a few songs, Kellaway joked, “Should we wander and play, Coldplay style?” It was classic King Stingray – always being themselves, always ready to take their music somewhere new.

King Stingray’s For the Dreams is out now via Sony Music Australia.