Robert James (GANGgajang) Sounds of Then ~ and now.

Robert joined GANGgajang in 1985 completing the line-up that recorded their self-titled debut CD. Laden with many hits, including the timeless Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia), it is now regarded as one of the all time classic Australian albums. Robert produced and co-wrote their current album, Oceans And Deserts.

With the original line-up continuing to this day, the band has traversed the country countless times traveling the songs of its many successful albums. This, together with Robert’s four years as guitarist with Yothu Yindi, has given him the experience to portray the diversity of the Australian landscape and its relationship to the nation’s many different cultures.

Secrets In The Sand is an optimistic and revealing journey across time and space in Australia. Tales of the journey and arrival of the First Fleet join stories that have been here in the sand for thousands of years. These are met by songs that embrace the modern beach culture of coastal towns where GANGgajang first found its sound and audience.

The music and words mirror the simplicity of the CD cover artwork painted by his son Riley at eight years old, while at the same time there is a deeper complexity that can only come from someone skilled in many forms of composition ranging from folk songs to symphonies.

Robert’s orchestral skills are evident on his first release Suzannah Suite, and on the Federation and Reconciliation soundtracks to Perth’s 2001 and 2002 Skyshows, on his orchestral arrangement of Sounds Of Then performed by the Sydney Youth Orchestra with Jimmy Little at the 2004 Premiers Luncheon.