Through The Trees

King Stingray

A rallying cry to change our climate approach, to listen to the pain of Mother Nature and the voices of those trying to protect her.

Why we wrote this song

King Stingray spoke with triple j who did a first play of the song back when it was released.

“I guess it is a bit of a metaphor for life,” Roy said.

“And we’re using the imagery of, you know, where we grew up in, and the location where there’s these moments where you’re driving through these sort of canopies of trees on the road, and then you come out the other side, up to a sand dune and a big view of the ocean.

“And it’s a bit of a metaphor where you make it through a challenging moment in life. It’s that light at the end of the tunnel sort of scenario. And I guess at a deeper level, it’s a bit more about seizing the moment and pushing on through the challenges and the obstacles.”

Yimi added that the track has “layers of meaning” stretching from the 17 seasons of the Top End to the Yolngu songlines that wind across Country and the ancient trees.

About us as artists

King Stingray is a story of lifelong friendship.

King Stingray’s do-it-yourself ethos and connection to home and family resonates through every song, from the funk-laden joy of Milkumana, to the soaring Malk Mirri Wayin, the sweet melancholy of triple j favourite Get Me Out, the boppy fun of Camp Dog, the punk rock thrash of Raypirri. Recorded and produced between the NT, Brisbane and the Byron Bay hinterland, King Stingray rocks vibrant and colourful like a great glowing djäpana (sunset) through the East Arnhem Land sky. The album is a vital entry to Australian music and cements the band’s status as one of the most exciting acts to burst out of the NT in years.

A lot has happened for King Stingray since they released their 2022 debut self-titled album, which took the group from what guitarist/producer Roy Kellaway calls “a pretty sleepy, rural lifestyle in the bush” to one of epic touring and the excitement of being a band on the rise.

“Nothing’s changed in the sense that we’re still who we are, we’re still playing music and enjoying things,” says Kellaway. “But what I think is different about this one is there’s a little bit more lived experience, and we’re singing about different things.”

About the music video

“We shot the clip up in our hometown in the NT! We had so much fun making this clip!! Full road trip vibes! Shoutout to our brother and best mate Sam Brumby for doing the clip, we love ya mate.”