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ABOUT RADICAL SON

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Photo: Phil Nitchie

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Radical Son, David Leha, is from the Kamilaroi nation of Australia and the South Pacific nation of Tonga. He is a strong man with a stronger stage presence and a mesmerising voice that at once seduces the soul and punches the heart. ​​

 

Radical Son's work draws immense power and resolve from a challenging past and a style that melds the urgency of hip-hop and the emotional punch of soul, as heard on two albums to date: Cause N’Affect (2014) and his stunning new album Bilambiyal (2024).

 

Bilambiyal was crafted alongside a powerhouse team, including Full Circle Audio, Marcus Longfoot, Andy Robinson, David Bridie, Frank Yamma, Emma Donovan and many more lending their magic to the end result.

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“I am so grateful to be releasing our album Bilambiyal” (The Learning). I am very proud of this work, and I am so grateful to those who have collaborated with me to bring it to life. I believe we have created a work that we can all be proud of. I absolutely love the songs on this album, and I know you will too. Even though I wish I'd had a stronger connection to Culture and Country."

 

"Even though there was a real disconnect and Culture and Country was not something I had a deep understanding of, still so much of my music is about my mob, my culture, my  heritage. With almost 20 years now as an artist, I've stayed true to the game. I've stayed true to my mob. I've stayed true to myself. I really do hope that that message comes through in my songs.”

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A festival favourite, cemented recently by his show-stopping cover of his mentor Uncle Archie Roach’s Walking Into Doors, Radical Son has performed to standing ovations at Bluesfest, St Kilda Festival, VIVID, the AFL Dreamtime 2023 game, and the official Uncle Archie Roach memorial in Melbourne in 2022. 

 

A highly-skilled concert artist, with performance with classical ensembles and high-profile collaborations under his belt with David Bridie, Emma Donovan, Frank Yamma, Lady Lash, Mau Power and Deline Briscoe, Radical Son’s artistry also expands to film and TV, with credits including Defining Moments, a six-part NITV documentary exploring life-defining experiences, and theatre work, including the lead role of Pemulwuy in I am Eora at the 2012 Sydney Festival.


Studying as a musician at The Eora Centre for Visual and Performing Arts in Redfern, as well completing a Bachelor of Music from Newcastle Conservatorium, Radical Son’s creative prowess is only matched by his otherworldly stage presence that equally transfixes and transcends with authenticity and sheer, compelling power.

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“For those divided and lost, pulled or drawn in many directions both externally and internally. I'm mindful that we are all finding our way and that as hard as it may sometimes be just getting by in life, it is my hope that we find a way to live life, to love.”

- Radical Son

“Coming from hip hop roots, moving through soul, and then moving into a space where music and activism meets, Radical Son’s music has really punched through the heart of the Australian industry...”

  - Sosefina Fuamoli, ABC Pacific

"Radical Son's vocals are their own gravitational force, intense, heavy, pulling you into the story."

 - The Point Music News

"I'm so incredibly grateful for your voice and for this song and for the music and also for your honesty in grappling with the many complex elements of making music and of living on these lands at this time"

  - Leah Avene, Triple R 

REPRESENTATION

MANAGEMENT

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JILL SHELTON

jill@playonpresents.com​

BOOKINGS

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For First Nations and Community bookings please contact

DAVID LEHA david@radicalson.com

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For all other bookings:

Onya Soapbox

ABBY EDWARDS
abby@onyasoapbox.com

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