Nainiouman Unveils Anthem For Traditional Land Care in Powerful Debut 'Dominion'
Nainiouman (pronounced nani-ooh-mun) has just revealed her emotively-driven debut track ‘Dominion’.
‘Dominion’ is a protest song that shines a light on Australia’s recent bushfire crisis and Nainiouman’s frustration with the mismanagement of country and responses from politicians. The compelling cinematic-rock track captures a raw and sincere energy, that stems from grief caused by the destructive impact upon biodiversity and ecological health.
Nainiouman tells the story and motivation behind ‘Dominion’:
“I began working on this track in late-2018, it was like a premonition. I couldn't quite find the emotion for what it was about and it then sat on hold until late-2019. November and December saw fires rage throughout Australia, and emotion fuelled an overwhelming need to finish the song. In witnessing events in real time and on social media, it became like a theme song to what was going on.
The emotions in me became the song, and it all needed to be expressed. I got back in the studio and finished the recording while the land continued to burn; it was hard to breathe every day because of the smoke. At the time, I was volunteering at a disaster relief centre and helping out where I could, so it was very raw and emotional. The people, land and animals all hurting… and they still are”.
Nainiouman is the name artist Rachel Shields inherited from her Grandmother, a song woman born into the land of the Weilwan and Gamilaroi people.
Deeply connected to land and community, Rachel is a strong advocate in caring for Country.
With the recent bushfires bringing the importance of this to everyone’s attention, she initiated relationship development between cultural fire practitioners and the RFS in her local community, to further the conversation around cultural burning and traditional land care.