Yabu Band are an Indigenous Australian rock and roots band formed in 1998 in Kalgoorlie. The word yabu is Wongutha – a western desert tribal language – for 'rock' or 'gold'. Core members are brothers Delson (vocals) and Boyd Stokes (guitar and vocals); and Jade Masters (drums) with Lionel Sarmardin (drums 2017). When performing live they are joined by Roy Martinez (bass), Elizabeth Gogos (vocals), Tony Shaw (didgeridoo) and Tim Ayre (keyboards)and other Supporting artist. They won a Deadly award in 2009 for Most Promising New Talent in Music. Delson Stokes Jr was the 1999 NAIDOC Male Youth of the Year. Boyd Stokes won Guitarist of the Year and Jade Masters won Drummer of the Year at the 2009 TOO SOLID Music Awards held in Perth. Yabu are a four time WAMi (West Australia Music Industry) award winner.
In May 2012 Yabu Band toured Australia to promote their single, "Petrol, Paint and Glue", which highlights indigenous abuse of inhalants. Tracks from their next album, My Tjila, were performed. They were supported by Kimberley musician, John Bennett. "Petrol, Paint and Glue" was nominated as Single of the Year at the 2012 Deadlys – to be held in September. Delson had written the track twelve years earlier after a family member had died from petrol sniffing.
Yabu Band released a debut EP in March 2021.
Discography Albums Title Details Looking to the Future Released: 2000 Format: CD Gundulla - We Dance Released: May 2009 Label: Yabu Enterprises Format: digital download
Extended plays Title Details A Cry in the Wind Released: 26 March 2021 Label: Yabu Band Format: digital download, streaming
Singles Title Year Album "Looking to the Future" 2001 Looking to the Future "He Right - He Not Wrong" 2006 "Noongar Music" 2008 Gundulla - We Dance "Beautiful Girl" 2009 "I Am Australian" (Wongutha Version) 2010 "Petrol, Paint & Glue" 2012 "A Cry in the Wind" 2020 A Cry in the Wind "Peacemaker" 2021
Awards and nominations Deadly Awards The Deadly Awards, was an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in music, sport, entertainment and community.
(wins only) |- | Deadly Awards 2009 | Yabu Band | Most Promising New Talent
WAM Song of the Year The WAM Song of the Year was formed by the Western Australian Rock Music Industry Association Inc. (WARMIA) in 1985, with its main aim to develop and run annual awards recognising achievements within the music industry in Western Australia.
(wins only) |- | 2008 | "Gundulla - We Dance" | Indigenous Song of the Year
| 2012 | "Petrol Paint & Glue" | Mentally Healthy of the Year
West Australian Music Industry Awards The West Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMIs) are annual awards presented to the local contemporary music industry, put on annually by the Western Australian Music Industry Association Inc (WAM). Yabu Band won four awards.
(wins only) |- | 2009 | Yabu Band | Indigenous Act of the Year
| 2010 | Yabu Band | Indigenous Act of the Year
| 2011 | Yabu Band | Indigenous Act of the Year
| 2012 | Yabu Band | Indigenous Act of the Year
References