After an accident robbed Andrew Gurruwiwi of his eyesight in 1998 and left him depressed and bedridden, the Galpu clan man could barely fathom how to continue living.
But then, there was music.
A funky beat playing deep in his heart.
"I couldn't walk, I couldn't feel like I used to, I couldn't feel happy," Gurruwiwi said.
"But music gives me life – music is like a medicine.
"When a person gets sick, if you play music, it gives your life back. It makes you awake, and makes you happy again, or makes you proud of who you are, through the music."
More than 20 years later and Gurruwiwi's music is finding its way to more eardrums than ever, as the multi-instrumentalist Yolŋu performer works towards cracking the Australian mainstream scene.
Buoyed by the success of his East Arnhem Land counterparts, Yolŋu surf rock outfit King Stingray, the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band has hit the road and is playing festivals and shows across the east coast.
His latest single, the infectious Gatjumak, has garnered airplay on stations like triple j and on ABC's flagship music video show Rage, and Gurruwiwi said his band is ready to fly.
"My band is ready to go any place, tour Australia, overseas, anywhere," he said.
Despite being 55 years old, and with the added challenge of blindness, Gurruwiwi said he's ready for the rigours of road touring, along with his seven-piece band and his carer.
"Doesn't matter if you're older, still music will make you young," he said.
"Your voice, your talent, your story."
Remote radio star's loyal fanbase
While the secret's now getting out about the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band on a national level, the banging bongo player has been a known entity in his remote Northern Territory region for years.
As well as a musician, Gurruwiwi is a long-term radio broadcaster for local station Yolŋu Radio.
Station manager Will Porter said people across Arnhem Land regularly tuned into his show.
"His character on air is almost this larger than life personality, just to try and make people's days," Mr Porter said.
"People who are working on CDP programs in Gapuwiyak or working in workshops in Galiwin'ku who are listening to Yolŋu Radio all day, every day, when he's on I have no doubt that they all turn up the radio a little bit louder."
Mr Porter said the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band's musical pedigree, and the fact they're surrounded by a supportive community in East Arnhem Land, gave the singer the strength he needs.
"He presents as someone full of life and energy, but he is an older man with a serious disability," he said.
"For most people it would really impact their lives: his ethos in life is what has overcome that."
New festival to rock Arnhem Land
While southern Australian music fans have a chance to see Andrew Gurruwiwi Band live at events including Victoria's Queenscliff Music Festival in November, his home crowd will also soon have a chance to catch him at an inaugural three-day festival on the Gove Peninsula.
The festival, called East Arnhem Live, is roping together some of the region's biggest acts, along with high-profile artists like Emma Donovan and the Putbacks and Beddy Rays.
Yolŋu woman and artistic director Rosealee Pearson said the festival would be "a fusion of everything that makes this area of Australia unique – with a whole lot of fun thrown in".
The East Arnhem Live festival takes place near Nhulunbuy between September 30 and October 2.
