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Drifting Clouds’ Bawuypawuy – A Modern Songline Making Waves
Home Drifting Clouds’ Bawuypawuy – A Modern Songline Making Waves
18 July 2025
5 minute read
Drifting Clouds (Terry Guyula) performing at the 2025 Batchelor Campus Graduation

Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (RTO 0383), located on Kungarakan and Warai Country, is proud to celebrate the meteoric rise of Yolŋu musician and BIITE student Terry Guyula, frontman of Drifting Clouds. Hailing from the homelands of Bunhungura, a 20-minute drive from Gapuwiyak in Arnhem Land, Terry’s debut single, Bawuypawuy, premiered on 6 June 2025 and has captivated audiences worldwide, blending ancient Indigenous Australian Songlines with modern, soulful sounds. In an exclusive interview at Batchelor Campus, Terry shared the story behind his music, his cultural roots, and his journey as a student at Australia’s leading Indigenous tertiary provider.

A Songline Reimagined

Bawuypawuy, sung in Liyawulma’mirr-Djambarrpuyŋu, a Yolŋu Matha language, is a contemporary take on a millennia-old Songline. The lyrics evoke the sea, with waves and currents growing stronger, rough, and tough, before calming, as Terry described in a Triple J interview: “It’s about traditional song lines of the sea, waves and current becomes stronger and tough.” He emphasised the cultural significance of sharing this story respectfully, working closely with Elders to ensure authenticity over a year-long process.

The track’s infectious groove, airy saxophone, and Terry’s dreamy vocals have drawn comparisons to Sade and Simply Red, with YouTube fans noting, “It’s like Sade and Simply Red mixed with Yothu Yindi, and it rocks.” The 16mm music video, directed by Matt Sav and produced by Zac Terry, enhances the song’s coastal narrative, with YouTube commenters describing it as “a beautiful way of sharing an incredible ancient language through dreamy vocals and funky 80s grooves.”

From Arnhem Land to Global Stages

Terry’s musical journey began in Bunhungura, watching his father and uncle play in a local fellowship band, inspiring him to take up drums and keyboards. “I was always listening to the sound of the keyboard, laying my head on the keyboard with my dad when he was playing,” he told Triple J. Influenced by Billy Ocean’s saxophone-driven sound, the Bee Gees, and an eclectic mix of synth-pop, 80s, rock, and country, he honed his craft through a five-year music course in Perth and school bands. His stage name, Drifting Clouds, reflects Yolŋu imagery of clouds separating during song and dance, a nod to his cultural roots.

Supported by band members Chris Ashley (drummer), Alfred Wunungmurra, Alvin Wunungmurra, Marcus Guyala, Daniel Guyula, James Guyula, and producer Zac Terry (guitar), Bawuypawuy was first performed at Batchelor Institute’s graduation on 5 June 2025, an exclusive launch which then caught the attention of ABC TV’s Rage the next day. “It was a big surprise,” Terry said, noting the song’s rapid rise to 256,888 listens on Spotify and 20,800 YouTube views within a month and airplay on Triple J and international radio. Fans have praised its universal appeal, with Triple J’s Tommy Faith giving it five stars, calling it “infinitely modern and driving but calling back to classic songwriting and production. Gorgeous.”

A Cultural Milestone

Crafting Bawuypawuy was a year-long process of cultural respect, working with Elders to ensure the Songline’s lyrics and meaning were authentic. “I stayed through it for another year to get the right words,” Terry explained. This dedication resonated with listeners, with Terry’s aunt, commenting, “Songline lyrics so ancient and old… This song has melted right inside the core of my soul.” The track’s blend of tradition and modernity has earned it a nomination for Best New Talent at the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) on 9 August 2025 in Darwin, where Terry and his band will perform three songs, alongside other Indigenous artists like Kid Laroi.

Fans are clamouring for more, calling for a full album. Terry, who began recording on GarageBand in Bunhungura, hinted at two new songs in the works. You can catch Terry at an upcoming Batchelor Campus performance on 10 July 2025, alongside drummer Chris Ashley and producer Zac Terry on guitar. His goal, as shared with Triple J, is to “write music about life in community in my homeland so people can see and feel my land” and make listeners feel “love, power, spiritual” and “happy.”

Batchelor Institute: Nurturing Indigenous Talent

As a Certificate IV in Screen and Media (CUA41220) student at BIITE, Terry is learning editing and filming to produce his own music videos, a skill he sees as vital for his future. “I want to do it on my own,” he said, crediting BIITE for providing a culturally safe space to grow. “I feel comfortable here.” His classmate, Mark, introduced him to BIITE, recognising its unique “Both Ways” learning approach, which integrates Indigenous Australian knowledge with tertiary education.

Batchelor Institute (RTO 0383) is Australia’s leading provider of tertiary education for Indigenous Australians, delivering Vocational Education and Training (VET) and higher education grounded in the “Both Ways” philosophy. With campuses on Kungarakan and Warai Country in Batchelor and Arrernte Country in Alice Springs, BIITE empowers students like Terry to achieve liberation through education. “BIITE is the best,” Terry said, reflecting the Institute’s role in fostering Indigenous Australian talent.

A Global Sensation with Local Roots

Bawuypawuy’s success has drawn attention from major labels like Sony Music and Mushroom, but Terry remains focused on independence. “I’m gonna stay independent for now,” he said, valuing creative control. His music has sparked international interest, with festival bookings in Melbourne and Sydney, radio play in Europe, and a follow from global star Troye Sivan. BIITE is proud to support Terry’s journey, which aligns with our mission to educate and liberate through Indigenous Australian knowledge.

Latest Achievements

Following his electrifying performance at Batchelor Campus on 10 July 2025 as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations, Terry Guyula, aka Drifting Clouds, received major accolades. Around 3:00 PM NT time on Thursday, 10 July 2025, he was announced as the official Triple J Unearthed 2025 competition winner, cementing his status as a rising star. Additionally, Drifting Clouds was featured on the ABC TV Rage NAIDOC special, broadcast on Saturday, 12 July 2025, at 10:30 AM, showcasing his cultural impact to a national audience. Further boosting his global profile, Luke Steele, the vocalist and primary songwriter of the acclaimed band Empire of the Sun, has begun following Drifting Clouds on Instagram, marking another milestone in Terry’s international recognition.

Join the Drifting Clouds Movement

Follow Drifting Clouds on Spotify, Apple Music, and Instagram for updates on their NIMA performance and upcoming releases. Explore BIITE’s programs at batchelor.edu.au to discover how we empower Indigenous Australian students to share their stories with the world.