It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll - and it's even further if you're from Tjuntjuntjara, on Spinifex country in remote Western Australia.
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But for Jay Minning and the Desert Stars, the subject of award-winning documentary Gravel Road, ridin' down the highway goin' to a show means they can bring the messages from their music to a wider audience.
On Saturday both the band and the doco will play at the Hotel Esplanade as part of the St Kilda Film Festival.
Directed by Tristan Pemberton, the film gives an insight into the convergence of Indigenous Australian culture and contemporary rock music.
It follows the debut tour of the Desert Stars as they travel from their home in Tjuntjuntjara to gigs in regional WA, along with country rock outfit The Remains.
And it wouldn't be rock n roll if it wasn't a struggle.
The Desert Stars' lead singer, Minning is a Spinifex man and the community's traditional songman, who is responsible for creating, performing and passing down songs that connect the community to country.
With his songs firmly rooted in classic rock and lyrics in both English and Pitjantjatjara, Minning addresses some big topics, including the British atomic tests at Maralinga.
"For a black man, I'm living in two worlds here and I got to get the story across to the other side," he said.
Pemberton said it had been a privilege to collaborate with Minning, the other members of the band and the community of Tjuntjuntjara in the making of Gravel Road.
"Every journey changes you, and this one left an indelible mark on all participants in the true spirit of ngapartji-ngapartji (reciprocity)," he said.
"It was all made possible because of Jay's incredible passion to share his remarkable life, culture and Spinifex history through music.
"Community buy-in was really important - and it always is.
"I feel very very privileged to have been allowed to share that story."
The Gravel Road screening and the Desert Stars' performance at the St Kilda Film Festival will be accompanied by performances from Yolngu singer Eleanor Dixon and Torres Strait Islander artist John Wayne Parsons.
"The film is a rare opportunity to see what life looks like in a remote community," Pemberton said.
"Jay Minning and the Desert Stars are the real deal, these are initiated men who are living their culture and they're also making it accessible through rock music, with great tunes.
"Going to see the film, hearing Jay's story, then watching the band play is an experience like no other."
Gravel Road won Best Documentary Feature at the Poppy Jasper Film Festival in California and made its Australian premiere in Margaret River last year, followed by a surprise live performance by the Desert Stars.
The band received so many calls for encores it ran out of songs.
Gravel Road will screen at Hotel Esplanade on Saturday at 1pm, followed by a live performance by the Desert Stars.
Australian Associated Press
