As kids in Western Australia's Pilbara region, brothers Zaya and Nemo Reuben assumed that sport was the key to success.
Despite a shared interest in music, the Torres Strait Islander and Maori brothers even took up high school rugby scholarships.
“There was no one doing music in Newman, it was just footy, footy, footy,” said Zaya.
Luckily, the brothers have found there are paths to success outside of sport, as the vocalist and guitarist in up-and-coming Perth-based band South Summit.
South Summit's live shows have thrilled audiences across the country, and even within prison facilities. Source: Supplied
Within just two years of forming, the band has released an EP, built a fan base, played gigs around the country and sold out hometown shows.
South Summit’s bassist, Kamilaroi man Josh Trindall, also grew up in WA and has a similar story to the brothers, receiving a high school scholarship to play Aussie rules.
Playing inside to reduce reoffending
As a band, they’ve continued to do things their own way, including starting their performances with an Acknowledgement of Country and playing gigs in prisons.
The indie rock band has released nine songs and are enjoying playing live shows, including in unusual locations.
The initial opportunity to play a gig in a WA prison came about by chance because they knew someone who worked in a prison.
They had such a great response from their audience at that gig that they were keen to do more shows in prisons to share their music with people who usually wouldn’t experience live music.
The band, who has now done three prison gigs, have heard research that shows music helps to reduce reoffending.
“That really shocked us as well and any way we can help in that regard, in getting those reoffending rates down would be so special,” Reuben said.
He hoped by sharing their music with those in prison, the band may be able to make just a small difference to people’s lives.
“It’s just about treating them as human and giving them the opportunity to listen to live music,” he said.
Reuben said he’d been aware of the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in Australian jails, but statistics became more real at Greenough Regional Prison. Many of the people he saw and spoke with in the prison were Indigenous.
“So that really kind of hit home for us, we've got a lot of family that's been in and out of prison as well,” he said.
The band always begin with an Acknowledgement of Country before their gigs. Source: Supplied: Sarah Haleem
Writing from the heart
It's those kinds of lived experiences that also make their way into the songs that South Summit writes and performs.
Songs ‘Runaway’ and ‘River Days’ reflect real-life experiences of the band members, such as the damaging effect of drug use and alcoholism.
Reuben said it’s important for the band to approach such subjects sensitively and try to weave positive messages into their music.
“We just try to be as positive as possible even within how dark the topics may be,” Reuben said.
He said one of the best things was the feedback the band had had.
“We’ve got a few messages from people to say that song, they've related to it and how they've grown up in a similar environment.
“We're so happy that we've been able to help others express their feelings as well through our songs because that's the main thing, we want everyone to feel comfortable and safe and feel something.”
Paying respects
Part of that respectful approach to what the band does also comes through on stage in the form of acknowledging the Country they are playing on.
“It's one of the most important parts I think of our gigs, we love to do in whichever area we're in just to acknowledge the land that we're on," Reuben said.
“It's just like a like a blessing to be on that land to be able to perform on Aboriginal Country. It's kind of like thank you for welcoming, us in and once we've done that, we know that it's going to be a good gig.”
Reuben said it was important for the band to “stick true to themselves.”
One of the highlights for the band members from their success so far has been being able to travel around Australia to play shows.
They are keen to hopefully be able to travel overseas at some point to play but also to travel to the island their dad calls home.
“Back in the 80s and 90s our whole family moved from the Torres Strait Islands, and we've grown up learning our culture from our family members around us,” Reuben said.
Their family members have taught them songs and dances and a love of Torres Strait cooking.
But the brothers, who are two of seven children, have actually never been to Erub Island, where their father’s family is from.
“That's one of our main goals is to go to the Torres Strait and do a gig up there,” Reuben said.
The band’s upcoming ‘Promise me’ tour will see them play shows around Australia in September and while they wouldn’t confirm any details, teased the idea of them releasing new music soon.
