Melbourne art-rock legends Not Drowning, Waving re-unite with acclaimed Papua New Guinean musician George Telek as well as Pius Wasi, Emmanuel and Ben Hakalitz in a rare performance of their groundbreaking 1990 album Tabaran. 

Fascinated by the expressive rhythms of Papuan music and its post-colonial western influences, the David Bridie-fronted band Not Drowning, Waving visited PNG multiple times through the late 80s. They eventually recorded Tabaran in the port town Rabaul with local artists (a documentary of the recording process was released in 1992).

Tabaran innovatively melded Not Drowning, Waving’s avant-garde pop-rock with the harmonies, melodies and musical instruments of Rabaul, led by acclaimed Papuan musician Telek. 

Marking the 35th anniversary of the album – and inspired by the upcoming 50th anniversary of PNG’s independence – Not Drowning, Waving and Telek bring Tabaran to Sydney with many of the original musicians from the recording plus an impressive lineup of new talent from PNG and Australia in a cross-cultural collaboration.

Tabaran was the most important thing we did as a band – it forged many lifelong friendships and collaborations – and it's an album we're extremely proud of. Not Drowning, Waving

It was a genuine, joyous integration of cultures, a landmark album which sounds as startlingly right today as it did in 1990. Jon Casimir

Tabaran is an early masterpiece of world music and a true work of artistic collaboration. Mark Mordue

Switched On

• Artists

  Featuring:
  David Bridie
  George Telek
  Helen Mountfort
  John Phillips
  Pius Wasi
  Emmanuel Hakalitz
  Ben Hakalitz
  Danielle Morgan
  Russel Bradley
  Rowan McKinnon
  Saraimi Batt
  Zipporah Corser-Anu