“We were heavily inspired by the Dyarrubin River itself and our beautiful Country, we wanted to highlight just how magical the area is and encourage people to protect the Country. On the day of the shoot, we hiked to Moonee Moonee and discovered a scenic path along the Dyarrubin River’s edge, where we discovered many natural wonders. Among them was a remarkable archway formed by trees extending over the water. We also observed a variety of colourful fungi and enjoyed climbing trees, some of which provided a playful and serene environment beneath their branches.”

Captured through sweeping drone shots of a cinematic scale, the Dyarrubin is the spectacular centre piece of the clip. Its scale and magnificence open the video, accompanied by Charlie’s angelic harmonies. The first time we see Charlie she is with her sister Miri, singing to the river, caught in its reflection. It’s a powerful ode to the singer’s ancestry, who is a proud Guringai woman. You can sense Charlie’s love and appreciate for Country through the care in which the river has been captured, and it is this intentional filmmaking which does so much to highlight the Dyarrubin‘s beauty:

“The Dyarrubin is a breathtaking and sacred river located on the Central Coast, and we aimed to capture its magnificence by showcasing just how awe-inspiring it truly is. We emphasised the river’s natural beauty and magical qualities through our visuals, especially in the opening scenes with sweeping aerial views of the water and surrounding bushlands. The Dyarrubin holds deep cultural significance for my people, as our ancestors have cared for this river for thousands of years, ensuring the balance and sustainability of its aquatic life and ecosystems. We are fortunate to have a strong connection with this river, and we must continue to celebrate, protect, and honour Country and these beautiful waters.”

It is a privilege to watch Charlie so joyously celebrate the land alongside her sister, who also assisted with the video’s animation. Their playful movements, soft and unplanned, seem to evoke the very trees and plants that surround them. It feels childlike, explorative, a journey of dance and play that takes us through the diverse landscapes of the river. Throughout the shoot, Charlie and Miri took the time to connect with Country, letting it take the lead on their dance and performance:

“The dancing was intentionally planned with a loose structure to evoke a sense of playfulness and celebration of our Country. As we made our way along the Moonee Moonee path, we came across some of our favourite trees, natural archways, and fascinating textured grasses. We took the opportunity to dance and interact with the landscape, letting our movements reflect our connection to nature. We aimed to convey this connection through joyful, spontaneous expressions of fun and harmony with the land.”

Inspired by Miri’s personal artwork, hypnotic 2D animation runs across the live footage of the river and landscape. Bright colours and lively patterns inject life into the already vibrant bushland. The trees and waterways become cheeky characters, dancing alongside Charlie and Miri. Beginning as subtle animated drawings, the visuals soon develop into fully animated sequences of the girls swimming through a fictionalised Dyarrubin. This intersection of artistic mediums was key to capturing the landscape beyond the bounds of a camera lens:

“The intention behind the animation was to evoke a sense of magic and the presence of spirits and ancestors guiding and supporting us along the way. We wanted to convey the idea that if we listen closely, we can find our path and follow it with confidence. To bring this vision to life, we experimented with green screen suits, allowing animation to flow over our bodies by the end of the video. This visual transformation symbolised our connection with the river, as its supernatural magic infused us, helping guide our way forward.”

A Drone DJI Mini 3 Pro was pivotal for capturing the epic wide-angle views of the river. Used to skim along the water’s surface, the team aimed to capture the motion of the river, all the while dodging the occasional jumping mullet fish. The rest of the video was shot using a Blackmagic 6k G2 with a NIDI swift ND filter to allow for the flexibility needed when shooting with natural light. Filming outdoors creates all sorts of surprising challenges, fighting against sunlight and weather conditions. Charlie revealed how shooting by a muddy riverbank can be surprisingly hazardous:

“One particularly exhausting scene involved running in slow motion—I’m convinced we must have done it about 50 times each! It was incredibly tiring. Also, when we were dancing by the river, the mud caused my platform shoes to get stuck, and I started sinking, so I needed a hand to get out!”

Dyarrubin marks a new musical journey for Charlie, which will take her and her sister around the country to perform at Djerriwarrh Festival and The Town, and next year in Naarm with The Teskey Brothers for A Day On The Green. It is a joyous opening to this new chapter of Charlie Needs Braces, and when asked if she had anything else to say about the clip or the song, Charlie only confirmed how euphoric the process has been:

“We really enjoy performing this song live and are really proud of all of the energy and effort that went into making this music video clip, we love it and hope you do too! Thanks to the team and to everyone who helped us to put this together and made it happen!” 

Here is the official video for “Dyarrubin“

Music Video Credits

A Film by Charlie Needs Braces & Master Kapow. Performed by Charlie Needs Braces. Featuring: Charlie Woods on Vocals, Brass, Loops, Miri Woods on Backing Vocals, and Michael Saxall on Percussion. Directed, Filmed, and Edited by Master Kapow. Animation by Master Kapow, Miri Woods. Recorded and Mixed by Master Kapow. Mastered by Guy Louis Faletolu. Props and Camera Assistants Rebecca Hird Fletcher, Scott Fletcher. Supported by the Archie Roach Foundation Award for Emerging Talent 2023.