Naarm/Melbourne-based soul artist and proud Noongar woman Bumpy today announces her signing to noted tastemakers Astral People Recordings (Milan Ring, Skeleten, Wave Racer), and presents her latest single and video, ‘Return Home’. 

On joining the Astral People Recordings roster, Bumpy says, “I’m extremely excited to announce that I'm a new member of the Astral People family! They are such a supportive and passionate team and I can't wait to bring more music into the world with their support.”

‍“We first came across Bumpy's music through a friend of ours who's handling her local bookings,” explains Astral People’s Vichara Edirisinghe. “We were instantly blown away by her powerful voice and the lyrics resonated with us for days to come. We've always made moves based on our instinct and our instinct with this project tells us this is something really special.”

Premiering overnight on triple j’s Home And Hosed with Declan Byrne, ‘Return Home’ illuminates the transportive nature of Bumpy’s music, guiding the listener through a world in which vulnerability is strength and power is quiet but self-assured. Just her second-ever official release following 2020 single ‘Falling’, ‘Return Home’ finds Bumpy seeking communion and connection, wandering through a mystical reverie of spacious guitars that swells to a dramatic climax before resolving in hushed, clear-eyed recognition: “I come from water / I come from land”. 

Described by Bumpy as an ode to home and “the people, places and connections that make us feel grounded and at ease”, ‘Return Home’ is propelled by stirring strings arranged by Aaron Wyatt, who recently marked history as the first Indigenous conductor of an Australian state orchestra.

‍“‘Return Home’ surfaced while in isolation and allowed me to express thoughts that I wouldn't usually vocalise,” shares Bumpy. “This song has become a grounding reminder that connection is a constant journey whilst spotlighting the importance of home, family and story. This release process has been full of community collaboration, connection, family and support - honouring the themes throughout this track and allowing it to inform the presentation of ‘Return Home’.”

Directed by Lewis Robert with production company Strange Paradise, the ‘Return Home’ video was filmed on the beaches of the Kulin Nations in south central Victoria and features dancers from Culture Evolves, a Naarm/Melbourne-based Indigenous dance group. 

‍Watch ‘Return Home’ Video Here

The lead vocalist of Naarm/Melbourne neo-soul outfit Squid Nebula, Bumpy emerged as a solo artist in late 2020 with her debut single ‘Falling’. That single promptly drew national and international support, including praise from Frankie Magazine, Trouble Juice and Beat, airplay from 3RRR, 4ZZZ, PBS FM, Koori Radio, triple j Unearthed and more, also garnering her a nomination for Music Victoria’s Archie Roach Award for Emerging Talent and seeing Bumpy featured in ABC’s NAIDOC Special alongside Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Uncle Kutcha Edwards and Kee’ahn.

Having previously supported Hiatus Kaiyote and played festivals such as Rabbits Eat Lettuce, Strawberry Fields, Grampians Music Festival, Melbourne Music Week (where she curated a First Nations showcase, Wominjeka) and more, Bumpy is also set to perform as part of VIVID Festival at Astral People’s Birthday at the Sydney Opera House on Friday, June 3 alongside Yussef Dayes, Mildlife and others. Tickets are available here. Fans in Naarm/Melbourne can also catch a special in-store performance at Northside Records on Friday, May 13 where a very limited 7” of the single will be available to purchase. More details available here.