Biography

Nardi Simpson is a Yuwaalaraay storyteller and performer living in Sydney. Training as a musician, Nardi began her artistic journey as a songwriter and performer with vocal duo Stiff Gins. This has seen her travel both nationally and internationally for over twenty-three years releasing four albums, two singles, an EP and countless compliations during that time.

​Nardi’s writing journey started with Writing NSW’s Indigenous Writers’ Mentorship Program in 2014. In 2018 she received the State Library of QLD’s Blak&Write! Indigenous Fellowship and began refining what was to become her debut novel ‘Song of the Crocodile’. In 2020 Nardi wrote and premiered her debut play ‘’Black Drop Effect,’ at that years Sydney Festival. In October of the same year, ‘Song of the Crocodile’ was released with Hatchette Australia. Most recently, Nardi composed, conducted and performed in the 2022 Sydney Festival and Sydney Opera House presentations of ‘-barra,’ a sonic and visual journey through her Yuwaalaraay homelands.

While currently working on her second novel, Nardi continues to perform with Stiff Gins, works with student ensembles and directs cross-cultural choir Barayagal at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She is also currently undertaking a PhD with the ANU School of Music. Whatever the creative project infront of her, Nardi remains committed and active in the making and sharing of culture, music and story in both her Sydney and Yuwaalaraay communities.

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