Biography
Stiff Gins, comprising of Wiradjuri/Yorta Yorta woman Kaleena Briggs and Yuwaalaraay woman Nardi Simpson, stand as Australia’s longest currently performing all Indigenous female group.
With a rich history of music spanning over two decades, Stiff Gins share their love for music, culture, and language with audiences worldwide. Recognized for their outstanding contributions, they continue to evolve creatively, with Kaleena and Nardi actively involved in nurturing upcoming First Nations musicians. Their musical journey reflects a blend of cultural depth and artistic growth, paving the way for impactful connections in the music industry globally.
Stiff Gins will release their long awaited 4th studio album CROSSROADS in early 2025.
Career Highlights:
-
- Recipients of the Centenary Medal for ‘Outstanding Service to Indigenous Music.
- Performed at Australia’s biggest festivals including Big Day Out, Homebake, Bluesfest, Womad, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Peats Ridge, and many more.
- Toured extensively overseas including North America, Canada, UK, Amsterdam, Spain, France, Singapore, Vietnam, Egypt, Cyprus, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, New Zealand, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya.
- Run thousands of workshops in rural and remote indigenous communities throughout Australia.
- Favourites on the Australian Folk scene including Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, The National Folk Festival, and many more
- Featured in the ground breaking Sydney Festival event “I am Eora”
- Performed for some of Australia’s largest companies and events including Tourism Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Sydney Lord Mayors Millennium Party, Sydney organising committee of the Olympic Games (SOCOG), Australia Day Council, AMP, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, KPMG, Sydney Commonwealth Games Association, AFL, NRL, Qantas, and Virgin Blue among others
- Multi Award Winners and Nominees
- Nardi Simpson’s acclaimed novel ‘Song of the Crocodile released in 2020, via Hachette Australia. Her follow up novel ‘The Belburd’ was released in September 2024.
- Stiff Gins: Spirit of Things (Album) released exclusively to Spotify in August 2021.
- 3 acclaimed album releases, with their 4th album CROSSROADS releasing early 2025.
