Tjupi (Honey Ant) come from the Papunya region 250 – 300k north west of Alice Springs. Tjupi Band members are made up of fellas with strong country and family ties right across the region including Mt Leibig, Kintore, Haasts Bluff, Kiwikurra communities. The main language spoken in this area is Luritja and this is the language used to perform their songs.

Papunya is the main base for Tjupi Band activity; Papunya is place with a rich music tradition. It is the home community of Sammy Butcher, mentor for musicians throughout the region. Sammy, who is famous as lead guitar for the Warumpi Band, has been a major influence in the development of contemporary indigenous music; his skill as a guitarist has been emulated by many but not matched, by any. He has encouraged the establishment of a recording studio in Papunya which has led to various independent productions and contributed generally to the fertile music environment of Papunya.

The sound of Tjupi, in many ways epitomizes Central Australia desert reggae – sparse upbeat, driving kick and snare, in-language; the songs are about loneliness for country, love lost, listening to elders, following tradition, social issues, skin pride, tribal unity.

The Tjupi line up is variable, it depends on who is ‘on the road’, ‘in town’, ‘playing football’; mainly,  Tjupi includes a preponderance of members of the Butcher family. A typical set up includes Barnabus Daniels (vox, keys, rhythm), Sammy Butcher (lead, keyboards, bass, drums), Jeremiah Butcher (drums), Jason Butcher (drums).

BAND MEMBERS:
Jason Butcher           Lead Guitar
Malcolm Karpa         Rhythm Guitar
Jeremiah Butcher      Keyboard
Dwayne Abbott        Vocals
Barnabus Danials     Vocals
Ethan McDonald       Vocals
Samual Inkamala      Drums
George Butcher         Bass Guitar

ALBUMS RELEASED

Kuunyi - Released 2004

Kutju Ngarala - Released 2008