Boorook releases tribute single for his grandfather Banjo Clarke

Gunditjmara artist Boorook has released a new full-band version of “Till We Die,” a song he wrote after the death of his grandfather, Elder Banjo Clarke. The single is now streaming as Boorook uses the release to honor family, culture and intergenerational connection.

Why it matters: - Boorook’s new release turns a 25-year-old personal song into a wider public tribute to Banjo Clarke, a respected Gunditjmara Elder and educator. - The single connects grief, memory and cultural continuity in a way that reflects Boorook’s broader focus on storytelling and healing. - The release expands the song’s reach by putting it on major streaming platforms for the first time in a full-band form.

What happened: - Gunditjmara (Keeray Wooroong) artist Boorook officially released “Till We Die” on July 16, 2026. - The song was originally written in 2000 after Banjo Clarke’s passing. - The track first appeared on Patricia Clarke’s album in 2002. - Boorook says releasing the song now is his way of honoring his grandfather’s memory and sharing his legacy with future generations.

The details: - Shane Howard, the Australian singer-songwriter from Goanna, produced the new recording. - The new version is a full-band arrangement that adds renewed depth and emotion to the song. - The lyrics explore love, grief, family and the enduring connection between generations. - Banjo Clarke was documented in Penguin Books’ Wisdom Man: Banjo Clarke as told to Camilla Chance. - Banjo Clarke’s work preserving Aboriginal culture and sharing knowledge has had a lasting impact across south-west Victoria and beyond. - Boorook was raised on Keeray Wooroong Country in south-west Victoria. - Boorook’s music blends Indigenous storytelling, contemporary folk and conscious songwriting. - Boorook’s work focuses on culture, healing, identity, resilience and connection to Country. - Boorook describes “Till We Die” as a dedication to people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. - The song carries a message that love, teachings and spirit remain through family, culture and community. - Boorook is an independent First Nations artist who uses music to celebrate culture, strengthen community and promote positive change through storytelling. - “Till We Die” is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and other major digital streaming platforms. - Listeners can hear the track on the streaming release. - Viewers can watch the official lyric video.

Between the lines: - The release positions Boorook’s music as both personal history and cultural preservation. - Bringing in Shane Howard links the single to a broader Australian songwriting tradition while keeping the focus on First Nations storytelling. - Reissuing an older song can signal both artistic maturity and a desire to reach new audiences with a long-running message.

What’s next: - Boorook is likely to continue using music, art and cultural education to share stories rooted in Country and community. - The new single gives Boorook a platform to connect with listeners who may be discovering his work for the first time.

The bottom line: - “Till We Die” is both a memorial and a statement of identity, using one family story to speak to loss, legacy and cultural endurance.