Richard J Frankland and Lachlan Bryan honour generations of resistance on ‘Follow Me, Follow You, Follow Them’

Gunditjmara Elder and storyteller Richard J Frankland has joined forces with Melbourne singer-songwriter Lachlan Bryan for ‘Follow Me, Follow You, Follow Them’, a powerful new song honouring the courage, resistance and solidarity of Aboriginal people throughout Australian history.

Some stories are too important to be forgotten, and for Gunditjmara Elder Richard J Frankland, music has always been one way of keeping them alive.

His latest collaboration with acclaimed Melbourne singer-songwriter Lachlan Bryan, ‘Follow Me, Follow You, Follow Them’, draws on generations of Aboriginal resistance, celebrating the people who stood together in defiance and helped shape the future of their communities.

Released on 1 October, the song traces moments of courage and solidarity across more than two centuries, from the Black War of the early 1800s through to the establishment of Aboriginal Tent Embassies. Rather than approaching that history as a formal retelling, Frankland and Bryan frame the song around a familiar scene: a few fellas gathered around the ‘bush TV’, sharing stories and reflecting on those who came before them.

It's a simple setting for a song carrying considerable historical weight, connecting the past with a promise to continue the work of earlier generations.

‘Art warriors can change the cultural tapestry of a nation through story and song,’ Frankland says. ‘This song honours the unsung heroes of our past – the brave men and women whose courage, defiance and love for our people helped carry us through. Their stories remind us of who we were, who we are and who we can be, together.’

That belief in the power of storytelling has been central to Frankland's life and work.

A musician, playwright, filmmaker, author, poet and community leader, he has spent decades using the arts to explore First Nations experiences and advocate for Aboriginal communities. His creative work often brings together difficult histories with a sense of humanity, resilience and hope, allowing stories to be heard through music, theatre and film.

Earlier this year, Frankland released Discovering Leerpeen Mara, an album that attracted attention across Australian radio and internationally.

The record received Album of the Week recognition from ABC Country and ABC Radio National's AWAYE!, while several tracks appeared on the AMRAP charts. International publication Songlines also awarded the album a 9/10 review.

His collaboration with Bryan grew from a friendship that began at the St Kilda Film Festival in 2024, where the pair discovered a shared appreciation for storytelling and adventure. Since then, they've performed together on NITV's Living Black during Frankland's tenure as Elder-in-Residence at SBS, as well as appearing at Warrnambool's Koori Carnival.

For Frankland, Bryan's willingness to listen and allow the words to lead has made their creative partnership particularly rewarding.

‘Lachlan has good ears and a generous spirit. He listens for the story and gives it room to breathe,’ he says. ‘We’ve become mates through sharing stories, having a laugh and making music. There’s a real joy in hearing words you’ve sent off in the early hours come back as a song with a life of its own.’

Bryan, an established songwriter in his own right, has built a loyal following through his blend of country, folk and rock ’n’ roll, releasing five albums with The Wildes and touring internationally. His career has included performances alongside artists such as Justin Townes Earle, John Hiatt and Shawn Colvin, with his songwriting earning recognition both in Australia and overseas.

But working with Frankland has brought a different kind of creative exchange.

‘It’s a great thrill to work on music with Richard,’ Bryan says. ‘He’s fiercely creative, and I love waking up to a new set of lyrics or poetry, usually delivered to me via SMS in the early hours of the morning.’

Their friendship extends well beyond the studio, with Bryan spending time with Frankland and his family on Gunditjmara Country in western Victoria.

‘It’s even better when I get to hang out with Rich and his beautiful family in Gunditjmara country – I’m made to feel so welcome and I always leave feeling inspired.’

Recorded at Ziggy Tone Studios with Damian Cafarella and on location in western Victoria, ‘Follow Me, Follow You, Follow Them’ brings their different musical backgrounds together around a shared commitment to the story.

And while the song looks back at significant moments in Aboriginal history, its message is firmly connected to the present.

For Frankland, remembering the courage of those who came before is also about recognising the responsibility carried by the generations who follow. It's a theme that gives the song both its historical significance and its emotional heart, turning remembrance into a continuing conversation.

With more collaborations already taking shape, the partnership between Frankland and Bryan looks set to continue exploring the places where music, friendship and storytelling meet.

‘Follow Me, Follow You, Follow Them’ is available now on digital platforms through MGM