“Buluunarbi and The Old North Star” - Roger Knox
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
Roger Knox’s “Buluunarbi & The Old North Star” is a homecoming wrapped in heart and history.
If there’s a voice in Australian music that feels like warm earth and deep roots, it’s Roger Knox. Often hailed as The Koori King of Country, Knox is not just a country singer—he’s a living, breathing archive of truth, soul, and survival. And now, in a truly monumental moment in his long, trailblazing career, he’s releasing something we've never quite had before: a full album of original songs.
“Buluunarbi & The Old North Star” (out May 30 on CD, vinyl & digital) is Roger Knox’s first-ever album of original material—and it hits like a campfire conversation you never want to end. With stories that span generations and landscapes, Knox has woven together a deeply personal, beautifully reflective body of work that feels both timely and timeless.
The latest single, “McMaster’s Ward,” is where this journey starts. Written with longtime collaborator Toby Martin (Youth Group), the track is rich with detail and quiet power. It tells the story of Knox’s literal birthplace—a tent on the banks of the Mehi River in the segregated town of Moree, a place etched into the collective memory of Aboriginal Australia.
It’s not a song filled with bitterness—it’s one of resilience, realism, and that special kind of love you have for a rough-but-sacred place that shaped you. A place that keeps calling you back. It’s about landmarks, lineage, and the internal compass that always points toward home.
“Just like that river, I go on and on”
— sings Knox in his signature baritone, a sound that feels equal parts honey and smoke.
Musically, the arrangement is stunning. There’s violin from Laura Case, cello from Kayla Flaxman, shimmering pedal steel by ‘Evil’ Graham Lee (The Triffids), and Martin himself on acoustic. The whole thing feels intimate and cinematic—like you're sitting in a wide, open field under the stars.
For anyone unfamiliar, Roger Knox is more than an artist—he’s a cultural torchbearer. A proud Gomeroi man from Tamworth’s country music scene, Knox has spent decades telling the real stories that most country radio wouldn't touch: prison injustice, stolen generations, racism, resilience, and the deep strength of Aboriginal communities.
And somehow, he’s always done it with grace. There’s no posturing in his music, no glossing over—just lived truth delivered with dignity and soul.
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
“Buluunarbi & The Old North Star” feels like a culmination. It’s not just another album. It’s a map of memory and music, showing where Knox has been and where he’s taking us. It’s his voice—gravelly and golden as ever—woven through pedal steel and string arrangements, telling us about real people and real places.
And those place names in the title? Buluunarbi and The Old North Star? They’re not just landmarks. They’re symbols. Of home. Of identity. Of a spiritual GPS that always leads us back to who we are.
Knox is also hitting the road across NSW and QLD, bringing this new chapter to the stage. His live shows are more than concerts—they’re gatherings, ceremonies, stories told between chords. Expect big heart, big voice, and plenty of truth.
Tour Highlights Include:
May 25 – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney
May 31 – Ready Fest, Kempsey (morning) + Yuga-Li Gathering Festival, Wallabadah (evening)
July 4 – NAIDOC Week, BAMM Art Museum, Moree
July 12 – Campbelltown Arts Centre, Sydney
Aug 30 – Gympie Muster
More dates to come—and trust us, you’ll want to be in the room when this man sings.
If you’re looking for a slick country-pop fix, this isn’t it. This is deeper. “Buluunarbi & The Old North Star” is for the hearts that crave stories, the ears that want truth, and the souls searching for connection in the chaos. It's country music as it should be: rooted, real, and radiating purpose.
With this record, Roger Knox isn’t just reminding us of where he’s from—he’s reminding us of where we all come from: community, culture, and the compass of the human spirit.
An essential release by a true legend. Raw, resonant, and unshakably powerful—Knox’s debut originals feel like they’ve been waiting all these years to be heard. Now’s the time.
“Buluunarbi and The Old North Star” is available now on all major streaming platforms
