Gimuy-born artist Rowie has recently released his debut single, Fool, combining cultural identity with self-produced, genre-blending music.
The 23-year-old is an Indigenous producer, singer-songwriter and instrumentalist.
Rowie moved to Brisbane in 2021 to study music and is now vice president and producer at Old Lore Records in West End.
His artist name, drawn from a childhood nickname, marks the beginning of a personal and creative journey.
Fool, released late last month, is the first of six tracks set for release this year.
Built around an upbeat pop-rock dance sound, Fool centres on the theme of perception and being underestimated.
Rowie said the song is based on experiences of being dismissed or misjudged.
"If someone wants to underestimate me and think that I'm stupid, I have no problem playing into that perception, at the end of the day I know what I'm doing and the results speak for themselves," he said.
The single's chorus line, "I will play the fool," reflects that sentiment and acts as a response to judgment and external expectations.
He said Rowie is more than a music project - it's a reflection of who he is and how he navigates life.
"It is a persona that encapsulates who I am as a person and how I express this through music," he told National Indigenous Times.
"Sometimes I write sad songs, sometimes I write happy songs.
"It's authentic self-expression and being myself.
"Sharing my culture through my music means being me – being who I am and telling my story."
A music video for Fool is set to follow the release, supported by a targeted social media campaign aimed at introducing Rowie to new audiences.
Looking ahead, he plans to follow Fool with his second single Paradox in May.
The track focuses on people who contradict themselves and change their minds, highlighting another side of his evolving sound.
Alongside his solo work, he continues to produce for other local artists.
Two of his productions, This City and People Pleaser - will appear on Brisbane artist Ixara's upcoming EP, with This City set to be the lead single.
He is also working on a collaborative project with Butchulla song man, Fred Leone and creatives at Old Lore Records, aiming to explore new artistic and cultural territory.
