![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/07\/Budjerah_credit_Dani_31690.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
He said the album took its name from one of its songs because it embodied the values he strives to bring to his performances.<\/p>\n
“I thought that out of all the songs, it was the most visual name,” he said.<\/p>\n
“You can see a gentleman when you say the word, you can picture a character.<\/p>\n
“I thought it would be something aspirational for me, like as I go on stage, I can put on a suit, and I can almost like have a character that I play.<\/p>\n
“I want to be cool, calm and collected and suave and also, I think a gentleman is someone who puts in a lot of effort and I always want to put in heaps of effort when I’m on stage and when I’m singing and performing, give everything I can and be that gentleman for the audience.”<\/p>\n
He said touring, performing and recording alongside his older cousins, who are also musicians, had helped him stay connected to who he is.<\/p>\n
“When you go on stage and you talk to fans and stuff, sometimes you can be treated a little bit different,” he said.<\/p>\n
“But my cousins still treat me like I’m the little cousin, and they still treat me like the same Budjerah that they grew up with and keep it real.<\/p>\n
“It doesn’t matter how many times platinum a song goes or how many number ones or ARIA awards or whatever, I’m still Budjerah to them, and they love me still, through the highs and lows.<\/p>\n
“It’s not always easy on tour or on the road and I wouldn’t be where I am without my family.”<\/p>\n
The album features contributions from his younger brother, Ngandu, with Budjerah describing the recording experience as one of his favourite memories from the process.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “My little brother Ngandu, he actually came to the studio and he’s playing the keys on a few songs,” he said.<\/p>\n “That’s actually one of my favourite memories of the making of [the album], was watching him play and record because he’s very talented and I’m very proud of him.”<\/p>\n Budjerah said he had always been encouraged to help lift up those around him.<\/p>\n “My grandparents always said, if one person wins, like one blackfella wins, then we all win,” he said.<\/p>\n “And I think it’s important to be even, not even just blackfellas, but as Australians, you know, we lift each other up, we don’t put each other down.<\/p>\n “So it’s always been so important to me to not just be out here for myself, but I can lift my little brother up and encourage him to play.<\/p>\n “He does have a talent, and my cousins have talents and to be able to lift them up as well is even more of a blessing.”<\/p>\n He said he views music as a blessing for the receiver, an interpretation shaped by his father’s words.<\/p>\n “The gift of music is not actually for the artist or the singer, it’s something that the artist or musician plays that affects other people more than it’s going to affect us,” he said.<\/p>\n “I write songs to let out my feelings and express myself, but seeing on tour, like singing Therapy and seeing the effect that it had on people, that was way bigger than what the song even did for me.<\/p>\n “You can sing a song and change someone’s whole day.<\/p>\n “So dad always said, ‘It’s a blessing for others more than it is yourself’.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" WITH his debut album Gentleman released on 24 July, Bundjalung artist and platinum-selling, two-time ARIA Award-winning musician Budjerah has reflected on life in the spotlight, the importance of family and community, and why he believes music is a gift meant to be shared. The 11-track album marks the culmination of years of growth and self-discovery […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/07\/Budjerah_credit_Dani_34069.jpeg\")