“Brother” is the final single from Sunshine Coast multi-instrumentalist Dale Mallett’s latest EP, “Drifting Away” and officially drops this Sunday.

Listen to Dale Mallett’s “Brother” here: https://www.dropbox.com/

Dale, who uses the stage name Mufassa, said the song is devoted to his older brother Ben.

“Growing up my brother always had my back, sure we had our differences, but that’s life,” he said.

“Being three years younger, I looked up to him, and he was my role model. I wanted to be like him. As we got older, I knew I could lean on him in times of need. He is, and always will be my best friend.”

The chorus lyric, “Homeward Bound” came about when Dale was in living in Western Australia for nearly two years during the Covid lockdowns and extended travel restrictions.

“I hurt my heart being so far away from my family and my roots on the Sunshine Coast.”

Both born and bred Nambour boys, Dale and Ben went to school on the Coast, and they still call it home.

“He is my only sibling, which makes our friendship even more important and special to me.

“Ben has helped me through many stages of my life, from standing up against my childhood bully to being a stable voice and rock through my challenges as an adult.

“He is consistent and reliable and although he never quite grew up, I wouldn’t want him to change a bit.”

“Brother” is an intimately honest song that reflects the life of the brothers growing up.

“Having someone there to pave the way is special, and something I am forever grateful for.

“This is a song for the siblings!”

Our earlier story on Dale:

Dale Mallett is more of a Simba than a Mufassa.

The Sunshine Coast native is always smiling from behind his guitar and djembe, with his “lion’s mane” hair, sweet and infectious nature, and feel-good, dub-reggae harmonies.

“It was given to me from the boys in The Floating Bridges, a band I played in for 10 years,” Mallett said.

“I had dreadlocks down to my waist, and I was also booking shows and managing the band. They dubbed me ‘Mufassa’: the leader of the pack. I’ve been known as that ever since so I decided to roll with it for the new project.

“Mufassa is fearless in the pursuit of what sets his soul on fire.”

When doing his solo shows, you can find the feline chief on guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, stomp box, djembe and percussion.

He uses “Mufassa and the Pride” when performing with his band, like at this year’s Caloundra Music Festival, which drew a wave of joy-seeking punters, swaying and dancing to Mallett’s lyrics about personal sacrifice, social injustice, and the constant yearning for peace, respect and equality.

The 38-year-old, who also works as a youth worker and relief teacher, recently released the second single from his latest EP, both titled, “Drifting Away”.

Recorded at Yama-Nui, the EP features four new songs, with the remaining to be released by February.

When he’s not creating his own music, the father-of-two travels a few times each year to the remote Indigenous community of Doomadgee, in northwest Queensland, to facilitate music workshops, events, recordings, and jams.

He teaches the kids how to use music as a “vessel”, such as how it helped him leaving the nine-to-five grind.

“It’s a means to be creative, explore life, travel and spend time with my family.

“I mean, could you imagine flipping the work week on its head, working two days and having five off? Imagine what you could do with your time, imagine the connection you could build with those who matter most.

“When you do what you love, it’s amazing the opportunities that present themselves.”

He teaches them that being a musician isn’t always about being famous and touring.

“Whatever successful means to them, whatever path they are interested in, music can either be at the forefront of that or something to help them achieve that.

“You don’t have to be the biggest act going around. You can make a living out of music and make it work for you.

“The other beautiful thing about up here is I do have a lot of time by myself, which is great for songwriting and inspiration.

“I work as a relief teacher when I need to pull back from gigs. I do this in order to write, record, or simply take a break from the constant grind of live gigging.

“I get to be with my family. It’s a way of life.”

Mallett said more people should consider diversifying their incomes.

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Instead, have multiple ways you can make a living so you don’t run the risk of burn out, boredom or becoming broke.”

But it’s making music for his family – wife Peta, one-year-old daughter, Tallulah, and four-year-old son, Teskey – which Mallett loves most.

“Ultimately if my kids enjoy the music then that’s all that matters to me.

“I’m writing this for my family, it’s something that will always be there.

“My son’s favourite song is the first song I put out.

“He just froths on it. I do it for them.”

The community champion with his big heart and hair to match, will take his new tunes across Australia next year.

And while he said loved the Coast for its “endless beaches, pandanus trees, waterfalls, friends and family”, he wished that people were more open-minded about the importance of music in the community.

“There needs to be some balance between the few nay-sayers (who complain about music being too loud) and what the rest of the community actually wants and needs. One complaint seems to be more heavy-weighted.

“To quote The Cat Empire, ‘music is the language of us all’. 

“It breeds culture and connection and community, something that we’ve lost along the way.”

For more information on Mufassa Music and tour dates head to https://www.mufassamusic.com.