Delsinki, Mick Thomas honour late friend Dion Hirini with Sunkilda Sinset (A Song for Dion)

Words by Staff Writer

Melbourne troubadours Delsinki and Mick Thomas have joined forces to craft the poignant anthem.

In a heartfelt tribute to their dear friend and musical partner Dion Hirini, Melbourne singer-songwriters Delsinki and Mick Thomas have released the poignant single and video, “Sunkilda Sinset (A Song for Dion).” The song, written after Dion’s passing in March 2021, captures the essence of their friendship and musical journey.

“In March of 2021 after a Keep The Circle Unbroken gig at Bundy Hall in Gippsland, we lost our dear friend and musical partner, Dion Hirini. Mick Thomas and I penned a song for Blx as he was affectionately known, and returned to Bundy Hall in Nov ’23 to record it. This is that song…. for Dion,” says Delsinki.

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The tribute, a collaborative effort between Delsinki and Mick Thomas, unfolds the story of Dion Hirini, a cherished member of the Melbourne musical community. Hailing from New Zealand, Dion was a loved musician and talented guitarist. His musical journey included a decade-long stint with Vika & Linda, a collaboration with Paul Kelly, and contributions to the At Last – The Etta James Story. Along playing alongside Tina Arena, Vanessa Amorosi and Kasey Chambers, among others, Dion’s legacy lives on through the hearts of those who cherished him.

Dion’s untimely passing occurred just hours after sharing the stage with Delsinki and Mick Thomas during a Keep The Circle Unbroken performance in Gippsland.

Keep The Circle Unbroken, conceived by Delsinki and his band mate in Row Jerry Crow (John Kendall) in 2020, is a show that explores the folk roots of country music, paying tribute to one of the biggest albums of all time; Will The Circle Be Unbroken by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Dion played a pivotal role in the show, and the tragedy of his passing adds another layer of depth to the performance.

The song’s title, ‘Sunkilda Sinset’ pays homage to St Kilda beach, where Delsinki composed the opening riff while reflecting on Dion’s life. The lyrics reference Dion’s unique nickname, ‘Blx’ (given to him by his friends for his unique New Zealand-accented interpretation of the term “blokes”) and capture moments shared with him during their musical journey.

“The night that you left us may be the best that you played”, a poignant lyric from the song, reflects on Dion’s final performance. The tribute also involves the audience, echoing Dion’s spirit of unity with the lyric, “If we all used the same name, wouldn’t that make it fun, and if we all had the same name, you couldn’t stay sad, you wouldn’t be mad at anyone”.

Recorded live at Bundy Hall in November 2023, the video and single feature members of the Keep The Circle Unbroken cast, creating a powerful and emotional performance. The recording includes Brooke Taylor, Olivia Nathana and Bobby Valentine on vocals, Jeff Consi on drums, John Kendall on fiddle, Rob Hornbuckle on bass and James Macauley on trombone.

It was recorded and produced by Cameron McKenzie, while the tribute video for the song was shot live at the Bundy Gippsland by camera operator Cam Dale and edited and graded by Peter Pilley.

The release of ‘Sunkilda Sinset (A Song for Dion)’ coincides with ongoing solo activities for both Delsinki and Mick Thomas. Delsinki, now leading the Quiet Coachmen, and Mick Thomas, on a 13 Days of Christmas tour with his band the Roving Commission, continue to celebrate Dion’s memory through their music, especially through the continuation of Keep The Circle Unbroken.

The touching tribute captures the essence of Dion Hirini’s contribution to Melbourne’s music scene and stands as a testament to the enduring power of friendship and collaboration in music.

‘Sunkilda Sinset (A Song for Dion)’ is out now and available here.