The brainchild of Julia Stone, the project aims to raise funds for bushfire relief.
Julia Stone has curated an epic album of covers to raise money for organisations helping to rebuild in the wake of Australia’s bushfire crisis.
Titled Songs for Australia, the album features a huge slate of big names – both international and homegrown – covering classic Australian tracks. From The National covering INXS’ ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ to Kurt Vile putting his own spin on Nick Cave’s ‘Stranger Than Kindness’, the record is set to be pretty special.
The tracklist also features the likes of Joan as Police Woman, Sam Amidon, Damien Rice, Dermot Kennedy, Martha Wainwright, Petit Biscuit, Pomme, Paul Kelly, Dan Sultan and Dope Lemon, covering tracks by Matt Corby, SIA, Gotye and more.
The record was born out of frustration for the lack of action being taken in the midst of the devastating summer bushfires, with Stone retreating to the studio to record a cover of Midnight Oil’s ‘Beds Are Burning’ to channel her anger into something positive.
Though the recording was originally intended as a creative outlet and nothing more, it planted the seed for something bigger and Stone started reaching out to other artists to record their own covers in the name of charity.
“I couldn’t believe the responses I was getting,” says Stone. “I received the most heart-warming replies from the biggest, busiest artists in the world. Most of these artists have toured here, have family here, friends here, have lived here or spent time here.
“Everyone has such great memories of this country and to see it in flames was breaking everyone’s hearts. I often got the response that people were so happy to be offered the opportunity to do something. Everyone feels helpless in times like this,” she adds.
Songs for Australia will be released digitally on Thursday March 5 via BMG before being released on vinyl and CD in June. Money raised through album sales will go towards Firesticks, Landcare Australia, SEED, Emergency Leaders for Climate Action, WildArk, and NSW RFS.
Pre-order your copy of Songs for Australia here.
