King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard take home inaugural Environmental Music Prize
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21.06.2022

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard take home inaugural Environmental Music Prize

Environmental Music Prize
words by sidonie bird de la coeur

"We need actual, real, tangible action from our leaders, otherwise, what are they there for?”

Written in response to the summer 2019/20 bushfires, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s song ‘If Not Now, Then When?’ is the recipient of the first ever Environmental Music Prize. They’re donating the $20,000 prize money to The Wilderness Society, in aims of promoting the work that they do as frontline conservation workers. Upon receiving the award, the band’s front man Stu Mackenzie stated “why are we not doing everything we humanly can to right our wrongs? When we’re literally on fire, why not now? If not now, then when?”

What you need to know

  • Melbourne six piece psych-rock legends King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have taken home the inaugural Environmental Music Prize
  • Their song ‘If Not Now, Then When?’ was written in response to the 2019 bushfires
  • They’ve chosen to donate the prize money to The Wilderness Society

Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Environmental crisis has been a consistent theme throughout King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s discography, from the boogies in Fishing for Fishies to the climate crisis themed thrash metal album Infest the Rat’s Nest. ‘If Not Now, Then When?’ appeared on the band’s 17th studio album, L.W.

 

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Beating out 23 prize finalists, including Briggs, Lime Cordiale and Paul Kelly, ‘If Not Now Then When?’ features a trippy music video directed by Dr D. Foothead, showing a post-apocalyptic world that disappears entirely throughout the course of the video.

“We’re so humbled to have won the inaugural Environmental Music Prize! It’s fantastic and deeply important for initiatives like this one, to help build community around the fight against the climate crisis,” continues Stu Mackenzie. “We’re donating the prize money to The Wilderness Society – we’re proud to shine a light on their work and also fund it!”

Learn more about the Environmental Music Prize by heading here.