Australian music has had a burst of good will lately, with big name festivals Big Day Out and the upcoming Australian return of the Vans Warped Tour both partnering with great charity causes.
Now Australian hardcore label UNFD is doing their bit, chiefly thanks to the generosity of Byron Bay five-piece In Hearts Wake.
The hardcore act have been teasing the release of a new single, entitled ‘Skydancer’, and inspired by an effort to create awareness and raise funds for the less privileged, the band are giving away their music.
The new single is available in a ‘pay what you want’ scheme to fans, with 100% of proceeds going towards supporting indigenous cultures worldwide through three not-for-profit charity groups.
‘Skydancer’ features In Hearts Wake’s trademark brutal sound but married with a lyrical message inspired by the plight of the Native American people, reflective of the concerns of other indigenous cultures in the modern world.
The charity single was recorded in Byron Bay ahead of In Hearts Wake’s European tour through September with fellow UNFD favourites, chart-toppers The Amity Affliction. The band note they inspired to pen the song “by a documentary about Native American ironworkers contracted to build the skyscrapers in New York City, one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.”
Fans can download the single at http://skydancerproject.com/ along with a video and a short documentary about the issues Indigenous cultures face the world over, naming their price for the release.
All proceeds from ‘Skydancer’, which last for 30 days, will go towards three separate charities: ‘Seventh Generation Fund For Indigenous Peoples’ in North America, Germany’s ‘Hardcore Help’ that focuses on Africa, and Australia’s own ‘Red Dust’.
“As a band we are thrilled to be coordinating the Skydancer Project with an amazing group of international partners,” says vocalist Jake Taylor. “After spending some time refining our ideas we came up with what we think is the perfect method to spread a positive message. This new movement embodies all that is In Hearts Wake, as we aim to raise political, social and environmental awareness. We hope that this project restores, connects and inspires to set a new precedence for others. We urge everyone to get involved and be apart of the bigger picture.”
Australia’s Red Dust is one organisation that will benefit from In Hearts Wake and UNFD’s charity initiative. Working to promote health and deliver innovative programs to remote Australian Aboriginal communities, Red Dust’s Healthy Living program provides health education to Indigenous youth.
“We were really excited when In Hearts Wake contacted us about the Skydancer project,” says Red Dust CEO, Darren Smith. “It provides us with a fantastic opportunity to let a new audience know about the important work we are doing in remote Indigenous communities throughout Australia”.
Heather Frietas, Development Coordinator of Seventh Generation Fund For Indigenous Peoples shared the enthusiasm for the In Hearts Wake’s ‘Skydancer Project’. “We are grateful to this incredible group of musicians… who have elected to join our efforts to support the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas as they struggle to protect the sacredness of Mother Earth,” she said. The North American group works to promote support for Native American Communities through funding and programs.
The founder of grassroots group, Germany’s Hardcore Help – who provide resources and humanitarian aid in Kenya applauded the uniqueness of the ‘Skydancer’ project. “When I heard about The Skydancer Project I was reminded of my favourite quote – ‘Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something’,” says Hardcore Help’s Rico Huntjens.
Following the ‘Skydancer’ charity project, In Hearts Wake will hit the road once more this month with The Amity Affliction, on the mostly sold out Brothers In Arms Tour of Australia’s theatres and arenas (dates and details below).
Head to http://skydancerproject.com/ to download the new single and donate to charity.
The Amity Affliction ‘Brothers In Arms’ Tour 2013
Friday October 18 – Riverstage, Brisbane (Lic/AA)
Tix from ticketmaster.com.au on 136 100 and Kill The Music
Saturday October 19 – Panthers, Newcastle (Lic/AA)
Tix from destroyalllines.oztix.com.au, moshtix.com.au 1300 762 545 or the Venue
Sunday October 20 – Big Top Luna Park, Sydney (Lic/AA)
Tix from Oztix on 1300 762 545 destroyalllines.oztix.com.au, Ticketek on 132 849 or ticketek.com.au or 1300 BIG TOP or bigtopsydney.com
Tuesday October 22 – Palace, Melbourne (U18)
Tix from destroyalllines.oztix.com.au 1300 762 54 or ticketek.com.au on 132 849
Wednesday October 23 – Palace, Melbourne (18+)
Tix from destroyalllines.oztix.com.au 1300 762 54 or ticketek.com.au on 132 849
Thursday October 24 – Palace, Melbourne (18+)
Tix from destroyalllines.oztix.com.au 1300 762 54 or ticketek.com.au on 132 849
Friday October 25 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (Lic/AA)
Tix from Venuetix on (08) 8225 8888 or venuetix.com.au
Saturday October 26 – Metro, Perth (18+)
Tix from Heatseeker on 1300 762 545 destroyalllines.oztix.com.au, 78′s, Mills, Planet Video or Star Surf
Sunday October 27- Metro, Fremantle (U18)
Tix from Heatseeker on 1300 762 545 destroyalllines.oztix.com.au, 78′s, Mills, Planet Video or Star Surf
