Unless you (and your social media feed) have been living under rock you’re probably aware that the nation-wide challenge Live Below the Line has come around again this week.
Run annually by the Oaktree foundation, the initiative challenges Australians to live for a week on just two dollars a day, raising funds to support remote areas of Papau New Guinea, Timor Leste and Cambodia.
Since its inception the campaign has captured the hearts of many of Australia’s impassioned and politically outspoken musicians. As a veteran of Live Below the Line, everyones favourite punk-rocking ex-radio host Lindsay McDougall is excited by the annual opportunity to challenge others on their daily eating habits.
“It’s important to remember that while we’re out there spending thousands of dollars on our acai-infused chia and cacao smoothies, there are people in the world who have to feed themselves on two dollars a day” the musician explained.
But it’s not just artists taking up the banner, many of us have friends and family members taking part, doing their bit to raise funds and awareness for those in poverty, forced eat virtually nothing every day.
In the interest of supporting all our mates doing Live Below the Line we asked a bunch of Aussie musos taking the challenge how they will be getting by on just $2 a day. For more info on Live Below the Line pop by www.livebelowtheline.com.au if you want to be involved, you can still take part in LBL’s mini challenge, info here.
Lindsay McDougall
As a famed vego and generally outspoken gent its no surprise that The Doctor is taking part. Since the end of his days on radio, Lindsay has been busy touring rural Australia with Frenzal Rhomb. Will decades as a vegetarian and months on a tour bus help him better budget his meals?
“As important as protein is, it’s the carbs that keep the hunger away. Once again, I’m very aware of two things that make this challenge easier for me. Firstly, I don’t have a regular job at the moment, so I can plan my day around short bursts of food-borne energy; and secondly, I GET TO STOP ON FRIDAY. I reckon carrots are the big secret weapon in this. They work as a snack in between meals (nothing is gonna ruin your appetite). They take ages to eat, and are full of… stuff. Good stuff I guess”.
Jack from City Calm Down
Fresh off the back of a massive LP release and sold out national tour frontman Jack Bourke can undoubtedly afford to spend more than $2 a day on food. In the interest of supporting a Oaktree’s initiative and raising a bit of money in the process Jack has devised a pretty rigorous meal regime, with one unfortunate downside.
“During the course of the week I will be consuming large portions of lentils (purchased dry), coconut milk, tomato paste and onions. All very cheap but delicious foods when combined into a tasty dahl. My girlfriend will probably kill me before the end of the week though, for obvious reasons. If I have enough leftover, I’ll add an egg a day…”
The Brow
This Freo hip-hop crew started their career as buskers in their cities business district, raising money for equipment and instruments to take their show to the next level. Regular meals aren’t always easy for budding musicians and years of climbing the career ladder have taught The Brow a thing or two about eating cheap.
Kaz (trombone) – “I’m going to buy animal feed and make bread from it. Not joking”.
(For reference Kaz farms his own chooks, so he is literally going to make bread from animal feed. 10 out of 10 for Thriftiness.)
Flix (trumpet) – “Lots of Rice and Water.”
Ellis (drums) – “I’m going to be eating a lot of oats and rice.”
Beardy (bass) – “We’re touring Thursday 28 April to Sunday 1 May, so when I get home Monday 2 May I’ll be doing a shop then a mass cook up and attempt (if budget allows) a fried rice, pasta napolitana and porridge”.
Morning Maxwell
21 year old DJ Max Bishop has been making a serious name for himself recently, inspiring late night beer fuelled raves at several Melbourne nightclubs. In the interest of keeping it loose he had a simple piece of advice to those embarking on a diet of 2 bucks a day.
“I was just going eat rice, bananas, eggs and seriously keep my fluids up, wink emoticon”.
