With the upcoming global climate strike on September 20, a new movement taking the music industry by storm is Sound Strike, encouraging musicians to get involved on the day by not playing any live music.
Announced last night, the movement so far has over 20 artists on board, including Egoism, Pyjama Sundayz, Thunder Fox, Hedy Lamarr and ILUKA. All of them support Sound Strike’s sentiment – “there’s no live music on a dead planet”.
Sound Strike is encouraging musicians to put down their instruments and not play any live music on September 20 to protest climate inaction.
We spoke to the masterminds behind the movement, Jaspar McCahon-Boersma , organiser of the USYD contingent of the previous March 15 climate strike and bassist of Sydney band Last Thursday, plus FBi Radio’s wonderful Abby Butler.
Boersma got the idea for a Sound Strike after his previous involvement with the climate movement, as the connection between the music industry and climate action started to manifest. He hopes that the Sound Strike movement will encourage musicians to use their power for good to effect real change:
“I would personally love to see the school strike turn into a general workers strike. To see so many students miss school and risk punishment to fight for what they believe in has been so heartening and inspiring for so many people, and I hope it spurs people to take action in their workplaces.”
“I reckon that’s where the real political and economic change will come from. “
Butler said she was driven to unite the music industry on the issue of climate change to convey a sense of urgency and to start meaningful conversations:
“Personally, I just want to highlight the impact climate change inaction really does have on every aspect of our day to day lives. Often it’s tricky to sense the urgency of climate change, but when you remember that our passions and hobbies are compromised as well, then it can feel so much more real.”
The demands of the strike are:
- 100% publicly owned renewable energy by 2030
- A just transition to climate jobs
- No new sources of fossil fuels
Sound Strike has already gained support from so many artists in the industry, with more announcements of collaborations to come. On what you can do to help, Butler shared:
“Engaging with the movement on social media goes such a long way. On Instagram you can follow us, show your love for the artists who are getting involved and share it with your music-loving mates. We’d also really encourage everyone to get around the Global Climate Strike on September 20th.”
Boersma shared a similar message, saying “Have conversations about climate change and striking with your friends and workmates! The more the message and action spreads, throughout every field and industry, the more impact the Sound Strike and Global Climate Strike will have.”
To find out more about how to get involved, visit their website here.
