Alongside artists such as Paul Kelly, Lime Cordiale and King Stingray, ‘Your Country’ has been shortlisted from more than 200 entries in the inaugural Environmental Music Prize.
The song’s undeniable music video and urgently pressing message is in the running to be acknowledged as the definitive anthem of hope and desire for climate action.
“We need messages of hope – ones that touch us deeply, capture our imagination and enable us to dream big,” Founder of the inaugural Environmental Music Prize, Edwina Floch said.
“By focusing the creative genius of many songwriters, singers, musicians and content creators on environmental issues, and by partnering with aligned organisations and community groups, we hope to propel a few climate anthems into the mainstream and empower a diverse group of artists to activate their audiences.”
“I wanted to put out this song to help remind people and to join the chorus of people who are saying that “We are one here and no matter who you are you need clean water, clean air and clean food,” William told Aus Music Scene on the creative process behind ‘Your Country’.
‘Your Country’ is far from defeatist. It’s William’s call to people all over the world that community has the power to save our earth.
“There are people within multinational corporations who’s only drive is profit and our current leaders still place their interest and “The economy” as a much higher priority than the land and future well-being of humanity. The truth is we all know that without a healthy environment not only will the economy tank but humanity will too.”
“We have to push back against the destruction and embrace collectively the age old truth that we do not own this land, this land owns us. We belong to it and have to work with it in order to flourish,” he said.
“If we can unite, be dedicated, well informed, bold and kind then we can turn this around.”
The winner of the Environmental Music Prize is publicly voted with voting closing midnight, Sunday May 15.
