For thousands of years, humankind has preserved and passed on its most important stories through song – sharing tales of heroism, heartbreak, and everything in between.
That tradition is set to continue in the Northern Rivers, under a new project that aims to record the songs of those impacted by the recent devastating floods.
The brainchild of local sound engineer, Jan Muths, The Flood Songs project intends to help local people process their trauma, and to raise funds for local musicians who have been severely affected by the floods.
‘Everyone has got their own flood story to tell,’ Mr Muths says.
‘Some stories are truly terrifying, others tell us about hope and community spirit – all of them are important.’
‘Sharing these stories through song is an important part of our collective healing and we hope to get these songs out there to the whole community and to help local musicians at the same time.’
Mr Muths and a small team of professional producers sound engineers are inviting musicians from flood-affected areas across the region to put their flood stories into songs, record a simple demo and then submit it to the project.
Up to ten songs will be chosen by an industry panel and these will be produced by professionals who are donating their services to the project.
This includes all recording, mixing, mastering and distribution.
The finished songs will be published under the umbrella of the Flood Songs Compilation, with all royalties, profits and donations will go to the songwriters and musicians directly, or to their chosen flood-relief organisation.
‘One of the key motivating factors behind the project is that when it comes to government flood support, artists and musicians are the last ones on the agenda,’ Mr Muths says.
The team of volunteers working with Mr Muths includes local industry professionals, Saphia Smeraka and Nathan Stanborough, and acclaimed Victorian producer, Andy Stewart.
‘I thought it would be great to do something to support these people who add so much to the life of our community by sharing their incredible music.’
Any musician who has been affected by the floods in Northern NSW and southeast Queensland can take part.
For more information or to submit your demo, go to www.mixartist.com.au/floodsongs.
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