Brisbane's Harvest Rain Theatre Company are joining the massive bushfire relief effort with the release of 'From The Ashes (We Will Rise)', a song written to raise money for youth affected by the recent catastrophes.
Written and recorded by Harvest Rain Music Director Dennett Hudson, with members of the company's Youngharts youth ensemble, 'From The Ashes' is available from iTunes and all proceeds from streams and downloads of the song will be directed to assisting young people and their families recovering from the bushfires.As well as a way of raising financial support, Dennett says he wrote the song as a gift of hope to those who have lost all but their lives, and as a tribute to the unflappable Australian spirit of mateship.
“I loved the idea of writing a song about the bushfires and using my music to help out those in need,” Dennett says.
“I was very intentional in writing this song to be an anthem of hope: a war cry for not only those who have been affected, but for every Australian to sing and unite with one another.
“Hence the lyric, ‘when our back’s against the wall we fight harder’. I wanted to encapsulate the Australian spirit of battling against the odds and never backing down.”
Though recent rains have largely extinguished many of the fire fields, a long road of recovery lies ahead for the people whose lives have been irreparably altered by the fires, which have burnt for the past five months and caused damage that is estimated to be in the billions of dollars.
While one song may seem a drop in the ocean, it's part of a concerted, national effort to provide assistance to those who need it the most. For Dennett and his Youngharts, 'From The Ashes' sends a message of solidarity to bushfire victims and their families that they are not alone.
“I want people to remember that while they may feel down and out, we are fighting on their behalf, we are standing with them and in true Australian fashion we are doing what we can to help,” he says.
“All proceeds from this song are also going to those affected so we can provide very practical aid where it is needed.”
Youngharts who performed on the track are Morgan Adamski, Carly Bettinson, Ellie Dawson, Bella Gordon, Dallan Langenhoven, Laura McKitrick, Emilia Povey, Cristian Robba-Colley, Victoria Roberts, Chelsea Sales, Greta Salintiri, Annabelle Weaver and Nathan Wheeler.
