The ultimate party band, The Cat Empire are doing their bit to keep spirits high after last month initiating Lockdown Get Down – a movement to assist musicians globally by asking music lovers to create playlists of their favourite artists and bands.
As we all grapple with how the world will look in the coming months, The Cat Empire were not spared from the financial carnage COVID-19 has wrought.
After the band had 17 show cancellations in a 48-hour period, the group's manager Correne Wilkie quickly turned to creating a positive out of the negativity.
"As I made the call to cancel The Cat Empire's European tour, I went to bed dreading the next day. I woke up knowing I had to turn despair into innovation, and not just to help the musicians I work with, but all musicians.
"So the idea for Lockdown Get Down was born, and brought to life by my team in the 48 hours that followed."
Given the recent bushfire crisis has left many communities devastated emotionally as well as financially, and the current pandemic affecting many, many more, The Cat Empire family have come up with a simple way that fans can support their favourite artists at the cost of no more than a click.
"After giving so generously to bushfire recovery efforts around Australia recently," Wilkie explains, "we know that people are low on cash reserves to help others, but this idea won't cost you any more than what you are already paying to listen to music.
"And if you use a free streaming service, then it won't cost you anything, but you can play a critical role in helping our industry."
The request is simple: Please stream more music
#1 Play your favourite music non-stop on your preferred streaming service.
#2 Create a playlist; name it lockdowngetdown, and share it with your friends.
#3 Post your Lockdown Get Down photos and videos with hashtags #lockdowngetdown and #thecatempire
