More About Project Earthbone

THE MUSIC

           The playing and sharing of music is an age old tradition. It has endured changing roles in society ranging from outcast to reverence. It is the common language through which people share their joy, pain, hatred, love,  inspiration, frustration and indifference. It is a way that stories are passed from generation to generation, and age to age. Music and its stories bond people from different walks of life through common feeling and expierience. So how does "Project Earthbone" see itself? As a 21st century Australian storyteller.

          Simon Sun has been sharing his songs in backyards, pubs, at parties, and on the streets since 1990. The overall sound has taken many forms over the years. "Resoloution" [1995-1998] was a twelve piece band made up of guitar, bass, trumpet, didjerdoo, flute, and a group of african drummers/percussionists. The music incorporated reggae/ska, ambient and tribal influence. The next project "Wishbone" [1997-] based in Denmark W.A. was/is a five piece made up of guitar, bass, drums, violin, cello and harp. The music fused funk, reggae, ambience and celtic sounds. The group played shows thoughout regional W.A. at bars and at private functions. In 2000 Simon arrived in Fremantle and shortly after the group "Rust" was formed. Still holding reggae and ambient influences, the group introduced heavier tones. "Rust" played local gigs for a couple of years after which the music left the public domain to continue underground. Free downloads from "Resoloution" , "Wishbone", "Rust", and Simon Sun will be available online soon..

            The current incarnation "Project Earthbone", sees the return of the music to the public space. It takes previous influences and adds some technoloigal flavours and a bit of rythmic dirt, fattening up the overall sound...We hope you enjoy the tracks....

THE PROJECT

           Project Earthbone is more than just a musical venture. Its main focus is to act as public on-line forum and noticeboard for local and national conservation/re-generation and social justice groups. Its primary mission is to create money through the sharing of sound, to be channelled back into the communtiy in the area of native bush conservation and re-generation. Still in its infant stages, this idea will require the shared vision of like minded people. So far we've connected with two exciting ventures. "The Auria Project" iis an innovative wheatbelt re-generation project concieved by David Kennet in Dowerin W.A. The project was a finalist in the United Nations of Australia Association Australia Environment Awards in the category of "meeting the greenhouse challenge". Check out Davids'  project at www.auria.net.au.; and, "Music with Attitude" a new project concieved by Rowland aka Dr Eko Freko, a venture which seeks to gather Western Ausrtalian musicians and multi-media artists who have conservation and social justice at the core of their work. The Inuagral show will be held at the Midland Junction Arts center on Sat 15th May. 20% of ticket money will go to City Farm.

          The sense is that the present methods of forest management and farming practices  have a non-sustainable impact on the environment. As forest is cleared, the natural habitat for fauna is reduced in size, threatening species; and the salinity levels in soil render previously fertile farmland useless. I am not angry at the man who cuts down the tree. His needs for suvival are as valid and important as anyones. If we are to make strong changes in the ways we do things then the change must be holistic. Everyone involved in the change must be considered and looked after. So, that's the short of it and there's a long way to go but it all comes back to the philosophy that we borrow the Earth from our children. We have a moral responsibilty to leave the planet in good condition so that future generations can experience the natural beauty that we are witness to in this time.

           I am inspired by the energy of old forests and the people who speak and act to enable their preservation. There are however, many conventions in present day society that are showing themselves through science to be non-sustainable/re-newable. The Forest is one. Shout-outs go to all the humans involved in activity which is not driven by personal gain, but by the desire to improve conditions on Earth. Provisions for the homeless and distressed, the infrastructure of the oil/motoring industry, the safety of food additives and GM modifications, the oppression of personal beliefs........It's hard to make changes that involve compromising your lifestyle but this time suggests that this may be necessary for survival.....Do what you can when you can no matter how small an action may seem. Afterall, the big picture is made up of 6 billion tiny actions...