Can Australia’s Threatened Bird Species Knock Adele Off Her Chart Perch?
Adele’s quest for this year’s Christmas number one album has officially gone to the birds, with twitchers, environmentalists and animal lovers flocking together, with a noble quest to get 53 of Australia’s most threatened avian species to the top of the charts.
According to this week's comprehensive report from BirdLife Australia, over 50 of our country's most beloved birds are now as scarce as hen's teeth; threatened with extinction by our country’s policy settings around habitat destruction and ongoing issues with rampant climate change.
In a bid to soar above the competition, perch itself high on the ARIA Charts and gain much needed attention this Christmas, the album ‘Songs of Disappearance’ has officially been released today, via www.songsofdisappearance.com.
Compiled in conjunction with The Bowerbird Collective and featuring recordings by renowned wildlife documenter David Stewart, Nature Sound, the album has already pre-sold over 1,500 copies as momentum grows wings with Tweets flying and bird lovers egging each other on to support the cause.
“This album is a very special record with some rare recordings of birds that may not survive if we don’t come together to protect them,” said Paul Sullivan, CEO of BirdLife Australia. “While this campaign is fun, there’s a serious side to what we’re doing, and it’s been heartening to see bird enthusiasts showing governments and businesses that Australians care about these important birds.”
With artists like Michael Bublé and Adele nesting comfortably at the top of the ARIA albums chart over the last decade’s worth of Decembers, the ‘Songs of Disappearance’ initiative is a way of putting a more important kind of song in the national consciousness this Christmas with each purchase of the album becoming a virtual vote for the cause.
At just $10 for a download and $12 on CD, the album is flying out the door and is set to ruffle music industry feathers.
‘Songs of Disappearance’ features bird calls captured by eminent nature recordist David Stewart, Nature Sound, as well as a three-minute compilation of all the species on the album creating a magical chorus of rare birdsong unlike anything heard before. To listen to these calls is to hear all we stand to lose without action.
By coming together to purchase this beautiful album, Australian bird lovers are looking to ensure that these 53 birds have the best chance at survival. It is critical to raise awareness of the actions needed to preserve habitats and revive these important populations across Australia.
‘Songs of Disappearance’ is available on CD and digital download now from www.songsofdisappearance.com.
Sales of the album between now and Thursday December 9 will contribute to the album’s first-week chart position which will be revealed on Friday December 10
