WA artists cover Bowie for Fire Relief fund

Western Australia’s devastating fires have seen hundreds of families in Yarloop and Waroona lose their homes, with the toll still rising. But the state’s music industry has banded together to raise money.

Steve Parkin (Basement Birds, ex-Autopilot) helped steer the project, which makes covers of David Bowie songs available for download.

Following the callout to WA musicians, artists were given just three hours to upload their cover songs. The SoundCloud page now has 20 tracks from artists including Justin Burford, former frontman of End Of Fashion, Parkin himself, Hugh Jennings (Autopilot, Bob Evans Band, End of Fashion) and Bob Gordon editor of X-Press Magazine.

All songs are free to download and stream on SoundCloud but listeners have been asked to make a donation to the Fires Relief Appeal.

The page has received over 400 downloads since Tuesday and approximately 4,000 streams. Parkin told TMN the project started out organically as a homage of sorts to Bowie.

“I recorded a version of Heroes. Then one of my muso friends recorded Rebel Rebel as a reply,” said Parkin. “Then it kind of got out so another muso friend did a song. I then decided to start a soundcloud page and the response has been incredible.

“I didn’t want to officially charge people to buy the songs,” he added. “I thought an honour system would encourage people more. I think most people do the right thing and genuinely care about the tragedy that has befallen these two communities.Some people are contacting me and saying they’re donating $20 or $50​ so it’s building day by day.”

Parkin is long-time fan of Bowie, whose influence can be heard on Parkins’ albums likeLazeryouthanasia (by Vinyl) andPure Gold Baby (by Autopilot).

“Anyone who has heard my albums or played in a band with me would attest to my devotion to the Thin White Duke,” Parkin told TMN.“When he died I was devastated – this led me to record my version of Heroes. There were about four tribute concerts announced before his body was cold, and none were donating money or doing it through any kind of altruism. I thought that this was a much more creative way to pay tribute, while raising money for some poor folks who have literally lost everything they own.​”

Earlier this month Southbound’s promoter Sunset Events and HBF Stadium operator VenuesWest raised $150,000 for the relief fund from a hastily assembled concert at the HBF Stadium in Perth.

Donations to the Waroona and District Fires Appeal can be made:

• Via electronic funds transfer: BSB: 306-035, Account: 2014474.
• Over the counter at any BankWest branch or agency to the dedicated appeal account BSB: 306-035, Account: 2014474
• On person at the Customer Service counter at Council House, 27 St Georges Terrace, Perth
• On the phone via credit card on 9461 3886 during normal business hours