The effects of the drought and a recently released song by a well-known Australian singer, have more in common than one might initially think.
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The drought, which has affected most of the country for the past year, has had an impact on relationships and rural people and communities have gone through much adversity.
The song Rain Down on Me, by Jon Stevens, is about relationships and adversity and has been offered to the charity Rural Aid for fundraising support.
“I thought, why not give the song to them and see if they can make some money from it,” he said.
“That is what you do, you try and help in any way, so I went in and recorded it. My mum grew up on a farm, it is still in my family. This is a song for you, from me.”
Jon said the fight of the people who work the land resonates with him.
“I grew up in the country. Marriages fall apart, people, businesses. There are dark days. (I hope the song says) the new day starts, have another crack at this thing called life,” he said.
“I always try to be optimistic, it is not a literal translation but it is something that resonated with me.”
Jon said during these trying times there has got to be hope.
“That is how I write I suppose, I write from experience, from life and I add hope. It is up to the individual on how they perceive things,” he said.
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“It has to resonate with me, I can’t sing it unless it is the truth. I am singing my truth and I hope other people feel it.”
Jon will also tale part in the Hay Mate drought charity fundraiser concert, which will be held in Tamworth on the weekend.
The single will be released to radio on Friday, October 26. All proceeds will go towards assisting drought-stricken farmers via Rural Aid.
Rain Down On Me is available for pre-order now.