Backburner

Wildheart

An emotional response after Australia bore witness to the worst bushfires we have ever seen

Why we wrote this song

‘Backburner’ was written after the 2020 bushfires which ravaged the country. The song is about the government’s continuous refusal to listen, learn and adopt indigenous back burning techniques that were used for thousands of years to preserve and care for the land and used as preventative measures against such disasters.

About us as artists

Wildheart have stormed onto the Australian hardcore scene, solidifying themselves as a heavy, emotional outfit. Demanding the attention of punters through their relentless live performances, Wildheart passionately advocates for open conversation and action surrounding mental health, social injustice, and discrimination through their lyrics that tackle topics such as Indigenous land rights, deaths in custody, and political neutrality in times of crisis.

Our lead vocalist is Proud Yugambeh man Axel Best. Through his lyrics and stage show in Wildheart, Axel promotes Truth telling and a raised awareness for First Nations issues that he believes often do not receive coverage and support in mainstream media/music spaces that they deserve, including: Indigenous deaths in custody, climate change and the refusal of our government to adopt Indigenous backburning techniques, and First Nations Land and Water rights.

About the music video

The concept behind this music video first came about when the lyrics for the single ‘Backburner’ were written. We wanted to work with our videographer on a concept that was thought provoking around climate change and the immediate threat of the Australian bushfires we were facing, and one that also captured the ferocity of our live performance and Axel’s Connection to Country. Thomas E.S. Kelly who performs in the music video is a Proud Minjunbal-Yugambeh man with a strong connection to the Gold Coast area.

All performance footage of Kelly was shot at Tallebudgera Creek, a very significant place for the Yugambeh People. The green screen footage enabled us to re-enact flames, and ‘Backburner’ also features powerful words from Indigenous Elder Bruce Shillingsworth from ABC’s Q&A program in October 2019 when he called for Australia to “wake up”.

The environmental organisations we admire or support

Anindilyakwa Land Council, Arid Lands Environment Centre (ALEC), Jabree LTD, Death Row Unchained Animal Sanctuary, Queensland Conservation Council, Sea Shepherd, National Trust of Australia (Queensland), The Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, Gecko Environment Council Association Inc.