Beds are Burning (Digital EP)

Declan Kelly launches the second Diesel n’Dub single, Midnight Oil’s monster hit Beds are Burning reinvented as a dub-reggae anthem featuring Frank Yamma and Patou Powell on vocals, and mixed by legendary dub master Mad Professor, in aid of raising awareness and funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation! Arguably one of the most highly celebrated political songs of all time, Beds are Burning was written by Midnight Oil in response to the land rights battle fought by the Pintupi people of the Gibson Desert region. After being forcibly removed from their homelands during the 1950s, they returned to their country in the 80s to establish the Kintore community which is now a major centre for the Western Desert art movement.

Taking up the powerful sentiments of the song is one of Australia’s most prominent Indigenous voices Frank Yamma. With raw emotion, Yamma channels the passionate, yet ferocious plea first echoed by Midnight Oil back in the day. Underscored by Pat Powell’s emphatic spoken word delivery, the single comes through as a breathtaking reggae-style revelation.

Excited by the release, Kelly said this week, “Frank Yamma has always been one of my favourite Indigenous singers in this country. He sings with so much raw passion and conviction so to be in the room with him whilst he was pouring heart into his version of Beds are Burning was thrilling. Then to have the warm voice of Pat Powell underlay made for a great contrast to carry these powerful lyrics on one of Midnight Oil’s biggest tunes.”

The track follows the popularly and critically acclaimed first single, Emma Donovan’s spine-tingling rendition of The Dead Heart, which received airplay on Triple J, ABC Radio National, and over 100 national community and independent radio stations across Australia. It debuted in the Amrap Great Southern Charts on its first week at #8, peaked at #3, and stayed in the top 5 for eight weeks. It was also included in the ABC Speaking Out Charts for Best Indigenous Releases of 2013 at #6, and impacted internationally, with inclusion in Canada’s Aboriginal Music Week Indigenous Top Three. The track was also officially endorsed by Midnight Oil on their Facebook page with lots of love flowing in from hard core Oils fans. The Dead Heart music video scored thousands of views and has been featured on ABC rage, NITV and SBS. A video for Beds are Burning is in the works.

Beds are Burning is released as a three track EP including a radio edit and a monster dub remix by Mad Professor.

Download Beds are Burning now on iTunes