When you’re contacting a blogger with your single release, the best thing you can do is come up with an attention-catching subject line. For instance, you could write something like “Music submission for a koala charity”.

Your chances of the email being opened are even higher if, by pure luck, what you’re pitching ties in with the blogger’s plan for a new segment. A segment focused on the relationship between the music business and sustainability/environmental protection/nature conservation.

And that’s how a Sydney-based electronic producer, Dysphemic, and his “Koala Bass” got me interested. To the extent that I decided to create a new “Silly & Green” section on this blog.

PART 93 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE / THE SILLY & GREEN PROJECT

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Not many people know what a koala sounds like. These Eucalyptus-loving Aussie animals are not exactly “talkative” when you meet them Down Under. But when they do make a sound… well, let’s say it’s not what you think it might be. It’s definitely not melodic.

So you’ll be even more surprised to find out that you can make a bass beat out of koala noises. And what you get in the end is a funky and educational track that will be instantly stuck in your head.

“But what’s the point of doing that in general?” you might ask.

The best and most original music projects happen spontaneously. Heaps of them start as a “just for fun” thing as well. Then, depending on the listeners’ reaction, they might get a whole new life, meaning and purpose. What counts is how they finish, so to speak. And “Koala Bass” has all the potential to do some good for the protection of this iconic Aussie animal.

So here’s how the idea was born.

Dysphemic is a DJ and producer who makes epic, cinematic beats that can be described as dubstep, house or drum and bass. While stuck in lockdown in Sydney, he needed a new, creative challenge. So, as a joke, he turned to his fanbase for ideas on “something” he could make a bass out of.

To his surprise, a huge amount of votes were for Australian animals.

He accepted the challenge and started making videos with the animal sounds that people chose. So far, he’s sampled a kookaburra, a whale or a possum. Surprisingly, it became “a thing”.

One of the more popular clips was the one with the furry, sedentary marsupials aka koalas. Not because of their cuteness, though. Because of the distinctive, gnarly sounds they produce, perfect for turning them into a bass beat.

On top of that, a friend of Dysphemic’s from the music biz noticed the video’s potential in supporting a koala charity. So the DJ had no option but to record an actual song.

And that’s how an initial joke turned into quite a serious and noble project. Its purpose is both to entertain audiences and give back to the native Australian environment.

Listen to the track here and read on to see how else you can help.

The good news is, no matter where you are based in the world, you can become part of this story. And you can contribute to saving koalas without even leaving your house or travelling to Oz.

Firstly, all proceeds from the sales and streaming go to the Australian Koala Foundation. So you might wanna hit that “play” button again. Tell all your friends about it, too. And maybe add it to your playlists, so the algorithms pick it up?

Secondly, you can make your own beats with the sample pack provided by Dysphemic. Imagine how sick it would be to have enough tracks for an entire koala album.

Most importantly, you’ve got the option to either donate directly to the cause or grab yourself a garment from the official single merch site. Who doesn’t need a Tee or a hoodie, hey? My fave from the selection is the face mask, though – a very fashionable and useful thing in COVID times.

You’ll find the original koala clip and the “making of” vid in the donation link as well.

Musos who do something unusual and noble always have my interest. Dysphemic’s track also coincided with my plan to dedicate more space on this blog to “green music projects Down Under”. Hopefully, I’ll be able to bring you more stories like this one soon. Look for the posts with the green leaf in the future.

And if this project has struck a chord with you, give Dysphemic a follow on his socials. You never know what he’s going to make the bass out of next time.

Finally, check out my conversation with the muso to find out more about the “Koala Bass” adventure in his own words:

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