Goanna is releasing a new single in support of the Tarkine rainforest in North West Tasmania, which is currently under threat from logging and mining.
‘takayna’, out July 1, is the iconic group’s first new song in 25 years, and comes 40 years to the day after the High Court Decision that prevented the damning of the Franklin River.
Iconic Australian group GOANNA are set to release their first new song in 25 years. The new single, which is out July 1, is called ‘takayna’, which is the palawa* word for the Tarkine rainforest in North West Tasmania. (NB: The palawa are the Aboriginal people of the Tasmania. ‘takayna’ and ‘palawa’ are in lowercase in accordance with palawa kani protocols.)
Described as ‘Australia’s Amazon’, the ancient Tarkine temperate rainforest spreads across half a million hectares of mountains, creeks and rivers that run to the Southern Ocean. Unique and brimming with biodiversity, takayna/Tarkine is not protected from logging, deforestation or mining expansion.
Goanna lead singer, Shane Howard, describes the song as, ”A hymn to the natural world, to takayna/Tarkine and the palawa peoples long custodianship of that country.”
Recorded live, last year, at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall, as part of Goanna’s ‘Touring on Country’ National Tour, Howard’s poetic song features all the signature sounds of early Goanna recordings: Rose Bygrave and Marcia Howard’s stunning harmonies, Graham Davidge and Howard’s trademark guitar lines, the solid rhythm section of Ruben Shannonand Marcus Ryan and Richard Tankard’s soaring Hammond Organ.
‘takayna’ is also a cautionary tale, in this era of climate change and continuing deforestation, of the need to pause and re-evaluate.
“takayna/Tarkine is under threat from clear-felling and mining. We are honour bound to do better, for country, for all the creatures that depend on those forests, including ourselves and future generations”, said Howard.
Chinese government mining giant, MMG, operate a long standing mine in the region, outside takayna/Tarkine, that has two sizeable, toxic, tailings dam and want to build a third toxic acid tailings dam, the size of 70 MCG’s, on public land, beside the beautiful Pieman River.
“We all understand the need for jobs but there are more responsible ways of dealing with ‘tailings’ from a mine than to build a 48 metre high dam of toxic acid right beside a magnificent river in pristine forest”, says Howard.
“It defies logic really. The region is too environmentally sensitive. World’s best practice should be at the heart of what is of greatest value to Tasmania in the long run. There are alternatives.”
Goanna’s old friend and a giant of environmental defence and advocacy since the Franklin River campaign, Bob Brown asks, “Do we have a right to expect the Brazilians to save the Amazon if we can’t protect the Tarkine?”
2023 marks the 40th Anniversary of Goanna’s 1983 anthemic song, ‘Let The Franklin Flow’ and the High Court Decision, on July 1st 1983, that prevented the damming of the Franklin River.
In 2021 Goanna’s lead singer accompanied protestors to blockade the road in the Tarkine that leads to the proposed mine tailings dam site. Two years later, the protesters are still fighting for nature and common sense.
“The song grew out of that experience. I was deeply moved by the awe-inspiring majesty of the forest and the dedication of those ‘voices crying in the wilderness’, young and old, who were defending that country. These defenders of nature are the true heroes of the 21st century. They deserve our admiration and support.”
SHANE HOWARD RETURNS TO TASMANIA
Shane Howard returns to Tasmania and the Tarkine towards the end of June and will also perform three intimate acoustic concerts in Launceston (29/6), Hobart (30/6) and a very special concert at the Paragon Theatre in Queenstown, on the West Coast, on July 1st to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the High Court decision to save the mighty Franklin River, along with campaigners from the Franklin River blockade.
Thu, Jun 29 @ 8:00PM Royal Oak Hotel, 14 Brisbane St, Launceston, TAS
Fri, Jun 30 @ 7:30PM Republic Bar, 299 Elizabeth St, North Hobart TAS
Sat, Jul 1 @ 6:00PM The Paragon Theatre, 11 McNamara St, Queenstown TAS
Tickets and more info here: Shane Howard – Dates