Sound Country is Green Music Australia's flagship leadership program for musicians: a multi-day retreat designed to deepen climate knowledge, build lasting networks, and develop the skills to turn that knowledge into action.
Since 2023, the program has connected dozens of artists, from award winners to emerging acts, through an experience centred on connection to place, knowledge-sharing and honest conversation about the role musicians can play in the environmental movement. Past retreats have been held in lutruwita/Tasmania on palawa Country and the Blue Mountains on Darug and Gundungurra Country, with the next chapter of the program now taking shape.
Why it exists
Musicians have real cultural power when it comes to shifting the story on climate. Sound Country helps artists step into that role with confidence: understanding the systems at play, learning from First Nations leadership on Country, and connecting with a peer network that continues long after the retreat ends.
In their words
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Musicians have such a huge role to play in the environmental movement and I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity to recharge my activism and find a path forward as an artist on this continent. — Stella Donnelly, 2024 retreat alumni |
It has mentally, physically & spiritually given me more grounding, but has also given me more confidence in who I am as a person, the importance of the path I'm on & who I want to become. — Noelani Petero, 2024 retreat alumni |
Retreat Alumni
2023 Alumni: Áine Tyrrell, Alice Ivy, Alice Skye, Angie McMahon, Beatrice Lewis (Haiku Hands), Eliza Hull, Jess Ribeiro, Hannah Crofts (All Our Exes Live In Texas), Kee'ahn, Kira Puru, Little Green, Milan Ring, Monnie, Moreton, MpathSoul, Nix Gross, Simone Slattery (Bowerbird Collective), Thea Rossen.
2024 Alumni: Annie Hamilton, Beckah Amani, Camilla Rose Sullivan, Charlie Mgee (Formidable Vegetable), Dale Tanner (Ocean Grove), Didirri, Elana Stone, EWAH, Gailla, Jaida Stephenson (Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers), Myki Jay, Nicole Murphy, Noelani (Monrxe), Stella Donnelly, Sunny Luwe and Tim Shiel.
Watch the 2024 Retreat recap here:
2026 Alumni: Becca Hatch, Earl Weir (Krystal Rivvers), Jake Taylor (In Hearts Wake), Joe Mungovan, Malaika Mfalme, Odette, Tasman Keith, Tay Blunt (FVNERAL), Total Tommy, Yawdoesitall, Zoe Catterall (The Buoys).
Who it's for
Sound Country is for working musicians across genres, career stages and backgrounds who care about climate and are ready to step up their leadership. We actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, people of colour, and artists from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Each cohort is small and deliberately intimate, so participants leave with real relationships, not just contacts.
Applications
Applications aren't currently open. Sound Country runs as funding and partnerships allow, so cohort size, eligibility and location can shift retreat to retreat. Sign up to our mailing list to be notified when applications open for the next retreat.
What the experience involves
- Time on Country – time away from the usual pace of touring and releasing, to think, connect and recharge
- Knowledge-sharing – learning alongside fellow artists, First Nations leaders and sustainability experts, with the Sound Country Guide as a practical toolkit
- Skills for advocacy – practical strategies for reducing your impact as a touring/recording artist and using your platform to shift the narrative
- Collective strategy – workshopping music-driven campaigns and actions with real-world impact
- A community for the long run – a growing network of alumni, patrons and volunteers across the country
Questions
Reach out to Bridget Heazlewood at [email protected].
Green Music Australia is supported by the Australian Government through Music Australia. Sound Country has been made possible with support from the Australian Government through Music Australia, and from the NSW Government through Sound NSW.
