Australian Musicians Triggered by Conservative Fans
Despite the left’s constant attacks on Australia Day and their demand that we change the date, the overwhelming majority of Australians are going to be celebrating the day. In keeping with celebrating everything that is Australian on Australia Day many people are going to be enjoying their favourite Australian musicians and their songs at their Australia Day barbecues.
A special effort has been made to celebrate Australian music this year because of the ABC’s youth radio station Triple J choosing to move its annual Hottest 100 music countdown from Australia Day to be more culturally sensitive.
In response to Triple J’s decision other radio stations have attempted to fill the gap in the market for Australia Day music with Triple M deciding to hold its Ozzest 100 music countdown. Sydney radio station WSFM followed by asking its followers to vote for their favourite Australian tracks to play on Australia Day.
Now they have been joined by Australian Conservatives Leader Senator Cory Bernardi who created his own Australia music countdown playlist on Spotify as a way to encourage his supporters to celebrate Australia Day and vote for their favourite Australian tracks under the twitter hashtag #AC100.
As Bernardi is one of the most high profile conservative targets of the left it was inevitable the anti-Australia Day crowd would express their outrage. But what is most bizarre about their criticism of Bernardi’s music list is that because he is conservative he is not allowed to enjoy the music of Australian artists who have left wing political views. Even more ludicrous is that they have the perception of Bernadi as such as homophobe that they are shocked he likes the music of gay artists.
Apparently the fact that an Australian artist who has left wing political views has conservative fans is triggering for them. Darren Hayes who is gay and the lead singer of Savage Garden whose song ‘To The Moon and Back’ was included on the AC100 was so horrified that Bernardi is a fan that he threatened legal action
Hi @CoryBernadi and @AuConservatives. I do not want to be associated with you, your party or your views. Remove my music from this stunt or expect contact from my publisher @SonyATV https://t.co/fBmVisypLz
— Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes) January 17, 2018
Can you actually sue someone for liking your music and encouraging other people to play it on Spotify which actually benefits you with additional music royalties?
Hayes would have been double triggered by being included since he also been on record supporting changing the date of Australia Day.
Change the fucking date. Respect the Australians who had their people slaughtered, their families torn apart and their culture systematically under attack. (rephrased my previous tweet – ‘erased’ was the wrong word choice. Apology for any offense caused). https://t.co/SHWkYLK2EJ
— Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes) January 16, 2018
Hayes then called on other Australian musicians who were included on the list to be just as offended as he was:
Are you guys cool with the far right Australian Conservatives using our music to promote their agenda? Because I’m not. What say you @kylieminogue @JimmyBarnes @anuchristine @pgarrett @INXS @bernardfanning @paulkelly @tinaarena @Lisa_Veronica @TheVeronicas @Jessicaveronica https://t.co/fBmVisypLz
— Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes) January 17, 2018
Bernardi’s response was that everyone regardless of political views can enjoy whatever music they like:
Get over yourself @darrenhayes. Music is for everyone. https://t.co/zZyYFd9nC1
— Cory Bernardi (@corybernardi) January 17, 2018
The Hilltop Hoods were another band who were included on the playlist had an even more hostile response:
Go fuck yourself @corybernardi.
— Hilltop Hoods (@hilltophoods) January 17, 2018
Surely Hayes and the Hilltop Hoods could have taken a left out of American rock star Bruce Springsteen who despite holding left wing political views was happy to have former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as a fan and they even appeared on stage together at a benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Sandy in 2013.
Bernardi unlike those of the left is able to separate his political life from his music tastes. Last year when there was the controversy about Macklemore performing his song Same Love at the NRL Grand Final Bernardi stated he had no problem with the artist himself and also stated he enjoyed the music of American artist Pink despite her being a social justice advocate.
It is a sad state of affairs that everything is now seen through the prism of politics that now musicians are demanding they only want fans whose politics they agree with. Would these musicians prefer conservatives got together and burnt their CDs instead?
For those saying Bernardi was politicizing these songs is now celebrating Australia culture including music now considered a political act? Is Bernardi because he’s a politician now never allowed to express what things Australian he enjoys?
These musicians should instead be thankful that they have diverse range of fans that including people who differ from them on politics who wish to pay tribute to them in their own celebration of Australia culture.