In a leap of faith, the Bowerbird Collective, Australian Museum and Australia’s amphibians teamed up to create an album of native frog sounds and get it to the top of the ARIA Christmas album chart. And with the help of the public they hopped to #3, nearly beating Taylor Swift on her reign.
Just like its bird calls counterpart that was released last year and peaked at #2, the frog record has become a cultural phenomenon.
Global media brands like BBC, Australian Geographic, Sky News and MSN have all followed the story. Everyone now can rejoice that our frog friends have hopped to the top. Incredibly placed as Australia’s third most popular album.
Dr Jodi Rowley, Senior Research Scientist and Curator of Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum and UNSW is thrilled with the result, “It’s so exciting that Australia has gotten behind this album, giving Australia’s unique and imperilled frogs a voice.
“It’s a real indication just how much Australia cares about our frogs. And also how beautiful, captivating and fascinating frog calls really are!
“Australia’s frogs have given Taylor Swift a run for her money. And it’s beyond exciting to see Australia’s frogs and their amazing calls in the spotlight!”
But what IS ‘Songs of Disappearance’ frog croaks album?
‘Songs of Disappearance’ is a collection of native frog calls on over 50 tracks. Some even from frogs thought to be extinct like the Gastric Brooding Frog. As well as never-before-heard recordings by some of the country’s leading scientists. It was recorded to raise the attention and awareness that Aussie frogs deserve. As 1 in 6 Australian frogs are threatened with extinction.
Want to help topple Tay-Tay? Purchase Australian Frog Calls: ‘Songs of Disappearance’ on CD or digital download now here. Album proceeds help the national FrogID project continue to make giant leaps in frog conservation.
