### Purplepingers Chats to Honi at Rising Tide
Australian musician Purplepingers sat down with *Honi Soit* during the Rising Tide climate protest to reflect on art, politics, and resistance. Known for blending sharp social commentary with DIY soundscapes, the artist candidly explored the intersections of capitalism, community, and creative expression.
> "It's good capitalism to make sure that the working class can reproduce itself so that you can continue exploiting them," Purplepingers said, pausing before adding, "But we don't have to play along with that logic."
Discussing the role of music in activism, Purplepingers emphasized that art can both challenge and sustain movements. They described their performances as “spaces of collective energy,” where music acts as both release and rallying cry.
The artist also noted how DIY scenes allow musicians to exist outside traditional capitalist systems:
> "When people create art for each other, not for profit, it’s a form of resistance."
Throughout the Rising Tide event, Purplepingers performed alongside other climate-conscious artists, underscoring the unity between cultural production and environmental activism. Their message to fellow performers was clear — creativity should not just entertain, but also empower and connect.
### About Rising Tide
Rising Tide is an annual action that brings together activists, artists, and community organizers to protest corporate and governmental inaction on climate change. The 2025 event, held in Newcastle, saw thousands block coal shipments to demand an end to fossil fuel exports.
### Closing Thoughts
As the conversation wound down, Purplepingers reflected on hope and resilience in activist spaces:
> "We can’t outspend the powerful, but we can outlast them when we act together."
The conversation offered a vivid reminder that for artists like Purplepingers, music is not just expression—it is a tool for survival and solidarity.
> **Author’s Summary:** Purplepingers uses art as a protest tool, turning music into a communal act of resistance that embodies both critique and collective hope.
more
Honi Soit — 2025-11-30