Nandi Bushell teams up with Tom Morello's son Roman for rabble-rousing climate change anthem, The Children Will Rise Up
The song's video also boasts somewhat surreal cameo appearances from Tom Morello himself, Jack Black and Greta Thunberg
Last month, 11-year-old multi-instrumentalist sensation Nandi Bushell teamed up with Tom Morello and his son Roman for what she called a “sweet improvisational jam.”
In an Instagram post discussing the jam though, Bushell also noted that the trio had written "an epic song together," and that it would be released soon.
Now, it appears, the song in question is out. Featuring Bushell on vocals and drums and Roman Morello handling electric guitar duties, The Children Will Rise Up is a call-to-arms that aims to raise awareness for climate change.
The song's video, which you can take a look at below, boasts cameos from Jack Black and Greta Thunberg, who help give the proceedings additional rock- and climate action-related street cred, respectively.
Bushell – as she so joyfully displayed during a recent onstage cameo with the Foo Fighters – is more than comfortable behind the kit, while Roman Morello, liberally using a Whammy pedal and attaching a sign reading "Rise Up" to the back of his Ibanez, certainly shows the influence of his father, while still demonstrating some very impressive fretboard skills of his own.
“I am not a scientist. I am an 11-year-old girl who understands the simple meaning of science, and while I’m not old enough to vote, I can bring awareness to this problem,” Bushell said of the song in a statement.
“I hope this song empowers young people to find their voice and inner superpower to speak out, and if we can all come together in unity and love, we can tackle humanity's biggest challenge before it is too late.”
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
In addition to her star turn with the Foo Fighters and jam with Tom Morello, 2021 has already seen Bushell nail tunes (and win praise) from the likes of Muse, the Pixies, Red Hot Chili Peppers. Oh, and she also got to jam with Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, too.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**
Join now for unlimited access
US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year
UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year
Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Jackson is an Associate Editor at GuitarWorld.com. He’s been writing and editing stories about new gear, technique and guitar-driven music both old and new since 2014, and has also written extensively on the same topics for Guitar Player. Elsewhere, his album reviews and essays have appeared in Louder and Unrecorded. Though open to music of all kinds, his greatest love has always been indie, and everything that falls under its massive umbrella. To that end, you can find him on Twitter crowing about whatever great new guitar band you need to drop everything to hear right now.
“There was a time you wouldn’t have touched a Superstrat, at least in my world – that was very illegal. It’s cool to be able to let go of those old feelings and those silly rules”: How Chris Shiflett learned to love his inner shredder
“The guitar can be your best friend one day and your rival the next – it keeps you on your toes”: London jazz ace Artie Zaitz on why the amp is your second instrument and how he learned to love mistakes