Today marks the 10-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shooting where 26 were killed. Instead of being an isolated event, sadly there have been several school shootings since then. In connection with this singer-songwriter, educator, and community organizer Gabrielle Zwi recently released the poignant tune “Guns to a Playground Fight,” about the reality of growing up in the “school […]
Learn more →
Music is often an outlet for songwriters to express their political and personal frustrations. That was the case with the New Orleans singer-songwriter Earnest Jackson, who in 1975 composed the song “Inflation” in response to being adversely affected by the high cost of living. He collaborated with the instrumental funk band Sugar Daddy and the Gumbo Roux, to record the […]
Learn more →
On October 31st, 2022, trail-blazing singer-songwriter and activist Patrick Haggerty died at the age of 78. A few weeks earlier he suffered a stroke. He fronted Lavender Country which is widely believed to be the first openly gay country band. In 1973, they released their self-titled debut, which is often cited as the first gay-themed country album. Initially, there were […]
Learn more →
On October 28, 2022, Darren Henley, better known as D.H. Peligro sadly died at the age of 63. He was primarily known as the drummer of the influential hardcore band Dead Kennedys, joining them in 1981. He also had a short stint as the drummer for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, joining them in 1988 and contributing to several tracks […]
Learn more →
In Virginia, back in 1759, a white Scottish servant Elizabeth Gallimore, fell in love with a black slave whose name had been lost over time. Their great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandson, Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz, who performs under the pseudonym Fantastic Negrito, has released the compelling concept album White Jesus Black Problems based on his recently discovered lineage. The ambitious multi-media project includes a companion film. […]
Learn more →
Country music has long been viewed as a politically conservative music genre, but there are a handful of artists that have been challenging traditional views. This does include the occasional mainstream artists who have faced backlash for speaking up (most notably The Chicks). But most of these artists operate on the fringes. One notable example is Pink Williams who describes […]
Learn more →
Singer-songwriter Rain Perry recently released A White Album, a concept piece that addresses white privilege. She is also working on producing a stage version of the album. One of the album’s highlights is “The Money,” which skillfully weaves the narrative of two GIs returning from war, one white and one black. It examines the inequality when it comes to home […]
Learn more →
The latest single by the UK post-punk band is a scathing critique of political propaganda, which follows in the spirit of their 2020 album KOMPROMAT. “I see this as part of the KOMPROMAT world,” states vocalist David Martin. “I would love to say we were seeking closure, but there’s no light at the end of that particular tunnel. ‘The Spectacle’ […]
Learn more →
Disillusioned over a country music scene that was inhospitable to black women, Miko Marks took a 14-year hiatus before returning in 2021 with the powerful album Our Country (one of the best protest albums of 2021). It is an apt title because it can refer to either the music genre or America the country. She recently released the track “Trouble” […]
Learn more →
Batya is a Jewish singer-songwriter, mystic, teacher, and spiritual leader. She often writes and sings in Hebrew, but her latest English composition is written for women’s reproductive rights. She also released a companion lyric video for the poignant anthem.
Learn more →