I had no intention of writing and recording an album this winter. Then things went all pear-shaped here in Minnesota. I started writing and playing songs I’d written during the past year or so to channel that frustration, dismay, and the anger I was feeling and into something positive. Something hopeful. That’s why we “art.”

Over the last month I ended up creating an EP that starts with a short spoken word fable.  Then, the first song begins:

I sit in the disquiet of my content
Worried I’ve got nothing left

And so, I begin by acknowledging that I’m tired. Everyone I know is tired, stressed, and yet I acknowledge that some like me are safe and, if I wanted to, could ignore things, be content. 

And then I write this:

It’s okay, I’m not mad at you
Are the last words that she said
Fucking bitch he spat out at her
As she let out her last dying breath

They hit him with pepper spray
Six agents wrestled him down
One shot then nine more
And the left him dead on the ground

So that’s us here in Minnesota at one of our darkest moments so far this winter. Where do we go from there? 

Eventually I ended up at:

As we rise up and as we fall
We are here and we are gone
As we begin to see and as we start to listen
We are one, then we are one

And then: 

Turn away, turn away, now turn away
Find love and turn away from hate

And finally: 

And then I understand your love
When I raise you up

Not as a call to action so much for others but as a reminder to myself. That’s what these songs do – take me from that dark starting point to how we might rise up and find beauty and hope. Understand one another. Love one another again. I’m calling it We Rise.

So, I hope that you will take 27 minutes to give this a full listen. Writing and recording it was an act of processing and making sense of what I’m witnessing here in Minnesota (and beyond). I hope it can do the same for you.

Like I said, I didn’t plan on releasing an album, and certainly not a folk/protest album, but this is the moment we are in. Art is often about meeting the moment. 

Initially, I’m releasing it only on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, and YouTube (not YT music streaming service). These are free services and don’t pay out royalties. It doesn’t feel right to make money on this. In lieu of purchasing (the price on Bandcamp is “free” to download if you are the last person on Earth so inclined). I’m asking you to donate to an organization that speaks to you about this moment in time. 

I do want this to be heard so will eventually release it on the streaming services such as Spotify. Fortunately (sarcasm) artists like me don’t actually make money on streaming, so no problem there. 

Here’s a list of organizations local to me here in Minnesota and my home town of Northfield.

Minnesota Organizations Supporting Immigration Rights

The Advocates for Human Rights
COPAL, Comunidades Organizando El Poder Y La Accion Latina
Unidos MN
Immigrant Defense Network
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Minnesota Interfaith Coalition on Immigration
ACLU-MN

Northfield Organizations

Rice County Neighbors United (Barrios Unidos)
Northfield Community Action Center
Northfield Supporting Neighbors