Stop the silence… a “collective cry” in the face of the world
Dozens of musicians and singers participated in the production of an album, which they described as a “collective cry” against the genocide launched by the Israeli occupation army in the Gaza Strip, in support of the Palestinian people, while the producers of the album directed all proceeds to Doctors Without Borders and the Red Crescent in Palestine.
Under the name “Stop the Silence,” 48 artists from 12 countries released a digital album in the face not only of the Israeli crimes taking place in the Gaza Strip, but also against “the deafening silence of those who have platforms and influence among people who can listen to them.”
A collective cry that lasts for 4 hours
The album extends for four hours, and includes songs and music belonging to electronic, folk, jazz, hip-hop, and field recordings, and has been available for download via the Bandcamp website, since its release on March 1.
The launchers of the artistic initiative explained in their announcement that “Abandon the Silence” represents a means of solidarity with the Palestinian people, and “an encouragement to our society and audiences not only to donate, but also to speak out and take action.”
They added: “We invite listeners to join us in this work of support and awareness, and even to join a group of artists united in their horror, raising their voices against this genocide.”
Regarding his song in the group album “Arayes,” singer, composer, visual artist, and writer Dorian Wood says: “The title refers to a famous Palestinian meat dish, and the song is inspired by a post on social media by Palestinian director Bisan Odes.”
Wood explains: “The Palestinian artist spoke in her post about sharing a plate of arayes with other Palestinians while she was hiding in a makeshift tent, in a short moment of joy amid the sadistic attacks launched by the Israeli occupation army.”
Also among the album’s songs is one called “Solidarity Forever” by the Lunatraktors, which was inspired by the song “Joe Hill” written by Alfred Hayes about a famous American labor unionist and songwriter who, as many believe, was unjustly executed in 1914. In its lyrics, the song denounces injustice in the world. .
The band said in a speech at the launch of the song: “We stand in solidarity with all the people around the world who bear the brunt of the hatred and violence of others. We stand with the resistance against oppressive regimes that wage wars that cause so much unnecessary pain.”
Among the musical pieces included in the group album is one by Indian musician Sarathi Korwar, which combines Indian folk music with jazz, under the title Indefinite Leave To Remain.
In addition to all of these, British musician, writer and performance artist John Callahan contributed a song called How We Are Change. Among them: “It is okay not to be okay. It is not your fault, but the world’s fault. If you feel that things are not okay, that is what allows us to change. How do we change? Do not be afraid to be afraid. When you are alone, you are not alone. So No one was listening to you, it does not mean that you are not heard, this is how we know the question: How do we change?
“No one hears my silent steps”
About love and the pain of separation in times of war, the Irish band Landless participated with a song entitled Lassie Lie Near Me, from the words of an ancient Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). While the British folk music duo Cath and Phil Tyler released a song called Come and Stand at Every Door, the lyrics of which say: “I come and stand at every door, but no one hears my silent steps. I knock and I am still invisible, because I am dead, I am just me.” I’m seven years old even though I died, in Hiroshima long ago, I’m seven years old now as I was then, when children die they don’t grow up I don’t need fruit, I don’t need rice, I don’t need sweets not even Bread, I don’t ask for anything for myself because I’m dead. All I ask is for peace. You fight today, you fight today, so the children of the world may live and grow, laugh and play.”
Under the title “Call,” the Polish female band Sutari presented a song inspired by the traditional Polish wedding call that occurs during a ritual called Oczepiny, and the song’s lyrics express meanings of solidarity and the search for community support.
Among the names participating in the album are the Barbarodian-Nigerian singer Maria Uzor, the French musician Eric Chonot, the singer DEVINE Imibono, and the English musician Steve Hillage.
This is not the first album to be released, the proceeds of which are allocated to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. On March 11, a new album was released by the lead singer of the American band Big Thief, Adrianne Lenker, and the album’s proceeds are supposed to be allocated entirely to relief efforts in the Gaza Strip.
“Nothing I can say will have the power to convey the message of this work,” Lenker wrote in announcing her new release, Bright Future. “I cannot express how sad and angry I am at the ongoing violence against Palestinians.”
The American singer continued: “The killing must stop. The need for a ceasefire has become very urgent, and this new collection of songs that I am proud of is a dedication to Palestine.”
