Refugee Week 2020: #ShareASong
REFUGEE WEEK - SIMPLE ACTS
DAY #7 - #ShareASong
Music is a distinct and powerful form of cultural and personal expression used nearly everywhere in the world. It provides an outlet for communal processing of grief, celebration, rites of passage, beginnings and endings; it connects us to our common humanity and experience, and opens us up to the hardships and joys of others. It is often the tool we need most to bypass our social conditioning and unleash our playful, imaginative, inherently creative and emotionally-connected selves.
The deep, bonding, and lasting impact that making and creating music with and for others has upon our individual selves and sense of belonging is healing magic. Further, the vital importance of the physical act of being #heard - not just making noise, but having others ACTIVELY #listen to you, hear you, and respectfully, collaboratively #respond to you cannot be undervalued or overstated. ESPECIALLY for a community that is far too frequently marginalised, exploited, and abused.
This #RefugeeWeek we want to share with you some of the stunning voices, talents, and cultural expressions of the young people in our community.
Please enjoy RAW Vol. 1 - OUR FIRST ALBUM!
https://soundcloud.com/user-237760553/sets/raw-vol-1
ABOUT THE ALBUMOur community created this collection of tracks during our weekly RAW sessions, where we Record, Arrange, and Write music. Each track was built directly by or in collaboration with the young people and displays their creativity, characters, and wide-ranging talents. From rapping, singing, and writing original music, to arranging covers of cherished music from home, these songs represent countless hours of time spent sharing culture, practicing the art and vulnerability of self-expression, and building relationships across languages in celebration of our differences.
Please do take the time to read the track descriptions, as they give you further insight into the voices and intentions behind the music.
All of these tracks (and so many more) were created during RAW's pilot programme from January 2019 to January 2020, which was generously supported by co-owner of Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club Michael Watt. Thank you Michael!
This album was released as part of 'Roots and Branches: a Collaborative Art Exhibition' by Play for Progress for the Museum of Croydon in January 2020. You can experience a virtual representation of the exhibition here: museumofcroydon.com/roots-branches-main
Contributing Artists:
Joe Cryar - Production
Alice Mary Jelaska - Clarinet, Vocals, Piano, Arranging
Alice Phelps - Strings, Vocals, Piano, Arranging
Maya McCourt - Cello, Vocals, Arranging
Will Roper - Rap, Brass
Laura Impallomeni - Brass, Piano
Katie Moberly - Bass, Vocals, Piano
Simon Roth - Drums, Assorted Percussion
