Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sandi Thom is releasing her latest single, the controversial ‘Revolution Anthem (Festival of the Oppressed)’. A product of recent geo-political turmoil, the single is an anthem for those struggling under unjust systems sick of the way the world has treated them.
“As songwriters and artists, we have the opportunity to be a mouthpiece for the ‘vox populi’.” says Thom. With societies across the world seemingly reaching a boiling point, where marginalized and oppressed communities are being silenced, Sandi is using her platform to call for change on behalf of those who can’t. “Nothing will change if we do not take a stand and raise our voices together. There is, after all, “power in our voice”.”
For South Africans, the single was released in Human Rights Month as South Africa celebrated Human Rights Day on March 21st, a day before the release of ‘Revolution Anthem (Festival of the Oppressed)’ worldwide on March 22nd.
South Africa’s Human Rights Day is a national day historically linked to the Sharpeville events of 21 March 1960. It is commemorated each year in order to remind South Africans of the sacrifices that came with achieving democracy.
As a result of the commemoration, the country has an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the protection and promotion of human rights. South Africa’s Human Rights Day is a national day historically linked to the Sharpeville events of 21 March 1960.
It is commemorated each year in order to remind South Africans of the sacrifices that came with achieving democracy. As a result of the commemoration, the country has an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the protection and promotion of human rights.
The release of the single is coincidental with South Africa’s Human Right’s month. Sandi Thom expresses the following in South Africa’s Human Rights Month:
“As songwriters we have to look to society for inspiration as music is the great uniter. I feel like now more than ever we are in dire need of using art and music to unite us as a whole. I feel like the value of life has been decreasing slowly and we have regressed as humans not progressed.”
“The basic rights of every individual irrespective of race colour or creed is the absolute foundations for a new world we must build for future generations. Teaching children to love and respect all elements of nature, to show empathy and compassion, to look outside of themselves and to give, should be fundamental in our education.”
“We absolutely must continue to take a stand against all atrocities against humanity; oppression, war, racism, homophobia, conflicts in religious beliefs. It lies at the basis of all conflict. Less power, less greed, less corruption. More equality! More democracy! More freedom! More grace! More mercy! More dignity! More honour! People have to realize their own strength.”
“WE as a whole, united we stand, can bring down governments. The system is built to repress us! To deny us! To keep us small! But we are mighty in numbers! So stand with me, one and all, It’s time for a change, It’s time for Revolution.”
‘Revolution Anthem (Festival of the Oppressed)’ pulls references from the French revolution, the Russia/Ukraine War, and even Brexit, name dropping world leaders such as Donald Trump and blatantly calling out former leaders such as Liz Truss.
The anthemic stripped back folk-rock song is something you can imagine being sung in football stadiums for years to come with lyrics such as; “So, it’s time for a change raise your voice to the air, time for a change Revolution is here”
Layering its tribal sounding drums and percussion with a simple acoustic guitar, we are left drawn to Thom’s powerful voice, once again using vocal harmonies to create Thom’s unique sound, and highlighting the incredibly powerful lyrics. The result is a rousing single that will have anyone sick of the unjust status quo, clapping and singing along to the very end.
Once again, we stand at a tipping point for our society, not just here in the UK, but the World. The dawn of revolution seems imminent. We are “down-out, down-beat and down-trodden”. And if “has to be time for a change” states Thom.
More info about Sandi Thom
Sandi Thom first came to prominence in the mid-noughties as one of the first artists to pioneer a streamed tour, performing broadcasts from her Tooting home. The online concerts made headlines at the time with Thom’s shows beginning with 60 viewers before exploding into an excess of 100,000, landing her a deal with RCA/Sony.
The artist then released her 2006 single ‘I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)’ which topped the charts across the UK, Ireland, and remained at no.1 in Australia for 10 consecutive weeks. I wish I was a punk rocker stands at a whopping 70 million plays on Spotify.
“Revolution Anthem (Festival of the Oppressed)”, penned by Thom and lyricist Matt Thomas, precedes Sandi’s later 2024 work which will see her release an exclusive line of NFTs and perform a host of festival dates. This once again sees Thom paving the way for a new generation of artists, as the first well known British singer songwriter to release her music first in the Metaverse before mainstream music platforms.
“Revolution Anthem” will be released not only as a song but as a limited-edition collectible piece of art; a 3D mosaic of Sandi’s face made up of the mug shots of her very own fans.
‘Revolution Anthem (Festival of the Oppressed)’ is available now across all platforms and has been dropped as an NFT on the 15/3/24.
You can stream/download the track HERE.
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