DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Digital Resistance
Statement from Digital Resistance why they love music: Music is a universal language, it can communicate emotions and tell stories even without words, it can cross cultures and it ignores
geography in its persistent ability to get messages across. I can think of no more powerful platform in communicating political messages of social justice. Our writing process is perhaps a bit unusual in that we write the music first, and then an anarchist rebellious poem to go with the music that is eventually turned into lyrics.
Music as a platform to rebellion is not new to this decade or even this century, slaves in America used it as a means to communicate directions to the Underground Railroad, as a call to other slaves to rebellion, and as a means to survive their brutal conditions. It is perhaps odd that it
somehow became more of an entertainment mechanism in modern society. Music, art and protest have always been intertwined and always will, that's the power of music, and that's why I fell in love with it, not to be entertained but to question systems of oppression, to question the status-quo.
Where are you based: Cardiff, U.K.
Your message through your music is very important. Tell us about the themes you've written about in your music?
Each song Digital Resistance releases is about a well-researched topic.
We are actually academics and we take the critical thinking skills from
research and into our music, and no topic is ever given a shallow
glance. I can break down our 2020 releases into general themes, but
there's some hidden meaning in some verses of the songs that I won't go
into as it's more fun for the listener to figure it out and interpret
these themselves.
Oligarchical Collectivism: that's an easy one, it was written in
Newspeak chants (George Orwell's 1984 seemed relevant to the times we
find ourselves in!). The music and lyrics really marry quite well in
this song, and the chant and riffs were designed to give a slightly
uneasy feeling, with a really trippy guitar solo and simple repetitive
drumbeat.
Pale Blue Dot: This is a view of fascism on Earth throughout history,the
narrator starts quite "far away" and gets closer to the unfolding story,
the song gets angry about half-way through (2:17) when it shifts from
past to present. And again the music and lyrics go tightly together.
Economic Conscription: This compares varying war efforts and how the
elite escapes and enriches itself at the cost of the lives of the poor,
the main focus is a comparison of lies fed to the public during the
Vietnam War the Iraq War. It also deals with some racism faced by the
forces returning from Vietnam and the unrest going on back in that
decade.
Pillars of Oppression: This was particularly painful to write, each
verse tells a real life story of a life lost at the hands of political
and police brutality in a different part of the world.
Where can we find you:
Facebook: Digital Resistance
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Katie Wood
Statement from Katie Woods why she love music: Music is one of the most universally shared experiences that has the ability to evoke emotion, heal, and take you to another place. I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of magic and other realms, so music has been a way for me to connect with that inherent need to feel something more than being human. I think it’s the only thing that ever gives me an indescribable sense of fulfilment, that I will be forever grateful for.
Where are you based: London, UK
Genre of Music you can expect from Katie Wood: Singer/songwriter with muted tones, with a raspy vocal ability reminiscent of Haim meets Kate Bush.
Must listen to tracks from Katie Wood: Steve and Uh Huh Yeah
Tell us about your latest single Uh Huh Yeah: “Uh huh Yeah” depicts everything that comes with agoraphobia - the frustration, anger and resentment, but also hope and self-acceptance. Detailing the journey of finding light at the end of the tunnel, Wood has crafted a poignant song of sincerity and self-discovery.
Where can we find you: Instagram :
https://www.facebook.com/katiewouldnt/
DISCOVERING WITH OFF THE HOOK MUSIC
Featured Artist: Renaissance Grrl
Statement from Renaissance Grrl why she love music: Music is important to me because it allows me to have a voice and share my feelings with the world. It's always been a friend when I’m down or going through troubled times. I feel music gives me a shoulder to lean on. I don’t know where I would be without it. It’s also massively important to me as my Dad, who I'm close with, used to play. He passed his musical talents down to me and it runs through my family.
Genre of Music you can expect from Renaissance Grrl: Alternative Rock/Garage
You will find a home in your playlist for Renaissance Grrl if your a fans of :The Vines, PJ Harvey, Hole, Dilly Dally, Cherry Glazerr.
What's next for this artist: My new single Happy when I'm sad has just been released on the 5th of June.
Where can we find you:
Spotify: Renaissance Grrl
Instagram : @renaissance_grrl
Facebook: Renaissance Grrl
DISCOVERING with Off the Hook Music
Featured Artist: Kate Wood
Statement from The Birthday Letters why they love music: My love of music is inseparable from my love of songs - and I’m not always sure where the dividing line lies. I really believe the most powerful music is the closest we humans have to real alchemy, and for me, the lyrics come first. So when a song marries the two; an emotionally affecting melody and a sincerely communicated idea through the words, something quite mysterious and magical takes place. For me, all the best things in music say something powerful about ideas outside of the medium. Painters don’t tend to paint about painting. Music is no different. Ironically I think instrumental Jazz pianist Keith Jarrett said something along the lines of music should be written about life and not music. I’m really on board with this idea. In my own haphazard way, it’s at least what I tend to aim for.
Where The Birthday Letters are based: London, UK
Genre of Music you can expect from The Birthday Letters: Folk with an Alternative twist
Off the Hooks Music TOP 3 Tracks from The Birthday Letters:
1) Dirty Crusty Latest Single a must listen
2) Lesser Evil
3) Orphan Child
What's next for this artist: Glad we asked as The Birthday Letters release single called Epoch (for H.J.D) today 19th May 2020
Where can we find you: Instagram : @thebdaylettersmusic
