Hello, friends.
First, an acknowledgment of the lives lost to police brutality and racist violence. Breonna Taylor would have been 27 today. Her absence is unacceptable.
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We are going to do this a little differently today. Today is the third installment of Bandcamp waiving artist fees; we're grateful to them for this generous effort. We have appreciated everyone's kind support of our new record. Today, if you buy anything from us on Bandcamp, the profits will be donated to a group called Black Visions Collective in Minnesota, the home state of George Floyd. Their organizational vision is as follows:
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Since 2017, Black Visions Collective has been putting into practice the lessons learned from organizations before us in order to shape a political home for Black people across Minnesota. We aim to center our work in healing and transformative justice principles, intentionally develop our organization's core “DNA” to ensure sustainability, and develop Minnesota’s emerging Black leadership to lead powerful campaigns. By building movements from the ground up with an integrated model, we are creating the conditions for long term success and transformation.
Black Visions Collective envisions a world in which ALL Black Lives Matter. We use the guidance and brilliance of our ancestors as well as the teachings of our own experiences to pursue our commitment to dismantling systems of oppression and violence. We are determined in our pursuit of dignity and equity for all.
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If you feel moved to buy our work today, that's who you'll be supporting. Thanks for your consideration.
Second, for today, all of our digital releases will be "pay what you want." If you have it to give, please do, but if you don't, we'd like to remove the financial barrier to the extent that we're able. Our record, Hold On To Yourself, is dedicated to anyone living with—or who has lived with—abuse. We understand that persons living in abusive situations might not have access to funds, due to age or financial abuse. We'd like the music to be free to them at this time.
Last, we appreciate all who virtually attended our first crack at a live stream last month! We had a great time! We are partnering with two independent venues for live streams this month. They are listed below. If you'd like to be updated about our virtual shows in the future, make sure you're following us on Bandsintown; the shows will be listed there.
We will be pausing the essay series, About the Songs, for the time being. There are more pressing actions to be taken in the name of equality, equity, and accountability.
We hope you are well, and that you will take whatever actions you can to be anti-racist going forward. It requires all of us. We will do the same, in humble service to the memories of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and the many others whose lives have been taken—the number is too great. It is unacceptable. Black lives matter.
We appreciate your continued support, now and always.
In solidarity,
FC
