Today marks International Right to Truth Day and York Calling favourites Ooberfuse are celebrating the occasion with a new track and video. A tale of resistance, it’s called We Will Overcome.
By Graeme Smith
We live in a world of creeping authoritarianism and truth that is getting systemically distorted to enable it. In the battle, Ooberfuse have put themselves firmly on the side of truth and are speaking out through their latest collaborative single and video.
They might not be a band you’ve heard of before, but they’ve had some impressive plaudits. Apparently, the Pope is a fan, and previous collaborations have included the legendary Snoop Dogg. Here at York Calling, we’ve shared two of their previous releases – a team up with Abdel Tchatchet for World Mental Health Day (Show Me Love) and a Christmas single with Lina Sleibi (Believe in Love.)
A song-writing duo consisting of Hall St John and Cherrie Anderson, Ooberfuse have a unique ability to combine meaningful lyrics with catchy pop instrumentals. We Will Overcome blends in elements of reggae in a bright and breezy composition. Cheerie’s breathy vocals are beautifully compelling in the chorus and the singalong harmonies truly enhance them and drive home the track’s powerful message of unity.
The track features the PREDA Home for Girls who are based in the Philippines. When the Trump administration cut USAID, it left projects there aiming to protect vulnerable children abused by their families, paedophiles and US service-men in peril. Being half Filipino, Ooberfuse teamed up with PREDA to do what they can to combat the cuts.
“Growing up in the Philippines, I know that the biggest road-block to tackling the social ill of the abuse of children, so prevalent in so many cities and towns, is a prevailing culture of silence,” explains Cherrie Anderson. “Like an impenetrable curtain that blocks out the sun’s rays, this silence-culture forbids a child from protesting and speaking up against betrayals that lead to violations. Music is a powerful means to end the silence and to allow the light into this darkness.”
All proceeds from the project will go to PREDA. You can donate directly via the PREDA website.
With their new single and video, Ooberfuse are proving themselves the masters of thoughtful and timely efforts. I’m always happy to support those efforts, especially when they make music as uplifting as they do.
Supported by Musosoup #SustainableCurator
