New Single OUT NOW!
We're super excited to announce that our debut single Sweet Brandon Teena (Respond to Me) is out now to stream everywhere!
Our music video is on Youtube for your viewing pleasure and on release day TheIndieMasterPlan playlisted us on their 'Best of 2019' Spotify Playlist.
We're super proud of this song, what it stands for and how we deliver music. The upbeat disco style of the song makes it an indie pop banger from start to finish but our vocalist, Matt's approach to lyrics raises issues and injustice at every turn.
For the curious bunch out there who like to understand the meaning behind songs, Sweet Brandon Teena is about the injustice surrounding the death of Brandon Teena in 1993. Born 'Teena Renae Brandon', Brandon had a difficult home life, being victim to incestuous child abuse and things became more difficult when his 'tomboyish' nature developed and he began identifying as a male.
He revolted at school against dress code and religious studies and even attempted to join the army as a man.
After moving away and trying to start a new life, Brandon began a relationship and made friends in his new neighbourhood. Two of those friends were ex-convicts and later, these two shamed Brandon by forcibly showing his girlfriend his female birthright. After this turn of events, the two ex-cons abducted Brandon and gang raped him.
The police would later pick up the ex-cons and release them due to lack of evidence.
Upon being released from custody, the ex-cons hunted Brandon until they broke into his shared accommodation and murdered Brandon and 2 friends.
Brandon's mum successfully sued Richardson County and Sheriff Laux for failing to prevent Brandon's death.
Brandon did intend to have sexual reassignment surgery and was fully committed to becoming a man, but instead was raped and murdered because he was different and failed to be protected by the law and society. Many people today still struggle with gender transition and being accepted by their peers.
We hope this song can show support to those in a difficult time.
this blog is a very summarised version and more information can be found about Brandon's story all over the internet and including the award-winning documentary 'Boys Don't Cry' (1999).