Available on: Spotify, Pandora, Apple, Amazon, YouTube, Bandcamp, etc.
Respect is a key part of creating change. People change when they’re ready to change, and we have to allow them enough space to come to decisions on their own. This is very challenging for those who wish to make positive and necessary changes to the culture.
Activism is about action, so taking the passive posture of patience is uncomfortable. But what’s our option here? To try to berate people into change? To shame them? To call them stupid? Do you think that will work? Anyone’s natural reaction in these situations is to recoil, retreat, or even retaliate.
This only makes things worse. It creates more distance.
Keep in mind that this is exactly what systemic power wants. Distance between us diminishes our collective power. It distracts us, disorients us, and makes us easier to manipulate. These forces form a fog that gives cover to the status quo while we fight amongst ourselves. They smile when they see this.
So what do we do to create positive change? If we accept that no one actually convinces anyone of anything, then that leaves us with only one option: To demonstrate what the other side of change looks like.
This is why art of all types is so important. We as artists envision new worlds. We present new possibilities. The first step of change is to imagine what could be.
And if done well, art has the ability to cut through defenses and speak directly to the heart. To connect us, human to human. With empathy, with patience, with respect for one another.
It’s not easy work, but it’s what this song explores.
Upside | Michael Boezi
Release date: 8/23/22
CREDITS:
Michael Boezi: Voice, guitar
Dave Brophy: Drums, backing vocals
Joe McMahon: Bass guitar
Peter Fernandez: Rhodes, organ
Lyrics and music by Michael Boezi
Produced by Michael Boezi and Dave Brophy
Recorded at Revolution Sound Studio in Charlestown, MA
Engineered by Dave Brophy and Matt Girard
Arranged by Dave Brophy and Michael Boezi
Mixed by Dave Brophy
Cover photograph by Michael Boezi
Cover design by Michael Boezi
℗&© 2022 Control Mouse Media, LLC
Published by Control Mouse Media, LLC, Boston, MA https://controlmousemedia.com
All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable copyright laws.
ISRC: QZU4R2200005 / UPC: 692531822857 / Artist IPI: 1126697636 (ASCAP)
In preparation for this new set of releases, I also re-released my back catalog in March. They include re-mastered versions with some bonus demo tracks included too.