Nathalie, the lead singer of Ukrainian indie rock band Vinok, takes the viewer on an emotional ride in the new lyric video for Elephant Girl. Underneath a hard beat and a groovy rhythm the song’s lyrics tackle the difficulty of being an outcast or being seen different from the rest. Nathalie herself has worked as a mental health professional and therapist and her experience simmers through the song as she shows her support for disabled and alienated people.
The other two members of the trio have backgrounds in journalism and experiences of living in war torn Eastern Ukraine. The band directly fights for women’s rights, disabled rights and all human rights using their music and talents as tools.
“With this song we want to give a voice especially to persons with disabilities and all those who feel like the outcasts of society.”
Check out the video for Elephant Girl below and support the band by checking out their webpage and social media:
Singer and songwriter Brian Estes is a hard working musician. He regularly writes and releases songs in protest of the powers that hurt his fellow people and in support of all those that stand up against tyranny.
In an interview with contest holders, American Songwriter, Brian explains the idea behind the lyrics to his song “Some Boys Grow Up To Be Soldiers”:
“The character in this song is nobody in particular. We all know him. He’s somebody’s uncle, friend, neighbor, father, son. He’s far from perfect, but when he served he was willing to lay down his life. It didn’t come to that, but he lost some essential part of himself along the way. I think of this as an anti-war song. Not a song about the men and women who die in wars, but about the survivors who return to find home is no longer their home. Of course “he’ll never admit what it cost” and so there is nothing to do but soldier on.”
“Some Boys Grow Up To Be Soldiers” by Brian Estes
He waves his flag like a martyr He bears his sins like a cross He wears his skin just like armor He’ll never admit what it cost
He walks with a chip on his shoulder He carries his burdens alone Some boys grow up to be soldiers And some of them never come home
There once was a time when he loved her The promise was sealed with a kiss And sometimes he’s soft like the water But sometimes he’s hard like a fist
He can’t feel a thing when he holds her As if he was carved from a stone Some boys grow up to be soldiers And some of them never come home
His heart wasn’t always so broken His head wasn’t always so hard Most of his words go unspoken Most of his memories are scars
Each day he’s a little bit older But the ghosts just won’t leave him alone Some boys grow up to be soldiers And some of them never come home
It seems like she’s staring right through him From a picture that sits on a shelf He’s almost glad that she left him If only he could leave himself
Each day he’s a little bit colder ‘Til one day he’s cold to the bone Some boys grow up to be soldiers And some of them never come home
Veterans For Peace was mostly started by U.S. soldiers who served in the Vietnam War and who openly opposed to that war (many of whom were still active in the army). Now a new generation of army veterans have come into the organisation fighting for peace and the end of wars. Please support them if you can.
The concert, which took place on November 30th, featured music from musicians (some being veterans also) such as Tom Morello, Nathaniel Rateliff, Maya Azucena, Brittney Chantele, Ryan Harvey, Dale Novella, Emily Yates and Stepen Capaldi.
Some of the performances were pre-recorded and some live. Tom Morello showed up for an interview before showing a recording of his song Let Freedom Ring.
