Video of the Moment #2109: Elm
Artists who are a household name, from Bruce Springsteen to Bryan Adams, have taken a stand on North Carolina’s anti-LGBT law, vowing not to tour in the American state until the new law is reversed. Dublin self-described ‘alternative baroque-pop’ band Elm have tried a different approach in lending their collective voice into the general fray of transgender rights with their latest single ‘Concentrate’, and ahead of the first anniversary of Ireland’s Gender Recognition Act on the 15th of July. This is a band that has something to say, and that’s important – not to mention wonderfully unique – among the kind of music that’s being pumped out and lobbed towards top 40 these days.
Premiering the accompanying music video on The Last Mixed Tape on the last bank holiday Monday, frontman Dylan Walsh said of the video, “The discrimination that people in the transgender community are experiencing, especially now in some parts of the U.S., is heart-breaking to us. We wanted the video to show the isolation and inner struggle that some transgender people face. Cellist Gary Molloy added, “We realise everyone’s transition is different but we wanted to make a video which would show the audience that sometimes the journey can be harrowing and sometimes it can be liberating. At the end of the day, we’re all just people trying to live our lives.” Have a watch and listen to the powerful ‘Concentrate’ below. The band appeared last month at CMW 2016 and I covered them at the Music from Ireland showcase Thursday night at the Rivoli. They had been given the momentous privilege of officially opening the music festival the night before at Google’s Canadian headquarters in Toronto.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bSK90Ohhy8[/youtube]
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