Big Thief singer joins growing list of artists supporting Gaza with music
American singer-songwriter Adrianne Lenker has created a solo charity EP to help raise money for Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Released on Monday on Bandcamp, a self-publishing platform for musicians, I Won’t Let Go of Your Hand is a precursor to the release of her album Bright Future this month.
“Everything I think to say feels like it is less than a micro-fraction of the power that is needed to convey the message,” she said on Instagram.
“I can’t express how sad and angry I am about this ongoing violence towards Palestinians. The killing must stop.
“The need for a ceasefire is beyond urgent. Permanent ceasefire now! Today I’m releasing a new collection of songs I cherish, which were recorded in the moments they were written. You can purchase this record on Bandcamp, and 100 per cent of the proceeds will go towards the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.”
Lenker is the lead singer of the Grammy Award-nominated group Big Thief.
In 2022, the band suffered a backlash from Palestinian rights activists after they announced plans to perform two concerts in Israel.
After initially defending their decision to play in Tel Aviv, Big Thief cancelled the gigs citing the continuing Israeli occupation of Palestine.
“To be clear, we oppose the illegal occupation and systematic oppression of the Palestinian people,” read the band’s statement at the time.
“We believe in total freedom and self-determination for all Palestinians.”
Lenker’s EP is part of a growing number of music projects released in support of Palestine. In November, New York online music magazine Gunk put out For Palestine, featuring 53 unreleased songs and demos from indie artists including Frankie Cosmos, Mutual Benefit and Told Slant. In January, UK rapper Stormzy and US singer Daniel Caesar performed at a benefit concert in New Jersey with proceeds going to help those displaced by the wars in Gaza and Sudan.
In October, 25 artists from the Middle East and North Africa banded together for the song Rajieen.
Released by US record label Empire, the Arabic song (which translates to “returning”) details Palestine’s struggle for independence.
“But the key to my home remains in my heart / And I’m returning with my children in my arms,” says the chorus. “Even if the whole world stands against me / I am returning, O my country, I am returning.”
Numerous singers and actors, including Billie Eilish and Mark Ruffalo, also expressed support for a permanent Gaza ceasefire on the red carpet of the recent Academy Awards.