Written by Lauren Rosier
The West Philadelphia Orchestra shares their new single, “Amerika The Grave,” via Philly-based record label, The Giving Groove.
All the proceeds from the single’s sales go to Girls Rock Philly.
The track is a raucous number with its thumping rhythms and collective voices, but is an “impassioned reflection on a country stained by a legacy of violent racial injustices past and present.”
The single’s music video is the brainchild of Keni Thomas, a Philadelphia creative illustrator, and was brought to life by Rachel Goldfinger.
Thomas says, “‘Amerika The Grave’ is a song of indictment and empowerment. Indictment of a system corrupted by power and an empowering anthem for those grieving the loss of innocence to that system. It serves as sword and salve, to slay and to save.”
I love how The Giving Groove sets up its revenue model – all label profits from the single, “Amerika the Grave,” will be donated to a music-related charity chosen by West Philadelphia Orchestra.
West Philadelphia Orchestra‘s founding member, Gregg Mervine, has chosen to direct that revenue to Girls Rock Philly, “a youth-focused organization whose mission is to support a music community for girls, women, and trans and gender-expansive individuals.”
Girls Rock Philly has a personal attachment for Mervine.
“I toured with Ari Up of The Slits for a few years,” Mervine explains, referring to the legendary punk singer who died in 2010. “When I saw Girls Rock Philly, I was like, ‘Oh, this is something that just seems to be fulfilling, something that Ari would have been very into.’ It really reminded me of Ari‘s work. That’s something we’ve been from the beginning—we invited people to play in our band who really couldn’t play an instrument. Just play what you can! If you can play one note, that can help.”
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