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While the songs have been a part of Sparhawk's live set over the past year, they are shared today as an urgent response to the unrest taking place in his home state of Minnesota, following the increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the state, resulting in the fatal shooting of two Minneapolis residents by federal immigration agents.
The songs were written, composed, and produced at 20 Below Studio in Duluth, Minnesota, with Nat Harvie mixing. Alongside Sparhawk on guitar and vocals and Pollard on drums, Sparhawk's son, Cyrus Spawhark, is featured on bass.
Speaking about "JCMF", Sparhawk says: "This is a song I’ve had for a few years, but couldn’t find the right way to play or record it. We started playing it last year in the Alan Sparhawk Solo Band, on tour, and with each month, the sentiment of the song only increased. I feel like the song has become a rebuke against the fascist/authoritarian streak that several world leaders have taken on and to the people who have been blinded into supporting them."
Discussing the inspiration behind "No More Darkness", he explains: "Inspired by a David Lynch quote (“Don’t fight the darkness. Don’t even worry about the darkness. Turn on the light and the darkness goes. Turn up the light of pure consciousness. Negativity goes.”) This song reminds me to choose light in especially dark times. We were ending our set with this tune all year, and it is my wish for everyone, especially those who feel alone."
Sparhawk will also be donating a portion of the royalties from the pair of songs to the International Institute of Minnesota, an organisation which supports immigrants and refugees with resettlement, self-sufficiency, and integration through different programs, including English classes and workforce training.
English (US) · 