Bruce Cockburn, Ani DiFranco, Oysterband and Guy Davis Among Participating Artists
In September of 2022 an international folk supergroup consisting of 16 artists from six countries on four continents released “Which Side Are You On?” Originally penned as a union song by Florence Reece in 1931, Artists for Action’s version took aim at the rise of far-right politics and the resurgence of fascism around the globe, the most glaring example of which was Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine.
With recent world events, including the implosion of American democracy and the resurgence of fascist groups such as Germany’s AfD, the message behind the song seems more important, more urgent, than ever, so Artists for Action is re-releasing the single, which aims to foster discussion, and asks people to choose which side they are on. When the single was first released it enjoyed airplay all over the world, although there were some stations that refused to play it, stating that it was too controversial.
Well, it may be more controversial now than ever. Canada, Greenland, Denmark, Panama and Gaza are all being threatened by hostile takeovers from the most powerful nation in the world, so each of us has to grapple not only with which side we are on, but what we are going to do about it. Will we boycott? Will we participate actively in politics? Will we vote, demonstrate, protest? Music has at times been a powerful catalyst for change, and the voices of musicians are needed now more than ever.
This project was born when spoken word poet and songwriter Bob Jensen received a note from an old friend, saying that “Which Side Are You On?” was ripe for a remake. The two discussed how the song could be updated to reflect the rise of the far right in politics and the resurgence of fascism around the globe, and how that was affecting democracy, women’s rights, etc. Jensen decided on the spot that he would do it, that he would record an updated version of the song and release it to radio.
“I was excited at the prospect,” says Jensen, “and thought I would invite a couple of friends and colleagues from the folk music community to join me. My first ask was my old friend James Keelaghan, and he immediately said I should count him in. I asked a few more people, and within a couple of days, I had half a dozen very fine artists from around the world committed to the project.” It was at this point that Jensen decided to ask Bruce Cockburn’s manager if Cockburn might be interested, and within a week, he was confirmed. Ani DiFranco was next to join the project, and additional artists fell into place over the next few weeks.
Who is Artists for Action?
Artists for Action is a folk supergroup consisting of 16 artists from around the world who have come together to raise their voices against the rise of the far right. The artists, in alphabetical order, are Black Umfolosi (Zimbabwe), Ray Bonneville (Canada), Bruce Cockburn (Canada), Guy Davis (USA), Ani DiFranco (USA), Maria Dunn (Canada), Bob Jensen (Canada), James Keelaghan (Canada), Lucy MacNeil (Canada), Tony McManus (Scotland), Moulettes (England), Oysterband (England), Richard Perso (Australia), Heather Rankin (Canada), Martin Simpson (England) and Jon Weaver (Canada). (The artists are not being paid for this work, and in fact, have covered their own recording costs. Additional hard costs have been covered by anonymous donors.) The video for this song was produced on a budget of $0.00.
Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/6ZPEpWMlxyMT8u0Yqi2ZR0?si=99b7a997b30b420b
Proceeds to Assist Ukraine
The primary goal of this project is the message, as opposed to it being a fundraiser. However, the song will generate revenue, all of which will be donated to a registered charity in aid of Ukraine.
Musicians in Alphabetical Order
Black Umfolosi - Vocals, Zimbabwe, (Eng. Octopus & his assistant Dumisani Moyo)
Ray Bonneville - Harmonica, Canada (Justin Douglas, King Electric Recording Studio)
Bruce Cockburn - Vocals, Canada (Eng. Mark Yarhiro)
Chris Corrigan - Acoustic guitar, Canada (Eng. Self, Chris Corrigan Studio)
Guy Davis - Vocals, America (Eng. Self, home studio)
Ani DiFranco - Vocals, America (Mark Napolitano, Ani DiFranco home studio)
Maria Dunn - Vocals, Canada (Eng. Terry Tran)
Adam Hill - Upright bass, Canada (Eng. Chris Corrigan, Chris Corrigan Studio)
Bob Jensen - Vocals, Canada (Eng. Colin Buchanan, The Pink Palace)
James Keelaghan - Vocals, Canada (Eng. Self, James Keelaghan home studio)
Richard Knox - Drums, Canada (Eng. Chris Corrigan, Chris Corrigan Studio)
Lucy MacNeil - Vocals, Canada (Eng. Jamie Foulds, Sound Park)
Tony McManus - Guitar, Scotland/Canada (Tom Althouse, Silk Purse Recording)
Moulettes - Vocals, England (Eng. Hannah Miller/Raevennan Husbandes)
Oysterband - Vocals, England (Eng. Alan Prosser & Al Scott)
Richard Perso - Didgeridoo, Australia, (Secret Cupboard Studio, Yackandandah, AUS)
Heather Rankin - Vocals, Canada, (JRPR Productions, Dartmouth, NS)
Martin Simpson - Vocals, banjo, electric guitar, England (Eng. Self, home studio)
Jon Weaver - Vocals, Canada, (Eng. Self, Salty Towers, St. Andrews, NB)
Produced and mixed by Chris Corrigan and Colin Buchanan at Chris Corrigan Studio, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada, and The Pink Palace, also in Charlottetown.
Mastered by Alex McCollough, True East Mastering, Nashville, TN
Video produced by Bob Jensen, Edited by Isaac Williams, Charlottetown, PEI