Skip to main content

Maverick Ad

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cover Stories
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Legacy Awards
  • Past Covers
  • Weekly Archive
International Folk Supergroup “Artists for Action” Re-Releases “Which Side Are You On?”

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • International Folk Supergroup “Artists for Action” Re-Releases “Which Side Are You On?”
Artists for Action
Fri Feb 28, 2025
Sandy Graham

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

whichsideareyouon.ca

Features
Music
Artists for Action
Bruce Cockburn
Ani DiFranco
Month: Sep 2024
Pop Singer/Songwriter Peter Foldy Has a Remedy for the Alienation Blues in “… Sep 27
Canada's Teen Jam Announces Second Finalists Showcase Due to… Sep 20
Toronto’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival – Led By Molly Johnson – Announces… Sep 20
Gary Richardson Going Home Sep 20
Shelley Hamilton, Canada's Black Country Music Queen Makes History Sep 20
Bill King – Rhythms of a Lifetime Sep 13
Toronto Classical Crossover Artist Elisa Rose Shines Light On Autism With… Sep 08
CJ Cooper - Crossing Borders Building Bridges Sep 06
Deadline September 10th for the Special Offer to Register a .MUSIC Domain Sep 06
Month: Aug 2024
Drake Jensen Releases Poignant Cover of Bruce Cockburn’s "Lovers in a… Aug 30
In Its 9th Year, Toronto’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival – Led By Molly Johnson… Aug 23
COLIN JAMES Adds Heavy Hitters to the Line-Up on The Newly Released Album… Aug 23
Toronto’s Liss Gallery Celebrates The Rock Visions Of Legendary… Aug 16
Guitar Legend Liona Boyd Shares Reimagined “Summer Dreams” Duet With Olivia… Aug 09
Japanese-Canadian Alt-Rock Artist, Garrett Neiles, Shares 80's Pop-… Aug 09
Legendary Rascal Flatts Frontman Gary LeVox To Perform at the 2024 Canadian… Aug 01
The Canadians Are Coming to Lilla By Festivalen Sweden! Aug 01
Month: Jul 2024
Singer/Songwriter Don Graham Releases a Heartfelt Abum, My Old Guitar, My… Jul 25
Contemporary Roots-Folk Singer-Songwriter Howard Gladstone Releases New… Jul 21
Neena Rose Unveils Bold New Single "Propaganda," Signaling a… Jul 21

Pagination

  • First page « First
  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • …
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Current page 6
  • Page 7
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • Page 10
  • …
  • Next page Next ›
  • Last page Last »

CEO/PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
SANDY GRAHAM

email:sandygrahamemg@gmail.com 

Canadian Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Don Graham
email: dongrahamwriter@gmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Lisa Hartt
email: lisahartt87@hotmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada 
Michael Williams
email: greydread@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

International Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Malin Osth
email: malin@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Jonas Tancred
email: jonas@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - USA
Rob Durkee 
email: rockster2746@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web Developer/Technical Support
Chris Wardman

email: info@chriswardman.com
website: chriswardman.com

Cashbox Cover Design and Graphic Artist
Jain McMillan

email: jainmcmillan@gmail.com

Contributing Photographer 
Tracey Savein - South Paw Productions
southpawproductions@rogers.com

 

 

 

Footer menu

  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Archive
  • Issue Archive
  • Past Covers