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Dear friends, and and greetings from our remote MPress office(s)!
Here is a personal statement from our flagship artist & founder, Rachael Sage.
"These are historic times, and it is vital that we stand up for justice, always. If you follow me and my label MPress Records on social media, you have seen our collective, unwavering rejection of racism, police brutality, and inequality in all forms. We we have also donated to a variety of organizations that work toward progress on these systemic issues of racial bias in America, including Showing Up For Racial Justice, the NAACP, and The Audre Lorde Project.
"Although it has not always been comfortable or easy, I have continued to use my voice to sing and share poetry to underline racism and injustice, since George Floyd's brutal murder. All of us at MPress wholeheartedly recommit to the premise that music can not only be a healing tool, but can help to protest and ultimately shift injustice.
"We hope you'll join us in our ongoing efforts to contribute positive solutions to centuries-old problems that we as Americans and global citizens of this planet all need to address. Together, may the compassion in our hearts help us move mountains!"
xo & light,
Rachael & Team MPress
1. MPRESS & RACHAEL PARTICIPATE IN #THESHOWMUSTBEPAUSED, SHARE CALLS TO ACTION
Last Tuesday, Rachael & the staff of Team MPress participated in the music industry blackout #TheShowMustBePaused – conceived by Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang – aimed at focusing on helpful resources for combating racism, as well as having meaningful community-based conversations around injustice and inequality. While there was some controversy around the effort as a whole, we as a label family welcomed the opportunity to translate empathy into direct action, choosing to repost diverse voices, resources and organizations on our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for easy accessibility.
2. POEMS & ARTWORK INSPIRED BY THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT
As an immunocompromised person, Rachael has not been able to personally participate in on-site protests in her beloved hometown NYC. However, she stands firmly alongside the peaceful protestors in heart and mind, and steadfastly against police brutality. Her new poems "Riot", "Color-Blind", and "'cause courage" are up now in the Musings section on her website. Below are also some images of recent artwork Rachael has created in tribute to those who have lost their lives to police brutality.
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3. STAY IN WITH SAGE" PRIDE MONTH BENEFICIARY & GLOBAL PRIDE
Thank you to everyone who has been tuning in to Rachael's 2x weekly "Stay In With Sage" livestreams! This month, all donations from her June virtual shows will benefit The Audre Lorde Project, a community organizing center for LGBTQ+ people of color in NYC.
Later this month on June 27, don't mss Rachael performing her feminist anthem "Sistersong" as part of Global Pride 2020. The event will be livestreamed worldwide for free across multiple platforms, and will feature such LGBTQ+ artists & icons as Debora Cox, Olivia Newton-John, and Thelma Houston. Join us in celebrating those who have paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights, as we look ahead to an even more inclusive, conscious and compassionate future!
If you are a venue or other organization curating an online series and would like Rachael to be involved, please e-mail booking@mpressrecords.com.
4. NEW MUSIC TO UPLIFT, ENERGIZE AND COMFORT!
- Rachael's brand new EP of stripped-down, intimate recordings, "Character (Acoustic)" is out now! American Songwriter premiered the EP stream on June 5, and Rachael expresses: "I hope this new art serves to soothe and uplift, and I share it with all the love in my heart."
- A soul-stirring lyric video for Rachael's new track "Catch The Light (Acoustic)" has just been premiered by Curve Magazine! The video was co-directed by Rachael & Meredith Tarr (who also edited it), and features music composed when Rachael was only 11 years old. An emotionally raw, stirring reflection about transcending pain via faith, the lyrics were written during her recovery from cancer, but are especially resonant now.
- You can also read more about her brand new Deluxe Vinyl and 2-CD Hardcover Book reissues of "Character" – out everywhere last Friday – in the official Press Release. Also check out the exclusive feature article in The Vinyl District, revealing some of Rachael's biggest personal musical influences on vinyl.
- Rachael recently participated in two particularly uplifting collaborative projects: First, she is part of the Global Virtual Choir on the re-recording of Judy Collins' classic "Amazing Grace", all proceeds from which go to the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Response Fund. (Purchase the single here.) Second, she is part of a virtual group performing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".
- Rachael & Team MPress have put together an inspiring and motivating Spotify Playlist "Songs For Justice & Equality". If you have helpful ideas re: additional songs/artists we can include, please feel free to let us know!
MPress Records - The Muscle Behind the Glitter!
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New Album "Character" Out Now!
rachaelsage.com * facebook.com/rachaelsagepage
Follow Rachael On Twitter: twitter.com/rachaelsage
Follow Rachael on Instagram, too! instagram.com/rachael_sage
