Back in March, we released a live record, recorded in January of 2020 at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC, called Forward, Children. All proceeds from the sale of that record benefit the Durham Public Schools Foundation, an organization in our city that advocates for public students, teachers, and staffers. At that time, the coronavirus pandemic had only recently changed life as we know it, and many students who depended on school for many of their daily meals were struggling with food insecurity in the wake of school closures. The DPS Foundation was on the front lines of the effort to feed our most vulnerable kids, spearheading food donations and distribution throughout the city of Durham. Having been a volunteer to load school buses with food bound for different distribution centers in town, I can say that the work the DPS Foundation did was absolutely essential and deeply inspiring. To see just how many buses we were loading full of food every day—to understand the lack and the need throughout Durham—was breathtaking in a different way.

It’s now September of 2020 and, with no comprehensive federal strategy in place, the coronavirus still rages. Durham Public Schools students are now learning remotely, which raises a whole new host of issues: Do all students have a strong enough internet...  more

credits

released October 2, 2020

M.C. Taylor – Guitars & Singing

Phil Cook – Keys, Guitars & Singing

Chris Boerner – Guitar

Alex Bingham – Bass Guitar & Singing

Al Smith – Drums & Percussion

Brevan Hampden – Tambourine

Erin Rae – Vocals

Recorded and Mixed by Luc Suer.

Mastered by Chris Boerner at The Kitchen in Carrboro.

Art & Design by Darryl Norsen, D.Norsen Design.

Cover photograph by Natalie Simpson.

The shows that these performances are taken from would not have been possible without the help of Ellowyn Kane and Jocelyn Romo.

Many thanks to all who generously helped in the creation of this album, including Luc Suer, Chris Boerner, Brent Lambert at The Kitchen, Merge Records, and Darryl Norsen. Thanks to Brian Schwartz, Rachel Miller, and the whole 7S family, and to Adam Voith.

Hiss Golden Messenger is proud to support the Durham Public Schools Foundation.

All proceeds from this album support students in the Durham Public Schools system.

DEFEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS