Your money is not going to set you free – Phil Monsour in Set you free
Phil Monsour has dedicated his life to songs of political protest. Along with other musicians he has campaigned using song as his weapon. Phil has campaigned and sung for:
a) human rights including the rights of refugees and Palestinian people;
b) workers rights during industrial disputes e.g. 1985 SEQEB dispute, 1998 MUA- Here to Stay and 2015 Hutchinson’s dispute;
c) protest songs against racism eg Israeli Apartheid and against racism of settler states like Australia;
d) for democratic rights organisations and unions; e) songs about climate change;
… the list goes on.
Now Phil has produced a documentary ‘Sing your Song’ that explores many issues central to the the themes above. Podcasters, radio stations, activists and union organisers would do well to listen to the interviews that Phil has produced in this excellent video.
I have stood with Phil as a makeshift sound man at a number of the demonstrations where he has sung about empire, imperialism and war. On several occasions it was his thoughtful lyrics and powerful singing that has brought a crowd together in unity. This is the power of song.
Sing your song is a 30 minute documentary that is included on the Phil Monsour band Live at AHIMSA House DVD. It explores many issues central to the songs on the The empires new clothes and Lies and silence CDs. It features interviews with local activitists, protest and archival footage and live performances. Listen: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HrkO… Buy Album: http://www.philmonsour.com/store/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilMonsourM… Twitter: https://twitter.com/phil_monsour