MFM SPEAKS OUT

EP 6: Christopher St. Hilaire on Professional Musicians Navigating Uncertainty During COVID-19

Episode Summary

In this episode of the MFM Speaks Out podcast, Chris St. Hilaire and host Adam Reifsteck discuss the importance of coming together as a music community to support each other especially during times of uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Episode Notes

In recent weeks, COVID-19 has devastated our music community, leaving thousands of music creators and professionals without work and an uncertain future. But there are resources available for musicians if we know where to look. In this episode of the MFM Speaks Out podcast, Chris St. Hilaire and host Adam Reifsteck  discuss how musicians can navigate this difficult time and the importance of coming together as a community to support each other. 

Hilaire is not just a talented drummer but also a social political active musician. He cares for his peers and his community. He's the co-founder of the musicians collective Sound Mind Collective and a member of the Music Workers Alliance.

"The musicians have just as much as responsibility as everyone. I would argue they have more, because of the power of music..."- C. St. Hilaire 

The three songs featured Strangers at Home, Up All Night, and Unify are provided courtesy of Chris St. Hilaire.

All three are off his debut EP Knowledge of Self (2019).

1 - Strangers At Home

Recorded, mixed, and performed by Chris St. Hilaire in Long Island City. The lyrics speak for themselves, but the song is about being treated like a stranger in the USA and being locked up for being "other". Seeing how people were treated at the US-Mexico border sparked it, but really it applies to people all over the country and the world.

2 - Up All Night

Recorded in Nashville, produced by Dan Auerbach, mixed and performed by Chris St. Hilaire. Tribute to George Harrison / Traveling Wilburys.

3 - Unify

Recorded, mixed, and performed by Chris St. Hilaire in Long Island City. Commentary on racial division, and a call to action to unite against those who would benefit from keeping people divided along racial lines. The speech clips are Fred Hampton (Black Panther) and holocaust survivor Rabbi Joaqim Prinze who spoke right before MLK at the March on Washington.