Guelph, Ontario singer-songwriter Trina Chakrabarti has released “Take A Stance,” a stripped-down protest song that abandons the mythological framing of her 2024 debut EP “Underworld” in favor of direct lyrics. Chakrabarti says she wrote the track after growing frustrated watching colleagues in her work as a registered music therapist focus on professional language rather than the human toll of world events, and after observing public reaction to escalating conflict involving Iran.
The song’s outro lists regions including Palestine, Congo, Sudan, HawaiĘ»i, Kashmir, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Lebanon, Syria, Myanmar and Ukraine, which Chakrabarti says deserve greater global attention, closing each mention with the phrase “free them all.” She traces the song’s recurring line, “none of us are free till all of us are free,” to Black activists including Maya Angelou, Malcolm X and Opal Lee. According to the announcement, a portion of proceeds from the single will go to a friend’s family in Palestine.
“Take A Stance” was produced, mixed and mastered by Ruthie Santiago, with Chakrabarti credited for lyrics, melody, vocals and ukulele. It follows her debut EP “Underworld,” made with producer Wonder Truly. Chakrabarti says her next single, “Something Like Hope,” will introduce her next full-length project.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Eric Alper, thatericalper.com.