The Breaking Point (FREE download)

Here's what I originally wrote upon it's release September 8, 2017. 

The Breaking Point is a protest song in response to the intense negativity rising in the USA leading up to and since the election of he who will not be named. Musically it was inspired by dance sensibilities of Nile Rodgers, Prince and Peter Gabriel and the words of Emma Goldman (1869 – 1940)."If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution". It was evolving in early stages of production when the events in Charlottesville took place.

In the face of that raging negativity we the people need to be positive and dance, and from that positive expression gather physical and spiritual strength to hits the streets in numbers and turn people towards the possibility of the relentless hard work that's needed for a better world. Maybe we don't need a better, newer, shinier car? Maybe we'll be happier with a better world?

The energy that flows into this music came from my attending three marches in my hometown of Ottawa, Canada, starting with the Women's March on January 21st (approximately 10,000 people), and shortly after that, thousands at the protest at the US Embassy against the Muslim ban, and again at Parliament Hill for the March for Science. Each one was inspiring and positive and a confirmation that people all over the world are uniting.

When the shocking events in Charlottesville took place the lyrics changed to reflect some of those feelings and I was hoping I'd captured what others might be feeling too. They are meant to honour brave people like those that stood up, side by side against racism in Charlottesville, and we saw others inspired and rise up in solidarity across the world. There are many marches that are yet to come for many other causes. There is so much more to stand up for (and against). Yes, it can be overwhelming, but now is not the time to tune out. Now is the time to be singing and dancing in the streets for a better, saner world.

Please consider taking this music with you when you feel the call, one of many songs that will give you strength as you join the marches to come.

Here's what I updated in December 2018

Charlottesville changed everything! 

The Breaking Point for me was reached a long time ago. And now there's a repeated litany of such Breaking Points. As the former "so-called" leader of the free world, my focus is generally on the USA but often inspired by other global events. So with that as a common focus, maybe it is a blur of breaking points for you. Sandy Hook Elementary had to be one for all of us that live in the North American/ Western Liberal Democratic bubble. It tore me up. And since then we've seen so much negativity in the USA. Perhaps it was other senseless shootings in the USA, including those in Texas and Las Vegas in 2017. Perhaps it's the president and those that have voted for a man that appears to be racist, a sexual abuser, a narcissist and a sociopath. He's certainly obsessed with money and power. Yes, maybe Hillary and what she represented was hopelessly flawed but the choice made went too far for most decent people and many of us are left to wonder...and how could God-fearing evangelists have stooped to this level? 

And so it is written that Trump's characteristics and his followers have become the face of the new America, an aggressive, uncaring, fearfully suspicious, vicious and divisive nation, one that according to the fairy tale of their "manifest destiny" in pursuit of their form of democracy, one that was supposed to lead all nations towards unity and higher values. That vision has been a fairytale for a long time.

As a song, The Breaking Point came in the wake of climate change denial and the USA pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord and it ultimately became an expression of rage and hope after the events of Charlottesville. In the end, it's just a song. One of millions every year. I just had to do it to exorcise the darkness the world was feeling and I just put it out there. When I cue it up I still dance. I still have hope. I have a solo acoustic version that has been received warmly by young and old listeners. And playing is always a joy to work towards. Working on new music in 2018. 

Hopefully we can all put something out there and make a small difference by working hard towards better choices. It's a free download or you can make a small payment to help support music like this.

April 14th, 2018

My earlier words in December on gun violence are not ironic. They were in reaction to and in anticipation of more tragedies. WE got that next terrible tragedy at Marjory Stoneman-Douglas High School. Again I was motivated to write music about America and the troubles it struggles with. The contributions from photojournalists made the creation of AMERICAN SUN much more powerful because I connected with so many Americans that are fighting for the same things that most of us believe in. It really helps to restore our faith in some small way...hopefully that will grow into something lasting and sustainable for new the generations that will replace us. Here's the link to that music video AMERICAN SUN - Beyond the End of the Gun