The Asian Music for People’s Peace and Progress (AMP3), a collective of socially engaged artists across Asia will launch its new album entitled Lockdown Sessions: Songs from the Pandemic, featuring original songs from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand written during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Musicians responded to Covid and the uncertainties and anxieties around it by channeling their creative energies into new compositions dealing with themes related to the pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis. As AMP3 founder Jess Santiago remarked in the liner notes: “As we all know, the pandemic has caused a lot of fear and anxiety among people. I believe that musicians in particular can help give expression to these fears and anxiety of people through songs.”
Lockdown Sessions: Songs from the Pandemic features songs that tackle the anxieties and fear we all felt during those pandemic years. There are songs here as well about the impacts of the virus on communities across the world, exposing the weaknesses of the public health systems even in more affluent societies. A couple of songs in the collection remind us of the feeling of isolation and despair from being disconnected from loved ones, while others make us reflect on larger systemic issues and challenges we must confront with the hope that we will emerge stronger from the pandemic to build a better, more just society.
In the liner notes to the album, AMP3 ends with this message and appeal: “We hope that this collection of pandemic songs serves not just as a poignant reminder of those dark and uncertain times but also why it is important to continue the struggle for accountability, equity, and justice.”
Lockdown Sessions: Songs from the Pandemic will be launched on 15 August 7pm at Harong 56 Mother Ignacia corner Dr. Lascano Street, Quezon City. Artists from across the region will be joining in via zoom. The event will be live streamed on AMP3’s Facebook page. #
Contacts:
Bong Ramilo- 09953545069/ bramilo@gmail.com
Jonathan Ronquillo- 09770187701/ jdronquillo2013@gmail.com