Accomplished musician, producer and recording artist Selan has released a charity single to raise money for Standing Rock. 100% of the net proceeds will go to the Standing Rock Legal Fund in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Keystone Pipeline.
PRESS RELEASE (June 7, 2017)
Award-winning musicians release a single to raise money for Standing Rock
Spurred by the NoDAPL movement, the song comes on the heels of multiple oil spills related to the pipeline
NEW YORK – A new, collaborative song released this week, “Water Is Life,” will raise money for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline and Keystone Pipeline. Both contentious development projects are a danger to Native American and First Nation communities, and a threat to clean drinking water.
“Although the hype and attention surrounding Standing Rock has died down in media reports, uncertainty and danger remain for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe,” said Selan, the lead musician and architect behind the project. “Since April of 2017 alone, over 100 gallons of crude oil have already leaked from the Dakota Access Pipeline.”
“Water Is Life,” a reference to the water protectors’ rallying cry mni wiconi, is a led by musician, producer, composer and musical director Selan, in collaboration with Raye Zaragoza, Bob Ludwig, and Georgia Middleman.
Selan has worked with artists such as Nile Rodgers, Adele, Stevie Wonder, Louie Vega, Kanye West, David Byrne, and Alejandro Sanz. His work as a musician is deeply rooted in activism, and he was inspired to stand by the Water Protectors to defend that which is most sacred to sustaining life: water.
“The Water Protectors displayed incredible bravery and resilience, which has cemented their legacy as true defenders of what is right, just and humane,” Selan said. “They inspired thousands to join in on the fight on the ground, as well as motivating millions around the world to fight against corporate greed and protect natural resources – but it’s not over yet.
“This immoral and evil behavior must come to an end by any means necessary.”
You can listen to the song here:
soundcloud.com/selan/water-is-life-feat-raye-zaragoza
You can download the song here:
selan.bandcamp.com/album/water-is-life
# # #
About the Artists
Raye is a lead vocalist on “Water Is Life”
Raye Zaragoza is a singer-songwriter and activist whose passion for activism inspired her to compose “In The River”, a protest anthem in opposition to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. “In the River” was awarded an Honesty Oscar for Best Activist Anthem and placed in Paste Magazine’s list of Modern Day Protest Songs. Zaragoza’s Native American (O’odham), Mexican, Taiwanese and Japanese descent forms the foundation of the basis for her activism.
Bob is the Mastering Engineer for “Water Is Life”
Bob Ludwig is a living legend. As Mastering Engineer, he is a 10-time Grammy winner, 2-time Latin Grammy, Les Paul Award and 18-time TEC Award winner. His mastering credits are extensive, and include albums for many major classic artists, such as the Kronos Quartet, Steve Reich and rock acts, including Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Phish, Megadeth, Metallica, Gloria Estefan, Nirvana, The Strokes, Queen, U2, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Simple Minds, Bryan Ferry, Tori Amos, Bonnie Raitt, Beck, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, the Bee Gees, Madonna, Supertramp, Will Ackerman, Pet Shop Boys, Radiohead, Elton John, Disney’s “Frozen” soundtrack and Daft Punk to name a few.
Georgia is on acoustic guitar for “Water Is Life”
Georgia Middleman is an award-winning Nashville songwriter who has had songs recorded by Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Joe Nichols, Martina McBride, Sheila E., Radney Foster, Maia Sharp and many others. Georgia has recorded three solo cds and when she’s not performing solo, she’s performing as half of Middleman Burr along with her husband Gary Burr and as one-third of the trio Blue Sky Riders along with Gary Burr and Kenny Loggins. Georgia was a featured artist for a Standing Rock benefit show in Boulder, Colorado on Nov. 20, 2016.