Artist Spotlight
Erik Lunde’s “Steel Militia” Wrestles With The Painful Legacy of the Afghanistan War
Erik Lunde releases the single “Steel Militia” on August 27th in the shadow of America’s disquieting exit from Afghanistan, 20 years after the events of 9/11 led to “America’s Longest War.” As a self-described “Tolstoyan Christian Pacifist” who tries to live by the principles of non-violence laid out in the “Sermon On The Mount”, Lunde wrote the lyrics to “Steel Militia” from his despair over the tragic American military response to 9/11 after reading the devastating true story of the Wise Brothers in a Washington Post article entitled “One Family, Two Sacrifices”. The article told the story of the passions and motivations of two patriotic brothers from Arkansas who both enlisted and were killed in the war in Afghanistan. Written in the narrative storytelling vein of classic American folk songs like Bob Dylan’s “Masters Of War” and Pete Seeger’s “Waist Deep in The Big Muddy”, the song serves as a powerful, anti-war protest song that is dedicated to the memory and sacrifice of the over 2,300 American soldiers that tragically died in Afghanistan.
As the final American forces leave the country to meet the September 11th withdrawal deadline, “Steel Militia” wrestles with the extreme religious fundamentalism that led to 9/11 and sparked the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. While the lyric critiques the dark ideological forces and politics that started the wars, it also empathizes with the passionate devotion to God and country that burns in the hearts of young soldiers who enlist to fight in foreign wars – pondering the sense of futility and hopelessness that some surviving veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have experienced. As a songwriter dedicated to peace and reconciliation, Lunde wants it to be clear that the song is not an “anti-soldier” song – but is an anti-war song about the “wages of death” in wars that arise from extreme religious fundamentalism. Having performed “Steel Militia” at a Wounded Warriors retreat and seen the emotion that it provoked in Afghanistan veterans, Lunde hopes that by releasing this song into the world he can help raise awareness of the important work that the Wounded Warriors Foundation does for America’s soldiers. “This is why I support the important work of the Wounded Warriors Foundation – and hope to use this song to raise awareness of their work with our wounded veterans,” says Lunde.
Erik Lunde Soapstone Natural Area. Guitar.
“As a Christian pacifist who tries to live by the principles of non-violence, I wrote this song because I was deeply anguished by the events of 9/11, our subsequent invasion of Iraq, and the seemingly futile outcome of the occupation of Afghanistan.” – Erik Lunde
A folk-rock poet and Americana songsmith with a captivating voice, cinematic songs, and a dynamic stage presence, Colorado-based artist Erik Lunde “pens lyrics that are haunting and memorable poetry married with one of the widest arrays of melodies this area knows”. Having lived and wandered all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, hopping from place to place like a character in a Jack Kerouac novel, searching for stories and songs and experiences, and chalking up about 40 different addresses across North America, Erik Lunde is a songwriter and musician whose songs and sound bears the geography, culture, and history of his midwestern origins. Influenced by a wide variety of genres including gospel hymns, bluegrass, traditional country, rock & roll, and artists like Elton John, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, The Beatles, and David Bowie – Lunde has created his own genre-bending mashup that reflects that dichotomy. The founder and frontman of the Lunde Station band, a well-known staple on the Northern Colorado music scene from 2012 -2017, Lunde has re-emerged as a solo singer-songwriter, performing under his own name, searching for stories and songs and experiences, and chalking up about 40 different addresses across North America, he’s still chasing that same crazy dream with the stories and songs on this new record.
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Artist Spotlight
“Meet You There” by Hazel Rose delivers an evocatively soulful anthem of optimism
Hazel Rose fearlessly presents an exceptional addition to her discography with her latest single, “Meet You There.” This composition embodies a heartfelt and cinematic exploration of emotions and temporal experiences, characterized by a compelling blend of vulnerability and uplifting resolve. The Swiss-born, London-based artist effortlessly merges deep introspection with a lush, organic soundscape, demonstrating authenticity as her distinctive superpower.
“Meet You There” is refreshingly unconventional yet deeply rooted in themes of self-discovery and resilience. The composition features gentle, ascending instrumentation, complemented by live drums, bass, and triumphant trumpet sections, creating a timeless, almost ethereal auditory experience. Layered with Disney-like harmonies, the song beautifully captures the bittersweet interplay between nostalgia and optimism. It’s as if Rose is having an intimate conversation between past and future selves, offering an empowering reassurance for anyone navigating moments of uncertainty as a beacon of light.
Rose’s influences, ranging from artists such as Billie Eilish to Fleetwood Mac, are skillfully woven into the track’s fabric, yet her sound remains clearly distinguishable. Her delicately enchanting vocal delivery incorporates emotional sensibility that evokes childhood lullabies, resonating with listeners long after the song fades. The songwriting shines with sincerity, prioritizing storytelling over commercial aesthetics, which allows “Meet You There” to be profoundly personal and universally relatable.
The song was written during a period of personal struggle, transforming pain into poetic expression with impactful lyrics that leave the listener wrapped in comfort. With this release, Hazel Rose dares to be different in a world where pop music often adheres to formulaic structures and invites audiences to confront their struggles while maintaining an incredibly hopeful outlook. The track solidifies her emerging status as a significant presence in the indie-pop genre and heralds promising developments ahead.
For more information about Hazel Rose, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Hazel Rose’s “Meet You There“ on Spotify.
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Artist Spotlight
Drake Laughs Off Wack 100’s ‘Career Ending’ Allegations And Fans Weigh In
Drake isn’t losing any sleep over rumors, especially those coming from Wack 100. Despite Wack’s bold claims that he has information that could damage the Toronto superstar’s reputation, Drake remains unfazed. In a recent episode of No Jumper, host Adam22 revealed that he spoke to Drake about the alleged information Wack 100 claims to have. The shocking accusation? That Drake supposedly ordered a hit on someone. However, Adam22 quickly pointed out that Drake was more amused than concerned.
Drake appeared curious about what Wack would do with this supposed evidence if it even exists. As news of this conversation spread on social media, some fans speculated that Drake reaching out to Adam22 about the situation might suggest there’s something he’s hiding. One user suggested, “The fact that the man got in touch with Adam worried about a flash drive lets you know he’s hiding something.” On the flip side, others completely dismissed the whole story, arguing that Drake’s name often gets dragged into discussions just for attention. One fan commented, “I can guarantee Adam22 never spoke to Drake. Damn, Drake’s name is straight up feeding GENERATIONS… I wish I was exaggerating.”
This isn’t the first time someone has tried to take him down, and given his history, it likely won’t be the last. At this point, Wack 100’s credibility is being questioned just as much as his claims. With no proof showing up and Drake appearing completely unconcerned, this could be another example of noisy chatter online. Whether this storyline fizzles out or takes an unexpected turn, it’s clear that Drake isn’t sweating it.
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