Finding Strength in the Face of Oppression Through “My Revolution” by RED BIRD RISING

THE ARTIST

Diedrich Donald Weiss, better known by his musical alias RED BIRD RISING, is a musician, songwriter and producer who believes in the power of music to significantly change people’s lives. From 2009 - 2015, Diedrich performed songs each Friday for patients and staff in the cancer unit of Fairview Southdale hospital in Minneapolis. During these years he released 4 solo studio albums, engineered and produced 5 albums for other artists, and worked as a studio musician.

In 2015, Diedrich left Minneapolis to travel and work remotely while writing and producing demos. This journey eventually led him to Colombia on the Caribbean where he built his own recording studio under the alias RED BIRD RISING. Here he released “My Revolution” with Taras Kuznetsov which features contributions from remote collaborators all over the world. The song details Taras’ experience contending with the Russian invasion living in Odessa, Ukraine and has received critical acclaim from music critics like Chris Riemenschneider of the Minneapolis Star & Tribune.

THE MUSIC

In the face of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, Diedrich Donald Weiss was inspired to write “My Revolution” – a song about an individual’s power to adapt, resist and grow in spite of overwhelming odds. The song was written with Taras Kuznetsov in mind – a 32 year old freelance vocalist, producer, arranger, audio engineer, drummer and pianist living in Odessa during the early stages of the invasion.

The lyrics to “My Revolution” illustrate Kuznetsov’s inner drive to make sense of his circumstances and cope with the changing landscape around him. In the chorus he sings “my revolution begins in my world within” – a sentiment that speaks loudly to anyone feeling helpless in the face of forces beyond their control. Further into the verses, he sings about his inability to legally leave Ukraine and being given a gun for protection if Russians were to enter. He reflects on feeling unable to simply go along or sing this song as a response.

The video for My Revolution opens with footage from The Orange Revolution of 2014 – where students and activists challenged an oppressive government puppeteered by Putin. This moment is a crucial context for understanding why Russia felt compelled to retaliate against Ukraine 8 years later – something we bear witness to through Taras' story captured within the song's lyrics. As we follow him on screen through his apartment in Odessa we are reminded that amidst sirens alarming without being struck, Taras still finds inner strength within himself rather than resorting to violence as his only means of solace and salvation.

At its heart, "My Revolution" is an anthem which speaks truthfully not only to Taras' struggles in present day Ukraine but also any individuals feeling hopeless under oppressive powers. It is a reminder that transformation starts from within - and no matter how bleak things may appear - there is always hope for evolution when it comes from within one's own world.

THE LYRICS

My revolution, My revolution begins

My revolution, My revolution begins in my world within

We appreciate this artist inspiring the world with their art. We are looking forward to what they will share next!

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