Blue Rose Code protest single Thirteen Years to raise funds for Children 1st
Thirteen Years is the Scottish singer-songwriter's impassioned condemnation of austerity and urges listeners to internally examine themselves and their own beliefs.
The single is set against Blue Rose Code's usual seamless blend of folk, Americana, jazz and pop, injected with rock influences which capture his palpable outrage.
He said: "We live in the sixth richest economy in the world, yet roughly four million kids in the UK are going to bed hungry and to school with no lunch, while front line workers who risked their lives during the pandemic are using food banks and can’t afford to heat their homes.
"After 13 years of austerity in the UK, it felt right to highlight these shameful circumstances, and to encourage others to question this unacceptable situation.
“Children 1st do amazing work in providing support to Scottish children so it was only right all proceeds from the single go towards such a vital cause.
"I would also encourage anyone who is able to, to consider making a donation to the charity so they can continue to support wee ones and families who need it most.”
At Children 1st our ambition is for every child in Scotland to be safe, loved and well, together with their family. As a charity we offer emotional, practical, and financial support to help families to put children first and campaign to uphold the rights of every child.
Children 1st Chief Executive Mary Glasgow said: “Blue Rose Code’s new single shines a light on the catastrophic impact that thirteen years of austerity have had on children’s health, wellbeing and safety.
"Poverty causes intolerable levels of stress, shame and anxiety for families making it so much harder for them to keep their children safe, loved and well.
“We are delighted and grateful that Blue Rose Code have decided to partner with Children 1st. Across Scotland, we provide easy to access, stigma free support to help children and families experiencing poverty and campaign for changes in policy that will improve things for every child.
“The money raised from the single will make an immediate difference to children experiencing poverty and will help us provide longer term help and advice to their families.”
The release of the track will be accompanied by an official video featuring creative submissions on child poverty from young people in east Edinburgh, and comes ahead of a UK tour this spring.
Thirteen Years can be bought at: https://bluerosecode.bandcamp.com/album/thirteen-years.
You can donate at children1st.org.uk/appeal.