Welcome, Humans of the Anthropocene!

What a strange time to be a human. Standing on the edge of perilous disaster at all times, both vulnerable to it and culpable for it, and never able respond in a way that meets the moment. Life is busy, after all. Things are expensive. Seeing it through the eyes of our kids: we know the problem, we know what’s causing it, and we’re still doing it? Yes, that’s correct. Watching time run out, desperate, disappointed, enraged, powerless, grief-stricken. And feeling that all of this is too big, too depressing, too final, to bring into daily life and talk about with anyone. So climate grief thrives in isolation, like so many other forms of grief.

That is the situation that gave rise to this album. Treading the path of so many humans before us, the mess became art. An effort to write about the uncommon mix of feelings that arises during such an unprecedented crisis. The shame, the disappointment, the rage, the fear, the exhaustion. All of these are chapters on the album. And other things came up too. Absurdity, wonder, reverence, and at the foundation, a deep, unshakeable love for this planet.

As the Heroic Mad Peasants gathered together around the songs, community was strengthened. And the pain was eased, and the people got stronger, because they weren’t isolated anymore. We hope this album helps give voice to the many complicated feelings that arise during this challenging time. In doing so, maybe it can make a contribution to bringing us together to do what is asked of us.