The Resurgence of Protest Music in Bellingham and Beyond
Across the United States, a revival of protest music is taking hold, and Bellingham, Washington, is no exception. From intimate living room gatherings to performances at local venues, musicians and singers are using their voices to address social and political issues, fostering community and offering a sense of hope in challenging times.
A Growing Movement
On a recent Saturday afternoon, approximately a dozen singers convened in Havilah Rand’s Bellingham home, guitars and a mandolin in hand. They collectively practiced protest songs, a mix of classic folk tunes like “We Shall Overcome” and “We Shall Not be Moved,” alongside more contemporary compositions originating from Minneapolis [Salish Current].
This gathering, organized through an email list and a Facebook group exceeding 200 members, is part of the Good Trouble Resistance Singers, a group mirroring a growing movement nationwide. Groups like Singing Resistance in Minneapolis are actively organizing musical protests, sharing videos of large-scale communal singing events on social media [Salish Current].
Local Artists Respond to Current Events
The spirit of protest music extends beyond established songs. Bellingham-based musicians Cascade Cody and Zaia Grace penned original songs in response to the death of Renée Good at the hands of ICE agent Jonathan Ross [Salish Current]. A concert and fundraiser featuring these artists and others will be held on February 28 at COF&. in Bellingham, benefiting immigrant families affected by ICE activity.
A Reawakening of Musical Resistance
The current surge in protest music isn’t entirely new. Folk singer Linda Allen notes a “reblossoming” of the genre since 2020, even as nationally, artists like Jesse Welles have gained prominence with politically charged songs on platforms like TikTok [Salish Current]. Locally, musicians have performed at rallies and sing-alongs at the Firehouse Arts and Event Center.
Fl!p Breskin, a musician and educator in Bellingham, recalls a time when communal singing was commonplace, particularly during the folk music revival and Vietnam War protests of the 1960s. However, she observed a decline in this practice in the following decades, with singing becoming more of a passive consumption of music rather than an active community activity [Salish Current].
The Power of Collective Voice
Breskin and Allen both emphasize the unique power of music to unite people, convey messages, and evoke emotions in ways that speeches or chants may not. Breskin explains that singing together creates a physical and emotional connection, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose [Salish Current].
Havilah Rand and the Good Trouble Resistance Singers
Havilah Rand, a Bellingham-based singer-songwriter and educator, recognized the growing desire for communal singing and took the initiative to organize the Good Trouble Resistance Singers. Within days, the group amassed an email list of 50 people and a Facebook group of 150 [Salish Current]. Rand aims to provide a space for community, hope, and anxiety release through song [Facebook].
Singing as Testimony and Resistance
Musician Zaia Grace responded to Renée Good’s death with a song posted on social media, offering a raw and haunting account of the event and its broader implications. Grace’s work, along with that of other local artists like Kate Czaja and Cascade Cody, demonstrates the power of music to bear witness, provide context, and inspire action [Salish Current].
Bellingham has a long tradition of politically engaged musicians, including Dana Lyons and Robert Sarazin Blake. This legacy continues with artists who are using their music to address contemporary issues and contribute to the growing movement of musical resistance.
Upcoming Events
The Good Trouble Resistance Singers plan to participate in a Weekend of Action organized by Singing Resistance on February 28 and March 1 [Salish Current]. The concert and fundraiser for immigrant families affected by ICE activity will take place on February 28 at COF& in Bellingham.