International Anthem has released a new and timely single, "Stay Beautiful", from Damon Locks & The Black Monument Ensemble. The track was recorded live in 2018 at Garfield Park Conservatory and is accompanied by the video of that performance below.
The musicians featured on this song are Angel Bat Dawid (clarinets), Dana Hall (drums, percussion), Damon Locks (electronics, bells, voice), and Arif Smith (percussion).
The label and Locks felt that this song was more than fitting for the times we find ourselves in and felt it needed to be shared.
Here is what Locks had to say about this song; "An ode to Chicago: In a hospital room, doctors and nurses come in and out, evaluating, recommending, prepping, and testing. But once visiting hours are over the patient is left alone with their thoughts, ruminating on the intimidating lack of agency and loneliness of losing control of their own circumstances. Drifting towards despair, they discover flowers in the room. There is a note attached that expresses what I would say to Chicago in its most precarious condition. We see you. We love you. Stay beautiful. I am very happy to be able to share this song at this time. It is a fitting message for this moment we are living through. I hope you all stay safe."