We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Use Your Voice - EP

by Use Your Voice

supported by
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $2 USD  or more

     

1.
Insurrection 02:01
Kilogram of hatred in your head It's red like Glen from The Walking Dead Just another motherfucker born and bred Bleeding on the street gray matter spread Did he steal your job Did he make you poor Or did booze make you beat him dead on the floor If justice has never been served before Then let justice rain down like the hammer of Thor Listen up to this headline If you do the crime then you do the time Violence and Skittles and blood on the street Can't stand his ground if he's nothing but meat Hold his head high and stand on his two feet But it won't be long 'til they send in the head Make no mistake we're gonna get pissed When you get away with a slap on the wrist Shout all we want and raise our fist But the system leans white and will never miss Listen up to this headline If you do the crime then you do the time Listen up 'cause class is in Session This is a blatant act of transgression This is no mere imperfection You've got yourselves an insurrection Voter suppression Killing in the name In the end it's all the same The man is not the only one to blame 'Cause you were the fuel He only lit the flame Listen up to this headline If you do the crime then you do the time
2.
I know I'll make it if I can take it I've got the feeling I can't shake it So many obstacles are in my way In many cases it's pretty racist I'm drowning in a sea of faces It's hard to stand out when they think you're all the same Tell me to let it be It's not enough for me I can't look back to yesterday I can't afford for things to stay this way Just eating and breathing It's hard to keep singing Just breathe it in (This is destiny calling) Now the country's humpty dumpty's Building walls as if he's drunk(y) More bridges burn with every passing day "Be like water" said the father To his spiritual sons and daughters No need to swim when you can be the wave Tell me to let it be It's not enough for me I can't look back to yesterday I can't afford for things to stay this way Just eating and breathing It's hard to keep singing Just breathe it in (This is destiny calling) (Jump up jump up) Once more with feeling (Jump up jump up) Break through the ceiling They say we lack "universal appeal" Both fingers plugged in their ears We'll make them question what they think is real And I refuse to keep on (waiting for change this year) Tell me to let it be It's not enough for me I can't look back to yesterday I can't afford for things to stay this way Just eating and breathing It's hard to keep singing Just breathe it in (This is destiny calling) No I can't look back to yesterday I can't afford for things to stay this way Just eating and breathing It's hard to keep singing Just breathe it in (This is destiny calling)
3.
There's a shining White House upon a hill After centuries it stands there still There's a man who lives inside its halls Who enforces his almighty will He gazes down upon this hill he owns From his ostentatious golden throne At the base the black man toils and dies This hill is (built upon his bones) No justice (no peace) I'll never be your middle minority No justice (no peace) Down with the silent majority Above the black man who toils and dies Below the white house on the hill Is where I live and become utilized The plantation master's laughing still So he gives me praise and respects my wealth Only if I agree to become his rod It's a crime that's best performed in stealth He worships this hill as his god No justice (no peace) I'll never be your middle minority No justice (no peace) Down with the silent majority I'd ask you to go choke yourself If your hands were bigger than your wealth Fuck your golden tower Fuck your fascist lies We will take the power From all that we despise It's your final hour We see through your disguise We will never cower Prepare for your demise Here's to all my family who want to feel like they belong in their own fucking country Who want to pursue a better life without being viewed with suspicion Who have been hurt physically and mentally for simply existing as they are Who refuse to play the game and buy into the hierarchy Stand with me
4.
Refugee Song 05:53
If I could hop into a time machine to the spring of '75 With a camera in my arms, so afraid to be alive I would show you all the scars, burning bodies, flaming cars And all the graves of the "collateral" with troops standing afar. I know I'm lucky to be here safe from all the blood and tears Even though I still get suspicious glances now and then. You know they let my family in when they knew they couldn't win And the things they feared never saw the light of day. So many people turned away without a cause, without a say. It's so tragic 'cause they know that they're never coming home. And all the people standing there waving signs up in the air Make me believe that we'll make this right after all. If we could hop into a time machine to 1882 I would show you all the gold mines and the railroads next to you I would show you all the angry faces spitting in my eyes asking why I don't wear a head tail. If we go there, we might die. You know it's more than just a wall. It's this country after all. Just the thought of it makes me get up in arms. You know it's always been this way, just happened to blow up today. Now all our hope's replaced by fear of being harmed. So many people turned away without a cause, without a say. It's so tragic 'cause they know that they're never coming home. And all the people standing there waving signs up in the air Make me believe that we'll make this right after all. "He was excluded because we are at war with the Japanese Empire, because the properly constituted military authorities feared an invasion of our West Coast and felt constrained to take proper security measures, because they decided that the military urgency of the situation demanded that all citizens of Japanese ancestry be segregated from the West Coast temporarily..." If I could hop into a time machine to the spring of '45 Without a rifle in my arms, so afraid to be alive I would show you Manzanar, Tule Lake and Granada And all the citizens in camps. "Well, they must be traitors, all." It's hard to feel like I'm a man when they never understand That one life is just as precious as another. If this really is the end, then it's our last chance to mend All the hearts that have been turned against each other. So many people turned away without a cause, without a say. It's so tragic 'cause they know that they're never coming home. And all the people standing there waving signs up in the air Make me believe that we'll make this right after all.

about

This EP was created for Matt Nguyen-Ngo's senior capstone project in Asian Pacific Islander American Studies at the College of William & Mary, advised by Professor Francis Tanglao-Aguas. The songs cover a range of topics related to the Asian American experience, as well as other social justice issues. It was recorded in the Reeder Media Center in Swem Library, at William & Mary.

Click on the names of each track to read a description of the themes discussed, as well as breakdowns of some of the lyrics.

credits

released April 28, 2017

Use Your Voice is:

Matt Nguyen-Ngo - songwriting, drums, lead vocals, backing vocals, synth
John I. Kittle - guitar, backing vocals
Will Penix - lead vocals, backing vocals
Ethan Voytko - bass

Gang vocals on Another Unappealing Song with help from Malerie Gamblin

Produced by Matt Nguyen-Ngo and John I. Kittle

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Use Your Voice Williamsburg, Virginia

Use Your Voice is the band that founder Matt Nguyen-Ngo put together to create his senior project EP for Asian Pacific Islander American Studies at the College of William & Mary. It is made up of members from his previous bands, Say Your Name and Wind for Wings.

Members:
Matt Nguyen-Ngo
John I. Kittle
Will Penix
Ethan Voytko
... more

contact / help

Contact Use Your Voice

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

Use Your Voice recommends:

If you like Use Your Voice, you may also like: