‘Don’t Silence Me’ is set to be released on March 8th to coincide with International Women’s day to make it clear that female assault and abuse must, and will, end here.
‘Don’t Silence me’ was born when Sadie became aware that her friend, and actor, Mhairi Morrison had been assaulted by a notable French film director following their graduation from drama school in Paris some years previous. This revelation, which surfaced around the time of the initial Weinstein allegations, mobilised Sadie and she realised that she had to do something about it.
The track comes accompanied by a hard hitting and powerful music video featuring over 40 women, many of whom are survivors of sexual harassment and sexual assault – Including Lili Bernard, Louise Godbold, Chantal Cousineau, Sarah Anne Masse and Tasha Dixon; Survivors of Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, James Toback and Donald Trump.
It will be directed by filmmaker Jenn Page (who has worked with Panic at the Disco, Weezer, and Estee Lauder to name but a few), and will feature clips from genuine women’s marches happening across the United States and the UK to hammer home the relevancy and significance of the single.
The track, with its defiant lyrics and dynamically powerful vocals, is an empowering anthem with a personal message of love and unity for any women who has experienced what Mhairi had to go through. Above all, ‘Don’t Silence Me’ highlights and celebrates the female solidarity that has risen up following the creation of the #MeToo movement, and urges the era to continue.
The song taps into, and criticises, our victim blaming culture, before demonstrating the attitude that we should have towards victims of sexual assault. “Too late to ask for help they’ll say she brought it on herself” sings Sadie in her characteristically smooth vocals – and you can’t help but hear the sorrow in her voice.
The song starts with a bang and Sadie’s fiercely powerful vocal tone. The track continues to grow until we reach the climax, a commanding and authoritative chorus. The song is as bold in lyrics as it is in musicality resulting in a song that is truly empowering.
‘Take your hands of my sister // step away from her mister // didn’t you hear her say no’, she continues, and in a moment demonstrates the correct reaction to sexual assault allegations. Throughout the song Sadie works to encourage the listener to evaluate their learnt victim blaming behaviours and urges us to become more compassionate and understanding.
‘Don’t Silence Me’ comprises part of Sadie’s forthcoming album ‘Phoenix’ which is set to be released in May. The album highlights Sadie’s versatility as an artist and lyricist and shows a new side to this talented musician. The album traverses subject matter as yet untouched by her delicately and yet the tracks still feature her velvety smooth vocals that we are so familiar with. ‘Rescue Street’ shows her sensitivity as a songwriter, and ‘Bitter’ (with its beautifully gentle guitar riff) is a classic heartbreak track with a tender sentiment.
Having attracted the attention of some of the industry’s biggest stars it’s safe to say that Sadie is no stranger to recognition. Yoko Ono included one of Sadie’s tracks on her BBC6 music show 6Mix, and Lou Reed, after hearing Sadie perform in NYC’s East Village, asked to meet her to congratulate her on her songs and performance.
Sadie’s previous album release, ‘The Blacksmith’s Girl’, was released through Judy Collins’s label, whom Sadie met when she opened for her at the London Jazz Café. The album also featured ‘Up On The Heath’, a track produced by Ed Harcourt and featuring Cass Browne of the Gorillaz on percussion. Sadie is now looking to match and exceed the positive reception of her previous musical offerings as she releases the politically motivated and bold track ‘Don’t Silence Me’
Make sure to listen to ‘Don’t Silence me’ on the 8th of March to help spread the message that no one else should have to go through what Mhairi Morrison and countless other women have.
