Artists for Palestine: New Music and Film Releases, + BDS-Safe Beauty
Artists, Cinema, and Beauty in Solidarity with Palestine
Welcome to House of Magdalena
Welcome to today's newsletter! In this edition, we're spotlighting recent and upcoming album releases from artists championing Palestinian rights, Melissa Barrera's resilience at the "Abigail" premiere, a resource to explore Palestinian cinema, a curated list of BDS-safe beauty brands, and a powerful Black and Palestinian solidarity toolkit. Share your thoughts in the comments below and don't miss out on my pro-Palestinian Spotify playlist.
New Music: Pro-Palestine Edition
It's always exciting to dive into new releases, especially when they come from artists who stand up for what's right. Here are some recent and upcoming album releases from artists who've shown their support for Palestine:
New Releases April 19:
Pearl Jam - Dark Matter
Pearl Jam's latest album, "Dark Matter," marks a significant departure from their previous grunge sound. The album offers introspective, vulnerable, and surprisingly pop-infused tracks that explore life's complexities.
During a Pearl Jam concert in 2014, Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder delivered a speech widely interpreted as criticism of Israel. He stated, "They’re looking for a reason to go across borders and take over land that doesn’t belong to them,” further declaring, "We don’t want to give them our taxes to drop bombs on children."
Brian Eno - Eno
Accompanying a new documentary on Brian Eno is a soundtrack featuring 17 tracks that span his illustrious career. From early solo works to recent collaborations, the album offers an audio journey through Eno's diverse catalogue.
For the past decade, Brian Eno has vocally supported Palestine, using his platform to condemn Israeli policies and advocate for Palestinian rights through activism, fundraising, and his music. Watch my video about him here.
UB40 - UB45
Celebrating their 45-year journey, UB40 releases "UB45," featuring a mix of new songs, covers, and reimagined hits. With a blend of old and new members, the album offers a nostalgic yet refreshing experience for fans, reaffirming UB40's enduring talent and appeal.
UB40 has taken a stand in support of Palestine by boycotting Israel, joining initiatives such as Musicians for Palestine and supporting rapper Lowkey against efforts by a pro-Israel lobby group to remove him from Spotify.
Releases Coming Out April 26:
Greg Saunier - We Sang, Therefore We Were
Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier's debut solo album promises to showcase his rawest work yet. With frenetic drum work and introspective lyrics, the album reflects on themes of arrogance, self-annihilation, and modern fascism. He’s hosting an online listening party for the album Thursday, April 25.
Deerhoof contributes to the benefit compilation "Musicians for a Free Palestine,” supporting the cause by raising funds for eSims, crucial for providing cell service to Palestinians in Gaza. Deerhoof frequently shares their views on Twitter, including this post from today, April 22:
“Again, it's not cogent or serious to call for gun control when being an arms dealer. To call for nonviolence when being a mass murderer. Any lawmaker voting for arms to Israel since they publicly announced they'd deprive Palestine of food/water/shelter falls in those categories.”
LustSickPuppy - Carousel From Hell
Brooklyn artist Tommy Hayes, aka LustSickPuppy, blends rap with a punk energy and high-octane beats in their upcoming album "Carousel From Hell." Stay tuned for their unique sound that injects even more adrenaline into their music.
LustSickPuppy posted an explicit statement advocating solidarity with Palestine through the purchase of shirts, with proceeds benefiting the Palestinian Red Crescent and Palestinian Youth Movement.
Melissa Barrera at the “Abigail” Premiere
Despite being fired in November for her vocal support of Palestine, Melissa Barrera is thriving and starring in “Abigail,"the horror-thriller about six criminals facing unexpected challenges. Barrera stunned in a Marmar Halim dress at the April 19 premiere in Los Angeles.
"Abigail" has performed well at the box office, grossing $10.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $5 million in other territories as of April 21, 2024, for a worldwide total of $15.2 million. It was projected to earn between $12–15 million its opening weekend.
Critically, "Abigail" has received generally positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 85% approval rating from 150 critics. Tim Robey of The Telegraph awarded "Abigail" four stars out of five.
Barrera recently spoke about finding closure with her departure from “Scream” and her excitement for her new film "Abigail" on Collider's "Ladies Night" podcast.
Discover Palestine Cinema: A Window into Palestinian Perspectives
The Palestine Cinema database is the go-to platform for exploring the authentic narratives of Palestinians through film.
About Palestine Cinema:
Established in 2013 by a passionate group of movie enthusiasts deeply concerned about the challenges faced by Palestinians, this database serves as a beacon of truth in a sea of misinformation. Its mission is to shed light on the real-life experiences of Palestinians living as second-class citizens, under military occupation, or as refugees.
What You'll Find:
From heart-wrenching documentaries to gripping fiction films, Palestine Cinema features a diverse range of cinematic gems. Whether you're into short films or full-length features, there's something here for everyone.
How It Works:
Navigate through Palestine Cinema’s user-friendly interface to explore films by region, country, group, or specific subject using keywords. Each film comes with detailed information, including the director, duration, subject matter, and even a trailer or full version link for your viewing pleasure.
BDS-Safe Beauty Brands
Curated by the amazing Nihel, this spreadsheet is a goldmine for those seeking BDS-safe beauty options. With a focus on supporting Palestinian rights, these brands are paving the way for conscious consumerism in the beauty industry.
Why It Matters:
By choosing BDS-safe beauty brands, you're taking a stand for justice and equality in Palestine. Your purchasing power has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of Palestinians, sending a powerful message to companies that profit from oppression.
Get Shopping:
Ready to revamp your beauty stash? Dive into Nihel's spreadsheet and discover your new favorite brands. With every purchase, you're supporting a cause that's bigger than beauty.
Take Action: The Black and Palestinian Solidarity Toolkit
I stumbled upon an incredible resource from Dream Defenders called The Black and Palestinian Solidarity Toolkit, and I couldn't wait to share some of these powerful tools with you.
Inside the Toolkit:
Explore a wealth of valuable resources, including:
What We Are Fighting For: Gain insight into the core issues driving Dream Defenders’ movement for justice and liberation.
Take Action: Discover actionable steps you can take to amplify your voice and advocate for change. From organizing speak-outs to hosting movie nights and making calls to Congress, there's something for everyone.
Context: Understand the current situation in Gaza and its significance for Black people. Dive into strategy and uncover 10 key facts on the history of Black/Palestinian solidarity.
Join the Movement: Become part of a powerful community dedicated to fighting for justice and equality. Find out how you can get involved and make a difference.
Resource List: Access a curated list of valuable resources to deepen your understanding and expand your activism.
Thank You
Let me know what you think by commenting below, and don't forget to share this newsletter with your friends and click the like button. Together, we can amplify important Palestinian voices and make a difference. Thanks for being part of this community!
In Solidarity,
illesha magdalena
For more updates, follow me on: