Gritty UK dream-pop duo Wings of Desire – AKA James Taylor and Chloe Little – release new single ‘Forgive & Forget’.
It’s taken from the previously announced new EP Shut Up & Listen, which is out August 30th. The EP comes with an exclusive cassette – all the proceeds of which will go towards community project The Long Table in their native Stroud, which is under threat of eviction.
The project offers pay-what-you-can meals to customers – and prioritises sustainability by rescuing food waste, sourcing local produce, and paying a living wage. Outlined in this The Guardian article.
The duo explain the themes around the new single – a defiant call to action:
“‘Forgive & Forget’ is about how we often put our faith in others over trusting ourselves. By giving our power away to someone else we relinquish all responsibility. I think what the last decade has shown us is that the people currently in power are very unbalanced and emotionally stunted. Yet we trust them with running our lives and looking after (destroying) the planet. Perhaps it’s time we take our power back, become more community driven, and decentralise these giant corporations and governing bodies.”
Check out the video for ‘Forgive & Forget’ – BELOW:
James and Chloe talk on the EP and its mission with regards to The Long Table:
“The Long Table is the beating heart of our local community in Stroud, they run a radical social project with a pay what you can system that serves around 40,000 hot meals a year. It’s about dignity, equality, and everyone helping their neighbours in need. Earlier this year their home Brimscombe Mill was sold from beneath them and it is now at risk of being turned into warehouse space for the new owner.
The Shut Up & Listen EP grew out of our need to preserve this sacred space and support our unique local community, which is the closest thing we have to a new earth. We have put together a limited edition cassette tape and all proceeds will go to The Long Table in helping them fight their impending eviction.”
Wings of Desire played a free show at The Long Table on July 5th and raised £400 for the project so far (with merch sales from the event ongoing). The new Labour MP for Stroud, Dr Simon Opher, came to celebrate his victory along with the rest of the community. Tom Smith from Editors did an acoustic set, and Tom Ravenscroft rounded off the evening with a DJ set.
James says of the night: “The long table gig was a reminder to be present for other people and do things in the real here and now. It’s so easy to get lost in our own worlds.
Places that hold space for community are rare these days. It’s important that we don’t forget. Don’t let them get buried under the guise of convenience. Music and culture have to grow from the root upwards. You can’t skip the stages of development. And development isn’t an inconvenience. It’s merely part of the pilgrimage. If we take away that, we will be handed the easy / automated / AI version of what was once called the hero’s journey.”
Live Dates:
16th August – Lowlands Festival, NL
28th September – Gathering Sounds Festival, Stockton UK
25th October – Rotown, Rotterdam NL
26th October – London Calling Festival, Amsterdam NL
Shut Up & Listen Track Listing
1. Shut Up And Listen!
2. Forgive & Forget
3. Some Old Place I Used To Know
4. OUTTAMYMIND
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