Gracie Abrams, Aaron Dessner, and Bon Iver Collaborate on a Song Addressing Gun Violence: A Call for Change
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The holiday season, traditionally marked by joy and celebration, has been overshadowed by two tragic mass shootings. The first incident occurred on December 13 at Brown University, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuries to nine others. The following day, a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration at Australia’s Bondi Beach claimed 15 lives and injured over 40. In response, musicians Gracie Abrams, Aaron Dessner, and Bon Iver have collaborated to release a new song aimed at supporting Everytown, a non-profit organization focused on ending gun violence.
Titled “Sold Out,” the emotional track features Abrams expressing sentiments of fear and despair: “The system works and we all stay terrified/ What are we doing here, think we got sold out/ Looks like another year without a way out.” The song is available on Bandcamp for $5.
In a joint statement, the artists reflected on the song’s origin. “We made this song last year in the wake of a school shooting. We were reminded of it this week as our hearts were broken yet again. It’s a sad one to share during the holidays, but the world is hurting and we shouldn’t look away,” they said. “We are proud to support Everytown, an organization dedicated to ending gun violence in America. We are releasing this song to raise awareness of their mission of reducing gun violence. Sending so much love to you all.”
Dessner also expressed his gratitude for Abrams on Instagram, sharing her post about the song. “Thank you @gracieabrams for finding a way to express our profound collective grief and create action @everytown,” he wrote.
Grammy-nominated Abrams has been vocal about issues that resonate with her. Following the shootings at Brown University and Bondi Beach, as well as the tragic murder of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, she issued a statement criticizing former President Donald Trump’s response to these events.
“Within 24 hours of the most unimaginable tragedy a family can endure, we see the President yet again reveal the most poisonous and vile narcissism maybe in the history of humanity,” she said, addressing Trump’s comments about Reiner, whom he insulted following news of his death. “Indefensible.”
Abrams further remarked, “It is getting harder to find the words to describe the pain in the world. I am lighting a candle for everybody who is hurting.”
Listen to a clip of “Sold Out” below:
