Since his debut release in 2011, Irish-born and Philadelphia-based John Byrne has walked the line between the sounds of his homeland and the folk-rock side of Americana.  A storyteller at heart, he tells his tales accompanied by a band that includes both strings and horns. What’s not to like about that?
He’s also doesn’t shy away from social and political topics, as the latest single from the forthcoming A Shiver in the Sky (out tomorrow) demonstrates. Says Byrne about “Hold That Against Meâ€:
I finished this song in the wake of Ireland voting to legalize same sex marriage a couple of years ago, and about my brother’s fight to be accepted as a gay man in what was still a very conservative country in the 90’s. Ireland has evolved greatly thanks to the efforts of people like him and people in his community deciding that they will and must be heard. Through making themselves heard, through being brave and bold, they made it so people all over Ireland suddenly realized that they knew someone in the LGBTQ+ community and recognized that they were entitled to the same rights enjoyed by all citizens. I wanted the song to be celebratory but I didn’t want it to lose its defiance because the battle is far from over for the LGBTQ+ community both in Ireland and all over the world.
When I chatted with animator Nathan Morrow about the video for the song he had the idea of the plane representing the positive change occurring in society but with a darker story happening on the ground being represented by the couple who still have to face fear, loneliness, adversity and nonacceptance. In using a story to address the subject I wanted to make sure that I was also keeping a respectful distance from a battle that I have not had to personally fight but wanted to strongly acknowledge and support.Â
Enjoy the premiere of this wonderful animated video for “Hold That Against Meâ€.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.