Ooberfuse releases song for Burma

Today, Burma’s President General Thein Sein held talks with David Cameron and William Hague in London. This week marks the anniversary of the assassination of Burma’s charismatic founding-father General Aung San on July 19, 1947 in downtown Yangon. London band Ooberfuse are set to release their new single Glass Splinters on 19 July 2013 over 60 years after the assassination of Burma’s founding-Father. The song begins with words from General Aung San’s daughter, Burma’s democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, speaking of ‘freedom from fear’. You can hear a preview of the song here: https://soundcloud.com/ooberfuse/glass-splinters

Benedict Rogers, human rights activist with Christian Solidarity Worldwide and author of ‘Burma: A Nation at the Crossroads’, says: “ Until a year ago, the idea of a Burmese General with blood on his hands making an official visit to the United Kingdom would have been inconceivable. President Thein Sein’s visit is a sign of how much and how fast not only Burma, but British Government attitudes towards Burma’s regime, have changed. While Thein Sein has introduced some significant political reforms, which should be welcomed and encouraged, it should not be forgotten that since he became President, war has increased, religious intolerance risen and the human rights and humanitarian crisis worsened. Over 250,000 people have been forced to flee from their homes in the past two years in ethnic and religious conflict. David Cameron and William Hague need to address these issues.”

Hal, supporting vocalist and keyboardist, adds: “This has been an extremely exciting East-­meets-­West cultural project working with leading German electro producer Kinky Roland and including the important message of Burma’s democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi – ‘freedom from fear’ - to give voice to Burma’s otherwise silent struggles and hidden sufferings.”

Cherrie, frontwoman of the band said: “With the end of Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest and now her active and direct participation in the political process the green shoots of hope are tentatively beginning to show for the future. Glass Splinters emphasises the resilience of the Burmese people against the forces of oppression and calls for an end to the sectarian violence that has displaced so many people .”

German-born producer Kinky Roland added: “Burma has an amazingly rich musical heritage and instruments unfamiliar to the Western ear. We have used traditional Burmese instruments in the context of a familiar Western song format.”

Glass Splinters will be released on 19 July 2013. Please visit www.ooberfuse.com for further information.