Based in Washington DC, Kelsie Kimberlin is a Ukrainian-American singer-songwriter with a unique sonic vision and a purpose that filters through her artistic output. Her distinctive blend of pop and rock is instilled with poignant lyricism, casting a spotlight on vital issues that demand attention.
Her personal journey is steeped in a rich musical upbringing, where the ambiance itself was saturated with the rhythms of inspiration. From early choir experiences to active participation in Yoko Ono’s Peace Project, she dedicated her formative years to refining her craft and developing her artistic voice.
In 2020, Kelsie Kimberlin made an impactful debut with the single “Lobotomy,” unveiling herself as an artist with a conscientious voice that fearlessly tackles pressing societal challenges. Her music also serves as a powerful platform to shed light on global crises, particularly the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Through a trilogy of singles – “Armageddon,” “Another Chance To Live Again” and “Turn Back” – she passionately addressed the devastating consequences faced by the Ukrainian people.
Now she brings us her latest release with the brand new single titled “We Are The Promise.” The song is a compelling anthem about ordinary citizens standing against authoritarianism. With this single, she crowns her musical endeavours with a cinematic and epic piece that challenges every listener to use their voice as a formidable tool against autocracy.
Serving up another bold alternative rock outing, with her new single Kelsie Kimberlin lays down her powerful vocals over a blend of pounding drums, gritty guitar work and orchestral flourishes to craft a truly cinematic listening experience. Opened by the strike of drums as ominous string flutters ride above the punching beat, crunching guitar riffs enter before settling into a grooving chug for Kelsie to thread her compelling vocal leads above.
Spinning defiant lyricism and injecting slick musicianship with a crunchy blues rock guitar solo, with “We Are The Promise,” Kelsie Kimberlin delivers an anthemic new song that’s both sonically captivating and meaningful. Paired with the single is the music video which adds a dazzling visual accompaniment to the music with its idea dating back to 2017 when Kelsie shared a demo of the song with the esteemed Ukrainian composer and film director Sergiy Krutsenko.
Recognising the power of the song, Krutsenko orchestrated a cinematic score performed by the Kyiv Radio Symphony Orchestra. The resulting video, shot in various historic locations including a former Soviet prison and centuries-old castle, tells a dystopian tale of a society where music is banned. Kelsie, playing the role of the musical protagonist, stands up to a dictator in a narrative that warns against the suppression of artistic expression.
Commenting on the single, she shares, “We live in treacherous times with the rise of right-wing populism and the normalisation of authoritarianism. It is therefore very important that people around the world are aware of the threats to freedom and democracy from dictators who care only about power and control. All freedom-loving people must take individual and collective responsibility and oppose fascism in any form. My song and video are intended to inspire everyone to stand up for their rights in the face of these threats.”
Watch the music video for We Are The Promise below
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