When I first heard that slavery is still common in today’s society, even in Nottingham, I was shocked. I felt useless and ignorant of the detrimental issues that are prevalent across the country. The Rights Lab here at the University of Nottingham are constantly researching modern day slavery, and how it can be ended for good.
Sounds Against Slavery is a charity concert organised by the Rights Lab and the Anti-Slavery society to raise funds for Survivor Alliance, an association that empowers those who have been affected by human trafficking. I caught up with one of the concert’s performers, Daudi Matsiko, ahead of the concert.
Hello! How are you today?
Pretty good thanks!
How would you describe the music that you create?
More or less sort of folk.
“Raising public awareness is an incredibly important part of the fight against modern day slavery”
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Too many to honestly mention. Nick Drake is an easy one. Maybe The Cinematic Orchestra a little bit too.
If you could only pick one album to listen to for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
In Rainbows by Radiohead. It’s amazing.
Who’s your favourite musician at the moment?
Aldous Harding.
“Taking action and encouraging society to look at itself honestly is vital for growth in a positive direction.”
Do you think musical events like Sounds Against Slavery are important to gain awareness for issues like modern day slavery?
Yeah! I feel pretty strongly about slavery in general. Modern day, and historical. I only recently became aware that our government in 2015 finished paying off a loan that was taken out in the 1830s to pay compensation to slave owners and benefactors of the slave trade. Information like that puts us right in the heart of the story of slavery and challenges us to question who we are, our privilege, responsibility and what we’re doing right now to help those who are still being dehumanised, disenfranchised and taken advantage of.
Raising public awareness is an incredibly important part of the fight against modern day slavery. Taking action and encouraging society to look at itself honestly is vital for growth in a positive direction.
What would you like audience members to take away from Sounds Against Slavery?
A bit of hope and a desire to do something about it.
Hannah Pickard
This year’s Sounds Against Slavery event is being held at Rough Trade Nottingham on 1st April, 6.30pm. Tickets can be found here. All proceeds go towards Survivor Alliance.
Featured image courtesy of Amelia Watkins.
Article Image courtesy of Daudi Matsiko (@hellodaudi) via Facebook.
Image use license here.
Follow @ImpactMagazine on Twitter or like the Impact Entertainment Facebook page for more articles and information on how to get involved.
