In the spirit of impactful protest songs, experimental folktronica artist ds|fečo has released his latest single Jihad du Jour which expresses ds|fečo’s abhorrence with the violent extremism and the corruption of religion embraced by jihadists.
In the words of this talented creative,
In light of the recent spate of deadly attacks by lone wolf, “self-radicalized” extremists—Egypt, Sweden, London, Manchester, London again, Iran, etc., etc.—and all past attacks perpetrated by self-radicalized religious ideologues (the Orlando club attack being one of the worst), I started thinking about how to investigate and interrogate the psychic vulnerabilities of a would be jihadist recruit. As a response, I wrote and recorded this song.”
Backed by an intense, electronic-infused experimental soundscape, Jihad du Jour sounds as disturbed and angry as the religious extremist who ds|fečo is protesting.
The dissonant nature of this single plays very well against the rage being expressed toward this unfortunate and grotesque perversion of religion. ds|fečo‘s voice carries the weight and the pain of those directly affected by the actions of these extremist groups. You can feel every note, every lyric and every bit of anger pouring out of this talented creative spirit.
Some might argue that any artistic response to international jihadism is like throwing feathers at dinosaurs. Maybe so. But it’s also the legitimate role of art to express our collective, pleading outrage toward those who’ve been infected by this ideology. It’s in that spirit that I’ve put out this song.”
ds|fečo has spent the last several decades composing commissioned pieces for video, broadcast, dance and theater but his true passion emanates from his inner songwriter. In 1967, his folk trio (The P.D.U.S.M) was signed by Jubilee Records. His next group (The People) signed to Dash Records where they released proto-psych songs on 45.
Between 1980-1993, ds|fečo along with his choreographer wife scored 14 original works which were performed in San Francisco, the Bay Area and internationally. This talented song crafter also scored a 9 part radio series for the Australian Broadcast Company back in 1987. If staying so busy wasn’t enough, ds|fečo has also worked as a professional copywriter, video producer and composer over the years.
At the young and fruitful age of 67, he released his debut solo, 6 song EP, Watch It Sparkle.
Listen to Jihad du Jour on Soundcloud or watch the lyric video on YouTube.
