Los Angeles indie trio The Great Escape recently released a powerful music video/short film, entitled “Where Do We Go From Here,” a musical/visual tribute to immigrants, depicting 30 immigrants who left everything behind to travel to this country, where their spirit and talents enhance the cultural fabric of America.
The documentary style video was remixed by Robot Koch, hailed as one of Europe’s best producers. The thrust of the video is that people of different nationalities, colors, and religions are not to be feared, but accepted and welcomed.
The Great Escape is made up of Malte Hagemeister (guitars, production), Krisian Nord (drums, bass, production), and Hanna Leess (vocals, keyboards), all of whom are immigrants in their own right. Nord came to California 15 years ago, while Malte arrived here 10 years ago. Leess, who was born in Cambridge, moved to Berlin in 2015.
According to Malte Hagemeister, “Leaving your home and your comfort zone takes heart and courage. These extraordinary people tell moving stories of change, growth, hard times, having a dream and trying to realize it.”
Kristian Nord explains, “Growing up in post 2nd world war Germany we learned that it’s the most important thing to tell your opinion as loud as you can when you see basic decency being stomped on by leading politicians, and minorities and foreigners being denunciated. We wanted to show that the very large majority of immigrants coming into this country are amazing courageous people and not rapists or murderers as suggested by this administration.”
Prior releases from The Great Escape include their self-titled album (2014), and Universe In Bloom (2017). The trio’s forthcoming album, Pulsing Synchronicity, sees the band moving in a new direction, melding minimalist soundscapes with tinctures of tasty alt-pop.
“Where Do We Go From Here” opens with immigrants explaining why they chose to leave for another country, and then flows into a pulsing electro-pop melody riding a potent rhythm, as Leess’ delicious voice glides alluringly overhead.
“Where Do We Go From Here” blends deliciously smooth harmonics melded with striking visuals to tell moving stories both poignant and inspiring.
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