Athlete release 'Black Swan Song' in support of The Royal British Legion
09 November 2009
Athlete release their new single 'Black Swan Song' today on Fiction with all proceeds from the single going to The Royal British Legion.
'Black Swan Song' is a powerful and moving song about the death of Joel's [Joel Pott – lead vocals] grandfather. Joel picks up the story here, "September 1944 in the woods near Arnhem, Holland, my grandfather lay alone and badly wounded struggling to write a farewell letter to his new wife.
My grandfather Major John Pott died in 2005 at the age of eighty-four in Lewisham Hospital, London (the same hospital my daughter was born in, an experience that inspired the song 'Wires'). After his death I knew I wanted to pay tribute to him in some way."
Joel and his father David recently paid an emotionally-charged visit to Arnhem to mark the anniversary of the battle there in which Joel's grandfather – a paratrooper - was severely injured. After lying in the woods for nearly twenty hours he was taken to a German military hospital and after a heroic, but thwarted attempt to escape on crutches, he remained in a POW camp until released by the Americans in April 1945.
All proceeds from the sale of the single will be donated to The Royal British Legion and Athlete will perform the song live at our Silence in the Square event at Trafalgar Square to mark Armistice Day, this Wednesday 11 November from 10.00am.
'Black Swan Song' is the second single to be taken from the Ivor Novello-winning four piece's fourth album 'Black Swan'. The South Londoners have sold more than a million copies of their three hit albums and topped the UK album and airplay charts.
On 8.00pm tonight, you can view a documentary about Joel going to Arnhem with his Dad, on the band's website (www.athlete.mu/live) as well as on their Facebook page and Myspace page.
For Press Enquiries regarding The Royal British Legion, please contact Liam Maguire, Public Relations Officer, The Royal British Legion T: 020 3207 2242 M: 07976213857 E: lmaguire@britishlegion.org.uk
For Press Enquiries regarding Athlete, please contact Susie Ember at Polydor. T: 0207 471 5497 E. mailto:richard.dawes@umusic.com
