Internal peace is found through self-forgiveness, respectively wavering one’s outside belief. Montreal’s Thanya Iyer doesn’t introduce the topic on “Please Don’t Hold Me Hostage for Who I Am, For Who I Was,” but instills the notion to put away our self-shame through understanding and growth. The second single from Iyer’s upcoming album, KIND, due July 31 via Topshelf Records, explores one of many human qualities to be absorbed on the artist’s full-length.
Immensely felt on the track’s jazz-pop orchestration and organic progression, by way of flutes, Iyer’s gentle vocals nurture a listener’s core down to their bones. The title itself is of a reflective rhetoric; dismantling the completion process by needing external forgiveness. And while there are two sides to the coin, the track doesn’t utilize this moment as a crutch, but to once again choose to always be better; be better for yourself, and be better for others.
Lush, vibrant, and refreshing to the likes of a newly found waterfall, Iyer’s sincerity leads each vocal run. The track moves with art-pop-esque angles, sharply turning on its tempo changes to only melt effortlessly back to the start. There’s something almost holy to the track’s flute patterns which dance in the baptismal of their own presence. Under these circumstances, Iyer’s vocals and words seem to be a lost page of the gospel.
“This is an extremely important time of learning for all of us,” shares Iyer on Instagram. “It’s a time to look into ourselves and our communities as well as outwards to the world in order to dismantle systems of oppression and racism that have been woven into our lives for generations. These systems have been and are hurting black and indigenous people – our friends – people we love.
“#Pleasedontholdmehostage is about listening, knowing and doing better (a concept I learned through Oprah from Dr. Maya Angelou). We are all making mistakes all the time and the only thing that separates those who help from those who hurt is a willingness to listen and change.”
Art by Emilie Muszczak
A message from Thanya Iyer: Here are some organizations that are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and other extremely important initiatives that have continued to make a beautiful impact and are essential to the well being of our humanity. They are just suggestions and I want to keep it open to the many different organizations that are doing some amazing things and those that people are passionate about as there are sooo many wonderful orgs that empower communities locally and internationally.
Montreal: Head & Hands Our youth is so important. Head & Hands, a safer space that promotes harm reduction and non-judgment, provides medical, legal, and social services to Montreal youth. My experience with them has been through J2K, a drop-in centre where youth can hang out, make music, engage in workshops, and more! A beautiful initiative!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Monteal “We are dedicated to helping children and youths who are faced with personal and socio-economic difficulties, as well as their families. Our agency offers professional mentoring services and an opportunity to acquire and improve personal strengths and interpersonal skills, contributing to a healthier life over the long term.”
Canada: Black Health Alliance A community-led organization improving the health and well-being of Black communities across Canada. Supporting research, community health infrastructure and community projects that “reduce the racial disparities in health outcomes and promote health and well-being for people form the diverse back communities in Canada with emphasis on the broad determinants of health, including racism”
Sovereign Likhts’amisyu & Unist’ot’en Camp & Gidimt’en Camp Coronavirus is still happening, yet Coastal GasLink continues to invade Wet’suwet’en territories and intends to build a pipeline that will lead to destruction of forests, water resources, and the land, putting the communities and our whole future at risk. There is a beautiful healing center at Unisto’ot’en Camp, and Likhts’amisyu clan has plans to build a climate research center. Let’s support these communities and the amazing work that they are doing! I highly recommend this documentary on the subject of the corporate and federal invasion of unceded lands.
Girl Underground Music 
Internal peace is found through self-forgiveness, respectively wavering one’s outside belief. Montreal’s Thanya Iyer doesn’t introduce the topic on “Please Don’t Hold Me Hostage for Who I Am, For Who I Was,” but instills the notion to put away our self-shame through understanding and growth. The second single from Iyer’s upcoming album, KIND, due July 31 via Topshelf Records, explores one of many human qualities to be absorbed on the artist’s full-length.
Immensely felt on the track’s jazz-pop orchestration and organic progression, by way of flutes, Iyer’s gentle vocals nurture a listener’s core down to their bones. The title itself is of a reflective rhetoric; dismantling the completion process by needing external forgiveness. And while there are two sides to the coin, the track doesn’t utilize this moment as a crutch, but to once again choose to always be better; be better for yourself, and be better for others.
Lush, vibrant, and refreshing to the likes of a newly found waterfall, Iyer’s sincerity leads each vocal run. The track moves with art-pop-esque angles, sharply turning on its tempo changes to only melt effortlessly back to the start. There’s something almost holy to the track’s flute patterns which dance in the baptismal of their own presence. Under these circumstances, Iyer’s vocals and words seem to be a lost page of the gospel.
“This is an extremely important time of learning for all of us,” shares Iyer on Instagram. “It’s a time to look into ourselves and our communities as well as outwards to the world in order to dismantle systems of oppression and racism that have been woven into our lives for generations. These systems have been and are hurting black and indigenous people – our friends – people we love.
“#Pleasedontholdmehostage is about listening, knowing and doing better (a concept I learned through Oprah from Dr. Maya Angelou). We are all making mistakes all the time and the only thing that separates those who help from those who hurt is a willingness to listen and change.”
A message from Thanya Iyer:
Here are some organizations that are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and other extremely important initiatives that have continued to make a beautiful impact and are essential to the well being of our humanity. They are just suggestions and I want to keep it open to the many different organizations that are doing some amazing things and those that people are passionate about as there are sooo many wonderful orgs that empower communities locally and internationally.
Montreal:
Head & Hands
Our youth is so important. Head & Hands, a safer space that promotes harm reduction and non-judgment, provides medical, legal, and social services to Montreal youth. My experience with them has been through J2K, a drop-in centre where youth can hang out, make music, engage in workshops, and more! A beautiful initiative!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Monteal
“We are dedicated to helping children and youths who are faced with personal and socio-economic difficulties, as well as their families. Our agency offers professional mentoring services and an opportunity to acquire and improve personal strengths and interpersonal skills, contributing to a healthier life over the long term.”
Template for Letter to Elected Officials to Defund the SPVM (Montreal Police)
Canada:
Black Health Alliance
A community-led organization improving the health and well-being of Black communities across Canada. Supporting research, community health infrastructure and community projects that “reduce the racial disparities in health outcomes and promote health and well-being for people form the diverse back communities in Canada with emphasis on the broad determinants of health, including racism”
Sovereign Likhts’amisyu & Unist’ot’en Camp & Gidimt’en Camp
Coronavirus is still happening, yet Coastal GasLink continues to invade Wet’suwet’en territories and intends to build a pipeline that will lead to destruction of forests, water resources, and the land, putting the communities and our whole future at risk. There is a beautiful healing center at Unisto’ot’en Camp, and Likhts’amisyu clan has plans to build a climate research center. Let’s support these communities and the amazing work that they are doing! I highly recommend this documentary on the subject of the corporate and federal invasion of unceded lands.
USA:
SPREAD LOVE + SHINE LIGHT / Orenda Tribe COVID 19 Fund for the Navajo Nation
“On May 18th, Navajo Nation surpassed New York state for the highest covid-19 infection rate in the U.S. Orenda tribe is patterning with @ndncollective to raise funds bringing critical aid, masks, ppe and food”
North America:
Bail funds
This is a handy list of bail funds for protestors across North America
KIND will be out on Topshelf Records on July 31, 2020
Connect with the artist:
Facebook / Twitter / Bandcamp / Instagram / Spotify
Cover photo: Sophia Grouev
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