Song: Next Year in Brooklyn
Artist: The President Lincoln
Release date: Passover 2016
This time of year makes me think about my friend Jill Birnbaum. She was one of the founding members of The President Lincoln, singing on our first album while stricken by a really rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Our last email exchange before she died was about the Jewish festival of Passover, lamenting that we wouldn't get to celebrate together that year because she had gone back to Boston for treatment. She signed off that email with a bit of sacrilege: “Next year in Brooklyn!” — a play on the the saying that Jews have exclaimed on Passover for centuries: “Next year in Jerusalem”.
Passover, for those who aren't familiar, is a Jewish festival which celebrates freedom and human dignity, and challenges those of us who live free to remember those who remain oppressed. As religious festivals go: it's one of the good ones.
So here's a little springtime gift from The President Lincoln to you, a new single. Stream it, download it, repost it, share it. Whatever you like. All we ask is that if you enjoy it, please donate — any amount at all, here:
www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/nextyearinbrooklyn. All proceeds raised will go to support refugees aid and the the other crucial and timely programmes of the International Rescue Committee.
Alex Maws
April 2016
released April 15, 2016
Written by Alex Maws
Produced by Aaron Tap & Alex Maws
Mixed by Aaron Tap at QuailTop Studio, North Hollywood, CA.
Mastered by Hans DeKline
Drum recording: Robin How
Alex Maws: Vocals and synthesisers
Mo Doshi: Vocals
Pete Fussey: Guitars
Lee Norton: Piano
Cliff Annicelli: Bass
Kevin Hutchins: Drums