To help with the ongoing relief efforts to aid those in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands who were affected by Hurricane Irma and are still, almost four months later, without electricity and clean water, Circa Survive has teamed up with the Dub Trio to release a sensational rendition of Bob Marley’s “Chances Are.”
“The islands were a huge part of my childhood and Circa Survive has long been a vehicle for helping the causes we care about,” explains Circa guitarist Brendan Ekstrom. “This collaboration involved quite a few people many of whom have strong ties to Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. Many of you have already donated to this cause over the past few months which is amazing but the recovery efforts will continue for some time. Any small or large donations we can offer can still have a huge impact on those rebuilding their lives.“
To check out Circa Survive’s calming cover of “Chances Are” as well as Ekstrom’s full statement about the story behind the collaboration with the Dub Trio, be sure to look below. Afterwards, to download the track, head here.
Some of my most romanticized memories are from when I was a young boy in St. Thomas. I haven’t been back for twenty years but I remember the islands as breathtakingly beautiful, with wild rolling hills and beautiful beaches. Colorful fish. Men spearhunting for octopus. What I remember most [is] the music. Steel drums reverberating while rhythms through parks and the twisting trees I so loved to climb. And the other thing I remember was how it rained. Brief but powerful. Most days you could see it coming for miles before the grey was all encompassing and the sound of drumming water laid mute the rest of the world. I’ve always been awed by the offset power and beauty of storms. But mostly I’ve been slightly afraid. So much so that when I lived in Florida, I would leave during hurricane season to stay somewhere the hatches weren’t needed. And so in some way this song goes out to those who are braver than me. Those who stay.Almost four months after Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, many people are still without electricity, clean water and proper health care. As a result, people are leaving Puerto Rico in record numbers. A quick google search will reveal the struggles still being faced by the people who stay.
The islands were a huge part of my childhood and Circa Survive has long been a vehicle for helping the causes we care about. This collaboration involved quite a few people many of whom have strong ties to Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. Many of you have already donated to this cause over the past few months which is amazing but the recovery efforts will continue for some time. Any small or large donations we can offer can still have a huge impact on those rebuilding their lives.
Recently I became obsessed with a Bob Marley song called “Chances Are.” Bob Marley has always been one of my favorite artists. Somehow I had missed this song along the way. The more I listened to it the more I pictured Anthony singing it. Circa put together a rough recording of the track and Anthony along with two close friends, Juliana Storozuk and Larissa Hopwood, went to track vocals with Will Yip. After hearing the amazing tracks they laid down I started thinking the music could use something more to really solidify the music. Circa could do this ourselves but we were leaving for tour at the time and I thought perhaps if we involved another group of people that this cause might reach a wider audience. I contacted Stu Brooks on instagram. We had never met but I explained to him that I was a huge fan of Dub Trio and some of his other work. Stu was excited about the pairing and the project and brought together a wonderful group of musicians who painted an amazing backdrop for the song. I love how this turned out and I hope you do to. Please donate what you can. We can make a difference.
