Firebrand singer Louise Distras has released her new single, ‘Poor Man’, the second track to be taken from her upcoming EP, Street Revolution, out January 11th.
The song was originally written nearly ninety years ago but is now reimagined for a new generation, providing an acute commentary on the breakdown of modern society yet still retaining its cultural relevance and poignant impact.
“This song was written through the eyes of Blind Alfred Reed amongst the abject poverty of 1929,” says Louise. “Around the same time Billie Holiday sang ‘Strange Fruit’ which was written in similar conditions that still apply to the world today, making both songs timeless classics.”
A testament to its longevity; the track has previously been covered and re-interpreted by artists including Bruce Springsteen, Ry Cooder and UB40.
The video for ‘Poor Man’ sees a minimalist aesthetic convey the track’s powerful rhetoric with brute sincerity. It’s both a reflective assessment on aspects of society that haven’t changed in nearly a century, as well posing a question as to why this is still the case.
Louise explains, “Every shoot for this video was ruined by rain so in the end we simply filmed it with an iPhone on the bus to the dole office. It seemed to fit the song perfectly.”
‘Poor Man’ is the follow up to ‘Street Revolution’, the title track to Louise Distras’ brand new EP. Fans will be able to hear the new songs played live on The Street Revolution Tour in January 2019. This tour goes hand in hand with Musicians Against Homelessness to raise funds for the charity Crisis.
With the issue of teen homelessness very much in the public eye at the moment, Louise is committed to making a difference. Having herself been homeless in her teenage years – living with strangers in dangerous situations and being taken advantage of as a vulnerable young person – her first-hand experience of the transformative power of music in helping her rebuild her life informs her work, and inspires her passion to work with Musicians Against Homelessness.
About this partnership Louise says, “Having run away from home as a teenager, MAH is cause close to my heart. We all walk our own warzone path, which is only one step away from a situation we can’t control. Music saves lives and supporting Crisis is my way of giving something back.”
The Street Revolution EP and tour follows her 2015 debut Dreams from the Factory Floor, which gained praise from Kerrang! who said “Louise Distras is the most exciting voice in UK punk right now!” The word quickly spread to America and led the firebrand singer to Oakland CA, where she recently recorded her second album produced by Steve Whale of The Business and Ross Petersen (Bruce Springsteen, Goo Goo Dolls).
Having already performed at Glastonbury and supported the likes of Billy Bragg, Buzzcocks, The Damned and Stiff Little Fingers, Louise follows the UK tour with US tour dates including a performance at the legendary Punk Rock Bowling Festival in Las Vegas next May, alongside the likes of Descendents, The Stranglers, Rancid, Refused, The Damned, Fucked Up, The Specials, The Hives and many more.
Tickets for the tour are on sale now and available from www.louisedistras.co.uk
STREET REVOLUTION UK TOUR DATES
17th Jan – Cambridge, Portland Arms
18th Jan – Nottingham, The Bodega
23rd Jan – Leeds, Key Club
24th Jan – Newcastle, Cluny 2
25th Jan – Guildford, The Boileroom
26th Jan – Norwich, Waterfront Studio
27th Jan – Portsmouth, Edge of The Wedge
29th Jan – Leicester, Firebug
31st Jan – Bishops Stortford, The Half Moon
2nd Feb – Wolverhampton, Slade Rooms