Ithaca-native Way “Papa Muse” Releases New Resilient Single, “We Will Not Be Afraid”

Ithaca’s Way “Papa Muse” announced a defiant single, “We Will Not Be Afraid,” to be released on Jan. 18. The new single is one of two singles from the upcoming album from Way, titled Dare to Dance.

Way "Papa Muse," photographed by Jeff Foote
Singer-songwriter Way “Papa Muse.” Photo courtesy of Jeff Foote

The Afro groove rock-inspired single’s vibrant guitar, saxophone and trumpet contradicts any preconceived notion from the title of the upbeat single. “We Will Not Be Afraid” speaks of hope, optimism, and brighter days, hoping for a world of justice and allyship. 

The song’s release date shys just two days from Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. Way says that this is purposeful, saying, “regardless of where you stand politically, it’s fair to say that we are a divided nation and many people are stressed and concerned about the future. So while I wasn’t planning on releasing this song as a single, I feel it’s an important message to share at this time.” 

Cover art for the new single, "We Will Not Be Afraid," from artist Way "Papa Muse"
Album cover for “We Will Not Be Afraid.” Photo courtesy of Way “Papa Muse.”

Profits earned from all downloads of the song will be donated to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization. Papa Muse, an environmental advocate and founder of The Plastic Free Challenge, says that “with the threat of even more deregulation to corporate power, we need organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council more than ever.”

“We Will Not Be Afraid” features other Ithaca artists, such as Maddy Walsh of Maddy Walsh and the Blind Spots and Elliot Martin of John Brown’s Body, both in which Way says is “honored” to have worked with. The single also includes artists from Austin, TX, where Way lives and performs periodically. 

For more information on the NRDC, visit nrdc.org/about. To download “We Will Not Be Afraid,” visit www.PapaMuse.com  

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