Brooklyn based duo Low Tide release new single “Bread & Roses,” the title track of their upcoming LP.
Low Tide consist of Courtney Robbins and Eli Oberman, two former members of feminist punk band The Shondes. Both trans and non-binary, the duo formed Low Tide as a way to return to their folk roots. Their sound is marked by Robbins’ smooth guitar sound underscoring Oberman’s leading vocals. The duo will also often sing together, and their contrasting vocal textures yield mesmerizing harmonies.
Their new single, “Bread & Roses,” is rooted the folk tradition, breathing new life into a song with deep roots in the labor and women’s suffrage movement. Originally a slogan popularized by activist Helen Todd in 1910, it became the basis for James Oppenheim’s 1911 poem before being set to music by Caroline Kohlsaat in 1917. For Oberman, the song has been a lifelong favorite, as it embodies the intertwined demands for not only survival and justice, but for beauty, art, and love.
Low Tide’s version combines original music with slightly adapted lyrics, transforming the century-old words to have more contemporary relevance. Robbins’ driving guitar gives the song momentum, while Oberman’s violin solo breathes vitality into the message.
The band’s connection to feminist punk, folk music, and songs about injustice give the performance a personal weight, while the spirited arrangement of the single makes its central message feel less like a relic and more like a living demand. As the title track for their upcoming LP, Low Tide shows exciting glimpse into their future work, where struggle, art, and joy will all coexist.
Keep up with Low Tide on Instagram and Bandcamp.
Listen to “Bread & Roses” here.
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