Photo by Thien, artwork by Nazik

Basically, DIY works when you’re not alone.

A little shout-out to the Howl! Arts Collective, who’ve come together to create this little gem that we’ll be launching into the world tonight.

Duets for Abdelrazik is an activist project at the core. A musical statement of solidarity with the struggles of people oppressed.

And everything that has gone into this album, from the composing, recording, printing and packaging has come from collaborations with friends and allies, from a community whose art is often inseparable from their work for social change.

Howl is not a record label, and we had no idea how to really do this, but we did it anyways. As I’m stacking up the sleeves, I have to say I’m very proud of our work. Howl was not a record label, maybe now we are.

Making shit together is fun and builds relationships (solidarities) in really tangible ways. It’s not the same as just working together. It’s much more akin to being in a demo together, another great solidarity builder.

Snacks are important. So is access to physical space and proximity to collaborators.

Things were done last minute, and we could have planned better, had better tools for the job at hand. But this “amateurism” resonates beautifully, like the old, beat-up, hotel2tango piano the album was recorded on. It has an aura.

Looking down at my kitchen floor, I’m thinking, this place is a mess! There’s paper and glue everywhere, stacks of heavy books, unwashed dishes, etc. The necessary disorder for things to come into being. For change to happen…

Hope to see you all tonight.

Process photos on Thien’s blog, here and here.