Jon Samuel isn’t shying away from controversy. His album, Dead Melodies, picks away at society with thoroughly meditated lyrics wrapped up in a dance beat. His newest video, “Lesser Evils” draws up the party-lines for a stripping down, with Samuel expressing his political dissatisfaction through pop music.
Historically, Canadian democracy has been conducted with all the consistency of a teeter-totter. Liberals, Conservatives, rinse and repeat. Any variation to that pattern comes as such a shock that they’re the exception that proves the rule.
Samuel explains that his frustration comes from a lack of any significant amount of political change in our lifetimes, besides an alternating colour scheme, and even when there is a shift in power, politicians all have to bow to one major priority.
“I feel like democracy and capitalism are opposing forces. I think the point of capitalism is to rise to the top (win the game) and then rig it so others can’t take your place at the top of the pyramid,” said Samuel.
“Democracy is about accountability. You can’t fix the game in your favour if are in danger of having your power criticized and replaced if you don’t serve the best interest of the majority. Someone once asked Gandhi what he thought about democracy and he said something ‘Well I think it would be a good idea…,’ a sarcastic reply meaning we don’t truly have it.”
“I mean we had years of a so-called conservative Prime Minister and I’ll be damned if I can’t name much that changed in my life because of [Justin Trudeau]’s reign. The parties are pretty similar as far as everyday life goes. #anyonebutharper but how’s your life changed? I did write those lyrics in response to #anyonebutharper. That shit annoyed me.”
As the song title suggests, in any given election we’re often left to choose the lesser of two evils. Democracy, especially in a country as a large as Canada, often demands compromise, with marginalized groups receiving little representation, and (nearly) all of us coming second place to corporate interests.
“This crown prince [was] handed the kingdom. How can Justin Trudeau honestly relate to most Canadians? He’s was raised as the ultra-elite in our country…. I don’t have any answers for people, except maybe try electing someone from your class, or closer to your class, for once.”
Show Dates:
06.02.19 – Dartmouth, NS @ Dartmouth Switch Festival
06.22-24.19 – Hubbards, NS @ Shore Club*
*opening for Matt Mays