Northeast Ohio musician Anne E. DeChant moved to Nashville over a decade ago, but the solid fan base she built here, first as a member of Odd Girl Out in the ’9s and later as a solo artist, continues to look forward to her extended visits here, usually twice a year.
This year, they’ll have to be satisfied with her many online music performances such as her “11:30 Bathroom Break” segments — and now a new single, which premiered this week. She co-wrote “Change” with Alabama-based writer/journalist who has covered many popular culture, social and political issues. DeChant says the song emerged from conversations she had with Gaillard (virtually!) after the murder of George Floyd.
“Gaillard and I had to look at ourselves and ask tough questions,” she says. “We are privileged. We know it. What are we supposed to do about the history of inequity, violence and indifference in our world? As we sing in the chorus, ‘What kind of change am I? What kind of change are you?’” You can hear the song and watch the video here.
The spirited tune incorporates footage of protests and demonstrations ranging from Dr King’s March on Washington in 1963 to the gun safety March for Our Lives to current protests following Floyd’s murder. It features a veritable choir of backup singers including veteran Cleveland musician Carlos Jones and Rich Spina.
Meanwhile, DeChant is finishing her new album Every Little Everything, which has been mixed and mastered and awaits artwork. She’ll undoubtedly schedule a Cleveland CD release concert once the pandemic has ended.