Scottish punk sisters BRATAKUS are back with a new single and video.
'Tokened' is the Tomintoul duo's second single since signing to Venn Records and is taken from their forthcoming new album, set for release next year.
“It's based on many experiences we've had as women playing music being thrown on first at gigs so that the cis male line up appears more equal” states sguitarist/singer Brèagha Cuinn. “Also, festivals that put all the bands with women on the Thursday, before the actual festival starts, and bill it as a day to ‘empower’ us.”
"Acts like this feel like a massive cop out to save people from tackling the real issues,” continues bassist/singer Onnagh Cuinn. “There's some awareness of the need to address the gender gap in the music industry but so much of what's dressed up as genuine attempts at progress end up feeling like you're getting thrown crumbs in what are still hugely male dominated spaces. We're then told we should be feeling grateful about it.
"It's about wanting to be booked based on genuine recognition of what you're doing as a band and the music you're making, rather than feeling like your opportunities are coming from an empty form of box ticking so that guys feel like they can pat themselves on the back for putting in minimum effort."
The video features some of the participants of 2024s Girls Rock Glasgow, "an organisation dedicated to empowering girls and gender-expansive young people through music, creativity, confidence-building, and community. Their mission is to narrow gender imbalance in the music industry while contributing to the overall mental well-being of all participants by instilling life skills, resilience, and fostering a strong sense of identity."
"Our first ever gig was at the first Girls Rock Glasgow fundraiser back in 2015 and we've both volunteered as teachers ever since, so it felt very special to have them involved. Like a total full circle moment. We're still here, they're still here and we're all fighting against tokenism together,” explains Brèagha.
Pic by Lee Lewis