Premiere- Adam Klein: People Are Callin

Premiere- Adam Klein: People Are Callin

Today we’re premiering “People Are Callin’,” the new video from Adam Klein. Klein just released his album, Holidays in United States, on April 7th. An album full of commentary on the current state of the United States, the track, “People Are Callin’,” doesn’t stray from that theme. 

Photo by Jeff Shipman

Written after the initial recording sessions for the album, Klein had this to say about writing the song, “I remember driving to work one morning and coming up with the melody for the verses, and then just chipping away at the rest of the song over a month or two. I heard a decidedly soul-like vibe, and knew I wanted to bring it to Bronson and Matt (Patton) at Dial Back Sound to record it. And I knew it needed to be on this album.” I see the song as a folk rock-rooted take on some of the classic protest songs of soul music. That may seem derivative, but for me every word is heartfelt and rings true. There’s a place for everything, in my opinion, and I think this song was timely and belongs right here on Holidays

The video is as stark as the subject matter. Shot in black and white with a decidedly minimalist feel; there is no embellishment to be found. It’s just Klein delivering the lines with the sober bearing of a newscaster delivering awful news to a nation. And in a way, this is exactly what Klein is doing. 

People are grieving / the government’s deceiving

and decency’s leaving out the back door

Get so tired of fighting each day / of living this way on my own

There’s a virus without and within / oh the color of skin turns to bone

we’re all skin and bones

American souls for hire / city streets are on fire

used to be admired but now a punchline

Don’t wanna carry this anger / don’t wanna feel this danger 

no longer a stranger / to your fears and trials

This isn’t a feel-good tune or a light and airy bop, but it is a commentary on the darkness and divided nature that the United States is currently embodying. Much like the folk artists of the 1960’s, who didn’t shy away from their critique of the government and their policies, Klein has channeled this into not only the video we’re premiering today, but in his entire album.

You can watch the premiere of “People Are Callin’” below.

Find out more about Adam at the links below:

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