For many, 2016 has been a pretty dire year. The outcome of the presidential election has left people feeling scared, angry, or hopeless. Hate crimes have risen in America since Donald Trump's election, and many minority groups now feel less safe. L.A.-based digital punk label Zoom Lens understands that in times like these, people need to know that their voices still matter.
Featuring music from the likes of DJ Alina, Meishi Smile, and Plaster Cast among others, Love Without Domination was conceived immediately after the announcement on November 9. As the label told us over email, "The project is meant to collectively instill strength back into the artistic voice of our communities and to realize music as a unified force in which to firmly define our stances and commence against the rising force of fascism, white nationalism, corporate and media corruption, environmental destruction, and human bigotry."
Reclaiming the punk ethos and applying it to the digital age, a good chunk of the music on the compilation tends to sit on the angrier or more unnerving side of things, highlighting how there can be beauty in protest. "Through art, make dialogue and break boundaries. When dealing with an oppressive force who is meant to pacify our feelings, self-expression is rebellion. Utilize your skills, your privileges, and your strengths in all forms. Militarize yourself with unforgiving self-love and radical passion. We are pissed and we came here to dance."
Created to help establish hope in hopeless times, the title is a direct reference to New York poet and author Jenny Zhang's Against Extinction. It's easy to see the parallels between the two works, and as separate entities they compliment each other remarkably well, with Zhang giving her blessing to compilation. The cover art, which can be seen above, was created by Brian Vu.
Listen to the premiere of Love Without Domination below, and purchase it here (All proceeds will go to ACLU, Border Angels, and Planned Parenthood).
