THE SONG EXPLAINER
"Lost Boys" is an anthem and a rallying cry initially written for my hometown of Sunderland, UK. The scars of the early 1980s still linger, when the UK government rapidly shut down the national shipbuilding and mining industries, tearing away the very essence of the city's identity and pride. These industries were not only sources of income for the people of Sunderland; they represented a centre of gravity for the community, their sense of belonging, and their pride. The jobs lost weren't replaced for decades and the community suffered greatly.
The consequences of that jolting loss continue to reverberate today. Addiction-related deaths in the area are a staggering 50% higher than the national average, and in particular male suicide rates soar over 40% above the rest of the nation. Yet, amidst this pain, I have encountered some of the warmest, most resilient people in my hometown. They deserve so much more than the decades of neglect and mistreatment by successive governments. With "Lost Boys," we aim to contribute to the rising wave of revitalisation for a city and its people.
Hear the industrial sounds of the percussion elements in the production - like hammers on steel - and listen to the lyrics to be transported back. We hope this can become an uplifting anthem for a renewed togetherness, countering the hate that disillusionment can lead to when capitalised on by negative actors. We could be, we can be more.
- Matt
