“A very close friend of mine shared some videos of moms giving out hugs at PRIDE parades around the country, teaching me about the Free Mom Hugs campaign,” replies TRACY BONHAM when asked about the inspiration for her gorgeous and sentimentally-charged new single “SAFE WITH ME” which has been released via her own newly established label Takes A Village Records. An anthem for these disenchanted times when marginalized groups are under fire for their mere existence, the song carries the message of warm acceptance and protection from these often meritless and prejudicial persecutions. Acknowledging the practice which began in 2015 to offer solace and acceptance to members of the LGBQTIA+ in the form of hugs, Bonham’s song reflects the recognition given to those disenfranchised due to race, creed, religion, or gender.  “I was especially moved by the emotional responses from the ‘huggees’,” she continues. “It was a beautiful and sad moment watching how a simple hug, even from a stranger, could move a person to tears. It is clear to me, now more than ever, that our LGBTQ+ community needs to know there are people in the world that support and love them.” Written during this past summer (2024), “Safe With Me” is especially relevant today as the growing trend in vitriolic rhetoric, and in some cases, physical violence begins to rise exponentially worldwide. As the LGBTQIA+ community experiences an increase in these threats as their visibility and cultural acceptance increases, Bonham’s warm musical embrace carries an emotional resonance. “It is clear to me, now more than ever, that our LGBTQ+ community needs to know there are people in the world that support and love them,” she says. “You’re safe with me / I’m on your side / Don’t disappear / Don’t dim your light,” she sings, asserting her position as a safe harbor. “Music is the only thing I know how to do well and this feels like one thing I can offer right now to make things better in the world,” she explains. “I will donate proceeds from this song and related merchandise to The Trevor Project and will call attention to other campaigns and organizations that offer support to our LGBTQ+ community and beyond,” she says as an added declaration of her support. https://www.tracybonham.com/store

Recorded at Grand Street Recording in Brooklyn, NY, “Safe With Me” joins her recent singles “Damn the Sky (for Being Too Wide)” and “Whether You Fall” in displaying her new musical direction that incorporates her indie rock roots with her classical training. Featuring Rene Hart (David Amram, James Hunter) on bass and Alvester Garnett (Regina Carter, Abbey Lincoln) on drums who both add their own flavors to the mix. “Playing with incredible jazz musicians like Rene and Alvester has opened my mind and is now giving me the support I have always needed to spread my wings and fly,” explains Tracy, herself a classically-trained violinist and an alumnus of Berklee School of Music. “I am really enjoying exploring the intersections and overlaps of where classical and jazz meet without excluding my alternative rock sensibilities. These dudes can rock too. The three of us playing together is definitely my happy place.”

Coming to international prominence in 1996 with her twice GRAMMY® nominated album, The Burdens of Being Upright (Island Records), Bonham was cast into the global spotlight with MTV fame and major radio airplay with her #1 alternative chart-topping song “Mother Mother,” an anthem for disgruntled teenagers of all ages. While so many of her songs have been placed in film and tv throughout the decades, you might have most recently heard “Mother Mother” in Yellowjackets season 1 episode 2.  

Over the past 27 years, Bonham’s albums and live performances have shown what it is to be an ever-evolving artist. While Bonham sings, she moves from guitar to violin, from violin to piano, and back again. When playing live, her songs from the 90s blend and blur with stylistic changes that she has created over time making her entire repertoire make sense as an entire body of work. She plays the old and new material and even though the songs span thirty years they all continue to be equally relevant.

SAFE WITH ME VERSE1 Let’s try to be lovers Not self-all- abovers  Who other each other from fear  Of being discovered that  They have all othered themselves  In the first place, oh, dear. Don’t disappear just cuz they’re ruled by fear Telling you not to be who you are- They have all othered themselves and their brothers and  That’s why things are how they are CHORUS You’re safe with me  I’m on your side Don’t disappear, don’t dim your light It’s not up to me How you live, who you love You’re safe with me VERSE2 Youre not a demon for  Having your reasons  And letting your heart lead the way Trust in yourself, above all else No matter what people might say Remember we’re out here  We’re not riddled by fear  We’re not fooled by it Nor should you be- If you need asylum where love reigns, where love wins Remember there’s folks out here like me CHORUS You’re safe with me  I’m on your side Don’t disappear, don’t dim your light It’s not up to me How you live, who you love You’re safe with me

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