Written by: Jen Dan
Los Angeles-based indie rock band Trapdoor Social has released a culturally relevant video for its single “Never Stop Listening”. The video was filmed at the center of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests and it captures the struggle of the water protectors in the Oceti Sakowin camp.
Trapdoor Social has been active since 2012, when core duo Merritt Graves and Skylar Funk met during an environmental program at Pomona College. Their mutual concern for the fate of Earth at the hands of humankind drove them to form Trapdoor Social and for several years they have blasted their alternative rock sound throughout the LA region and beyond.
While they raise awareness and donations for environmental and other causes, their music has been picked up by major radio stations around the US, including LA’s KROQ, Chicago’s WKQX, Las Vegas’ X107.5, and Colorado’s RXP1039.
This year is a pivotal one for Trapdoor Social. The duo is now a 5-piece and they released their debut self-titled album this past August after a run of well-received EPs and singles. With a dark cloud hanging over the US political and social landscape, the band is trying to brighten the future with sustainable activism (solar power, water protection, funding for music and arts programs, more).
About the video for “Never Stop Listening”, Funk states, “Last fall I helped organize a donation drive and trip up to North Dakota from LA to support the water protectors in the Oceti Sakowin camp, at the center of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. We spent a week there working in construction, in the kitchens, chopping wood and shoveling snow, and felt incredibly welcomed and honored for the chance to participate in something so powerful and historic.”
Funk continues, “One thing they asked of us in orientation was to “Bring It Home” – to share what we learned at camp and to make sure folks back in the communities we’d return to were aware that the struggle to protect that land and water continues. Of course with the recent executive order, the challenge is even more urgent… So we created a video about the people we met at camp… to share what we saw and hopefully inspire more action.”
Find out more about Trapdoor Social
https://www.facebook.com/TrapdoorSocial/
https://twitter.com/TrapdoorSocial
https://www.instagram.com/trapdoorsocial/
http://www.trapdoorsocial.com/
Tour Dates
Feb 23rd, Philadelphia, PA, Rockwood Music Hall
Feb 24th, New York, NY, Rockwood Music Hall
March 1st, New Haven, CT, Stella Blues
March 7th, Charleston, SC, The Royal American
March 8th, Awendaw, SC, Barn Jam
March 11th, St. Augustine, FL, Genungs Fish Camp
March 14th, Austin, TX, SXSW
March 15th, Austin, TX, SXSW
March 16th, Austin, TX, SXSW
March 17th, Austin, TX, SXSW
March 18th, Austin, TX, SXSW
March 19th, Huston, TX, Super Happy Funland
March 20th, Dallas, TX, The Door
March 22nd, Wichita, KS, Mead’s Corner
March 23rd, Omaha, NE, Down Under Lounge
March 24th, Iowa City, IA, Yacht Club
March 25th, Chicago, IL, Moe’s Tavern
March 27th, Milwaukee, WI, Cactus Club
March 29th, Minneapolis, MN, Nomad World Pub
