Francis of Delirium’s “Equality Song” and accompanying music video tackle patriarchal norms and how sexual assault is handled in the U.S. and around the world. The single turns up the heat on these tense times.
Luxembourg-based duo Francis of Delirium is made up of Jana Bahrich and Chris Hewett. The band and its frontwoman are both relatively young. 19-year-old Jana Bahrich’s first big hit, “Quit Fucking Around,” first appeared back in January.
Since then, the duo has released an EP called All Change, and a series of music videos. The latest is a single entitled “Equality Song.” This September 4th release was funded by Luxembourg’s Ministry of Equality to celebrate 100 years of women’s suffrage.
Bahrich wrote this song based on frustration she felt after the 2018 Brett Kavanaugh hearings. Donald Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court and despite a testimony from Christine Blasey Ford detailing Kavanaugh’s sexual abuse towards her, he was still confirmed.
The song is fiery and direct and that passion can be seen in her eyes throughout the video. The rage in her eyes grabs viewers immediately; they appear lifeless. She doesn’t even flinch as her face is painted, seemingly against her will.
The video is dripping with symbolism. While tape, playing cards, and sinks may seem disjointed, they all represent the systems that deny women justice. One powerful image in the video shows Bahrich struggling to find stability while building a tower of cards, only to have it blown away.
Bahrich said, “The Brett Kavanaugh hearings had just happened and then every week it felt like another story came out and it seemed like no-one cared. You grow up learning to be sceptical of other people and spend a lot of time in fear of the people around you. So, the song is meant to be lashing out about how broken structures and systems are”.
Bahrich wears an oversized western business suit in the video, a common symbol of patriarchal power. Sexual abuse has been normalized in our society, in the same way that this suit has. “Equality Song” is full of thrashing guitars, stinging lyrics, and a call for change. Bahrich is a strong voice for women and she demands to be heard.
All proceeds from digital downloads of the song will go to Femmes en Detresse: a Luxembourg domestic abuse charity.
Francis of Delirium are set to release another EP this winter. For more, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bandcamp.
Miranda Roberts is a recent graduate from the University of Kansas with a passion for writing, music obsession, and a serious crossword puzzle addiction.
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