Veteran singer-songwriter Garry Manuel vents his anger and frustrations with the divisive state of modern American society on his newest single, “Stand For Good.” The song is a defiant anthem, confronting injustice head-on through driving guitars and unflinching lyricism.
With the use of percussion, atmospheric textures, and emotional vocals, Manuel calls for action in relation to the horrific fatal shootings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti during a protest against ICE in Minneapolis.
Rather than speaking in broad terms, he directly references the names of victims to trigger a purposeful sense of grief in listeners. Manuel states, “Watching the videos of the shots being fired at point-blank range into the bodies of Renee Good and Alex Pretti were sickening and appalling….there has been no accountability for their deaths. That should be troubling to every American.” The refrain is arguably one of the most powerful parts of the song as he sings, “It’s understood / Let’s stand for good.”
Manuel is no stranger to the creation of politically conscious music.
In the 1970s, he wrote and released “Attica,” touching on the Attica prison uprising, and also “Old Wooden Barns,” which warned about environmental issues. Later he would release “Open Up,” continuing his engagement with civic themes. Aside from his folk-singer history in the protest-themed genre, Manuel is the founder of Sunflare Records, allowing him to maintain full creative control over his discography. He has also spent over 40 years serving as a mentor for musicians throughout membership of multiple organizations in Rochester, New York.
With decades of independent experience under his belt, Manuel is sure to continue pouring passion into his releases, doing his part for a better, more just society.
