Eli Gardiner releases “Tattered and Torn,” a response to the 2016 election

Last updated on December 6th, 2021 at 07:43 am

Folk-rock singer-songwriter Eli Gardiner has released the first music video in anticipation of his September 28th album release named The Fire and The Medicine. The song “Tattered and Torn” was written in response to the latest presidential election and is built around images from America’s past.

The video features public domain clips of the Selma to Montgomery marches, Black Lives Matter protests, pictures of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse, and a prominent clip of Native American dancers at the George Floyd memorial site. Interwoven throughout the video is the image of the American flag blowing in the wind. Eli chose the flag because he wanted to turn around a certain way of thinking.

“Protesting IS patriotic, you can’t be complacent. If you are not speaking out against racism and hate, and not recognizing your own inherent bias and/or privilege, then you are part of the problem,” Eli shares.

The 2016 election has lead to division with many supporting rhetoric over facts and hate over love. That we are still dealing with those issues is frustrating. America’s history is filled with examples of conflicts, different sides, and a democracy built on freedom to speak. We’ve always found ways to unite in times of division, and that message is baked into the chorus of the song.

“Tattered and torn but still flyin’, blowin’ in the wind in defiance.

We lost some battles but we still are tryin’, lost some minds in the silence.”

Recorded at Bathtube Shrine Studio last December with Greg Schutte on drums, Nick Salisbury on bass, and Dan Schwartz on slide guitar, the cast of experienced players converted the acoustic track into a full-charged rock anthem.

Pre-order the album here and have a listen to the first two songs at the same time.