Songs of Hope and Joy

Pilot Theatre has collaborated with York-based band Direct Message to create the song Rollercoaster, which explores new approaches to testimony and human rights. The band Direct Message was founded by Ukrainians who came to the UK from different parts of Ukraine because of the war. They had never met each other before arriving in York: “Some of us were amateur musicians in our previous lives, others are students in the Music department of York College. Passion for music helps us to accept our new circumstances and to deliver the idea of who modern Ukrainians are. We strive to convey our message straight to the hearts of our audience, so we choose to perform not only Ukrainian songs but the world hits that resonate with us.”

The song ‘Rollercoaster: hope as a habit’ was written specially for the Art Rights Truth project ‘Conversations with Testimony’, with lyrics by Polina Senchuk, and music by the band. This is the first original song the band has written together, guided and supported through the process by composer Emily Levy.

“It was absolutely a new experience for us to transform our own feelings into lyrics and melody. This song is about our life, difficulties, obstacles, and for sure – about hope to rise again after each fall. Every dizzying down is followed by a breathtaking going up, and this is a vicious circle. Is it the life we dreamed of? No. Can we stop this ride? No. The only thing we can do is hold tight and keep going.”