Folk singer and songwriter Doug Mishkin has long since been a staunch voice for social justice. Through his direct music and confrontational lyrics, Mishkin leaves no room for interpretation, and on his latest offering, ‘If They’d Been Black’, he attempts to hit more than a few birds with one stone.
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Doug Mishkin is a veteran voice in the local folk scene he proudly occupies. Doug’s musical excellence can be easily experienced in this latest offering of his. With its direct and harsh criticism of social injustice that has plagued the American communities in the past decade, with the insurgence of the far right into politics and the increase of racial discrimination that happened alongside it, ‘If They’d Been Black’ is honest and goes straight to the point.
Musically, the single revolves around a rich upright bass line that backs Mishkin’s frail and wise vocals, and his sonorous and melodic finger-picked acoustic guitar. The true charm of ‘If They’d Been Black’ lies in the lyrics that focus on the events of January 6th, when the Capitol building was stormed by republican protesters. Mishkin ensues to shamelessly address them as domestic terrorists and white supremacists, stating numerous times that if those protesters had been black, they’d have all been killed.
The melodies on this song carry a potent dose of folk mystique and brooding melancholy. Alongside the stellar chord structure and the somber lyrics, Doug Mishkin’s latest song is a politically charged, gentle anthem that would easily sway folk lovers, regardless of their political leanings.