The None have returned with a new single, At Hope.
Addressing the realities of growing up in poverty, while reflecting on the struggles and resilience found in working-class communities, the track serves up the quartet's intense and raw noise-rock sound. They said:
"When naming the song, we were discussing various terms related to poverty. In particular, the ridiculous policy-speak used to sanitise and defang the issue. ‘Economic deprivation’, ‘underprivileged’, ‘economically disadvantaged’ etc.
"Gordon [Moakes-bassist] came across an article about a US senator who wanted to replace the term ‘at risk’ – used to describe poor children – with ‘at hope’. This perfectly encapsulates a toxic neoliberal attitude that centres the problems of poverty on the people experiencing it. The idea that all these kids need is a bit of positivity to be rich and happy is at best delusional and patronising, and at worst incredibly harmful."
Head below to view the accompanying video, directed by Tim Mobbs and shot in Birmingham. "Birmingham’s refuse workers have been on strike since January, resulting in overflowing bins and mountains of trash accumulating across the city," vocalist Kai said of the clip.
"The strike began after the council scrapped a crucial safety role designed to protect both workers and the public. As a result, hundreds of workers are now facing significant pay cuts and threats to their wellbeing. At Hope is about growing up skint and how those of us on the breadline are treated by those who have power. Capturing the current situation in Brum seemed fitting for this track."
This track will appear on an upcoming limited 7", which is due out on June 20 via Zennor Records and features In Civic Pride on the b-side . It follows their sophomore EP, 'Care', that came out back in February.
The None, completed by guitarist Jim Beck and drummer Chris Francombe, will play the BBC 6 Music Stage (Paganini Ballroom) at Brighton's The Great Escape Festival tomorrow (May 15), before mutliple festival dates over the coming months.
Check out our recent interview with the band here.
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