Experimental musician Caroline Minor Smith, better known by her alias, Siiickbrain, and protest collective Pussy Riot have teamed up to perform the tooth and nail “f*** the patriarchy” single “Power.” Sung in English and Pussy Riot’s native tongue, Russian, the song is a full throttle thrill ride pushing the power dynamics of men and woman to the forefront. Asking whether it would really be so wrong to want and take back control of their lives, Smith pushes the boundaries of her sound and subject matter, pairing her strongly worded single with a Fight Club-esque music video featuring rising female musicians including phem and Chloe Chaidez. The video, produced by Andrew Sandler, showcases female fighters duking it out like in the cult classic it was inspired by. Also coming off a tough personal loss, Smith was inspired to write this song to help empower strength in others.
“I really was hit with the reality that life is too fragile. I want to do what makes me happy and realized that I had nothing to lose by taking this leap,” notes Smith. “I just want to reach people and help them feel empowered to be themselves.”
Of their involvement in the single, Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova notes, “Sisterhood is the best thing on the planet, and this song to me is about empowering each other.”
Fast, loud and unapologetic, “Power” is yet another one of Smith’s avant-garde explorations. Coming from a rural town, Smith worked as a model in New York City where she began writing poetry to cope with anxiety.
For more on Siiickbrain’s new music, make sure to follow her on Instagram or Twitter.
Words: Patti Sanchez
