An Ethiopian road trip with the Crystal Fighters
- Text by HUCK HQ
Earlier this year, electro-folk pioneers Crystal Fighters announced that they would be joining forces with Oxfam. The group, who have long been admirers of the charity’s “phenomenal” work, claimed that they would be supporting to tie in with 2017’s Oxjam festival. “We will be travelling worldwide with the Oxfam crew over the course of the year, supporting with our hearts and our hands,” they revealed in a statement.
This pledge culminated in a trip to Danglia, Ethiopia, where lead guitarist Graham Dickson got a first-hand look at the work Oxfam had been doing. With his guitar in hand, the frontman visited record shops and the legendary Addis Ababa jazz club; as well as paying witness to the charity’s Honey Project work and drought response systems.
“In Ethiopia, 8.5 million people are facing severe hunger, particularly in the Southern Somali region. 700,000 are on the verge of starvation,” explains a spokesperson for Oxjam. “This number is likely to spike in the season ahead as the latest forecasts have predicted below average rains. Water levels have rapidly declined, and the widespread loss of livestock is devastating communities who depend upon them to make a living.”
“9.2 million people are expected not to have regular access to safe drinking water in 2017, while an estimated 300,000 children will become severely malnourished.”
The collaboration is a natural one, given Crystal Fighters globally minded influences and peace-loving lyricism. “I want to thank everyone that’s involved with Oxjam,” says Dickson. “It’s been amazing to see the effect it’s had in Ethiopia.”
Learn more about Oxfam’s work in Ethiopia on its official website.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
American Football: The One With The Feelings
Many moons — The Midwest emo architects transformed a college experiment into a coming-of-age soundtrack. 25 years on, their latest iteration sees them bottle the same magic for the ups and downs of middle life.
Written by: Tracy Kawalik
Joe James: “I will never be absent in my children’s lives because I know it doesn’t feel nice”
Hard Feelings — As the silky MC prepares to release his debut album ‘The Ends Never Ends’, he joins our column on fatherhood and masculinity to discuss leaving his childhood home at 16, the manosphere and his risk-embracing approach to life.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
Analogue Appreciation: mary in the junkyard
Role Model Hermit — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s art rock fabulists mary in the junkyard.
Written by: mary in the junkyard
Kibo’s compendium of Kwengletarianism
Kwengletaria:Ragamyff — As UK rap’s latest prodigious MC announces his most ambitious project to date, Rob Kazandjian spends time with Kibo in a north London pub to chat about his rise, as well as the inspirations and ideologies underpinning his music.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
Migration stories from across the African diaspora
Praise House — Adama Delphine Fawundu’s new monograph explores evolutions of life, culture and family as African people have migrated and been moved forcefully across the world, from Brooklyn to Sierra Leone, to Saint Helena and South Carolina’s Sea Islands.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Celebrating the art of making out on tour with Tove Lo
The Kiss Book — In the wake of the pandemic, photographer Kenny Laubbacher travelled around several countries with the Swedish pop star, capturing the joy and desire of kissing fans.
Written by: Zoe Whitfield
