Plight is a brief expression of pain and dissonance, and a mustering of hope for uphill battles. This recording was Ariel’s first time conducting a live orchestra performing his own composition, near the end of his undergraduate studies. While he wrote it a long time ago, he hopes it resonates with anyone who listens to it in these times.

available on all streaming platforms!

Ariel has pledged that all proceeds from Plight will be donated equally to the following causes:

Black Lives Matter - DONATE DIRECTLY

Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes.

Fair Fight Action - DONATE DIRECTLY

Fair Fight promotes fair elections in Georgia and around the country, encourages voter participation in elections, and educates voters about elections and their voting rights. Fair Fight brings awareness to the public on election reform, advocates for election reform at all levels, and engages in other voter education programs and communications.

Project South - DONATE DIRECTLY

Project South’s legal and advocacy work builds movement legal infrastructure with a current focus on immigrants’ rights and defending Muslim communities against state repression. Project South provides direct consultation, representation, and attorney training to support communities facing discrimination, and legislative marginalization, particularly immigrants and migrants without documentation, refugees, Muslim communities, and Black young people. Project South is one of many organizations demanding transparency and accountability for medical abuse (including forced hysterectomies) of people at ICE Detention facilities.

Released in October of 2018, “Bird’s Eye” is a song Ariel wrote with Myranda Elissa and recorded with a handful of their friends.

available on all streaming platforms!

composed & arranged by Ariel Loud
lyrics by Ariel Loud and Myranda Elissa

vocals - Myranda Elissa
background vocals - Emily Teixeira
trumpet - Aaron Larson Tevis
alto saxophone - Ariel Loud
tenor saxophone - Chris Gemerchak @wilelife
trombone - Gavin Howard
baritone saxophone - Joel Gardella @tree_s
electric guitar - Franklin Rankin
piano - BLANDA
bass guitar - Paul “Papa Bear” Johnson @papabearjohnson
drums - Tobias Kelly

mixed & mastered by Ariel Loud