April 24 2017

Chains of Silence (Official Music Video – with VEGAN GAINS) – STEPHANIE BRAGANZA

Canadian singer songwriter Stephanie Braganza has released the official music video for her new rock single, ‘Chains of Silence.’ The animal rights-themed video’s release coincides with World Day for Farmed Animals (WDFA), which was founded in 1983.

The new single is a jaw-dropping story of an alien abduction with a surprising twist. The thought-provoking video houses a powerful message and promises to incite discussion amongst its viewers. ‘Chains of Silence’ also marks Braganza’s first foray into the rock genre.

The song was written by Braganza and her co-writer, Kolin Stewart. The track was co-produced with John Allen, the co-producer behind Braganza’s last hit single, ‘When We Last Kissed – ft. Drega.’ Chris Strikes, the director of Kardinal Offishall’s award-winning music video, ‘Turn It Up,’ was also brought on board to help envision the music video concept that Braganza and Stewart created.

“When Stephanie pitched the concept of the video to me,” Strikes detailed, “I immediately said, ‘let’s do it!’ It was an awesome idea and I was very excited to be on board.” For Strikes, one of the most important elements of approaching the project was creating thought-provoking visuals that also cause the viewer to take a moment and feel compassion toward animals.

To date, Braganza’s repertoire has been a blend of pop and dance music. Now, with rock holstered in her belt, the performer is continuing to prove her diverse musicality. The songstress’ resume includes a long list of performances as well, such as performing with rap artists Belly and Ginuwine at the Much Music Video Awards. Following that, she debuted the video premiere of her first two international singles, ‘2 Good 2 Be’ and ‘When We Last Kissed – ft. Drega,’ presented by V-MIX TV.

Braganza’s powerhouse vocals and experience on the stage helped her win the Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Live Artist. In fact, the vocalist has performed in a wide array of settings throughout her career, including a private event at the Art Gallery of Ontario which was attended by former president George W. Bush. Braganza has also performed at top festivals like Indie Music Week, DesiFest, and the Toronto VegFoodFest.

On top of all of that, Braganza has appeared at notable venues like Casino Rama, Casino Niagara, The Mod Club, The Canadian National Exhibition Center, and Yonge & Dundas Square. Her television appearances include Rogers TV ‘Daytime,’ ‘South Asian Focus,’ ‘TV-ONE Canada,’ and more.

Music Review

Focusing entirely on the music, this track unfolds as one that embraces both the heavy genre and the delicacy and effectiveness of melody. The recording has a familiar sound to it at first, the sort that strikes as one of those one off moments of enjoyable audio within an otherwise watered down mainstream playlist. The instrumentation for the most part feels very organic, distorted in a classic way, performed with the right kind of passion and level of angst. However, there are also these intermittent and interesting moments in between where the sound takes on an alternative, electronic or ambient sort of presentation, and this adds even more value.

The lyrics of the track follow the right kind of emotional path to really make that melody and this overall style and sound resonate with the relevant listeners. The leading vocal performance adds a lightness to the heavy wall of sound that works well, though it’s also a fairly familiar sounding voice which also brings with it a little nostalgia.

The feeling soon evolves into something else though, the track has a twist of character about it and the same is true for that voice. This could perhaps even be utilised further, the voice focused on more during the verses, the ending not merely a compilation of all prior choruses. But, having said that, to leave it exactly as it is to leave plenty of room for creative play during live performances and even opens up the door to possible collaborations or remixes.

The accompanying music video is definitely the sort that reaches out and grabs at your attention with unique precision. It enhances the music well, and the more you listen, the more you pick up on these original little nuances that really make the track stand out. The tiny melody switches just before the chorus, for example. Simple but effective.

By Rebecca Cullen