VERIDIA is back and better than ever. September 28th they released a brand new single titled, “I won’t stay down.” This song is off their new album The Beast You Feed set to come out October 26. Check out what they had to say about the song on Facebook and listen to the song below.
In honor of suicide prevention awareness month and my belief that sharing experiences can change & even save lives, I feel compelled to share the very personal story behind this song…
Just a few months after the loss of my father, someone, a second father to me, was almost removed from my life forever as well. This man taught me my first full song on the guitar; built living quarters in our first touring vehicle; fueled my love for the road and loud music; met lonely strangers on the road and invited them into his own home, making them feel worthy of love and belonging, and inspires me to create that same space of belonging at every VERIDIA show. After suffering a severe brain injury, this very intelligent, compassionate, creative man lost physical abilities which took away his livelihood. Emotional and personality changes impacted his most precious relationships. He could not react quickly or logically in crisis. He suffered depression, fear, anxiety… and basic daily functions became so painful and exhausting that suicide became his desired solution. He tried to take his own life in a very public way. Sadly, there is a term for the way he chose, “Suicide by Law Enforcement.” Because of the undeniable fact that he raised a gun toward officers, he was shot and injured, and he is serving a prison sentence of up to 16 years, without access to mental rehabilitation until the term is served.
I purposely posed in front of a cinder block wall for the photo associated with I Won’t Stay Down, inspired by seeing a letter from him, a skillfully drawn picture of his 8′ x 8′ cinder block cell and concrete view out of a 6” window. He expresses what he can through drawing, because finding words is a painful struggle. I was angry, so sad, but still called to action. This song emerged from my desperate need for an anthem of encouragement, words of hope and empowerment, to myself, to him, to anyone suffering with or affected by mental illness/injury, depression, suicide. // Deena
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