The Trouble Notes’ “Liberty Awaits” Shares Stories of Immigration

The Trouble Notes, world travellers turned musicians, are set to release their upcoming single “Liberty Awaits” on November 18th. “Liberty Awaits” is an epic tale paying tribute to the great immigrant voyage, intended to help others connect with their journey and see the parallels to many immigrants of today.

Inspired by the desire to pay homage to Leon English, Bennet Cerven, the band’s Violinist’s late grandfather, the song and accompanying music video draws influence from the Great Famine that led to the death and displacement of millions of Irish, telling a broader tale of the migration saga and transcontinental journey.

The journey begins to accelerate as the ship battles the elements before excitement builds at the eventual site of land, until the voyagers have arrived in a new land without their traditions lost. “His ancestors fled hard times in Ireland and crossed the Atlantic in search of a better life. I wanted to highlight the importance of that journey to my very existence, says Bennet.

“Liberty Awaits” is an upbeat folk dance that coaxes listeners from a trance, representing a kind of “last hurrah” before the perilous journey across the sea. The song brings listeners full circle, with the re-emergence of folk dance, but with more nuance this time. “I wanted to capture that Epic trans-Atlantic voyage filled with hope, anxiety, desperation and courage in the composition,” says Cerven.

Featured on the track is Ecuadorian singer Carola Zerega, who, along with the band, channelled her own experiences when contributing to the recording. “The strength and depth of the ocean carry the inevitable singing of hope for the new stage to live, but with pain from the separation from my land,” says Zerega. The Trouble Notes creates an emotional soundscape on top of which Zerega’s vocals float above the waves, the melodies both apprehensive and courageous. The music video for the track is a cinematic short film, the first of a series done by Centre Films GmbH, that was shot in three different countries on a RED camera. Overall, “Liberty Awaits” is a track all listeners will undeniably keep on loop.

Sitting between traditional folk, modern classical, and tribal dance music, The Trouble Notes have travelled across continents in search of musical influences to give listeners the unrivalled music of the generation. The band has proudly built its diverse audience independently, known colloquially as “The Troublemakers”– a testament to their self-made success story that has led to significant festival appearances, multiple film scores, and an extensive tour schedule spanning the globe.

Cover art for “Liberty Awaits” by The Trouble Notes