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Military Industrial Complex

by Tobisonics

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about

Luxembourg-based alt-electro-pop artist Tobisonics delivers a politically-charged dose of driving electronics, fierce percussive grooves, and striking sound design with new release, “Military Industrial Complex”.

In this, the follow-up to his debut single, “All These Things”, the reclusive producer sets President Eisenhower’s 1961 Farewell Address to the American people against President Trump’s Rose Garden speech in reaction to the Black Lives Matters protests (June 1st, 2020).

Eisenhower, five-star general & Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War II, who planned & supervised the invasion of Normandy in 1944-45, and went on to become Supreme Commander of NATO (1950 - 1952); who, while recognizing the need for the Military Industrial Complex, warns of the need for perpetual vigilance to safeguard the liberties of the American people in, what is, a nuanced and prophetic speech.

And Trump, the real estate mogul/reality TV star who avoided the Vietnam draft thanks to an apparent bone spur in his foot; who talks of dominating the streets, as he announces plans to deploy thousands of heavily armed military personnel into the cities and towns of America.

Tobisonics skillfully constructs a dynamic electronic production around the two highly contrasting speeches; the groove and pulse of the track present throughout, as he blends elements of sound design & vocal FX with filtered piano & shifting ambient. The 2 min 47-sec track punctuated by its driving chorus of synthwave and fierce percussion; a robovox mantra of the world’s 5 biggest arms manufacturers delivered in rhythmic roll call.

“I’d finished the production back in July and was looking for the right Artist to add vocals, but then I remembered Eisenhower’s Farewell Address. The contrast between the dignified, nuanced, and hopeful tone of Eisenhower’s speech and the macho, antagonistic and fatalistic language of Trump’s speech was so striking, I know I had to put them together.”

lyrics

In the councils of government
We must guard against
The acquisition of unwarranted influence
Whether sought or unsought
By the military-industrial complex

Lockheed Martin
Boing
Raytheon
BAE Systems
Northrop Grumman
Lockheed Martin
Boing
Raytheon
BAE Systems
Northrop Grumman

This conjunction of an immense military establishment
And a large arms industry is new in the American experience
We recognize the imperative need for this development
Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications

Lockheed Martin
Boing
Raytheon
BAE Systems
Northrop Grumman
Lockheed Martin
Boing
Raytheon
BAE Systems
Northrop Grumman

Today I have strongly recommended to every governor
To deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers
That we dominate the streets
Mayors and governors must establish
An overwhelming law enforcement presence
Until the violence has been quelled
If the city or state refuses to take
The actions that are necessary to defend the life and property
Of their residents then I will deploy
The United States military
And quickly solve the problem for them
I am also taking swift and decisive action
To protect our great capital

I am dispatching thousands and thousands
Of heavily armed soldiers
Military personnel and law enforcement officers
To stop the rioting looting vandalism assaults
And the wanton destruction of property

Lockheed Martin
Boing
Raytheon
BAE Systems
Northrop Grumman
Lockheed Martin
Boing
Raytheon
BAE Systems
Northrop Grumman

We should take nothing for granted
Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry
Can compel the proper meshing
Of huge industrial and military machinery of defense
With our peaceful methods and goals
So that security and liberty may prosper together

credits

released October 2, 2020
Production: Tobisonics
Mix Engineer: Magnus Emilsson
Mastering Engineer: Tobi

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all rights reserved

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about

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Tobisonics Luxembourg

Having spent his volatile teenage years in awful/awesome guitar bands; music fell away in Tobi’s 20s, as he wrestled with his mental health. A last roll-of-the-dice appointment with a Psychiatrist in his mid-30s finally led to therapy and medication. Flooded with years of repressed emotions and the songs fell out of him. The slow grind of recovery and music-making evolved together. ... more

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