noteworthy partnership
Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) has collaborated with the singing Marsh family from Faversham in support of Refugee Week.
The theme of this year’s week (which runs from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 June) is compassion, and the specially written single See Your Face Again encapsulates a spirit of empathy and connection. It is released just ahead of Refugee Week on Friday 16 June.
The family - which became a musical sensation with its parody songs during the Covid lockdowns - has teamed up with Afghan musician Ali Esmahilzada (27) for the song. Ali fled the Taliban last year and sought refuge in Los Angeles, where he was gifted an antique violin which allowed him to resume playing. See Your Face Again features the first recording of the violin, mixed remotely from the United States.
KRAN Chief Executive Officer Razia Shariff says: “We are honoured to be working with the talented Marsh family. See Your Face Again has a distinctive style which evokes a profound sense of harmony and compassion. It serves as a powerful reminder to treat refugees as individuals in need of support and fosters a collective call for empathy.”
The music video for See Your Face Again will be unveiled on Tuesday 20 June - World Refugee Day. It was filmed at iconic locations across Kent - a county at the forefront of national migration issues - and features young people from KRAN.
Ben Marsh says: “It’s a privilege to work alongside KRAN and to be able to witness first hand the vital work they do with young people around Kent. They are a small team with a big heart and huge impact, who know all about the need for compassion.”
The Marsh family comprises parents Ben and Danielle and their children Alfie (16), Thomas (15), Ella (13) and Tess (11). They all brought a breath of fresh air to lockdowns by sharing their parody songs with a unique mix of humour, heart and hope. Now with a worldwide following, the family is returning to the global issue of migration. The hilarious Braverman Shanties went viral late last year, but See Your Face Again offers a warmer tone.
The family has featured on everything from Jimmy Kimmel Live (2020) to the BBC’s Comic Relief (2021). Dubbed the ‘Von Trapped Family’ by the New York Times, the family spearheaded a Christmas campaign for Prostate Cancer UK (2021).