Mason Summit, a Nashville-based psychedelic singer-songwriter, has released a gripping new protest song called "Bystander". Summit, a Los Angeles native of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, pours his heritage and personal convictions into this explosive music, which was inspired by the horrific events in Gaza following Hamas' attack on October 7.

"Bystander" is a self-critical rocker that explores Summit's thoughts on privilege and complicity. The song's lyrics are based on his profound family history, with maternal great-grandparents fleeing antisemitism in Europe and other relatives dying in the Holocaust. This link to his Jewish history drives Summit's action, which is influenced by organizations such as IfNotNow and Jewish Voice for Peace.

Summit declares "Instead of pointing fingers, I wrote this song to question my privilege and complicity. The horrors inspired the lyrics, but the concept of 'Bystander' extends to many other issues in our daily lives, such as climate change, police brutality, and economic inequality."

Musically, "Bystander" recalls the late-'90s sounds of Wilco and Elliott Smith, with jangly guitars, spacey synths, and a persistent beat. Jarren Heidelberg, a long-time partner, provides drums and percussion, while Summit performs all other instruments. Sebastian Jones mixed the music at Wasatch Studio in Mar Vista, California, and Bobbi Giel mastered it to tape at Welcome to 1979 in Nashville, Tennessee. Hazel Angell created the artwork.

While Summit has primarily focused on his Americana group, The Prickly Pair, with fiancée Irene Greene, his talent for political songwriting is well acknowledged. His 2018 track "Thoughts & Prayers," released during the midterm elections, satirized the mass shooting pandemic in the United States.

"Bystander" exemplifies Summit's courage as an independent musician who is not scared to express himself. This music is more than a song; it is a call to self-awareness and action, resonating with listeners who share their concerns and introspections.

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