Winter can be a struggle - Feather Trade's latest single extends a sympathetic hand
Transatlantic GothPunk rockers Feather Trade understand that the festive season isn’t always merry and bright.. Returning with an outstandingly powerful new single and video, ‘A Ready Defense‘, their genuine empathy for the tougher sides of life shines through.
The band – Natalie Gazaway on Bass, João Vaz on Drums and Chisolm Thompson on Vocals / Guitar – are gearing up for their debut studio album to be released next spring. Based between Manchester UK and Athens GA, a recent run of excellent UK tour dates have cemented their resolve to bring their music to many more people.
About the new release, Feather Trade have to say “In ‘A Ready Defense‘, both song and video, we wanted to offer something that brings attention to the struggles we all face at this time of year. In doing so, we wanted to remind everyone that we are together, as we share the common struggles. Some may not fight the same battles as you, but they may be anguished for ways to be your ally. You may have miles of challenges, but there is someone languishing to walk with you, or has walked in your shoes before“.
Interspersing shots of the band helping each other to climb a wintery hill, with friends holding banners displaying some shocking statistics, video maker Pete Tomkies has given Chisolm’s musical vision full impact:
Knowing that the images seen in the video may be a trigger point to some, and to others a call to action. the band recognize the urgency of this responsibility and have provided links that they hope will help in your time of need, or in your time of generosity.
See the links on their website HERE
Chisolm further explains “Deep down I think it brings out our best nature to want to look for the greater good in everyone, but I think we’re often tortured by the inability to find ways to do it. I’ve always struggled with guilt during the season of celebrating, knowing there’s so much loss out there during a time of excess, with so many with so little. It’s always most tragic when we’ve lost good friends to crushing loneliness, substance abuse, the weight of the world. I often reflect on the power of acknowledgement of other people. I often dwell on the homeless and the lonely and wish there was a way to give something more to people. Sometimes it seems the mid-winter season is the time when everyone genuinely endeavors to acknowledge and celebrate the existence of one another; of the recognition of dignity in someone else’s humanity“.
If ‘A Ready Defense‘, and their previous singles from this year ‘Big Nobody‘ and ‘Just Like Film‘ are anything to go by, next year’s album will be a cracker! Puntuation! Mag will of course bring you a review and all the Feather Trade news in 2024!
Follow Feather Trade on Their Socials:
Need more Punk In Your Life?
DVD review: ‘P-Rock: The Doc’
One word: love. Much of this documentary feels like a love letter to the scene that spawned it; be it the fans’ enthusiasm, the bands
Amsterdam punk pioneer of Panic, Peter ten Seldam (1943-2025), passes away
On 14 December 2025, Peter ten Seldam, singer of Panic, one of the first Dutch punk bands, passed away as a consequence of a fall.
Merry Punky Christmas Rockers!
Wishing you all a Fabulous Festive Season from Punktuation Magazine! Here’s to even more great music in 2026, There are plenty of sensational new sounds
Slam Dunk Festival to celebrate 20th anniversary next year!
Slam Dunk, the UK’s biggest independent rock festival, has dropped its second and final wave of artists, completing the stacked line-up for 2026. Joining Good
Album Review: Vicious Bishop deliver ten high octane punk shots in ‘Raining Guillotines’
Formed in 2021, Vicious Bishop are a punk, ska punk, and punky reggae power trio, whose 2024 debut EP, ‘Miracle Formula 168’, showcased their raw,
EP Review: NONTHEWISER call out growing darkness in this world with ‘Injustice for All’
Taking everything they love from the Californian punk rock scene of the ’90s and mixing it with their Scandinavian heritage, Swedish punks NONTHEWISER create fast,
Usually found jumping around down the front at gigs, I also relish taking photos and videos, singing, speaking with fellow music fans, and asking musicians the questions nobody else does. Writing about my favourite bands and connecting with people who love music too keeps me more-or-less sane! I’ve worked for over 25 years at a video production company, mainly filming live music events, therefore I have an additional backstage perspective on the scene.
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
