A coalition of Downeast musicians are using music as a spotlight on a heinous but hidden crime.
The CD single “No More Domestic Violence” is the creation of 18 local musicians. The single includes “Song for Andrea” and “Piece in C,” both written by Lamoine musician Fredi Cahn.
“Song for Andrea” is dedicated to Andrea Lockhart, the 32-year-old mother of three who was beaten to death last December. The Lamoine woman’s estranged husband, Stephen Lockhart, stands accused of murdering his wife and then encasing her body in Styrofoam. He remains in custody without bail after pleading not guilty to the crime in February.
“Piece in C” features a startling narration about domestic abuse by Emily Bernhard, which includes the poem “Words” by Sylvia Plath.
The single, which was released two months ago, will be officially unveiled from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday at an open house at the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence’s office at 170 Park St. in Bangor. Some of the musicians on the CD are expected to perform. All proceeds from the single are going into a trust fund, set up at Union Trust Company in Ellsworth, for Lockhart’s children.
Cahn paid for the initial pressing of the single himself, while Steve Peer, his bandmate in the Ellsworth-based band Puzzle Monkey, released the single on his Reversing Recordings label. Cahn said his goal is to raise awareness about domestic violence.
“Domestic violence can’t survive in the light, because this kind of behavior is so obviously wrong,” said Cahn. “Once you expose this kind of behavior, it will change. Also, beside creating changes in society, we need to create a safe environment for women who are in danger and to provide services to them.”
About 4,400 domestic assaults in Maine are reported annually to police agencies, although it’s impossible to estimate how many go unreported. A total of 13,000 people are served annually by the 10 domestic-violence agencies in the state.
Cahn first became involved with domestic violence several years ago, after being shown graphic photos of abused children. He got involved with The Next Step/Hancock County Domestic Violence Project, and has performed at benefit concerts for that group. He become one of the first men to serve on its board of directors.
“I was impressed with their dedication and their ability to change things,” he said.
The single came into existence the day after a candlelight vigil was held for Andrea Lockhart in December, when a server mistakenly praised Cahn for writing a song for the slain woman. Before Cahn could say that he wasn’t composing such a song, Peer jumped in to confirm the server’s misconception, in effect volunteering his friend to undertake such a task.
Cahn took some previously recorded music tracks and wrote new vocals for them. Peer’s task was to work his Rolodex and round up talent to take part in recording the single. In addition to the rest of Puzzle Monkey (Neil Salisbury, Zara, Larry Jobe and Mike Townsend), also involved in the project were vocalists Neil Davis, Steve DeVito, Ralph Goodenough, Frank Gotwals, Dan Hinckley, Laurie Jones, Bobbi Lane, Jean Mieke, Ron Parent and Schooner and musicians Paul Sullivan and violinist Miriam Broadie of the Beatroots.
“None of us knew Andrea,” Cahn said. “But the impact of her murder was immediate, and affected so many people in the community.”
The 18 musicians gathered in John Dyer’s Unintentional Studios in Blue Hill on a blustery day in January.
“It was very magic,” Cahn said. “You had the feeling that something wonderful was being created. It was out of my hands immediately, and took on a life of its own.”
The packaging of the CD itself is part of the awareness process, as the cover lists the names of those killed by domestic violence in Maine from 1990 to 1998.
Cahn said the recording has had a sobering effect on people.
“I think stunned is one of the reactions I’ve gotten from people,” he said. “I don’t think people were aware of how many people have been killed by domestic violence in Maine.”
“It’s moving and pretty graphic, and it touches people,” Peer added. “Also, people like the idea that you can get music for $5, and the money goes directly to the kids.”
Only about 200 of the initial pressing of 1,000 remain. Copies are available for $5 at Grasshopper Shop locations, by writing Reversing Recordings at 46 Aquarius Lane, Ellsworth, Maine 04605; or accessing www.puzzlemonkey.com.
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