Billy Bragg Announces Bridges Not Wall Mini Album for November 2017 Release and Shares New Song “Saffiyah Smiles” Inspired by Saffiyah Khan

Singer/songwriter Billy Bragg has always mixed his activism with his music.Whether on tour or creating new new music, the English folk artist has always incorporated his political views in his music. Take for instance his fourth single “Saffiyah Smiles,” where the bravery of a young woman named Saffiyah Khan going against the English Defence League early this year in April. He’ll also be on tour this fall while building up the anticipation for his upcoming mini album Bridges Not Walls early next month November.

According to a press release it was a photo that went viral of Saffiyah Khan fr benignly in the face of the incensed leader of the far right group the English Defence League at an anti-immigrant demonstration this past April in Birmingham (UK). The image of Khan reappeared Bragg’s mind after the horrible white supremacist events that took place in Charlotte, Virginia this past August. Bragg went on to describe Khan’s influence on his brand new track stating ““Who looks like they have the power here?” Saffiyah Khan’s selfless act of solidarity is an inspiration to us all and a reminder that sometimes you can confront hatred by calmly making plain how ridiculous its propagators are.”

Like “The Sleep Of Reason,” “King Tide And The Sunny Day Flood” and “Why We Build The Wall,” “Saffiyah Smiles” is another politically influenced song that was released by Bragg this year that will be featured on his upcoming mini album Bridges Not Walls on November 3rd. When describing his new project Bragg stated “I decided to start dropping tracks as they became ready across the summer culminating in a mini album. As always, they’re my way of trying to make some sense of what’s going on. And there’s been a lot going on.”

Below you can checkout Bridges Not Walls tracklist and his fourth single “Saffiyah Smiles.”
Bridges Not Walls track listing:
1. The Sleep Of Reason
2. King Tide And The Sunny Day Flood
3. Why We Build The Wall
4. Saffiyah Smiles
5. Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted
6. Full English Brexit

Billy Bragg’s Bridges Not Walls October Tour, Remaining U.S. shows:
10/8 – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA
10/10 – Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA
10/11 – Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ
10/12 – Boulder Theatre – Boulder, CO
10/14 – Calvin Theatre – Northampton, MA
10/16 – City Winery – New York, NY (2 shows)

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat