CHICAGO, Sept. 4,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Acclaimed filmmaker and artist
Brandon XIV is proud to announce the release of a groundbreaking
spoken word poetry album, One Year, featuring the 4-time
Tony Award-winning actor and producer LaChanze. This evocative
concept album marks a profound exploration of suicidal depression,
inviting listeners into a raw, immersive narrative. The album was
released by The Mad Ones Productions on August 30, 2024.
Brandon XIV, a live poetry performer since 2009, is also highly
regarded as a film director and producer, having earned over 50
international awards for his work. LaChanze is known for her
Tony-winning role of Celie in Broadway's The Color Purple,
and for her voice work in the animated film Hercules. In
One Year, the two teamed up to break new ground in the
spoken word poetry field.
One Year is a concept album of a dozen individual
poems coming together to create a single gripping story—of a man
who's convinced that suicide is his only option and decides to give
himself one year to find a reason why life is worth living. It's a
candid portrayal of the inner monologue of a person battling
suicidal thoughts and despair.
One Year emerged not just from Brandon XIV's history of
live performances as a spoken word poet and visual artist—but also
from his own story. "I wanted to write this story in a way that
felt true to me." says Brandon XIV. "One Year wasn't
intended to be about depression, but when I looked back at the
poems I wrote from a particular year, I saw a man unknowingly
writing in a state of deep depression. Those poems became the heart
of the album."
The result is a fresh take on the tradition of spoken word
poetry—a concept album that speaks out loud the inner thoughts and
feelings that those who struggle with mental health are often too
afraid to utter. The goal of the album is to give listeners an
authentic view of that struggle in a way that real people can
relate to—so more people can speak up, ask for help, and connect
with the millions of Americans who deal with depression or thoughts
of suicide.
The album translates Brandon XIV's personal story into a
powerful spoken word experience. Each poem is accompanied by
intentionally selected instrumental elements and composition
intended to help listeners follow the mental state of a person
going through the roller coaster of suicidal depression, shifting
from warm strings and hand drums representing moments of hope, to
cold machine drums and synths reflecting darker times. The use of
film sound design and real, unedited sounds of the Poet's breath
and tears adds a layer of emotional depth, staying true to the
essence of live performance.
One Year is not just an album; it is a statement of
solidarity and resilience. Said Brandon XIV, "Mental health affects
more people than we realize, and it's often difficult to discuss,
especially when you're expected to be strong. One Year is my
way of saying 'even though it's often hard, life is always worth
living' and 'You are not alone.'"
The album is now available on all major streaming platforms,
with download links and exclusive content accessible at
https://www.tmo.productions/oneyear
For more information, promotional inquiries, or to schedule an
interview with Brandon XIV, please contact:
The Mad Ones Productions
hello@tmo.productions
Join Brandon XIV on this intimate journey through One Year,
and experience a profound exploration of the human
condition.
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SOURCE The Mad Ones