( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) Renowned Singer and Songwriter Alvin Garrett Releases New Album “SFTY”
ENSPIRE Contributor: Isaac Grad
Alvin Garrett is a Grammy-nominated artist, and he has released his exciting new album “SFTY”. This album is after his work with The Dannon Project, a prison reentry program. This program works with previously incarcerated individuals. This work heavily impacted his new album, which takes listeners on a journey exploring freedom, healing, and safety.
“SFTY” stands for “Songs For The Yard”, and is pronounced, “safety”. It explores both physical and emotional and mental incarceration and liberation. The track list of this magnificent new album was carefully curated to take the listener on this journey. “The Yard” represents this moment of freedom and free time for those incarcerated, something music often provides. This album is yet another example of Alvin Garrett’s innovative music with such emotional depth.
What inspired your new album?
My journey to “SFTY” (safety) began with a request from a previously incarcerated gentleman who shared with me that my music saved his life. He and I had built a close relationship through my work with a prison reentry program in my hometown called The Dannon Project. After revealing to me he was considering suicide until he heard my music, he asked if could I record more songs like that…and that question inspired me to go on this musical journey.
How has your partnership with The Dannon Project impacted this album?
I’ve always used my musical talents as a platform to inspire people, but The Dannon Project allowed me to get up close and be a part of the solution. Honestly, I’ve become so much more compassionate and empathetic through service, and I believe it translated into the music on this project.
How does your view of music as freeing and liberating both for listeners and creators impact your music?
SFTY is an acronym for “Songs For The Yard.” When one of the Dannon Project participants shared what “The Yard “means to someone who’s incarcerated, I realized we are all in need of a “yard”…a place we can go to get a taste of freedom. What better way to create a mental and emotional “yard” than with music? So, that’s what I set out to do with this project and with my music overall.
What inspired you to work with previously incarcerated individuals?
In 2015, developed a songwriting therapy program called, The Write Life. Instead of just teaching people how to write songs, I added the group therapy model as a way to generate the content for the songs we write. A few years later, the founder and Executive Director of The Dannon Project, Kerri Pruitt, discovered the program and invited me to teach it to her program participants. The impact was immediate and revolutionary…and I’ve been rocking with TDP ever since.
What would you like to share about what you learned while working with The Dannon Project?
People want you to believe that you have to go through what other people go through to be relatable or to have influence. At first, I didn’t think I had any credibility with this population because I’ve never been to jail; I have no tattoos, and I’m about as clean-cut as they come. But they taught me that my credibility is rooted in my loyalty, honesty, and trustworthiness. That’s our connection, and that’s my authenticity.
Are there any artists or specific people who have had a profound impact on your music?
I have always been inspired by the era of music that was inspired by and driven by social awareness. Songs like Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come,” have always connected with me. I’m a preacher’s kid from Alabama who doesn’t claim to be a preacher. What better way to get the point across than through spirit-and-soul-inspired songs? That’s the kind of music that has always touched me.
“SFTY” is yet another example of Alvin Garrett’s impressive songwriting and singing following an already amazing set of albums and songs. It explores freedom and incarceration after Garrett worked with previously incarcerated individuals through The Dannon Project. Real struggles and real people, the emotions coming through strongly in this carefully curated track list inspire this new album.
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