Darling Fitch, the US-born, Berlin-based writer, musician, and performance artist, has recently released a powerful new single titled “The Heart And The Bone.” This bittersweet electronic ballad combines cold, wind-swept instrumentation with intimately rough vocals, delivering a heartfelt message of resilience and survival. The song is dedicated to transgender people in the United States who are facing growing social and legal repression, offering an embrace to those who have experienced the loneliness and desperation of being considered outsiders and have managed to find beauty in life against all odds.
As an artist, Darling Fitch knows what it’s like to live life as an outsider, and “The Heart And The Bone” draws deeply from personal experiences. Fitch, a trans, working-class immigrant, speaks with authority on both the pain and triumphs that come with seeking one’s truth. In one verse, the song laments, “you’ve never been so alone,” but the chorus responds with an empowering message: “anyone could be so proud to survive.”
“The Heart And The Bone” skillfully navigates the fine line between sadness and hope, creating space for both emotions at a time when it can be challenging to find a way forward. Many of us can relate to these feelings, and the song serves as a reminder that we are not as alone as we may think. Darling Fitch’s artistic journey has taken them to various underground venues and experimental art contexts, showcasing their unique talent. They have performed at renowned locations such as NYC’s The Glove and LA’s Hushe Clubbe, as well as at events like the Berlin Art Prize, the Dixon Place HOT! Fest (NYC), the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the Month of Performance Art – Berlin. From 2015 to 2019, Fitch toured their multidisciplinary solo shows, “A Stranger Sound,” a dark transgender coming-of-age story set in Berlin’s queer club scene, and “REVELATIONS,” a hopeful harsh noise poetry pop opera that explores the end of the world and our place in it. These shows blend spoken word, music, and interactive performance elements to bridge the traditional artist-audience divide, fostering a sense of connection and community, even if fleeting.
In 2020, Darling Fitch, like many artists worldwide, took a hiatus from live performances to focus on the craft of recording. During this period, they transformed their signature intellectual-yet-intimate ethos into a series of forthcoming songs. “The Heart And The Bone” is an embodiment of their dedication to creating art that speaks to the human experience and offers solace and inspiration to those who feel marginalized. “The Heart And The Bone” weaves a haunting tapestry of sound that captivates listeners from the very first note. The cold, wind-swept instrumentation creates an atmospheric backdrop that mirrors the emotional landscape of the lyrics. Each element of the song, from the subtle electronic textures to the rawness of Darling Fitch’s vocals, serves to intensify the poignant message of the track.
With its dedication to transgender individuals in the United States facing adversity, “The Heart And The Bone” stands as a powerful anthem of solidarity. It invites all who have felt the weight of loneliness and the struggle of being an “outcast” to find solace in their own resilience. In a world marked by growing social and legal repression, the song offers a defiant embrace, reminding us that survival itself is an act of courage. While embracing themes of hardship and isolation, “The Heart And The Bone” also sparks a glimmer of hope. It underscores the beauty of life that persists, even amidst the most challenging circumstances. Darling Fitch’s intimate vocals capture the raw emotion of the lyrics, conveying a sense of vulnerability that resonates with listeners on a deeply personal level. It is through this vulnerability that the song finds its strength, forging a connection between the artist and the audience, and reminding us that our shared experiences can transcend the boundaries that separate us.
“The Heart And The Bone” arrives at a time when many of us grapple with uncertainty and struggle to find our footing in an ever-changing world. It acts as a comforting presence, reminding us that we are not alone in our journeys. It acknowledges the complex interplay between sadness and hope, providing space for both emotions to coexist. Through its introspective and emotive lyrics, the song invites us to explore our own resilience and discover the beauty that can be found amidst adversity.
Darling Fitch’s artistic trajectory has been marked by their commitment to breaking down barriers and forging connections through their multidisciplinary performances. Their ability to blend spoken word, music, and interactive elements has created a unique artistic language that invites audiences to actively engage with their work. Now, with “The Heart And The Bone,” Fitch harnesses the power of music alone to deliver a message of strength and defiance, showcasing their versatility as an artist and their unwavering dedication to creating thought-provoking and emotionally resonant art.
In conclusion, “The Heart And The Bone” is a testament to Darling Fitch’s ability to craft a deeply personal and captivating musical experience. Through its evocative instrumentation, heartfelt lyrics, and Fitch’s intimate vocals, the song navigates the depths of human emotion, offering solace, empowerment, and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, our resilience can lead us to find beauty and strength in the most unlikely places.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
US-born, Berlin-based multidisciplinary performer Darling Fitch challenges and entertains with a unique blend of performance, poetics and riveting electronic music that has been described as somewhere between Laurie Anderson, Fever Ray and “Britney Spears meets Throbbing Gristle”. Their one-person shows broach topics from gender transition and club culture (A Stranger Sound, 2015) to climate change and gentrification (REVELATIONS, 2019) to collective crisis (Rise, forthcoming) with a surprising tenderness and eye for connection in moments of discomfort.
They have played legendary underground venues like The Glove (NYC), Tattooed Mom (Philly) and Hushe Clubbe (LA) and in experimental art contexts such as Berlin Art Prize, the Dixon Place HOT! Fest (NYC), the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the Month of Performance Art – Berlin. They have worked with Elle Peril (Lena Chen), Strip Down, Lady Gaby, Jordan Dykstra, D.Wrex, Le Fomo, Cypress Atlas, Al Limite Collective, S0MA Art Space, Fifty Percent Magazine, and a long list of international feminist, queer and outsider artists. Fitch has received international radio airplay and press, and has been published by poetry outlets including Transnational Queer Underground, Protean Magazine and Ghost City Press.
In 2020 Fitch took a break from live work to focus on the craft of recording, transforming their signature intellectual-but-intimate ethos into a series of soon to be released songs.
