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about

Rivermouth spent far more time (and money) working on the Propaganda / Are We Cool Yet release than on any previous recordings. We hope you enjoy the final result, and we're extremely grateful to everyone who has supported our music so far.
Normally we don't like to write much about our songs (better to let the music speak for itself and all that jazz), but I wanted to jot down a few half-formed thoughts regarding 'Propaganda'...
It felt a little strange to be writing such direct and overtly political lyrics. Obviously most of our songs are political, but normally we go for a "you should maybe think about this issue" angle rather than a ram-it-down-your-throat, "this is how it is" approach. However, given the current (poor) state of political discourse in Queensland, we felt unapologetic directness was the only way to counter the tidal wave of misinformation that government public relations departments have been churning out on a daily basis (so of course our track ends up being a kind of propaganda too).
Trying to squeeze so many ideas into a single song can be incredibly frustrating, and we didn't get to fully explain everything we wanted to say, but that's the nature of the beast.
Whether or not you agree with all the sentiments expressed in our lyrics, I hope this song encourages you to think more about where you get your information, and how reliable your sources are. Often, our opinions (particularly about political issues) are based on assumptions that we never thoroughly critique or analyse, and it's these unrecognised assumptions that form the basis of so much bad policy. Unpacking those taken-for-granted ideas, which are often so pervasive that they can be difficult to identify, is a crucial step towards building a happier, more harmonious society.
All truth is subjective. Question everything.

With love and gratitude,
Jo

lyrics

If you've done nothing wrong you have nothing to fear
if you've done nothing wrong you have nothing to fear
if you've done nothing wrong you have nothing to fear
we are the government. We decide what's best for you

Dear Queensland, your sat-nav's out of date
you've followed the wrong road and now we're turning into a police state
legislating democratic disruption
two-party system, double the corruption
privatising while facilitating corporate greed
funding cuts for any NGO that disagreed
out with the old and in with your friends is fine
i'll hire your son and you hire mine
this is Queensland, where no man is carried
we like our blacks in jail and our gays unmarried
if you protest we'll lock you away
you have the freedom to do what we say

But you can't trust the LNP mate
you don't trust the LNP

Everyone's getting needier, greedier
we are trashing the environment but the mainstream media's like
'no worries mate, it's good for the economy'
the Courier Mail ain't the paper that it used to be
when rich white men get to set the agenda
free speech don't mean much for the rest of us
I know you're not evil, you think you're doing the right thing
but it's frightening, disheartening how you shit you are at listening
this is Queensland, we don't allow bitching
we like our kids Christian and our women in kitchens
immigrants on welfare are lazy slobs
and if they find employment, well they took our jobs
leaders of Queensland, you give the homeless grief
and you're dumping half a mountain on the barrier reef
you close hospitals and open casinos
that's where the green goes
I always knew you were trouble
but now the pot's overflowing
are you power hungry or just plain stupid
either way, we won't water the weeds you're sowing

cos you can't trust the LNP mate
you don't trust the LNP

I am not an extremist
i'm just an average guy
but when the Lib schemers hear this
swat me like a fly
if I don't comply send the cops in to taze me
question the system, they’ll label you crazy
if you don't believe this is history repeating then
google corruption and Joh Bielke-Petersen
they changed campaign finance rules
to make it harder for the minor parties running
while warehousing criminals
like tools in Bunnings
locking kids up, pop that bubble
locking kids up, and legal aid is under-funded
locking kids up, even though it causes more trouble
s'all part of the incarceration business model
done nothing wrong, nothing to fear
that's what the Nazis told the Jews
and yes I know Campbell Newman's nothing like Hitler
but his propaganda sounds eerily familiar
this is Queensland, you better dress formal
for we'll strip-search anyone who doesn't look normal
the poor get poorer while we're wining and dining
lining pockets with profits from unsustainable mining
Short-sighted
and now the pot's overflowing
are you power hungry or just plain stupid
either way, we won't water the weeds you're sowing

Cos you can’t trust the LNP mate
you don't trust the LNP
you can't trust the LNP mate
you don’t trust the LNP

Wake up Queensland, smell the cat-shit in your cereal
This disease stinks like it's venereal
no-one thinks for themselves, there's no critical enquiry
distracted by the bright lights at riverfire we
swallow propaganda, say thanks for the medicine
swallow propaganda and don't ask questions
we swallow propaganada
and we will get what we deserve

credits

from Propaganda / Are We Cool Yet?, released May 15, 2014
Written and performed by Rivermouth, produced by Paulie B at Tanuki Lounge.

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Rivermouth Brisbane, Australia

Hi, we're Rivermouth
Our vocalist is a cross between a typewriter and a megaphone. Our keyboardist is a classically trained virtuoso mad scientist. Our bassist plays in the Richter scale. Our drummer's great-grandfather was a metronome.

Our music is a blend of spoken word, hip hop, jazz, reggae and excellent chai. Lyrics are critical. We want to tickle cerebra and tug heartstrings simultaneously.
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