A Song for Survivors: Tess Posner's 'Volcano' and the Power of Speaking Out

Tess Posner is a multifaceted artist and social activist whose music is characterized by its emotional depth and thought-provoking lyrics, which often touch upon themes of social justice and equality. Tess is a staunch advocate for women's rights and survivors of sexual assault, using her music as a platform to raise awareness about these critical issues. Her latest track, "Volcano," is a powerful and moving song that speaks to the experiences of many survivors of assault and harassment as well as the importance of speaking out against it. The song's message of resilience and strength in the face of adversity is particularly relevant in today's world, and it has resonated deeply with many listeners since its release.

“Volcano," was inspired by Tess’ own experience of being silenced after speaking out about an assault. The song's raw and honest lyrics capture the pain and frustration of being ignored and powerless, while also expressing a sense of strength and resilience in the face of adversity. "Volcano" is a testament to the power of music to inspire change and healing, and it is sure to become an anthem for survivors of assault and harassment as well as those brave few who not only speak out against this injustice but actively work to prevent it.

Speaking out against a sexual assault takes immense courage and strength. It is a brave act that demands justice and accountability. However, far too often, survivors are met with silence, disbelief, or attempts to silence their voices. But like a volcano building up pressure, the righteous fury within cannot be contained indefinitely. With an unstoppable force, survivors rise up their voices bursting forth in a torrent of truth and resilience. In this eruption of power, they reclaim their narratives, expose the darkness, and inspire others to break free from the chains of silence. It is through this fiery eruption that survivors ignite change, demanding a world where their voices are heard, believed, and respected.

“Volcano” is part of Posner’s latest EP, “Alchemy”, which follows a transformative journey from pain and trauma to healing and empowerment. This journey is achieved through the process of self-love and embracing one's shadows and difficult emotions. 

Tess has clocked over 3.3M streams on Spotify and singles for this EP have already gained over 183K streams & 786K views on TikTok. To promote the EP, Tess is playing a release show in San Francisco with 4 female artists called "Alchemy" and is launching an elemental healing toolkit and a new line of merch to go along with the album's theme.

In addition to her work as a musician, Tess is also the CEO of AI4ALL, a non-profit organization that seeks to promote diversity and inclusivity in the field of artificial intelligence. Her tireless dedication to social change is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Samuel Aponte is Venezuelan-born raised and based.

I joined Rival Magazine after a few years of doing PR work for independent musicians of all stripes; understanding their struggles to be heard in a sea of constant ADHD noise and paywalled access to platforms, I now bring a willingness to always appreciate and encourage the effort and creativity that artists put into their work. Can also find some of my writings on LADYGUNN and We Found New Music.