"The Hand You Hold" and the Fight for Freedom in 2024

When I wrote "The Hand You Hold" I was barely into my twenties and feeling like society wasn't holding my hand but choking me out.

"Advertising man hammers nails into my head, crucifies these children before they've born and bred" - that was me spitting out my anger against a world that stamps its brand on women in the womb and sets us up to spend our lives chasing shadows.

The chorus "Never let the hand you hold, hold you down" forget your sweet nothings garden variety love song crap. This was my battle anthem and my middle finger to anyone or anything trying to keep me pinned down - be it the media's bullshit, society's straightjacket or some controlling bastard. It's about holding onto your freedom like it's the last breath in your lungs.

"How good do we need to be, to be taken seriously?" I was pissed, genuinely pissed and throwing punches at this messed up game where we contort ourselves for a nod from people getting rich off our insecurities.

With "The Hand You Hold" I wasn't just having a go at the idea that our faces are worth more than our voices or actions. "What we look like means more to you than what we say and what we do" - I was taking a stand in this boys' club of music, saying I'm here to play by my rules. I kicked off as I meant to carry on, not taking any of their shite and carving out space for my voice, for all the women, where what we bring to the table is what counts.

"The Hand You Hold" was where I drew my line in the sand and set the tone, making it clear I was here to fuck shit up. And now in 2024, this track's taken on a life of its own. It's out there with movements like #LetWomenSpeak and with fighters like Posie Parker. It's fuelling those women who refuse to be gagged, who are in the thick of it and fighting for who they are, especially when talking about gender ideology gets you in the crosshairs of cancellation.

Now it's not just my fight song, it's a war cry for the culture wars where women are grabbing back their rights, their voices and their bloody essence. My first shout into the void "The Hand You Hold" marches on with those who won't be quiet, who bloody well won't be held down.