Silence in the Square

Athlete's new single in support of The Royal British Legion.

Athlete has become the latest high-profile British band to show its support for The Royal British Legion by dedicating the proceeds of a single to the Armed Forces charity.

Best known for hit single, “Wires,” Athlete has joined Radiohead, Mark Knopfler and The Soldiers in donating proceeds of their songs to The Royal British Legion this year.

Proceeds from the sale of the single "Black Swan Song" will be donated to The Royal British Legion. The single and music video will be released on Nov. 9th and Athlete will perform it live during the Silence In The Square event at Trafalgar Square to mark Armistice Day, Nov. 11th.

The single is available for pre-order from Recordstore and HMV now.

“Black Swan Song” is a powerful and moving tribute to Major John Pott, grandfather of the band's lead singer Joel Pott.

“My grandfather was a great supporter of The Royal British Legion and this is something I have inherited from him,” said Joel. “A new generation is making sacrifices today and the Legion is going to be there to support them for the rest of their lives. I decided to write this song and dedicate it to all the fallen.”

In September 1944, Maj John Pott was alone and badly wounded in woodland just outside Arnhem, Holland. Believing that he was going to die, he wrote a farewell letter to his beloved wife.

After lying in the woods for nearly twenty hours he was taken to a German military hospital and after a heroic but thwarted attempt to escape on crutches, he remained in a POW camp until released by the Americans in April 1945.

"My grandfather survived, but many of his friends did not," relates Joel. "At the age of 85 this brave soldier fought his last battle with his family by his side. He longed to be with his wife Anna Pott, who had died a few years previously.  It was a triumphant end to an extraordinary life. It was my grandpa's symphony.”

The Royal British Legion praised the song and the band’s generous support.

"This is a moving tribute to one of many heroes that fought in World War Two" said Russell Thompson, Director of National Events and Fundraising for The Royal British Legion. "At a time when the Legion is starting to help a whole new generation of veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, it's great that younger acts like Athlete are showing their support for the work of The Royal British Legion."

For more information go to http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/calendar-of-events/general/silence-in-the-square-london

Black Swan Song is released as a single on the 9th of November from Polydor.

The video can be watched now on the Athlete video page and an excerpt of the song can also be heard on the Athlete audio player on the website home page.

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• Posted: 05/10/2009

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