Kevin Bronson on October 1st, 2019

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Ariel Beesley might start her video for “Palm Springs” with just an imaginary microphone, but the singer-songwriter has a lot to say. And, owing to her music, she has a platform.

The video for her ’80s-style anthem about escaping the grips of toxic relationships finds Beesley doing band things — flyering, showing off new merch, dancing in the street — along with making a strong political statement about abortion bans. Directed by the artist and Lili Peper, it documents the run-up to the show Beesley put together in June at the Echo, which was a benefit for the ACLU.

“A few months ago when all the abortion bans came to light, I found myself infuriated with no where to put my anger and wanted to do something about it,” she says. “That’s when I came up with the idea to put together a benefit show for the ACLU. Music brings people together. I wanted to create a space for people to physically show up, dance and sing, but also contribute to a cause — to a group that is fighting these bans in the courts, where it matters most.

“With the help of the local community, I put together an all-female-fronted lineup to perform, female vendors selling their designs, and the ACLU of Southern California even came to speak. This music video is a compilation documentary-style video of the process of putting the benefit together. I wanted to show people that if I can do something to make change with no experience, then we all can — and should.”

||| Watch: The video for “Palm Springs”

||| Live: Ariel Beesley performs as part of Festy Baby, a mini-festival on Nov. 30 at the Lodge Room, along with Annabelle Maginnis, Slip, Vs Colour, Andy Clockwise and Collapsing Scenery. Tickets.

||| Previously: “Palm Springs”