46664’s message, “It’s in our hands”, is a call to action – a request for people to take up Nelson Mandela’s legacy, help halt the spread of HIV/AIDS and ultimately make the world a better place.
It’s a message that has got through to UK-based band Davinci’s Band, whose new single, New Generation, is described by frontman Ian Saint-John as “a call to action”.
“The song New Generation was written to inspire the new generation,” says the soft-spoken Saint-John. “To bring people together.”
The song highlights the potential power of the new generation, he says.
“The world is going through a tough time, and this new generation will either be leading us or not leading us.”
It’s important, he adds, that the new generation takes the task of leadership seriously.
While Saint-John hopes that the song will inspire people to action, the inspiration for New Generation was Nelson Mandela.
“Nelson Mandela’s journey is a remarkable story and New Generation is completely inspired by him,” says Saint-John. “If we didn’t have someone like Nelson Mandela, so much potential would have been lost. We need someone else like him. We’re losing people like that and it’s time that people in the new generation stood up to be counted.
“He was very much in our minds when we put the song together.
“We were in my flat talking about who inspires us and Mr Mandela was one of them. Derek started playing the first chords and I started playing around with some melodies.”
Saint-John says that it’s important to him that Davinci’s Band always has a message.
“I could easily have written music about sex, drugs and rock ’n roll, but like other musicians, like Bono, I wanted the music to make a difference. I want my music to be about peace, hope and harmony.”
Davinci’s Band has been together for two years and is made up of pianist Casper Christensen, guitarist Derek Yau and Saint-John.
“We are a three-piece band from really diverse backgrounds. Casper is from Denmark, and Derek is Chinese/Vietnamese. We come from very different worlds and cultures, but the band grew organically. It wasn’t easy, but we use music as a common denominator. I think between the three of us we speak eight languages.”
When asked if Mr Mandela should be viewed as a man whom others can emulate or as a legend, Saint-John says that it’s better to have Madiba as a legendary figure so that his legacy won’t be forgotten.
The impressive strings section in New Generation was the work of Hollywood music legend, and Golden Globe and Emmy award winner John Altman.
“He arranged the strings after he heard the track,” says Saint-John. “He was busy writing a score for a movie and had a really tight deadline, but he worked on it for free. It was great.
“I just hope that people are inspired by the song. It means a lot to us to have this platform to call people to action.”