Milly Majuc: Music as a Weapon in Nicaragua’s Non-Violent Struggle

Since the state repression began in April, Nicaraguan artists have made known their support for the repressed population through songs and statements. The Milly Majuc Band has gone further and has supported it in different ways: playing at sit-ins, dedicating songs for those murdered by the Daniel Ortega regime and recently joined the consumer boycott called for on social networks.

Like many in today’s Nicaragua, they too have been hit by the economic crisis. They have had difficulties to do gigs and have lost sponsorship from companies. However, the difficulty did not stop them from releasing their new single “What are you going to do?”

Music in protest

The song by Milly Majuc talks about the current crisis in Nicaragua. For the band it was “complicated” to make the video because several of the musicians are from Masaya and there was no safety. It was also difficult to travel from one department to another during the filming.

“Obviously the transportation for them was a bit complicated in order to get to the studio and tape, and the coordination to be able to get all the musicians in the studio at once. There were problems to move about and of safety,” stated Carlos Sanchez, a member of the band.

The video of the song “What are you going to do?” was filmed at locations in which “tragic events” happened, stated members of the band. Masaya has been one of the cities most hit by the repression of the Ortega Government.

“We looked for locations where tragic and quite regrettable events happened within the context in which we are living,” lamented Sanchez.

Mario Ruiz, who is also a vocalist for the Garcin Band, has just released his most recent single “Rafaga” (burst of shooting) in which he talks about the repression that has been experienced in the country.

Less concerts

The members of Milly Majuc acknowledged that due to the crisis impacting the country they have cancelled their main “income resource:” gigs or concerts.

“Obviously, because of safety issues, venues (to play) were very reduced, and no events were taking place,” they stated. Most companies providing sponsorships to the Nicaraguan band do not favor “one side or the other.” But, neither is the same support maintained and, therefore, they have been forced to cancel presentations.

The Nicaraguan band through its official Facebook page “Milly Majuc” has published its discontent with the situation the country is experiencing, and has shown itself to be consistent through its actions, by participating in events to support the protesters. The members of the band have played in sit-ins in solidarity with the hundreds of murdered and the political prisoners of the Ortega regime. They have also collaborated with other Nicaraguan artists, including the Garcin Band and “Los Minusculos” (The miniscules).

Mario Ruiz notes that it is important to understand that as social communicators they should leave a record of what is currently happening in Nicaragua. “I think it is very important that artists express their feelings and this is important because the lyrics of songs explain why things occur, and why we are experiencing this,” the singer explained.

Ruiz states that the Nicaraguan band is in “mourning” and that the death toll is “excessive.” He adds that people are scared and do not want to go out on the streets. “Most Nicaraguans do not want to go out on the streets and party because there are people who are imprisoned and people who are being tortured. The idea bothers me that when some people are going through that others would go to party. That is my position, a very personal one,” he stated on the TV program “Esta Noche.”

However, the vocalist believes that it is “fair” that people have their moment of recreation. For Mario Ruiz, it is necessary to have a moment for “emotional relaxation.”

“Let’s remember that it is not to indulge because we are still in mourning, but it is good for people to do something for their mental health,” Ruiz said.

They joined the consumption stoppage

Milly Majuc joined the recent 72-hour consumer boycott summoned by citizens on social networks. The Nicaraguan band says that postponing a gig does not “cost them anything.” The action consists of abstaining from consuming products that are taxed for three consecutive days.

The Nicaraguan band rescheduled a concert during the consumer boycott days. “We are doing it in solidarity with the people of Nicaragua, we have always said that it is important to demonstrate and postponing a gig does not cost us anything,” stated the artist at the time.

Nowadays, “Our gigs are usually at five because we want people to leave early and have no problems along the way,” he explained.