San Diego, California-based, but widely travelling Christopher Sluka is the master composer behind the progressive alternative rock/pop band Sluka. The artist and his band have fervent fans all around the world fired up by Sluka’s enthusiastic live performances and output of over 10 studio albums.
Christopher Sluka is a multi-talented creative (singer, songwriter, musician, performer, visual artist), as well as a distance runner and aircraft pilot who experienced a globe-trotting childhood that gave him a great awareness of the conflict, turmoil, joy, and hope to be found no matter where he lived.
It’s this perception that he brings to his lyrics and music that aim to engage, uplift, and energize. Sluka’s latest album, Ready to Connect, just released at the end of October.
Christopher Sluka generously took some time out of his schedule to reply to our ongoing Protest Interview series:
Hello! Please introduce yourself and give a description of your sound/musical vision.
I'm Christopher Sluka of the band SLUKA. We are trying our best to have fun making sense of the world, like everyone else, with the understanding that we are all doomed, and yet still hopeful.
What is/are the main personal, national, or international issue concerning you the most these days?
Climate Change. There are many other issues of concern, but that is the great deal-breaker for Sapiens. If we don't take action soon our species will go extinct, along with many other species, and all the other issues will become moot. It may already be too late. But we should at least recognize the science, recognize the behavior that contributes to climate change, and take meaningful action where we can.
What song, video, or lyrics quote of yours best represents your current viewpoint on this important topic?
All the songs on the new album Ready To Connect are a reflection of this sentiment and many others. The current single "Hey Oh" expresses the idea that we all have our issues, agendas, wants, desires, fears, and frailties... and yet we can all celebrate as fellow creatures of this planet.
What's your favorite song, video, or lyrics quote by another act or artist that best exemplifies, or at least partly relates to, your current viewpoint?
David Bowie's "Heroes." The lyric "We could be heroes just for one day," while maybe not originally intended, echoes this sentiment in my view.
What other forms of protest, besides through your music, are you involved with to get your message across?
I am wary of those that scream the loudest and condemn others without listening. And yet, based on the evidence, it is clear that action and change is needed. Progressive persuasion is always a challenge when human defensiveness is a very personal response to a perceived attack and a natural reaction developed through our evolution. If all we do is scream at each other and become entrenched in polarized positions we are indeed doomed.
As you mentioned It's easy to judge and criticize others, especially in these unsettling times of overt intolerance, ignorance, and insults, but the fact remains that we need to work together. Working on a solution to our problems is critical in ensuring that positive change occurs. Name an action to take, or a campaign/charity that would be worthwhile to contribute to, for your cause.
If people at least try alternative behaviors they may actually be surprised and find they are better than what they've become accustomed [to]. For example, many vegan options are actually more delicious and satisfying than other foods while at the same time being more beneficial to the environment... and other species would benefit greatly as well! Many electric/hybrid vehicles have better performance and have become competitive cost-wise, especially over the long term. There are many such examples. Most importantly, we need to listen, become informed, and participate, not just click "likes" and accumulate followers...
What gives you hope for the future?
Shakespeare, Leonardo Da Vinci, Einstein, The Beatles, Van Gogh... While we may be doomed, we are capable of creating such beauty and discovering amazing things for our fellow Sapiens.
Where can we purchase/stream your music and find out more about you?
https://open.spotify.com/artist/20GDHbeFKMYgJDnnxvT6i1
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm1PlJyDpoArMazpTDRx3EA
https://www.facebook.com/Slukaband/
https://www.instagram.com/SlukaMusic/
