Jessie Malakouti isn't the first name that springs to mind when we think of activist musicians, but the front lady for Jessie and the Toy Boys, whose sunny pop songs have appeared on The Hills among various other MTV shows, has taken a stand in her new video for the song "Runaway."
In a note attached to the video, which went live this week on YouTube, Malakouri wrote, "I was overjoyed to learn that Proposition 8 was recently over turned in my home state of California. It's a step in the right direction, however for a country that teaches it's children to place their right hand over their hearts and pledge 'Liberty and justice for all' we still have a long way to go towards actually making that a reality. When I wrote 'Runaway' with DJ Skeet Skeet, we wrote it from the perspective of our 13 year old selves, who felt pressure from our parents and society to be something that we were not. The song is ultimately about breaking free and following your heart."
In addition to taking showing off a series of glitter bombings of anti-gay GOP presidential candidates, the video stars former Miss California contestant, the openly gay Mollie Thomas. And while it might not be the revolution rock we're used to, the message here is inspiring nonetheless.
