It's Giving: Westside Cowboy

Today on It’s Giving, Ingela sits down with Westside Cowboy’s Aoife Anson O'Connell. Aoife shares an honest look at what it means to build a band grounded in practical social justice, navigating the daunting responsibility of having a growing platform while trying to ensure your work aligns with your values.  

Aoife breaks down the origins and impact of No Band Is an Island, a Manchester-based community initiative launched alongside fellow local bands to put on accessible gigs, feature guest speakers from a variety of non-profit groups, and raise funds for humanitarian aid charities like UK Med. From keeping ticket prices low and demanding venue accessibility to using creative projects - like their thoughtful concept for the "Kickstones" music video - as a tool for advocacy, Aoife offers a grounded perspective on doing what you can without getting paralyzed by the pressure of perfection. 

We also dive into the fine line between genuine advocacy and optics in the music industry, the balance between escapism and political engagement, and why small, tangible actions often make the biggest difference.  

“Activism to me is just the knowledge that you will never reach a steady plane... you’ll never be doing the best you can ever, but that’s okay as long as you’re doing something and looking towards doing more.”  

If you loved this interview, please leave a rating, drop a review, and subscribe to support the show so I can bring you even more artist interviews! Don't miss next Wednesday's episode, where I'll introduce another incredible musician leveraging their platform for meaningful advocacy!