Video Voyageur: 3Qs with Mary Lou Fulton

Mary Lou Fulton’s compelling anthem “Many More of Us” is not just a song; it’s a testament to resilience, resistance, and the power of unity. Produced, arranged, engineered, and mixed with finesse by Rob Seals of Sound Boutique Studios in Los Angeles, and mastered by the talented Reuben Cohen of Lurssen Mastering, the track exudes a professional polish that complements its raw emotion.

Fronted by Mary Lou Fulton on lead vocals, with Rob Seals on guitar, Sean Hurley on bass, Ryan Brown on drums and percussion, and Annette Adler and Karen Turner on harmony vocals, “Many More of Us” delivers a sonic punch that resonates with listeners. The synergy among these musicians is palpable, each contributing to the song’s dynamic texture.

The accompanying video, crafted by experimental digital and video artist Nancy Razk, is a visual feast that amplifies the song’s message. Featuring poignant imagery, including glimpses of Mary Lou Fulton herself, the video captures the essence of the protest anthem with striking visuals that linger in the mind.

From its opening lines, “You tell me we live in the land of the free, except when it comes to my body,” “Many More of Us” establishes itself as a potent protest song. With its infectious rhythm, spirited hand claps, and unapologetic lyrics, the track encapsulates the frustration and defiance felt by those fighting for their rights. The recent upheavals in reproductive rights, notably the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade, served as a catalyst for Fulton’s creative expression. However, it was the unexpected victories in traditionally conservative states like Kansas that fueled the song’s title and underlying message—that the power lies with the people.

“Many More of Us” transcends genre boundaries, offering a departure from Fulton’s folk-roots style while retaining its authenticity and urgency. As Fulton asserts, in an era marked by political turmoil, it’s imperative to stand up for freedom and assert our collective voice. We caught up with Mary Lou about the video below.

1. The story of Many More of Us

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs Wade, I was devastated and scared. Right away, I wanted to write a song about it, but my early versions were too angry and lacked a clear message. I couldn’t figure out how to channel my feelings in a useful way until a few weeks later, when voters in deep red Kansas surprised everyone by upholding abortion rights. Then the same thing happened in six more states. That’s when the song title hit me — there are Many More of Us who believe that decisions about having children belong in our hands, not the government’s. We’re the majority, we have the power and we need to act like it.

2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc)

I wanted the Many More of Us video to reflect the theme of people power and the rising tide of support for women’s freedom. I also wanted the message of the song to come through loud and clear. I collaborated with multimedia artist Nancy Razk to create the video approach that combines the song’s lyrics with video clips, pictures and news headlines. Many of the visuals are from marches and rallies that I attended, including the opening scene of me chalking the street in Los Angeles. I also appear at the end, holding a sign that says Not Going Back, which is the title of another one of my protest songs! Nancy didn’t know about that song, so it was a wonderful surprise to find that she included it in the video. I love the bold graphics, colors and energy of the video, and how it captures the urgency of our movement.

3. What was the process of making this video?After listening to the song, reading the lyrics and reviewing all the materials I put together, Nancy quickly came up with the look and feel of the video, including the typeface, colors and the graphical animation style. “The visuals and colors were made and chosen to reflect the bold and powerful nature of the song. I wanted to make sure many faces were shown in the bold shades of orange to represent all of the different personalities and voices coming together to speak one message in unity,” Nancy said I especially liked how Nancy used animation to connect the lyrics and the images to life in a cool modern way. Nancy and I collaborated closely throughout the process, exchanging ideas about the most powerful visuals to deliver the message of Many More of Us. I love how the video captures the spirit of the song!

MANY MORE OF US

You tell me, we live in the land of the free

Except when it comes to my body

You scream and wave a rosary at me

As I walk into the lobby

You don’t know, I might be a mom of three

Or just not ready for a family

Maybe I was raped last night

Who are you to take my rights?

I’m gonna fight!

There are many more of us

(So many more)