The War and Treaty: Music for resilience and hope
Anyone who is fortunate enough to get the opportunity to see The War and Treaty should take them up on their offer. The husband and wife duo, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, put on a show quite unlike anything else in country music. It’s not just their love-in, fun banter and crowd work, but the pair’s vocals that are truly breathtaking.
Watching from the right hand side at Highways festival, there is a beautiful serenity to the room when they open their mouths to sing, the crowd might have been raucous up until this point, but every audience member leans forward and listens attentively as the Trotters take us on their journey.
That journey is one that spans sympathy, good times and bad, honesty, love and the cornucopia of human emotion. With The War and Treaty as guide, the path feels safe and illuminated by the glow of their transcendent story telling. If you think that’s an over-exaggeration, then you haven’t seen them perform.
The strength within
The War and Treaty can be hard to pin down. Their musical style spans country, gospel, folk and soul – a whole lot of soul. The pair is underpinned by their resilience and strength. Michael is a veteran of the Iraq War who actually learned how to play piano while encamped in one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces. It’s a priority for The War and Treaty to keep contributing to the long history of musicians supporting the military. Michael wrote his first song in honour of the man who encouraged him to play around on the piano in Saddam Hussein’s basement; Captain Robert Scheetz. Scheetz was killed whilst out on a mission in Iraq and Michael played the song he wrote for him at his memorial service. This strength, the strength of a soldier who has experienced and witnessed unimaginable things, is what characterises Michael. Tanya has a strength of her own, one that builds Michael up too.
When they met, Michael was already a veteran. After returning from Iraq, Michael was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – a struggle that he still navigates with the support of Tanya – and suffered from homelessness. A trial that faces many veterans. Now, Michael and Tanya work to support veterans, doing USO tours and speaking with the people who Michael considers family.
The War and Treaty are not just performers; they are also dedicated to making a positive impact beyond the stage. Their charity work and community involvement demonstrate their commitment to using their platform for good. They have been involved in various charitable activities, from their support of veterans and their families to promoting mental health awareness. “We’ve got to do a better job understanding that mental health isn’t a fad,” Michael has said, “My message to our country is to do better for them.” Often cited is their ‘soul food music’, or music for the soul. It’s frequently the case; after trauma people turn to creativity to relieve their mental burden. As Michael and Tanya step onto larger and more grandiose stages, they bring this special ability to unite people through kindness, pouring their souls into each healing performance.
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Hannah Larvin, Editor, Maverick Magazine
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