Assembling a veritable and impressive collection of artists and musicians, including visual artists Shepard Fairey and Tomo77, who created the front and back artwork, Ulises Bella (Ozomatli), Jason Roberts (Spoon), Rob Kaechele (DJ K), Slim Zwerling (Slim Zwerling & the Yums), Justin Carl Perkins (Mystery Room Mastering), among others, David J has united them for his groundbreaking single “ICE Too Cold To Thaw.”
The limited edition and autographed 7” single will be released on ice blue vinyl with two tracks: “ICE Too Cold To Thaw” b/w “ICE Too Cold To Thaw (Sad Jazz version)”. It will also be available in a bundle that includes the 7” single plus an authorized numbered print, autographed by both David J and Shepard Fairey.
“Like a psychedelic town crier screaming, ‘hear ye hear ye,’ David reminds us of the folly of repeating history,” says Ozomatli’s Ulises Bella who plays baritone and alto sax on the single. “To me, the song is a call to arms to all artists and musicians to combat the casual fascism that Trump has unleashed with ICE terrorizing communities. We must stand together!”
Lyrically provocative and poignant (A mother and her babies / Cruelly torn apart / And carted off to God knows where / It’s enough to still your heart), the song is a call to arms to end the brutality. “I’ve been an eye witness to this outrage happening in LA,” says David J. “I’ve seen the brutality and resulting devastation first hand. It’s highly disturbing and heartbreaking. Something has to be done!”
American contemporary artist, activist and founder of OBEY Clothing, Shepard Fairey joined David’s crusade by creating the powerful cover art of a fascistic cop pointing an accusatory finger, an image that burns in the minds of those arrested, detained and, in many cases, deported. “The United States was founded by immigrants fleeing oppression or simply searching for a better life,” Shepard explains. “The vast numbers of immigrants have made the ‘melting pot’ of the U.S. beautifully diverse culturally. Immigrants from around the globe, not racial or cultural homogeny, make America great. No human, documented or otherwise, deserves to be terrorized by the masked thugs of ICE. I’m pro-human rights and pro-justice so I’m proud to be part of this project!”
The accompanying video depicts an unattended ice cream cart, once manned by Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano, a beloved neighborhood ice cream vendor for Culver City, CA who was brutally tackled to the ground and detained by ICE agents on June 23, 2025. The incident was covered in news broadcasts that were televised internationally. Now a symbol of the oppression and resistance to those fighting the current ongoing violence inflicted by ICE agents, the video depicts the little ice cream cart as it travels unattended through different politically charged international locales, interspersed with brutal news footage.
Video director Tony D explains, “As a young Mexican artist living in a border city, the scenes coming out of Los Angeles and all of the U.S. have shocked me. However, art can unite and serve as a weapon against injustice. I’m glad I got to work on David’s song, because in moments like these, artists shouldn’t remain silent. It is our duty to call out the injustices that occur in the world, and it is also our duty to find hope. The song represents these two very important values: resistance and hope.”
Released on No Devotion Records which is based in Mexicali, Mexico, the threat of ICE is direct and personal, as it is Mexicans who are most often targeted. “Every single person harassed, humiliated, tortured, separated and incarcerated is my brother and sister. This goes beyond bloodline,” says CEO / Founder Mario Cabada. “This is a cultural and social catastrophe that involves all of us, regardless of your race, sex, religion or political profile. The humanization and togetherness that music brings us all may help to heal the wound.”
Concludes David J, “I’ve been witnessing the ongoing fascist horror of what is happening on the streets in the USA with these ICE oppressors, kidnapping good hardworking people especially in my adopted hometown of Los Angeles. The potential impact of this song may only be a drop in the ocean, but that ocean is made up of drops as is a tidal wave! Bring it on!”
Featured image by Angel Enciso.
SOURCE: Official Bio
LINKS:
https://davidjhaskins.com/
https://www.davidjofficial.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/davidjhaskins
