On the Line Collective
Organization profile published 1983

Year Published:  1983
Resource Type:  Organization
Cx Number:  CX2878

Abstract: 
Connexions has published multiple abstracts on the On the Line Collective.

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This abstract was published in Connexions Digest in 1983:

The "ON THE LINE" COLLECTIVE is a non-profit group "committed to making new music for social change accessible, affordable and presented in an exciting, artistic format." Members are available for collective song-writing sessions, seminars on the use of music in literacy and E.S.L. clases, and performances at "rallies, demos, women's centres, whereever there is struggle, and at anything that is LEFT!"

"ON THE LINE" came in to existence during the 1983 production of a songbook and cassette tape of music written and performed by Arlene Mantle. Several of the 19 songs were written collectively with those directly affected by the issues dipicted in the songs - women steelworkers, public housing recidents, domestics, immigrant women, adult educators, and trade unionists. One such song is "Smash the Right", written collectively with nine community workers. The group discussed and included in the song their concerns about Reaganomics, the Right to Life momement, El Salvador, the Klan's move into a Toronto Neighbourhood, and the attack on gay rights in the infamous 1981 Toronto bath house riads. The chorus of the song is
"All around the Right is risin'
People we need organizin'
Smash the right is our song,
"Cause we know that the Right is wrong"
The songs are written to be shared; Arlene urges other activits to "sing them, copy them, use them as you will. Remember, there have been no great social movements without music."

The songbook is available from "ON THE LINE" at $3 per copy. The cassette tape and songbook together are $10 plus $1 postage. Bulk rates are available.

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This abstract was published in Connexions Digest in 1986:

ON THE LINE PUBLISHING COLLECTIVE was formed in 1983 to produce a songbook by activist singer-songwriter Arlene Mantle. Arlene teamed up with Jayne Walker, who had been involved in union organzing , daycare and otehr struggles. The 64-page songbook ($3 + postage) contains 19 songs and stories about them.

Much of the music that Arlene performs is written collectively. After discussing the issues a particular group is facing (daycare, health and safety, sexual harassment, etc.), the group creates a song from what has been said. Arlene pefers this way of writing, as she believes that the personal, when presented collectively is strong political statement.

Shortly after publishing the songbook, the collective produced tape, "On The Line" ($7 + postage) of all the songs. The demand was so great that a second tape, Voices of Struggle ($8 + postage) was produced in 1984, containing ten additional songs for social change.

Although much of the collective's work centres on Arlene's music, it is expanding into new areas. A 35-minute slide show, Chile - Tomorrow Is Now, is available and a book of stories about Ontario women organizing for welfare rights is being written. The collective is also involved with the Labour, Art, Mdiea Working Group in creating a resource list of cultural workers who have worked with the labour movement.