Gracie Abrams, Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, and Aaron Dessner have released the charity single 'Sold Out' to support Everytown, a gun violence prevention organization. Recorded last year in response to a school shooting, the song's release coincides with the recent tragedy at Brown University. Proceeds will benefit efforts to reduce gun violence in the United States.
The collaboration between rising singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams, Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, and producer Aaron Dessner of the National marks their first formal joint project, though Vernon and Dessner have worked together frequently, and Abrams has partnered with Dessner on songwriting. Abrams previously covered Bon Iver's 'Beach Baby.' The track 'Sold Out' was created last year following a mass shooting at a school, as the artists explained in a joint statement: "We made this song last year in the wake of a school shooting. We were reminded of it this week as our hearts were broken yet again. It’s a sad one to share during the holidays, but the world is hurting and we shouldn’t look away."
The release comes amid heightened awareness of gun violence, particularly after a shooting at Brown University that killed two students and injured nine others. The song's lyrics address the trauma of school shootings, with Abrams singing in the opening verse: "Hiding from a gun inside your high school/Just another Tuesday, normal, old news/Someone spilled their blood on Molly’s white shoes/Someone called their mother from the bathroom." The pre-chorus critiques those in power: "All the men in suit and ties/And their empty words/In their thoughts and prayers tonight/While the country burns/They collect a check in pride/And the system works/And we all stay terrified."
Statistics underscore the urgency: The FBI reported four active shooter incidents at U.S. educational facilities in 2024, including one mass killing. Everytown noted at least 159 gunfire incidents on school grounds in 2025, resulting in 53 deaths and 148 injuries. The artists emphasized their support for Everytown: "We are proud to support Everytown, an organization dedicated to ending gun violence in America. We are releasing this song to raise awareness of their mission of reducing gun violence. Please visit their website for more information on the unbelievable work they do. Sending so much love to you all."
'Sold Out' is available for purchase on Bandcamp, with all proceeds going to Everytown; it is not currently available for streaming.
