In late 2019, Declan McKenna headed out to Nashville to record his second album, Zeros to be released on August 21st, with producer Jay Joyce. “Nashville is a great place to record because it’s filled with a lot of creative people and music heads trying to escape LA.” This idea of a refuge is fitting for Declan, wanting to be away from the pressures of London or the drab consistency of home, allowing for an intimacy and a desire to explore on this album that can only really be pursued in a place that is unfamiliar. Like Nashville, the record is playful, wonderfully strange and intensely musical, but there’s a dark shadow looming throughout. It’s Coors Light and cowboy boots escaping a Silicon Valley dystopia.

About The RCN Foundation

The RCN Foundation is an independent charity with close links to the Royal College of Nursing. It was established in 2010, and its aim is to support nursing and improve the health and wellbeing of the public. RCN Foundation is there for every current and former nurse, midwife and health care support workers and supports, strengthens and champions the nursing and midwifery community throughout the UK.

The money from this challenge will go to the RCN Foundation COVID-19 Support Fund, which directly responds to challenges faced by frontline health and social care staff. One health care worker, who has already received financial support during the COVID-19 crisis said: “The grant from the RCN Foundation has made an unimaginable difference, both financially and emotionally at this difficult time. It has enabled me to pay my bills and continue to self-isolate for several more weeks, which has been such a relief to me and my family, given my ongoing underlying health issues. I’m so grateful for the support.”

How does Covers for Others work?

Below is a list of songs, one of which Declan will reinterpret and perform for your enjoyment. You can vote for the song you’d like him to cover by making a donation towards the campaign – the more you give, the more votes you cast. The winning song that gains the most votes will be revealed on Friday (May 15), and he’ll live stream his performance on Saturday (May 16) at 8pm (BST) on Instagram.