This uplifting music video was created entirely during the coronavirus lockdown.

Give Thanks features clips from all over the world including Jamaica, America, Africa as well as some videos shot in Manchester.

It is the brainchild of Ancoats based record label Swing Ting, founded by Balraj Samrai, 32, and Ruben Platt, 31.

They had the idea to ask friends and fans to send in clips of what they have been thankful for during the lockdown period.

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Many sent in videos of their children, while others shared clips of themselves exercising, cooking and dancing.

Lead singer Shanique Marie can be seen singing along in her hometown Kingston, Jamaica, while DJ Toddla T can also be seen enjoying a run in London.

Mancunian’s that feature in the video include Manchester musician Fox, music producer Mr Scruff’s daughter, songwriter EVABEE as well as Balraj with his partner in their allotment.

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Balraj told the M.E.N: “We were not sure how we were going to do videos in this new situation. We wouldn’t have done it like this initially.

“It all started back in April in terms of getting all of the clips. My partner and I were in the kitchen listening to the track. She said why don’t we get people to send through dance videos and make it work that way.

Shanique Marie stars in the music video, released by Swing Ting
(Image: Swing Ting)

“Rather than a dance video in locations, we asked people to send video of what they are thankful for at the moment. There were videos of people reading, cooking and things like that.

“It had the potential to be quite wholesome and powerful. Some people interpreted it differently. Fox at the end says quite a poignant message, other people sent videos of them playing with their children and stuff like that.There were 135 videos sent to us in total.

“People watching it who are in the video when they watched it back, they said it felt like they are seeing their friends. A DJ from New York called Jubilee, she said she had tears in her eyes while watching it. A few other people said they felt emotional watching it as well. It is a good way of connecting people to music.”

Producers, Balraj Samrai and Ruben Platt at their studio in Ancoats
(Image: Colin Horne – Manchester Evening News)

The track was taken from Swing Ting’s first album, 100 Dances, which was released a few weeks before the UK lockdown was introduced.

Sadly, it meant the label’s launch parties had to be cancelled, but plans are in place for events next year.

However, Balraj said the music industry is adapting to the current challenges of the lockdown, with musicians on their label taking the time to focus on creating new music.

He said: “Music is going to be one of the last industries to recover. The distancing measures will be really tough in venues.

Balraj Samrai, co-founder of Swing Ting
(Image: Colin Horne – Manchester Evening News)

“Venues cannot afford to open with limited numbers. They need numbers to be able to afford to open the door.

“There is a lot of potential for people playing in venues with better quality live systems then doing it as a live stream. For artists they have had the time to work on new music. Equiknoxx [a band on the label] are always performing, so they are using the time to work on their catalogue.

“On Bandcamp they have waived fees for every first Friday of the month. PRS for music have brought payments forward.

Balraj Samrai and Ruben Platt first began Swing Ting parties when at university
(Image: Colin Horne – Manchester Evening News)

“That has helped people like ourselves pay the bills. There could be more done by the government, but it is keeping us going. I have filled in the self-employment government scheme.

“We are trying to be agile with stuff. We are trying to make money in new ways.

“I have been lucky to still do teaching in Manchester on Zoom. Dice TV have launched a livestream ticketing platform.

The coronavirus outbreak has left many people across Greater Manchester struggling for access to food, basics and other support. Many of them are self-isolating, often in fragile health and alone.

Public services have been working hard to find and help them, but we know they are over-stretched and working round the clock.

So the Manchester Evening News and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity have launched Covaid-19 – a fundraiser aimed at supporting those who most need help, from elderly people with no support network to homeless families living in hotels.

The money will be distributed via the mayor of Greater Manchester’s charity.

You can donate by visiting our JustGiving page here.

“Some people are really quick to react. Others have found it harder with children and homeschooling. But some people are really thriving, some people can just switch.

“We will have a launch party for the album next year. When we can put events on again, it will feel much sweeter, we will be really thankful for it.”

Swing Ting was created after Balraj and Ruben started to throw house parties in Fallowfield, when they were students at the University of Manchester.

The parties progressed into proper events, which became a regular feature at Northern Quarter bar Soup Kitchen.

A few years down the line, the pair launched their own record label and set up a studio in Wellington Mill, in Ancoats.

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