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Singer-songwriter Michele Bettencourt and Vampire Time have released the music video for “Taking Out the Trash,” a politically charged song calling attention to America’s broken two-party system and the influence of wealth and self-interest in politics.
A transgender artist who found her voice as a singer-songwriter in 2018, Michele brings her own perspective to a song that questions the systems shaping American life. Written by Michele Bettencourt, Everett Bradley, Kerry Brown, Sari Greenberg and Hendrik Helmer in a single day at Flux Studios in New York City, the song takes aim at a political duopoly that leaves voters with limited choices between candidates who too often prioritize personal ambition over the country’s well-being.
“‘Taking Out the Trash’ was written to call attention to America’s broken political duopoly, where our choices are largely limited to those who care more about ego and self-interest than the country’s well-being,” explains Michele. “A byproduct is the ‘pay for play’ nature of the relationship between politicians and the wealthiest 1%, who own almost half the US stock market.”
WATCH “TAKING OUT THE TRASH” HERE
The track which comes from the 2025 album Vampire Time, was recorded at Studio City Sound in North Hollywood, bringing together an accomplished group of musicians to deliver the song’s message. Michele handles lead vocals, joined by Sari Greenberg on backing vocals and Everett Bradley on backing vocals and additional drum programming. Hendrik Helmer plays guitar, Carmine Rojas plays bass, Russ McKinnon plays drums, and Jeff Babko contributes keyboards. Kerry Brown created the drum pattern, while Bettencourt, Bradley, Brown, Greenberg and Helmer provide the foot stomps, arranged by Greenberg.
With “Taking Out the Trash,” Michele Bettencourt and Vampire Time channel their frustration with the political status quo into a direct musical statement, challenging listeners to consider who benefits from a system in which money and personal interests hold so much power.
Michele is currently in the studio working on a new music and will be announcing an LA show soon
