ANTI Records Recent News

ANTI- Records Looks Back at a Stellar 2008 and Hints at 2009 with Free New Sampler

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:11:00 -0800

Featuring Brand-New Tracks from N.A.S.A, Ramblin Jack Elliott and William Elliott Whitmore

ANTI- Records launched its new 08/09 music sampler today on-line via the ANTI- blog and in stores with dozens of participating independent retailers around the country. In a special promotion running through the holidays, local music retailers will be offering the newest releases from ten of ANTI's latest and greatest artists for under $10. With purchase, the buyer will receive a copy of the new ANTI- sampler, or it can be downloaded for free directly from the ANTI- blog.

It is both a look back at a spectacular 2008, which saw releases from artists such as Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Jolie Holland and Michael Franti & Spearhead called "career bests," and a look into the New Year, including the following:

• "Spacious Thoughts" - N.A.S.A (featuring Tom Waits and Kool Keith)

From masterminds Squeak E Clean (Sam Spiegel) and DJ Zegon (Ze Gonzales) comes the first track from the highly anticipated debut release The Spirit Of Apollo (out Feb 17 2009). The record - which pairs indie darlings such as Karen O, Santogold, the Cool Kids and M.I.A, with hip hop stars like Kanye West, Chuck D, KRS-One and Ghostface Killah - takes the "less is more" concept and turns it on its head, layering up to four famous voices over vintage Brazilian funk tracks and turntable wizardry.

• "Old Devils" - William Elliott Whimore

Iowa's own son of the soil William Elliott Whitmore premieres his first track off his ANTI- debut Animals in the Dark (out Feb 17 2009). With the old-soul voice of a master country blues balladeer and a devoted following in the punk, folk and indie rock worlds, Will captures the imagination with his raw, populist songs, seemingly untouched by pop culture.

• "Soul Of A Man" - Ramblin' Jack Elliott

He stole James Dean's girl, listened for two days while Jack Keroac read him On the Road and taught Dylan everything he knew, now Ramblin' Jack Elliott is trying something new: lending his plaintive drawl to Depression-era blues classics. Produced by Joe Henry (Elvis Costello, Solomon Burke, Bettye LaVette), the new album also features guest appearances from David Hidalgo (Los Lobos, Tom Waits) and Van Dyke Parks. Out April 7.

2009 will also see new releases from Neko Case, Bob Mould and the legendary Booker T Jones, of Booker T and the MGs fame.

Anti- Records 08/09 Sampler tracklisting:
01. "Mexico City" - Jolie Holland
02. "Pieces Of You" - Islands
03. "Say Hey (I Love You)" - Michael Franti & Spearhead
04. "Whispers" - Lyrics Born
05. "Freedom Highway" - Mavis Staples
06. "Big Mistake" - Tim Fite
07. "Rabbit Habits" - Man Man
08. "Spacious Thoughts" (feat. Tom Waits & Kook Keith) - N.A.S.A.
09. "DIG, LAZARUS, DIG!!!" - Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
10. "Old Devils" - William Elliott Whitmore
11. "Freedom" - Billy Bragg
12. "Real Estate" - Cadence Weapon
13. "This World As We Know It" - Xavier Rudd
14. "Very Temporary" - Bob Mould
15. "Friend For Life" - Ersi Arvizu
16. "New World" - DeVotchKa
17. "Soul Of A Man" - Ramblin' Jack Elliott

Participating retailers:
STINKWEEDS - Phoenix, AZ
Zia - Phoenix, AZ
BOO BOO RECORDS - San Luis Obispo, CA
Fingerprints - Long Beach, CA
Lou's Records - Encinitas, CA
M-THEORY - San Diego, CA
Rasputin - San Francisco, CA
Rhino/Mad Platter - Claremont, CA
Salzer's - Ventura, CA
Streetlight - San Jose, CA
Twist and Shout - Denver, CO
EXILE ON MAIN ST - Branford, CT
Rainbow Books Music - Newark, DE
CD Connection - Jacksonville, FL
Central Square - Santa Rosa, FL
Park Avenue CD - Orlando, FL
Uncle Sam's Miami Beach, FL
VINYL FEVER - TAMPA - Tampa, FL
CRIMINAL RECORDS - Atlanta, GA
CRIMINAL/AURORA - Atlanta, GA
Record Exchange - Boise, ID
Indy CD & Vinyl - Indianapolis, IN
LANDLOCKED MUSIC - Bloomington, IN
LUNA MUSIC - Indianapolis, IN
Kief's - Lawrence, KS
CD CENTRAL - Lexington, KY
earX-tacy - Louisville, KY
Newbury Comics - Boston, MA
Bull Moose - Portland, ME
ROCK-A-BILLYS - Utica, MI
Electric Fetus - Minneapolis, MN
VINTAGE VINYL - St Louis, MO
Schoolkids - Raleigh, NC
Homer's - Omaha, NE
Lakeshore Record - Rochester, NY
Looney Tunes - West Babylon, NY
Record Archive - Rochester, NY
CULTURE CLASH - Toledo, OH
Finders Records - Bowling Green, OH
Magnolia Thunderpussy - Columbus, OH
SHAKE IT - Cincinnati, OH
Guestroom Records - Norman, OK
Guestroom Records - OKC, OK
CD World - Eugene, OR
JACKPOT RECORDS - Portland, OR
JACKPOT RECORDS - Portland, OR
Music Millennium - Portland, OR
Earshot - Greenville, SC
52.5 - Charleston, SC
Disc Exchange - Knoxville, TN
GRIMEY'S - Nashville, TN
Cactus - Houston, TX
END OF AN EAR - Austin, TX
GOOD RECORDS - Dallas, TX
Waterloo - Austin, TX
SLOW TRAIN - Salt Lake City, UT
Plan 9 - Richmond, VA
Pure Pop - Burlington, VT
Easy Street - Seattle, WA
HOT POOP - Walla Walla, WA
SONIC BOOM - Seattle, WA
SONIC BOOM - Seattle, WA
ATOMIC RECORDS - Milwaukee, WI

Michael Franti & Spearhead Return to US Stages After Triumphant Month in Australia

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:11:00 -0800

Labelmates Solillaquists Of Sound Support Nov 7th - 16th

After spending the month of October on tour in Australia, Michael Franti and Spearhead will resume their protest dance party on stages across the US, beginning on November 7th in Royal Oak MI. Labelmates Solillaquists Of Sound, renowned for their jazz-poetry hip hop originality and insane MPC stylings, will be main support November 7th - 16th.

Michael Franti is not only a musician and activist, but also an award-winning documentary filmmaker (I Know I'm Not Alone, documenting his time in the war torn areas of Iraq, Israel and Palestine), author (What I Be, Michael's first children's book) and promoter (the Power To The Peaceful festivals which draw tens of thousands of fans to the yearly performances in San Francisco and Sao Paulo, Brazil).

Michael Franti and Spearhead are touring in support of their sixth studio album All Rebel Rockers. Produced largely in Jamaica by superduo Sly and Robbie, All Rebel Rockers is a reggae-steeped record filled with hope and dissent – the perfect soundtrack for this important moment in our nation's history. Jambase enthuses "infectious hooks, catchy choruses, stellar musicianship, top flight production and a mix of politically relevant and fun lyrics makes All Rebel Rockers another Spearhead gem," while The Boston Globe raves "Franti offers a set of elastic, expansive grooves that combine humane social concern and messages of love with pure thump."

Solillaquists Of Sound recently completed their sophomore album for ANTI-, the follow-up to 2006's As If We Existed. The yet-untitled LP is slated for release in 2009.

Michael Franti & Spearhead on tour:
11-07* Royal Oak Theater Royal Oak MI
11-08* Vic Theatre Chicago IL
11-09* Barrymore Theatre Madison WI
11-12* Brown Theatre Louisville KY
11-13* Carnegie Lecture Hall Pittsburgh PA
11-14* Palace Theatre Albany NY
11-15* Lupos Heartbreak Hotel Providence RI
11-16* Orpheum Theatre Boston MA
11-19 9:30 Club Washington DC
11-20 Electric Factory Philadelphia PA
11-21 Nokia Theatre Time Square New York NY
11-22 Nokia Theatre Time Square New York NY
11-23 Calvin Theatre Northampton MA
11-28 Fillmore Denver CO
11-29 Fillmore Denver CO
12-13 Asheville Civic Asheville NC

*Solillaquists Of Sound supporting

Civil Rights Legend MAVIS STAPLES Celebrates Obama Win - "The Dream is Alive!"

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:11:00 -0800

New Record - MAVIS STAPLES LIVE: HOPE AT THE HIDEOUT - Takes on New Significance with Historic Victory

Mavis Staples, who marched and sang and protested alongside Dr. Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's, saw her steadfast dedication to equality and unwavering sense of hope validated on Tuesday. She writes:

"To come up in a time when there was slavery, racism, the KKK, and Jim Crow, I'm just so grateful to still be here to enjoy this historical time in our lives. It is so surreal, so completely overwhelming.

This young black man has inspired and brought the country together. There's something about him that makes me feel he is the chosen one. There's something about his leadership that makes people feel calm and safe. He has inspired hopes and dreams of all people - black, white, brown or yellow. Doctor King and Pops I just know are so happy. "The Dream" is alive."

Staples' new record - Mavis Staples Live: Hope At The Hideout, which also came out on Tuesday - takes on a whole new significance in the wake of this historic win for equal rights. Recorded in June in an intimate bar in her hometown of Chicago, the record is filled with freedom songs like "We Shall Not Be Moved" and "Down In Mississippi," gospel classics like "Will The Circle Be Unbroken," and her biggest hit, "I'll Take You There." Since the record was recorded in the uncertainty of the run-up to the election, it could, on one hand, be taken as another token to the struggle that Staples has devoted her career, and life, to. Yet in the wake of Tuesday's decision, the songs are suddenly a testament to the uplifting hope and certainty of success that has marked Staples' work over the past 50+ years.

In addition to her work in the trenches, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer is also no stranger to political celebrations. Staples has performed at inaugural events for John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

Early Praise for Mavis Staples Live: Hope At The Hideout:

• "She sat in at lunch counters and marched with King to protest segregation in America in the 1960s. Now Mavis' marvelous new Live: Hope at the Hideout revisits that era with personal recollections and brilliantly evoked songs from (or recast for) the movement... if this concert doesn't get your heart pumping, check your pulse." -Philadelphia Daily News

• "Blistering…remarkable." -Time Out Chicago

• "Her voice's laryngitic burr is extraordinarily potent for a 69-year old, and there's a frisson of hope discernible on the delivery of a song like "Eyes On The Prize," a civil rights rallying-cry lent fresh pertinence by Barack Obama's campaign for the US presidency." ***** -The Independent UK

• "Simply magnificent." -Detroit Free Press

• "Staples - even at 69 - is a geyser of ferocity and depth…her energy is gobsmacking. Following a raucous rendition of "Freedom Highway", which the three-piece band plays as a runaway bus on a rural road, culminating in much cymbal smashing and jubilant howls, Staples apologizes, "I get so all up into it. You know, when the spirit hits you, you've got to move!"" -Pitchfork

• "Haunting and relevant." -Blackbook

• "If this music were played in churches this way, they'd all be full…it is at once a celebratory and inspiring recording." -Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

• "She is, and always will be, a powerhouse of soul in all the best musical and spiritual senses of that term. She's singing for the audience, and for Jesus, and for all the pioneers who went before her. She sings a batch of Civil Rights era songs - "Down in Mississippi," "Freedom Highway," "We Shall Not Be Moved" - and she imbues them with a passion and an urgency that reminds us that 2008 really isn't all that far removed from 1963, and that hard-won freedoms can be lost, and are still worth fighting for." -Andy Whitman, Paste

OUT TODAY: Mavis Staples Live: Hope At The Hideout

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:11:00 -0800

Mavis Staples' new album, Live: Hope At The Hideout, is in stores today. Make sure to go out and buy it!

• “She sat in at lunch counters and marched with King to protest segregation in America in the 1960s. Now Mavis’ marvelous new Live: Hope at the Hideout revisits that era with personal recollections and brilliantly evoked songs from (or recast for) the movement…if this concert doesn’t get your heart pumping, check your pulse.” –Philadelphia Daily News

• “Blistering…remarkable.” -Time Out Chicago

• “Her voice’s laryngitic burr is extraordinarily potent for a 69-year old, and there’s a frisson of hope discernible on the delivery of a song like “Eyes On The Prize,” a civil rights rallying-cry lent fresh pertinence by Barack Obama’s campaign for the US presidency.” ***** -The Independent UK

• “Simply magnificent.” -Detroit Free Press

• “Staples– even at 69– is a geyser of ferocity and depth…her energy is gobsmacking. Following a raucous rendition of “Freedom Highway”, which the three-piece band plays as a runaway bus on a rural road, culminating in much cymbal smashing and jubilant howls, Staples apologizes, “I get so all up into it. You know, when the spirit hits you, you’ve got to move!”” -Pitchfork

• “Haunting and relevant.” -Blackbook

William Elliott Whitmore Set to Release Animals In The Dark February 17th, 2009

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:10:00 -0700

ANTI- Records Debut Marks a More Expansive Sound and Worldview for Iowa's Son of the Soil

Tour with Murder By Death Begins 10/23

From the first lines of "Mutiny," the opening track on William Elliott Whitmore's ANTI- Records debut Animals In The Dark, one can see that this is decidedly not simply a continuation of his Southern trilogy that spanned his last three releases. Rather than a reflection of life and loss and the world surrounding his Iowa horse farm on the banks of the Mississippi, "Mutiny" finds Whitmore's focus turned outward, to the state of the country and the missteps of the government. Conveyed with ire and humor, Whitmore sings over a martial beat:

Well it's a goddamn shame what's going down
How we got to this I do not know
There's a sick sick wind that is blowing ‘round
And the captain's got to go

Yet Animals In The Dark, is by no means a political record. It has more in common with the preacher blues of Reverend Gary Davis or the romantic populism of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska than it does a Billy Bragg record. What Animals In The Dark highlights is the maturation and growth of an exemplary artist. On the release, Whitmore showcases his classic songwriting and mastery of the acoustic guitar and banjo, but adds elements such as strings, an organ and a pedal steel, putting the songs into full arrangements and a band context for the first time. The results are a more expansive, cultivated sound, without losing any of the palpable soul that has garnered the 30 year old such critical acclaim.

William Elliott Whitmore naturally bridges the Americana music scene which embraces his sound and the Midwestern DIY rock movement which holds him as one of their own. Beginning on October 23rd, Whitmore sets out on tour with dark country rockers Murder By Death.

William Elliott Whitmore on tour:
Oct 23 Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, Georgia
Oct 24 Backbooth - Orlando, Florida
Oct 25 Common Grounds - Gainesville, Florida
Oct 27 Bottletree - Birmingham, Alabama
Oct 28 One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, Louisiana
Oct 29 Thirsty Hippo - Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Oct 30 Rubber Gloves - Denton, Texas
Oct 31 Stubb's BBQ - Austin, Texas
Nov 1 Marquee - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nov 2 Foundry Music Theatre - Joplin, Missouri
Nov 4 Uncle Pleasants - Louisville, Kentucky
Nov 5 Brewery - Raleigh, North Carolina
Nov 6 Steppin Out - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Nov 7 Canal Club Lounge - Richmond, Virginia
Nov 8 Ottobar - Baltimore, Maryland
Nov 9 First Unitarian Church - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nov 11 Maxwell's - Hoboken, New Jersey
Nov 12 Southpaw - Brooklyn, New York
Nov 13 Pearl Street - Northampton, Massachusetts
Nov 14 Higher Ground - S. Burlington, Vermont
Nov 15 Cafe 939 at Berklee - Boston, Massachusetts
Nov 17 Mohawk Place - Buffalo, New York
Nov 18 Club Cafe - Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Nov 19 Basement - Columbus, Ohio
Nov 20 Metro - Chicago, Illinois
Nov 21 Mac's Bar - Lansing, Michigan
Nov 22 Grog Shop - Cleveland, Ohio

JOLIE HOLLAND'S THE LIVING AND THE DEAD HAILED AS A CAREER BEST

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:10:00 -0700

Singer/Songwriter's Stunning Video for "Mexico City" Premieres Today on AOL/Spinner

North American Tour with Openers Herman Dune Oct/Nov

It its first week of release, Jolie Holland's latest the Living and the Dead is receiving unanimous praise from critics, while the unparalleled chanteuse is charming crowds across the US and Canada in a month-long tour with French anti-folk duo Herman Dune as main support which began on Sunday in San Digeo.

Additionally, Holland filmed a video for the album's first single "Mexico City" in Joshua Tree last month. Taking a cue from the song's themes of life and death, love and loss, the video is filled with images of the gorgeous Holland walking across a deserted expanse and finds her in a Dia de los Muertos celebration at nightfall. The video for "Mexico City" premieres today on AOL/Spinner.

Praise for Jolie Holland's the Living and the Dead:
• "One of our best musical poets" –All Music Guide
• "Holland's fourth album — far and away her strongest—is flawlessly executed and fearlessly told." -Blender
• "Every next page better than the last." -Filter
• "Positively enchanting." -LA Weekly
• "Impossible to forget." -Bust Magazine
• "Her fourth—and perhaps best—album…[has] a more contemporary roots sound, which provides a more evocative backdrop for her signature vocals." -Paste
• "Stunning takes on lost lovers and sly approaches" -Elle

Jolie Holland on tour with Herman Dune:
10-12 Belly Up Tavern - Solana Beach CA
10-13 Troubadour - Los Angeles CA
10-14 SOhO Restaurant & Music Club - Santa Barbara, CA
10-15 Bimbos 365 Club - San Francisco CA
10-17 Doug Fir - Portland OR
10-18 Capitol Theater - Olympia WA
10-19 Richards on Richards - Vancouver, BC
10-20 Triple Door - Seattle, WA
10-22 Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
10-23 Boulder Theater - Boulder, CO
10-24 Jackpot Lounge - Lawrence, KS
10-25 Cedar Culture Centre - Minneapolis, MN
10-27 Lakeshore Theatre - Chicago, IL
10-28 The Pike Room at The Crofoot - Pontiac, MI
10-29 Horseshoe Tavern - Toronto, ON
10-30 Cabaret du Musee Juste Pour Rire - Montreal, QC
10-31 Higher Ground - South Burlington, VT
11-1 Museum of Fine Arts - Boston, MA
11-3 Tin Angel - Philadelphia, PA
11-4 IOTA - Arlington, VA
11-5 Grey Eagle - Asheville, NC
11-6 Eddie's Attic - Decatur, GA
11-07 Belcourt Theatre – Nashville, TN
11-08 The 930 Listening Room - Louisville KY
11-09 Thunderbird Café – Pittsburgh, PA
11-13 Highline Ballroom - New York, NY

The Coup's Boots Riley to Open Tom Morello Solo Tour Starting November 1

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:10:00 -0700

Illuminative Tour Followed by Two Appearances with Meshell Ndegeocello

After marching together at the Democratic National Convention and playing together at both the DNC and the RNC, Boots Riley (the Coup) and Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, the Nightwatchman) are going on tour together. The famed guitarist and activist has tapped the incendiary political MC to be main support on his North American tour, beginning on November 1st in San Francisco.

On November 3rd, Riley and Morello will play a Get Out the Vote rally and concert in Seattle WA, alongside Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard and Mike McCready and other special guests. The show is part of a larger effort by all the artists involved to energize young voters in this historic election.

Following the three week tour with Morello, Boots will then play two shows with 10-time Grammy nominated Meshell Ndegeocello in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

A lifelong activist, raised, residing and educating in Oakland CA, Boots Riley will be the keynote speaker at the 2008 Practical Activism Conference at the University of California, Santa Cruz on October 25th. Riley's work, which ranges from local issues in the Bay Area – such as his efforts alongside other human rights organizations to block California's Proposition 21 -- to international concerns – such as his participation the World Conference Against Racism – has set "an unprecedented standard of political organizing among hip hop artists" (College Nine and College Ten).

With titles such as Steal This Album, Kill My Landlord and Genocide & Juice, the Coup (founded in 1991 by Boots Riley and DJ Pam the Funkstress) has always been a vehicle for Riley's outspoken political beliefs. The Coup are currently in the studio, recording the follow-up to their 2006 Epitaph debut Pick A Bigger Weapon.

Boots Riley on tour with Tom Morello:

11.01.08 - San Francisco, CA (The Fillmore)
11.02.08 - Portland, OR (Wonder Ballroom)
11.03.08 - Seattle, WA (Showbox Theatre)*
11.05.08 - Vancouver, BC (Commodore Ballroom)
11.07.08 - Salt Lake City, UT (The Depot)
11.08.08 - Aspen, CO (Belly Up Aspen)
11.08.08 - Boulder, CO (Fox Theater)
11.11.08 - Minneapolis, MN (Fine Line Music Café)
11.12.08 - Milwaukee, WI (Turner Hall Ballroom)
11.13.08 - Indianapolis, IN (The Vogue)
11.15.08 - Detroit, MI (Majestic Theater)
11.16.08 - Toronto, ONT (Opera House)
11.17.08 - Boston, MA (Middle East)
11.19.08 - Baltimore, MD (Sonar)
11.20.08 – Philadelphia, PA (Electric Factory)
11.21.08 - New York, NY (The Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza)
12.07.08 – San Francisco, CA (The Fillmore)**
12.08.08 – Los Angeles, CA (House of Blues)**

* Get Out The Vote Show w/ Tom Morello & members of Pearl Jam
** with Meshell Ndegeocello

Cadence Weapon's New Video "Real Estate" a Timely Parody of Tragic Reality

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:10:00 -0700

Afterparty Babies Canadian Tour Continues Through October

While Cadence Weapon (aka Roland Pemberton) wrote the song "Real Estate" before the current financial crisis began rearing its disastrous head, its message is particularly poignant right at this moment. The new video for "Real Estate" brings home the young performer's premonition of the financial mess he predicted on his March release, Afterparty Babies. Dressed to the nines and moving property at alarming rates, the ever-acute Cadence provides some comic, if timely, relief to the ongoing Bailout-palooza in his crushing parody of the misguided occupation of buying and selling. See the video for "Real Estate" here.

After a whirlwind 2008, marked by the critically acclaimed release of his sophomore album Afterparty Babies, and over 100 performances across North America and Europe – including stops at Lollapalooza, Glastonbury, V-Fest and Roskilde -- Cadence Weapon (aka Roland Pemberton) is back with his first ever headlining tour across Canada.

Since the release of Afterparty Babies in March, Cadence Weapon has been touring non-stop, sharing stages with the likes of Public Enemy, Santogold, Roots Manuva, and Crystal Castles, while still finding time to record new tracks. Some of the freshest collaborations in music today include Cadence's recent work with fellow Canadian DJ A-Trak and UK electro-king Hervé is on the cover of the September issue of Mixmag, and all over the blogs. Heard it yet? "Roll With The Winners." Cadence also collaborated this summer on tracks with Freq Nasty, Simian Mobile Disco and Drop The Lime, remixed the new Roots Manuva single "Buff Nuff", and has recorded a brand new mixtape called Separation Anxiety that will be available exclusively for the upcoming Canadian Tour.

Afterparty Babies Canadian Tour:

10.09.08 TORONTO Lee's Palace*
10.10.08 OTTAWA Babylon*
10.11.08 MONTREAL Zoobizarre*
10.12.08 QUEBEC La Ninkasi
10.16.08 HALIFAX The Marquee#
10.17.08 CHARLOTTETOWN The Wave
10.18.08 FREDERICTON The Phoenix

*with special guest Woodhands
#with Skratch Bastid

Afterparty Babies in the press:

Conclusive proof that at least one music critic can rap - Spin

Aesop Rock meets Girl Talk…this record has all the great elements of both - Filter

He's the perfect hip-hop hero for the myspace age - The Onion

Pemberton moves towards commercial hip hop with this record while still retaining a delightful underground flavour. Nas: Eat your words - Observer Music Monthly

His darting intelligence and racing imagination are evident in every line. - Guardian UK

Dense, innovative… with a refreshing lack of respect for convention. - Q Magazine

A dense and abrasive record of astonishing precocity. **** – Uncut

Underground hip hop's savior - Dazed & Confused

N.A.S.A. LAUNCHES ‘THE SPIRIT OF APOLLO' ON FEBRUARY 17, 2009

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:10:00 -0700

N.A.S.A. LAUNCHES ‘THE SPIRIT OF APOLLO' ON FEBRUARY 17, 2009

SQUEAK E. CLEAN AND DJ ZEGON TEST THE BOUNDARIES OF THE UNIVERSE BY DROPPING BRAZILIAN BEATS FORTIFIED BY UNEXPECTED, SUPERSTAR COLLABORATIONS

ALBUM GUESTS INCLUDE: TOM WAITS, KAYNE WEST, KAREN O,
OL' DIRTY BASTARD, SPANK ROCK, DAVID BYRNE, MIA, RZA, SANTOGOLD, GEORGE CLINTON, CHUCK D, SIZZLA, METHOD MAN AND MANY MORE

N.A.S.A. (North America/South America), and their worldwide debut The Spirit of Apollo is set to be released on Anti- on February 17. 2009. N.A.S.A is an ongoing creative collaboration between two lifelong music aficionados, Squeak E. Clean ad DJ Zegon, and their friends, friends of friends and musical heroes.

While N.A.S.A. stands for North America/South America and contains a number of superstar artists from both coasts of the US, it is about as far from a tension-building geographical showdown as a record can get. Rather, The Spirit of Apollo was born with the righteous goal of bringing people together through music and art, and that is exactly what mastermindsSqueak E, Clean and DJ Zegon have done.

Unexpected collaborations abound on the eighteen track release. Tom Waits growls over Kool Keith, Karen O taunts while Ol' Dirty Bastard gives shout-outs to Wu Tang and N.A.S.Afrom the grave, and David Byrne, Chuck D and others expound on the evils of "Money." In spite of the range of performers, the pairings seem organic, inspired and make perfect sense on the first listen, never coming off as ironic or impulsive.

That passion and appreciation for music is the driving force behind The Spirit of Apollo. Conceived in a crowded party in Sao Paulo and nurtured by a shared love of vintage Brazilian soul and funk records, N.A.S.A. was born when Spiegel and Gonzales got together in a studio and hit record. Five years later, after thousands of miles traveled, many favors called in, countless hours spent in recording studios, bartered, traded and out of pocket, N.A.S.A. landed at Anti Records, a label that is home to other likeminded visionaries such as One Day As A Lion, Nick Cave and N.A.S.A.-guest vocalist Tom Waits

Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon will put their turntable skills to good use as N.A.S.A. goes live with dancers, visual effects, art installations and special guests. Also expect more announcements as this album turns into a multi-media extravaganza with the help of more friends, this time from the art world.

N.A.S.A. The Spirit of Apollo tracklist:
1. "Intro"
2. "The People Tree" (feat. David Byrne, Chali 2na, Gift of Gab,& Z-Trip)
3. "Money" (feat. David Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge, & Z-Trip)
4. "NASA Music" (feat. Method Man, E-40, & DJ Swamp)
5. "Way Down" (feat. RZA, Barbie Hatch, & John Frusciante)
6. "Hip Hop" (feat. KRS-One, Fatlip, & Slim Kid Tre)
7. "Four Rooms, Earth View"
8. "Strange Enough" (feat. Karen O, Ol' Dirty Bastard, & Fatlip)
9. "Spacious Thoughts" (feat. Tom Waits & Kool Keith)
10. "Gifted" (feat. Kanye West and others TBD)
11. "A Volta" (feat. Sizzla, Amanda Blank, & Lovefoxxx)
12. "There's a Party" (feat. George Clinton & Chali 2na)
13. "Whachadoin?" (feat. Spank Rock, M.I.A., Santogold & Nick Zinner)
14. "O Pato" (feat. Kool Kojak & DJ Babão)
15. "Samba Soul" (feat. Del Tha Funkee Homosapien & DJ Qbert)
16. "The Mayor" (feat. The Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, DJ AM & Scarface)
17. "N.A.S.A. Anthem"

ABOUT SQUEAK E. CLEAN: Sam Spiegel is a composer, producer, DJ and remixer. Sam has spun all over the World – from award shows and clubs to premieres and parties and fashion shows in Japan, Brazil, Morocco, Canada, Australia, England and all over the US. Spiegel frequently collaborates with his brother, filmmaker Spike Jonze. Notably, he scored and compiled the soundtrack for the Jonze-directed cult classic "Yeah Right!" (the top-selling skateboard movie of all time), and the two worked together with Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs on an Adidas commercial that won the Gold Lion for Best Music at the 2005 Cannes International Advertising Festival and Silver for Original Music at the 2006 Clio Awards. While Spiegel has produced and remixed tracks for Maroon 5, Iggy Pop, Kylie Minogue, the Eels, Ben Lee, the Cardigans and many more, 2006 marked the first Squeak E. Clean fully-produced album. Show Your Bones, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs sophomore record, was named "Album of the Year" by the likes of Rolling Stone, NME, and Spin, and was nominated for a Grammy for best alternative album.

ABOUT DJ ZEGON: A professional skateboarder who has evolved into one of the most sought after, cutting-edge DJs in Latin America, Ze Gonzales has carved out his own musical niche that marries traditional Brazilian beats with underground hip hop, creating a sound and vibe that places Zegon in a class all his own. Recently, Ze spent two years in Los Angeles working with longtime friend - and fellow Brazilian -- Mario C, the producer and engineer behind such artists as Beastie Boys, Tone Loc, Young MC and Bjork.

Xavier Rudd in-studio with OPBMusic

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:09:00 -0700

Recently Xavier Rudd’s US tour took him through Portland, where he stopped by the studios of Oregon Public Broadcasting to play a few songs off his latest, Dark Shades of Blue, and to talk about the making of the new record, scoring films and playing a Yiraki. Hear it all on OPBMusic.com