Featuring remixes of every song on Set My Heat On Fire Immediately in original running sequence by Actress, A.G. Cook, Boy Harsher, Danny L Harle, Initial Talk, Jaakko Eino Kalevi, Jenny Hval, Jim-E Stack, Katie Dey, Koreless, Nídia, Planningtorock & Westerman
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The full 2021 program for Parrtjima – A Festival in Light is out and features an impressive host of high-calibre acts to perform at the iconic free event in Alice Springs next month.
Joining previously announced acts Electric Fields and Casey Donovan on the music program this year is an all-star line up of Australian artists including Miiesha, MusicNT’s Divas, Jimblah, Bow and Arrow, Dobby, OKA, Ziggy Ramo and Shellie Morris.
Shaping up to be bigger and better than ever, Parrtjima 2021 will see an exciting new show for the MacDonnell Ranges, large-scale light installations, artworks, performances, interactive workshops, music, films and talks woven into the program as part of the 2021 theme ‘Future Kultcha’.
2021 Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts AO said this year’s theme ‘Future Kultcha’ is all about ensuring forward thinking of the philosophers, the artists and the dreamers.
“Enabling young guest curators such as Electric Fields and Rhyan Clapham, aka Dobby, to play a part in this year’s program gives a distinct voice of the next generation and their connection to the ancient footprints of their ancestors,” she said.
“When you combine the masters with the emerging, you see a sense of a holistic culture and knowledge that is relevant to everyone in the 21st century.”
Event attendees can also hear from a range of critically-acclaimed speakers as part of the talks program. They include award-winning writer Bruce Pascoe, artists Jungala Kriss and Raymond Walters Japanangka, and Professor Marcia Langton AM to name a few.
Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford said this year’s five-star program was guaranteed to attract crowds from all over Australia.
“The 2021 program signifies a coming-of-age for the event as it enters its sixth year,” he said.
“We are thrilled with the program’s offerings, including everything from impressive new large-scale light installations and musical performances to workshops, talks, films, and of course, our unmissable light show against the MacDonnell Ranges at Alice Springs Desert Park.
“Parrtjima is a must-do for any traveller’s bucket list and I look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to the heart of Australia for this iconic festival in light.”
Other 2021 program highlights include a fabric and textiles workshop hosted by National Indigenous Fashion Awards Director Nina Fitzgerald, bushfood tastings, a wooden carvings masterclass, painting workshops, metal sculpture workshops and more.
Parrtjima has expanded over three event precincts this year, with the Araluen Arts Centre hosting parts of the 2021 program along with Alice Springs Desert Park and Todd Mall.
Children’s activities and live music provided by local DJs will feature on the nightly program, and the Araluen Arts Centre will host a film program and Araluen curator tours. Films include 1950s classic Jedda, coming-of-age comedy Bran Nue Dae featuring Jessica Mauboy and Aboriginal Rules, a documentary on the role Aussie Rules plays in a remote Territory community.
Parrtjima is the only authentic light Aboriginal festival of its kind, showcasing the oldest continuous culture on earth through the newest technology. The packed program runs alongside nightly light shows on the 300-million-year-old natural canvas of the MacDonnell Ranges.
Parrtjima is delivered by the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) and produced by creative directors AGB Events.
Parrtjima takes place from 9-18 April 2021 in the cultural heart of Australia, Alice Springs.
To find out more or register for the Desert Park festival site and Araluen Arts Centre program elements, go to www.parrtjima.com.au.
“This is our chance to be the band that we’ve always wanted to be”
~ Shaun Diviney, Short Stack
UNFD is thrilled to announce Australian rock trio Short Stack as its latest signing, alongside the reveal of the band’s new single + video ‘Burn You Down‘ today. To celebrate the release, Short Stack will play one night in Sydney on Thursday with special guests Redhook. Full details below.
It comes after the trio caused a stir with the announce of their comeback national tour in early 2020 which saw multiple cities sold out in a matter of hours. The now rescheduled run is set to hit capital cities across April, with limited tickets still available HERE.
On reforming and creating new music together, Short Stack vocalist Shaun Diviney shares:
“Everything about how we approached this was different… where we used to find a lot of pressure to deliver something specific, we approached this with the thought that this is our chance to be the band we’ve always wanted to be.”
On the signing, UNFD General Manager Luke Logemann shares that the label has long-admired Short Stack for the intense fan culture they’ve built around their band.
“I’ve always admired Short Stack for their ability to build such a loyal and enthusiastic fanbase, and for how unapologetic they were in doing so. That’s always been the ethos of UNFD as a label and our bands, to care about the music and the fans first and approval last,” he says, adding:
“I saw them play Festival Hall over ten years ago, and I remember being overwhelmed by how passionately the fans sang every word back at them. They wrote huge bangers that you could never get out of your head, even if some people didn’t want to admit it. The best thing is, all of that still rings true – they still have crazy fans, they still sell out venues and they still write huge bangers. Based on how good the new material is, I reckon they’ll be doing this long into the future as well.”
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The video was made with creative collaborator and housemate Bridgette Winten, in the 5km radius around their Brunswick home (a limit due to COVID lockdown measures). Working with colour and contrast, and shot on Super 8, Maple Glider plays off her surroundings, whether it’s lush creek-beds or stark industrial wastelands.
Since its release mid-September, debut single ‘As Tradition‘ has had over 1 million streams (thanks largely to love from Apple Music’s editorial team), has been added to Double J, triple j Unearthed, FBi Radio, 2SER and Edge Radio, and was spun first by Bob Boilen on NPR’s All Songs Considered. In the months that followed, Maple Glider’s domestic label Pieater has joined forces with Partisan Records (Laura Marling, Fela Kuti, Cigarettes After Sex, Fontaines D.C.) for releasing her music to the rest of the world.
Maple Glider‘s striking emotionality is at the center of her performance, leaning into an intimacy that is achieved by way of deeply personal reflections and velvety melodic compositions. Her vocals melt into layers of plucked acoustic guitar and lulling piano, drawing on the somber styles of folk contemporaries with a stark tenderness and introspection that assumes the listener is inside her bedroom as she plays for herself.
After landing in Melbourne in her early 20s, Maple partnered up with her childhood friend, producer Daniel Pinkerton, forming the duo Seavera, pairing acoustic guitars and wonky uprights with dramatic electronics. They parted ways soon after releasing an EP in early 2018, with Zietsch moving to the musical seaside town of Brighton, U.K. It was there she began to work on solo material…
After experiencing falling in and out of love, traveling extensively, writing non-stop, and basking in the lengthy European summer hours, she returned to Melbourne in late 2019 with a SoundCloud account full to capacity of demo uploads. Maple Glider was officially set to take flight.
Zietsch enlisted Tom Iansek (Big Scary, #1 Dads, The Paper Kites, Hockey Dad) to produce and record some of the many, many songs she was ready to get down. During the shared time spent at Pieater’s studio BellBird with Iansek, the wider team got to fully appreciate the wonderful artistry and beauty of Maple Glider and welcomed her to the family.
‘Good Thing‘ is out now, buy/stream it here.
Stay connected with
Maple Glider: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
BLUESFEST IS 85% SOLD OUT
MARK SEYMOUR AND THE UNDERTOW (Easter Monday)
It’s only FOUR WEEKS exactly until we throw open the gates and welcome live music back. The 2021 Bluesfest will take place on April 1st – 5th at the beautiful Byron Events Farm (formerly the Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just 10 minutes north of Byron Bay.
Bluesfest continues to make history – It will be the first multi-day, multi-stage camping festival in the world to be staged since the beginning of the pandemic. With our All-Aussie Talent – all itching to climb onstage – we are poised not just to bring back live music – but to do it in a thrilling atmosphere with a large audience.
Pete Murray, Mark Seymour & The Undertow and Kate Ceberano join our headline lineup to play on the final day of Bluesfest – and this will make Easter Monday a special day to be at Bluesfest. In fact, Easter Monday is shaping up now to be one of the highlight days of the Easter weekend.”
For further information on the line-up or artists please see here.
Following recent cuts with Thornhill’s Jacob Charlton and Ecca Vandal released in the lead up to its announce, the rest of Hyperdaze (Redux) finds VOV collaborating with the likes of Jamie Hails (Polaris), Jon Deiley (Northlane), Lucas Woodland (Holding Absence), Garrett Russell (Silent Planet) & more.
Void Of Vision vocalist Jack Bergin declares how the Redux release finds the intensity of the original Hyperdaze completely dialled up on a notch:
“The people I hand picked for each track not only bring their own influence on board, but also build on what was already such an emotionally heavy release. It’s fully shaken the album up and spat it out somehow even more powerful than the original. We are super proud that we could create such a bold and collaborative project and still have it translate as we originally intended it to.”
After revealing a new music video for ‘Decay’ ft. Ecca Vandal earlier this week, today’s album announcement comes alongside another taste of the release with the reveal of ‘Splinter’ ft. Loathe‘s Kadeem France. Meanwhile, fans can snatch an early listen of Jamie Hails’ feature on ‘Slave To The Name’ premiering on triple j’s short.fast.loud tonight from 10pm AEDT.
Hyperdaze (Redux) drops in full this Friday March 5 through UNFD. Fresh from being announced on The Amity Affliction‘s Australian headline tour, VOV announced two Melbourne headline shows of their own that sold in a matter of hours. The band play two nights at Sooki Lounge later this month.
PRE-SAVE ‘HYPERDAZE (REDUX)’ NOW On crafting the release throughout the throes of lockdown, Bergin shares how he curated such an epic list of guests:
“After reaching out to some of our close peers and friends in the music industry we quickly locked some names in on their respective tracks to get the ball rolling,” he explains.
“From there we looked at the 2020 Void Of Vision touring schedule that never came to be and reached out to a bunch of the names we were supposed to be sharing stages with. Overall we felt free to get creative and branch out and that lead to hitting up some people up outside of our realm (Ecca, Up Late) that could really take a track and flip it on its head.”
Throughout February, Void Of Vision began teasing the project with the release of reimagined versions of fan-favourite Hyperdaze tracks, from Jacob Charlton’s appearance on ‘Year Of The Rat’ and an unlikely team up with none other than Ecca Vandal on ‘Decay’.
The remainder of Hyperdaze (Redux) offers an epic mix of sheer chaos, pulsing EDM, lighter shades and more, as VOV and collaborators alike each flirt with the edge of possibility.
With its release in September 2019, the original Hyperdaze seized a stark brand of bleakness akin only to Void Of Vision. On top of knockout global album reviews upon its release, the band went on to support Northlane around Australia, and took to festivals including Heaven & Hell, Schemaand UNIFY before sneaking in a headliner across Australia and Japan in early 2020.
Void Of Vision now emerge with Hyperdaze (Redux), out in full this Friday.
VOID OF VISION
MELBOURNE HEADLINE SHOWS
Thursday March 18 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave (SOLD OUT)
Friday March 19 – Sooki Lounge, Belgrave (SOLD OUT)
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Callout to Victorian musicians to apply for new Music VR Backers Fund – created to connect artists with fans in ways that go beyond all boundaries
Live 3D virtual reality (VR) streaming platform, Inverse, supported by Music Victoria and the Victorian Music Development Office, is calling out to Victorian musicians’ and performing artists to apply for a first-of-its-kind Music VR Backers Fund, created to aid export of Victoria’s music talent to the world through immersive technology.
Applications for the Music VR Backers Fund open on 3rd March via the Inverse website and close on the 28th March. The Music VR Backers Fund is the first industry grant to offer Victorian musicians the opportunity to connect with fans worldwide through live 3D VR technology, empowering them to diversify their income and to transcend not only the physical limitations of COVID-19 restrictions but enable fans to experience live music like they never have before.
Each eligible entrant will be judged by an independent panel of leading Victorian music figureheads from Music Victoria’s Artist Advisory and COVID Recovery Advisory Groups, including:
Ben Wiesner (Box Hill Institute)
Dave Newington (Granite Consulting)
Elise Peyronnet (Melbourne Music Week)
Eyal Chipkiewicz (The Boite)
Kylie Auldist (Artist)
Peta Petidis (Musician)
Tim Curnick (Artist/Producer)
The Music VR Backers Fund is open to all Victorian musicians and performing artists from all genres, with a total of twenty grants available. Each successful applicant will receive a $2,500 cash grant to live stream in virtual reality a bespoke performance from Australia’s first made-for-VR venue in Melbourne’s inner city, Project Redstone, as well as other iconic live performance venues in Melbourne.
Each performance will be live streamed through Inverse’s Virtual Reality platform around the world during an inaugural Beyond Boundaries VR Festival, to commence April 2021.
According to Darren Vukasinovic, Founder of Inverse, each successful applicant will receive one-to-one coaching and support on VR stagecraft, to ensure the Beyond Boundaries VR Festival is an experience like no other.
“The Beyond Boundaries VR Festival will be the crescendo of the Music VR Backers Grant, where fans from all over the globe will be invited to virtually attend ‘in person’ and encounter all the facets of a live music festival – audio, visual, ambience and energy of the space – in ways that transcend the live music experience.
“Through the Music VR Backers Fund and the Beyond Boundaries VR Festival, each artist will connect with domestic and overseas fans unable to attend gigs in person, as well as reach new audiences in unique and groundbreaking ways through the fast-growing global VR headset market, who are hungry to explore exciting new immersive experiences,” concluded Vukasinovic.
Music Victoria and the Victorian Music Development Office are proudly supporting the inaugural Music VR Backers Fund as they look to grow and evolve the Victorian contemporary music industry.
“Innovative and driven by new technology, this initiative demonstrates what is possible for the future of live music, starting right here in Victoria. The Beyond Boundaries VR Festival will put the artists in focus and support their creative vision, thanks to the teams at Inverse and Moon Mother Productions,” said VMDO General Manager, Katie Stewart.
About Music Victoria
Music Victoria is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and the state peak body for contemporary music. It represents musicians, venues, music businesses and professionals, and music lovers across the contemporary Victorian music community. Music Victoria provides advocacy on behalf of the music sector, actively supports the development of the Victorian music community, and celebrates and promotes Victorian music.
About Victoria Music Development Office (VMDO)
The Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO) is a Victorian Government initiative, delivered by Music Victoria – it has a commitment to boosting the growth and evolution of the Victorian contemporary music industry, supporting the creation of sustainable opportunities and ensuring Victoria maintains its reputation for great music.
About Inverse
Inverse is Australia’s-first ever ‘live’ 3D virtual reality (VR) platform, created to connect fans, families, friends and communities with the enriching experience of ‘live’ performance art and music, remotely. Inverse aims to enable access to experience live events like never before. Through its fully immersive 3D VR technology, Inverse enables musicians, performing artists, venues and event organisers to open-up a whole new experience economy for the ever-evolving digital age, whilst staying connected with those audiences who may be unable to physically attend ‘live’. Born amid the adversity of COVID-19, Inverse is independently owned and was founded by Darren Vukasinovic, CEO of Melbourne-based extended reality (XR) technology start-up, Ignition Immersive.
About Project Redstone
Located at Inverse’s HQ in Melbourne, Project Redstone is Australia’s first made for VR live music venue.
About Moon Mother
In continual operation since 1991 Moon Mother Productions offer a complete range of event production services. From humble beginnings in stage and audio production, our production staff have over 30 years of experience in delivering event excellence. Moon Mother offers production services for events throughout Australia from local community gatherings to major world class events. We pride ourselves in delivering beautiful audio and visual experiences backed by top-of-the-range technology and expert management.
Music VR Backers Fund
Applications open: Wednesday 3 March
Applications close: Sunday 28 March
For further information and to apply head to inverse.live
Where are you currently based?
Hi I’m based in Melbourne where are you? Can you see me? I’m the one in the blue t shirt waving
How did you first start playing music?
I first picked up a guitar in primary school but started playing real music and writing songs later in high school. I had some friends that could play Elliott Smith songs and I knew that I needed to be able to do that.
What’s been happening recently and how has your Covid experience been?
My experience has been okay. I’ve been investing a lot of myself in getting the album together, and making sure these songs sound as good as they can. Lots of gardening and staying in touch with family and friends as much as I can. I was also lucky enough to work throughout the lockdowns here in Melbourne so I was able to get out of the house and hone my gardening chops more.
You’ve recently released your latest two singles ‘Instant Life’ and new one ‘Take Your Opportunities’ off your forthcoming debut album, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
I think the sound was influenced by the songwriting if that makes any sense. With this latest track, because the words just roll along, we needed the production to just tick along underneath the stream of consciousness style prose. I would say the songwriting was influenced by this want I had at the time to write a song that had a fun melody and a rollicking, rhythmic pentameter, at no point was I like ‘I need this to sound like The Beatles’ or whatever.
How did you go about writing these singles and the album?
It’s all some form of self exploration I guess. I dive into some feeling I have or some world I feel like creating. Take Your Opportunities has a feeling to me. I wanted to write about being a weird, sorry weirdo looking for love.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who with?
Recorded in Collingwood Melbourne. Engineered & mixed by Alex O’Gorman, and produced by Joe Orton. We all also did bits and bobs from our homes. We recorded the foundations of the track (drums, bass) in December 2019 but I went back to the studio in 2020 in between lockdowns to touch up vocals and guitar.
How did you approach the recording process?
We recorded it live with us all playing together quietly. It used to be this barnstormer of a song but when it came to recording it there was a soul in the song that wasn’t fully being brought to light. Normally if something isn’t working we just try the complete opposite and see what happens and I think here it worked so well to go from hectic and in your face to more patient and charming.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Bill Evans, Mary Littlemore, Mia Dyson and Neil Young
What do you like to do away from music?
I enjoy gardening and being a cowboy yeehaw
What’s planned for 2021?
Two more singles and an album. And gardening. I wanna learn more about plants and dirt and shit
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Fave food is tacos ! Little Hop on Brunswick Street I hope you’re ready.
LISTEN/WATCH
https://backl.ink/144210990
Bandcamp:
https://davidmwestern.bandcamp.com/
Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/au/album/gallery-single/1464646925?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5hg9fUgDqYQrH2zTKWNdzP
Insta:
http://instagram.com/davidmwestern
FB:
Breaking – Today the highly-coveted SoundMerch Australian Music Prize has been awarded to The Avalanches for their acclaimed album We Will Always Love You for the most outstanding creative Australian record of the last year. Not only do they take out the prestigious award but land $20,000 in prize money thanks to SoundMerch.
Rising above 88 album nominations that were then carefully narrowed down to a shortlist of eight other amazing Australian albums, The Avalanches’ We Will Always Love You was chosen by the panel of 48 judges to be the most important album release of the year.
Melbourne’s own The Avalanches ambitious third album We Will Always Love You overflows with ideas, samples, and guests across their unique blend of blissed-out disco, soul, and psychedelia featuring the voices and sounds of artists such as Blood Orange, Jamie xx, Weezer, Denzel Curry, and more. Continuing to evolve and push the boundaries of their sound across each record, the group remains as forward-thinking and intriguing as they began.
The Avalanches share, “We’re so thrilled to be the winners of the prestigious AMP Award and be amongst the esteemed winners of the past. We’d love to thank everyone involved in making this award happen especially Sound Merch, also to the many people who helped us put this record together. A truly special day for us and we’re so grateful.“
2020 was another impressive year for Australian music, particularly within an industry that experienced unprecedented struggles and challenges. The art that has been produced throughout and as a result of these times has demonstrated the resilience and power in the craft, and those artists behind it including new and familiar voices bleeding out from all corners of the country, including Miiiesha’s debut record Nyaaringu, Gordan Koang’s Unity, Alice Ivy’s Don’t Sleep, and more.
The AMP has and continues to rise above genre, popularity, politics or sales, and focuses entirely on artistic merit. Discerned by a panel of over 40 judges comprised of artists, journalists, programmers and presenters, retailers, and more, the group compiles a long-list before heavily debating the AMP shortlist, and eventually finalists.
The Australian Music Prize founder Scott Murphy shares, “Winning The AMP this time is a ‘mean feat’ as there were plenty of great contenders so I congratulate The Avalanches on winning the 16th AMP, you deserve it. I’d like to thank all our judges and partners for pulling off our 16th prize during difficult times.”
As always, the AMP wishes to thank the industry support from long term champions of the coveted prize, including APRA AMCOS and Mushroom Group, the prize continues to exist not just to celebrate the album as a respected format, but to recognise and celebrate our thriving nation of musicians and their original work.
THE SOUNDMERCH AUSTRALIAN MUSIC PRIZE FINALISTS
Alice Ivy – Don’t Sleep
The Avalanches – We Will Always Love You
Blake Scott – Niscitam
Emma Donovan and The Putbacks – Crossover
Fanny Lumsden – Fallow
Gordon Koang – Unity
Miiesha – Nyaaringu
Tame Impala – The Slow Rush
Ziggy Ramo – Black Thoughts
THE AMP WINNERS
2020 – The Avalanches – We Will Always Love You
2019 – Sampa the Great – The Return
2018 – Gurrumul – Djarimirri
2017 – Sampa the Great, Birds and the BEE9
2016 – A.B. Original – Reclaim Australia
2015 – Courtney Barnett – Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit
2014 – REMI – Raw X Infinity
2013 – Big Scary, Not Art
2012 – Hermitude, HyperParadise
2011 – The Jezabels, Prisoner
2010 – Cloud Control, Bliss Release
2009 – Lisa Mitchel, Wonder
2008 – Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Primary Colours
2007 – The Mess Hall, Devils Elbow
2006 – Augie March, Moo, You Bloody Choir
2005 – The Drones, Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By
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Line-up: Ben UFO, Marcellus Pittman, Matt Radovich, Merve and Adriana
Buy Tickets Now: https://linktr.ee/piknicmel
Photos from the previous Piknic: CLICK HERE!!
Check out ‘The Bowl’s’ NEW layout HERE!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
About Piknic Électronik:
Hardware Presents and Stable Music, team up to present the local edition of Piknic Électronik to an ever-growing Melbourne fan base, within the grounds of the iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl. A quintessential Melbourne music location, which is easily accessible by public transportation, a short distance from the CBD and surrounded by greenery with ample space for ALL to enjoy a great Summer’s day.
Born in Montreal, Canada, over 17 years ago, the very unique concept of Piknic Électronik has travelled the world. Now a major cultural and festive summer event in Montreal, Piknic Électronik has had successful editions in Barcelona, Lisbon, Melbourne, Santiago, Austin and Dubai. Its innovative and popular formula has evolved into a friendly international expansion that has made the event and its name, a source of local pride in each city where it has set its roots and grown.
Piknic Électronik is a fun filled day party, where everyone can experience the best in electronic music in an open-air park environment, featuring delicious local food offerings and its renowned welcoming atmosphere… happening every Sunday for three months! A vision that Melbournians have wholeheartedly embraced over the past few seasons.
About Hardware Group:
Hardware, has been synonymous with the electronic music scene in Australia for over 30 years. An innovative force when the company was established by Richie McNeill in 1990. The company’s ethos is simple; deliver memorable music events and tours for people who love dance music. Hardware launched several new events in Australia that focus on delivering artists from a number of genres to music enthusiasts across the country including: Festival X, Tell No Tales, Babylon Festival, PURE and of course Piknic Électronik. Events with musical and creative passion.
For more info, go to:
Website: piknicelectronik.com.au
Facebook: Piknic Électronik Melbourne
Instagram: PIKNICMEL
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Mdou’s home is Agadez, a desert village in rural Niger. Inspired by traditional Tuareg melodies and YouTube videos of Eddie Van Halen’s six string techniques, he mastered the guitar and created his own burning style. A born charismatic, Mdou went on to tell his story as an aspiring artist by writing, producing, and starring in the first Tuareg language film: a remake of Purple Rain called Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai – which translates to “Rain The Color Of Blue With A Little Red In It” – winning the approval of his family and his community. The word and the sound travelled across West Africa via mobile phone data cards, a popular form of local music distribution. Gruelling DIY world tours and albums on the independent US label Sahel Sounds followed, including 2019’s landmark Ilana: The Creator, which earned Mdou an ecstatic international audience.
Afrique Victime is result of the combined efforts of Mdou and the members of the band that shares his name. His crucial collaborator is Ahmoudou Madassane, who’s been his rhythm guitarist since 2008. Their two guitars are an alchemical combination. As a songwriter, producer, and recording artist Ahmoudou is the premier musical ambassador to Tuaregs in Niger – empowering young musicians with instruments, recording opportunities, and visas. Masassane helped form the revolutionary first woman-fronted Tuareg guitar band Les Filles De Illighadad, whose debut album and tours caused an international sensation in 2019.
The band’s youngest member is prodigal drummer Souleymane Ibrahim, also a member of both the well-known Niger band, Sultanat Star De L’air, and the longest running wedding band in Agadez, Etran De L’air. Souleymane’s playing on this album ferociously sets a new standard for the “rock” drum set.
Producer and bassist Mikey Coltun flies 20 hours from Brooklyn, NYC, then takes a 28-hour bus ride to reach Agadez so the band can practice and record. With no support from a major label or a manager, they made this journey out of Niger every time they toured. In the past three years, Mikey’s played over 500 shows on three continents as Mdou Moctar’s bassist, road manager, producer/recording engineer, and friend. Coltun recorded and produced Afrique Victime around the band’s travels in 2019 – working in studios, apartments, hotel rooms, venue backstages, and in field recordings in Niger.
Recording and honing songs as a touring outfit forged a live wire new sound. If Ilana was a late ’60s early ’70s ZZ Top and Black Sabbath record – Afrique Victime is mid-’70s to early ’80s Van Halen meets Black Flag meets Black Uhuru. The ferocity of Moctar’s electric guitar and the band’s hypnotic rhythm section are on awe-inspiring display ‘Chismiten’ and the mournful yet incandescent title track.
Elsewhere, Moctar finds inspiration in highlighting lesser-known facets of the group: “While people have gotten to know Mdou Moctar as a rock band, there is a whole different set of music with this band done on acoustic guitars, which we wanted to incorporate into this album in order to go through a sonic journey,” he says. Mdou pays homage to one of his heroes Abdallah Ag Oumbadagou, the legendary Niger musician and political revolutionary, on songs ‘Habibti’ and ‘Layla‘. “Abdallah was a contemporary of Tinariwen and helped to pioneer the sound of Tuareg guitar music blended with drum machines and electronic sounds”.
“From prison to Nobel prize. They ceded to Mandela / Africa is a victim of so many crimes / If we stay silent it will be the end of us / Why is this happening?” Moctar asks on the title track. “I want the world to know that we are making music to promote world peace and be with everyone on the same level, fighting against racism”, he says. “All colors and genders are equal. Women, men and children all suffer in the desert due to the colonization by France and therefore there is a lack of the basics – hospitals, drinking water, schools.”
The needs of Agadez are a major part of what drives Moctar as an artist and promoting the region’s youth through music is an especially personal cause. “I know what it’s like to have been in that position,” he says, “to not have the support of your family, or the money for guitars or strings, it’s really hard. I have a lot of support from the younger generation, because I help them out a lot. When I get back from tour, I give them gear that I bought while I was away so they can go out and form their own bands.”
Says Coltun: “In Agadez the music and feeling at Tuareg weddings is exactly like the best of Western DIY/Punk shows. It’s loud, energetic and powerful. There is a sense of everyone helping out. Tuaregs are a tight community. If you’re Tuareg you’re considered family.”
The music listeners are the beneficiaries of the staggeringly powerful do-it-yourself musical ethic of Mdou Moctar – the man and the band – who’ve worked so hard to bring the spirits of families and communities in Niger to the West. Afrique Victime sounds and feels like a Tuareg hand reaching down from the sky, and we are very lucky for this chance to get lifted.
Afrique Victime is now available for pre-order on LP, CD, and also on a limited-edition cell phone that arrives pre-loaded with the record.
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