Artist Spotlight: A Tribe Called Red

Do you have an interest in the contemporary struggles of indigenous Canadians? Perhaps not. Do you like hard-hitting electronic music with trap and dubstep influences? Um, heckles yes. Well then, A Tribe Called Red might just be your new favorite group. The DJ/producer trio from Ottawa mixes contemporary electronic dance music with traditional indigenous music to create a sound unlike any other in the EDM world.

Artist: A Tribe Called Red

Origin: Ottawa, Canada

Genre: EDM

Notable Albums: A Tribe Called Red, Nation II Nation

Photo by: Falling Tree Photography

ATCR joins forces with vocalists to communicate the issues of contemporary indigenous life, as well as promoting the viewpoints and cultures of other ethnic minorities. Their latest single R.E.D. features killer verses from Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) and Narcy over a slick dubstep beat with powwow vocals from Black Bear. Watch the music video (directed by Narcy) here!

The group and its members – 2oolman, DJ NDN, and Bear Witness – have invited plenty of controversy in the last few years as they confront racism head-on. NDN has been particularly vocal, leading the front against non-indigenous sports teams taking their nicknames from indigenous culture. He also made a number of enemies for wearing this wonderfully ironic “Caucasians” shirt (which I, as a white, find quite hilarious):

 Regardless of your take on their personal perspectives and messages, there’s no denying the quality of A Tribe Called Red’s music. This group is on the rise and ready to take on a global audience. Be sure to check out their upcoming album, We Are the Halluci Nation, coming September 16^th.

Check out their official site here for more information and to download their first album for free. And until next time, keep your earbuds in and your mind open!

Singing the Tuareg Blues

Around this time of year, musicians from West Africa and around the world gather together in the deserts of Mali to share music -- usually. For the last few years, unrest in the nation has prevented the annual gathering, called Festival au Désert, from meeting, but the spirit of peace and unity has far from disappeared. Artists across the region continue to play their music, spreading the message of artistic expression and cultural interchange.

The festival originated with the Tuareg ethnic group, who have practiced similar gathering traditions for generations. For more on the origins of the festival, check out the official site.

In honor of one of the most interesting musical exhibits out there, I'd like to introduce you to one of my personal favorite Tuareg musicians and festival attendees: Abdallah ag Oumbadougou. A native of Niger, Oumbadougou has a long and storied music career. From my research (primarily limited to Wikipedia France and a few obscure sites) it seems he fought in the Tuareg rebellion of the 1990s and worked during that time and since to promote Tuareg culture.

Artist: Abdallah ag Oumbadougou

Origin: Niger

Genre: World / blues-rock

Notable Albums: Desert Rebel, Zozodinga




Stylistically, Oumbadougou utilizes a blues-rock sound rife with more traditional African rhythms and vocals. The style seems to be a staple of Tuareg music, and like the American blues carries a feeling of washing away struggles and pain in the relaxing calm of music. Oumbadougou, now in his 50s, has a beautifully rough voice that hides neither his age nor his experiences. Complimented by gentle yet complex guitar picking, either electric or acoustic, his music offers a glimpse into the multitude of emotions that are a part of Tuareg life.

Below is my favorite Oumbadougou track, "Ahlher." One of the most calming songs I've ever heard, group vocals and ambient nature sounds accompany the artist's acoustic guitar in this track. As I listen, I'm transported to the deserts of West Africa, relaxing in the sand with some of the greatest musicians on earth. Perhaps one day I'll really do so, when peace is restored and the Festival au Désert strikes up again. Until that day, keep your earbuds in and your eyes open!

Be sure to check out Abdallah's music on iTunes and Google Play!

Music from the Andes

I'm currently enrolled in a Colonial Latin America history course at my university, which has of course led me to find some music from the region. While I was already passingly familiar with some Latin American music (primarily cumbia), a YouTube search revealed a fascinating find from the Andes Mountains region. Allow me to introduce you to Ynka Huasy.

"Original Music from the Andes, Vol. 4" by this enormously talented group has become frequent listening for me, often accompanying my studies of the region. The album features a mix of traditional melodies and soaring vocals based around the smooth fluttering of traditional pan pipes. There is a steady balance between instrumental pieces and the wonderful vocal pieces that astonish with their strong, sweeping harmonies.

I wish I could say more about this group, but unfortunately I've been unable to find any information online. To this end I ask any readers with more information about this wonderful music and its creators to contact me, either in the comments or by email at vincentzhaboka@gmail.com.

Below is one of the more outstanding cuts from the album, my personal favorite "Te Marchaste." You can listen to the rest of the album here.

Thanks for stopping by! And remember to keep your earbuds in and your mind open!

Celebrating the French

Today I'm spotlighting some of the French music I've been listening to lately, in honor of Bastille Day. I know, I know, it's a little late, but bear with me and my American time. Over the past few weeks I've become fairly obsessed with francophonic artists, from Coeur de Pirate to Johnny Hallyday to Stromae. To celebrate Bastille Day, I'm going to highlight a couple of French artists who seem to be hugely popular over there, but are complete unknowns in the States.

Artist: Indila  

Origin: Paris, France

Genre: Pop

Notable Albums: Mini World

Photo by Franҫois Roy for La Presse

Our first artist today is Indila, a pop singer whose debut album Mini World (2014) went diamond in her native France and won for Album Révélation (newcomer album) at the 2015 Victoires de la Musique (think the French Grammy's). The album came on the heels of several successful collabs, which catapulted Indila into the spotlight and paved the way for her current success.

Indila was the first actually French artist who caught my ear in my search for good French music. Although she utilizes a sound more reminiscent of mainstream American pop than some other artists I found, there are some distinct differences. The clear tones (musically and vocally) in her music are a welcome break from the sing-as-loud-as-you-can, rough-edged-synth sounds I'm used to, and elements of movie-trailer-style choir vocals show up from time to time. Below is the music video for her song "SOS," my personal favorite song of hers. If you have good headphones or speakers you'll hear an awesome drum line during the chorus, creating a powerful sense of suspense that contrasts beautifully with Indila's flawless vocals. Enjoy!

 

Download Indila's music from iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon.

 

Artist: Vianney

Origin: France

Genre: Acoustic Pop

Notable Albums: Idées Blanches

Photo by Jean-Marc Lubrano

Vianney plays a folksy style of pop, but has met with a great deal of success, as well. His debut album Idées Blanches (2014), was one of two nominees beaten out by Indila for Album Révélation. He has released several successful singles accompanied by wonderful music videos (link to one of them in a moment).

If there's one thing Vianney seems to be known for, it's incredibly catchy songs. Among the French music I've listened to, I can say his songs have been the quickest to stick with me. The simplicity of the music makes for a lovely, stripped-down sound dominated by acoustic guitar, yet his gentle melodies can compete with any obnoxiously catchy hooks in terms of staying with you. Below is the music video for the first of his songs that I heard, "Pas là." Enjoy!

Download Vianney's music from iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon.

Well, that concludes the Bastille Day French music spotlight. Again, I know it's a bit late for Metropolitan France, but it really makes a great excuse to promote French music. Thanks for taking the time to read this -- and more importantly, to listen. Until next time, keep your earbuds in and your mind open!