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Event
WXPN Welcomes Songhoy Blues to Gild Hall
Philly's own ill Fated Natives open the show (see below for info on them).
Once among the most prominent of Mali's many ethnic groups, the Songhoy now live largely on the margins of the West African nation. Nonetheless, the Songhoy people retain a fierce pride in their history, beliefs, and traditional music. Hailing from the heart of Gao, on the banks of the Niger River, Oumar Touré and Aliou Touré grew up obsessed with hip hop, R&B, and classic rock like The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. They found a kindred spirit and musical brother in guitarist Garba Touré (son of Oumar Touré, long term percussionist in Ali Farka Touré's band). When growing unrest in the north of Mali forced the young men and their families to take refuge in the southern town of Bamako, they decided to turn crisis into opportunity by forming a band. They enlisted drummer Nathanial "Nat" Dembele and baptized their band Songhoy Blues in celebration of their displaced people and culture.
The ambitious young band were soon a fixture on the Bamako live music scene. Prompted by local studio owner, in September 2013 Songhoy Blues reached out to producer/manager Marc-Antoine Moreau (Amadou & Mariam, K'Naan), in town to scout new talent for the extraordinary Africa Express project. An audition followed and Songhoy Blues were invited to record a track with Nick Zinner, acclaimed producer and guitarist in NYC's one and only Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The song, entitled "Soubour," proved a highlight of 2013's critically applauded "AFRICA EXPRESS PRESENTSMAISON DES JEUNES."
In addition to their increasingly busy live schedule, Songhoy Blues also appear in an eagerly anticipated new film documenting Malian musicians' fight with the extremist forces that have seen music banned in much of the country. They Will Have To Kill Us First: Malian Music In Exile will have its world premiere at Austin's South By Southwest Film Festival 2015.
"This resulting debut is a masterpiece of desert blues, blending American guitar licks with Malian grooves" NME
"'Soubour' echoes a desert Led Zeppelin, while the revolving, perky 'Nick' suggests what a West African La's might sound like- but it's presented in revitalized new settings, with grit, urgency and delicacy in abundance" Q
"Talking Heads funky growlingly bluesy contemplative and hypnotic A triumph" The Guardian
"'Songhoy Blues' desert R&B is incredibly rousing and intenseconjuring a freedom and thrilling abandonment in its hypnotic shuffle boogie and punky blues rocks riffs" Mojo
Established in 2013, ill Fated Natives are a musical project born from the combined skill set of guitarist Otheni Thompson, bassist Bets Charmelus and drummer Joseph Pointer. Forged in the heart of Philadelphia, PA, ill Fated Natives are a genre-defying blues/rock/reggae jam band with inner city sensibilities. Drawing inspiration from a myriad of musical trailblazers, these three young musicians are consistently exemplifying what it means to push the envelope. ill Fated Natives are sure to provide an eclectic mix of pure energy, raw emotion, soulful lyrics and live instrumentation to every performance.
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LocationArden Gild Hall (View)
2126 The Highway
Arden, DE 19810
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
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