MEST – Just Getting Started
Chicago pop-punk band MEST will release the new album ‘Youth’ via SBÄM Records on June 21.
Following last month’s release of the lead single “WHEN WE WERE YOUNG” (feat. Jaret Reddick from Bowling For Soup), MEST has just debuted the second single, “HATE YOU SOBER” (ft. Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills.
The track delves into the theme of a toxic relationship, depicting how one might endure it by numbing themselves with alcohol, while also exploring the journey towards summoning the courage to break free from the toxicity.
Speaking on the recording of the new album, founding member and front man Tony Lovato says, “The drives to the studio were about an hour and 20 minutes long. A lot of my inspiration for this record was found on those drives. I would just listen to all the records that I grew up listening to. Which brought back a ton of memories. It would just put me in another state of mind. The majority of “Youth” was written up in the hills of Los Angeles where I recorded a bunch of our early records. I would get random flashbacks seeing spots I hadn’t seen in years. But as much as I love all the memories and stories of the past, I’m not one to think that the best days are over. I’m creating new core memories and living my life now, so that in 20 years I’ll look back fondly. The same as I do now. These songs are a cheers to the past with a here’s to the future.”
Stream “Hate You Sober” / Pre-Save ‘Youth’ HERE:https://orcd.co/mestyouth
MEST has spent the last 2 years writing/recording the first of three LP’s which will come out this year with the 1st one titled ‘Youth.’ Tony has secured a deal for the upcoming MEST LP to be released on Avex Records in Japan as well as SBAM Records in Europe.
Never forgetting the blue collar work ethic they inherited from their home town. MEST looks forward to heading back out on the road to do what they do best, perform their energetic and entertaining live shows. All the while still earning each fan through their grass roots approach.
MEST is heading to Europe May 25 through June 9th for a headlining run and festival appearances.
When Tony was asked to sum up 28 years of MEST thus far, he replied “I don’t know, I mean honestly it feels like we’re just getting started…”
Tour Dates:
Sun, May 26 @ DrinkDrink, Rue Paepsem 123.8, Brussels, Belgium
w/ Taken Days, Young Enough, and Mirabelle
Mon, May 27 @ Goldrube, Eisenschmiede 85, Kassel, Germany
w/ Taken Days
Tue, May 28 @ p.m.k., Viaduktbogen 18/20, Innsbruck, Austria
w/Taken Days
Thu, May 30 @ Cafe Central Punk Rock Festival (Cafe Central) Weinheim, Germany
Fri, May 31 @ SBAM Fest 2024 (Wels Alter Schlachthof, Dragonerstraße 22, 4600 Wels, Austria, Austria)
with GOLDFINGER (exclusive Austria/Germany), SICK OF IT ALL, H2O, SATANIC SURFERS, BRACKET (exclusive SBAM Fest), NOT ON TOUR (exclusive SBAM Fest too), VERSUS THE WORLD, DFL, NOFNOG, SWALLOW’S ROSE and many many more
Sat, Jun 1 @ SBAM Fest 2024 ( Im Wizemann, Quellenstraße 7 70376, Stuttgart, Germany)
w/ GOLDFINGER (exclusive Austria/Germany), SICK OF IT ALL, H2O, SATANIC SURFERS, BRACKET (exclusive SBAM Fest), NOT ON TOUR (exclusive SBAM Fest too), VERSUS THE WORLD, DFL, NOFNOG, SWALLOW’S ROSE and many many more
Sun, Jun 2 @ Club Vaudeville, Von-Behring-Straße 6-8, 88131, Lindau, Germany
w/Taken Days
Tue, Jun 4 @ Backstage By the Mill, 92 Boulevard de Clichy 75018, Paris, France
w/ Taken Days
Wed, Jun 5 @ New Cross Inn, 323 New Cross Road, London
MEST w/Taken Days
Thu, Jun 6 @ 6:00PM New Cross Inn, 323 New Cross Road, London
w/Taken Days
Fri, Jun 7 @ 7:30PM Pitcher , Oberbilker Allee 29 40215, Düsseldorf Friedrichstadt
w/Taken Days
Sat, Jun 8 @ Kufa, Langer Garten 1 31137, Hildesheim, Germany
w/Taken Days and Holly Would Surrender
Lainey Wilson – Get Wrapped Up
This month, Multi-platinum GRAMMY®-award winning artist Lainey Wilson announced her highly anticipated brand-new album, Whirlwind, via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville out globally on August 23, 2024.
A daringly honest look into the singer’s life and journey around the globe and produced by GRAMMY® -award-winning producer, Jay Joyce, Whirlwind is an innovative and grounded extension of Wilson’s signature sound. Bridging together a diverse yet sonically cohesive collection of songs, the record bends genres while remaining true to the singer’s Western roots.
By guiding listeners through each song and an array of emotions, Wilson weaves together storytelling with melodies – creating narratives and storylines that capture the essence of life’s highs, lows, and in-betweens, solidifying her role as one of the greatest songwriters of her generation.
“I am so excited to finally announce Whirlwind. This album has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait for the world to have this body of work in their hands soon,” said Wilson. “This new chapter of music is the most cathartic and personal piece of art I’ve ever made. I hope this record brings some peace to your whirlwind and wraps its arms around you like it did for me.”
Available on Lainey’s merch store at shop.laineywilson.com, Wilson’s “Wild Horses” fan club members have exclusive access to pre-order a limited edition, signed black and white Whirlwind vinyl.
Already this year, Wilson has won a GRAMMY® for Best Country Album, People’s Choice Award for Female Country Artist of The Year, a CMT Music Award for Female Video of The Year, and made her Australian touring debut. With no signs of slowing down, fans can catch Wilson on the Academy of Country Music Awards’ (ACM) stage later this month in Frisco, TX.
Blanco Brown – Exciting Music And An Important Message
Blanco Brown has a reason to sing with the release of ‘Snapshot’, out NOW, which serves as the first preview of his EP Cedar Walls & Whiskey releasing on June 14.
‘Snapshot’, written by the iconic Diane Warren and produced by Blanco Brown, is a poignant reflection on the special memories we keep of our loved ones. These memories bring us back to cherished moments in our lives and provide motivation and hope when needed. Listen to ‘Snapshot’ HERE and pre-save/pre-add/pre-order Cedar Walls & Whiskey HERE.
Nobody cares how much you drink or smoke, just don’t drive for the sake of yourself and others.”
Blanco Brown
‘Snapshot’ is available from May 17th on all platforms.
ALLMAN BROWN – A Personal Release
Today, ALLMAN BROWN releases a new EP: ‘Second Son Pt.2’ (via Nettwerk).
The follow-up to Part 1 (released late last year), the London-based singer-songwriter returns with five new tunes to add to his growing oeuvre. Both parts will come together as hemispheres of his upcoming album ‘Second Son’, out for release on 28th June, with additional tracks also confirmed to feature.
Featuring the recent singles “My Ordinary Life”, “Far Away”, and “Take Me Back”, plus unheard tracks “Fire Of Love” and “Mother”, the new collection sees Brown coupling his confessional, heart-on-sleeve lyricism with glittering, synth dappled acoustic-pop to perfection.
Speaking about the new ‘Second Son Pt. 2’ EP on the day of its release, Allman Brown explains:
“This is, without a doubt, my most personal release. It deals directly with my father’s death, my relationship with my mother, my feelings of anxiety, regret and the legacy handed down to me by my upbringing. In short, it’s my attempt to reckon with my past.”
All of the songs featured on the ‘Second Son, Pt. 1′ and ‘Second Son, Pt. 2′ EPs will feature on. the artist’s anticipated ‘Second Son’ album due at the end of June 2024. The forthcoming album will also feature two new tracks: “1984” and “Sunlight and Cinnamon”.
ALLMAN BROWN – NEW EP: ‘SECOND SON PT.2’ – OUT NOW
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
NEW ALBUM – ‘SECOND SON’ – OUT 28 JUNE, VIA NETTWERK
“I’m a second son, a stranger to most but loved by some. I’ve been afraid since I was young… It takes a lot of pretending to be strong” confesses Brown on “My Ordinary Life”, the opening track of ‘Second Son’.
Filled with the vivid storytelling and self-effacing songwriting that Allman Brown calls his own, from beginning to end ‘Second Son’ promises to be his most personal and poignant releases to date. Describing the album as “a pocket autobiography”, its songs piece together a deeply personal chapter in his unique musical journey. As he explains of the album’s recurring themes:
“It’s about my life so far and the love I feel for my wife and children and how they are quite simply the reason I’m alive. They are my purpose.”
Experimenting with new sounds and instrumentation on his latest work, the ‘Second Son’ sessions found Allman merging his signature acoustic guitar-driven melodies with modern pop elements such as synths, live bass, electronic pianos, electronic percussion, and live drums. Produced by Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Gang Of Youths), his latest material was recorded in just ten days, with Katis’ expertise enabling Brown to take the next step in his “quest to take a traditional sound and push it a little into a new space”. The record also sees Allman joined by star pianist Thomas Bartlett (The Gloaming, Taylor Swift, The National) and vocalist Kori Gardner-Hammel (Mates Of State), who add their distinctive qualities.
Exploring themes of love, loss, self-reflection, and the human experience, his upcoming album ‘Second Son’ invites listeners to embark on a profound emotional journey with Allman, as he presents a profound new collection that embraces vulnerability and authenticity and emerges with some of his finest work.
Allman Brown, born in Hong Kong and now based in London, has consistently wowed listeners with his emotionally charged and introspective music. His 2013 hit single, “Sons & Daughters” (performed with Liz Lawrence), became a Spotify sensation with over 20 million streams worldwide and was featured on popular TV soundtracks. His debut album, ‘1000 Years,’ in 2017, and ‘Darling, It’ll Be Alright’ in 2019, received critical acclaim for their tender balladry and folk-infused pop. New album ‘Second Son’ will arrive in Summer 2024, with a number of European shows to follows – outlined as follows:
ALLMAN BROWN – EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
09 Jul – Amsterdam, NL @ Tolhuistuin
11 Jul – Berlin, DE @ Privatclub
12 Jul – Zurich, CH @ Papiersaal
13 Jul – Rubigen, CH @ Mühligarten
04 Nov – London, UK @ Omeara
06 Nov – Brighton, UK @ Folklore Rooms
Tickets available now from https://www.allmanbrown.com/
TEENAGE DADS – On A UK Walkabout
TEENAGE DADS are back with a brand new single “Tale Of A Man” and news of a fresh wave of dates in the UK and Ireland for 2024.
With every release, Teenage Dads unapologetically embrace their eccentricities without shame or apology. Fresh off the back of taking home the 2023 Michael Gudinkski Breakthrough Artist ARIA Award, Teenage Dads return with their latest single “Tale Of A Man” – a bright and beatific track to soundtrack the Summer to come.
Known and loved for their colourful arrangements of jangly guitars, catchy riffs and infectious melodies, “Tale Of A Man” showcases both breeziness and depth from the breakthrough act with a very Vampire Weekend-esque ring to it. Speaking about the upbeat and infectious new track, vocalist Jordan says:
“Tale of a Man is about your favourite friend and the loving and adventurous relationship that you share, and the challenges you face due to periods of separation. In spite of this you remain invested in your future together, as you lie in wait for what lies ahead for you both.”
To mark the occasion, Teenage Dads have also revealed the official video for “Tale Of A Man”. To compliment the fun and adventure within the single, the band explain: “it only felt right to capture that but in a fairy tale fashion for the official video clip. The tale follows 4 friends who evade a monster across baron fields, coastlines and seas all in search of their dream destination, Paris.” Shot on location in Mornington Peninsula, the band add “We shot the video really close to home, however these places that we’ve grown up in suddenly felt fantastical once we were clothed in real chain mail. It really felt like a step back in time.”
The biggest year to date for the Mornington Peninsula locals, 2023 has seen the band play over 94 shows across 10 different countries, and 3 different continents, including multiple sold out headline shows across the country and one electrifying Splendour In The Grass debut on the Amphitheatre stage. To celebrate the release of their ‘Midnight Driving’ EP released in March 2023, Teenage Dads took their energetic and electric live show on the road for a run of headline shows playing to sold out rooms across the east coast (with the tour instantly needing extra shows added and rooms upgraded to keep up with demand). Taking their out-of-this-world live show international, the band joined good friends and label mates Lime Cordiale on their UK, EU and US headline tour both as a special guest for their shows, as well as playing a run of their own international headline shows in the US and the UK. 2023 also saw the band join the lineups of Groovin The Moo and Yours & Owls Festival, and were Rolling Stone’s “secret headliner” at this year’s inaugural SXSW Sydney.
“Tale Of A Man” follows on from recent singles “I Like It” and “Speedracer”, following on from the release of their ‘Midnight Driving’ EP in March. Featuring fan favourites “Hey, Diego!”, “Exit Sign” and Hottest 100 debut track “Teddy”, the ‘Midnight Driving’ EP charted at #2 in the Australian Album Charts, and at #28 in the ARIA Album charts.
With 2024 already stacking up to be a huge year, Teenage Dads will be returning to the UK and Ireland for a brand new run of live shows throughout May. Tickets are on sale here, with dates listed below…
TEENAGE DADS – UPCOMING UK & IRELAND DATES
SATURDAY, 18 MAY 2024 TUNES IN THE DUNES, CORNWALL – UK
SUNDAY, 19 MAY 2024 THE CAVERN, EXETER – UK
TUESDAY, 21 MAY 2024 THE LOUISIANA, BRISTOL – UK
WEDNESDAY, 22 MAY 2024 THE LODGE, MANCHESTER – UK
THURSDAY, 23 MAY 2024 ACADEMY 2, DUBLIN – IE
FRIDAY, 24 MAY 2024 THE ATTIC, GLASGOW – UK
SATURDAY, 25 MAY2024 A STONES THROW FESTIVAL, NEWCASTLE – UK
MONDAY, 27 MAY 2024 HYDE PARK BOOK CLUB, LEEDS – UK
TUESDAY, 28 MAY 2024 SUNFLOWER LOUNGE, BIRMINGHAM – UK
WEDNESDAY, 29 MAY 2024 02 ACADEMY ISLINGTON, LONDON – UK
CrowJane – A Swirl Of Emotion
CrowJane Approaches the Question of Female Body Autonomy With A Battering Ram In New Single “Savage”
“In this current political climate – with the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the banning of abortions in certain cities/states, the wars, the Presidential candidates, being a woman, and being interested in the killings/ tortures of women and male allies during the historical witch accusations – I felt inspired to write a song about all those facts, ideas, and the emotions swirling around them,” says Los Angeles-based experimental post-punk artist CROWJANE (real name: Heather Galipo) about her new song, “Savage” which is released today, May 14, 2024 via Kitten Robot.
Bottling the frustration, anger and angst that all these injustices have instilled in her, “Savage” carries the contentious, disruptive, and bellicose emotions that swelled while writing the track. “I wanted to take a more aggressive approach to the song and tap back into my punk roots,” she explains of the abrasive and assailing industrial track. Capturing the energy and toxicity that comes with the female struggle to fight back against these mostly male-sourced transgressions, CrowJane’s battle is not alone. Enlisting fellow LA-based musicians Christine Lynise (Guilty Strangers) and Mika Carlson (SETI, classically-trained opera singer), CrowJane has built a combative three-women front as a battering ram. “We three female-identifying singers joined forces on the frustrations of religion and politics gaining control of our bodies currently and historically,” she adds.
Singing “They have no right / They have no right / They have to take our dignity” in the chorus, the source of the song comes not only from history but from literature as well. Drawing inspiration from Italian-American intellectual Silvia Federici’s 2004 nonfiction book Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation, “Savage” tackles similar subjects within the nonfiction tome. “In it, [Federici] talks about social movements and political crises in Medieval Europe and the transition into Capitalism,”
CrowJane explains. “She explores the degradation of women, the body being viewed as a capitalist tool, the power of Christianity, and her views on the great witch hunt from a feminist perspective. Her book demonstrates historically that capitalism and patriarchy were not the only possible paths out of the Middle Ages, and that this economic and social system is the product of a relentless process of domination of lands and female bodies.”
Produced by Paul Roessler (The Screamers, Nina Hagan, Josie Cotton) and Daniel Muñoz (45 Grave, Guilty Strangers, Panthar) with drums and additional production by Shok (Daniel Ash, Josie Cotton, Donita Sparks), “Savage” is a precursor for more music to come from CrowJane in 2024. Her critically hailed debut album Mater Delarosa (2022) was applauded by Ghettoblaster Magazine as “a heady and heavy release that allowed CrowJane the freedom to express every ounce of emotion from track to track.” Under The Radar chimed, “CrowJane conjures eerie soundscapes and instrumentals swirling with brimming intensity and marries them with an equally enticing visual narrative.” Her follow-up EP, Bound To Me (2023) found JammerZine commenting, “Each track sets a deeper and darker tone and can run in any order, because like all talented artists, this is what creativity above all else sounds like” while Rebel Noise claims, “CrowJane’s Bound To Me EP seamlessly blends tribal punk dance and darkwave influences, creating a sonic journey that encapsulates the spirit of LA’s underground music scene.”
TOUR DATES
June 22: Los Angeles, CA – The ECHO+PLEX – PRIDE, Lesbian Goth Night by Nightmare Market LA
July 11: San Diego, CA – The Whistle Stop
July 12: Oakland, CA – Hot Goth GF at Spire
July 13: Portland, OR – The Coffin Club
July 14: Tacoma, WA – The Valley
July 15: Seattle, WA – Substation
July 16: Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown
July 19: Vancouver, Canada – Astoria – Verboden
July 22: Salt Lake City, Utah – International Artist Lounge
July 23: Vegas, NV – Sin Wave
Coming from a visual art background of surrealism and horror, CrowJane has built a career as a professional effects makeup artist who has worked on Mulan, The Orville, Ryan Murphy’s Hollywood, Civil Twilight, The Clinic, Don Quixote, Toolbox Murders, The Last Of Us: Part II, Star Wars: Fallen Order, and more alongside her music career. This unlikely background helped foster an outsider musical sensibility that is perfectly balanced by an encyclopedic knowledge of the byways and back roads of punk and death rock, both historic and in LA’s contemporary underground music scene, of which her bands have been an integral component for the past 10 years.
CrowJane’s single “Savage” was produced by Paul Roessler (The Screamers, Nina Hagan, Josie Cotton) and Daniel Muñoz (45 Grave, Guilty Strangers, Panthar) with drums and additional production by Shok (Daniel Ash, Josie Cotton, Donita Sparks) and is released today, May 14, 2024 via Kitten Robot. It is available for stream or purchase at DSPs here: https://tr.ee/23nGs3MGPx.
“SAVAGE”
She has some kind of powers
She can heal wounds
she gathers with others
In suspicious forms
They gossip for hours
Strength that knows no bounds
We can’t be consumed
The looks, the charms, the nurturing abounds
Chorus 1:
They have no right
They have no right
They have to take our dignity
They have no right
They have no right
They have aggression and virility
Her body is the devil’s gateway
Take no accountability
Make her feel wrong everyday
Gain power over her fertility
Chorus2:
They have no right
They have no right
They have to take our dignity
They have no right
They have no right
They have aggression and virility
They want our mind
They want our mind
They want our divine femininity
Outro chorus:
They have no right
They have no right
They have to take our dignity
They have no right
They have no right
They have aggression and virility
They want our mind
They want our mind
They want our divine femininity
They burn our flesh
they burn our flesh
They burn our autonomy
They spread their words
They spread their words
They spread their god toxicity
They want our minds
They want our minds
They want compliant bigotry
Inner Landscape – Feel The Rawness
France’s post-metal collective Inner Landscape will release their first studio album “3H33” on May 17th via Klonosphere/Season Of Mist.
Influenced by bands such as Isis, Sumac and Intronaut, the Lyon-based quartet create crushingly heavy and atmospheric music that dovetails slow, thick riffs, melodic and introspective atmospheres that exude a deep sense of melancholy and truly possess the ability to conjure up powerful images in the mind of listeners.
Six tracks in length, “3H33” explores the theme of familial disintegration, from the first cracks to the final break-up and sees Inner Landscape merging raw vocals, intricate and heavy riffs, and jazz-driven drums resulting in an authentic, organic and emotional sound that was masterfully recorded and mixed by Hervé Faivre’s (Improve Tone Studios) and mastered by Pierrick Noel and allowed the band to capture the rawness and authenticity of their live music.
Line-Up :
Gachet Julien: Vocals/Guitars
Covalciuc Alexandre: Guitars
Bétencourt Thibaud: Bass
Bernet Adrien : Drums
Credits:
Recording & mixing: Hervé Faivre at Improve Tone Studios
Mastering: Pierrick Noel at Atelier Mastering
Photos: Jean-Sébastien Mattant
Artwork: Christian Benoist
Shannon & The Clams – Time For Celebration
San Francisco’s Shannon & The Clams will be bringing their signature blend of psychedelic garage-pop to the UK for a headline tour this November before heading on to Europe.
Front woman Shannon Shaw says, “We have been yearning to get back to the UK and Europe and are so excited to be returning later this year. We can’t wait to share the new album with everyone and be able to play new songs for our fans abroad!”
The announcement comes after the recent release of their highly anticipated and acclaimed new album The Moon Is In The Wrong Place, which is out now via Easy Eye Sound and was produced by long-time collaborator Dan Auerbach.
Inspired out tragedy, the album tells the story of how Shaw’s world was turned inside out as with mere weeks to go until their wedding, the singer’s fiancé, Joe Haener, died in a horrific car accident. It was a devastating loss that hit Shannon & The Clams — who were all incredibly close with Haener — with cataclysmic force.
Despite the circumstances, Shaw and the band have written a truly magical album, which is a carpet ride of astro-feelings narrating a wildly brave journey.
It includes the recent single ‘Big Wheel’, which is guitarist Cody Blanchard’s response to Joe’s death — a meditation on how time and reality become distorted in the face of sudden loss. The accompanying music video, directed by Vanessa Pla, is an eerie exploration of time visually reminiscent of silent era films.
The album also features the single ‘Bean Fields’, which is an emotional high point of the album and a celebration of life. Haener’s farm, specifically the sprawling bean fields he planted, was the site of the tragic car accident, but they also symbolise his lasting impact on those around him.
Completed by drummer Nate Mahan and keyboardist William Sprott, Shannon & The Clams are revered for their live shows whose performances are infused with punk spirit, doo-wop harmonies and psychedelic groove and for anyone there in November, they will definitely not be in the wrong place.
Tickets can be purchased via the band’s website here..
UK/Europe Tour Dates
4th November – Brighton, UK @ CHALK
5th November – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall
7th November – Manchester, UK @ YES (Pink Room)
8th November – Glasgow, UK @ Room 2
9th November – Liverpool, UK @ District
12th November – Paris, FR @ La Station
13th November – Lyon, FR @ Ninkasi Gerland
15th November – Utrecht, NL @ De Helling
16th November – Hamburg, GER @ Nochtspeicher
17th November – Berlin, GER @ Festsaal Kreuzberg (Matinee Show)
19th November – Copenhagen, DK @ Loppen
Milton + esperanza – A Dream Come True
Milton + esperanza – a new album by Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento and decorated musician/composer Esperanza Spalding – will be released on August 9 on Concord Records.
Recorded in Brazil over the course of 2023, Milton + esperanza is a dream-come-true collaboration and musical representation of a friendship that was first kindled nearly 15 years ago.
The album features 16 tracks that celebrate and reimagine five of Nascimento’s beloved classics, newly written originals by Spalding, and fascinating interpretations of The Beatles’ “A Day In The Life” and Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” among other works that lovingly explore the music of Brazil and far beyond. Special guest appearances include Paul Simon, Dianne Reeves, Lianne La Havas, Maria Gadú, Tim Bernardes, Carolina Shorter, Shabaka Hutchings and more. Milton + esperanza sparkles with duets between these two iconic voices, exquisite musicianship and what Spalding identifies as a central theme of the album: the importance of younger generations creating with, learning from, and building new worlds with elders.
Milton Nascimento is a once-in-a-generation talent, the pride of Brazil and beloved across the globe. The Brazilian pop vocalist Elis Regina once declared that “if God had a voice, it would be Milton’s.” Nascimento began making records in the late ‘60s and was immediately recognized as an evocative lyricist—his subject matter encompasses protest songs and the natural world; songs of friendship, love, and racial harmony—with the brilliant ability to create unpredictable melodies, textures, and harmonics.
Nascimento’s music has influenced generations of talents; including a young Spalding, who first heard his music while hosting a dinner party with Brazilian friends. One of her guests put on Native Dancer, Nascimento’s 1975 collaboration with saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. “I get chills even thinking about it,” she says. It was a life-changing moment: “Ninety percent of things I write, I’m thinking of him. I’m thinking of his voice. I’m imagining singing it with him. He’s a very present part of my creative imagination.”
A dream that Spalding never would have expected to come true, they met in Brazil and a friendship was formed (thanks in part to an introduction made by Herbie Hancock). Their first collaboration would be on Spalding’s 2010 release Chamber Music Society, with Nascimento singing on “Apple Blossom.”
Milton + esperanza was made throughout 2023 and is produced, arranged and executive produced by Spalding. Though some work was done in the States, much of the recording happened in Rio; authenticity and connection are crucial to the project. It features Spalding’s core band of Matthew Stevens (guitar), Justin Tyson and Eric Doob (drums), Leo Genovese (piano), Corey D. King (vocals, synths), and several Brazilian musicians, including Orquestra Ouro Preto, percussionists Kainã Do Jêje and Ronaldinho Silva, and Lula Galvão and Guinga on guitar.
“Outubro,” originally from 1969 and released on Courage, is the oldest song of Nascimento’s on Milton + esperanza, and one of his most emotionally forceful. A truly soaring duet, it showcases just how dynamic the voices of Nascimento and Spalding are as they swirl together. “Cais” is another towering entry in Nascimento’s catalog, featured on his 1972 double album Clube Da Esquina. Synthesizing the kaleidoscopic pop ambitions of the Beatles, the exploratory jazz of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, Western classical, and Indigenous Brazilian music, Clube Da Esquina is the kind of masterpiece that music lovers pass amongst themselves. It was awarded a 9.5 by Pitchfork in one of their coveted Sunday Reviews in 2018, deemed “one of the most ambitious albums in Brazilian history.”
Spalding originals on the album include the exuberant “Wings for the Thought Bird” and “Get It By Now,” fresh additions to her ever-evolving catalog of dexterous work that both challenges and delights. Mystic interludes capture Nascimento and Spalding in conversation, and on the opening track, sharing a deep joyful laugh that sets the tone for this celebratory album. It concludes with an expansive 9-minute take on Wayne Shorter’s “When You Dream,” from his 1985 release Atlantis. Featuring his wife Carolina Shorter, it’s a powerful and emotional bookend to a project that sought inspiration in connecting with our elders, as well as a way to honor Shorter, Spalding’s mentor and collaborator who passed away in 2021.
Milton + esperanza is Spalding’s first new album release since 2021’s songwrights apothecary lab, which along with 2019’s 12 Little Spells, both won GRAMMY Awards (Best Jazz Vocal Album). Last year Spalding released a protest song entitled “Não Ao Marco Temporal” that was recorded in Rio and addresses the Temporal Framework, an initiative in Brazil that threatens Indigenous Brazilians’ land rights and poses a major risk to the Amazon rainforest. A 5-time GRAMMY winner and 11-time nominee, Spalding has previously released 8 full length albums and in addition to working with her heroes including Nascimento and Shorter, she has collaborated with Q-Tip, Janelle Monae, Robert Glasper, Terri Lyne Carrington and many others. As a composer her credits include writing the libretto for the opera Iphigenia with Wayne Shorter, which premiered in 2021. She is also a philanthropist and advocate, and is currently working to create a BIPOC artist sanctuary in her hometown of Portland, OR.
Spalding has also just announced her first major tour since 2019 with dates scheduled throughout 2024, as well as a 12-night residency at the Blue Note in New York City in February and March of 2025. Nascimento and Spalding don’t currently plan on doing a tour to support the record; these performances feature Esperanza with her band. Tickets are on sale now, see below for the full itinerary.
Track List:
the music was there
Cais
Late September
Outubro
A Day in the Life
Interlude for Saci
Saci (featuring Guinga)
Wings for the Thought Bird (featuring Elena Pinderhughes and Orquestra Ouro Preto)
The Way You Are
Earth Song (featuring Dianne Reeves)
Morro Velho (featuring Orquestra Ouro Preto)
Saudade Dos Aviões Da Panair (Conversando No Bar) (featuring Lianne La Havas, Maria Gadú, Tim Bernardes, Lula Galvão)
Um Vento Passou (para Paul Simon) (featuring Paul Simon)
Get It By Now
outra planeta
When You Dream (featuring Carolina Shorter)
Pre-order: https://found.ee/Milton-esperanza
Official Artist Store: https://found.ee/Esperanza_StoreHome
Esperanza website: esperanzaspalding.com