DAVID BYRNE AND DEVO
EMPIRE
from NOISE FOR NOW VOL. 2
(Bandcamp)
A nearly 30 year old, unreleased collaboration between David Byrne (no relation AFAIK) and Devo has been dusted off and made available ahead of its appearance on the soon to be released benefit compilation album Noise for Now Vol. 2.
The album has been put together in support of female reproductive rights in the USA, with its forthcoming vinyl and streaming release on June 21 coinciding with the second anniversary of the US Supreme Court ruling which ended American women's constitutional right to access an abortion.
The Byrne - Devo collaboration Empire, was one of two tracks recorded for Feelings, Byrne's 1997 album of collaborations with artists from across the musical spectrum.
According to Byrne the track was considered just "too mean and caustic" for that disc.
Already up on Youtube, it's now being made fully available for the first time because "times change, and it certainly resonates now" (Byrne) and "it's prescient" (DEVO’s Gerald Casale).
With women in many US states now unable to secure even advice on termination and the country heading to the polls in November, in a vote that could see the re-election of a certain recently convicted criminal, the track's timeliness is beyond question.
Conceived as an ironic anthem for a fascist/capitalist state, the staccato military tattoo drumbeat, and trumpet refrain, certainly conjure up images of ranks of parading uniforms, weapons raised, ready to oppress anyone on the wrong list.
Oddly too though, they also combine to give, the exact opposite, a distinct and rousing "call to arms" vibe.
Which given the reason for the track's release, is exactly how it should be.
The full track listing will be released June 21 and includes numbers by Faye Webster, The War On Drugs, Courtney Barnett, MC50 ft. Arrow De Wilde, Big Freedia, Sofia Isella, Julia Jacklin, Becca Mancari, Claud and AJ Haynes (of Seratones).
Essential Information
Pre-order Noise For Now vol 2 on Bandcamp here→
