A Different War

FIERCELY AND DEFIANTLY, DANIELIA COTTON

RE-EMERGES TO CONFRONT RACE, GENDER, AND WEALTH

IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES WITH ‘A DIFFERENT WAR’

§  Most Politically Charged Album of Heralded Career Due May 29

§  2^nd Single, Cheap High, Now Active at Triple A

§  ‘Live from Home’ Streaming Concert to Premiere SUNDAY

“Ms. Cotton testifies to pain, need, revelation and redemption in a voice that’s as raw as it is indomitable.” – The New York Times 

Hailed by The New York Times for music that’s “soulful enough to fill a revival tent,” DANIELIA COTTON has risen again into the light, fiercely and defiantly, with A Different War, her most politically charged album in a widely heralded career.

Set for release May 29 on all major digital platforms through Cottontown Music, the six-song opus finds the “fiery rock vocalist” (American Songwriter), whose voice gives her songs “stunning power” (No Depression), speaking to these extraordinary times by unloading her sin while the world around her is gripped in a turbulent spin. Cotton frames A Different War by confronting race, gender, and wealth − deeply personal and pervasive issues that have plagued folks like her for an eternity.

As the first single, “Forgive Me,” moves up the Triple A charts, the second single, “Cheap High,” is now active at radio. The music video will premiere next week. The “Live from Home” Streaming Concert will premiere Sunday (May 17) at 7:30 p.m. EST on Facebook Live.

Additionally praised by Billboard, the Los Angeles Times, NPR, and USA Today, among others throughout her career, Cotton continues to inhabit a song, turning it inside and out to create transcendent music and lyrics, and carry us higher and higher with her in her musical flights. 

It's Danielia!
Photo:
Chia Messina

A Different War finds the gutsy New Yorker swimming through the tumultuous social issues of racism and greed, and the tempestuous waters of love and relationships. These are songs deeply rooted in the protest anthems of yesterday but built for the current state of our world. A multi-racial, gospel-fueled, Jewish blues-rocker who believes in the power of womanhood, Cotton grew up in a predominantly white New Jersey community as one of just seven black kids in her high school. She has survived cancer and the tragic loss of twins at birth, only to bounce back and finally welcome a daughter in 2018. Cotton’s consistent ability to overcome pain and express it through music shines a light on the issues of the day and shows the world what it's like to fight “A Different War.”

“This is the first album I’ve made that includes songs that are both social and personal,” says Cotton. “On several of these songs I tried to get out of my own head and talk about the world outside. I think about the experiences of my listeners. I like when the listener can jump into a song.”

The title track examines how the reality of people of color getting called into battle as a result of being marginalized informs their entire existence. Featuring a guest appearance by prominent Bronx hip-hop artist Mickey Factz, the song also urges us to press ahead because of the ongoing need for substantive change. “Cheap High” is a stomping rocker that finds Cotton probing our precarious economic situation, speaking to both a personal unhappiness arising from greed, and the dangers of a society mired in economic disparity and despair. The evocative and transporting music of “Forgive Me” mimics the lyrics, which Cotton wrote with her sister, Catherine Fulmer-Hogan, stressing the necessity of forgiveness in any relationship in order for its survival. The fierce feminist anthem “She Too” is a propulsive rocker that rides along a screaming lead solo. Cotton’s bluesy vocals on this track defiantly proclaim not only equality but righteous anger at anyone who wants to silence women for raising their voices in unity against abuse, ill and unequal treatment.

A Different War is a true collaboration with some of the most talented musicians and technicians in the business. From Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors, Joan Osborne, Edie Brickell) on drums, Ben Butler (Sting, George Michael, Chris Botti) on guitar, and Andy Hess (Gov’t Mule, Black Crowes) on bass, to young gun guitarist Emmanuel Rossillo working his first major studio project, the record resonates with innovation and flare. The finishing touches of the brilliant mix provided by Dave O’Donnell (James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer) and the mastering of Greg Calbi (numerous hits over the past 20 years) make this record a true meeting of the best of the best.

The evidence is clear on A Different War that DANIELIA COTTON continues to evolve and challenge herself as a musician. Fifteen years since her breakout as an Artist to Watch by influential Philadelphia public radio outlet WXPN, Cotton remains a true indie artist fighting for independence – the space to create her own sound and an audience that would journey with her.

Available May 29 at Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and where music is consumed on-line.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Hump Day & Chill

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"Do The Drumpf"

Sax Wielders
Round Eye 

If it's unique & political, it must be punk. For those about to Drumpf we salute you! 

ROUND EYE, Shanghai's Sax-Wielding Experimental Punk Posse, Release "Do the Drumpf" Music Video and Single

 

"While China is hardly an apt place from which to lob brickbats against abuse of power, Round Eye's critique is nonetheless dead-on in its depiction of the US right wing's paranoid fantasies about Muslims, gays, the urban underclass, and non-white people." 

 - Dangerous Minds

Round Eye, the experimental, sax wielding, freak punk outfit have accrued a loud and controversial name for themselves since forming in 2012. The Shanghai based group have as of late been a crucial force in bridging a wide gap between the eastern and western hemispheres of DIY punk rock.

The band has released a music video for Do the Drumpf, one of two songs on a digitally released single on Joey Shithead of DOA's Vancouver-based Sudden Death Records. The compilation is a celebration of the second anniversary of the death of common sense in the USA. Round Eye front man Chachy says, "This video is our subjective window into the reality of the sitcom we call American politics. No Trump, No KKK, No Facist USA."

Along with blazing a trail all over the globe they've played host to visiting western punks and some legends as well sharing stages with acts such as The Fleshtones, MDC, Mike Watt + The Missingmen, D.O.A., The FUs, The Boys (UK), Paul Collins Beat, M.O.T.O., Ceremony, Iceage, and eastern notables such as P.K.14, SMZB, SUBS, Hang on the Box, and during a mainland tour of China with UK punk legends The Boys, they were forced to literally move the tour underground after being banned by the Ministry of Culture for lewd artwork on a tour poster. VICE magazine documented one of their 'bunker' gigs in Beijing in glorious baijiu filled detail.

They've won the "Best Local Band" title from Shanghai's City Weekend magazine two years in a row. They've released several acclaimed music videos: "Suntan" starring famed Chinese actress Wang Lin (Xue Yi), best known for her role in the Chinese soap opera Romance in the Rain and appearances in Academy Award winning Ang Lee films such as Lust / Caution), the politically and critically charged nightmare "Billy" and "Sifter" which was entirely filmed in Pyongyang North Korea making it the very first punk video ever filmed in the DPRK. 

Round Eye has played numerous festivals around the world and honed their unconventional blend of 50s R&B, Free Jazz and Punk with a critically acclaimed EP Full Circle on Ripping Records which featured Greg Ginn (Black Flag), LP Round Eye which featured Steve Mackay (Iggy Pop & the Stooges, Violent Femmes) & Lo-fi legend R. Stevie Moore, and have recently released their sophomore LP, Monstervision, on Sudden Death Records. This album was recorded by Li Wei Yu & PK 14's Yang Haisong, narrated by former The Daily Show comedian John Bloom (Joe Bob Briggs), and is the last recordings laid to wax of the late great Steve Mackay.

They have drawn comparisons to the Stooges, Captain Beefheart, Dr. Feelgood and The Fall but have more often fallen into a category all their own.

Follow the adventures of Round Eye on Facebook

Listen to select tracks at Stereokiller.com and SoundCloud

Watch their wild music videos at YouTube

and for the truly daring, take a gander at their Tour Poster

OZG: Rihanna

Bad Ass To The Bone
Rihanna

With the countdown to Halloween in full force I'd like to show my support for one Rihanna. Who Turned down performing at the upcoming Superbowl in support of Colin Kaepernick. 

(Yeah, we now get Maroon 5 instead (meh) - bur considering why that happened I'm down with it.)

This is  a balls to the wall decision that I respect and admire her for. Thus it seems fitting to back her today all dressed up for Halloween as, what else? A Zombie Gangster, naturally.

"Yes" Rhi, Rhi is the OZG (original zombie gangster) and the grooviest of all the ghouls in this truly appropriate for the season and her current political stand get up.

Bend it like Rihanna this Season of the Witch and let loose your OZG, OWG or OG with a rebel yell!

Tis' a mere 11 more days until Halloween - you go ghouls!

Rihanna on IG -

https://www.instagram.com/badgalriri/?hl=en   

Monday Motivation

Vote On November 6th!
Taylor Swift

In light of recent developments in our country today's Monday Motivation comes in the form of voting on November 6th. With one Taylor Swift finally voicing her POV on the matter. Why do I single her out for chiming in? Because of her adoring fan base, millions of young women, who look to Taylor as a role model. "Yes" her voice is gonna make a difference. You go Swift! 

I’m writing this post about the upcoming midterm elections on November 6th, in which I’ll be voting in the state of Tennessee. In the past I’ve been reluctant to publicly voice my political opinions, but due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now. I always have and always will cast my vote based on which candidate will protect and fight for the human rights I believe we all deserve in this country. I believe in the fight for LGBTQ rights, and that any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender is WRONG. I believe that the systemic racism we still see in this country towards people of color is terrifying, sickening and prevalent.

I cannot vote for someone who will not be willing to fight for dignity for ALL Americans, no matter their skin color, gender or who they love. Running for Senate in the state of Tennessee is a woman named Marsha Blackburn. As much as I have in the past and would like to continue voting for women in office, I cannot support Marsha Blackburn. Her voting record in Congress appalls and terrifies me. She voted against equal pay for women. She voted against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which attempts to protect women from domestic violence, stalking, and date rape. She believes businesses have a right to refuse service to gay couples. She also believes they should not have the right to marry. These are not MY Tennessee values. I will be voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives. Please, please educate yourself on the candidates running in your state and vote based on who most closely represents your values. For a lot of us, we may never find a candidate or party with whom we agree 100% on every issue, but we have to vote anyway.

So many intelligent, thoughtful, self-possessed people have turned 18 in the past two years and now have the right and privilege to make their vote count. But first you need to register, which is quick and easy to do. October 9th is the LAST DAY to register to vote in the state of TN. Go to vote.org and you can find all the info. Happy Voting! 🗳😃🌈

Taylor on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/taylorswift/?hl=en 

You Didn't Give Them A Chance

Entertain Me favorite and friend Tom Connan is back with a decidedly different tone. He has done a dance mix of his cool as ice song  "You Didn't Give Them A Chance."

Turning it on it's head and making it into a terrific political anthem. I could extrapolate on this, but wouldn't you rather hear it from Tom?! I thought so, moving on...

MS: What made you decide to do the dance mix with a political bent?

TC: I live in France and, as you know, several terror attacks happened here the last few years. And over time, this is spreading all over the world. I'm creating music but I can't get this shit out of my head. When we decided to make a new video, I wanted to do something special, something more personal. Then I thought about those great moving videos Michael Jackson made quite a long time ago, especially They Don't Care About Us. I said to myself: "that's exactly what I need to do now". 

MS: I like the use of Anonymous. How did you land on him as a central figure?

TC: I'm not sure I'll keep using the Anonymous mask, but this was clearly inspiring. It represents some kind of progressive hidden resistance, which is really important nowadays -social media are awesome but this is also the place where you can find a lot of hateful comments, a lot of anti-Semitic or homophobic people for instance. It can be really tough. Therefore you must have some kind of online counter power. A journalist recently said in the Huffington Post that I was trying to "bring entertainment and politics together". I think she understood exactly my intention. 

MS: There are so many images of people who were dictators and failed, I think I am sensing the overall message, correct?

TC: I tried to analyze coldly the phenomenon of barbarism. Some people, including some close friends of mine, were afraid to see the face of Hitler in the video, especially because he's laughing. Obviously I can understand that. And believe me, we thought long and hard about it. But we decided to keep the footage, because we don't have the right to forget it. A lot of Jews are still being murdered simply because they are Jews, that's why it's still a hot topic. Our world is bleeding, and history is sometimes repeating itself. We must be aware of that. We must be united as citizens to protect the free world. It's more fragile than we think.

!

Look, He's Naked!
Tom Connan

MS: What are you wearing right now? 

TC: I have to admit I'm only wearing my own clothes from now on -we launched a clothing brand this summer (www.tomconnan.com/store). This is Karl Lagerfeld's fault: as you know he's always wearing the same outfit... I do the same! More seriously, I'd say I feel more comfortable with my own clothes. Fashion is a new world for me but this is so exciting, especially when you live in Paris. 

MS: Leave us the foremost thing on your mind regarding this project.

TC: This new single and music video is closing what I would call the first chapter of my musical career. We released four singles and four music videos in ten months, it required a tremendous amount of work. A lot of things happened, I met some incredible people in the industry and new stuff will be coming soon. What is really exciting is that you never know what will be next. Six months ago I never thought I would create some clothes, or make such a "political" music video. I chose to be an artist and I always try to do my best. But I don't want to forget the main reason why I chose this path: to be free.

Be Free with Tom, check out You Didn't Give Them A Chance after the jump!

Tom on Social Media at:

https://www.facebook.com/tomconnan/

https://www.instagram.com/tomconnan/

https://twitter.com/TomConnan  

D.O.A. "The Cops Shot A Kid"

D.O.A. Are A O.K.

D.O.A. releases new single "The Cops Shot a Kid"

Their here they're D.O.A. - get used to it!!!

In reaction to the recent deaths of African Americans at the hands of police in Ferguson, Missouri, Baltimore, Maryland and New York City, D.O.A. one of the world's most political bands has released a new single: "The Cops Shot a Kid (Gonna Be A Riot)," the first single from D.O.A.'s upcoming studio album "Hard Rain Falling" on Sudden Death Record. The single will be officially released on I Tunes Wednesday May 13th ( HERE).

Joe Keithley, Canada's punk godfather had this to say "I am outraged by the deaths of unarmed suspects at the hands of various police forces in the USA. Of course I realize that there are a lot of good cops that do a difficult job every day, but some of the recent killing sure looks like it's rooted in racism. So I wrote this song about these injustices and the inevitable reaction that will likely follow from the folks in that neighborhood Police should be wearing body cams while on duty. Look at it this way if it weren't for bystanders with cell phones, the public would be not seen what had happened and the truth could have been severely impeded."

D.O.A. is still working on their new 12-song studio album "Hard Rain Falling" and their Kickstarter Campaign will be active until the end of the month.

The band started in 1978 and is known as Canada's punk pioneers. Canada's godfather of punk Joe Shithead Keithley originated the term 'hardcore" back in 1980 and the band pushed the term into the common vernacular with their landmark album Hardcore 81. 

"When I started writing songs for Hard Rain Falling I listened to our early stuff like Hardcore 81 and the Disco Sucks EP and I tried to take same direct to the point, wild and political approach," says Keithley. "So it's back to D.O.A.'s roots the way we are approaching this album."

Keithley with the help of his notorious rhythm section, Paddy Duddy (drums) and Mike Hodsall (bass) will record an album that harks back to the basics of early punk. It will contain fast, short, frantic songs that dive deep into urgent issues of out time: racism, war, gangs, oil pipelines and environmental degradation. 

REMAINING TOUR DATES

Wednesday May 13th - Neurolux, Boise, ID 

Thursday May 14th - Big Dipper, Spokane, WA 

Friday May 15th - Highline, Seattle, WA 

Saturday May 16th - Emerald of Siam, Richland, WA 

Joe Keithley is on Twitter! Follow Joe and the D.O.A. gang on Twitter @DOAJoe and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DOAPUNK