5 posts tagged “mbe”

Port O’Brien was one of six bands we chose to showcase at this year’s SXSW Music Conference for our official night event. They handed out pots and pans to the audience and created a warm vibe to go along with their loose folky pop, which was at times simple and other times experimental. The roots behind their music are incredibly interesting and unique. Signer Van Pierszalowski spent years working in Alaskan canneries for short stints that would allow him to earn a good chuck of money, get some inspiration, and then focus on his music for the rest of the year. He founded the band with Cambria Goodwin, from the city of the same name, and the started filling out the line up before touring with everyone from Bright Eyes to Modest Mouse. The band dropped in to play some songs from the new album and, despite a broken bass string, gave us an inspired set of music. 

Watch/Listen to the full session!

K’Naan has once of the most interesting stories I’ve heard in a long time. He’s originally from Somalia and comes from a family of poets and singers. Poetry is so valued in Somalia – and his grandfather was so influential – that they lowered the flag of the country for three days when he passed in away. K’Naan is a thoughtful rapper whose music is rooted in traditional African melodies and classic hip-hop tradition. He tells Jason that he breaks down his life in terms of times of peace and times of war and has tried to transform the pain of tough times into things people sing about. With an invitation from the Marley family, he recorded his album in Kingston, with various appearances from members of Bob’s musical and personal life stopping in throughout the process. “Wavin’ Flag” is the culmination of all his many talents in one song.

Check it out here

RR