David Byrne’s “American Utopia” Preview Party

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David Byrne’s “American Utopia” Preview Party

Join Songbyrd Upstairs as we play a fresh preview copy of David Byrne’s new album, “American Utopia”, a day before street date.
Co-founder of Talking Heads, this is David Byrne’s first solo album in 18 years, and we’re proud to play a preview LP all the way through and give away a TEST PRESSING to a lucky winner. We are also raffling several Songbyrd Swag Bags® for fantastic winners who hang out and listen, filled to the brim with vinyl, CDs, stickers & posters…

“American Utopia” fits hand-in-hand with Byrne’s vision for his series “Reasons To Be Cheerful,” named for the song by the late Ian Dury. Over the last year, Byrne has been collecting stories, news, ideas, and other items that all either embody or identify examples of things that inspire optimism, such as a tech breakthrough, a musical act, a new idea in urban planning or transportation-something seen, heard, or tasted. Just as the album questions the current state of society while offering solace through song, the content of the series recognizes the darkness and complexity of today while showcasing alternatives to the despair that threatens us.

While David Byrne has collaborated on joint releases with Eno, Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim), and most recently St. Vincent over the past decade, “American Utopia” is Byrne’s first solo album since, 2004’s “Grown Backwards”, also on Nonesuch.

“American Utopia” morphed during the writing and recording process, beginning with longtime collaborator Eno, and eventually growing to include collaboration with producer Rodaidh McDonald (The xx, King Krule, Sampha, Savages) alongside a diverse cast of creative contributors including Daniel Lopatin (aka Oneohtrix Point Never), Jam City, Thomas Bartlett (St. Vincent producer, aka Doveman), Jack Peñate, and others. The album was recorded in New York City at David’s home studio, Reservoir Studios, Oscilloscope, XL Studios, and Crowdspacer Studio and in London at Livingston Studio 1.

A co-founder of the group Talking Heads (1976-88), David Byrne has released nine studio albums and worked on multiple other projects, including collaborations with Brian Eno, Twyla Tharp, Robert Wilson, and Jonathan Demme, among others. He also founded the highly respected record label Luaka Bop. ecognition of Byrne’s various works include Obies, Drama Desk, Lortel, and Evening Standard awards for Here Lies Love, an Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe for the soundtrack to Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Talking Heads. Byrne has published and exhibited visual art since his college days, including photography, filmmaking and writing. He lives in New York City.

March 08 2018

Details

Date: March 8, 2018
Time: 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Event Categories:
Website: Visit Event Website

Venue

Songbyrd Music House & Record Cafe

2477-2475 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009 United States

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Organizer

Jonathan Druy