Jun 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: American Utopia Family Favorites

By Todomundo

Song Artist Purchase
The Story King Amazon
Road Heather Christian & the Arbornautsd Amazon
Aquele Abraço Gilberto Gil Amazon
Singya Ali Farka Touré Amazon
Whatever Comes to Mind Mormor Amazon
Clube da Esquina #2 Hamilton de Holanda Quintet Amazon
Love Man Otis Redding Amazon
Human The Killers Amazon
Where's Your Head At Basement Jaxx Amazon
Pirates Brazilian Girls Amazon
The Take Off And Landing Of Everything Elbow Amazon
Come On Get Higher Matt Nathanson Amazon
Radioactivity Kraftwerk Amazon
No Good Kaleo Amazon
Refazenda Gilberto Gil Amazon
Infinite Sky Joe Pisapia ft. Stefano Barotti Amazon
Angelina Sweet Talks Amazon
Space Is Only Noise If You Can See Nicolas Jaar Amazon
I See a Darkness Bonnie "Prince" Billy Amazon

This month's DB Radio features favorite songs from some of the American Utopia band, crew and creative team—from the folks who designed the show to those who are out on the road installing the massive chain curtain. Those that ensure that the audio and lighting wireless systems work and the MVP who makes sure the percussionists have the correct instruments on their rigs for any given song. Those who are driving the busses and the handful that make sure everyone knows where to be and when. Our wardrobe team who keeps the band freshly outfitted night after night. The guys out there in front of house controlling the lights and what you hear in the room. And, of course, the amazing band—those who are playing instruments, those who are singing and those who are dancing.

Here are some of American Utopia family's favorite songs—hope you enjoy!

I've played and sung with Heather for something like 15 years in NYC, but it wasn't until I recently moved to New Orleans that I really understood her music. There's a deep, nomadic longing in this particular track that not only mirrors the meandering Mississippi (on which Christian was raised) but also my current touring experience. I find myself listening to this track while looking out the bus windows trying to name constellations. - Chris Giarmo, Dance Captain and Background Vocals

When I was very young I remember we had records in our house and I would listen to a couple of songs on repeat like 30 times, one of these songs was this Gilberto Gil called "Aquele Abraço," that talks about Rio de Janeiro, and some memorable places in Brasil. I think Gil wrote this song when he exilled in London, so he was longing for Brasil, and wrote this songs saluting all these people and places that he missed. - Mauro Refosco, Musical Director Percussion

One of the freshest things I heard recently. - Bobby Wooten, Bass Guitar

Ghanaian Highlife that is guaranteed to get everybody moving and feeling good. - Daniel Freedman, Percussion

I suppose there doesn’t need to be any explanation why I love this song! - Annie-B Parson, Choreographer

Gilberto Gil is my favorite artist of all time. I grew up listening to his music and "Refazenda" is one of them I like most because it always brings back great memories of my childhood. - Davi Viera, Percussion

One of first Ali Farka tunes I fell in love with... - Tim Keiper, Percussion

The live version of "Radioactivity" by Kraftwerk from the years just after they started using laptops on stage and before the ipads. Best show I ever saw. - Rob Sinclair, Lighting Designer

Visiting Moog Music in Asheville, NC whilst on tour earlier this month brought me back to the hypnotic, metronomic rhythms and the unmistakably synthetic and elastic sounds that reverberate across this track. - Sam Augustus, Blaktrax

I love the drone harmonies of this song and the fact that the main hook doesn’t come in until later in the song. Reminds me of the Stone Roses’ “I am the Resurrection” outro section which is an epic instrumental. Guy Garvey is a modern wordsmith and doesn’t try to hide his Manchester accent when singing! - John Chadwick, Monitors

Song that’s equal parts about feeling dark and the strong bonds of friendship that can get you through it. For me, touring has all of this. - Abigail Lester, Spare Hands

American Utopia Touring Party

Karl Mansfield — Keys / MD

Mauro Refosco — Percussion / MD

Chris Giarmo — Vocals / Dance Captain

Tendayi Kuumba — Vocals

Angela Johnson-Swan — Guitar

Bobby Wooten — Bass Guitar

Daniel Freedman — Drums

Aaron Johnston — Drums

Timothy Keiper — Percussion

Gustavo Leite — Percussion

Davi Vieira — Percussion

Keith Anderson — Tour Manager

Annie B. Parson — Choreographer

Elizabeth Dement — Choreographer Asst.

Mark Edwards — Production Manager

Sari Miller — Production Coordinator

Abigail Lester — Spare Hands

Sam Augustus — Blacktrax

John Chadwick — Monitors

Pete Keppler — FOH

Rob Sinclair — Lighting Designer

Douglas Green — Lighting Director

Jerry Johnson — Drum / Percussion Tech

Patrick Lachman — Guitar / Keyboard Tech

Tamsin Manvell — Wardrobe

Peter Will — Set Carp

Jamie Nelson — RF Tech

Jeff Wuerth — Audio Tech

Robin Sheridan — Lighting Tech

Tony Quinn — Lighting Tech

Benjamin Root — Lighting Tech

Allyson Fief — Merchandise

Mark Haney — Video Director

Drivers

Brian Waldon — Bus Driver / Band 1

Darin Lyons — Bus Driver / Band 2

Sam Orsita — Bus Driver / Crew 1

Greg Gazzo — Bus Driver / Crew 2

Yvon "Boom Boom" Lauzon — Truck Driver

David Abitbol — Truck Driver

Denny "Wizard" Powers —Truck Drive

Jun 1 2018

David Byrne Presents: American Utopia Family Favorites

By Todomundo

Song Artist Purchase
The Story King Amazon
Road Heather Christian & the Arbornautsd Amazon
Aquele Abraço Gilberto Gil Amazon
Singya Ali Farka Touré Amazon
Whatever Comes to Mind Mormor Amazon
Clube da Esquina #2 Hamilton de Holanda Quintet Amazon
Love Man Otis Redding Amazon
Human The Killers Amazon
Where's Your Head At Basement Jaxx Amazon
Pirates Brazilian Girls Amazon
The Take Off And Landing Of Everything Elbow Amazon
Come On Get Higher Matt Nathanson Amazon
Radioactivity Kraftwerk Amazon
No Good Kaleo Amazon
Refazenda Gilberto Gil Amazon
Infinite Sky Joe Pisapia ft. Stefano Barotti Amazon
Angelina Sweet Talks Amazon
Space Is Only Noise If You Can See Nicolas Jaar Amazon
I See a Darkness Bonnie "Prince" Billy Amazon

November Radio David Byrne Radio Presents: Mali

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