Riders Against the Storm sent us their new single RE:AL, an Alabama Shakes Remix, to share with all of you and wrote up an explanation of the track and its origins.
Breakdown from Chaka: We’ve been listening to Alabama Shakes since they came out a few years ago. But, this Sound and Color album is on some other level. From the moment I heard the single, ‘Don’t Wanna Fight No More,’ I knew I wanted to do something with that opening guitar riff. It’s too dang funky man! It took me a while to find the time to mess with it, but I sat down with our keyboard player a few months ago, and made it happen. It was fun creating the track. Jonathan Deas is a good collaborator. He let me go ham on the percussion stuff, and added some Fela-eque key stuff in the background.
Once the track was done, the lyrics came almost immediately. The hook comes from an old song we wrote in 2004. I recycled it because it just came back to me as I was listening to the beat. It just fit. Once I listened to the words again, it fit even more.
The hook addresses our feelings about the state of things in the world, and how we feel the need to stand together despite the preponderance of fear-mongering, reality tv politics and divide and conquer distracting media plays. Don’t get caught up. It’s up to us. The time is very real. But, we can’t go nowhere.
The song is part of a larger mixtape project that we will be dropping on 2/11 (our 9 year wedding anniversary). The project is called ‘RE:mixtape’ because it will feature a lot of remixed songs from artists that we love, including: Lianne La Havas, Ibeyi, Roger Sellers (Bayonne), and others. There will also be a 90s mixtape feel to it in the sense that it will actually flow like a mixtape, and be mixed as ONE solid piece of music. Something to rock ALL THE WAY THROUGH when you’re cruising in your car, or washing dishes on Sunday.
From Ovrld: The release party for RE:mixtape is scheduled for 2/13 at Sidewinder. Check out the lyrical video above and the lyrics below.
Lyrics
(Chaka)
It’s like lightning (lightning).
That’s how we striking them.
Iron upon iron how we sharpening (sharpening).
Taller than an obelisk.
Move with our promises.
Music is the weapon,
so we polished it (polished it)
Nourishment,
that’s what we bringing to the people man.
Encouragament,
from the cities to the meadows, and the villages.
Phenomenon.
We like the dawn.
There ain’t no worries here.
Because we have no fear.
Don’t want no mushroom clouds up in my salad.
Don’t want no computer chips up in my brain.
Don’t wanna hear the songs that’s on the radio.
Just wanna sit by the river and maintain.
Don’t want no mushroom clouds up in my salad.
Don’t want no computer chips up in my brain.
Don’t wanna hear the songs that’s on the radio.
Just wanna sit by the river and maintain.
(Chorus)
The time is very real,
but we can’t go nowhere.
We gotta stand right here.
Together, have no fear.
Our feelings we must share.
Because we know the deal.
That’s right,
we know the deal.
That’s right,
we know the deal
The time is very real,
but we can’t go nowhere.
We gotta stand right here.
Together, have no fear.
Our feelings we must share.
Because we know the deal.
That’s right,
we know the deal.
That’s right,
we know the deal
(Qi Dada)
Tell me I broke your heart.
You hate me art.
Shatter my mind.
Pull me apart.
I’m happy that you did it.
Because all is forgiven.
Happiness should never be paraded religion.
I’m gonna bruise,
as I pay my dues,
light a fuse
under my complacent ass.
Take me to task.
Didn’t know I could surpass
the vivid violets
that mimic silence,
We non-compliant.
We startin’ riots.
We all inside it.
We walkin’ by it.
We talkin’ science.
Don’t even try it
I’m happy with you.
Without cause.
I’m happy with you.
Because I am G*d.
Let your stories marinate
before you take a taste.
Read between the lines on your face.
Space is the place for your grace.
Space is the place for your pace.
(Chorus)
Uh huh. Uh huh.
Uh huh. Uh huh.
Uh huh. Uh huh.
Yeah. Yeah. (6xs)
(Chorus)
-Morgan