Determined Songhoy Blues Journeys To Thalia Hall
By Casey Moffitt in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 4, 2015 3:30PM
photo credit: Andy Morgan
Songhoy Blues formed in Bamako, the capital of Mali, however the members fled to the city as Islamic extremists were taking over the northern part of the county in 2012. During the takeover, music was banned in the northern cities of Timbuktu and Gao. Guitarists Aliou Touré, Garba Touré and bassist Oumar Touré (none are related) never knew each other when they lived in the northern part of Mali, but all found each other in Bamako. They recruited drummer Nathanael Dembelee to round out the band.
They were discovered by Africa Express, the brainchild of Damon Albarn which aims to initiate musical collaborations between African and Western artists. Their debut album, Music In Exile, was released in February by Atlantic Records and co-produced by Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs fame. Songhoy Blues is the first band from Africa signed by Atlantic since the 1970s.
Songhoy Blues incorporates traditional music of the Songhai, an ethnic minority in Mali, with its rock music. But there is no mistaking Songhoy Blues as a world music band. It is a rock band but one that breaks out because of its native influences.
Songhoy Blues uses a lot of the typical bluesy licks in its tunes that we find in most rock music. But they play them over unusual syncopated rhythms that gives the traditional blues rock format a cool twist. Songhoy Blues culls from a wide range of influences that include fellow countryman Ali Farka Touré to Canned Heat to Led Zeppelin to some Caribbean music. It's a confluence of influences that we don't come across very often.
Songhoy Blues doesn't sing in English but don't let that scare you. It's not difficult to determine when they're singing songs of hope, or selfishness, or natural beauty, or desperation. Music can be universal in that way.
Check out this video for their tune "Soubour" for a good taste of what Songhoy Blues has to offer.
We're excited to check out this band with an unusual sound and remarkable background story. The irony of these guys coming together to create some cool music in the wake of those who sought to eliminate music in society is pretty beautiful, as is the will to find any way to share their gift and passion.
Songhoy Blues performs at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allsport St., at 8 p.m. Friday June 5. $12 advance, $14 at the door.