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Quirky quartet gets the Go ahead
By: Darcie Paterson
Even though Ok Go's self-titled debut album was released months ago, they're just starting to get the airtime they need on Much Music. From the catchy first track, Get Over It to the tortured final track, Bye Bye Baby this quirky quartet from Chicago has created a truly unique experience.
With lyrics like, "Sweetheart, you'll find mediocre people do exceptional things all the time," from What To Do, you are let in on the deep souls these four men have. As well as, "Before we go, sing us a song. Sing us a song to hum through the hours of dying," from Shortly Before The End showcase the true musical talent Ok Go possesses.
The band got its first taste of stardom back in August when their music was included on the Electronic Arts' Madden NFL 2003 Playstation2 game. Ok Go also received a lot of coverage when they toured with the writers of the public radio show This American Life. The writers would go out and read their stories while in between Ok Go would come out and play their songs. The crowd loved them and the four guys from Chicago had the fan base they needed to become popular.
Ok Go consists of Damian Kulash on lead vocals and guitar, Tim Nordwind on bass, Dan Konopka on drums and Andy Duncan playing keyboards and guitar. Kulash and Nordwind met at camp when they were 11 years old and formed a group called The Greased Ferrets that featured folding chairs played as drums. The two met Duncan in high school and Konopka in college but did not form Ok Go until 1999.
Ok Go is currently on tour with The Donnas throughout North America but only have one show scheduled for Canada. They are playing on February 10th at Lee's Palace with Longwave for "Geeky Alternative Pop Night."
Red Hot organization releases a Red Hot CD to benefit HIV/AIDS
By: Darcie Paterson
"In the time it takes you to listen to this album, 150 Africans will become infected with HIV/AIDS." This is one of the chilling statistics stated in the liner notes of Red Hot + Riot.
Red Hot is an organization based in the U.S. that raises funds through albums, videos, and multimedia projects to fight AIDS. This organization has so far donated almost seven million dollars to AIDS prevention around the world. Red Hot + Riot is the 14th project created by Red Hot.
This album was made in dedication to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who is being called one of the most important musicians in West Africa in the past fifty years. He wrote about political corruption, injustices of post-colonial Africa, and condemned the police, the army, big business, and religious organizations. He was arrested more than 200 times but continued to speak his message to the African people. In 1997 Kuti was infected with AIDS and died in the same year due to related causes.
While an exploration of African music, Red Hot + Riot features musicians from all over the world. There are artists on this album that North Americans will recognize -- D'Angelo, Macy Gray, Common, and Sade. All of them do very well on this compilation.
Even if African music doesn't interest you, invest in this CD to support a good cause: AIDS.
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