Formed in 2012 in Bamako, Songhoy Blues update traditional desert blues with classic rock influences. They release a new EP titled Meet Me In The City on October 25th via Fat Possum, their first new music since their acclaimed 2017 album Résistance.
Meet Me In The City was produced by Matt Sweeney who introduced the band to his frequent collaborator Will Oldham (aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy), who contributed the lyrics to today's featured track. (The music was composed by Songhoy Blues and Sweeney, and this version was mixed by David Ferguson, known for his work Johnny Cash’s American Recordings.) On PBS’ American Masters, Will Oldham said, "They are a Malian band that’s really trying to make sense of what they’ve been witnessing, what they’ve been experiencing, and create or transmit a message to people about what they’re seeing and how they’re trying to understand it and make change…And to think, well I want them to know that I’m trying to listen and trying to understand, and if I can give voice to some of what they’re experiencing, that they might be emboldened by this musical connection."
Meet Me In The City also features covers of Junior Kimbrough’s "Meet Me In The City" and Fela Kuti & The Africa 70's track "Shakara" featuring special guest Fela’s son, Femi Kuti.
Tour Dates
10.01 – El Prado, NM – Taos Mesa Brewing
10.04 – Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge
10.05 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone Berkeley
10.06 – Petaluma, CA – Mystic Theatre
10.09 – Eugene, OR – WOW Hall
10.10 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
10.11 – Seattle, WA – Columbia City Theater
10.12 – Vancouver, BC, Canada – Rickshaw Theatre
10.15 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
10.17 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
10.19 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
10.22 – Toronto, ON, Canada – Great Hall
10.24 – Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s All Right
10.25 – Easthampton, MA – New City Brewery
10.26 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
10.27 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall