Artist Close- Up: Songhoy Blues

Mali has an especially violent history that includes the banning of music. Banning music may not seem violent, but for those, like myself, who affirm that music gives life to the soul, this act is a spiritual death.  Hence, Malian punk rock band Songhoy Blues is particularly special in sound and heart.

When music joins forces with a cause it becomes electric. Having to fight extremist groups to play the music in your soul sounds like the tale of a legend, but it is actually the story of Songhoy Blues. Their dedication to their country and strength at refusing to be silenced makes their music worthy of being heard. When you fight for your sound, you are fighting for your soul, which means your music has an extra sense of heart. There is a drastic difference between playing music and fighting for it. There is an added layer of resilience and profundity that will cause everyone to be magnetized by the music’s rhythms.

Songhoy Blues’ album Music in Exile aims directly for people’s spirits and dancing feet. It goes from fun, classic rock vibrations, like their song “Soubour,” to thoughtful folk frequencies like their track “Mali.” They describe their music as ‘desert blues,’ which is befitting for the feelings of trance- like bliss and pensive loneliness that these songs can emote.  Although the band sings in French, their music overpowers language. The guitar and drumbeats form their own dialect that can be universally understood. There power to reach anyone can be seen by their backing of music’s most talented like, the Alabama Shakes and Julian Casablancas.  Rolling Stone called this album one of the best of 2015.  Moreover, lead singer, Aliou Touré, has a voice that is easy to listen to. It is naturally fresh and charming, which makes lyrics of joy and devastation always felt. This album is for anyone that enjoys the history of perseverance music has and can give. Here is their official website.