Not registered? Sign up here | Forgot your password?

FEATURE

Aloe Blacc

Aloe Blacc: Good Things

11 November 2011

by Benn Laidlow

“I‘ve been getting really deep into [19th century Serbian scientist Nikola] Tesla’s story, and how the big energy corporations in the US destroyed all of his work and basically killed his spirit, so that he wouldn’t want to create anything anymore, because he was trying to develop free energy. And it exists; I’m sure that what he theorised about could actually be done, but we’ll never know, because who profits from free energy, you know?”

It’s a cautionary tale, and one which every artist who goes against the grain will relate to. A good idea will eventually rise to the top of its own accord, though there is often the inherent danger that in doing so it will consume its host. Aloe Blacc is determined not to let this happen to him. Though his gloriously anachronistic album Good Things is only his second solo release, he speaks about it with a pragmatism and a world-weariness that belies his years. “In order to get anywhere in the US with music, you have to have money to get on the radio and to do significant promotion.” he explains. “So without that, because Stones Throw is such an indie label, there’s no funds. We just need the kind of backing like here in Australia, where we have the Sony power behind us.”

What becomes clear when talking to the Californian-born vocalist is that he has had to fight to realise his personal vision at every step, and continues to fight for it, though he has learned to pick his fights carefully.

At the last minute, a reshuffling of the album’s tracklisting was imposed, apparently against Blacc’s will, with the track Politician being inexplicably omitted. With such lyrics as “One day we’re gonna organise and do what we’ve got to do, but the revolution will not be televised when we flip the script on you,” the track was obviously contentious, but one wonders whether he felt as though he had been censored or artistically compromised. Clearly choosing his words diplomatically he begins, “Ah, you know, it was funny business with the label.” He continues, “Basically, I want everything I recorded to be on the album. But they didn’t want to release Loving You Is Killing Me because they thought it was too pop, and then they said something like ‘people wouldn’t understand what Politician is talking about.’ But now with the ‘Occupy’ protests, hopefully they might start to get the message.

“Most of the album is discussing the problems, and Politician is like the call to action. And then the next album will hopefully be the solutions.”

He quickly adds. “...well, not the solutions. My ideas of solutions.” The almost-universal critical acclaim the album has received is a vindication of Blacc’s steadfastness, and has paved the way for the next chapter in his meteoric ascent. Blacc excitedly talks about touring Europe “endlessly”, while assembling the framework of his next record and rubbing shoulders with his musical heroes.“I was lucky enough to perform in front of Paul McCartney. He was dancing, smiling along , nodding and giving me kudos. I was also able to perform some of my songs for Quincy Jones, who said he really liked what I was doing. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to work with someone like Bill Withers, Al Green or Stevie Wonder. I’m sure there are songs that they’ve written over the past few years that they haven’t been able to release, and I’d love to be the voice for them.”

RELATED

Share |

Comments

FEATURES

+ SHOW MORE

THE HOOK

Hook 924

The Hook: Early reaction to the National Cultural Policy

18 March 2013

One of the most important aspects of the policy is that some initiatives will allow the music industry to be more involved in funding and policy-making policies. We ask the industry for early reactions.

HOT SEAT

Jack Flanagan

The Hot Seat: Jack Flanagan, co-owner, Weathermaker Music

15 March 2013

We ask Jack Flanagan, co-owner of Weathermaker Music, all about their one-stop-shop setup.