Music has the ability to connect people, regardless of where they come from. With the rise of the internet it is now easier for artists to release their music to the world. In part 3 of 3 of For the Love of Music series we will discuss the artists that aren’t in the spotlight, but find a way to shine in the recesses of the internet. If you have not read parts 1 or 2, you can find them HERE.
S A D nois
S A D nois is a harsh noise duo based in Denver, Colorado. Some may describe their music as obnoxious but this project truly tests the endurance of the listener. They sample many speeches and then through noise, describe how the speech makes the listener feel. They also blend their music with performance art as many of their shows end with the dismemberment of a watermelon.
S A D nois
Kahoku Williams is half of S A D nois. He was born in Mililani Town, Hawaii but moved to Japan at the age of 16. At the age of 18 Williams then moved to Denver, Colorado. It’s there were he found the underground punk/avant garde music scene. You can find their music HERE.
Haram
Haram brings creates a unique perspective when it comes to being an Arab-American. Their music is a criticism of the society we live in, while empowering their varied identities.
Punk has been a platform for protest for decades, and with the current political climate punk is experiencing a new renaissance. Haram is one of those bands that is leading the new wave of tolerant punk. With their debut full-length album بس ربحت, خسرت, “When You Have Won, You Have Lost,” Haram takes on what it means to be a refugee in America.
Nadar Habibi is the frontman of Haram and is a Arab-American refugee. Find the band’s music HERE.
Sad UWU
In Babie Gutierrez’s own words they describe their music as “if an emo kid who had a weird connection with country music discovered punk at the age of 14.” Gutierrez also comprises half of S A D nois. They were born in New Mexico on a reservation and moved to Denver at the age of 17. They are half Mexican and half Navajo. They derive influence from artists like Pat the Bunny, Hank Williams, and Kimya Dawson.
Their songs consist of themes such as death, depression, and anarchistic views. The instrumentation is a baritone ukulele and their beautiful voice. You can find them HERE.
Pat the Bunny
Pat the Bunny is a folk punk artist that was born in Vermont and traveled the country at age 14. He hopped trains to tour the country at such a young age. His music consists of themes of struggling with addiction, overall society apathy, and anarchy. He is considered to be one of the most influential figures in folk punk.
You can find his music HERE. All of his music revenue goes to non-profit charities.
SHYBOI
SHYBOI was born in Jamaica and then moved to New York before her 18th birthday. She is signed to Discwomen, a booking collective based in New York.
“As a creative positioned between Caribbean and American culture,” reads her profile on Discwoman, “she uses sound to interrogate ideas of identity, notions of power, perceived histories and the entanglements that happens within these topics. She is also member of the queer artist collective #KUNQ whose ethos is centered around the production of multidimensional work through sound, visual and performance art while expanding the discourse surrounding the subcultures and genres that have become diluted or obscured in the name of hybridity.”
You can find her music HERE.
These artists are perfect examples of how cultural identities can shape a music scene. They use their culture to influence their music and help connect people with common ideals and high octane beats. They share their voice purely for the love of music.
