Singer-songwriter, producer, and dedicated activist Erin McKeown is gearing up to release her new album, MANIFESTRA, which brings together her political and musical selves. Funded by her enthusiastic fan-base in a mere six days via PledgeMusic, MANIFESTRA will be released January 15th on McKeown’s own TVP Records.
Just in time for the holidays, Erin has shared a special track from last year’s anti-holiday album, F*ck That. The album is available via iTunes and other digital retailers, and from now until New Year’s, Erin will donate 20% of every purchase of F*ck That (CD, digital, hymnal, packaged, etc.) to Occupy Sandy as they coordinate relief efforts in NY and NJ. According to Erin, it’s “your chance to be a responsible scrooge and give to a very important cause.” For a taste of F*ck That, you can download the “Santa Is An Asshole” MP3 above!
Having a passion for social justice and a strong interest in public policy, McKeown treats her music as a multi-dimensional way to convey messages, connect with fans, and become a better person. New album MANIFESTRA finds her accompanied by many musical friends, who add a simple but lush foundation to her songs. Track “Baghdad To The Bayou,” co-written via text message with longtime friend Rachel Maddow, is a simmering New Orleans cut that addresses injustice from the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Mexico. “The Jailer” is an upbeat, percussive number whose bright horns and melodic vocals belie the serious undercurrent of border politics while title track “Manifestra” features a mantra of strength and gratitude set to McKeown’s minimal electric guitar line.
Erin McKeown on Tour:
1/17: Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
1/18: New York, NY @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
1/19: Brooklyn, NY @ Littlefield
1/20: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
1/21: Arlington, VA @ Iota
1/23: Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
1/24: Cleveland, OH @ Beachand Tavern
1/25: Chicago, IL @ The Hideout
1/26: Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
2/07: Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
2/08: Ames, IA @ Iowa State University [The Maintenance Shop]
2/09: Indianapolis, IN @ The Irving Theater
2/10: Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
2/12: Grand Rapids, MI @ The Pyramid Scheme
2/13: Louisville, KY @ Uncle Slayton’s
2/14: Barnesville, OH @ Albert S. George Youth Center @ Barnesville Memorial Park
3/03: Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
3/04: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
3/06: Berkeley, CA @ Freight & Salvage
3/08: Los Angeles CA @ McCabe’s Guitar Shop
