On August 28th the Flobots’ third full-length
album, Circle in the Square is going to drop. They've agreed to a live
performance for the Twist and Shout family on that very same day.
Are you ready?
The Flobots have always written socially conscious songs and
have never been shy about stating what they wanted to see in the world. From The
Flobots Present: Platypus to Fighting with Tools to Survival Game,
every album has been a primal scream for a world they want to see come to
fruition. Circle in the Square is another rally cry, reminding people
that they are not alone. The whole world is filled with folks just like them,
people who feel the need to rise up and take control of their own destinies.
This has been a busy time for these Denver natives. Between recording the new
album, gearing up for the tour, putting together a media center for urban youth
and the general day to day tasks they have as super-heroes it's amazing that
their founder/MC Jonny 5 had time to generously do this interview with me...but
he did.
What can we expect from this new album?
Jonny 5: We're
super proud of these songs. They're very personal but also very much inspired
by the global democratic awakening. My hope this album helps blur the line
between "political" and "non-political" music by going
deeper to the emotions behind transformation, whether it is social or internal.
So, expect celebration, sadness, determination, and joy. And rhymes.
What was the creative
process?
5: All the songs
are written collectively, and every song comes from a different place. We've
tried for years to figure out what our process is, and found that there isn't
one. Each song is its own story...
The Flobots are
touring straight through until the beginning of November and hitting most of
the larger cities in the rustbelt, Lansing Mi. included. As politically active
as the band is are there any plans to visit any of the Occupations while you’re
on the road?
5: Hey, that's a
good idea.
Every time I turned
around this summer at the Occupy movement I saw Jonny 5 running around. What
part did/do you play in that movement?
5: Occupy Wall
Street started on September 17th. We went into the studio on September 18th. I
was very limited in terms of time and not able to be physically present very
much at Occupy Denver. I tried to be there at key points, performing once,
rallying people at certain flashpoints, and playing whatever role seemed
constructive and possible. But I was mostly just a part of the outer circle of
inspired supporters. My inner activist was going crazy because it felt like I
should have been there, but ultimately I recognized that it was important to
stay on my path. Occupy spoke for so many people who WEREN'T there physically.
I had to accept my role as one of those people being spoken for.
Has the band released
any of their music under creative commons for use in informational videos or
progressive actions?
5: We haven't. But
we've tried to be very supportive and helpful with groups who want to use our
music in ways that are in line with our values. I think the end result has been
good.
The web comic at
Flobots.net followed the theme that people everywhere are starting to wake up.
Each chapter has been about an individual or couple of individuals going
through an awakening of sorts. Do you feel, generally speaking, that the
Occupation is a fully realized emulation of that?
5: I wouldn't say
"fully", because there's always so much room for growth in all of us.
Folks involved with Occupy are most certainly included in that. But it was an amazing
step for people as individuals and for us as a country to recognize our power
to create a more just and humane world.
Will that comic
continue now that the there is protesting in most major cities and people are
becoming less tranquil?
5: I'll have to
talk to the comic's creator, DJ Coffman. He's a busy and talented guy. People
should check out his work!
You must be really
excited about the Youth Media Center, opening in 2013. Would you tell me a bit
about that?
5: Sure.
Flobots.org, a non-profit founded by myself and other band members, is working
with the Denver Housing Authority to create a 5400 square foot Youth Media
Studio on the ground floor of one of the new buildings in the La Alma Lincoln
Park neighborhood. The whole redevelopment is receiving attention for its
commitment to sustainability and its respect for current residents, and we're
excited to be a part of that project. Our next task is to raise money to build
the actual studio. So, if you're a philanthropist and you're reading this and
you want to have a building named after you, please let us know!
Who will be teaching
and what kind of structure will it have?
5: One of the
things I am so proud of about Flobots.org is that our staff and facilitators
includes and have included powerful Denver artists like Molina Speaks, Suzy Q,
Melissa Ivey, Chris Guillot, Serafin Sanchez, Nate Schmidt, Kalyn
Heffernan (of Wheelchair Sportscamp), Bianca Mikahn, and many others.
They'll be teaching and running the programs. It's an amazing crew of folks.
As a staff and board we're working right now to determine what exactly the
structures will be.
Kalyn Heffernan of
Wheelchair Sportscamp has been hosting “Pop-Up” Brunches to help bring in
contributions for the Center. What other ways may people in the community
donate or contribute?
5: Like any
non-profit, Flobots.org depends on the generosity of folks in the community who
believe in our vision, so donations are always welcomed and needed! We try to
make it fun, like the pop-up brunches (Props to Kalyn!!), which you should come
check out to if this goes to print before Aug. 18th. Also, like I said, if you
want a studio named after you, talk to us. And later this fall, we'll be having
our bowling ball fundraiser. We also need volunteers for a lot of events here
and there, so if you have time to volunteer, hit up our Executive
Director Jami Duffy at Jami@flobots.org
(Please notice that she is not me - a lot of people get confused).
What can we expect in
the future from the Flobots?
- Natja Soave
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