The band's current lineup consists of vocalist and guitarist Jay Malinowski, and bassist Eon Sinclair with Sekou Lumumba on drums. Their debut album, Root Fire, released in 2001 also included djembe player Brett Dunlop. Patrick Pengelly played drums for the band until January 2009. The band met while attending Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The band released their second album, Sounding a Mosaic, in 2004. The album's single When the Night Feels My Song was the band's breakthrough single on Canadian radio, charting #1 on 102.1 The Edge CFNY and gaining airplay on commercial radio stations throughout Canada in the summer of 2005. The band released their follow-up record Street Gospels on August 21, 2007.
During the recording of Sounding a Mosaic, Bedouin Soundclash formed a close bond with producer Darryl Jenifer of Bad Brains, with whom they continue to work today. Despite drastic differences in sound, Bedouin Soundclash and Darryl Jenifer are set to release a collaborative Bad Brains vs. Bedouin Soundclash mash-up.
Bedouin Soundclash takes its name from a dub record by an artist named Badawi, released on ROIR Records in 1996. In an early practice, Malinowski exclaimed it sounded like Bedouin Soundclash, and the name was adopted. In 2006 the band began plans for its own imprint Pirates Blend which will release their own side projects and b-sides. The first two projects to be released are set to be a Vernon Maytone solo project, and a Bad Brains mash-up, whose release is yet to be determined.
2005-2006
In the summer of 2005, Bedouin Soundclash appeared on the Vans Warped Tour bill, and had significant chart success in Great Britain, where Sounding a Mosaic reached #1 on the BBC 6 Music charts. They often perform with reggae legend Vernon Buckley from the 1970s reggae duo, The Maytones.
In 2006, Bedouin Soundclash held shows with a variety of performers including Ben Harper, Damian Marley, The Skatalites, Burning Spear and The Junction. They also embarked on a sold out tour (37 dates) across Canada November/December 2005 & UK tour January 2006
The band performed three quarters of their 1-hour headline set at the Leeds Festival in 2006, despite Jay's illness at the time. The band finished with "When The Night Feels My Song", which was sung entirely by the crowd (and once the band had left the stage, sung again by the crowd as a "thank you" to Jay for singing when he was unwell). The band came back on to listen, then Jay invited everyone to come see them again when they come back to Britain in the autumn, saying "We owe you one."
They were the main performance at the September 17, 2006 Toronto rally calling for Canadian intervention in the Darfur crisis.
“When the Night Feels My Song” becomes the #2 most played track on Canadian Radio giving Nickelback’s “Photograph” and Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends” a run for their money.
The band's song "When The Night Feels My Song" also appears in a 2006 T-Mobile advert in the UK as well as Teton Gravity Research's ski film, Anomaly. It was also featured in a Zellers commercial in Canada, promoting the summer season of 2006. The song "12:59 Lullaby" was featured in an episode of Grey's Anatomy, "Where the Boys Are" (Season 3, seventh episode).
[Bearbeiten] 2007-2009
“St. Andrews” becomes a #1 on major market rock station Edge 102’s Top 30 Countdown. The band graced the cover of Canadian Musician Magazine and in June 2007 they Co-headline Rogers Picnic with The Roots and Bad Brains
On September 10, 2007, they played at Wilfrid Laurier University's Turret Nightclub. The crowd repeatedly asked the band to play "Santa Monica" off the Root Fire album. The band played it as an encore, stating that it would most likely be the last time they ever played it live and thanked the crowd for the request. They have yet to play it again, although Jay played a solo acoustic version at a Vancouver benefit concert for Insite on December 6, 2008, and at the 102.1 The EDGE CASBY awards on October 22, 2009.
The band also performed at the 2007 V Festival in Chelmsford, Great Britain. They played several songs, including "When The Night Feels My Song" in the "Virgin Mobile Union" area. This year their video for “Walls For Down” jumps to #1 on MuchMoreMusic countdown, Canada’s top national video channel in 2008
Prestigious “Pop Album of the Year” Juno Award nomination in 2008 for "Street Gospels", alongside major international stars Celine Dion, Anne Murray, Michael Bublé and Feist. That same year “Walls Fall Down” received a “Video of the Year” Juno nomination.
Performed Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival with Coldplay, Alicia Keys, The Verve, 2008
In 2009 Bedouin Soundclash signed on to tour alongside as the opening act for Grammy Award winning artists No Doubt's North American Reunion Tour ref>[1]. They also went to do multiple performances at the Australian Soundwave Festival (NIN, Billy Talent), including city centers Melbourne and Sydney, February 2009
On March 6, 2009, the band premiered their new music video for the song "Hearts in the Night" on the website of the David Suzuki Foundation[1].
In August 2009 they were chosen as the Headliner at Roots and Blues Festival[2] in Salmon Arm, British Columbia.
On January 7, 2009, drummer Pat Pengelly announced that he would be leaving Bedouin Soundclash to pursue future endeavours.
[Bearbeiten] 2010
In January 2010 The band alongside their management, officially launch their new label Pirates Blend Records. They inked a distribution deal with Sony Music Canada and began with the launch of Jay Malinowski's solo effort "Bright Lights & Bruises". "Bright Lights and Bruises" was the first official release on the label.
As of February 2010 Sekou Lumumba became the official drummer of the band, starting off by joining them in Vancouver, BC for the much anticipated 2010 Winter Olympic performances. After the "Bright Lights and Bruises tour" with Canadians Michael Rault and Kinnie Starr, Pirates Blend Records announced that the legendary musicologist King Britt was confirmed to produce the new album in Philadelphia @ Larry Gold's Studio in May 2010. Also at this time Bedouin officially confirmed to make their debut in Shanghai,China in October 2010 for the [World Expo].
Later in 2010 a Remixes, Rarities & B-sides record will be released featuring remixes from King Britt, k-os, Bad Brains, Pigeon John, Nostalgia 77
On June 18th at 9:30, the band performed at the 2010 Mississauga Waterfront Festival 18 at Memorial Park in Port Credit.
On June 29th it was announced that the next album 'Light The Horizon' will be released on September 28th.[3]
On August 2010, the band released their song "Mountain Song", heavily inspired by The Police.
[Bearbeiten] Other
Bedouin Soundclash's recent EP "Where Have The Songs Played Gone To?" was sold in CD format at live shows during their 2009 tour, but is now only available via online download.[4]
Higher Ground
Bedouin Soundclash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New sings I see everyday
Still hailing onward bound
Father show I the way to Higher ground
Father lift I up and let I stand
Show I righteousness in Zionland
A higher sight that I have found
I got no Desire to stay behind
No thought some people they may try, to tell I so
But I won't be a fool and stay behind
And now my aim is so reach Zionland
I want to leave and show the world
That righteousness will carry you through
A clean hand and a pure heart
And you will reach zionloand
And yeah I'm pressing the upward way
New signs I see everyday
Still hailing onward bound
And you will reach Zionland...
The lyrics of Bedouin Soundclash’s “Higher Ground” express the yearning of a person to attain spiritual elevation and clarity. The song starts with the assertion that the singer is on a journey towards transcendence, but the path is not an easy one. The singer admits that they have encountered new challenges each day, and every day brings new signs that demand interpretation. Despite the hurdles, the singer is still pushing forward, still hoping to reach a higher ground.
The singer then calls out to their father, asking for help to navigate this complex path towards greater understanding. The demands of this journey require that the singer be lifted up and endowed with the keen sight of righteousness. In the final verse of the song, the singer declares their intention to leave the past behind and show the world that righteousness is the key to unlocking the treasures of Zionland. The song ends on an optimistic note, reaffirming the idea that the journey towards a higher ground is worth the struggle.
Overall, “Higher Ground” is a song about the pursuit of spiritual growth and enlightenment. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance and faith in this journey and encourages listeners not to be deterred by the obstacles and challenges that lie ahead. The song suggests that by remaining committed to righteousness and seeking the guidance of a higher power, we can all become better versions of ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes I am pressing the upward way
I am determined to continue moving forward and upward in my life
New sings I see everyday
I encounter new experiences and opportunities every day
Still hailing onward bound
I am still moving forward with unwavering determination
Father show I the way to Higher ground
I seek guidance from a higher power to help me reach my goals and aspirations
Father lift I up and let I stand
I ask for divine assistance to help me overcome obstacles and stand strong
Show I righteousness in Zionland
Teach me the value of righteousness and how it can lead me to my ultimate destination
A higher sight that I have found
I have discovered a new perspective that motivates me to keep going
I got no Desire to stay behind
I have no interest in remaining stagnant and not progressing in life
No thought some people they may try, to tell I so
I am not influenced by the negative opinions of others who may try to dissuade me from my path
But I won't be a fool and stay behind
I refuse to make foolish decisions that prevent me from moving forward in life
And now my aim is so reach Zionland
My ultimate goal is to reach a state of peace and fulfillment
I want to leave and show the world
I desire to demonstrate to others the power of righteousness and determination
That righteousness will carry you through
Living a righteous life can help one overcome difficult challenges
A clean hand and a pure heart
Leading a virtuous life can aid in reaching one's goals
And you will reach zionland
By following this path, one can eventually reach a state of fulfillment and peace
And yeah I'm pressing the upward way
I am still moving forward and making progress towards my goals
Still hailing onward bound
My determination remains steadfast despite any obstacles
And you will reach Zionland
Reiterating the message that living a righteous life can lead to ultimate fulfillment and peace
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Carl Pengelly, Eon Sinclair, Jay Malinowski
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind