iTunes “Best New Artist” Mishka Returns with 2010 Release Talk About
Reggae singer-songwriter adds some rock and roots flavor to his new record with the help of super producer Butch Walker and label founder Matthew McConaughey
LOS ANGELES, CA – Named 2009’s Best New Artist by digital music leader, iTunes, j.k. livin artist Mishka releases his new album, “Talk About,” on March 30th 2010. Mega-producer Butch Walker (Pete Yorn, Pink, Fall Out Boy) infuses some of his mainstream melodies on two of the tracks on the much-anticipated sophomore album.
Setting the tone for the self-described “album of movement,” the lead single “Bittersweet” began as a studio experiment before evolving into a musical space that surprised even its creator. “When I brought the song to the band it was extremely raw—just a few chords and a couple lyrics played at a modest tempo,” says Mishka. “But as we started jamming on it, it started to move into an up-tempo track like I’ve never recorded before—a place, musically, that is brand new to me.”
Two of the tracks on “Talk About”, “Stars Will Be Shining” and album opener “Give Them Love,” are the product of collaboration with super producer Butch Walker. The pair was introduced by label owner, album co-producer, and Hollywood icon Matthew McConaughey.
“This is an album of movement—of stepping outside the box of traditional folk-reggae and adding a real mainstream rock influence,” says Mishka. “Butch works fast—he works efficiently—and he knows how to cultivate those rock tones in the artists he works with.”
The album’s 13 tracks span a distinct ebb-and-flow, from the fast paced and up-beat first half to a more mellow and introspective second half. “In the days of the LP, this would definitely be an A-side/B-side type record,” Mishka commented.
The title track, “Talk About,” explores the imbalance of words versus action—a lyrical theme that runs through much of Mishka’s work. “People make statements about love, equality, and peace and then try to measure their quantity in instant gratification,” he explains. “Whereas those things are really about a long-term way of life where all your actions—not words—add up.”
Mishka’s 2009 release, “Above the Bones,” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Reggae Charts last February and was followed by an exhaustive world tour. Mishka then provided the soundtrack for summer with two features of his soulful island melodies: a music video for the title track, featuring the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk, that premiered across the Yahoo! Entertainment network in June, and a selection by Starbucks Entertainment and iTunes for their music discovery program, “Pick of the Week,” that was available at Starbucks locations nationwide.
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