Today, as Bandcamp waives their revenue share, we want to make sure these albums by some of our BIPOC contributors are on your radar. Buy some music, and check out the great work they’ve done here on the site.
— The Talkhouse Team
Maneka, Devin
Last year, Maneka — aka Devin McKnight, formerly of Speedy Ortiz and Grass Is Green — released his debut LP Devin. The album tackles themes of Black identity and having to navigate the white indie establishment. Check out McKnight’s past contributions to the site here — plus, read Sam Goblin’s thoughtful review of the album here.
Edge Slayer, COOCHI3
Earlier this year, we premiered the music video for “Keep It Pumpin'” by New Orleans-based performance artist Edge Slayer, off of her album COOCHI3. Watch the video and read her conversation with New York’s actual finest, DJ Jasmine Infiniti, here. Plus, be sure to check out Jasmine’s debut LP BXTCH SLÄP, too.
Bartees Strange, Say Goodbye to Pretty Boy
This year, DC-based artist Bartees Strange released Say Goodbye to Pretty Boy, an album of reimagined songs by The National. Read about how the project came to be here, in his love letter to the band.
Lindy Vision, Adult Children
This year, synth-pop sister trio Lindy Vision released Adult Children a two-part album that explores their family’s history with substance abuse. Read their deep-dive into their dynamic as sisters and bandmates, and how the book Adult Children of Alcoholics influenced the album here.
NNAMDÏ, BRAT
In April, NNAMDÏ (aka Nnamdi Ogbonnaya, the Chicago-based, genre-defying multi-instrumentalist) released BRAT, his third record via Sooper Records. Read his conversation with NIIKA from earlier this year, and check out his appearance on the Talkhouse Podcast with Tierra Whack from 2018’s Pitchfork Music Festival.
Tasha, Alone At Last
The songwriter — who’s done extensive work with Chicago’s racial justice organization Black Youth Project 100 — released her debut album in 2018. Be sure to listen to her discuss it in her conversation with fellow Chicago artist Lillie West of Lala Lala at last year’s Pitchfork Fest.
Shamir, Cataclysm
Our former TV columnist and astrologer-slash-eternal mensch Shamir Bailey released Cataclysm back in March. It’s well worth your time to explore his numerous contributions to the site (plus, check out the great music he’s putting out on his record label Accidental Pop Star)
Beauty Pill, Please Advise
Last month, DC legends Beauty Pill released Please Advise. Be sure to read frontman Chad Clark’s 2017 essay on meeting his musical hero Arto Linsday.
Equiknoxx, Eternal Children
Last year, Jamaican Music Collective Equiknoxx released their eclectic album Eternal Children, the first featuring all five of their members. Read Jordan Chung’s expansive essay on the appropriation of Jamaican slang here.
Seratones, POWER
Last year, Louisiana rock band Seratones released POWER via New West Records. Check out frontwoman AJ Haynes’s essay from earlier this year on how music became a pathway to her work as an abortion provider.
The Dears, Lovers Rock
Last month, the Montreal-based indie rock band The Dears released Lovers Rock. Check out singer Murray A. Lightburn’s tips for writing a song here.
Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Primal Prayer
Composer/vocalist Beverly Glenn-Copeland first released this album in 2004, but only recently has his work become widely available. Hear more about his amazing life and career in his conversation with Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange) from earlier this year — also, if you can, please help keep Glenn-Copeland and his wife housed by contributing to the GoFundMe run by his child Faith Wraith. They’ve met their goal, thankfully, but let’s keep it going!
