Influential recording artist and producer Tricky has teamed up with his former Island Records mentor Chris Blackwell to launch Brown Punk, a new music and entertainment label.
The duo, both highly regarded for their ground-breaking roles in the music industry, have already pulled together an eclectic roster of amazing talent including the raging rock ‘n’ roll sound of The Dirty who are set to open for Iggy Pop before the end of the summer. Other feature acts include the riff driven swampy blues of The Gospel featuring Kira (started by guitarist Tore Johansson, the producer behind Cardigans and Franz Ferdinand) and the musical dexterity of Laid Blak who have supported John Legend, Julian Marley.
The Gospel featuring Kira will release their first single “Skating Your Pool” on the Brown Punk label on 10 September, 2007 with singles from The Dirty and Laid Blak to shortly follow.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have some great influences and mentors in my music career and I want to be able to spend time with acts and introduce them to the industry,” explained Tricky. “Music today has become less about the artist and more about churning out hits. Brown Punk represents a positive movement where you find intellectuals mixing with the working class, rock mixing with reggae and indie mixing with emo.”
To celebrate the birth of Brown Punk, Tricky has directed an edgy, faux drama about the launch of the label which features many of the artists signed. Fans and music lovers can check out the film and preview the raging talent at The Brown Punk Residency nights which takes place every fortnight at The Rex Club in Soho beginning 1 August 2007. See www.myspace.com/brownpunknights for details and free entry.
“Brown Punk is the brainchild of Tricky and I’m really excited to be part of it,” said Chris Blackwell.
