Since the whole Donald Trump, Make America Great Again campaign begun back in 2014 (give or take), recording artists had have a LOT to say about the whole horse-and-donkey show. And, like most artists that have something to say, they do it through their painfully-crafted mediums. So, in the case of music, as expected, a wide range of reactions have come to surface; some more gruesome and brutal than others, and most of them tinged in sheer disappointment.
So then, why can’t the South Dakota singstress EMA put out her very own ode to fear and loathing in the case of our new president—entitled a “subtle” Our First 100 Days—? Because, Matador Records said so. Well kind of…
EMA, a.k.a. Erica M. Anderson, recently released a statement on her twitter account after fans voiced feelings of discontent, and desires for new material. Feeling the pressure perhaps, Anderson disclosed the true nature of her pending Our First 100 Days record, produced by Unknown Mortal Orchestra frontman Jake Portrait:
As it turns out, Matador, EMA’s label, recently confessed to the artist that her latest efforts will NOT be released under the label’s namesake. Reasons of lacking mainstream qualities, and adhering to an overly political message, in the case of Matador, are the major detractors. Live free or die, am I right? Or maybe no.
The artist’s last release The Future’s Void goes back to 2014…and patience, apparently, is not a virtue in the world of music fans. EMA, a former member of Gowns, has now found alternative means through her former European distribution team at City Slang. In light of the switch, Anderson adds, “[City Slang] a very diverse label and very supportive of the singular and controversial stuff that I think ends up being what EMA does best (they’re German! they aren’t afraid of politics or music outside of the box).”
EMA has, however, shared the first track from the “political” series/record, via bandcamp. The new track according to Brooklyn Vegan “Stand With You (Song for songstress)” is a testament to the Oakland, DIY venue Ghostship, which sadly burnt down earlier in the year.