Invada Allstars has released a cover of Nena’s 1984 anti-war song 99 Red Balloons to protest against Nuclear Weapons as part of this weekend’s anti-Trident demo in London–a protest against the renewal of Britain’s nuclear weapons program said Pitchfork.
The identities of band members in Invada Allstars remains a secret, but we do know that the cover was recorded at Invada Studios in Bristol, UK. We know that the label is co-founded by Portishead’s Geoff Barrow and features his discovery artist, Anika.
Geoff Barrow is a “Jack of many trades” in that he is an English music producer, composer, disc jockey, and the instrumentalist for the band–named after his childhood home town Portishead. Hear more about the bands past musical endeavors Here.
Before Anika met Barrow she was a political journalist who spent her time traveling back and forth between countries in Europe, making the song appropriately align with her passion in politics. In the past she has covered songs written by Yoko Ono, who was also famous for her political views.
“I loved the way the words sounded and as an ex-politics student and political journalist, I thought the song would make a great cover.” Anika told sources.
Though she hasn’t released any music since 2013, Anika has announced previously that she is working on a new project called Exploded View. The band plans to release a single in March and a full album later this year.