htothejizones

Today’s feature is a man named Briar Rabbit. He happens to be a guy that I just found the other day while searching information about Black History Month. He is a fantastic talent out of Chicago that is definitely worth checking out. I wasn’t able to get a full account of why he feels Black History Month is important (since he’s currently on tour), but if you check out his video about his new album you can get a good idea about where his feelings are at.

Briar Rabbit Presents "The Great Routine" from Briar Rabbit on Vimeo.

For an added bonus; those in the Des Moines area can have the pleasure of checking him out tonight (Feb 5th) in Clive. He is performing at The Grape Vine located at Ravenwood Office Plaza 2175 NW 86th Street, Suite 4 Clive, Iowa 50325. A $10 cover is well worth this show!

Here is his story:



Bio

According to the Chinese calendar, 2011 was the year of the rabbit. In Chicago, it was no different. Emerging in February, Briar Rabbit released a debut album ("one of best local albums this year" - The Deli Magazine) as well as a music video; was featured on a full-length film, WBEZ, The Chicago Tribune, The Red Eye Chicago and several local blogs; performed at Taste of Chicago, ABC 7's Windy City Live and haunted most of the city's staple venues; raised over $6,000 for a short bus to be converted to run on veggie oil and hit the road all before Christmas. Coining the genre "thought-pop," Briar Rabbit achieves musical complexity without pretension, combines layered lyrics with infectious melody, and presents self-awareness with a strong sense of honesty. It's smart, it's catchy, and if the world doesn't end in 2012, it will make you think as it melts your heart.



The Great Routine Press Release:

Chicago, IL - January 26, 2012. According to the Chinese calendar, 2011 was the year of the rabbit. In Chicago, it was no different. Emerging in February, Briar Rabbit released an acclaimed debut album and music video, performed at Taste of Chicago and on ABC's Windy City Live, raised over $6,000 for a short bus to be converted to run on vegetable oil and hit the road all before Christmas.

Now Briar Rabbit (AKA musician Phillip-Michael Scales) is taking on his most ambitious project to date: The Great Routine is a suite of songs that examines the black minstrel shows of the late 1800s from a contemporary African American perspective.

As a songwriter, Scales was compelled to write The Great Routine after taking an African American Music History class a few years back. In his own words:

"The idea [behind black minstrel shows was] that in order to pursue your passion to its fullest extent, you have to degrade yourself. Once you degrade yourself, you make a lot of money which may or may not be worth something (depending where you go). You are virtually given a pass through society when you're in character. So how do you decide to make that choice? How much can you endure? What difference are you really making? Don't forget your adoring audience, they love you like Mickey Mouse but are simultaneously setting mouse traps at home. There are two separate worlds that rest on your shoulders. Our Minstrel elects to collide those worlds in one event. I didn't write The Great Routine because it was a black story, I wrote it because it was a good story. A story about American entertainment."

In preparation for February's observation of Black History Month, Briar Rabbit has posted an introductory video on his official Website. Every Thursday of the month he will be offering a new track from The Great Routine as a free download in exchange for a post on Twitter.

Official Briar Rabbit Website w/ introductory video and song download for The Great Routine:

http://www.briarrabbit.net/