2008 saw the release of HEY NEGRITA’s third studio album ‘You Can Kick’, appearances at numerous festivals (including Glastonbury, SXSW, Latitude, Cambridge Folk Festival, The End Of The Road Festival and Bestival), plus a support slot for The Beach Boys in Germany. The band also embarked on a 14-date UK headline tour and starred in the award-winning British music documentary ‘We Dreamed America’.
The video for the single ‘Room Service Part 2 (The Last Thing That I Do)’ received over 650,000 views on Youtube, reaching No. 3 in the daily Youtube chart.
Inspired by the recordings of several of their recent acoustic BBC sessions (including their appearance on the Bob Harris Show on Radio 2), HEY NEGRITA decided to end the year by recording a live acoustic album with producer and long time friend, Richie Kayvan.
“The idea was to cut as many tracks as we could in five hours without any overdubs or edits. We just sat in a circle and put some microphones up. We didn’t even bother with headphones. We wanted to capture the band exactly how we sound when we’re playing for friends in the kitchen. We managed to get through fourteen tracks, including two new songs. We’re hoping to use a couple of the tracks from the BBC sessions as well.”
HEY NEGRITA will be introducing their acoustic line up at Canadian Music Week in Toronto and SXSW in Texas in March and at the Bergen Music Festival in Norway in April before releasing the album in July.
The band is also scheduled to record a new studio album over the next few months.
Here are some of the things people have said about our music:
A joyful sourmash-sodden affair, blending country, rockabilly and honky tonk. One of the main talking points of this years SXSW festival in Austin, Hey Negrita beat a few Texans at their own game. Mojo
Strutting, striding, picking, shooting and boozing music…If Clint Eastwood were a band he’d be this one. Unpeeled
This band will get your feet shuffling but they may also rip your heart out. Maverick
Intensely personal and refreshingly honest, like slipping on your favourite jeans. The Sun
Sung with feeling and dripping with emotion. The music just takes you. Chris Coco (BBC Radio 1)
Beautifully detailed songs. Daily Mirror
No other act has such a biting lyrical edge. Songs of this quality just dont happen every day. Blues Matters
A breath of fresh air in amongst shoe-gazing guitar bands. Music Week
London's Creedence Clearwater Revival. The Austin Chronicle
Best Southern-fried music. An album of dark but melodic Americana.
Sometimes Dylan, sometimes Tom Waits. Sunday Express
A warm, thoughtful and musical album. Bob Harris (BBC Radio 2)
Delightful set of acoustic-driven country rock full of insidious melodies and harmonies. Classic Rock
A strong brew of mixed styles, all informed by their talent and extreme lives lived. Clash
Never has a romantic meltdown sounded so good! The Critic
Who would have thought that the old west would have collided so spectacularly with England's very own capital? Rock City
One of the most surprising albums of the year, which looks set to become an entry on many critics top albums of 2006. Bristol Evening Post
An excellent second album from a truly exciting band. Maverick
Can't stop humming these irresistable tunes. Americana UK
I love Hey Negrita. It goes with beer. Billy Butler, BBC Merseyside
Buy Hey Negrita online from these fine establishments -
Great music! Thanks for your friendship, and welcome aboard the Redline ship. Looking forward to sharing the journey ahead with you. Take Care, and thanks again. Peace,
How did the rest of your States tour go? It was great to meet you in Toronto. Do you have wheels and TM sorted for your up and coming shows?
Let me know if you need me. We can offer Bus, Driver, TM and Tech all in one person and for reasonable rates. Check out our brand new splitters - they are beautiful.
