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GRAMMYs

Zoé 

News
Zoe On Their GRAMMY-Winning Album Aztlan & More mexican-rock-band-zo%C3%A9-want-be-heard-all-over-world

Mexican Rock Band Zoé Want To Be Heard All Over The World

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Fresh of their 2019 GRAMMY win for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album, we talked to the longtime band about their latest album, Aztlán, their current tour with Metric, diversifying their audience, and more
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Mar 1, 2019 - 10:23 am

For two decades, Zoé has carried a piece of Mexico's modern rock sound across many parts of the world. Their psychedelic, rock en Español, pop, synth sounds have captured fans in areas of the U.S., Latin America and European countries like Spain.

Listening to Zoé is like going through a galactic trip into romantic relationships and self-reflection; the journey entering light and dark moods—just listen to "Love" and "Dead." And it works. The band has maintained and grown a strong fanbase, with over a billion visits on VEVO and two million streams per month worldwide on Spotify. 

Formed in Mexico City in 1997, Zoé boasts some of the best modern songwriting in the Spanish language and a solid marriage of sounds. Even when they opt to go acoustic, they leave what is at the heart of their music: poetic verses, an innovative blend of instruments and frontman Leon Larregui's deep, enchanting voice. 

Over the course of their career, which include six studio albums and collabs with Enrique Bunbury from Spanish iconic rock band Héroes del Silencio, the Mexico City band has garnered GRAMMY nominations and Latin GRAMMY wins, but it is their latest album, Aztlán, produced by Craig Silvey & Phill Vinall, which has won them a GRAMMY for Best Latin Rock Album (their last nomination was in the same category for 2006's Memo Rex Commander Y El Corazón Atómico De La Vía Láctea).

While the group continues to hold their signature sound close, Aztlán takes the band to a mythological place of the past: the birthplace of the Mexica people who would rule the Aztec Empire and would inspire the country's name. The album was intended to be an invitation into their culture and a statement among political and social events happening around the time of its conception.

"It is an invitation to discover the beauty and richness of our culture, and look inward so we can recover that Mexican dignity and pride," Larregui said in a statement. "This reflection to the past is with the hopes that as we reinvent ourselves in the near future we continue to maintain our ‘Mexicanness’ in a globalized world."

The quintet is pushing full-throttle into a globalized music industry where language is no barrier to mainstream success; they recently started a tour with some fellow North Americans: Canadian bands Metric and July Talk. The tour marks the first time the band has hit the road with English-language acts.  

Bassist Ángel Mosqueda spoke to The Recording Academy on a stop in San Antonio, Texas about their tour, what the band's first GRAMMY win means for the band's growth, the socio-political inspiration behind Aztlán, what has kept the band going after so many years, and much more. 

Where were you when you found out about your GRAMMY win?

I was in Mexico. At home. It was Sunday evening ... we have a chat in which we disclose many, many band things ... our manager and people from the office [are also on it]. That's where we, as a band, and all the team realized we won that precious award. 
 
You're Latin GRAMMY winners and now you're also GRAMMY winners. How's that feel?
 
It's great ... we weren't expecting anything because sometimes you're just [doing] other things, and we have been nominated before and didn't win. So, we were like, we're taking it very seriously, of course, but not expecting anything and that feels good, when you're not expecting anything and you win and it's like, "Whoa. Things are happening."
 

Emocionados por este gran logro para #ZoéAztlán | "Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Rock Album" en los @RecordingAcad #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/aFSFW97IRi

— ZOÉ (@zoetheband) February 10, 2019

 
Aztlán is this mythological place.  What does it mean to you, and why name this album that?
 
Leon [Larregui], who is the singer and who does all the concept and the lyrics of the albums, decided to name it this way. He was considering all that was happening in Mexico [at the time and thought] it was a very good opportunity to name it like that and to think [of] our roots as a nation, etc. ... [At the time] there was an earthquake in Mexico, there was things happening also with migration with the new American president, and many, many [other] things happened. He could see a very good motif and a very good moment to name it like that and to return to our roots, to [reflect.] ... I'm really happy, not just in many aspects of the album, composition-wise, I think we have evolved and the production has evolved and the concept is great. I really love it.
 
As a band, you have so many great songs about love. There's “Camara Lenta,” there's "Love" and now there's "Azul." How do you continue to create songs about love with a fresh perspective after so many years?
 
I think songs are not just coming from Leon's experiences, [even though he writes] almost all the lyrics. He also gets inspired [by] things that happen to the people that surround him ... he also captures stories and things that happen to friends, to family, us as a band ... For example, “Azul” is something that [didn't] exactly happen to him ... They're some other [songs like], "Hielo," which [are inspired by] things that happened to him. So every song has its own story, which makes it very interesting. 
 
You've been a band for 20 years. What is the glue that keeps you together after so long?
 
Very good question. I think it's the music. As long as we continue doing good music. As long as we enjoy [being] in the studio, making good albums, which we put a lot of weight and a lot of emphasis and a lot of value to all the albums, into all the songs—as long as we continue doing good things, doing things that we consider are good for us, I think we're going to stay alive [as a] band.
 
I think we're still alive because of that. I think this last album really corroborates our strength as a band; that we continue doing good things and this album is great and we're very happy and thinking of doing another one in the future. So that's very good for us. We're very happy now and in the near future as a band.
 
Being a GRAMMY winner brings in new eyes and ears to music. I know that you have a lot of fans in the United States, but for people who may not know your music and are discovering it because they see you've won a GRAMMY, what do you want them to know about you as a band?
 
Good question. I think you are right, sometimes we are not thinking that this is the situation, but yeah, you're right. I think with the GRAMMY we are earning more fans, new people that are getting close to the band and they're getting to know the songs, and I think it's a big responsibility. I think, as soon as they hear our music they're gonna get it ...  I think [we] have a very good spectrum of songs, of variety, of production, of instrumentation, of compositions, and I think they're gonna enjoy [all our music.] And I think it's very good that these things are happening now, because as you say, you're right, maybe we're earning more fans. 
 
So how is the tour going? What can fans expect from this one?
 
The tour has been great, we're very happy. We're very happy to tour in the States. I mean, really for us it's a very good experience touring this huge amazing country with all these huge interesting cities. We take it like a very good opportunity to expand our market, to expand our career, of course, because this is a great country [with] great venues. And there is a lot of Latin people as well, now with this tour we have the opportunity to [tour] with Metric ... [We have] music that could be heard in not just in the common market of Latin people. It's music that could be heard anywhere in the world. We have friends all around the world that supports this idea.
 
I think we asked our office some time ago, that it would be great to [tour with Anglo bands] and they started to follow this idea and then suddenly it came to reality ... So in the show there's a very good mixture of Latin and Anglo people, which makes it very very interesting for us. I mean we're really really happy. The tour is going great. There's been great shows and it's a huge tour. I think we're gonna have 25 shows in 40 days or something, which is a very good effort. I think it's a very very good opportunity for us and for all the team.
For more information on Zoé's tour, go to the band's website. 
Zoé

Zoé

Photo: Courtesy of artist

News
Record Store Recs: Sergio Acosta Of Zoé record-store-recs-sergio-acosta-zo%C3%A9-shares-vinyl-gems-austin-london

Record Store Recs: Sergio Acosta Of Zoé Shares Vinyl Gems From Austin & London

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Their most recent album, 2018's 'Aztlán,' earned the rock en Español heavyweights their first GRAMMY win, and the follow-up is on the way
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Oct 22, 2020 - 10:59 am

With the unprecedented global disruption of 2020, it's important to support the music community however we can. With our series Record Store Recs, GRAMMY.com checks in with vinyl-loving artists to learn more about their favorite record stores and the gems they've found there.

Listening to Zoé feels like exploring a new city with an old friend—colorful, comforting, atmospheric, upbeat and filled with enchanting stories. The GRAMMY- and Latin GRAMMY-winning Mexican alt-rock band has been captivating listeners with their soundtrack-worthy songs for over two decades now, with loyal fans around the world.

Their most recent album, 2018's Aztlán, earned the rock en Español heavyweights their first GRAMMY win. The name comes from the mythical birthplace of the Mexica people of the Aztec Empire, as a symbol of Mexican heritage and pride.

Now, Zoé is back with more immersive new music, with their seventh studio album on the way (the title and date have yet to be revealed). So far, they've released three new singles in 2020, the most recent being the spacey, synthy "Karmadame."

Read: Mexican Rock Band Zoé Want To Be Heard All Over The World

For the latest Record Store Recs, Zoé's guitarist Sergio Acosta shares his favorite vinyl haunts around the world and some of his favorite finds. He also shares the first records he ever got! Read on to adventure with him.

Pick three to five records stores you love.

Waterloo Records in Austin, Texas

Rough Trade in London

Amoeba Hollywood in Los Angeles

Flea markets around the world

The Last Record Store Recs: Darius & Wayne Snow Take Us To Paris, Berlin, Tokyo & Beyond

Why do you love these shops? And what kind of goodies you've found there?

Nowadays, record shops are a fragile entity. Waterloo Records in Austin, Texas, no doubt is my favorite shop. It's the perfect shop for me because it has a tight, wide and masterfully curated selection in a fairly small space. Curatorship is great at Waterloo. I can almost always find what I have in mind at Waterloo.

Amoeba Hollywood, on the contrary, was almost as big as a Walmart, but packed with great music of all sorts of genres. Very well organized, and vast. High ceilings. Last I heard, it is moving out of its iconic temple that was a unique, massive place for music lovers for many, many years. I'm happy to know that it's changing to a smaller location as the next step.

And who can argue with Rough Trade Records in London? It is as fancy as London can be. They are always proposing new music, and curatorship is also impeccable. It is still a very special place. 

Flea markets around the world have proven to be providers of very sporadic and very special surprises for me.

Sergio Acosta's vinyl pics

Acosta's vinyl pics | Photo: Sergio Acosta

For at least one of your favorite shops, share a recent record or two (or three or four…) you bought there and what you love about the record/artist. 

I rarely remember where I bought my vinyl records. But, at Waterloo Records, I do remember finding the original music from the 1968 film Le Pacha, done by Serge Gainsbourg and Michel Colombier (released by We Want Sounds in 2018). That album blew my mind and I had never heard it before. 

Once in Rough Trade, I saw for the first time the Who is William Onyeabor? vinyl (released by David Byrne's Luaka Bop in 2013). I bought it for the cover in an African music discovery spree. It just blew my mind as few albums have.

Another Great Record Store Recs: El Guajiro Of Ghetto Kumbé Shares The Music & Rhythms That Inspire Him

What's an upcoming/recent release you have your eyes on picking up and why?

I'm not at all waiting for new music, I'm just always aware and eager to discover any old or new music. But if I had to say which two very relatively new artists made a big impression on me and have become part of my family life in the past years, it would be:

Sam Evian, Premium (2016, Saddle Creek) and Bertrand Belin, Persona (2018, Wagram Music).

What were the first CDs and/or vinyls you remember purchasing when you were younger?

It's so funny, and I do remember! My two first vinyl records were gifts that I asked my parents for, Prince's Purple Rain and Twisted Sister's Stay Hungry.

Record Store Recs: Salt Cathedral Talk Favorite Brooklyn Indie Shops & How To Support Artists Of Color

GRAMMYs

Caloncho

Photo: Jeremy Cohen

News
Caloncho On Giving Back & Cleaning Río Querétaro mexican-singersongwriter-caloncho-mission-give-back%E2%80%94-music-and-beyond

Mexican Singer/Songwriter Caloncho Is On A Mission To Give Back—In Music And Beyond

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How the Guadalajara-based, Latin GRAMMY-nominated performer is determined to make a positive difference in his home country
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Mar 6, 2020 - 12:47 pm

Caloncho loves life. The tattoo on his left arm—a mom-heart-style illustration with "Vida" written in the center—is just one way he makes that known. The 33-year-old Mexican singer/songwriter, born Oscar Castro, has very much built a reputation around his optimism and zeal for living. Even when he forgoes his love-soaked lyrics with words of disillusion, his guitar-heavy reggae, rock steady pop sound keeps the mood warm and light, making it easy to forget you’re hearing about heartbreak; it transports you to a tropical island and makes you want to get up and dance.

The curly-haired singer exudes a calm warmth in person too. His vibe is as sunny as the city he finds himself in on the last days of February: Santiago de Queretaro, a small colonial town in North-Central Mexico.

Caloncho is in Queretaro to perform for an intimate group of fans on the last stop of the Live At Aloft Hotels Homecoming Tour, a partnership between the new Marriott hotel in the city and Universal Music Group, which features artist performances in their home countries.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9N9wEqDERW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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A post shared by Caloncho (@elcaloncho)

The popular singer doesn’t mind the positive associations with his music. “If I die tomorrow, I'm glad, I'm happy,” he says hours before his performance, sitting in the hotel lobby wearing yellow high socks with a smiley face printed on them. "I think I’ve done something for people through my music because they’ve told me they like it and that it actually helps [them], so that's useful.”

Being helpful is equally important to Caloncho. It’s “a mission” for him. More than making people feel happy, Caloncho, who studied international relations in college, wants to make a genuine difference in the world. Optimism gives people faith, he believes.

The day before, he swapped his guitar for a pair of gloves, rubber boots and a face mask to do something beneficial outside of music.

The tour stop has enabled him to build a partnership with a local nonprofit in Queretaro raising awareness on the pollution called Habitantes del Rio. The singer brought together locals, Aloft employees and media to clean a section of Queretaro’s polluted river. The historic river, which at one point provided water for many to use, has become extremely contaminated over several years. You’ll find soccer cleats, television parts, glass and even human waste flowing in or around the river.

The river’s state reflects a greater problem the country faces; six out of every 10 rivers are polluted in Mexico.

Queretaro’s river, flowing across most of the state like a belt, has caused local townspeople health problems and has overall become bothersome, not just because the water is a sewage green color but because it emits an extremely toxic smell.

Local authorities have initiated plans and programs to clean the river, but to no prevail. Habitantes also set up cleaning dates throughout the year to help solve the issue. So far, they have taken 15 tons of trash from the river.

Caloncho learned of the organization while at a music festival. He thinks it’s important for people to know what’s going on in the country and feels a responsibility to do good not just through music, but everywhere else, too. "Music is a great vehicle for sharing issues," he says as he gets ready to pick up trash with the nonprofit.

Cameras and photographers follow the singer around as he gravitates towards one part of the river, a muddy corner that looks like a small landfill in the making. The green water flows by behind him.

Back in his hotel lobby a day later, Caloncho reflects on his river experience.

“I love to travel. I love to do what I do. It was just a great opportunity to visit Querétaro with Habitantes del Rio," he says. "I admire the job they do, what they think. I was really excited to clean the river, to be part of it and to let the people know that they have something vital that's actually a treasure."

The singer hopes the cleanup, now documented on his social media, can inspire local fans to help out as well. "They have a river, their place, and this is an example for [what can be done for] the rest of the rivers throughout Mexico and the planet," he says.

Humans have been the cause of the river’s unhealthy condition since the mid 17th century. In college, Caloncho faced one of the most debated questions related to the actions of human beings: "Are human beings good or bad?"

Caloncho still isn’t sure how to answer that question. For him, though, there is power in choice.

"We have to protect [rivers] and we have so much power as individuals to do that. Every choice of consumption that we get to get every day, everything we choose, is going to have an impact and environmental weight," he says.

GRAMMYs

Photo: Jeremy Cohen

The singer will begin working on his forthcoming album in a few days and feels strongly about including songs that will make people think. Caloncho wants to include more of his thoughts on society and human emotional intelligence, even incorporating discourse, something he says is not easy to do.

"Ideology is not an easy thing to get into a song," he says. "But I'm trying."

The love songs he’ll include, though, will be Classic Caloncho. He’ll include a special message to his daughters, who he didn’t have when he began making music.

“I want them to be independent and intelligent,” he shares. “[The album will have] a letter to them. I think it's kind of personal in that way.”

Fatherhood has only added to the singer’s love for life. While he loves to make music and going on tour, he admits leaving his children at home is tough.

“I feel so full when I'm home playing with them and just existing, watching them grow. I think that everything is primitive and easy and as simple as that,” he says. “There's nothing else to do other than enjoying our existence … I could be doing nothing at all, just sitting, watching, and that's beautiful … I'm in love. I love existing, I love my daughters.”

Caloncho released an EP titled Pa with his youngest baby girl on the cover last year. Evidently, his determination to make a difference in and out of music is also tied to fatherhood.

"Everything is okay in terms of creating music. I could just relax and do love songs and chill but I want to be useful. Maybe it's related to being a father now, I don't know," he says.

Caloncho released his first EP, Homeotermo, in 2011. A series of EPs titled Fruta and Fruta Vol. II followed before he released his latest album Bálsamo in 2017.

Fruta earned him a Latin GRAMMY nom for Best Alternative Album in 2014. That year he was also nominated for Best New Artist.

His journey into music began thanks to his late grandfather, who also gave him his nickname, "Caloncho."

“My grandfather, my father's father, he used to play norteña. He used to play mostly with an accordion. And he gave me my first guitar too,” he says. “He had a Yamaha Electone his living room, which I now have, so it was like going to my grandparents' house was just discovering music through this Electone and another synthesizer he had.”

The Beatles were another early influence; their CD is the first he ever purchased.

“I love them. They created pop music and it's always a reference when recording. I love their sound. We actually studied the process of how do they get to that voice and guitar and drum sound,” he says.

When he’s not creating music on his own, he’s collaborating with Latin GRAMMY-nominated singer El David Aguilar in a band called Vacación. The band is influenced by a variety of Mexican and Latin American musical styles and genres including boleros. Together, they combine some of the most praised songwriting in the Spanish language. After his intimate performance in Queretaro, Caloncho will continue a spring tour with the side project.

The singer/songwriters share an album, Tiempo Compartido, and Caloncho has learned a lot from Aguilar.

“He's an amazing musician, an extraordinary human being,” he says. “I've learned to not be afraid of having a discourse, even though it doesn't rhyme, even though it's not sexy.”

Of making an English album, Caloncho says he’d love to someday, but the language hasn’t come as naturally to him. 

Whatever happens, Caloncho is content with taking it slow. “I'm just finding myself. I'm getting to know myself as composer, and as a human—like everybody else.” 

Soccer Mommy On 'color theory,' Impulse Depop Shopping & The Demon Living In Her House

The Clash - London Calling

The Clash

 
 

PHOTO: Larry Hulst/GETTY IMAGES

News
40 Years Of The Clash's 'London Calling' anti-flag-audio-karate-tsunami-bomb-and-more-discuss-legacy-clashs-london-calling-it

Anti-Flag, Audio Karate, Tsunami Bomb And More Discuss The Legacy Of The Clash's 'London Calling': "It Forces You To Think Bigger"

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To celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Clash's iconic album, some of the leading artists and bands in punk and rock discuss the ongoing influence of 'London Calling'
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Dec 26, 2019 - 7:07 pm

Few bands in the entire history of rock music have left as big of an impact on the wider pop canon as The Clash. Known for their tight songwriting, piercing guitar riffs, boundless sonic experimentation and sharp political lyrics and social commentary, The Clash command a powerful sound that spans multiple genres and has influenced generations of punks, poets and provocateurs. It's also what earned the U.K. group the epithet heard around the world: "The only band that matters."

As one of the progenitors of punk, The Clash are responsible for one of the most distinguished discographies in rock: a collection of six sonically diverse albums, recorded and released during the band's short nine-year stint. Standing at the epicenter of The Clash's legacy is London Calling, the group's third album and their undeniable magnum opus.

Released in the U.K. in December 1979 and in the U.S. in January 1980, London Calling is today hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time, with everyone from Rolling Stone and Entertainment Weekly singing its praises. It's a commercial success, too: London Calling reached the top 10 in the U.K. and achieved platinum status in the U.S. In 2007, London Calling was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame. (At the 2003 GRAMMYs telecast, Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, No Doubt's Tony Kanal and others honored The Clash frontman and guitarist Joe Strummer, who died two months prior to the show, with a performance of the group's punk anthem, "London Calling," in what became the GRAMMY's first-ever "In Memoriam" tribute.)

At its core, London Calling is a sonically daring album from a band unafraid to push the limits of their own sound and that of the genre from which they originated. Across the album's 19 tracks, The Clash smash the punk playbook, transcending their punk roots and expanding their sound into everything from reggae ("The Guns Of Brixton") and ska ("Wrong 'Em Boyo") to rockabilly ("Brand New Cadillac") and post-punk ("Lost In The Supermarket").

The Clash - London Calling - Album Cover

"It's a punk record, a reggae record, a pop record, a rockabilly record, and it's accessible and influential on bands 40 years after its release," Jason Camacho, guitarist for California rock band Audio Karate, tells The Recording Academy. "The Clash, and London Calling in particular, is one place where people with vastly different musical tastes can intersect and agree."

Beyond its groundbreaking musical approach, London Calling is also one of The Clash's most politically and socially critical releases. Across the album, frontman Strummer, guitarist/lead vocalist Mick Jones and bassist Paul Simonon tackle heavy social issues like unemployment, racial conflict, drug addiction, war, consumerism and beyond via thought-provoking lyrics and unforgettable melodies. It's the pop-meets-politics paragon perfected by The Clash.

"London Calling serves as a blueprint, a document on how to fight fascism and bigotry [and how to] create community and find commonality in arduous times," Chris #2, bassist for Anti-Flag, tells The Recording Academy.

"London Calling taught me that anger, protest and raw energy could also be catchy," musician Nathan Gray adds. "Not just nihilistic reaction, but a cause to stand for, righteous anger instead of anger for anger's sake. I immediately knew that punk was my music and my lifestyle from there out."

To this day, both The Clash and London Calling continue to inspire generations of musicians and bands. In honor of the iconic album, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this month, The Recording Academy surveyed a handful of artists to discuss the ongoing influence and legacy of London Calling.

What was your first memory of London Calling?

Chris #2 (bassist for Anti-Flag): I actually didn't find London Calling for a while. I was probably 17 years old and playing some of my first shows in Anti-Flag. But growing up, I was so hungry for activist and empathetic music. I was politicized at a very early age by N.W.A and "F**k Tha Police." My childhood was one of dysfunction, the cops were always f**king with my siblings. This was the first place I was able to compartmentalize my anger and frustration. But when I found the songwriting, melody and succinct packaging of London Calling, I felt empowered. I felt like you can write a song and impact a person, and that person can spread empathy and impact the world. I'm forever grateful for this lesson from The Clash.

Jason Camacho (guitarist for Audio Karate): My first memory of London Calling is likely very similar to many people my age (37). I had an older brother [who was] into new wave and punk, and [The Clash's 1982 hit] "Rock The Casbah" was on the radio in pretty heavy rotation when I was a kid. My brother learned I liked the song and played London Calling for me [when I was] around age 5. The staccato opening guitars of the title track were burned into my brain forever. Artistically, The Clash have always stood out to me as one of those great punk bands who are a punk band by virtue of being punk rockers, but their music is so much more than three-chord punk rock. There is instrumentation and reggae and rockabilly and world music elements, and that has always left an impact. I mean, by the time one is done listening to "Jimmy Jazz," you really have no clue what the fourth track [on London Calling] might sound like because the first three are so different.

Nathan Gray (artist): It was 1985, I was 13 years old. I was living in Pensacola, Fla., and my mom and I were at a public library. I remember it vividly: walking into the music section and searching through to find something I'd never heard before. And there it was. That iconic and powerful cover, LONDON CALLING, with Paul Simonon hunched over about to slam his bass into the stage. The energy leap off the cover, and I knew I needed to hear it.

My mom let me check it out, and I still remember the excitement I felt that I had discovered something special... I had no idea how right I was. I put the tape in my boom box and sat back: The guitars came in, the bass, the drums. And then [the opening lyrics]: "London calling to the faraway towns." I was hooked. I just have listened to that album through at least 25 times before my parents insisted I shut it off and head to bed.

With every song, a new discovery, a fire in my veins and call to action! It was raw, desperate and important. Absolutely changed my life and my perspective on what a magical medium music was.

Andrew Pohl (guitarist for Tsunami Bomb): My first memories of London Calling are from when I was in high school, about 15-16 years old, with friends and I discovering more about punk and, specifically, the roots of the punk rock we were into at the time: Rancid, Green Day, Bad Religion, etc. We were learning about bands like Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat and, of course, The Clash. I had heard The Clash before when I was much younger from their videos on MTV, but didn't really think much of it, as I was more interested in " G.I. Joe" at the time [Laughs.] I loved the album and how all over the place it was stylistically. And man, starting off with the title track was a hell of a way to draw you in—such a powerhouse of a song.

Jason DeVore (frontman for Authority Zero): I would have to say I was probably 23-24 [years old]. A friend of mine brought it to my attention, and I really dug the vibe of it and how eclectic it was. It opened my eyes to different variations of pop and punk in a different way.

As an artist, what does London Calling mean to you?

Chris #2 (bassist for Anti-Flag): There isn't a record that I have dissected more. I've learned to play the entire thing, all of the instrumentation that's within my wheelhouse. We as a global society have only seen an acceleration of the warnings of London Calling. Globalization has left so many people behind and created the historic wealth gap we see today. The false populist movements we're seeing around the world are pitting people against their neighbors, refugees, immigrants, women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks—those most vulnerable and marginalized are being scapegoated. London Calling serves as a blueprint, a document on how to fight fascism and bigotry [and how to] create community and find commonality in arduous times.

Nathan Gray (artist): London Calling taught me that anger, protest and raw energy could also be catchy. Those songs stuck in my head and I couldn't get them out! It spoke to everything I felt looking out at a world that seemed cold, dark and devoid of anything substantial to say. I remember thinking, "This is what I was hoping to hear from the Sex Pistols." Not just nihilistic reaction, but a cause to stand for, righteous anger instead of anger for anger's sake. I immediately knew that punk was my music and my lifestyle from there out.

Watch: Offspring's Noodles On Punk's Roots | "On Location: L.A."

Andrew Pohl (guitarist for Tsunami Bomb): London Calling is a testament to the fact that you as an artist has the ability to define and redefine yourself at your will. If you want to write a politically charged song, do it! If you want to write a ska-infused song, go for it! If you want to toss in some rockabilly for kicks, have at it! I love how free the album is and that The Clash took chances as songwriters. It's super inspiring.

Adam Masterson (artist): London Calling resonates with me because it forces you to think bigger. I love The Clash for their sense of place. They tell you to write about where you're from, and if you live in a big city and you're feeling lost in it and pulled down, it forces you to think bigger again and keep building it up until you have something that can't be denied and stands up to the forces that are pushing you down. They say that to me in the title track "London Calling" and "Lost In The Supermarket" and so many of the songs. It had a massive impact on me and [is] a lasting source of encouragement and inspiration.

What is it about London Calling that's allowed it to spread across so many generations throughout the decades?

Jason Camacho (guitarist for Audio Karate): The album has stood the test of time after 40 years because it is honest and urgent. You listen to [lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Joe] Strummer singing and he has something to say. He is singing about concepts that will always be relevant. There is always going to be a generation of young men and women that are navigating racial conflict, unemployment and social disparity. London Calling will be relevant another 40 years from now.

Chris #2 (bassist for Anti-Flag): It's timeless in its messaging, sonically so diverse that it fits in perfectly in a world where art is genre-less. It changes moods as quickly as we do now, and it does so beautifully.

Nathan Gray (artist): Those hooks. Seriously. You can be as provocative as you like, but if you can't keep an audience's attention, you're lost. The Clash were the whole package. They were raw rebellion anthems that borrowed from pop, rock and reggae, and then put them in a punk blender for the disenfranchised. They were the perfect storm, exactly what we needed when we needed them.

Read: The Ramones' Pioneering Punk Rock

Andrew Pohl (guitarist for Tsunami Bomb): I think what has helped the album remain so vital is how honest it is. It's the album that really shows The Clash coming into their own as a band, both musically and as a force of nature. The songs are so well put together, and the way it is paced is incredible. There are so many awesome moments on the record that demonstrate the band having a lot of fun as well as taking bold steps with their writing. It's got a lot of soul, and I think people just resonate with how it takes from so many influences and not just punk.

How has London Calling influenced your own music and art? 

Chris #2 (bassist for Anti-Flag): I've dissected [the album]. In doing so, it's unlocked melodies and chord progressions I never thought possible and [that] I carry with me into every Anti-Flag song we write. Because of London Calling and The Clash, we are endlessly on this mission to write a song that sticks with you melodically, in its energy, that you're humming or singing as you walk down the street, but at the same time, that song is about how we will fight them with every breath we take, dismantle systemic oppression and put power in the hands of the people.

Nathan Gray (artist): London Calling and The Clash taught me music was meant to be important. It was meant to convey a message and spit in the face of manufactured and sedate cookie-cutter pop, while still borrowing stylistically from the parts that grab your ear. When I have writer's block, London Calling is my battering ram to remind me why I write music.

Jason DeVore (frontman for Authority Zero): It inspired me with the open styles woven throughout [the album] and its groove as well. I've written quite a few songs based on or around some of the arrangements and riffs with my own band.

How would you explain the importance and legacy of London Calling to someone who's never heard it?

Jason Camacho (guitarist for Audio Karate): I'd say, in 1979, a working-class punk band from the U.K. wrote an era-defining album about race, consumerism, nuclear meltdown and concepts that no one else was really dealing with. It's a punk record, a reggae record, a pop record, a rockabilly record, and it's accessible and influential on bands 40 years after its release. The Clash, and London Calling in particular, is one place where people with vastly different musical tastes can intersect and agree.

Nathan Gray (artist): Funny enough, I don't know if I would try. I'd just play it, and either they would get it or they wouldn't. That's The Clash to me: an energy that only those who can tap into it fully get. Open your ears, your mind and your heart to what they have to offer, and if you don't get it, you were not meant to.

Chris #2 (bassist for Anti-Flag): There is this thing that happens, specifically with great art: the moment. All of it was a perfect cauldron for this album. The global crisis they faced, their own failures or losses as a band, having [drummer] Topper [Headon] being able to play everything and get out the sounds in their collective heads. The only description it needs is that it's a perfect record. They are the only band that mattered.

Adam Masterson (artist): Had London Calling not happened, The Clash would have still been a legendary band from the first album. But London Calling transcended them to something more than one of the glorious trailblazers of punk and turned them into one of the most influential bands in the history of popular music, who will no doubt continue to influence generations to come.

London Calling celebrates its 40th anniversary this month. In 40 years from today, when the album turns 80, do you think you'll still love it as much as you do now?

Nathan Gray (artist): That would be like asking if I'd still love my parents when they turn 80. Will I still love an album, a band and music that mentored me through my awkward preteen years? Will I still love an album that completely changed all I thought I knew about music? Hell yes! London Calling and The Clash will be mainstays in my music catalog until the day I die. The Clash were maybe total strangers from the U.K., but in my bedroom, when I needed them most, they became my best friends in the world and inspired me to push forward with music as my rebellion, my hope and my love.

Jason Camacho (guitarist for Audio Karate): In 40 years, I will be dead, but if I happen to survive, I will absolutely still want to crack a beer and nod and sing along to London Calling. The production isn't hokey or dated. It is truly a timeless rock 'n' roll album.

Watch: Sex Pistols' 'Never Mind The Bollocks …' | For The Record

Chris #2 (bassist for Anti-Flag): I will 100 percent still listen to it. I'm hopeful we will live in a far more egalitarian world, one with social, racial and economic equality and equity abound. The stories on the record will serve less as warnings, but more as a document of where they were and what they fought for, that there were four incredible humans that created art predicated upon empathy and gave a f**k about more than just themselves.

Andrew Pohl (guitarist for Tsunami Bomb): I think the album is timeless and easily one of the most important punk albums of all time. Having learned so much about the band between the time of my introduction to the album till now, I've gained an incredible amount of respect for what they accomplished with London Calling. It's made such an impact and helped to inspire so many other fantastic artists with their music and other forms of art.

Adam Masterson (artist): Yes, because great music never dies and only gets better with time.

Jason DeVore (frontman for Authority Zero): Absolutely! It's just one of those well-written and timeless records. I believe no matter what direction music goes, people will continue to appreciate it and use it in remixes and otherwise.

Here Are The Nominees For Best Rock Album | 2020 GRAMMYs

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62nd GRAMMY Awards Nominations FAQ 62nd-grammy-awards-nominations-faq

62nd GRAMMY Awards Nominations FAQ

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Did your artist receive a GRAMMY nomination? See below for answers to publicists' frequently asked questions
GRAMMYs
Nov 20, 2019 - 4:46 am

For your convenience, we've listed answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Check back for regular updates as we continue to provide information leading up to the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards®.  

TICKETING
PUBLICIST INFORMATION (RED CARPET & MEDIA CENTER)
GRAMMY AWARDS PREMIERE CEREMONY
GRAMMY AWARDS LIVE TELECAST
LOCATIONS, LOGISTICS AND SECURITY
MISCELLANEOUS

TICKETING

  1. I represent a nominated artist. How do they obtain tickets for the 62nd GRAMMY Awards?
    Following the nominations announcement on Nov. 20, 2019, a Recording Academy® Awards department representative will personally reach out to all nominated artists regarding the ticketing process.
     
  2. How many tickets does my nominated artist receive?
    If your nominated artist is a member of the Recording Academy, he/she is entitled to two complimentary tickets and has the option to buy two additional tickets at the preferred member price.

    If your nominated artist is not a member of the Recording Academy, he/she is entitled to one complimentary ticket, one discounted nominee companion ticket, and has the option to buy two additional tickets at regular price.

    If your nominated artist is a member of a band, each member will receive ticketing options depending on their Recording Academy membership status. There are some restrictions to groups and ensembles with more than 10 members.

    All Nominees must RSVP by Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 in order to secure their tickets.

    Please reach out to the ticketing department for further information.

  3. Where can my artist pick up tickets to attend the 62nd GRAMMY Awards and GRAMMY Celebration® after-party?
    Los Angeles Convention Center (West Hall Entrance, Room 508, 1201 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015)

    Tickets for Recording Academy members and guests can be picked up Jan. 21-24, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. PT and Jan. 25, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. PT. 

    Tickets for current nominees and guests with Diamond seating can be picked up Jan. 23-24, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. PT and Jan. 25, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. PT.

    Please note the GRAMMY® Ticketing Office will be closed on show day

If you have additional questions regarding tickets, please contact ticketing@grammy.com.

PUBLICIST INFORMATION (RED CARPET & MEDIA CENTER)

  1. My artist is nominated for a GRAMMY. How can I apply for a 62nd GRAMMY Awards publicist credential?
    Credential applications can be submitted here. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 9 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
     
  2. When do I find out the status of my publicist credential application? 
    A representative from Sunshine Sachs will reach out regarding the status of your application beginning Dec. 16. 
     
  3. My publicist credential application has been approved. Where and when can I pick up my credential?
    Los Angeles Convention Center (West Hall Entrance, Room 510, 1201 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015) 

    Credentials can be picked up Jan. 22–24, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. PT, and Jan. 25, 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. PT.

    Please note credentials cannot be picked up on show day. 

  4. My artist is a performer or presenter. How can I obtain a publicist credential?
    If you represent a performer or presenter, credentials are handled by Chantel Sausedo at Ken Ehrlich Productions. Once your artist is confirmed as a performer or presenter, Chantel will reach out directly with pertinent details. 
     
  5. My artist is a performer or presenter and current nominee. How can I obtain a publicist credential?
    If you represent a performer or presenter who is also a current nominee, credentials are handled by Chantel Sausedo at Ken Ehrlich Productions. Once your artist is confirmed as a performer or presenter, Chantel will reach out directly with pertinent details. 
     
  6. Will there be a scheduled walkthrough where I can obtain important show day information?
    We will host a walkthrough for all credentialed publicists during which we will provide essential information regarding the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony rundown, media center layout, and red carpet media list. Details regarding date and time will be available in the Publicist Guide, which will be sent to all credentialed publicists beginning Dec. 16.
     
  7. Does my nominated artist need a credential to walk the red carpet? 
    All nominated artists will receive the appropriate red carpet access as part of their nominee ticket packet. 
     
  8. What time does the 62nd GRAMMY Awards red carpet open? 
    The red carpet is open 12:00–4:30 p.m. PT. Please note that the red carpet is reserved for current nominees, presenters, performers, and their approved guests only.
     
  9. Is there a different red carpet for the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony and the live telecast? 
    No. The same red carpet leads to the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony and telecast. Nominees will have access to the red carpet from 12:00-4:30 p.m. PT. 
     
  10. Can I RSVP my client to walk the red carpet?  
    Red carpet access is by invitation only and reserved for current nominees, presenters, and performers. 

    If you represent a current nominee, presenter, or performer, a formal RSVP is not required. Nominees, presenters, and performers will receive the appropriate credentials needed for red carpet access.

  11. Does my credential allow access inside the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony and telecast?  
    Your publicist credential grants you access to the media center inside STAPLES Center; however, it does not allow you to view the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony or telecast from an audience seat. If you'd like to purchase tickets, please contact the ticketing department.
     
  12. Is there a designated area for publicists during the 62nd GRAMMY Awards? 
    The media center inside STAPLES Center has a designated lounge for all credentialed publicists. It is accessible during the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony and telecast. 
     
  13. Are there backstage media opportunities available during the 62nd GRAMMY Awards?
    Yes. The media center is the location for interview and photo opportunities. Publicists will receive a list of participating media during the publicist walkthrough.  

    We encourage all presenters, performers, and winning artists to take advantage of the media center and the coverage opportunities it provides.

If you have additional questions regarding the red carpet and media center, please contact grammys@sunshinesachs.com.

GRAMMY AWARDS PREMIERE CEREMONY

  1. Who can I contact to get my artist on the Premiere Ceremony as a presenter or performer?
    We appreciate your interest in having your artist participate in the Premiere Ceremony. Please direct all inquiries to Bill Freimuth at the Recording Academy.
     
  2. Where and when does the Premiere Ceremony take place? 
    The Premiere Ceremony takes place at the Microsoft Theater (777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles, CA 90015) beginning 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 26. If you have tickets and plan to attend, we recommend you arrive by 12:00 p.m. PT. Approximately 70-75 GRAMMY awards are presented during the Premiere Ceremony. 
     
  3. When will my nominated artist's category be announced on the Premiere Ceremony?
    We share the Premiere Ceremony show rundown during the publicist walkthrough. Details regarding date and time of the walkthrough will be available in the Publicist Guide, which will be sent to credentialed publicists beginning Dec. 16.
     
  4. Does the Premiere Ceremony require a ticket distinct from that of the live telecast?
    No. The same ticket gains entry to both events.
     
  5. Where can I watch the Premiere Ceremony? 
    The Premiere Ceremony will be streamed live on GRAMMY.com starting 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT.

GRAMMY AWARDS LIVE TELECAST

  1. Who can I contact to get my artist on the live telecast as a presenter or performer?  
    We appreciate your interest in having your artist participate in the live telecast. Please direct all inquiries to Chantel Sausedo at Ken Ehrlich Productions.
     
  2. Where and when does the live telecast take place? 
    The live telecast takes place at the STAPLES Center (1111 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015) beginning 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT on Jan. 26. If you have tickets and plan to attend, we recommend you arrive by 3:30 p.m. PT. Approximately 9-11 award categories will be announced during the telecast.
     
  3. When will my nominated artist's category be announced on the live telecast?    
    The show run-down is ever-changing; therefore, we will not be able to share this information with you prior to the telecast. Artists attending the live telecast will be made aware of upcoming award presentations in real time.
     
  4. Where can I watch the live telecast? 
    The telecast airs Jan. 26 on CBS at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT.

LOCATIONS, LOGISTICS, AND SECURITY

  1. My client is a current nominee, presenter, or performer. Will they need a pass so they can be dropped off at the red carpet?
    Current nominees, presenters, and performers walking the carpet will receive a limo pass from the Recording Academy ticketing department as part of the ticket package. The limo pass will grant access to the red-carpet perimeter.
     
  2. Will transportation be provided to and from STAPLES Center?
    No. Attendees are responsible for their own transportation to and from STAPLES Center.
     
  3. Will parking be provided?
    Parking will be provided to presenters and performers only. A representative from Ken Ehrlich Productions will be in touch regarding parking options mid-January. If your client is not a presenter or performer, parking will not be available on-site and all guests must plan accordingly.
     
  4. Where is the GRAMMY Celebration after-party located?
    The GRAMMY Celebration after-party will be located at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Jan. 26 immediately following the live telecast. 
     
  5. Are my client's personal security guards allowed on the red carpet or inside STAPLES Center? 
    Artist security requests will be managed on a case-by-case basis. If approved, only one talent security officer will be credentialed per performer, presenter, or ensemble/band. No artist security escort will be permitted to stand anywhere in the bowl and specifically on the floor, during the show without a seated ticket. Artist security is required to check in and be cleared with show security prior to being considered for a credential.

    LAPD, STAPLES Center, and Recording Academy security will have comprehensive coverage throughout the venue as well as a broad perimeter.

    Talent security inquiries must be directed to grammys@securitydirectors.org or 213.748.1344.

MISCELLANEOUS

  1. What language should I use when posting about the 62nd GRAMMY Awards?
    Please familiarize yourself with our messaging rules, which can be found here.

    When talking about the 62nd GRAMMY Awards via your social media platforms, please use the hashtag #GRAMMYs and tag the Recording Academy. Here are some sample messages:

    For nominated artists:
    Honored to be among the nominees for the 62nd #GRAMMYs. Thank you to @RecordingAcad, dreams do come true.

    For congratulating other nominated artists:
    Congrats to _____. So many talented artists announced by @RecordingAcad as nominees for the 62nd #GRAMMYs. Can't wait to celebrate together!

    General tune-in info:
    I’m excited to join the entire music community at the 62nd #GRAMMYs Sun January 26, 2020 on @CBS!

  2. Where can my artist obtain the official nominee social media toolkit? 
    Please see below for links to download social media graphics. Both nominees and fans can join in on the conversation on Nov. 20 by congratulating our nominees on social media using #GRAMMYs

    General Posting Graphics – Congratulations
    Nominee Posting Graphics – Overlays & Examples
     

  3. How do I find and/or tag the official Recording Academy accounts on Social Media?
    Please see URLs below to our official social media accounts. Make sure you look for our verified check mark next to our profile name, tag us, and use the correct hashtag. This makes it more likely we will see you and amplify your post!

    Twitter
    @RecordingAcad
    www.Twitter.com/RecordingAcad

    Facebook
    @RecordingAcademy
    www.Facebook.com/Recording Academy

    Instagram
    @RecordingAcademy
    www.Instagram.com/RecordingAcademy

    Snapchat
    @RecordingAcad

    LinkedIn
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/recordingacademy/

    Official Hashtag
    #GRAMMYs
     

  4. Is my artist allowed to use personal videographers or cameras?
    The Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Productions, and CBS strictly prohibit the posting of photos and/or videos from all backstage areas. This includes posting of photos and/or video to social media platforms. Presenters, performers, and other talent associated with the production of the 62nd GRAMMY Awards are not permitted to hire photographers or video crews to attend and/or document the rehearsal process. 

    Additionally, on show day, due to Fire Marshal Code, we are unable to accommodate any documentary-style roaming crews, even while in designated media zones such as the red carpet and backstage media center.

  5. How do I RSVP myself or my client to GRAMMY Week events? 
    All GRAMMY-sanctioned events are by invitation only. Invitations for each event will provide detailed RSVP instructions.

  6. Is there a special hotel room rate for current nominees and/or Recording Academy members?
    Yes, current nominees and Recording Academy members are eligible for discounted rooms at the Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles. For more information, contact the Membership department at membership@grammy.com or reach out to your local Chapter representative. 

  7. Will there be access to food or beverage during the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony and telecast?
    At the Microsoft Theater, complimentary food and drinks will be available at the reception preceding the Premiere Ceremony from 12:00-12:30 p.m. Water will be available at concession stands throughout the duration of the Premiere Ceremony. 

    At STAPLES Center, concessions will be available prior to the telecast from 3:00–4:30 p.m. Water and limited snacks will be available at concession stands throughout the duration of the show.

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.