David Byrne Invites You
The Art Rocker Calls For Inclusion and Unity
American Utopia is art rock icon David Byrne’s 11th studio album and first solo release since 2004. Over the last 14 years, Byrne worked with the likes of Brian Eno, Norman Cook, and St. Vincent, but now the 65-year-old rocker just released a new album that is meant to give listeners a sense of happiness and optimism, despite uneasy and uncertain political times.
The album’s lead single “Everybody’s Coming To My House” is a call for unity and inclusion of all people from every walk of life. The official music video features students of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble from the Detroit School of Arts, in a collaboration with David Byrne. The music video is also minimal with students performing the song in the school’s radio and TV department.
The collaboration is part of Byrne’s Reason To Be Cheerful initiative, which encourages everyone to find something positive in the world, despite environmental problems and political strife. Moreover, the streaming royalties from the music video will go to the Detroit School of Arts, so don’t be afraid to watch it again and again, and share it with your friends and family.
“When I saw what the DSA students did with my song, it completely changed the way I thought of it,” said David Byrne in a statement. “In fact, it changed the meaning of the song—I realized it was about inclusion, welcoming, and not being alone. It’s a more generous interpretation of the song than what I do with my voice. We are all in the same house—if we want to be. Just goes to show how a song can change (radically!) depending on who is singing it.”
In addition, the song’s video from Robert Edridge-Waks with original artwork by Doug Henders, who is known for his provocative line art, captures a sense of simplicity and minimalism with Byrne’s head repeatedly drawn until the whole frame is filled with his image.
American Utopia is now available on Spotify and Apple Music.
