Natasha Khan (Bat For Lashes) has a new project called Sexwitch. After sharing “Helelyos” last month, Khan has released another new track from the forthcoming record. In keeping with the rest of the album, which comprises covers of international psych and folk songs from the 1970s, “Ha Howa Ha Howa” is based on a Moroccan track sung by Cheikha Hanna Ouakki. Listen to the Sexwitch version below.
Speaking about the song in our interview about Sexwitch, Khan said:
“Ha Howa Ha Howa”, the “he addicted me” song—the girl that originally sang that [Cheikha Hanna Ouakki] was really young, 15, 16. She traveled around these mountain villages and became this vagabond singer. She’s the one that sounded so street, so contemporary. I loved her spirit, I felt her freedom in the way she was singing it. So it’s really nice to shine a light on that time in those countries where there was liberation. They feel the same things we do, it’s just blanketed in our impression of oppressive regimes. I think deep down, we’re all from the same place. People now can enjoy this kind of music next to contemporary psychedelic music. I think it’s really important to feel free, and to be free to express everyone’s humanity, the things that link us, that we’re all just falling in love with people or running away.
Sexwitch comes out September 25th. It’s a collaboration between Natalie Khan, producer Dan Carey, and Toy.
Posts Tagged ‘Dan Carey’
SEXWITCH (Bat For Lashes) – ” Ha Howa Ha Howa “
Posted: September 18, 2015 in MUSICTags: Dan Carey, Natalie Khan, Psychedelia, Sexwitch, Toy
SEXWITCH (BAT FOR LASHES) – ” Heleysos “
Posted: August 28, 2015 in MUSICTags: Bat for Lashes, Dan Carey, Green Man Festival, Natasha Khan, Toy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js-J2qqXDWc
Over the weekend we learned that Natasha Khan’s mysterious game of hangman was not teasing a new Bat For Lashes album but an entirely new band called Sexwitch. The group, a collaboration between Khan, the band Toy, and Dan Carey, made their live debut with a loud, aggressive set Saturday at the Green Man Festival in Wales. Today they’ve announced details of their self-titled debut album, which is out a month from now. Lead single “Helelyos” is a dark-tinged Middle Eastern groove, its haunting melodies fleecing a propulsive bass and percussion groove. Khan’s vocal performance is breathy and understated, finally spinning into an unchained wail when she exclaims, “Our dark girls are setting fire to our souls!”Sexwitch is out 25th September on The Echo Label Limited. Sexwitch plays London’s XOYO on 29th September
