David Byrne and Devo release lost collaboration for charity
The convergence of David Byrne and Devo in 1997 for the former’s album Feelings was an appropriate fit. Both parties are new wave heroes, famed for their experimental compositional choices and wry lyricism. However, the surreal track ‘Wicked Little Game’ from the record is not the only effort their sessions produced, and now, after nearly 30 years, the other, long-unheard outcome has re-emerged.
Now, Byrne and Devo have shared their contribution to Noise for Now Vol. 2, an all-star abortion access and reproductive rights benefit compilation which arrives on June 21st. This date is significant as it marks the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s overturning of the landmark Roe v Wade decision, which previously protected abortion rights in the US.
Noise for Now is a non-profit organisation based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, focusing on health care, reproductive justice and women’s rights. It was founded in 2017 by Amelia Bauer and Samantha Kirby Yoh and teams up with famous entertainers to raise awareness and finances for the cause.
As part of the compilation, Byrne and Devo have provided ‘Empire’, an ironic track with a militaristic marching band beat, overtly American-styled trumpets, and caustic lyrics. At one point, Byrne sings, “The strong alone will survive,” evoking the flawed essence of Manifest Destiny.
“‘Empire’ is an ironic capitalist fascist anthem and, at the time, I thought our version was just too mean and caustic for release,” the former Talking Heads leader explained in a press release. “Well, times change, and it certainly resonates now in ways it maybe didn’t then. It was a joy to work with the Devo guys, they knew exactly what the song is about,” he added.
Devo’s Gerald Casale echoed Byrne’s point, describing the song as “prescient” when they first made it 30 years ago. He expressed: “Unfortunately the forces of tyranny are striking with impunity now. These bad actors are not Pro-Life so much as they are Anti-Choice.”
Casale also claimed that these figures “want women to live in a real life version of The Handmaid’s Tale“. However, he optimistically added, “There’s more of us who respect human rights than those who want to crush those rights. Freedom of Choice is a constant fight. Devo salutes Noise for Now for their efforts to save a woman’s right to abortion.”
The release of ‘Empire’ follows ‘Lifetime (Life)’ by Faye Webster, which arrived in May. Elsewhere on the second edition of the compilation, Courtney Barnett, Claud, Big Freedia, Julia Jacklin, and The War on Drugs contribute. The first volume, which arrived in autumn last year, features tracks by Fleet Foxes, Wet Leg, Maya Hawke, Tegan and Sara, Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell.
The new release isn’t Byrne and Devo’s first collaboration with Noise for Now. In 2021, they both appeared on the bumper Good Music to Ensure Safe Abortion Access to All, a compilation of 49 songs by 49 artists released on Bandcamp for one day only. Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon helmed the cover art for that mammoth release.
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