| Blackbird Raum | |
|---|---|
Blackbird Raum busking at Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle, WA |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Santa Cruz, CA |
| Genres | Anarcho-punk Acoustic |
| Associated acts | Dandelion Junk Queens Abandon Ship The Hail Seizures Matador Pale Robin |
| Website | Official Website |
| Members | |
| C.P.N. Mars Zack David K. C. |
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| Past members | |
| Roberto Miguel (miguel from oakland) | |
| Notable instruments | |
| Banjo Accordion Washtub Bass Washboard Saw Mandolin |
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Blackbird Raum is a band from Santa Cruz, California, where they have become a prominent part of the downtown street life.[1] They are well known for their influence on Gypsy Punk but are generally considered to be the founders of a new genre.[1] Blackbird Raum has been on several tours, such as the “burnin’ gasoline while there’s still such a thing,” tour[2] a cross-country tour and a 2010 tour to Alaska. They have appeared both as street performers and on stage at Northwest Folklife, a folk festival based in Seattle, Washington,.[3]
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Blackbird Raum has expressed frustration with being associated with genres they do not believe that they can or should represent. They maintain they are not explicitly gypsy, pirate, or old time music. Instead they associate these genres with cultural elements that would not accurately represent the band.[4]
In response, they have offered up some of their influences and assert that they have created something far more original. Their influences include:
They have been known to cover "Room Without a Window" by Operation Ivy and "G-Code" by the Geto Boys at live shows.[5]
Their lyrics often reflect the sense of impending collapse of the current civilization that pervades much of green anarchist culture in modern times[6][7] as well as criticizing the human and environmental destruction caused by the current civilization. The lyrics and song names often contain references to historical events, mythical creatures and cultural icons:
Blackbird Raum makes use of epigraphs from many poets and writers. Among them are William Blake, George R. Stewart, Sir Thomas Mallory, and Black Elk.
While the band has succeeded in creating a unique sound, it would be fair to acknowledge contemporaries that share many of the same influences and have similar artistic visions.
1