Soundboard

Volume One Exclusive: Irie Sol releases special single

V1 Staff |

One local band isn’t afraid to get political during one of the most tumultuous political periods in Wisconsin’s history – Eau Claire’s Irie Sol is speaking their mind by cutting a brand new single. Because six members of the band either worked at or attended UW-Eau Claire, they headed into a studio to produce an “anti education cuts” song in support of Wisconsin's university system.

Volume One is able to offer you an exclusive listen of the track below, along with some explanation from band member Joel Pace.

Roccupy the Dome by Irie Sol*


"It's about the war on education. A time of crisis forces an evaluation of priorities with money allocated to what is deemed essential. Cuts to education are seen as the answer to a worldwide economic crisis; however, education is essential, the soundest investment in these times and our future. Locally, the recent budget lapse combined with earlier reductions mean that over 300 million dollars have been cut from the UW System. The critical and innovative thinking that takes place on our UW campuses is directly linked to the economic and environmental well being of our state and the mental, physical, and spiritual health of its people. Education is how imagination grows, and its abundant harvest safeguards our local, global, and civil liberties." – Joel Pace, trumpet, vocals, Irie Sol

*The track was co-written (and vocals, keys, bass, and trombone performed) by Angelo Williamson and recorded by him at MMI (Flyte Tyme Studios) in Minneapolis. The track features Junior Williams and his son Solomon Williams Skye (who recorded while he was in town visiting from The Gambia, Africa). It was mixed at MMI by Show and mastered by Greg Reierson at Rare Form Mastering (Minneapolis).