International Spotlight: Sweatshop Union (Canada)

Tim Krysko's taking a bit of a detour from the usual Spotlight this week.
Look for international coverage to return next week. As always, you can check Punk
International
or look through the Spotlight archives
to get your fix:

"Every once in a while I need to take my eyes off the international scene for
a moment and give some of local talent a piece of this forum. I decided to break from convention entirely for this week's spotlight by focusing on a
group that is neither punk nor international, because they're a hip hop
group from my hometown of Vancouver. Even though musically the Sweatshop
Union is far from punk, their lyrics and attitude are in line with any
politically or socially aware punk band."
Check out the track "Don't
Mind Us" and click below for Tim's full post.

The message pressed onto the disc
summarizes the group perfectly: This album is dedicated to the struggle
and those living it. The Sweatshop Union sends love and respect to workers
all over the world. Whether you're on the shop floor, in the mineshaft, in
the office, or at the assembly line, our thoughts are with you. This will
change if we make it. One Love.

The subject matter of most tracks goes along with the above statement, but I
couldn't resist one of the album's more humorous tracks. This anti-club/R&B
rant is called "Don't Mind Us" and it was the song that clinched this album
as an all-time favorite for me. I can relate, and I think a lot of other
readers will too.

This group is actually a collaboration of three smaller groups and a solo
artist. Their self-titled debut has tracks by the individual groups and the
entire Sweatshop Union together. I have just posted an interview with one
of the members, Dusty Melodica, on Punk International. If you're into this
track, I urge you to visit the group's website and
download the other mp3s available there, and watch their videos. A new
album will be released in September on the Vancouver hip hop indie label
Battle Axe Records.