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.