Antibalas frontman and percussionist Amayo took a trip to Nigeria after September 11, 2001 to visit his family and for some spiritual introspection. He went back to his roots - his grandmother was a practitioner of Yoruban traditional medicine - and visited the sacred Oshun river and made a wish. "I wished for twins, which represents balance, abundance and the wisdom of sharing."
While in Nigeria he also commissioned a local artist to make a drum for him. The drum, a "Spirit Drum," is 6-ft tall and made of mahogany, a sacred tree to the Yoruban people that grows along the Oshun River and is said to have divine powers.
He had the drum transported to the US and years later it inspired Amayo to write "Ibeji," a dark, densely rhythmic cut on Antibalas' forthcoming album that features the drum as well. "Ibeji" is the Yoruban term for "twins."
The self-titled album is out Aug 7 on Daptone, produced by Gabriel Roth.
NEW DATES ANNOUNCED:
8/10 - Outside Lands - San Fran, CA
8/11 - SLO Brewing Co - San Luis Obispo, CA
8/12 - Belly Up - Solana Beach, CA
8/14 - The Echoplex - LA, CA
8/15 - Fox Theater - Pomona, CA
8/18 - Williamsburg Park - Brooklyn, NY
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