Two weeks ago, Flobots released their track “Handle Your Bars” in response to YouTuber Logan Paul’s song, “No Handebars” – which lifted its hook, but not its message, from Flobots’ platinum hit song “Handlebars.” Now, the alternative hip-hop band have returned with a new video, titled “Duel Lingo”. The video shows Flobots’ emcee Jonny 5 rapping in Japanese and English, delivering a message encouraging respect.
This past October, Jonny 5 spent two weeks in Japan reuniting with his Japanese friends and loved ones, including the host family he stayed with during a year of study abroad in college. While re-immersing himself in Japanese language and culture, the #metoo movement was just gaining momentum in the United States. When Jonny 5 arrived back home, he was asked by the Japan American Society of Colorado to create a piece addressing the theme of “Womenomics”. “Duel Lingo” is the result.
Flobots’ embark this week on the second leg of the RISE + SHINE Tour in support of their recently released fourth album, NOENEMIES. The RISE + SHINE Tour is Flobots’ call to action, set to remind us that the division and negativity that currently dominate the national conversation is not in the spirit of human nature – that our true potential is much more positive and welcoming. Flobots’ RISE + SHINE Tour offers the opportunity to elevate above the rhetoric and come together for a night of music and connection. Flobots state, “The music on our album NOENEMIES is about our power to see each other more fully. We find that there’s nothing better for the soul than meeting people face to face. We cannot wait to hit the road.”
Kicking off on January 9th, 2018 in Omaha, NE, the RISE + SHINE Tour brings the band’s politically charged live show to major cities such as Chicago, New York and Philadelphia before wrapping up on January 28th in Kansas City, MO. Special guests Tropidelic and McLovins support Flobots for select 2018 dates. The complete list of shows is included below, with tickets on sale now at www.flobots.com
RISE + SHINE TOUR
9-Jan
Waiting Room w/ Tropidelic
Omaha, NE
10-Jan
Turf Club w/ Tropidelic
St. Paul, MN
11-Jan
City Winery w/ Sam Trump
Chicago, IL
12-Jan
Bell’s Eccentric Café w/ Tropidelic
Kalamazoo, MI
13-Jan
HiFi w/ Tropidelic
Indianapolis, IN
14-Jan
Magic Bag Theatre w/ Tropidelic
Ferndale, MI
16-Jan
Beachland Ballroom w/ Uptowne Buddha
Cleveland, OH
17-Jan
Horseshoe Tavern w/ Tropidelic
Toronto, ON
18-Jan
The Haunt w/ Tropidelic
Ithaca, NY
19-Jan
Debonair Music Hall w/ Tropidelic
Teaneck, NJ
20-Jan
Coda w/ Tropidelic
Philadelphia, PA
21-Jan
Rough Trade w/ Tropidelic
New York, NY
23-Jan
Rex Theater w/ McLovins
Pittsburgh, PA
24-Jan
Skully’s Music Diner w/ McLovins
Columbus, OH
25-Jan
Headliners Music Hall w/ McLovins
Louisville, KY
26-Jan
Grey Eagle Tavern w/ McLovins
Asheville, NC
27-Jan
Southgate House Revival w/ McLovins
Newport, KY
28-Jan
Riot Room w/ McLovins
Kansas City, MO