The reggae-rockin’ new Dirty Heads album Sound of Change is off and running since its release earlier this month (grab it on iTunes), kicking serious ass with a debut at #1 on the Independent Albums chart, a #1 spot on the Alternative Albums chart, and #2 on the Rock Albums chart. Led by the infectiously bright single “My Sweet Summer” and accompanying video, the band are well on their way to making 2014 their biggest year yet.
Featuring the production work of Grammy award winning producer Supa Dups (Drake, Bruno Mars, Eminem), Buddah Shampoo (Ty Dolla $ign) David Bassett (Fitz & The Tantrums, Josh Groban) and Rome (Sublime with Rome), the album is an amplification of the strongest elements of Dirty Heads with an expansion out of their sonic comfort zone. The album also features guest vocals by B Real of the legendary Cypress Hill, as well as a cameo by the incredible Tech N9ne and Ward 21.
Watch Jack White tease a cover of Jay Z’s ’99 Problems’
The guys paid a visit to Crave’s offices recently for a series of special features, with singer Jared Watson, vocalist/guitarist Dustin Bushnell and the rest of the band sitting down to talk all things Dirty Heads and dig deeper inside Sound of Change. Watch below as the guys walk back the experience of getting signed to Warner Bros, and the massive change in the industry as piracy really took off that required the band reexamine their overall ambition as professional musicians.
Also in the clip, they explore songs that took more time, the “try everything” method of songwriting, and the impact guest musicians had on the recording process. The band also reflect on writing the title track “Sound of Change” at their buddy Rome’s house (of Sublime with Rome), setting the tone for the rest of the record.
Additionally, the band are set to serve as Artist Ambassador for Hard Rock International and WhyHunger’s Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign later this year. The goal for both projects is to raise funds and awareness for children in need of better nutrition across the globe. Throughout the tour, auction packages for Dirty Heads Meet & Greets will be made available for the cause, and the band will be giving away support wristbands in exchange for a minimum donation to the cause on the road.
Pick up The Sound of Change on iTunes now, and catch the band on tour this Summer (tour dates below). Also keep up with the guys at the official Dirty Heads website, on Facebook and Twitter.
Dirty Heads tour dates:
July 21 Portland, ME The State Theatre
July 22 Philadelphia, PA River Stage @ Penn’s Landing
July 23 Boston, MA Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
July 24 Huntington, NY The Paramount
July 25 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont
July 26 Asbury Park, NJ The Stone Pony Summer Stage
July 27 Baltimore, MD Pier Six
July 29 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore
July 30 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
July 31 Lake Buena Vista, FL The Beacham
August 1 St. Petersburg, FL Jannus Live
August 2 St. Augustine, FL St. Augustine Amphitheatre
August 4 Austin, TX Stubbs Waller Creek
August 5 Dallas, TX South Side Ballroom
August 7 Tempe, AZ The Marquee
August 8 Las Vegas, NV The Beach at Mandalay Bay
August 9 San Diego, CA RIMAC Arena
August 10 Paso Robles, CA Vina Robles Amphitheatre
August 11 Reno, NV Grand Sierra Resort
August 13 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheater
August 15 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheater w/311
August 16 Garden City, ID Revolution Center
August 17 Redmond, WA Marymoor Park
August 18 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre
August 19 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theater
* additional dates to be announced
