Ball and Chain [feat. J-MILLA] paces like a panther with its anthemic chorus –“Ima Ima survivor, full on energy provider, sometimes you gotta improvise, depending onya ball and chain”. Like a fog-horn sounding warning signals the track’s relentless percussive drive integrates piano and yidaki in Xavier Rudd’s inimitable style. “Ball and Chain” speaks of the fierce human spirit that continues to survive regardless of its weighty challenges and resonates now more than ever as the human race wakes to a “new normal”.
"We all carry the weight of our history and of the plight of our ancestors as we make our way in this world. For some that weight is much heavier than others. Either way the road is long, challenges are set in stone, the human spirit can be remarkable” says Xavier Rudd.
“Ball and Chain” precedes Xavier Rudd’s tenth studio album titled “Jan Juc Moon” [out 25th March] and features another of his compelling film clips to be released early February. This time the clip showcases emerging artist J-MILLA who lends his rhythmic rap to the track. “After a shaky start with a cancellation due to Covid we managed to all get together and film the video for “Ball and Chain”. It was a classic day collaborating with J-MILLA, who is just a massive big ball of sunshine and local Kabi Kabi dancers. Plenty of laughs and good times to finish off a weird year and shine some light into an otherwise serious track.”
Previous tracks from the forthcoming album- “Stoney Creek” and “We Deserve To Dream” have been positively received with over 12 million streams globally and gaining momentum. Xavier Rudd’s international tour dates kicked off with strong ticket sales in all eighteen countries and sell out shows in Amsterdam, Antwerp and Brussels, the latter three cities recently adding second shows due to popular demand.
Live
- Fri 30 Sep: Den Atelier, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Wed 9 Nov: Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium
- Thu 10 Nov: De Roma, Antwerp, Belgium