Whether he was fronting Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros or conceiving ground-breaking touring festival ‘Lollapalooza’, throughout the '90s and beyond, Perry Farrell has always been one of rock's most forward-thinking creative minds. And with the news of his new solo album, Kind Heaven, all-star touring band and immersive entertainment complex in development, it's clear that his enthusiasm has dulled none in the 18 years since his last solo album, 2001’s Song Yet to Be Sung.
Farrell co-produced Kind Heaven with David Bowie’s long-time collaborator, Tony Visconti and recorded it with an array of collaborators that, in many ways, represent a summation of his 30-year career … Tommy Lee (Motley Cre), Elliott Easton and Dhani Harrison (The Cars), former Porno For Pyros bandmate Pete DiStefano, Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and Farrell's wife, Etty Lau Farrell. Stream/download HERE.
Kind Heaven bears what has become Farrell’s signature blend of alt-rock, electronic and classical orchestration, while lyrically conjuring spirituality, irreverence and lust. The first single, “Pirate, Punk, Politician”, was released back in March and accompanied by this fiery, anti-establishment music video with all the angst and energy that has become synonymous with the singer. Watch below:
"Pirate, Punk, Politician"
Farrell describes it as: “a good old-fashioned protest song about today’s strongmen and their tactics of oppression.”
The video was directed by a collection of artists known as “Mortis.” Blending animation and live action, Farrell and his wife, Etty Lau Farrell, perform the song amidst a steady stream of jarring illustrations that take on President Trump, climate change, economic uncertainty and war, in a: “searing indictment of the current state of our planet under a rising tide of autocratic regimes.”
But the music is just one component of a larger vision, one that pairs Farrell the performer with Farrell the entrepreneur - a combination that conceived 'Lollapalooza' in the '90s, stretching the boundaries of rock culture and propelling the explosion of alt-rock around the world. In March 2018, Perry announced he was building an "immersive living theatre" in Las Vegas. Also called, ‘Kind Heaven’, the entertainment complex combines leading-edge technology and Hollywood style storytelling in one ground-breaking entertainment attraction, promising a journey of culture, music, mystery and spiritual enlightenment. The opening is currently planned for April 2020.
And, if that was (somehow) not enough, Farrell, is touring his new album with the ‘Kind Heaven Orchestra’ (boasting former Pearl Jam drummer Matt Chamberlain, Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Cheney) to deliver an "immersive concert experience" in New York, London, Boston, Washington and other cities. Farrell and The Kind Heaven Orchestra have also been announced as part of the lineup for this year’s Lollapaloozas in Chicago, Stockholm, and Paris. Further dates in a variety of exotic locations have been promised, let’s hope Australia will be on the list soon!
In the meantime, catch up with the creative force that is Perry Farrell. Kind Heaven is available on vinyl HERE.
Listen to Kind Heaven on Spotify:
Listen to Kind Heaven on Apple Music:
