When artist Margo Price steps behind the microphone, she doesn’t just perform; she protests. She has dropped a fresh mixtape, Days of Unrest, a powerful collection of protest music that uses song as a vehicle for serious social commentary.
Produced by Matt Ross-Spang, the mixtape is much more than just catchy tunes; it’s a statement rooted in activism. A portion of the proceeds from vinyl sales will be donated directly to the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, ensuring that the music serves a tangible cause.
Days of Unrest pulses with history and modern urgency. Among the tracks is a stunning new rendition of Woody Guthrie’s iconic “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos),” featuring the incredible vocal blend of Joan Baez and the Memphis Mariachi. Price shared that covering this song felt deeply fitting, especially given her own journey as a ‘cultural worker’ who has drawn inspiration from Baez’s career.
Price explained the connection to the music extends far beyond history. She noted that she first encountered “Deportee” while watching Joan Baez and Bob Dylan perform it on The Rolling Thunder Review, a moment that continues to inspire her today. This musical lineage fuels her commitment to speaking out about the world around her.
The mixtape also features Price’s fresh take on Blaze Foley’s “Oval Room.” Foley, an Arkansas native, wrote the song in 1984 about President Ronald Reagan, but Price suggests that the themes of the song—the system designed to keep the rich in power and divide people—feel acutely relevant today. By covering this track alongside others on Days Of Unrest, she turns her art into a form of protest.
For Price, making music is an act of presence. She emphasizes that singing these songs during live performances provides a cathartic release, connecting her message directly to the political arena. She makes it clear that this commitment to advocacy isn’t just confined to the stage; she is actively involved in advocating for change, marching alongside Representative Justin Jones and Representative Pearson at the Capitol.
As Price continues to build her presence, she is hitting the road throughout the summer and fall with an extensive tour. The schedule includes major stops on the Outlaw Music Festival, the first-ever Virginia Beach edition of Farm Aid, and numerous other celebrated venues, bringing her powerful message to audiences nationwide.
The Days of Unrest mixtape is a vibrant testament to the power of music to challenge the status quo, positioning Margo Price not just as an acclaimed artist, but as a vital voice for social justice.
Credit: BrooklynVegan
