Radio Raheem
Seattle, Washington, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | SELF
Music
Press
At their frenetic show last month at the Tractor Tavern, Seattle’s Radio Raheem proved they’re willing to blend genres—rap, 80s pop, soul, you name it—even if that means things seem a little disjointed from time to time.
But you can’t fault the effort, especially when it all comes together, like on the band’s new song “Farewell to My Lover,” released this week. Like the best Radio Raheem songs, it takes advantage of Josephine Howell’s impressive pipes. Good thing, too, because there’s a lot happening in this new piece of syrupy ’80s synthpop.
A bouncy rhythm combines with a satisfying guitar hook to get the song started before it hits a clever, halting transition to a soulful chorus section that allows Howell to rear back and roar. It’s a well-constructed song with plenty of little surprises that confirm Radio Raheem as pop craftsmen.
I’ll admit that I left their opening gig for St. Paul and the Broken Bones a little conflicted about Radio Raheem. Their energy and hooks were infectious, but I had a hard time seeing how it all fit together—even as I found that I was enjoying their set quite a bit. On “Farewell to My Lover,” the puzzle pieces fit perfectly. - Owen R Smith @ The Seattle Times
Art Zone kicks off the new year with the gospel voice of Josephine Howell and Radio Raheem. - Seattle Channel: Art Zone
Seattle is a town full of music. From indie rock to folk to rap, the city boasts a bevy of thriving scenes. These days, those scenes tend to cross-pollinate. And that can result in something powerful, especially when a traditional gospel singer is part of the mix... - KUOW
Radio Raheem is an amazingly funky local band with a mesmerizing sound. They came in to play in studio today, in advance of their show tonight at Nectar. Listen on today's podcast and then go see them play live! - Bob Rivers Show KJR
It’s simple. Turn on the CD player. Insert the Calling the World disc. Turn up the volume and dance. Repeat as necessary. - COLOR Magazine
An early collaboration with Shock G of Digital Underground on the song “Push The Party” helped get the band some national attention and they recently released Raheem Rising, a seven song collection of body moving jams that you’ll love if you’re a fan of soul, particularly the music of Fitz and The Tantrums, Mayer Hawthorne, and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. - WXPN 88.5, The Key
Add to that the effervescent energy of Seattle’s Radio Raheem, a band that is making it’s second appearance on the podcast in honor of it’s newly released CD “Raheem Rising.” - The Marty Riemer Show
Seattle band Radio Raheem brought their funky, high energy sound to New Day. Radio Raheem performed "Calling the World" from their new album "Raheem Rising," then Josephine joined Margaret to chat about the band's origins and promote the album. - New Day Northwest, KING 5
Radio Raheem danced their way into the studio to share their new record “Down for the Get Down” and play their single “Calling the World” live on Jet City Stream. - Jet City Stream
Today Seattle band Radio Raheem released their creative video for the song 'Push the Party' featuring Shock G of Digital Underground. For the video, director Dee Austin Robertson , turned the band into 12 inch dolls and created a miniature post-apocalyptic bar for the band to play in. The video was shot over the course of a few days in Los Angeles and the result is a unique video full of dancing Barbie dolls, glowsticks, aliens, robots and a crazy Yeti all getting down to Radio Raheem's 'Push the Party.' - Top40 Charts/ BlueShoes Media
Today Seattle band Radio Raheem released their creative video for the song ‘Push the Party’ featuring Shock G of Digital Underground. For the video, director Dee Austin Robertson , turned the band into 12 inch dolls and created a miniature post-apocalyptic bar for the band to play in. The video was shot over the course of a few days in Los Angeles and the result is a unique video full of dancing Barbie dolls, glowsticks, aliens, robots and a crazy Yeti all getting down to Radio Raheem’s ‘Push the Party.’ - Steve Juon at Rapreviews.com
This got spooky shit written all over it with an extra helping of props for putting all the work into it! Peep new Seattle group’ Radio Raheem‘s new video “Push the Party” featuring Shock G of Digital Underground from the album Down for the Get Down! - D-Money • October 31, 2012 • Fresh Juice
Radio Raheem are a partyrock band from Seattle named for a character in the Spike Lee movie, Do The Right Thing. Formed by bassist and producer Paul Christofferson and singer-songwriter Bryan Cohen to be “the bastard child of Prince, Wall Of Voodoo and The Tubes,” they enlisted the help of vocalist Josephine Howell, drummer Davis Martin and some pals to record their album, Down For The Get Down. Radio Raheem seem to have stepped in to the funkier side of the 80's and haven’t looked back or forward; which is absolutely fine given the freshness they bring to these songs. Along the way to recording the album, Radio Raheem managed to get the legendary Shock G (AKA Humpty Hump) of the hip-hop band Digital Underground to hear the song “Push The Party.” He fell in love with the song instantly, added some words and his signature rap to it. Learn more about Radio Raheem here on their Facebook page. Below, download some songs from the album and let the party begin. - WXPN - FM
“Loved collaborating on Push the Party – ‘Just Zombies taking over the streets’ – look out America Radio Raheem is ‘bout ta rattle your speakers!” - Shock G, Digital Underground Co-writer/MC on Push the Party
“The first four tunes I heard were crazy off the wall stuff but really refreshing. - Bruce Warren, Program Director, WXPN
Discography
Radio has recorded a new record slated for late 2015/early 2016 release.
In May of 2014 Radio Raheem put out the single "Farewell to my Lover".
Radio Raheem's second record is called Raheem Rising. Featured singles are: Calling the World, Heart in 2 (featuring Larry Hawkins), Dance Dance Dance.
Radio Raheems first record is called Down for the Get Down. Featured singles are: Push the Party (with Shock G, aka Humpty Hump), Calling the World and Clown Shoes.
Photos
Bio
Seattles Radio Raheem formed in 2011 out of the ashes of several local bands, and not by chance. Founding members, bass player Paul Chistofferson, and guitar player Bryan Cohen were set on having fun this time around. They both immediately thought, from fashion to film to music, whats more fun than the 1980s. They began writing catchy upbeat rock, new wave and dance songs.
Soon after saxophonist/keyboard player Trevor Rasmussen and knock out vocalist Josie (Josephine Howell) joined the band. Howell, mostly known for her blues recordings, and her role in the Seattle based Total Experience Gospel Choir brought her soulful vocals to the Radio Raheems songs; it was time to record!
The band recorded their first album Down For The Get Down at Seattles London Bridge studios with producer Jonathan Plum. The lead single Push the Party featuring Shock G of Digital Underground charted and peaked at #12 on college and indie radio stations across the country.
To round out the band, Radio Raheem recruited former Mayfield Four drummer Zia Uddin. They quickly hit the live circuit, playing local venues, and garnering spots on festivals like Folk Life, Oktoberfest and the 2013 Rock and Roll Marathon. Radio Raheems shows are high energy, with lots of chanting and dancing. People always walk away sweaty, tired and happy.
While excited about the accolades they received from the debut album, but not completely content with the outcome, the band entered the studio again to record a new 7 track EP titled Raheem Rising. For the new EP, they collaborated with producer Martin Feveyear. From the drop the goal of the new record was to streamline the sound, and write songs that pushed Josies voice front and center. Each track on the new EP builds on Radio Raheems blend of driving beats, catchy choruses and soulful vocals. Standout tracks like Calling the World, Heart in 2, and Dance Dance Dance prove that Radio Raheems brand of infectious 80s pop will not disappoint people wanting to have a good time.
To listeners, Radio Raheem reminds them of Tears for Fears, Tina Turner (Beyond Thunder Dome), ABC, Depeche Mode, Run DMC, Gorillaz, Beck, Mavis Staples, Bay City Rollers, Talking Heads, U2 and Black Eyed Peas having a Jersey Shore level party with audio slices of Blade Runner, the Warriors, Star Blazers, Jackie Brown and Cheech n Chong rolled in for good luck. All Radio Raheem cares about is that their music makes people smile and dance!
Band Members
Links
