Morrissey recently announced his new covers album California Son, which boasts an array of collaborators including Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste, Broken Social Scene member Ariel Engle, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Petra Haden, and others. Now, Engle (who also records as La Force) has spoken out about her involvement in the album, explaining to The Guardian that she was unaware of the controversial far-right views espoused by the former Smiths singer in the past.
“It’s a very weak argument to claim ignorance, but it is my argument,” she said, explaining that she was paid $500 to contribute backing vocals to Morrissey’s cover of “Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow” by Joni Mitchell. “It’s not an excuse but it happens to be the truth… The inflammatory things he says are not my politics. I think he’s completely out of line. I grew up around multiculturalism and I am the product of multiculturalism and immigration. I feel like I’ve been had, but it’s my fault.”
According to The Guardian, Ed Droste declined to comment while Billie Joe Armstrong was “unreachable” due to his recording schedule. Singer-songwriter LP gave The Guardian the following statement through a representative: “As I’m a huge fan of his music and poetry, I was honoured to be asked to collaborate on the album.” Pitchfork has reached out multiple times to representatives for Ed Droste, Billie Joe Armstrong, and other collaborators.
https://pitchfork.com/news/broken-social-scenes-ariel-engle-on-morrissey-collab-i-feel-like-ive-been-had
