This spring, controversial indie-pop daddy Morrissey will release a covers album called California Son. While the former Smiths frontman has caused plenty of major online fights over the years, that didn't stop a bunch of performers from signing up to collab. That said, at least one contributor to the LP has spoken out against the performer after the fact.
Ariel Engle — the Canadian artist who works with Broken Social Scene and as La Force — appears on the album's cover of Joni Mitchell's "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow." However, Engle now says she regrets recording the song, as the singer claims she wasn't aware of Morrissey's right-leaning politics.
Speaking with the Guardian, Engle said she was in the dark about Moz's various controversial takes.
"It's a very weak argument to claim ignorance, but it is my argument," she said. "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."
Engle added that she was paid $500 for two hours of work to record her spot on the album, so it felt like a no-brainer at the time.
Representatives for fellow album guest stars Billie Joe Armstrong said the Green Day singer was "unreachable" due to his recording schedule, while Grizzly Bear's Ed Droste declined to comment.
LP, a singer-songwriter who appears on the album's Roy Orbison cover, said, "As I'm a huge fan of his music and poetry, I was honoured to be asked to collaborate on the album."
California Son will arrive on May 24 via Moz's own imprint Etienne in conjunction with BMG. Morrissey also has a Canadian tour coming up, and you can see the dates here.
Ariel Engle — the Canadian artist who works with Broken Social Scene and as La Force — appears on the album's cover of Joni Mitchell's "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow." However, Engle now says she regrets recording the song, as the singer claims she wasn't aware of Morrissey's right-leaning politics.
Speaking with the Guardian, Engle said she was in the dark about Moz's various controversial takes.
"It's a very weak argument to claim ignorance, but it is my argument," she said. "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."
Engle added that she was paid $500 for two hours of work to record her spot on the album, so it felt like a no-brainer at the time.
Representatives for fellow album guest stars Billie Joe Armstrong said the Green Day singer was "unreachable" due to his recording schedule, while Grizzly Bear's Ed Droste declined to comment.
LP, a singer-songwriter who appears on the album's Roy Orbison cover, said, "As I'm a huge fan of his music and poetry, I was honoured to be asked to collaborate on the album."
California Son will arrive on May 24 via Moz's own imprint Etienne in conjunction with BMG. Morrissey also has a Canadian tour coming up, and you can see the dates here.
