Anya M. Wassenberg's Blog: Art & Culture Maven, page 63
August 26, 2018
Afro-Colombian Grooves: Superfónicos Announce Debut Release - Suelta Is Out October 5 2018
From a media release:
Afro-Colombian Grooves:
Superfónicos Announce Debut Release - Suelta Is Out October 5, 2018
Austin City Limits Festival Set Confirmed for Weekend Two
• Checkout/Download Rio Negro - the first single
• Stay in touch on Facebook
Austin, TX based band Superfónicos is the musical meeting point between Colombia, Africa and the U.S. Their debut E.P. Suelta, which is set for release on October 5th, pays homage to all three locales with a foundation in Cumbia, sprinkled with healthy doses of Afrobeat and marinated in the school of funk. The fast rising eight piece act has also been confirmed to play the Austin City Limits Music Festival (Weekend Two) on Sunday, October 14th.
Superfónicos was formed when bassist Nico Sanchez and guitarist Erick Bohorquez began discussions about creating a group with a foundation in Afro-Colombian rhythms. They soon teamed up with guitarist Andres Villegas and percussionist Daniel Sanchez, and started rehearsing together during time away from their other projects. That core group developed the band’s unique sound, laying the foundation for what was to come. In 2016, gaitero and vocalist Jaime Ospinarelocated from Colombia to Austin, where he met and instantly connected with the group.
The band’s success has been the outcome of organic growth and auspicious timing. For example, Nico explains how meeting Jaime was such a natural extension on making the band complete, “I always knew that traditional Colombian instrumentation like the Alegre drum and Gaita flute would play a central role in the band, but I never expected someone that had studied with the Maestros back in Colombia to just land in Austin. Jaime was literally in town for 6 hours before we met and right away I knew he was the right front man for Superfónicos.” With the addition of Jaime the band booked their first performance in November 2016 and hasn’t slowed down since.
SuperfónicosFrom there the band began performing around Austin with notable sets at the Levitation Music Festival, KGSR’s Blues on the Green, and SXSW 2018, where the Austin Chronicle picked them as an Austin “Breakthrough Band.” Soon national attention came from NPR’s Alt.Latino who spotlighted them as a rising act from SXSW and shortlisted their Tiny Desk Concert entry as a “LatinX Artist They Loved.”
Their highly anticipated debut EP, Suelta, which means, “let go” is an inspiring message in today’s political climate where governments want to build walls instead of bridges. Nico elaborates, “the theme of ‘letting go’ pertains to xenophobia, racism, misogyny, homophobia, classism, all of which are driven and propagated by people’s fear.” He adds, “We are at a turning point politically, where the few in power are trying to maintain their grip on these outdated mindsets, but the overwhelming majority are no longer buying into the divisiveness of the previous generations and are ready for a change. Only by letting go of our fear can we break down these walls.”
The EP was produced by Superfónicos and recorded at the respective studios of GRAMMY award winners Adrian Quesada’s Electric Deluxe Studio (Brownout, Black Pumas, Money Chicha) and Beto Martinez’s Leche House Studio (Grupo Fantasma, Brownout, Money Chicha), who engineered the sessions. The release was then mixed by Carlos “El Loco” Bedoya, who has worked with Missy Elliot, Beyonce and Chocquibtown.
The six track release starts with the title track “Suelta,” that grooves over cumbia/rock and encourages all to “let go” of the things in life that hold us back. The horns drip with funk, bubbling around Evan Marley’s organ lines and rounded out by Andres Villegas searing guitar solo. “Rio Negro” continues the journey and is about being fed up with the hypocrisy of modern life in the cities of the world. It urges the listener to wake up and return to a simpler and more peaceful life back in nature. Nico Sanchez’s pulsing bass line drives the song from psychedelic afro-funk to syncopated freak out and finally culminating in a full blown Cumbia party down by the Rio. “Ethiopian Dust” is the only instrumental on the EP. It is a tribute to the great Ethiopian composer Mulatu Astatke. The title is both a reference to the yearly summertime cloud of African dust that engulfs the city of Austin, but also to the fuzzed out guitar tone during Erick Bohorquez’s guitar solo.
Superfónicos - liveThe second half of the EP doesn’t let down. “Merecumbe” is based on famous Colombian band leader, Pacho Galan’s Merecumbe beat. Nicholas Tozzo and Daniel Sanchez lay down the percussive backbone while the guitars weave a heavy funk patchwork. The theme is one of dancing your problems away no matter how heavy they are weighing you down. “El Miedo” is based on the Colombian Merengue (not to be confused with the Dominican Merengue). Jaime Ospina’sGaita and Raymond Johnson’s Tenor sax share a mid-song duel. The lyrics touch on the dangers of letting fear drive your decisions. “No tengas miedo no, el miedo mata si” “Don’t be afraid, because fear kills.” Rounding out the release is “Sigue Pa’lante,” which is about pushing forward no matter the obstacles in the way. It has become a battle cry for the band in these days of political uncertainty. No time to go backwards, only “Pa’lante!” The song is equal parts Afrobeat, gaita and rock. This is Colombian Funk… this is Superfónicos!
Don’t miss the chance to catch what NPR calls, “Lively, dynamic, colorful, full sound blending funk, cumbia, merengue…Commanding sound and presence with great vocals and harmonies,” when the scorching eight-piece Colombian Funk band tours to support their debut EP culminating in a monumental set at the upcoming Austin City Limits Music Festival on October 14th. Suelta as a song, as an EP, and as a mantra to “let go” rings stronger than ever in today’s times. Jaime strongly concludes, “Let love drive you, not fear.”
Afro-Colombian Grooves:
Superfónicos Announce Debut Release - Suelta Is Out October 5, 2018
Austin City Limits Festival Set Confirmed for Weekend Two
• Checkout/Download Rio Negro - the first single
• Stay in touch on Facebook
Austin, TX based band Superfónicos is the musical meeting point between Colombia, Africa and the U.S. Their debut E.P. Suelta, which is set for release on October 5th, pays homage to all three locales with a foundation in Cumbia, sprinkled with healthy doses of Afrobeat and marinated in the school of funk. The fast rising eight piece act has also been confirmed to play the Austin City Limits Music Festival (Weekend Two) on Sunday, October 14th.Superfónicos was formed when bassist Nico Sanchez and guitarist Erick Bohorquez began discussions about creating a group with a foundation in Afro-Colombian rhythms. They soon teamed up with guitarist Andres Villegas and percussionist Daniel Sanchez, and started rehearsing together during time away from their other projects. That core group developed the band’s unique sound, laying the foundation for what was to come. In 2016, gaitero and vocalist Jaime Ospinarelocated from Colombia to Austin, where he met and instantly connected with the group.
The band’s success has been the outcome of organic growth and auspicious timing. For example, Nico explains how meeting Jaime was such a natural extension on making the band complete, “I always knew that traditional Colombian instrumentation like the Alegre drum and Gaita flute would play a central role in the band, but I never expected someone that had studied with the Maestros back in Colombia to just land in Austin. Jaime was literally in town for 6 hours before we met and right away I knew he was the right front man for Superfónicos.” With the addition of Jaime the band booked their first performance in November 2016 and hasn’t slowed down since.
SuperfónicosFrom there the band began performing around Austin with notable sets at the Levitation Music Festival, KGSR’s Blues on the Green, and SXSW 2018, where the Austin Chronicle picked them as an Austin “Breakthrough Band.” Soon national attention came from NPR’s Alt.Latino who spotlighted them as a rising act from SXSW and shortlisted their Tiny Desk Concert entry as a “LatinX Artist They Loved.”Their highly anticipated debut EP, Suelta, which means, “let go” is an inspiring message in today’s political climate where governments want to build walls instead of bridges. Nico elaborates, “the theme of ‘letting go’ pertains to xenophobia, racism, misogyny, homophobia, classism, all of which are driven and propagated by people’s fear.” He adds, “We are at a turning point politically, where the few in power are trying to maintain their grip on these outdated mindsets, but the overwhelming majority are no longer buying into the divisiveness of the previous generations and are ready for a change. Only by letting go of our fear can we break down these walls.”
The EP was produced by Superfónicos and recorded at the respective studios of GRAMMY award winners Adrian Quesada’s Electric Deluxe Studio (Brownout, Black Pumas, Money Chicha) and Beto Martinez’s Leche House Studio (Grupo Fantasma, Brownout, Money Chicha), who engineered the sessions. The release was then mixed by Carlos “El Loco” Bedoya, who has worked with Missy Elliot, Beyonce and Chocquibtown.
The six track release starts with the title track “Suelta,” that grooves over cumbia/rock and encourages all to “let go” of the things in life that hold us back. The horns drip with funk, bubbling around Evan Marley’s organ lines and rounded out by Andres Villegas searing guitar solo. “Rio Negro” continues the journey and is about being fed up with the hypocrisy of modern life in the cities of the world. It urges the listener to wake up and return to a simpler and more peaceful life back in nature. Nico Sanchez’s pulsing bass line drives the song from psychedelic afro-funk to syncopated freak out and finally culminating in a full blown Cumbia party down by the Rio. “Ethiopian Dust” is the only instrumental on the EP. It is a tribute to the great Ethiopian composer Mulatu Astatke. The title is both a reference to the yearly summertime cloud of African dust that engulfs the city of Austin, but also to the fuzzed out guitar tone during Erick Bohorquez’s guitar solo.
Superfónicos - liveThe second half of the EP doesn’t let down. “Merecumbe” is based on famous Colombian band leader, Pacho Galan’s Merecumbe beat. Nicholas Tozzo and Daniel Sanchez lay down the percussive backbone while the guitars weave a heavy funk patchwork. The theme is one of dancing your problems away no matter how heavy they are weighing you down. “El Miedo” is based on the Colombian Merengue (not to be confused with the Dominican Merengue). Jaime Ospina’sGaita and Raymond Johnson’s Tenor sax share a mid-song duel. The lyrics touch on the dangers of letting fear drive your decisions. “No tengas miedo no, el miedo mata si” “Don’t be afraid, because fear kills.” Rounding out the release is “Sigue Pa’lante,” which is about pushing forward no matter the obstacles in the way. It has become a battle cry for the band in these days of political uncertainty. No time to go backwards, only “Pa’lante!” The song is equal parts Afrobeat, gaita and rock. This is Colombian Funk… this is Superfónicos!Don’t miss the chance to catch what NPR calls, “Lively, dynamic, colorful, full sound blending funk, cumbia, merengue…Commanding sound and presence with great vocals and harmonies,” when the scorching eight-piece Colombian Funk band tours to support their debut EP culminating in a monumental set at the upcoming Austin City Limits Music Festival on October 14th. Suelta as a song, as an EP, and as a mantra to “let go” rings stronger than ever in today’s times. Jaime strongly concludes, “Let love drive you, not fear.”
Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival - September 4th to 8th 2018
From a media release:
Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival
September 4th to 8th 2018
at the Jazz Bistro, The Frog and Firkin Pub, and Mel Lastman Square
• Find Out More
The Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival (TUJF) is hosting its fourth annual jazz festival, T.U. Jazz Fest 2018 this September in downtown Toronto and North York regions.
Hilario Duran at the 2017 TUJFThe goal and focus of T.U. Jazz Fest 2018 is to bring attention to the younger generation of musicians by providing a platform/outlet for which they can express themselves. Through lack of opportunity, many young musicians don’t gain the experience or exposure they need to establish themselves properly. Being the only young musician oriented jazz festival in Canada, T.U. Jazz Fest 2018 serves as a launching off point for many musician’s careers.
Throughout September 4-8, musicians will play through a variety of venues through downtown Toronto and North York regions. The two days leading up to opening night will see bands play at local venue, The Frog in North York where they can build working relationships with local business owners and play in front of new audiences.
Performers from 2016:
Opening night at the Jazz Bistro at Yonge and Dundas will see the official kickoff of the festival with the “Band of the Year” and their opening band playing in front of high profile industry personal as well as dedicated jazz listeners.
On the main day at Mel Lastman Square, musicians will play on a selection of 5 stages. The main stage holds the largest audiences and has the highest amount of exposure. There will also be four smaller stage areas which bands will alternate between to maximize exposure and playtime. All efforts made are to maximize on the two ideas of musicians gaining experience and exposure. In all areas, musicians will play in new venues and in front of new audiences they wouldn’t have reached otherwise.
Aside from student musicians, T.U. Jazz Fest 2018 will also host professional musicians both performing and hosting masterclasses. These classes will be held at North York Civic Centre and serve to educate and further the development of the young musicians. The performances serve a similar purpose of educating but also inspiring the next generation of musicians, showing the talent and level jazz music can reach. These classes and performances are also something these musicians might not have access to, giving them another opportunity to learn and grow.
Performers from the 2017 TUJFThe Jam-Session at U-Stage (one of the smaller stages) will allow anybody to play and participate at the festival simply by signing up. This allows individuals to network and meet other up-and-coming musicians in the field they might not have otherwise met. It will also showcase their talents and develop their improvisation skills.
The entirety of the festival is free to the public, including masterclasses and performances. This is to let as many people be exposed to the talent and skills of the young musicians as possible. The festival helps to build a bridge between the community and the skills of these performers and through a free festival we hope to build a strong and diverse one.
HIGHLIGHTS:
TUJF2018 Opening Concert (Friday 8:00pm): Mike Down TrioLegendary Jazz Series (Saturday 8:00pm): Larnell Lewis BandJam/Busking Concert (Saturday 11:00am-6:40pm): TUJF stage, J&U stageMaster Classes-YAMAHA Artist Special (Saturday 12:00pm-5:30pm): Memorial HallTUJF Opening Night (Thursday, 6:30pm-11:30pm): Jazz BistroBands of The Year Special Concerts (Tuesday-Wednesday): The Frog and Firkin Pub
From their gofundme campaign:
Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival
September 4th to 8th 2018
at the Jazz Bistro, The Frog and Firkin Pub, and Mel Lastman Square
• Find Out More
The Toronto Undergraduate Jazz Festival (TUJF) is hosting its fourth annual jazz festival, T.U. Jazz Fest 2018 this September in downtown Toronto and North York regions.
Hilario Duran at the 2017 TUJFThe goal and focus of T.U. Jazz Fest 2018 is to bring attention to the younger generation of musicians by providing a platform/outlet for which they can express themselves. Through lack of opportunity, many young musicians don’t gain the experience or exposure they need to establish themselves properly. Being the only young musician oriented jazz festival in Canada, T.U. Jazz Fest 2018 serves as a launching off point for many musician’s careers.Throughout September 4-8, musicians will play through a variety of venues through downtown Toronto and North York regions. The two days leading up to opening night will see bands play at local venue, The Frog in North York where they can build working relationships with local business owners and play in front of new audiences.
Performers from 2016:
Opening night at the Jazz Bistro at Yonge and Dundas will see the official kickoff of the festival with the “Band of the Year” and their opening band playing in front of high profile industry personal as well as dedicated jazz listeners.
On the main day at Mel Lastman Square, musicians will play on a selection of 5 stages. The main stage holds the largest audiences and has the highest amount of exposure. There will also be four smaller stage areas which bands will alternate between to maximize exposure and playtime. All efforts made are to maximize on the two ideas of musicians gaining experience and exposure. In all areas, musicians will play in new venues and in front of new audiences they wouldn’t have reached otherwise.
Aside from student musicians, T.U. Jazz Fest 2018 will also host professional musicians both performing and hosting masterclasses. These classes will be held at North York Civic Centre and serve to educate and further the development of the young musicians. The performances serve a similar purpose of educating but also inspiring the next generation of musicians, showing the talent and level jazz music can reach. These classes and performances are also something these musicians might not have access to, giving them another opportunity to learn and grow.
Performers from the 2017 TUJFThe Jam-Session at U-Stage (one of the smaller stages) will allow anybody to play and participate at the festival simply by signing up. This allows individuals to network and meet other up-and-coming musicians in the field they might not have otherwise met. It will also showcase their talents and develop their improvisation skills.The entirety of the festival is free to the public, including masterclasses and performances. This is to let as many people be exposed to the talent and skills of the young musicians as possible. The festival helps to build a bridge between the community and the skills of these performers and through a free festival we hope to build a strong and diverse one.
HIGHLIGHTS:
TUJF2018 Opening Concert (Friday 8:00pm): Mike Down TrioLegendary Jazz Series (Saturday 8:00pm): Larnell Lewis BandJam/Busking Concert (Saturday 11:00am-6:40pm): TUJF stage, J&U stageMaster Classes-YAMAHA Artist Special (Saturday 12:00pm-5:30pm): Memorial HallTUJF Opening Night (Thursday, 6:30pm-11:30pm): Jazz BistroBands of The Year Special Concerts (Tuesday-Wednesday): The Frog and Firkin Pub
From their gofundme campaign:
August 23, 2018
Percussion Centre Stage: Baljinder Sekhon's places & times (April 27, 2018 - Innova Recordings)
Baljinder Sekhon - places & times
(April 27, 2018 - Innova Recordings)
Performers: Dave Gerhart,Los Angeles Percussion Quartet, Dieter Hennings, McCormick Percussion Group, Robert McCormick, Eunmi Ko, Line Upon Line Percussion
• Buy the CD
In places & times, composer Baljinder Sekhon explores the possibilities of the modern percussion ensemble with surprising - even melodic - results. Sekhon currently teaches at the University of South Florida. With its subtitle of "Mapping the interior terrain", the music is intriguing, surprising, even entertaining, and not the essentially cerebral music you might expect.
Passageways, performed by the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet with Dave Gerhart on steel pan, covers a variety of moods, tempos, and tones, a piece with a vital sense of kinetic energy.
Música Casera is performed by guitarist Dieter Hennings along with the McCormick Percussion Group. It's an atmospheric piece with a spooky sense of drama that veers from the delicate plucking of strings to dissonance, ethereal humming to bright percussive tones.
Death Is an Advisor is a piece in six parts with subtitles like Any Time. Any Place. and A Worthy Opponent. The suite was inspired by the writings of author Carlos Castaneda and his books about being an apprentice to the sorcerer Don Juan Matus in the 1960s.
Sekhon writes: “I have been heavily influenced by the teachings of Don Juan, specifically those found in the book Journey to Ixtlan. “Death Is an Adviser” is a chapter from the book that deals with the awareness of death and how such awareness advises our decision-making in life.
Baljinder Sekohn by Gerry SzymanskiFrom drums and cymbals to the strings of a piano, the range of sounds, tones, and moods is astounding. It's performed by piano soloist Eunmi Ko along with the McCormick Percussion Group.
The first movement begins spooky and reflective, then swept into a whirl of energy in repeated notes and patterns. III. Touched. Not Felt. features the piano in a more central role, and a, dare I say, upbeat burst of melody and percussion. Melodic piano lines and aggressive rhythms contrast each other in the fourth movement - A Worthy Opponent. From the calm serenity of V. Now or Later, VI. Dream Come True finishes with a jarring juxtaposition of melodic beauty and disquieting percussive notes.
Sun, performed by line upon line percussion, throws traditional drumming patterns and lines into a contemporary percussion mash up, cycling through kinetic drama and reflective passages. Refuge (McCormick Percussion Group) is magical and mesmerizing.
Highly evocative and atmospheric, Sekhon makes a compelling case for putting percussion in the spotlight.
(April 27, 2018 - Innova Recordings)
Performers: Dave Gerhart,Los Angeles Percussion Quartet, Dieter Hennings, McCormick Percussion Group, Robert McCormick, Eunmi Ko, Line Upon Line Percussion
• Buy the CD
In places & times, composer Baljinder Sekhon explores the possibilities of the modern percussion ensemble with surprising - even melodic - results. Sekhon currently teaches at the University of South Florida. With its subtitle of "Mapping the interior terrain", the music is intriguing, surprising, even entertaining, and not the essentially cerebral music you might expect.Passageways, performed by the Los Angeles Percussion Quartet with Dave Gerhart on steel pan, covers a variety of moods, tempos, and tones, a piece with a vital sense of kinetic energy.
Música Casera is performed by guitarist Dieter Hennings along with the McCormick Percussion Group. It's an atmospheric piece with a spooky sense of drama that veers from the delicate plucking of strings to dissonance, ethereal humming to bright percussive tones.
Death Is an Advisor is a piece in six parts with subtitles like Any Time. Any Place. and A Worthy Opponent. The suite was inspired by the writings of author Carlos Castaneda and his books about being an apprentice to the sorcerer Don Juan Matus in the 1960s.
Sekhon writes: “I have been heavily influenced by the teachings of Don Juan, specifically those found in the book Journey to Ixtlan. “Death Is an Adviser” is a chapter from the book that deals with the awareness of death and how such awareness advises our decision-making in life.
Baljinder Sekohn by Gerry SzymanskiFrom drums and cymbals to the strings of a piano, the range of sounds, tones, and moods is astounding. It's performed by piano soloist Eunmi Ko along with the McCormick Percussion Group.The first movement begins spooky and reflective, then swept into a whirl of energy in repeated notes and patterns. III. Touched. Not Felt. features the piano in a more central role, and a, dare I say, upbeat burst of melody and percussion. Melodic piano lines and aggressive rhythms contrast each other in the fourth movement - A Worthy Opponent. From the calm serenity of V. Now or Later, VI. Dream Come True finishes with a jarring juxtaposition of melodic beauty and disquieting percussive notes.
Sun, performed by line upon line percussion, throws traditional drumming patterns and lines into a contemporary percussion mash up, cycling through kinetic drama and reflective passages. Refuge (McCormick Percussion Group) is magical and mesmerizing.
Highly evocative and atmospheric, Sekhon makes a compelling case for putting percussion in the spotlight.
Anya M Wassenberg Sings the Blues
The Sunday Blues Jam & Me
Singing with Hamilton's Finest
August 19, 2018
I wouldn't typically post a video of a jam, but I got to sing with a supergroup at The Masque Bluz and Rock Bar jam last Sunday - Gary White on guitar, Nick Michas on harp, Jason Colavecchia on bass & George Kaloxilos on drums - video courtesy of Vesna Trkulja. Some of the finest musical talent in #HamOnt.
#blues #HamOnt
Singing with Hamilton's Finest
August 19, 2018
I wouldn't typically post a video of a jam, but I got to sing with a supergroup at The Masque Bluz and Rock Bar jam last Sunday - Gary White on guitar, Nick Michas on harp, Jason Colavecchia on bass & George Kaloxilos on drums - video courtesy of Vesna Trkulja. Some of the finest musical talent in #HamOnt.
#blues #HamOnt
August 20, 2018
Alt Rock Release: F-105 (Independent - July 27, 2018)
Alt Rock Release: F-105
(Independent - July 27, 2018)
• Listen/Buy PWYC
Lyrics that turn both rebellious and reflective, and an idiosyncratic world view meet catchy retro pop rock in this debut release by F-105, a new alt-rock project from veteran Toronto musician Din. It's a new musical outlet for Din after completing his 15 year journey with his band The Soles. Din writes all the songs on the album.
Rebel Girl is the first single, a bouncy rock ballad with a retro groove. Octave harmonies and the strong rhythmic pulse reveal the indigenous heart of the music on songs like Desert Planet, where the desert becomes a metaphor for emptiness and ultimately the clarity that can come from it.
The album’s lead single ‘Rebel Girl/Desert Planet’ got a big boost in popularity with a Star Wars connection in the video. The track received wide coverage and critical acclaim in with the group’s growing global Star Wars / geekdom fanbase, including extensive play and interviews on a wide variety of popular Star Wars podcasts.
There's stylistic variation through the album that keeps it interesting. Mileage is a bouncy pop rock track about love and the road, while October 1st is a bright, dancey song.
Din's vocals are raw and expressive. Viljo and Elsa is a highlight of the album, a mesmerizing waltz about Finnish immigrants coming to Canada in the early 10th century. It's a tribute to the contributions of ancestors.
Din is backed by an veteran band of collaborators on the release, including production and engineering from Marc Meriläinen, who also contributes lead guitar, kantele (a Finnish instrument,) bass, and keys. Alex Milne is on co-production and engineering credits, along with drums, bass, and keys, and Kelly Fraser adds her vocals to the bonus track, a Steel and Gold Mix of Desert Planet. I loved her sexy and sinuous vocal additions to the song in a dance mix mode.
It's a cool new release from a veteran talent. Din and F-105 are on tour in Paris, Birmingham, and London through September - keep up with them at the link.
F105 by F-105
(Independent - July 27, 2018)
• Listen/Buy PWYC
Lyrics that turn both rebellious and reflective, and an idiosyncratic world view meet catchy retro pop rock in this debut release by F-105, a new alt-rock project from veteran Toronto musician Din. It's a new musical outlet for Din after completing his 15 year journey with his band The Soles. Din writes all the songs on the album.Rebel Girl is the first single, a bouncy rock ballad with a retro groove. Octave harmonies and the strong rhythmic pulse reveal the indigenous heart of the music on songs like Desert Planet, where the desert becomes a metaphor for emptiness and ultimately the clarity that can come from it.
The album’s lead single ‘Rebel Girl/Desert Planet’ got a big boost in popularity with a Star Wars connection in the video. The track received wide coverage and critical acclaim in with the group’s growing global Star Wars / geekdom fanbase, including extensive play and interviews on a wide variety of popular Star Wars podcasts.
There's stylistic variation through the album that keeps it interesting. Mileage is a bouncy pop rock track about love and the road, while October 1st is a bright, dancey song.Din's vocals are raw and expressive. Viljo and Elsa is a highlight of the album, a mesmerizing waltz about Finnish immigrants coming to Canada in the early 10th century. It's a tribute to the contributions of ancestors.
Din is backed by an veteran band of collaborators on the release, including production and engineering from Marc Meriläinen, who also contributes lead guitar, kantele (a Finnish instrument,) bass, and keys. Alex Milne is on co-production and engineering credits, along with drums, bass, and keys, and Kelly Fraser adds her vocals to the bonus track, a Steel and Gold Mix of Desert Planet. I loved her sexy and sinuous vocal additions to the song in a dance mix mode.
It's a cool new release from a veteran talent. Din and F-105 are on tour in Paris, Birmingham, and London through September - keep up with them at the link.
F105 by F-105
Pop Single Review: Angela Predhomme - Hidden Wings (Independent, 29 June 2018)
Review:
Angela Predhomme - Hidden Wings
(Independent, 29 June 2018)
• Stream or Download
"This is an important song to me because it's about breaking free from the things that keep us from living the life we really want to, and taking that leap of faith. It's about believing in ourselves and finding that courage." - Angela Predhomme
Indie recording artist Angela Predhomme released the single Hidden Wings earlier this summer. It's an uplifting pop song with a soulful heart that Angela both wrote and produced. Stylistically, the song falls somewhere between adult contemporary and jazzy pop. Its strength is Angela's nimble soprano - clear and soft, yet powerful when she needs it. She floats above the compelling rhythm of the song with vocals that sound effortless.
Members of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club provide the rich harmonies on the song. Hidden Wings was the first single to preview from an upcoming release, Love, expected in fall 2018. Hey Mr. Sunshine, featuring John Patrick Peters, is the bluesy follow up. It's a slow and sexy, and if the blues ever have an upbeat side, this is it.
Predhomme is an accomplished songwriter, and if you watch a lot of reality TV, there's a good chance you've heard the Detroit native's work on shows like Dance Moms, Switched At Birth, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and other TV and commercial work.
Looking forward to hearing the whole album sometime in the next few months.
Angela PredhommePersonnel:
Songwriter/Producer: Angela Predhomme; Guitar and choral arrangement: John Patrick Peters; Bass: Duncan Tarr; Drums: Jim Predhomme; Featuring members of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club: Wesley Fields - 1st Tenor Walter Stevenson III - 1st Tenor Marshall Cherry - 2nd Tenor Josh Nichols - 2nd Tenor Palmer Corbett - Baritone Parker Schaub - Baritone Jacob Emery - Bass Owen Nakatani - Bass Choral group leader: Walter Stevenson III
Stay in touch:
http://www.angelapredhomme.com/
https://www.facebook.com/angelapredhomme
https://twitter.com/angelapredhomme
https://www.instagram.com/apredhomme/
https://soundcloud.com/angelapredhomme
Angela Predhomme - Hidden Wings
(Independent, 29 June 2018)
• Stream or Download
"This is an important song to me because it's about breaking free from the things that keep us from living the life we really want to, and taking that leap of faith. It's about believing in ourselves and finding that courage." - Angela PredhommeIndie recording artist Angela Predhomme released the single Hidden Wings earlier this summer. It's an uplifting pop song with a soulful heart that Angela both wrote and produced. Stylistically, the song falls somewhere between adult contemporary and jazzy pop. Its strength is Angela's nimble soprano - clear and soft, yet powerful when she needs it. She floats above the compelling rhythm of the song with vocals that sound effortless.
Members of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club provide the rich harmonies on the song. Hidden Wings was the first single to preview from an upcoming release, Love, expected in fall 2018. Hey Mr. Sunshine, featuring John Patrick Peters, is the bluesy follow up. It's a slow and sexy, and if the blues ever have an upbeat side, this is it.
Predhomme is an accomplished songwriter, and if you watch a lot of reality TV, there's a good chance you've heard the Detroit native's work on shows like Dance Moms, Switched At Birth, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, and other TV and commercial work.
Looking forward to hearing the whole album sometime in the next few months.
Angela PredhommePersonnel:Songwriter/Producer: Angela Predhomme; Guitar and choral arrangement: John Patrick Peters; Bass: Duncan Tarr; Drums: Jim Predhomme; Featuring members of the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club: Wesley Fields - 1st Tenor Walter Stevenson III - 1st Tenor Marshall Cherry - 2nd Tenor Josh Nichols - 2nd Tenor Palmer Corbett - Baritone Parker Schaub - Baritone Jacob Emery - Bass Owen Nakatani - Bass Choral group leader: Walter Stevenson III
Stay in touch:
http://www.angelapredhomme.com/
https://www.facebook.com/angelapredhomme
https://twitter.com/angelapredhomme
https://www.instagram.com/apredhomme/
https://soundcloud.com/angelapredhomme
Piano Pop Review: Randal Branham - Simple (Vadia Vinyl, September 18 2018
Review:
Randal Branham - Simple
(Vadia Vinyl, September 18 2018
• Available for pre-order from Sept 4
Randal Branham offers an album of accomplished radio-friendly pop rock on Simple. Randall has a pleasant tenor that is melodic, with a raspy edge that comes in grittier passages. It's an album with a romantic heart that looks at love in many different permutations.
Simple to Extreme is a high energy mixture of pop and rock, with soul in its complex, compelling rhythms and a dash of jazz in its interesting chord changes. It features Tom Goss, and it's a highlight of the release.
Simple is a keyboard driven power ballad, with a cool sax solo and fat, church choir harmonies on the chorus. Man to Man takes it down to voice and piano for a plain spoken story of love with a difference.
There's no photo of you in a frame on my desk
Cause th\e customers don't understand
At a dinner, or movie, no matter how late
I'm never seen touching your hand
It's kind've amazing that, here in 2018, a simple ballad about LGBTQ love is still remarkable.
There's a variety of approaches and nicely fat arrangements that flesh out a range of styles and genres. Who Is This Lady? is a cute synthy RnB love song. Your Shining Love, in contrast, is a melodic alt-rock track with a power chorus.
Slow Dance tips a hat to a kind of jazzy retro pop, with a lush arrangement and harmonies. Go Out is the straight up dance track, its driving beat and hedonistic message lit up by jazzy chord changes.
He's surrounded himself with talented musicians that offer a range of instrumentation, including sax and flute on some tracks. An acoustic version of Touching Down and club remix of the acoustic Man To Man are the bonus tracks.
A native of West Virginia, Randal's now based in Orlando, Florida. He's been playing piano since the age of six, and studied classical piano and voice at Eastern State College and Rollins College respectively. He found his niche in pop music, and has won awards for his songwriting, including the Billboard best song contest.
Track List
1. Simple To Extreme (Feat. Tom Goss)
2. Wonderful
3. Walking
4. Man To Man (acoustic)
5. Who Is This Lady?
6. Your Shining Love
7. Dreams
8. Slow Dance
9. Go Out
10. Fly Away
11. Touching Down
12. As Much
13. Last Hour
14. Touching Down (acoustic)
15. Man To Man (club mix)
Personnel: Randal Branham: Vocals & Piano; Nate Anderson: Saxophone; Gilbert Dhennin: Soprano Sax, Ewi; Denise Acerra: Flute; Alton Atherton "Fingers": Bass; Minet Gregory: Backup Vocals; Napoleon Baca: Lead Guitar; Jose Luis Castillo: Acoustic Guitar
Stay in touch:
http://www.randalbranham.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Randalbranhammusic/
https://www.instagram.com/randalbranhammusic/
https://soundcloud.com/randalbranham
Randal Branham - Simple
(Vadia Vinyl, September 18 2018
• Available for pre-order from Sept 4
Randal Branham offers an album of accomplished radio-friendly pop rock on Simple. Randall has a pleasant tenor that is melodic, with a raspy edge that comes in grittier passages. It's an album with a romantic heart that looks at love in many different permutations.Simple to Extreme is a high energy mixture of pop and rock, with soul in its complex, compelling rhythms and a dash of jazz in its interesting chord changes. It features Tom Goss, and it's a highlight of the release.
Simple is a keyboard driven power ballad, with a cool sax solo and fat, church choir harmonies on the chorus. Man to Man takes it down to voice and piano for a plain spoken story of love with a difference.
There's no photo of you in a frame on my desk
Cause th\e customers don't understand
At a dinner, or movie, no matter how late
I'm never seen touching your hand
It's kind've amazing that, here in 2018, a simple ballad about LGBTQ love is still remarkable.
There's a variety of approaches and nicely fat arrangements that flesh out a range of styles and genres. Who Is This Lady? is a cute synthy RnB love song. Your Shining Love, in contrast, is a melodic alt-rock track with a power chorus.
Slow Dance tips a hat to a kind of jazzy retro pop, with a lush arrangement and harmonies. Go Out is the straight up dance track, its driving beat and hedonistic message lit up by jazzy chord changes.
He's surrounded himself with talented musicians that offer a range of instrumentation, including sax and flute on some tracks. An acoustic version of Touching Down and club remix of the acoustic Man To Man are the bonus tracks.
A native of West Virginia, Randal's now based in Orlando, Florida. He's been playing piano since the age of six, and studied classical piano and voice at Eastern State College and Rollins College respectively. He found his niche in pop music, and has won awards for his songwriting, including the Billboard best song contest.
Track List1. Simple To Extreme (Feat. Tom Goss)
2. Wonderful
3. Walking
4. Man To Man (acoustic)
5. Who Is This Lady?
6. Your Shining Love
7. Dreams
8. Slow Dance
9. Go Out
10. Fly Away
11. Touching Down
12. As Much
13. Last Hour
14. Touching Down (acoustic)
15. Man To Man (club mix)
Personnel: Randal Branham: Vocals & Piano; Nate Anderson: Saxophone; Gilbert Dhennin: Soprano Sax, Ewi; Denise Acerra: Flute; Alton Atherton "Fingers": Bass; Minet Gregory: Backup Vocals; Napoleon Baca: Lead Guitar; Jose Luis Castillo: Acoustic Guitar
Stay in touch:
http://www.randalbranham.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Randalbranhammusic/
https://www.instagram.com/randalbranhammusic/
https://soundcloud.com/randalbranham
August 9, 2018
Free Music in New York City: Bryant Park Picnics Emerging Music Festival August 17 & 18 2018
From a media release:
Free Music in New York City:
Bryant Park Picnics
Emerging Music Festival
August 17 & 18 2018
The event is rain or shine and free to the public.
Returning for its fourth year, Emerging Music Festival (EMF) features ten on-the-rise indie rock, pop, blues, and soul bands performing for thousands on the Bryant Park lawn. Almost all artists hail from the greater New York area, making EMF one of the city's largest celebrations of young local bands. Between sets, attendees can purchase beer and wine, eat food from local vendors curated by Hester Street Fair, borrow a free picnic blanket, learn to juggle, and play giant lawn games.
Bryant Park Picnics by Ryan MuirThis year's EMF takes place over two days, on August 17 and 18. Artists slated to perform on August 17 include high-level pop-rockers EZTV, neo-afrobeat from Underground System, psych and soul band Palmas, Chicago post-rock from Ohmee, and and New York City mainstays Evolfo. The August 18 lineup will spotlight spellbinding a capella from Madison McFerrin, the cinematic pop-nostalgia of Plastic Picnic, traditional acoustic blues from Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton & Terry Waldo Rum House Jass Band, classic four-piece rock from Native Sun, and exciting fuzz-pop from Katie von Schleicher.
"New York City is an incredible hotbed for what's next in music" says Dan Fishman, series curator and Public Events Manager for Bryant Park Corporation. "Come listen to these new and electrifying bands from the comfort of a summer picnic."
Friday, August 17 at 5pm
EZTV, Underground System, Palmas, Ohmee, and Evolfo
EZTV has a lot of affection for Midwest power poppers like Shoes and Dwight Twilley, but also a definite love for left-of-the-dial bands from across the pond like Orange Juice and The Go-Betweens. Ezra Tenenbaum's chiming guitar riffs ring perfectly within classic pop song structures, while Shane O'Connell and Michael Stasiak provide groovy, dynamic rhythm and keep the sneaky hooks and riffs clicking like the gears of a fine watch.
Underground System is a quintessential New York City band. A convergence of musical and cultural influences, the unstoppable female-fronted group of neo-afrobeat deconstructionists have cultivated a sound as inimitable as its members. Owing their foundations to traditional afrobeat (and named after a Fela Kuti song), the band has built a national reputation around a seamlessly executed stage show, astonishing wherever they go, and compelling crowds to move with unbridled verve. 2018 is a big year for the band; September will mark the release of their debut LP What Are You on Soul Clap Records, the much-loved New York City imprint known for their coupling of party-ready DJ culture and shapeshifting live acts.
Psych and Soul band hailing from Philadelphia and NYC, Palmas is hitting their stride with their eyes on the bigger picture. Following the release of their well-received EP, To the Valley, the five-piece has been deep in writing, developing and evolving their songs inside their Fishtown studio. With influences ranging from Phoenix to The Mamas and the Papas, Marvin Gaye to Tame Impala, Palmas has crafted a unique blend of modern-retro that critics and fans alike are loving.
Already celebrated as the "Heart of Chicago's Music Community" (Noisey) by both fans and tastemakers alike, Ohmme (aka the duo of Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart) amalgamate the aggressive and the meditative on their bold debut full-length album, Parts. Stewart and Cunningham are both classically trained musicians and are established players within the Chicago music scene. They are especially involved in performing and working for venues within the local experimental music scene. With Parts, Ohmme "wanted to capture a moment in time instead of something perfect." With Parts, Ohmme manage to organically marry a breadth of divergent styles into an album that is cohesive, daring, and distinctly their own.
Evolfo is the sound that breaks through the fuzz on the low end of your radio dial and echoes out the back door of a pink neon lit bar. Mainstays of New York City's clubs and DIY spaces, as well as the finest basement venues coast to coast, Evolfo has cut adventurous tracks through the U.S., gaining initiates and devotees every time they cram onto a stage and deliver their raucous live show. Last of the Acid Cowboys, the band's debut LP, melts down decades worth of eclectic and bizarro records and puts on wax a house shaking mix of garage rock, psych soul, spiritual funk and ecstatic freakout.
Saturday, August 18 at 5pm
Madison McFerrin, Plastic Picnic, Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton & Terry Waldo Rum House Jass Band, Native Sun, and Katie von Schleicher
Madison McFerrin is a singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. Her 2016 solo debut EP, Finding Foundations: Vol. I, introduced her soulful take on a cappella to the world. Critics and crowds quickly took note. Leading up to her sold out show at Joe's Pub, The New York Times remarked how her sound "shows wonderful vocal dexterity, deftly swerving from sharp, clearly enunciated staccato bursts to fluttery, free-form melismata." She followed that up with Finding Foundations: Vol. II, which gave her listeners more of what they love and earned her more critical praise.
Plastic Picnic is made up of four Pacific Northwest transplants who were brought together by a mutual friend after moving to New York. In 2017, the four-piece teamed up with producers Ted Young (Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth) and Ariel Loh (Yoke Lore) to record their debut self-titled EP released late last year. Described as an "indie post rock project soundtracking a John Hughes movie," Plastic Picnic achieves the cinematic pop-nostalgia of the 1980s with their atmospheric synth and guitar work.
Although still in his 20s, Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton has earned a reputation for transporting audiences back to the 1920's and making them wish they could stay there for good. Blind Boy Paxton may be one of the greatest multi-instrumentalists that you have not heard of. Yet. This young musician sings and plays banjo, guitar, piano, fiddle, harmonica, Cajun accordion, and the bones (percussion), and has an eerie ability to transform traditional jazz, blues, folk, and country into the here and now, and make it real. He mesmerizes audiences with his humor and storytelling. He's a world-class talent and a uniquely colorful character that has been on the cover of Living Blues Magazine and the Village Voice.
Bryant Park, New York City by Ryan MuirNative Sun is a four-piece rock n roll band from New York City. Loud and urgent, their music breeds a beautiful chaos evocative of each member's experiences. Frontman Danny Gomez first met lead guitarist Jake Pflum while growing up in Florida. After years without contact they reconnected by chance on a random evening in the city, rekindling their friendship over their mutual obsession for The Rolling Stones and Velvet Underground. They immediately forced their best friend Alexis Castro to play drums (who had only just recently began teaching himself how to play). Bassist Mo Martinez uprooted to the city from Monterrey, Mexico. In hopes of playing music he reached out to Danny through mutual friends and naturally completed the band's lineup.
Katie Von Schleicher rose from intern to artist on Brooklyn label Ba Da Bing with Bleaksploitation, a self-recorded 2015 mini-album of irreverent, fuzz-laden tunes. On her debut full-length Shitty Hits, Von Schleicher strikes again on the magic that comes from her warped and uncompromising sound. Shitty Hits channels the bright, sunny radio burners of the 1970's, songs you drive to, carefree, and songs you can cry to, which The Guardian describe as "Portishead meets the Beatles," and NPR's Bob Boilen calls "one of those constant repeat records for me." Inhabiting the roles of producer and engineer, Von Schleicher cements her voice as one to be reckoned with, parsed and pored over, on an album that is "never less than beguiling" (Pitchfork).
Free Music in New York City:
Bryant Park Picnics
Emerging Music Festival
August 17 & 18 2018
The event is rain or shine and free to the public.
Returning for its fourth year, Emerging Music Festival (EMF) features ten on-the-rise indie rock, pop, blues, and soul bands performing for thousands on the Bryant Park lawn. Almost all artists hail from the greater New York area, making EMF one of the city's largest celebrations of young local bands. Between sets, attendees can purchase beer and wine, eat food from local vendors curated by Hester Street Fair, borrow a free picnic blanket, learn to juggle, and play giant lawn games.
Bryant Park Picnics by Ryan MuirThis year's EMF takes place over two days, on August 17 and 18. Artists slated to perform on August 17 include high-level pop-rockers EZTV, neo-afrobeat from Underground System, psych and soul band Palmas, Chicago post-rock from Ohmee, and and New York City mainstays Evolfo. The August 18 lineup will spotlight spellbinding a capella from Madison McFerrin, the cinematic pop-nostalgia of Plastic Picnic, traditional acoustic blues from Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton & Terry Waldo Rum House Jass Band, classic four-piece rock from Native Sun, and exciting fuzz-pop from Katie von Schleicher."New York City is an incredible hotbed for what's next in music" says Dan Fishman, series curator and Public Events Manager for Bryant Park Corporation. "Come listen to these new and electrifying bands from the comfort of a summer picnic."
Friday, August 17 at 5pm
EZTV, Underground System, Palmas, Ohmee, and Evolfo
EZTV has a lot of affection for Midwest power poppers like Shoes and Dwight Twilley, but also a definite love for left-of-the-dial bands from across the pond like Orange Juice and The Go-Betweens. Ezra Tenenbaum's chiming guitar riffs ring perfectly within classic pop song structures, while Shane O'Connell and Michael Stasiak provide groovy, dynamic rhythm and keep the sneaky hooks and riffs clicking like the gears of a fine watch.
Underground System is a quintessential New York City band. A convergence of musical and cultural influences, the unstoppable female-fronted group of neo-afrobeat deconstructionists have cultivated a sound as inimitable as its members. Owing their foundations to traditional afrobeat (and named after a Fela Kuti song), the band has built a national reputation around a seamlessly executed stage show, astonishing wherever they go, and compelling crowds to move with unbridled verve. 2018 is a big year for the band; September will mark the release of their debut LP What Are You on Soul Clap Records, the much-loved New York City imprint known for their coupling of party-ready DJ culture and shapeshifting live acts.
Psych and Soul band hailing from Philadelphia and NYC, Palmas is hitting their stride with their eyes on the bigger picture. Following the release of their well-received EP, To the Valley, the five-piece has been deep in writing, developing and evolving their songs inside their Fishtown studio. With influences ranging from Phoenix to The Mamas and the Papas, Marvin Gaye to Tame Impala, Palmas has crafted a unique blend of modern-retro that critics and fans alike are loving.
Already celebrated as the "Heart of Chicago's Music Community" (Noisey) by both fans and tastemakers alike, Ohmme (aka the duo of Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart) amalgamate the aggressive and the meditative on their bold debut full-length album, Parts. Stewart and Cunningham are both classically trained musicians and are established players within the Chicago music scene. They are especially involved in performing and working for venues within the local experimental music scene. With Parts, Ohmme "wanted to capture a moment in time instead of something perfect." With Parts, Ohmme manage to organically marry a breadth of divergent styles into an album that is cohesive, daring, and distinctly their own.
Evolfo is the sound that breaks through the fuzz on the low end of your radio dial and echoes out the back door of a pink neon lit bar. Mainstays of New York City's clubs and DIY spaces, as well as the finest basement venues coast to coast, Evolfo has cut adventurous tracks through the U.S., gaining initiates and devotees every time they cram onto a stage and deliver their raucous live show. Last of the Acid Cowboys, the band's debut LP, melts down decades worth of eclectic and bizarro records and puts on wax a house shaking mix of garage rock, psych soul, spiritual funk and ecstatic freakout.
Saturday, August 18 at 5pm
Madison McFerrin, Plastic Picnic, Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton & Terry Waldo Rum House Jass Band, Native Sun, and Katie von Schleicher
Madison McFerrin is a singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. Her 2016 solo debut EP, Finding Foundations: Vol. I, introduced her soulful take on a cappella to the world. Critics and crowds quickly took note. Leading up to her sold out show at Joe's Pub, The New York Times remarked how her sound "shows wonderful vocal dexterity, deftly swerving from sharp, clearly enunciated staccato bursts to fluttery, free-form melismata." She followed that up with Finding Foundations: Vol. II, which gave her listeners more of what they love and earned her more critical praise.
Plastic Picnic is made up of four Pacific Northwest transplants who were brought together by a mutual friend after moving to New York. In 2017, the four-piece teamed up with producers Ted Young (Kurt Vile, Sonic Youth) and Ariel Loh (Yoke Lore) to record their debut self-titled EP released late last year. Described as an "indie post rock project soundtracking a John Hughes movie," Plastic Picnic achieves the cinematic pop-nostalgia of the 1980s with their atmospheric synth and guitar work.
Although still in his 20s, Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton has earned a reputation for transporting audiences back to the 1920's and making them wish they could stay there for good. Blind Boy Paxton may be one of the greatest multi-instrumentalists that you have not heard of. Yet. This young musician sings and plays banjo, guitar, piano, fiddle, harmonica, Cajun accordion, and the bones (percussion), and has an eerie ability to transform traditional jazz, blues, folk, and country into the here and now, and make it real. He mesmerizes audiences with his humor and storytelling. He's a world-class talent and a uniquely colorful character that has been on the cover of Living Blues Magazine and the Village Voice.
Bryant Park, New York City by Ryan MuirNative Sun is a four-piece rock n roll band from New York City. Loud and urgent, their music breeds a beautiful chaos evocative of each member's experiences. Frontman Danny Gomez first met lead guitarist Jake Pflum while growing up in Florida. After years without contact they reconnected by chance on a random evening in the city, rekindling their friendship over their mutual obsession for The Rolling Stones and Velvet Underground. They immediately forced their best friend Alexis Castro to play drums (who had only just recently began teaching himself how to play). Bassist Mo Martinez uprooted to the city from Monterrey, Mexico. In hopes of playing music he reached out to Danny through mutual friends and naturally completed the band's lineup.Katie Von Schleicher rose from intern to artist on Brooklyn label Ba Da Bing with Bleaksploitation, a self-recorded 2015 mini-album of irreverent, fuzz-laden tunes. On her debut full-length Shitty Hits, Von Schleicher strikes again on the magic that comes from her warped and uncompromising sound. Shitty Hits channels the bright, sunny radio burners of the 1970's, songs you drive to, carefree, and songs you can cry to, which The Guardian describe as "Portishead meets the Beatles," and NPR's Bob Boilen calls "one of those constant repeat records for me." Inhabiting the roles of producer and engineer, Von Schleicher cements her voice as one to be reckoned with, parsed and pored over, on an album that is "never less than beguiling" (Pitchfork).
Travel to CUBA's HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL with Blue Note's Exclusive VIP Experience January 15-20 2019
From a media release:
Travel to CUBA's
HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL
with Blue Note's
Exclusive VIP Experience
January 15-20, 2019
• Find out more at the link
• Call 917-909-6661 to Book Now
Enjoy the old world charm of Havana and the scenic areas of Pinar Del Rio, all while experiencing the 34th Annual Havana Jazz Festival.
Has Cuba captured your imagination? Do you want to see a country that is in every way set apart from all of the others? Travel with us to this enchanting island full of friendly faces and discover why even our most seasoned travelers call Cuba their favorite country. Fall in love with an island of people who put the arts first. Meet Cuba’s finest musicians, artists, and dancers. Visit inspiring community project leaders and entrepreneurs. The treasure of Cuba is it’s people and you will meet the spirited people that make Cuba unforgettable.
The Details:
6 days / 5 nights - January 15 to 20 2019
Havana, with a day tour of Pinar Del Rio
2019 Havana Jazz Festival
On this 6 day / 5 night tour, you will experience prime VIP access to the country’s music event of the season along with the old-world charm of Havana and the scenic areas of Pinar Del Rio.
Havana, CubaHighlights Include:
• All-Access Jazz Festival Pass
– Entry to all festival events
– Early arrival to main events and usher service provided by tour leaders
– Transportation to main events provided
• Cuba Piano Marathon Private VIP Party
– Piano marathon with internationally renowned Cuban pianist Jorge Luis Pacheco and other surprise artists
– 2-hour VIP event exclusively for Blue Note Travel customers
– 2 Rounds of Drinks
• Exclusive Rumba Cuban Drum Performance
– Authentic Afro Cuban performance by legendary group Yoruba Andabo
– Visit Havana’s historic Palace of Rumba
Only Available through Blue Note Travel!
• Additional Blue Note approved concerts, dance, and art activities
• Daily breakfast in Cuba
• All lunches at Cuba’s top paladares or privately run restaurants
• One upscale welcome dinner
• Cuban visa
• Compliance with US Treasury Department regulations
• Pre-trip departure information
• All local air conditioned ground transportation including airport transfers
• Superior lodging in Havana
• Expert tour leader and additional expert guides
• Flight concierge service (flight costs additional)
• Not included: airfare, four dinners, tips and gratuities for service.
From last year's festival:
Travel to CUBA's
HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL
with Blue Note's
Exclusive VIP Experience
January 15-20, 2019
• Find out more at the link
• Call 917-909-6661 to Book Now
Enjoy the old world charm of Havana and the scenic areas of Pinar Del Rio, all while experiencing the 34th Annual Havana Jazz Festival.
Has Cuba captured your imagination? Do you want to see a country that is in every way set apart from all of the others? Travel with us to this enchanting island full of friendly faces and discover why even our most seasoned travelers call Cuba their favorite country. Fall in love with an island of people who put the arts first. Meet Cuba’s finest musicians, artists, and dancers. Visit inspiring community project leaders and entrepreneurs. The treasure of Cuba is it’s people and you will meet the spirited people that make Cuba unforgettable.
The Details:
6 days / 5 nights - January 15 to 20 2019
Havana, with a day tour of Pinar Del Rio
2019 Havana Jazz Festival
On this 6 day / 5 night tour, you will experience prime VIP access to the country’s music event of the season along with the old-world charm of Havana and the scenic areas of Pinar Del Rio.
Havana, CubaHighlights Include:• All-Access Jazz Festival Pass
– Entry to all festival events
– Early arrival to main events and usher service provided by tour leaders
– Transportation to main events provided
• Cuba Piano Marathon Private VIP Party
– Piano marathon with internationally renowned Cuban pianist Jorge Luis Pacheco and other surprise artists
– 2-hour VIP event exclusively for Blue Note Travel customers
– 2 Rounds of Drinks
• Exclusive Rumba Cuban Drum Performance
– Authentic Afro Cuban performance by legendary group Yoruba Andabo
– Visit Havana’s historic Palace of Rumba
Only Available through Blue Note Travel!
• Additional Blue Note approved concerts, dance, and art activities
• Daily breakfast in Cuba
• All lunches at Cuba’s top paladares or privately run restaurants
• One upscale welcome dinner
• Cuban visa
• Compliance with US Treasury Department regulations
• Pre-trip departure information
• All local air conditioned ground transportation including airport transfers
• Superior lodging in Havana
• Expert tour leader and additional expert guides
• Flight concierge service (flight costs additional)
• Not included: airfare, four dinners, tips and gratuities for service.
From last year's festival:
July 26, 2018
CD Release: Nadjiwan - Tomahawk Rock (Heading North Music, August 5, 2018)
From a media release:
CD Release:
Nadjiwan - Tomahawk Rock
(Heading North Music, August 5, 2018)
• Order it soon
The highly anticipated release from multi-award nominated indigenous rock project NADJIWAN titled 'Tomahawk Rock' is set to be released August 5th, 2018. The release will be highlighted by a live FREE concert at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Sudbury, Ontario.
'Tomahawk Rock' was recorded live off the floor in old school house over 2 days and showcases the classic NADJIWAN indigenous rock sound. Released by Heading North Music and distributed by the Independent Digital Licensing Agency the new release will be available world-wide in August.
The man behind the project and the music is Marc Meriläinen. Born in northern Manitoba and raised in the untamed beauty of Northwestern Ontario, Marc knew from an early age he would perform music.
After graduating from the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College in Southern Ontario, Marc returned to Thunder Bay where he began collaborating with other First Nations musicians. The first NADJIWAN compact disc titled "Brother", released in 1995 went on to achieve much success in both Canada and the United States earning him an nomination for BEST ROCK ALBUM at the Native American Music Awards as well as the #1 album spot on the Aboriginal Voices Top 10.
Tomahawk Rock is Nadjiwan's sixth album.
NADJIWAN will be performing in Sudbury at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre Sunday August 5th. Show starts at 7PM and is open & FREE to the public.
CD Release:
Nadjiwan - Tomahawk Rock
(Heading North Music, August 5, 2018)
• Order it soon
The highly anticipated release from multi-award nominated indigenous rock project NADJIWAN titled 'Tomahawk Rock' is set to be released August 5th, 2018. The release will be highlighted by a live FREE concert at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Sudbury, Ontario.'Tomahawk Rock' was recorded live off the floor in old school house over 2 days and showcases the classic NADJIWAN indigenous rock sound. Released by Heading North Music and distributed by the Independent Digital Licensing Agency the new release will be available world-wide in August.
The man behind the project and the music is Marc Meriläinen. Born in northern Manitoba and raised in the untamed beauty of Northwestern Ontario, Marc knew from an early age he would perform music.
After graduating from the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College in Southern Ontario, Marc returned to Thunder Bay where he began collaborating with other First Nations musicians. The first NADJIWAN compact disc titled "Brother", released in 1995 went on to achieve much success in both Canada and the United States earning him an nomination for BEST ROCK ALBUM at the Native American Music Awards as well as the #1 album spot on the Aboriginal Voices Top 10.
Tomahawk Rock is Nadjiwan's sixth album.
NADJIWAN will be performing in Sudbury at the Grace Hartman Amphitheatre Sunday August 5th. Show starts at 7PM and is open & FREE to the public.
Art & Culture Maven
Where I blog about art and culture, not surprisingly.
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