Guest Music Bloggers » Stories

narcocorrido

rhythmparticiple — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:45:41 +0000

I live in a mostly Mexican neighborhood here in Denver (or at least it used to be mostly Mexican–with all of us whites moving in and the housing prices going up, it may not always be this way). I’ve only been here a year or so, and in this time have fallen in love with the sound of Spanish. Walking down the street, you naturally hear this musical speech–and, beyond that, you hear the music coming from windows and backyard barbeques. Knowing nothing of Mexican music beyond the Tex-Mex of Calexico or Doug Sahm or The Blasters, I thought I’d try to find out more. After all, fusion is always about twenty steps from the original folk, no matter how many inflections it tries to hold onto. And I already knew that most of the Latin pop stars are not from Mexico at all, so there’s no point in even thinking in terms of J Lo. And that difference is everything. So I’ve been doing a lot of reading and listening–way too much to really get into in a short blog post. So I’ll talk about a book that I liked: Narcocorrido by Elijah Wald. If you like music, new journalism, or are simply want to know a little more about Mexican traditions, you should check this one out. It’s the kind of thing that I tend to read for fun: intrepid reporter type with a sense of adventure and some actual knowledge of the subject goes out and meets people. In this case, Elijah Wald travels through Mexico and Southern Texas on buses and in unreliable cars, meeting musicians. Most of them aren’t even popular musicians in Mexico, although some are; they’re all of them experts in the corrido. And here’s where it gets really interesting. The corrido is basically a tribute form, a documentary song that notes places, events, rebellions, and the exploits of drug runners, political activists, and the like. Sometimes the writers are paid to write the tributes; other times, they approach the songs as social documentary and political actions. They basically work the way that poets used to work, before they could get university jobs: they wrote epics, stories, for pay. Others simply work as buskers, minstrels, going from place to place, singing for cash. Most can compose on the spot. In a country where some towns and villages have no electricity, they get out the news. They try to be factually accurate, since if they’re not, someone will surely correct them. They then usually try to get the songs performed by a more popular singer or group, although occasionally they go solo with the Mexican version of the singer-songwriter folkie approach. Wald interviews 15, 20 of these people in depth, going where they are, imbibing what they imbibe, meeting others along the way. Wald not only has the ability to get people to talk, but he also seems to know his shit about music & is honest, too, about his limitations. He tells good stories and avoids denigrating or overly admiring his subjects. Of the books I’ve read thus far about Mexico, I’ve learned the most from this one. The detailed depictions of place alone helped me to understand my neighbors while learning to designate between kinds of music. (No, not everything Mexican with a horn is mariachi.) The book accidently has taken on a newsworthy subject, since a number of corrido writers and singers have been turning up murdered in Mexico. Apparently, telling the story wrong can be fatal.

Road Trip Nation Features Karlex’ Song “Madness”

sounni — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 12:33:45 +0000

“Madness” – a song by Afro Groove artist Karlex from his debut CD ‘Ghetto Fabulous’ – was featured in the PBS documentary series Road Trip Nation; episode “Team Big starts off their trip in New York City.” This is in addition to two documentary film placements in France, including “Let’s Harmonize” on a documentary about Les Halles in Paris and “I’ve got news” in a documentary being finished about the Fondation Mérieux.

Started by a group of recent college grads who hit the road to find their own paths in life, Roadtrip Nation has evolved into a national movement on 100 colleges that empowers students to hit the road and create this experience for themselves. On the road, students interview leaders from all walks of life to learn how they discovered their passion, and built their life around it. PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), one of the only sources for televised independent-minded content, has been broadcasting the Roadtrip Nation documentary series since September 1st.

Watch Episode: “Team Big starts off their trip in New York City” featuring Karlex’ song “Madness”

Fondation Mérieux is dedicated to controlling infectious diseases in developing countries. Its approach focuses on prevention and diagnosis and breaks the barriers that may exist between human and animal medicine, North and South, and all involved.

Karlex, who has been actively seeking a distribution partner in North America, will be performing at the BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) Cafe Live as part of the ‘Music Is The Weapon’ weekend benefit presented by MusicDish on April 4-5, 2008. Signed with Lil’ People Records in France and distributed in the Netherlands and UK, the Haitian American artist has been making waves ever since the release of his album in the fall of 2006.

Karlex recently completed a radio promotion campaign through Twin Vision, resulting in 65 Triple-A radio stations/shows picking it up across the country, including Bridgeport (CT), Tampa (FL), Lafayette/Baton Rouge (LA), Grand Rapids (MI), St. Louis (MO), Minneapolis (MN), Trenton (NJ), Santa Fe (NM), Philadelphia (PA), Cleveland (OH), Portland (OR), Houston (TX), and Madison (WI). He has also received airplay on over 50 radio stations in France’s major markets.

Karlex has also maintained a high visibility online through the MusicDish Network, with features on ARTISTdirect, UBL and Amie Street Music in the last 2 months. Most recently, he was featured in the October UBL newsletter and is charting at #6 in the UBL top 25 world music chart, as well as at #34 in the UBL ultimate top 100 chart.

Karlex is a member of the MusicDish Network, a comprehensive artist development program, leveraging brand development, saturated and relationship marketing, digital distribution and industry outreach to support emerging artists’ and bands’ careers.

For more information on Karlex:
http://www.musicdish.net/karlex/
http://www.karlexmusic.com

Hobbyhorse Goes Back To Its Pagan Roots with ‘Fire and Snow’

sounni — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 22:39:48 +0000

San Francisco Bay area, folk/rock duo Hobbyhorse returns to its mystical pagan roots with the release of their latest single “Fire and Snow,” about Moll Dyer, a woman who was burned as a witch in Leonardtown, Maryland back in the late 1600’s.

According to legend, Moll Dyer was a mysterious woman who lived alone and had knowledge of herbal healing. During a harsh winter, the townspeople became suspicious of her and accused her of being a witch. They came to her door one night and set her house on fire. Moll fled to the nearby woods. She collapsed on a rock, balanced one hand upon it, and raised the other while calling a curse down upon the town. A young boy found her the next day. On the rock was burned an impression of her hand and knee. In 1975 a historian located the site where her house may have been. Not far away was a large 875 pound boulder with what looked like the marks of Moll’s hand and knee.

Download the track on Hobbyhorse’s myspace – http://www.myspace.com/hobbyhorsecafe

“Our song brings to life Moll’s last moments when she is trapped between the extreme elements of fire and snow,” explained Hobbyhorse singer Annie. “There is no hope for her to survive, but she expresses her power as she curses the town that treated her so wrongly. Her spirit is strong and lives in this legend, in ghostly sightings and beyond.”

Hobbyhorse’s music is in the spirit of experimentation and the expansion of the imagination. They take psychedelic folk/rock into the present day with their poetic songwriting and adventurous arrangements. The duo has returned from a year in the studio recording their latest full-length release “Break in the Clouds,” which has been growing on the broadcast airwaves with stations in Canada, Australia and across the US adding it to their playlist.

“Traditional in one sense, quietly experimental in others, Hobbyhorse’s Break in the Clouds embodies the magic that is woven in the art of folk music – and by folk music I mean music that is authentic, spirited & manifest from the love of creation rather than ‘music industry’ profit motive.” Seldom Heard Radio

Electronic Artist ROB ASTOR Releases BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS

RobAstor — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:31:47 +0000

BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS By ROB ASTOR Is More Than MARSTROPOLIS Part II

Jackson, Michigan – Fusion is the word of the day when talking about Rob Astor’s newest double CD, BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS. Successfully, he blends New Age, Dance, Power Pop, Jazz, World, and Rock & Roll, creating an album that is not just a continuation of MARSTROPOLIS, but also surpasses it in every possible way. Rob says, “It’s more than just Marstropolis Part II.”

BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS picks up where its predecessor left off, then moves with warp speed into unexplored territory. As with the former, BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS was inspired by video games and the musical soundtracks accompanying them. As you would expect from Rob Astor, he steers clear of the norm, driving full force into the future of instrumental music. His best works have a mainstream sound and feel.

Listing the combined influences packed into BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS is no easy task. There’s a wide variety of styles, much more so than on any of Rob Astor’s previous albums. From New Age, Meditation, Acoustic Guitar, and even Rock & Roll, look for shades of Tangerine Dream, Heart, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin. Alternative Rock at it’s very best also lends a hand in shaping some of the faster tracks. The musical shades of Biosphere blend seamlessly with the European Club Scene. Smoking Jazz and World Fusion take center stage in spots where the Saxophone is present. Dance makes the perfect partner to 1980s Power Pop. Even John Williams echoes through a combination of Spencer Nilsen, James Horner, and Norm Orenstein, masterfully crafted and mixed to become the sound of Rob Astor.

BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS is packed with 28 tracks, two co-written by Rob’s musical friend and partner Harry Grillo of The Lovesick (“1.21 Jiggowatts [Remix]”, “Dream Of The Amber Guitar”) who also created the very Journey-like cover graphic of the album. “I really wanted to collaborate with Harry on this album and see what we could put together with music. He’s got a lot of vibes going on inside and it’s time the world knew what he can do!”

Two and half hours of escape awaits the listener. Thoughtful and reflective, BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS has what Rob calls “bookend tracks”, a connecting New Age thread to MARSTROPOLIS. “The first and last title (‘Red Awakening’ and ‘A Dream For The Sake Of Dreaming’ respectively) were constructed and played in the same way as ‘Trappings Of Time’.” Everything else in between follows its own set of rules.

Playing on the sound of Acoustic Guitars from the 1970s, “Project Delphinus” goes on to weave New Age flavor through its structure. “Flight In Ursa Minor” is simply an Acoustic dream to behold. “Scorpio Inversion” begins with a chiming Acoustic intro reminiscent of early Heart before turning into a mid-tempo rocker. “Dream Of The Amber Guitar” flows in that same kind of direction, turning back on itself following a rock solo. “Endor-9 Aviary” combines Acoustic Guitar to a tribal beat and grinding Bass.

For listeners expecting Power Pop, look for connections to fictional superstar Janet Jetson (a track from MARSTROPOLIS) through the anathematic groove of “Rikku” and the pounding overlays of “Monkey Down”, paying tribute to Janet Jackson’s late 1980s and early 1990s body of work. “Janet is one of my favorite characters. She’s almost the whole backbone of this musical place I’ve created on both albums.”

“BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS has a lot more Rock & Roll on it than MARSTROPOLIS,” Rob says. “There were a lot of things I wanted to explore, including how to create even more hip shaking, head bobbing, fist pumping tracks.”

Most of the second CD is filled with just such compositions. Driving Electric Guitar placed against a Dance Beat forms the backbone of “Monkey Down”, moving with the speed of a jungle hunt chase. The big Drums of Led Zeppelin combine with the dreamy Guitar of Pink Floyd to come up with the pounding “Raion Kapella”. “Get Vertical!” takes the best of Dance, Club Music, and Rock & Roll to bring it into soaring action. And if you’re ready to really rock, take on the wild buzz of “Skyboarding”, the convulsive “Reka Persei”, and total spastic jam of “Chocotopia”.

Never fear, BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS also includes a good sampling of video game music. Sit back, relax, and watch the world go by in fast forward while listening to “East Kinsei Kaigan”. Sample some World Fusion in “Aphrodite’s Belly Dance”, “Neon City”, and “Quadrahedron Matrix”. And, if you want drug induced, Rob has that, too! “I started working on ‘Candy Hearts Moon Kid’ right after having my appendix out while I was still on Vicodin.”

Whatever your pleasure may be, BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS has them all. Be sure to pick up your copy of Rob Astor’s latest masterpiece!

Rob Astor’s new CD, BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS, is now available at CDBaby.com, Apple’s iTunes, MyRealTalent.com, Electronic.MyRealTalent.com, and Mood.MyRealTalent.com.

Visit Rob Astor on Myspace.

BEYOND MARSTROPOLIS Track List

– CD 1 –
Red Awakening
Scorpio Inversion
694 Beta Central
Tau Kinematic
Glyph Obelisk
Aphrodite’s Belly Dance
Halcyon Dreams
East Kinsei Kaigan
Neon City
Candy Hearts Moon Kid
1.21 Jiggowatts (Remix)
Radial Cybernet 3 (Remix)
Wet Socks Dance
Project Delphinus
Ocean Of Red

– CD 2 –
Monkey Down
Rikku
Endor-9 Aviary
Flight In Ursa Minor
Quadrahedron Matrix
Dream Of The Amber Guitar
Sagittarius Proxima
Chocotopia
Reka Persei
Skyboarding
Raion Kapella
Get Vertical!
A Dream For The Sake Of Dreaming

Who are you standing next to?

tmoorer — Thu, 10 May 2007 12:47:50 +0000

After months and months of phone calls and following up, you finally get the meeting of a lifetime with a top record label, that you’ve been chasing for weeks. The A&R rep has agreed to give you a few minutes of his time. You spend most of the day prepairing for your one shot. Putting together your press kit, making sure you look good in the mirror, before you head out the door. As you approach the tall office building, you go over your pitch. As you stand in the lobby waiting for the elevator. An average looking African American male stands next to you, he has a low haircut and stands about medium height. He is also waiting for the elevator and he looks your way and smiles. You glance over at him and smile back. Thinking to yourself “if this guy only knew that I’m on the way to a meeting that is going to be big”!! And you chuckle to yourself , he probably works in the mailroom.” “He wouldnt be interested.”

As you both enter the elevator. You decide against making small talk with the “mail” guy. You have to focus on your meeting. This time is too important to have idle chit chat with this guy who knows nothing about the music business. He gets off on his floor. The elevator door closes and you wait a few more seconds before exiting out on your floor.

As you approach the receptionist with a big smile. You state your name and she apologizes, to say that your appointment has been cancelled. The A&R guy had an emergency come up and had to leave right away. DAMN! So close to meeting the big executive who could make it happen for you.

In reality you lost out two ways. ..:

The guy on the elevator wasn’t the mail room guy, he was James Lassiter. Will Smith’s business partner in the mega entertainment company Overbrook. The guy that you chuckled at on the ride up just received a grammy nomination for the film In the Pursuit of Happyness. A lot of artists know about Dallas Austin, Clive Davis and Oprah. But who is running the show behind Oprah? Does anyone know who Diane Hudson is? If Robbi Reed were standing in line at the checkout counter in front of you, would you recognize her?

How many opportunities did you miss, especially if you live in LA, New York or Atlanta. When I’m in the airport waiting for my flight. I am constantly scanning the crowd. You never know.

A very long time ago, I was a freelance writer for Right On! magazine. An urban teen magazine complete with celebrity stories and photos. Right On! has been around for years.

One day I woke up and said “I want to be a freelance writer”. Just like that. Sat down and started calling every music magazine in New York City.

Everyone laughed and hung up on me except one person, Cynthia Horner, Editor for Right On! magazine. I Love You, Cynthia!! She gave me a chance to write a full issue on hip hop. I could pick anyone I wanted to interview. I picked Public Enemy(BombSquad producers) , Big Daddy Kane, Audio Two, Finesse and Synquis, Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince and a few others.

I bring all of this up to say that when I met Fresh Prince(Will Smith) and Jazzy Jeff (Jeff Townes) in the office of their publicist (Bill Adler). I Also met their road manager, James Lassiter.

I ran into JL a few years ago on the set of Fresh Prince of BelAir. No longer a road manager for Fresh Prince but now a major player. Today he is on the cover of Black Enterprise magazine. Look at his picture. Did you brush past him at the last music convention?

Everyday you are running around trying to make things happen, but you never knew who you are standing next to. Make it your business to learn who the players are. Everyone knows Jermaine Dupree but does anyone know Sylvia Rhone? Here are few more people to know. Get to know their name and faces. As you read this, they could be standing right in front of you.

Robbi Reed – Casting
Reuben Cannon – Casting
Nelson George -Director/Writer
Jacquie Jordan – TV producer
Bill Coleman – Manager

A musical memorandum of ancient remarkable painters

omkar — Mon, 07 May 2007 11:45:55 +0000

The free song ‘Divine Painting’
released on 05.04.2007 by worldmusician Omkar consigns a musical memorandum of ancient remarkable painters and is dedicated to Japanese monks painted ‘drunken of god’ not with a brush but with their hairs.

Omkar:

“The composition is a free float,
done out of the moment without any pre-concept
and When the music was completed,
I was reminded to a remarkable story:

In ancient times lived Japanese monks
painting with their hairs.

Why with the hairs ?

It was not some sort of avant-garde
like it might be used nowadays
to make the painter more interesting,
more special,
to profile the ego.
It was quite the opposite …

While meditating day in day out
they became so deeply touched by
everything surrounding them,
they did not accept to have a brush
between their body and the canvas
when expressing art.

They became so full, so overwhelmed by the divine,
so ecstatic by vicinity and the immanent deity,
something nonrecurring was needed to express it.
When not accepting a brush,
they could have done it with the hands right?

They could,
but this was not appropriate to express
what needs to be expressed.

When painting with hands
an intention is involved to give the picture a form.
Even painting abstract is a form,
a non-form by will power.
When painting with hairs you cannot control the outcome,

you don’t know what will be on the canvas as a result.
Every throw of colours with hairs is unique
and cannot be repeated in the same way.
It cannot be corrected.

They have been known as divine artists,
divine painters, mad and ecstatic.”

‘Divine Painting’ experiments with
lounge, classic and rock
and combines electronic instruments
with orchestral elements like strings and oboe.

A full prelisten can be accessed via embedded MP3 player
right on the associated article at omkarmusic.com

A list of available Mp3 downloads can be found here

The title is released under the terms of creative commons

The Citadel of Cynosure Story by CITADEL™ – technorati feed…

citadel — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:29:16 +0000

Technorati Profile

…Starting with the Great War between the Affrage and the Diplomats, the struggle for power, resources, slaves and planetary occupation raged on through generations. Most of the earliest recorded galactic history was lost during the 2nd Quadrant Burn, when hundreds of galaxies were disintegrated by a disaster on a planet-sized weapons development satellite. This catastrophe affected different races in unique ways. Some sought to take control of the remaining resources and governments, others were content to be ruled. Still, others were desperate to find a calm existence in a natural environment where generations of peaceful development could eventually lead to a positive dominance in their dimension. These people banded into diverse tribal units under one code and called themselves the Dreemurz. These beings stood for peace and preservation, progress and protection, love and hope – the common dream of most higher sentient corporal life forms. Early on in their history, thousands in the tribes of Dreemurz eluded the battle front and war-ravaged solar regions, and dispersed throughout the remaining galaxies in the uncontaminated outer lying quadrants. One tribe had earlier restored the songs and poems of their pre-space age ancestors from a transparent acetate platter that was found sealed in a Prism Ice meteor fragment floating in a sea of asteroids – once an inhabited galaxy. These songs and poems preserved the truths and principles of the Dreemurz nation and each of the tribes took a set of scrolls with them as they split up in search of refuge from the ceaseless conflicts in known space…
From “The Citadel of Cynosure and Other Tales ©rmdw/gw/we
http://www.citadelsongs.com
http://www.citadelband.com
http://www.citadelmusic.org
http://www.citadel-cd.com
http://www.the-citadel-rock-music-band.com
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/citadel
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/citadel2
http://www.cafepress.com/citadelband
Homes to the original CITADEL™