A dreamy trip to where the wild things are.

His resounding voice was carried to the highest end of the church, just to the spot we were standing. As if he intended to gently caress our submissive ears. Shivers ran through my spine as Patrick Watson brought his Hommage to Beijing. He somehow seems to be able to turn the feeling of Edgar Allen Poe stories into musical adventures: the atmosphere, a chilly darkness accompanied by featherlight hope, filled his audience with a breathtaking innersilence. As far as my eyes could carry me I saw enchanted lovers, gazing at each other as if touched by Cupids' arrow. Lovers for ever or just for this night. Lovers of volatility . Lovers of drama turned into romance... and back. But mostly, lovers of imagination. All sharing the same dream: the desire of living in a country far, far away, where big birds can live freely, where wild things can live side to side with men like us and passionate flames light up the morning sky.

Back with something New 'n Improved!

It took me a while to regain my strengths after a hot summer filled with festivals in b***-f*** Nowhere, trips to exciting places, never ending parties and tear jerking concerts and I must admit that my everlasting Catholic guilt made me realize that I should haven written more, but time flies when you're having fun.

But I'm here now and I brought back an amazing discovery from my visit to Barcelona, so just Hang in there!

Hang player at Park Güell

During one of my slow strolls in the fantastic hills of Park Güell, my ears were suddenly seduced by a magic sound. Through the wild trees I heard a combination of hypnotic drums, subtle strings, gentle caresses and soft strokes, which made my heart skip a beat and my legs walk faster towards the enchanting composition. On my way to the origin the sound kept getting louder without loosing its suave character. Abruptly a personage, a man, appeared amidst this extraordinary wealth. It was he who created this tang. All by himself, with nothing more than an ordinary Hang.

And it is the Hang, I would like to introduce you to. This steel idiophone, that has been created in 2000 by PANArt in Switzerland, seems to have exploded all over the Catalonian capital. The inventors Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer made a steel pan resembling creation that combines its sound with the gong, the gamelan, the musical saw, the ghatam and many other international percussion instruments. Even though it's pricey (around 1200 for a new Hang and over 5000 euro for a second hand one), the process to buy one is extremely complicated (you need to write a letter to Sabina and Felix and íf they agree with your request, you can book an appointment to visit them at their workshop) and its limited production (the company temporary stopped the production in March this year, next deliveries will start in 2010), the Hang keeps up getting more popular.
Nowadays it (and its funny halfbrother HAPI) can be found around Park Güell, la Catedral, plaça del Sol in Gracia, you name it. Barça could give you an almost 100% guarantee of encountering the subtle sounds of the DING and the GU side of the percussion instrument.

Hang concert behind La Catedral in Barri Gotic

The instrument often referred to as a Hang Drum (the translation of the Bernese word Hang), which might explain the popularity amongst the huge amount of hand drummers in the city of Gaudí. Although it is more probable that one person came, spreading out the love for this melodious reference to acoustic freedom, passing it on to many others.

Whatever it might be, it's definitely something to check out as its sound is just plain beautiful.......
So watch one of youtube videos and decide for yourself.

Just a sunny sunday afternoon in Berlin....

Berlin is full of surprises. Just sit down, relax and let yourself get entertained. In Mauerpark you'll have a variety of acts taking place right in front of your picknick blanket.
This weeks recommendation is Trap: live in Mauerpark (see youtube video 1 and 2).

Moderat

Despite my survival in Berlin for the last two weeks, it took until Thursday to receive my musical home feeling. And what a welcome!
Moderat (Modeselektor + Apparat) released their new album and celebrated with a party in WMF. As expected, it didn't start until 11.30 pm, although the programm said 9 pm. Being Dutch and anxious to miss out on all the good stuff, we were there half an hour after the original starting time. This, however, gave us the opportunity to acclimatize and join the support act for the warming-up. And hot it was. It must have been at least 45 degrees celsius by the time Moderat came up. I guess that's the best way to start a concert: with a crowd that pictures itself in one big orgy.

As soon as they started, the 'love' was literally dripping off the fans. Their powerful intro made girls scream like boys, excited the stiff, drove newly weds towards eternal love and pleased the rest of the greedy audience with their unconditional enthusiasm. To me, it felt like a two hour emotional voyage around the world of sounds, ending in Berlin by taking us through all Kiez, neighborhoods. And when the encore was given, the trip continued inside my body. Heavy basses in my toes, tickling Charleston under the skin of my arms, mosh pits in my head, people on swings in my stomach, soft feather belly dances around heart and Dita von Teese seductive on my lips.

Moderat definitely can do it, living up to expectated 'kick in the face'. It was oldskool dancing packed in a contemporary jacket. Sending people off with an immeasurable smile......

Pink is the new Black!

Just Pinky...

Give us some dance Rules!

Happy, happy, happy are the three words that pop up when I listen to this album.
It's taking over underground clubs, punkrock venues, record stores and your living room. We can't ignore it any longer: Disco is back and you might wanna ..1,2,3,4. 1,2,3, clap, clap. After Daft Punk, Hot Chip and Hercules and the Love Affair last years' hits, we have some 2009 skinny Berlin white boys telling us to dance. Clap, clap.

Listen to the newest The Whitest Boy Alive album Rules!

And go to one of their concerts if you happen to be in Europe in April!

Some rays in dark times.

Even though I've been enjoying the cozy feeling of the South American summer, I keep thinking of my friends and family who start getting annoyed by months of snow, rain and extreme low temperatures.

This is to cheer you up!

Originally from Cameroon Blink Bassy has a touch of South American due to his choice of instruments, his amazing voice and soft bossa nova rythms.
His first solo album, which was partially produced in Salif Keita’s studio in Bamako (Mali), was released recently. Léman can be heard on the Luisterpaal this week.



Léman.

On his myspace Blick Bassy explains: “Léman means ‘mirror’. For me a mirror is a reflection of what we are. You cannot lie in front of the mirror. You can also see behind you in a mirror. Léman is about my past, really, and about being African. I see the problems that Africa suffers from and cannot do anything. It’s one of the reasons why I sing in my own language, Bassa*, which is one of the 260 Cameroonian languages that fewer and fewer children know how to speak. With that, cultures and traditions are lost forever. The song ‘Africa’ talks about these issues and is maybe the key song of the album. The same song also talks about the richness of Africa. You can only see all that when you take a little distance. Now that I live in Europe, I see clearly where I’m coming from.”


* The word ‘bassa’ means ‘people from the earth'.

A Beautiful Mine

I was just listening to RJD2's theme song of the award winning drama series Mad Men
(written by Matthew Weiner of The Sopranes) and now I'm addicted.
Shame on you, Ramble John Krohn!

Italian Love

This turns out to be an Italian themed week. Quarterlife crisis seems provoke constant talking about emotions, character features and the past. Who am I? Why am I like this? Why do I react like this? Etc. After chatting with my friend Steve, who was my first sweetheart, I realized that Italian love apparently is a different kind of caring. This population seems to have some devious definitions with regard to loving. Devious to other people maybe, because in my humble opinion feeding is the most powerful and logical way to show someone you love him or her. What's weird about that?

According to Steve however, if you've ever been in a relationship or had a fling with an Italian woman, this should sound familiar to you...

Italian Girls by John Gorka

I used to fall for Italian girls
They filled my dreams, they made my world
If I had moved less awkwardly
They might have had their way with me

The longer names, the darker hair
They made me weak, they made me stare
I couldn't say a word to them
Their figures so full of vitamins

I wasn't cool, I wasn't bad
I was the only one I ever had
And they posessed the world's delights
Espresso mornings, lasagna nights

(Chorus)

Oh, the Italian girls
The Italian girls
They made my world

They were strong and they were proud
Some were sweet and some were loud
They'd fill me up with what they'd cook
And put me down with just one look

I followed them through summertime
I made them laugh, I made them rhymes
But they left me there for other ones
Who had the dough when day was done

Just one thing keep me free
They were not in love with me

Now they've married and gained some weight
But that weight I appreciate
For it's the work of all those meals
And what you eat is what you feel

(Chorus)

For the Italian girls
The Italian girls
They made my world

I used to fall for Italian girls
They filled my dreams, they made my world
But passion dies and fades away
Or lives to fight another day

Mini Mal My Ass: Dance is Back!

Photographer: Ryota Mori

It took a while, but it's good to have them back! No less than 12 years after their last aggregate release, my all-time dance favorite The Prodigy produced an album full of new songs, which was released 3 days ago.

As promised by the three West-Londoners, Invaders Must Die stays faithful to their original sound and fans, but adds some extra noise features to please contemporary expectations. As for the titeltrack, it's obviously a product of the old masters, but in a positive, psychedelic way. While emphasizing their former qualities, The Prodigy introduces some gained introspective views in the song. With genres mingling like f.i. the Ed Bangers have shown us, some tracks wouldn't suit ill between a large amount of techno-ish productions. The up tempo Run with Wolves, a collaboration with FF's Dave Grohl, could have easily been the product of a younger rave generation. A live version of Warriors Dance brought back some memories of old skool drum 'n bass/jungle parties, due to the beats and the high pitched female voice samples. Video's until now have been a bit disappointing, but the Omen girl has opened the gate to some appropriate freakishness.

After having set my eyes on the energy on stage as well as the crowds enthusiasm, I can only conclude that they did a swell job. Listing to the record made me feel like being temporary back in High School again, but the changes in style gratify my needs to keep the tracks fresh, sharp and interesting. We wouldn't want the band to change too much, would we? They're the Prodigy and they're back!

Italian Music for Dummies Part 1: Female Singers

After having spends tons of words on international, contemporary music, I'd like to represent my roots by introducing some of my all-time favorite, Italian female singers. Just remember that the words are of secondary importance. They're minor details in this musical journey. So just follow the links, sit back and enjoy some old as well as new Italian tunes.....

The new generation of powerful, female singers kicked off just before the sixties, when Mina came in the picture. Being the first Italian female rocker her performance caused a lot of consternation. The genre was new and so were the women that belonged to it. This was enforced my her attitude, outfits and last, but not least, her pregnancy with a famous married actor, which caused a ban on public television. While one part of Italy was trying to keep the singer from performing, the other half loved her controversial behavior and lyrics. After releasing ambiguous songs with a hidden meaning like the groovy Sacumdì Sacumdà, where the Devil himself tries to woo her (listen to the second part for the Italian version of a famous Burt Bacharach song) and the naughty Ta-ra-ta-ta ('With you can smoke you pipe, whenever you want"), when smoking men were still sexy and even pasta commercials were sensual, she conquered the next generation. Sono come tu mi vuoi reminds me of the first James Bond movies and is one of the best representations of her amazing voice. Just before she stopped performing in the seventies and started focusing on producing albums, she introduced the nuevo tango in Italy with Astor Piazzolas Balada para mi Muerte.

Beautiful Mina was the introduction to a whole new genre, but it was sparkling, slightly boyish Rita Pavone (promoting before Paradis did), who drove the really young Italians crazy.
The teenager, who became a star straight away after winning a television-talent show in 1962, shaking her tiny ass and flexible legs with childish enthusiasm. Even though many might not have heard of her, she was a internationally known due to her collaborations with famous American singers and composers like Mister Sinatra, Diana 'Supreme' Ross, Paul Anka, Duke Ellington and princess of jazz Ella Fitzgerald. A year after her breakthrough she released my all time favorite Il Ballo del Mattone. In this song the now 18 year old comforted her boyfriend by telling him that he shouldn't be jealous when seeing her dance the Twist or Rock 'n Roll with other men, she promised to keep this dance especially for him. Though I must admit that Che m'importa del Mondo makes me feel 13 and madly in love again....

Nobody would have guessed that Patty Pravo, when she was still Nicoletta Strambelli, a 15-year old run-away, would turn out to be one of Italy's most famous singers and host of her own show Bravo-Pravo!. During her success in Rome night club 'Piper', she made her first single Ragazzo Triste, the Italian version of a Sonny & Cher song. The star made 26 records between 1968 and 2007, participated seven times in the San Remo Music Festival and had numerous no. 1 hits, but my favorite will always be La Bambola.



The seventies brought the Italians Mia Martini. Her Minuetto tells
the story of a young woman,a chainless slave of love, that desperately waits for the man she loves, who in his turn is an egoist and doesn't care about her at all. A song that became internationally famous was the sing-a-long track Piccolo uomo, due to its translation in seven languages. One of most romantic nineties songs, well beyond the border of cheesiness, is Almeno tu nell'universo, which was covered by several well-known singers like Mina, Elisa and Emma Bunton. After having released almost 20 albums, she was found dead in her apartment in 1995.

Except for Martini, all of these women are still producing and singing..... and being good Italians, they look exactly like they did 40 years ago. A good example is Pavone's E dimmi che non vuoi morire (2001).


Finally I'd like introduce Carmen Consoli to all of you English-lyrics-focussed-fake-music-freaks who missed out her songs that have been released since the nineties. The Sicilian singer-songwriter, lovingly nicknamed 'Cantantessa' ( a combination between the Italian word for 'singer' and '-essa', which is normally added to create a female of a word), stole the hearts of millions' of viewers of the famous San Remo. Although she didn't win the first prize, every album, 10 until now, has had a major success not only within the country, but over the borders as well. Amongst my favorite songs are the powerful and sad La dolce attesa, sweet Parole di Burro and emotional Tutto su Eva (or the original video).

Grazie, papa!

Dazzling Decripolou

Decripolou and her beautiful daughter

Even though music was just a minor part of her repertoire,
I just wanted to dedicate a few pics on one of the most amazing street artists
I have seen in a long, long, loooong time.

The brazilian Clowness who made me smile non-stop!

Argentinian Desaparacidos

One of the things that left the greatest mark on my impression of Buenos Aires was the different way people deal with the past. After having been informed about the Peron as well as Videla era, I was left with a feeling of confusion. The past century has obviously been highly turbulent for all parties and everyone seems to deal with it in its own way. From marching the Mayo Square to spreading pamphlets. Some look forward while others refuse to forget. Whatever the solution might be, music will always be part of it....


Some notes of Argentinian resitance....

Los Dinosaurios
Charly García

Los amigos del barrio pueden desaparecer
Los cantores de radio pueden desaparecer
Los que están en los diarios pueden desaparecer
La persona que amas puede desaparecer.
Los que están en el aire pueden desaparecer en el aire
Los que están en la calle pueden desaparecer en la calle.
Los amigos del barrio pueden desaparecer,
Pero los dinosaurios van a desaparecer.

No estoy tranquilo mi amor,
Hoy es sábado a la noche,
Un amigo está en cana. (cana= slang means jail)

Oh mi amor
Desaparece el mundo

Si los pesados mi amor llevan todo ese montón de equipajes en la mano
Oh mi amor yo quiero estar liviano.

Cuando el mundo tira para abajo
es mejor no estar atado a nada
Imaginen a los dinosaurios en la cama

Cuando el mundo tira para abajo
es mejor no estar atado a nada
Imaginen a los dinosaurios en la cama

Los amigos del barrio pueden desaparecer
Los cantores de radio pueden desaparecer
Los que están en los diarios pueden desaparecer
La persona que amas puede desaparecer.
Los que están en el aire pueden desaparecer en el aire
Los que están en la calle pueden desaparecer en la calle.
Los amigos del barrio pueden desaparecer,

Pero los dinosaurios van a desaparecer.



Gracias, Pato....

Enjoying Good Airs!

A walk around Buenos Aires is a real musical treat. Prejudiced and slightly to highly ignorant, I expected to hear the masters of Tango, Astor Piazzola and Carlos Gardel, on every street corner and from random French balconies. But while I was on the outlook of high heeled, naked legs elegantly folded around manly waists in black tie, I kept being surprised about the amount and quality of the musicality displayed in the calles (which in Argentina is being pronounced as ca-sjies).

From percussion and vocal solo's to entire rock bands performing their latest disc. Accordion orchestras remixing their roots. Blues formations jamming until the last snare gives up. School kids singing their lungs out, anticipating a trip to the local soccer stadium. And last, but not least: the well-practiced whistles of all-aged men when confronted with a female appearance.


Listen to the lyrics and you'll understand why they 'had me at hello!'.



An alternative dance at the most dreamy tango place in Buenos Aires

La Catedral Del Tango


Kids on their way to La Bombonera

La Vuelta de Mas Fuerte

Mas Fuerte is back!
No need for words. Just listen to this powerful yet dreamy Techno set ...

Feliz Año Nuevo con Bongito!

There we were, finally. Jamie's wet dream ... and maybe mine as well. All we needed was a bit of ocean and some magic tunes.
Try to imagine the following scenery: a beautiful bay (with several lost sea lions) surrounded by some highly picturesque hills. The sun has set recently, but the air still smells like freshly disappeared rays of light. Birds whistling bedtime-lullabies. The sound of waves smashing on the shore. Boom. Tschuck. Phiew. Boom. Tschuck. Phiew. It's creating mellow beat. Here you go, a personalized soundtrack for this romantic night. Could be perfect. In normal circumstances, this would be all it takes.

But tonight is different. The soundtrack will be upgraded. And not by just anyone, the 'one' will do it. Señor Ricardo Villalobos himself flew back to his homeland to be part of the Quinto Sol event (Latin American Musicians Festival). And he did an amazing job. After having been disappointed in the grandmaster back in Berlin, I must admit that skepticism was amongst my prejudicial sentiments. But he took it away with his first track. Well. No subtle intros or calm build-up after (this should be mentioned as well) Rareshs' amazing set, but some truly powerful tunes, marking his entire repertoire. There he was. No doubt about that. Bongo Ricky is back!

myspace.cn/ricardovillalobosonmyspace

Private Carreras y Domingos

'What is it? Where is it coming from?', we wondered from our balcony. 'Is there an orchestra playing? Is it puppet theatre? Or is it just a deaf person miming Andrea Bocelli?' Only having second rows seats, we had to get out of our comfy plastic garden furniture to see what was happening at the other side of the building. According to my alter ego, you don't need to see in order to hear. So I went alone.

And there they were. Two incredibly talented men along with their getto-blaster, performing all their favorite '3 Tenors' songs. It was truly beautiful to watch them singing right on the small metro square, enchanting even the skateboarders whose spot had been taken. I must admit, their songs provoked a strong Andre Rieu atmosphere, but I don't mind a bit of hand-clapping and the occasional sing-along-song. So I happily participated. And I enjoyed it, as I have never enjoyed street opera before. It was worth the mini-walk. I was really content to have seen it.... until...... I learned a rather important piece of info about our singers.






Apparently, we have balcony seats for the Metro opera every Thursday.....
So from now on, we'll stay just where we are and will hear them bis! every week. If we want to ....or not!

With Motion

Banda Conmocion. The first encounter with Chilean music. And not just music. Seeing this band perform was like getting a high speed course of Chilean culture.

For instance, take 'time', as a highly insecure variable. When the starting time (for what, you will be asked later) is scheduled for 11 p.m. that doesn't imply that the band will actually start at 11 p.m. According to everyone involved in the specific appointment (concert, date, official meeting), no one pointed out 11 p.m. as exact starting time. It could mean that you can get in line, can drink a beer in front of the venue, talk to other visitors, read the program ...again... or just cross your arms and wait. Because most importantly, it means tipin (phonetically), which is Chilean for approximately. So don't be surprised if you will be let in an hour later and if the band will start playing at 1.30 a.m. It's just the way things ago. And as you see that nobody seems to worry about it, you might as well let it rest too.

Secondly, once the doors open and the waiting line (with you in it) will start to move, don't be surprised if a bunch of unseen (until that moment) people will magically appear. Don't blame them, of course it's all your own fault for not protecting your spot. So watch out for the word 'permiso' , which in the contrary of what an English-speaker might believe, has nothing to do with asking permission. It's a statement. The person is declaring you that he or she will stand in front of you and consequently will get in sooner than you will.

Third recommendation: everything with the word 'pisc..' in it. Try it, but watch out! This highly addictive, innocent-looking and most of all cheap species of booze will make or break your night. Just so you know.

Four: Dancing with other people. Even though Chile appears to be a highly westernized and individualistic (emancipated) society, its jealous Latin heart still burns. So smile, laugh, wiggle or shake whatever you want, but don't dare to dance with other people's pololos or pololas. Stick to your own partner, inner alter ego or the chicos and chicas that have been standing by themselves for more than a safe amount of time.

Last, but not least. Once you understand the rules, you'll have a blast of a time. This band in particular is a real treat. The 24 excited musicians will do whatever it takes to make you cry, laugh, dance, jump, yell, wave and boogie. Just give in to the circumstances. The sooner you will, the sooner you'll see the beauty of it all.


NOTE This specific video was taken during the Carnaval in Valparaiso and not at the venue un Santiago.