Just try and see

Take off your skin and dance around in your bones.

2010-03-10T10:14:00.005+01:00

I so deeply wanted to comment on yesterdays' breathtaking show in de Helling, but realized that no-one, including me, myself and I, could introduce these maidens better than they do. So there you go, Katzenjammer:

'Ladies and Gentlemen!

Presenting: the queens of sultry sound, sisters of mercy, saints of scarred souls, society’s hangover and Calamity Jane’s bachelorette party. The eminent, prominent and decadent ladies of our time: Katzenjammer!

Drink, dear rebels and drink again. Katzenjammers’s musical underground cultus is conjured up through instruments like the accordion, mandolin, guitar, piano, balaika bass, xylophone, trumpet, kazoo, melodica, drums and banjo just to name a few- all played with fire in the belly, fever in the fingers, heart and throat. And then there are voices. The voices, my dear friends, are the brush strokes on the night sky where you dance your wildest dance in your fanciest clothes. Katzenjammer drives clichés so hard into your guts that they shrivel, twist, and lay a foundation for new generations with a taste for the old. Our blissful mistresses are self-taught on most of the for mentioned instruments. The animal tamed by its trainer will eventually know every nook and cranny of its cage, and eventually become calm. Katzenjammer recently arrived at their cage and are rattling about in a fruitful, creative ruckus. The animal tamer takes two steps back.'

What more can say?
Bedazzlement guaranteed!
Oh yes, I would strongly recommend you to go.
....
Yes, NOW!

.....

Why are you still here?!

Oh, you'd like to listen to them first? Oh now, you want to see them as well? You bloody fool.

Done?

Now go!

Spring.... finally!

2010-03-01T09:32:00.004+01:00

It's the 1st of March, the lazy sun finally won its battle with the stubborn clouds and Rue Royale's record is softly dancing along on my turntable. The honey sweet acoustic tones of Ruth Dekker and her beloved husband Brookln might even bring me to this higher state of consciousness, in believing that ís almost spring. It's a marvelous soundtrack of this transitional period, encouraging us to hum along, to open our keyed windows, to kick off your winterly socks and welcome warmer days.

As I saw them at Live in the Living in Utrecht last week, I know they're still on tour. So try to catch one of their gigs.

There is definitely love in me!

2010-02-07T11:23:00.004+01:00

Spread the word: Four Tet released a new album just a few weeks ago. There is love in you is a brilliant compilation of ambient sounds and dreamy voices combined with the abstract, funky beats we, all know by now, Producer Kieran Hebden creates like no other. It makes you wanna dance with waving arms whilst stamping your bare feet on a solid underground. Sing will literally turn you into a background choir, if you initially only wanted to dance. With This unfolds you find yourself in right up there in the Air, but your floathing will be guided by the drums, who'll stay on your side during the entire track.

Four Tet who's been releasing material since 1998 definitely did it again with this latest album.

And I almost forgot Love Cry.... There's simply too much love on this new piece.

Just listen it and you'll be as hooked as I am.

The Sound of a Bird

2010-01-28T13:55:00.002+01:00

...
open up your ears and heart
you put a big bird in a small cage and it'll sing you a song
that we all love to sing along
to the sound of the bird that mourns
...

A dreamy trip to where the wild things are.

2009-12-11T09:54:00.003+01:00

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!

2009-10-28T16:40:00.007+01:00

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....

2009-05-18T17:38:00.003+02:00

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

2009-05-15T19:33:00.005+02:00

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!

2009-03-06T22:27:00.002+01:00

Just Pinky...

Give us some dance Rules!

2009-03-05T16:29:00.007+01:00

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.

2009-03-05T15:37:00.007+01:00

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

2009-03-02T20:50:00.005+01:00

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

2009-02-27T17:01:00.003+01:00

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!

2009-02-26T13:43:00.009+01:00

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

2009-02-24T19:20:00.017+01:00

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

2009-02-10T00:42:00.009+01:00

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

2009-02-09T20:56:00.004+01:00

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!

2009-02-09T17:19:00.002+01:00

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

2009-01-25T21:53:00.003+01:00

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

Feliz Año Nuevo con Bongito!

2009-01-20T03:24:00.008+01:00

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

2009-01-08T17:19:00.010+01:00

'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

2009-01-08T17:17:00.004+01:00

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.

Never forget your hanky

2008-12-30T17:24:00.004+01:00

A 2008 goodbye dance....

Chilean Hero of the Week

2008-12-23T13:23:00.005+01:00

Although Santiago de Chile isn't known for its South American steaming and sexy energy, some of them (this will be the 1st and last case of stereotyping) definitely have the vibe going. This small boy, carrying the blue and red drum, can be spot and heard (loud & clear) in Barrio Bellas Artes and Bellavista almost everynight.
Seeing him makes you realize how fragile some living circumstances are in the capital. He's just one of the many preteens wandering the streets at night trying to make some money. At the same time, however, his positive and outgoing character tells you he's making the best of it. Bringing a friend or his brother along, he easily entertains his audience. After his mini-show, he'll tell you about the tactics, his drum and this specific performance, as long as you listen ... Too bad, some people don't understand Chilean, but that would never stop him.....

For some extra headspinning tricks, watch the following clip:

The Go Team!

2008-12-07T21:02:00.006+01:00

It's just...

Good
Clean
Fun!
(it even reminded me of them)

http://www.myspace.com/thegoteam
http://www.myspace.com/goodcleanfun

A Twisted Sound.

2008-12-05T10:04:00.010+01:00

I never discuss albums without having a matching concert. This time, however, a show led to a bunch of (weirdly) related reviews.

After having experienced a powerful performance by Danko Jones in the newly opened LIVE AT DOT- club, I realized that I often hold on to a bands' earlier work. In the majority of the cases, the firsts are simply their best albums (the same thing often goes for books & films). Dan Cornelius and JC gave a great show, because they're good at it. And Danko himself is a Crème de la Crème performer within the rock scene. This is not about gigs though. It's about a shift in sound. As I focused on the songs, my mind kept longing for the old tunes.

In the hallway, afterwards, I heard someone talk about The (International) Noise Conspiracy. Their new album, The Cross of my Calling, came out last month and after being left impressed by A New Morning, Changing Weather (I'm lazy, I got distracted after 2001 and never listened to their other stuff), I was eager to be pleased with some new songs.
So next day, I sat down with a cup of tea (you might say that this is not the right attitude) and turned the volume up. I am a sentimentalist and can listen to (favorite) albums for ever, but that normally encourages me to discriminate new tracks positively. But this was just Boredom of Safety. The atmosphere was way too happy. Trust me, I like sun, romance and icecream, I even like to whistle Young Folks, but here I missed the raw garage sound, and when did they ever stop making rock 'n roll? Of course, TINS has a completely different sound than Refused, the former band of lead singer Dennis Lyxzen, did. On the first albums (two albums were released before my favorite) their roots and political involvement could literally be heard. Now, even his voice seems to have lost its original roughness. Just change Noise into Love and you'll have your average emo-band.

I am aware that I seem one of those people nagging about their better musical past. "Everything used to be better!". But that's not what I'm saying. It just seems that there's a turning point for many good bands where many become Judah. And if they decide to long for a broader recognition, they often let go of their original, unique sound. That's a shame, because it makes them loose their true fans.
Not all bands choose this path. A good example of a group that gained popularity through their continuity is The Mars Volta. They don't try to exceed the underground scene, but just win every single soul that is within their reach and move the ceiling up, little by little. Although even they gave it a shot with Francis The Mute (my inner Mari is doesn't like me saying this), even this album stayed far away from mainstream. It was a different, more accessible genre that opened the doors to a new audience. But with releasing The Bedlam in Goliath they returned new and improved.
Ok, ok. I know what you're thinking. Fine, I'll give TINS the benefit of the doubt. De gustibus non est disputandum. But I'm a skeptic and this is my subjective weblog. So bla bla, it's just another hidden tribute to guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala.

Speaking about Joneses,
could someone besides TMV please keep up with the Graces?
This 60-year old diva has recently released her tenth album, Hurricane, after almost 20 years. Throughout time she adapted to modern technology, trends and , but Grace Jones has never lost her own sound and identity. She's a genuine star remaining true to herself. No Madonna. Nobody remains young forever. We wouldn't want that. Getting older has so many advantages, of which Jones is not afraid to show us. A perfect combination of up-tempo beats combined with dramatic and intimate sound, without loosing sight of her reggae background due to some Sly and Robbie-dub. With only nine tracks concluded with a dark suspension, I have been left ... craving for more...

www.thebedlam.net
www.dankojones.com
www.internationalnoise.com
www.theworldofgracejones.com

Why...

2008-12-02T21:56:00.004+01:00

... would someone write the amount of calories of HALF a pizza on the box?

Word up for technical development!

2008-12-01T18:25:00.001+01:00

I just discovered an amazing feature of Websters Dictionary,
something all of you will know for sure already.

Every time you search for an definition of a word, a moving explanation in Sign Language appears on the bottom of the page.

Wow.

http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/

It's Beartime!

2008-11-30T19:58:00.001+01:00

As we hit Berghain/Panoramabar to party, we need to decide a) if we're willing to stand in line for hours and b) if after those hours we can deal with a refusal. Luckily enough, we arrive in time and ride the line-ride with comfort & joy. After about 20 minutes and the sight of at least 40 people being refused, we enter the door, doing a quick finger victorydance. The happiness might sound a bit exaggerated knowing that we have never been refused before, but the changing doormen and their moods seem to be a insecure factor to a lot of people. Now you wonder why I would like to get in a club with such a ridiculous (is it really?) doorpolicy. Because it's not just a Berlin club, it's thé Berlin club. Of course, there's a wide range of alternatives, but they completely vanish at comparison.
Every weekend, the 18 meter high dancefloor of this former power plant is packed with about 1500 enthusiastic people trembling of pleasure while listening to the best minimal and techno tracks. But it's not only the music that makes the reincarnation of the former Ostgut-club a desirable venue, the entire ambience is developed to play and have fun. Swings, small make-out corners, diffent dancefloors, a coffee-/icecreambar, a garden and an unvisited darkroom. You name it, Berghain's got it. Therefore everyone is still anxious to get in the club, officially labelled as 'Bear'-place (one of the reason why chickclicks are always sent away).
You just want to be there. Have fun until the sun has come up and gone down again. No matter what.

http://www.berghain.de/

NOTE December 2th 2008

After several questions, I just want to clarify a few things I wrote.

Definition of Bear according to mr. Wiki:
Bears (family Ursidae) are mammals in the order Carnivora.

Definition of Bear (gay slang) according to mr. Wiki:
Bear is LGBT slang* for those in the bear communities, a subculture in the gay/bisexual male communities and an emerging subset of LGBT communities with events, codes and culture-specific identity. It also describes a physical type.
The bear concept can function as an identity, an affiliation, and an ideal to live up to, and there is ongoing debate in bear communities about what constitutes a bear.

A big group of Bears tend to be very hairy. Although this is not the case in Berghain, it's their hyper-masculine attitude that could classify them as Bears.

Definition of Bear according to me :
Camp Fairyland.

*Definition of LGBT slang according to mr. Wiki:
LGBT slang or gay slang in linguistics refers to a form of English slang used predominantly among LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people.

Definition of Chickclick according to me:
A certain amount of girlie-girls behaving like chicks.

Of my chest.

2008-11-29T13:40:00.000+01:00

I normally refuse to write a negative review (as I stated in a Writers Note), because it feels like a waste of time. For both me and you. This time on the other hand my mental peace won't be reached until I get this of my chest. So writing about it, is the better solution.

After having seen several announcements on websites and in magazines, having read so many interviews, with the artist, being triggered by his artpieces and being mentally raped by the huge amount of advertisement on Kult des Künstlers, it felt like I couldn't miss the Jeff Koons exhibition in the Neue National Gallerie in Berlin.

While I was standing on the doorstep of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's impressive design, I could see Koons' first object: Balloon Dog. This huge porcelain Dog always makes me smile, so I entered the museum in a good mood. I bought a ticket and observed the 10 objects I could see, while standing in line. (I ám capable of enjoying a line-ride, for further reference see It's Bergtime.) However, I entered the space and realized a remarkable thing: that was it. No, I'm lying, there were 11 (!) objects to be admired. So I asked one of the 11 museumguards, where the other pieces were. 'Das ist alles, Fraulein', he replied. What?!?! So I paid 8 euro to see an exhibition that I could see for free from the outside. There were even two possibilities: a) from behind the thin rope line and b) through the windows on the 1st floor that serve as walls. Please forgive my language, but I felt screwed. I could spend even more time in the museumshop. While I was being pissed off, after I found out that I couldn't even touch ("Das ist Kunst, waren Sie noch nie in einem Museum?") or photograph the gigantic Celebration, I saw a man carefully capture the pieces from the outside on tape as well as with his gigantic, professional tele-lens ... for free. And now I must say that I truly hope this man was Koons himself working on his new project (aka "Watching the Suckers"), otherwise the entire event feels like a bigger waste of time.

The thing that really made my night was the toilet smelling like peachcandy.

http://www.smb.museum/smb/sammlungen/details.php?lang=de&objID=20&n=1&r=19
http://www.jeffkoons.com/

Holy Hercules!

2008-11-21T03:23:00.000+01:00

That's all I can say after a night of Electronic Beats in the Postbahnhof. Boys screaming like girls and girls wanting to be boys for a night. Fashionable dress-up parties mingled with the audio nerds. Stamping feet (high heels or not), clapping hands, good old moshpits, non-stop dancing and even some stage-diving from the Electroclash queen herself. For me, an unseen event in Berlin until now.

Santogold, the well-known upcoming star, mesmerized every single person in the venue. With two golden elastic-girls breakdancing on her side (WOW!), the NY singer made the night really start. Munk, the Munich band, had already performed and even though the four bandmembers had done their act, they were completely blown away by the following act. Santogold was hot. Her songs definitely reminded me of M.I.A. (with whom she toured) and her style clearly shows her punk background of Stiffed, but Santi White (her real name) has created her own original sound by producing with the Strokes, Lilly Allen, N.E.R.D. and many others. One should definitely keep an eye on her, as she is more than an equal opponent of the contemporary diva's.

After a short pause to regain our breaths, the next act was introduced by a girl with a blue face in a cute/ridiculous dress wearing a red teddybear head-hat. Jumping on stage like a ten year old, she was exactly what the crowd needed. More, more, more. After being pumped by a sing-a-long party song, we finally exclaimed the words.
We want Peaches. We want Peaches. We want Peaches.

And then it started. The band, disguised in Lucha Libre masks, made its entrance. Running around as winners, they prepared the stage for their herm mom. But her readiness to perform surprised us all. She didn't need any warming-up. She was ready! Kicking off with the hiphopish part of her repetoire, she was still wearing her strawberry outfit. Breakdancing with her legs wide. But the longer she played, the more of her outfit seemed to vanish. And once she removed her wrestling mask, the true identity of the former elementary school teacher was revealed. The rockstar appeared with a Venecian golden face with matching Blockhead. Naughty looks combined with dirty lyrics, a powerful appearance and sexy outfits. That's all we wanted.
But we received more. We got some balls. Or more explicit, one lit ball or clitoris, it depends on what your preference is. A light on her crotch, worn over her skincoloured catsuit .... And as she started to Fuck the Pain Away the crowd finally came.

Along with some trembling movements, the audience was trying to regain its German reserved dignity. But it was 1.30 am and it was too late. Hercules and the Love Affair were ready for some booty shakin'. Some mixed funk and techno tunes were introduced only to be taken over by 2008 disco. The band of eight projected so much fun that we couldn't hide our Saturday Night Fever movements. And transgenderism continued. Girls who are boys who like boys to be girls. But let's not forget the brass section, which blew us all away. Voices and instruments mingled until nothing could be recognized as an original sound. It was one long funky set, without a pause. And the Dutchie went wild: heavy breathing, WiLd dancing, coughing. I definitely heard a Whoohooo, but it was too late to run for cover, fatherfucker!

"And here he is ... Mister ... Eli ... Paperboy ... Reed!"

2008-11-19T20:21:00.005+01:00

The program said 9 pm, but as we enter the Roter Salon at 9.45 pm, the venue is almost empty. The former jazzclub, normally packed from front to back, contains no more than ten enthusiastic fans and a bunch of german lost souls. Or at least, that's what they seemed to be until they prooved the complete opposite only 10 minutes later. My mom, sisters and boyfriend find a nice spot to sit and while they're sipping their drinks, I humm them some Reeds songs. Unexpectedly my sister joins in. "It's no coincidence I'm here....".

As The True Loves start playing, one of the trumpet players walks up front. He grabs the mic and shouts: "For you tonight will be playing Eli... Paperboy... Reed!"
There goes the young man, who's been standing next to me in the crowd for a few minutes, he jumps on stage, while shaking his legs as if snakes are crowling up. No time to loose, the first song has already started. This enthusiastic puppy (in the industry) has the voice of a seventies retired soulsinger performing a rockmusical.

Even though he doens't seem to get the audience excited straight away, the initial stiffness melts as ice as soon as the band decides to entertain themselves. They're having fun (although, in my humble opinion, Mr Reed over-exaggerates in trying to hide his insecurities by making fun of the other bandmembers). But it works. The people get greedy as they want experience the same gusto, and there they go: the first petticoats are up a bit higher than necessary. Feet start shuffling, fingers are tapping, some even whistle along. It is definitely not my way of partying (I miss naughty looks being exchanged), but the Germans are having a great time!
The music was great: the band swinging and Eli's voice refreshing as well as reminiscent. Normally I'm quite easy going. As soon as I see my family swing along, I'm sold. But this time the mellow atmosphere didn't really do it for me.
That doesn't mean we didn't have a lot of fun. But we had to heat the venue ourselves. No more tapping, this asked for real charleston legs. As The Satisfier kicked off, I was more than content. We did it.....

NOTE

This is not the first time I've experienced a lower level of enthusiasm at a concert in Berlin and it shouldn't influence me, but I do notice that the reaction of the crowd has a great impact on my experience of a show. Their stiff attitude (and I don't judge stiffness) almost seem to lower the venue's temperature.

WRITERS NOTE

2008-11-08T18:42:00.000+01:00

Just for the record:
I'm not mesmerized by every band I see.
I just believe in the positive approach of life.

Plus, I don't waste my time nor yours on discussing every single shitty thing I get to experience.

Elbow

2008-11-08T17:28:00.000+01:00

Widely respected by bands like Radiohead, Blur, Snow Patrol, U2 and many others, I couldn't believe that I had never (ssshht) listened to this band. It was one of these typical musical examples of living under a rock for years. Fortunately, I was persuaded to go and see Elbow yesterday.

We entered the impressive building of the Columbiaclub during the first song and I can't remember the last time I turned into a soft egg that quickly. Maybe twenty notes had come out of Guy Garvey's magical throat, but that was all I needed. The only thing I clearly remember from this concert is the floating feeling I experienced for more than an hour.

The members of this Mercury-prize winning Mancester rock band have been playing together for more than 18 years, which can heard directly if you listen to them. The sound they produce is a creation of their obvious synergy. I still couldn't understand how I had managed to not know their music, but then slowly, some vague recognition appeared. I started remembering things I didn't know I knew. First melodies, than lyrics, I knew this band. I tried to let it rest, but as soon as I got back home, I googled their entire existence.
And there they were, back in my mind: Elbow.

The singles 'Any day now', 'Asleep in the back' and 'Newborn'.
The accoustic kittens version of 'Independent Woman'.
Their 'Fallen Angel' in Michael Winterbottoms 9 Songs.
The trailersong of the new Coen Brothers' Burn after Reading.

The more I read about them, the more signals started travelling my brain and the more I started appreciating the concert in retrospect. The way they played, their 'old-fashion'-style fans (they were definitly more devoted back in the old days), the warm atmosphere (even though it was literally bloody hot as well), the amount of fun they seemed to have on stage. It was one of those concerts that remind you of your first concert. Mine was Pink Floyd and although the two had almost nothing in common, for a moment I felt as if I was eleven years old again.
It was one of those classic examples of you had me at "Hello!".

Must-see/hear:
www.elbow.co.uk

www.myspace.com/elbowmusic
Elbow's cover of "Independent Woman" (Destiny's Child)
http://www.rathergood.com/independent_woman/

Gay Marriage ... Man?

2008-11-05T21:25:00.000+01:00

Not only the United States are celebrating the promise of a new era: as far as my language skills reach ( a coverage of almost all of Western Europe), I read about Obama, being thé mainsubject in all newspapers. While this victory took place, a major loss remained fairly unnoticed at the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. While the majority overhere celebrates, a minority and their like-minded fellow Americans are caught in mixed emotions.

The approval of Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriages, will change the California Constitution in a such fundamental way - restricting the right of equality - that it will amount to a constitutional revision. This happened only six months after California's high court judged that same-sex marriages were supposed to be legalized in California. Straight after that decision pro's and contra's started the most expensive social issue campaign the USA have ever seen.

And now the Pro's of the ban, who received full support from the State Utah, got what the wanted. They restricted the rights of their fellow Americans and are proud of it.

This huge step back in the realization of equality, however, will not be accepted. Ever since the defeat on tuesday, people throughout the State have been marching the streets with signs of disagreement. And they will show that all of Obama's people will indeed 'can!'.

For extra info, please read:
http://www.noonprop8.com/

photo by Rick Loomes

What about Hong Kong?

2008-10-30T19:11:00.000+01:00

You wonder why I'm writing about Hong Kong? Because I care. Why? Because I lived there, but more important, something extremely damaging to Hong Kong's autonomy and culture could happen soon and while the 'West' is focusing on Beijing, no one seems to realize what's happening behind the Southern curtains.

Eleven years ago Hong Kong was handed over to the Chinese, after 165 years of British colonisation. Both parties (Hong Kong itself had fairly nothing to say) agreed that a judicial system similar to the existing would rule the Special Administrative Region (SAR) and that the interests of Hong Kong itself had to be maintained.

The Basic Law (a local mini-constitution), an independent judiciary and a Hong Kong government were meant to be a safeguard. Interventions by the National People’s Congress could take place, but these situations were restricted. Therefore, when the Proposal with regard to Article 23 of the Basic Law was presented, it was received with suspicion. The provision as formulated emphasized the autonomy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by stating that Hong Kong ‘shall enact laws on its own’. The content, however, seemed to deal with definitions that were no longer appropriate, only served the national Chinese interest and could be in contradiction with the guaranteed fundamental rights. Research started within the region as well as internationally and after heated debates and one of the biggest Hong Kong demonstration ever, the HKSAR government decided to postpone the implementation.
Article 23, however, which penalizes sedition, treason, subversion, secession and theft of state secrets, still needs to be implemented. No one knows exactly when, but everyone knows that the Basic Law can only be officially valid when Article 23 is fully implemented.

And now, all of a sudden, that day seems to have gotten closer. Last week Macau, the other southern SAR, made a crucial decision: the former portuguese colony has decided to enact the security bill. Compared to the HKSAR, Macau has always dealt with more stringent criminal laws. Therefore their intentions to implement caused less consternation on Asian Las Vegas than it did five years ago on Hong Kong. Even though the SARs differ as day and night, the decision made by Macau Chief Executive will put pressure on Chief Executive Donald Tsang. The regional leader has a constitutional duty to legislate the controversial law before the end of his term in 2012.

So now were reminded once again, what Hong Kongs position is within the People's Republic of China. We, back in the West, had almost forgotten that this hypermodern and prosperous city in the middle of Asia is still being watched by the Biggest Brother in the World. And now that the Door to Restriction is opening again, I truly hope to see the same strong Hong Kong as in 2003 unite and stand up for its fundamental freedoms. Will the city manage to maintain its unique position or will it be swallowed by its ? I believe it's worth to keep an eye on....

Unexpected Bongos

2008-10-26T12:41:00.001+01:00

Walking around in the Berliner Zoo can give you simple pleasures without much effort. This time is was J who received a non-expected grin for hours.

While I was looking at the even-toed (sometimes you wonder why you always remember certain useless facts instead of a name f.i.) giraffes, Jamie was interested in some other species. Intrigued by its foreigness and surprising appearance, my boy was doing his best not to stare. Even though this creature had obviously been taken out of its natural habitat, it seemed to have adapted extremely well to the new conditions. Its movements were slow, but calm. Not at all behaving in the way we were used to see it interact in its original enviroment. It was playful, but decisive.

Appearantly this wellknown dj found a way to live his new life as a father. A baby had replaced his turntables at this afterhour time. A weird sight, but he looked content.... and so did J!

So if you're ever in Berlin, even if you don't like caged animals, give the Zoo a visit.
might be there and seemed ..

In charge in Berlin

2008-10-21T20:11:00.000+02:00

Day Two. 7.30 pm. Hungry. Need to pee. A little sleepy. New. Done. Still need to pee. Which other excuses can I come up with?
Ok, I didn't do it the German way. Got a bit overconfident. I don't blame myself. Will they?

Yesterday I started working at vbs.tv, the video/internetversion of Vice Magazine. After my big decision that I hadn't come to Berlin to work in an Italian restaurant, it felt as if luck was on my side. I sent out three coverletters and had four (I didn't get it as well) different jobinterviews within 3 days. Against all expectations (a person can get a bit insecure here in Berlin), I not only received compliments in abundance, they told me I could start straight away and regulate my own scedule. It really felt as if I was in charge.

But 'in charge' might not be the proper definition, as I have found out now. In the future, I should at least specify until where my powerzone reaches. This remains the most difficult level of the tricky integrating game I'm playing here Germany. So when my upper/upper/upper GERMAN boss (who had only met me an hour before) told me 'NO, I'm on the phone', I maybe shouldn't have said 'Well, this is for you, so I will talk to you'!

I wanted to add 'briefly', it was all for a good cause (his, believe me) and all the facts written above were happening. But the look in his and in my GERMAN colleagues' eyes said enough.
I'll need to bring extra cookies & Schnaps tomorrow or I'll have to pretend I'm someone else ... the rest of my career.
link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schnaps

The Tales of a Devilish Mountain

2008-10-20T08:40:00.000+02:00

Although the artificial hill got its name from a lake nearby, its past is rather ambiguous and almost too coincidental. Not only is the Teufelsberg created out of World War Two rubble collected by the Allies. The trash was dumped on that specific location, because the former Nazi military-technical college (designed by Albert Speer) that occupied the space turned out to be impossible to destruct. The only solution, therefore, was covering it with bricks and other waste remaining from the war.

Devil's Mountain was given a recreational destination, but as soon as the Cold War started the American National Security Agency turned it into one of the world biggest spy stations. For more than 30 years it was used by several US and UK intelligence- and security-agencies.
Right after the German unification was proclaimed the prominent electronic masterpiece lost all its former importance and remained empty until an Berlin investor realized its potential. A try-out penthouse was created and plans for future use of the almost 10 acres of land were made. However, a law of building prohibitance was enforced and every renovation was to be ended.

Of course this incredible space didn't remain unnoticed to the rest of the world and the construction laws in bankrupt Berlin kept changing. So it found an interesting new investor: the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace. Their ultimate goal to teach the philosophy of transcendental meditation, however, lost all its credibility during the presentation of the project last year. The filmmaker's partner Raja Emmanuel, who's a Maharishi guru, constantly used the words 'unbesiegbares Deutschland' to explain his view of a new generation students. While this German 'invincibility' caused great consternation under the audience due to their reference to the country's past, Herr Lynch had no idea what was going. A translator was procured after a while , but I believe it was only after the meeting that Lynch realized the consequence of his friends words: no building on the Teufelsberg (stated by the Local Mayor Monika Thiemen)! Which means that the possibilities to reach a higher state of consciousness due to invincibility on the Teufelsberg have luckily been postponed.

This might give the director some time to get enlightened about a more useful cause for one of the few remaining Berlin treasures or at least to find a wiser partner. In the meantime it offers us, adventurers, some extra time to play hide and seek and fantasize about Lynchian times...

LINK Guru's Speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k357ErdUQyk

"Hug the person on your left"

2008-10-17T14:04:00.000+02:00

Last thursday started out as just a regular thursday. No, I'm lying: I must admit I was kind of annoyed and hungry that I didn't have any yoghurt nor raisins when I got up. But those are just minor details. My major frustration was the fact that I had failed in getting tickets to see Sia that night.

For those of you, who don't know Sia: just stop reading. Go and feel ashamed! It's that simple.

While I was trying to accept this disappointing character feature of myself, I made plans for the night. Live on, forgive and eventually forget. My options were simple: I was going to see the performance by my friend Brina, that we had been working on for a few weeks. I would like to emphasize that I wouldn't have never missed this. I would just consider Sia as a really, really, super big + to my night afterwards. But as I said, forget and ... "sorry, what?!? Thijs, could you repeat that? Extra tickets for who?". It seemed like the cognitive modules in my brain had suddenly lost every notion of their original purpose.

skip
..>!><><
distortion
<>!<#>^
skip

....and there I was. Floathing on cloudes. Smiling from big ear to big ear. Serenades of love in my head sung by nightingales and butterflies. Almost as light as a feather. I know you think I'm exaggerating. Maybe part of me believes you're right. This part, however, is of minor importance. After having waited for more than I felt was good for me, she finally got on stage and flabbergasted all the others who now were forced to join me in this feeling of euphoria. Just by singing 'hi'. After that this girl, at the top of her emotions, reached cords that made the small hairs on our skin shiver. Giving us refreshing tones to hop on and tunes that could even make the most damaged person feel in love for a second. The combination of whispering words and raw exhales made the symphonies sounds more authentic than ever. C'est sa ton qui fait la musique.
As if this wasn't enough she friendly asked the audience to hug. 'Please hug the person on your left' she said, while she was rubbing her own back. For a moment I could see the young Sia pretending to make out in her teenage bedroom. Her cuteness even disarmed Thijs, although he referred to it as 'niet goed in d'r hoofd', which literally means 'out of her mind'. But I won't be picky about words.

But I guess it was the sign language she used to express the meaning of "Soon We'll Be Found" that captured the last infadels.
link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcyQcNlGEVE
I am still not overstating, but I did forget to mention an important factor: her band. These musicians, every single one of them, are magicians, capable of making you feel ... happy. That was the word I have been looking for. They just gave us plain happiness.

So this has all turned out to be a tribute to Thijs. Without him I would have been having amazing fun somewhere else in Berlin without realizing what I had missed. However, he took me to the concert and i'm glad he made realize what I didn't miss.

Thanks.

My daily foreignfun..

2008-10-16T13:18:00.000+02:00

"One Milchkaffee, bitte!"

"Gross oder small?"

The small joys of Berlin life

2008-10-16T12:19:00.000+02:00

Small foldable bikes with small axis that force you to slow down.

A piece of DDR balcony falling on your head.

Being winked at by the last sunbeam of the day in a simpson scooters side mirror.

Noticing a fellow sidewalker in a hurry noticing you, synchronising both your paces and can't help it but smiling because of the unnecessary rush.

Dark cloudes and sheeps feet.

Discovering a traffic light that has been turned into a red heart, an orange star and a green teardrop.

Boogieing on a wednesday night.

When fall is at its peak, slide through the fallen leaves and pretend they're all roseleaves spread out for you by someone who loves you.

Passing with red lights.

Getting up early and enjoying the last shiverings of anothers night out.

Funny-looking, happy people.

Davis' Kind of Blue out of your neighbours window on a sunday morning.

Complaining about other music.

A falafelpita with extra hummus after a long night out...

.....

....

you in the weekend

..

Berlin Bulb

2008-10-15T12:33:00.000+02:00

Just a week after this year had begun, almost all happiness of the Christmas and NewYears atmosphere seemed to have disappeared. Berlin turned to be as dark as I feared she could be. I had just moved to Germany's Capital and had heard a lot about it. Loneliness sprinkled throughout the city. Unappealing abandoned contructionsites. Grey skies filled with crying clouds above me and their tears on the streets beneath. I felt weird and maybe a bit betrayed. I had left Hong 'canto-pop' Kong in order to be somewhere surrounded by alikes. People that couldn't get enough of the soundtrack of life. But was this really the city of endless tunes? A place where no-one ever stopped? The still running afterparties of Sylvester didn't appeal to my taste at that point. Was't the musical creativity suppose to keep this place pumping as blood through veins? If that was so, why couldn't I find it?

But then a small hint. Just two simply formulated sentences on the net: ‘Die Tanzguerilla trifft sich, um im Kaufhaus tanzen zu gehen. Bringt Walkman und MP3-Player mit’. Danceguerilla? The idea of dancing in a shoppingmall made my heart do a Charleston through my chest.

A silent disco amongst hundreds of necessary shoppers, turning a smile on most of their faces. Bodymovement. Excitement. Flirting. For some it's not just plain entertainment, it's a protest. Against capitalism. Against globalisation. Against boredom. Against dark days.

Berlin, known for its rebellion, has always encouraged this way of expression after the fall of the Wall. With dialy demonstrations, these meetings, however, seems to focus on the funfactor. No rules. Just dancing on spots where you always wanted to dance. Supermarkets, subway stations, cashmachinespaces, conferencenters, even the Reichstag received a welldeserved visit.

And then I found out that this was just the innocent beginning. What followed was the introduced to the world of Rave. Through friends, acquaintances and people I didn't know at all, I got informed about the most amazing gatherings. Old factories, parks and forests, bunkers, rooftops. Morning, night, midday. Dressed-up, naked, come as you like. Friday, Sunday, Tuesday. No boundaries. No end. Just dance until the police comes.... and even that is no guarantee.

I knew Berlin had it. Something growing under the ground, waiting to be revealed. But actually discovering and experiencing all these amazing features felt like a bonus, a durable lightbulb for the dark winterdays. So this time, with winter starting, I'm ready and anxious to see what Berlin is preparing to keep us warm.