Thanks Larry (NZ) for finding this very interesting project from Mexico – taking objects that have been used for violence and having the creativity to see the possibilities of using them to make music.
At the beginning of August we had a wonderful trip to the Czech Republic – so check out the group Čechomor who have become famous by blending rock with Moravian traditional music.
Whilst recording a sound sculpture in Amarillo, Texas (using the new Zoom H6) – a very quiet and delicate sound, a computer opened up with it’s own unique melody, something we hadn’t expected!
Singers and Musicians are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day, they face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they'll never work again. Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgment. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life - the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. Why? Because musicians and singers are willing to give their entire lives to a moment - to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience's soul. Singers and Musicians are beings who have tasted life's nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another's heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.
Great day hanging out with Jonathan Walker – his first time busking in Chichester. He heads up an online community to encourage street musicians. He writes “ASAP exists to celebrate public spaces as places of community, interaction and enjoyment. Whether you are a street artist and performer yourself, or you share our vision of public spaces being places of animation and community, we welcome your involvement. You can join here.”
We often use maps of the world to encourage people to discuss perspective – all maps are saying something but often it is not what we think they are saying. You have to know what the cartographer is trying to depict to really understand the map. Also as time moves on we learn more and can ask questions behind why we might have done things a certain way in the past eg for political reasons. Here’s a fun clip from a TV episode that looks at this conundrum.
Interestingly whilst on a recent flight I read about “trap streets” – apparently cartographers for centuries have misnamed streets or made up new ones for the sole purpose of catching those who copied or reprinted maps as their own. The London A-Z was reported to have more than 100 trap streets by the mid 2000’s. This you will be pleased to know is now a dying art!
Martin’s musical mystery tour – I have always loved singers who use their voice as an instrument and experiment with the possibilities of sound. So this month we look at some female singers who have discovered new areas with their vocal chords.
Martin’s musical mystery tour – This month we listen to some of the most exciting Balkan brass ensembles. Oh boy do they make me smile when I hear this music! Romanian band, Taraf de Haïdouks decided to mix styles with those of other Balkan countries by inviting Gypsy virtuoso musicians from Macedonia (the Koçani Orkestar brass band), Bulgaria (clarinet player Filip Simeonov) and Turkey (percussionist Tarik Tuysuzoglu).
Here the Kodo drummers show us how humour can be used within a drum ensemble.
Martin’s musical mystery tour – I have been working with a good friend who originates from Portugal so this months blog takes a brief look at the music from that beautiful land. Listen to the wonderful vocal of Ana Moura an internationally recognised fado singer.
Heard about a wonderful social enterprise project called the Nozumi project in Japan. Using broken shards of pottery and recycled material found amongst the debris of the 2011 tsunami, a group in Ishinomaki are making unique jewelry to help their community.
“Nozomi, translated ‘hope’ in Japanese, is a social enterprise bringing sustainable income, community, dignity and hope to the women in Ishinomaki, Japan by training women to craft unique jewelry products. One third of these women are single mothers and grandmothers; most of these women and their family members lost their livelihood when the tsunami crashed through half of their city in 2011.”
A wonderful initiative KUGA – founded by our friend Lila Metzger on the island of Kaua’i.
“Kauai UnderGround Artists planting seeds of creativity via art, dance, music & lyrics. KUGA is a non-profit, drug & alcohol free project. Committed to the development of children and young adults in a positive and creative environment. We promote a clean and healthy lifestyle by words and action. We value relationships to the fullest and strive to pull out the best in others. KUGA is family with family values. Respect, integrity, and love.“
