11.30.2008

On a Music Tip

A few things I'm really into right now:

1. My beautiful friend Brian Marsh's blog musings on pop culture and music (I'm always enlightened by his musical insight)
- Beezo Blue http://beezospureandsimple.blogspot.com

2. I'm still on a Little Dragon high. Here's a track on their upcoming release. Animation by Hideyuki Katsumata.


Little Dragon - Fortune


3. Kuduro, kuduro, kuduro, kuduro!!!!

info:
- Afrofunk Music Forum
- GHETTO BASSQUAKE
- mad decent radio's podcast along w/a breakdown of the genre
- Wikipedia info

But let's just watch the dancers shall we?


Kuduro Dj leo Fox os melhores da cidade Karangejo, Marlon


Luis vc Marlon


kuduro Patricia Rossana Karangejo e Marlon putos q dão carga (found via Little Dragon's myspace)


I totally regret missing Diplo when he last passed through SF. He puts on these booty beats I love so much. If anyone knows any local SF, or East Bay, parties that get down like this, please tell me!

11.25.2008

Dragon Tales

The Komodo and I caught Little Dragon at Cafe Du Nord on Sunday. They were AMAZING! You could feel their synergy in every note, and the crowd fell in love with them again, and again. Komodo snuck a few clips (you can hear me "woo-ing" in the background).


Twice


Forever

11.16.2008

Carnal Horror

Saipan - metgot i pulan

My closest friends will attest to my fear of horror films. Not necessarily gore, but the stuff that reeks of the supernatural. I used to love the stuff as a kid, but I believe I indulged myself too much, too soon. Despite all of this, I'll admit an attraction to all things strange, scary and uncomfortable.

When I lived on Guam, a friend once convinced me to visit a fortune teller. This fortune teller lived in a spare, unkempt house in the middle of a typical village (neighborhood). On Guam you don't knock on people's doors when you visit them. Rather you call out loudly, usually from the driveway, which is to show respect for their personal space.

I remember we kept calling out for this woman, but no one came to the door. We then slowly walked up to one of the windows, and I recall seeing someone's feet perched up on an ottoman with claw-like toenails. I wanted to high tail it out of there, but my friend insisted on finding this woman (apparently she made an appointment beforehand). Eventually she came out from behind the house, and beckoned us back for the reading. It turned out the feet belonged to her sleeping son, which relieved me to know they were actually human.

I've been listening to Aphex Twin for some time now, but had to stop watching his videos when my horror fear developed. That said, I just discovered this particular video, via The Agytators, which is not unlike long claw-like feet seen through glass louvers. This thrills and scares me at the same time.


Aphex Twin - Window Licker, directed by Chris Cunningham

11.04.2008

I've Got Life

Saipan sunset, Aquarius Beach


Nina Simone - Ain't Got No...I've Got Life

It was a long day. Running on a few hours of sleep, got off work, took the train to the voting polls, walked several blocks looking for the entrance, then waited to get my ballot. Fueled by a handful of almonds and juice, I needed to get the voting done before I could have a proper dinner till my 12hr fast. It was a bit exhausting.. mentally mostly.

After voting, a quick dinner, then I headed to the market for a few things. The streets were pretty quiet, and it was me, another customer, the girl at the register, and the store proprietor. Completing those small errands before heading home.

As I stood in line, the market owner excitedly announced to the cashier, "He won!" Who? "Obama... He won!" We collectively heaved sighs of relief, and bonded over the moment. The other customer, with a French accent said, now we must protect him. "Yes" we agreed. We smiled together, then bid our good-byes. The moment was dreamy.

As I walked home, the streets suddenly filled with cheers, honking horns, hugs and screams of elation. I smiled and filled up with happiness. Tears of joy streaming down my cheeks. After months of a depressive fog, I feel alive.

// photo: Saipan sunset - caramimi