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PHOTOS: Secret Chiefs 3 – The Seattle Residency (5/7/13 & 5/8/13)

12th Jun 13 (Wed) 3 comments

Better late than never, I got the Secret Chiefs 3 Seattle residency photos edited.  Two days and four amazing sets by this amazing band.  Go here for the SUNSET 5/7 SETLISTS (UR & Ishraqiyun) and here for the CROCODILE 5/8 SETLISTS (John Zorn’s Masada Book Two: Xaphan & FORMS).

Note: The new album, Book of Souls: Folio 1, originally announced to come out in May has now been pushed back.

The Appropriate Linkage:

Secret Chiefs 3 in Seattle 2013

Secret Chiefs 3 in Seattle 2013

Secret Chiefs 3 in Seattle 2013

Secret Chiefs 3 in Seattle 2013

Secret Chiefs 3 in Seattle 2013

SECRET CHIEFS 3 PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2013 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Secret Chiefs 3 – 2013 SPRING RESIDENCY TOUR

Seattle, WA
Tue May 7, 2013 @ The Sunset
Wed May 8, 2013 @ The Crocodile

San Francisco, CA
Fri May 10, 2013 @ Cafe Du Nord
Sat May 11, 2013 @ Cafe Du Nord

Los Angeles, CA
Sun May 12, 2013 @ Bootleg Bar
Tue May 14, 2013 @ Bootleg Bar

New York, NY
Fri May 17, 2013 @ Mercury Lounge

Brooklyn, NY
Sat May 18, 2013 @ Union Pool
Sun May 19, 2013 @ Union Pool

Chicago, IL
Tue May 21, 2013 @ Schubas Tavern
Wed May 22, 2013 @ Beat Kitchen

Toronto, ON
Fri May 24, 2013 @ The Drake
Sat May 25, 2013 @ The Drake

New York, NY @ The Stone (6 nights, 12 shows)
May 28, 2013
8pm: UR
10pm: FORMS etc.

May 29, 2013
8pm: Tesselations / Magic Squares
10pm: Ishraqiyun

May 30, 2013
8pm: FORMS etc. (expanded set + new material)
10pm: Xaphan

May 31, 2013
8pm: John Carpenter tribute + new material from Forms, UR, etc.
10pm: Tessellation 2: with guests Ches Smith and Gyan Riley

Jun 01, 2013
8pm: FORMS (new material adding Ches Smith, pipe organ favorites etc)
10pm: Ishraqiyun Kenny/Ches double-drum Cthulu mutations.

Jun 02, 2013
8pm: Final SC3 set, best of Stone week recap (with Ches Smith & Kenny Grohowski)
10pm: Masada (adding Gyan Riley to previous ensemble, the whole crew)

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Secret Chiefs 3 @ Crocodile 5/8 (Seattle)

9th May 13 (Thu) 2 comments

UPDATE: Photos posted HERE

I’ll have photos of the Secret Chiefs 3 shows from the Sunset Tavern (5/7) and the Crocodile (5/8) up after the weekend. The shows were amazing… here’s what they played at the 2nd show and a teaser photo…

Secret Chiefs 3 in Seattle 2013

John Zorn’s Masada Book Two: Xaphan – light cloaks ~60 mins
presumably the whole album of Xaphan

FORMS+ – dark cloaks ~70 mins
Danse Macabre [Camille Saint-Saëns]
Vajra
[noted as “trads” on setlist, a Traditionalists medley?]
Renunciation [Ananda Shankar]
Zombievision
Personnae: Halloween [John Carpenter]
Tistriya
Ship of Fools (Stone of Exile)
Toccata [Eugène Gigout]
Radar (The Day the Earth Stood Still) [Bernard Herrmann]
Saptarshi
———-
Stars and Stripes Forever [John Philip Sousa]

~Dan

Secret Chiefs 3 @ Sunset Tavern 5/7 (Seattle)

8th May 13 (Wed) 2 comments

UPDATE: Photos posted HERE

I’ll have photos of the Secret Chiefs 3 shows from the Sunset Tavern (5/7) and the Crocodile (5/8) up after the weekend.  The first show was amazing… here’s what they played and a teaser photo…

afba094ab7a611e2a8c922000a1fc80c_7[1]

UR – light cloaks ~60 mins
Book T: Waves of Blood
Book T: Broken Glass Hearse
Castle of Sand
Personnae: Halloween [John Carpenter]
Sophia’s Theme
Labyrinth of Light
Drive
Dolorous Stroke
Hurqalya
Book T: Exodus [Ernest Gold]

Ishraqiyun – dark cloaks ~80 mins
Balance of the 19
Fast
The 15
The 3 (Afghan Song)
The 7
Tistriya
The 4 (Great Ishraqi Sun)
Bereshith
Brazen Serpent
————
Saptarshi

~Dan

REVIEW: Seun Kuti & the Egypt 80 @ WOW Hall (Eugene, OR – 3/18/12)

21st Mar 12 (Wed) 4 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

I have to be honest, part of me loves afrobeat due to it originating from my country of birth – Fela Kuti brought it to the forefront in Nigeria in the 1970s (I was born in Jos, Nigeria in the mid-70s as well).  Another part of me loves afrobeat due to how straight-up awesome that it is… blending and stirring folk, jazz, funk, rock, and world music into a brilliant, bubbling, oozing-through-your-pores musical and political form of expression.  It represents the struggle alongside the joy… and it’s got a funky beat I can dance to

Sadly, I missed Femi Kuti (elder son of Fela) when he came through a few years back.  But I love the music, and didn’t want to miss that opportunity again.  I got into the style via NYC-based Antibalas.  When I saw that Seun Anikulapo Kuti was coming to Eugene, I had to go…

had. to.

The opener was California based instrumental afrobeat band Afromassive.  The crowd was sparse at first, but near the middle of the set, the WOW Hall was beginning to fill out…

They played a 45 minute set of instrumental afrobeat songs and a James Brown cover… definitely fun and danceable.  They were an 8-piece band on this tour – lighter on the horns than what was to come, but definitely a horn-centered funky vibe.

They were a perfect warm-up for Sean Kuti and the Egypt 80 The Egypt 80 was Fela Kuti’s band that Seun started singing in as a young boy.  After his father died in 1997, Seun took over the band when he was only 14!  Many of the members in this 15-piece (!) touring band were active in the band when Fela was alive and kicking.

The set kicked off with singer / trumpeter Muyiwa Kunnuji (in purple below) getting things going on vocals for “Giant of Africa.”  During this song, each member of the horn section got a chance to come out and show off their chops with a solo…

Sean came out during the 2nd song with backup singers/dancers and his sax in tow.  He took over the bulk of the lead vocals duties, but most of the band pitched in for the shouts and choruses…

The band played a spirited set of anthems with large swaths of stunning musicianship.  The band, presumably the same from the album’s liner notes (as the album photo appears to be the same people), was made up of the aforementioned Seun on sax & vocals, Muyiwa on vocals and trumpet, Bidemi Adekunle on baritone sax, Gdabe Okunade and Lekan Animashaun on trumpets, Oyinade Adeniran on tenor sax, David Obayendo and Gbenga Alade on guitars, Kunle Justice on bass, Ajayi Raimi on drums, Kola Onasanya on percussion, Okon Iyamba on shekere, Wale Toriola on keyboards, and Iyabo Adeniran and Yetunde Ademiluyi on backing vocals and dancing.

Setlist: 90+ mins

  • Giant of Africa
  • African Soldier
  • Kalakuta Show [Fela Kuti]
  • Zombie [Fela Kuti]
  • African Problems
  • Rise
  • Mr. Big Thief
  • The Good Leaf
  • You Can Run
    No Encore (despite “Mosquito Song” listed)

Seun was drinking hot tea during part of the set… which couldn’t have helped with the heat on the packed stage.  His voice had been giving him troubles; so they ended their set without the listed “Mosquito” encore, despite the many cheers for an encore from the nearly-danced out crowd.  This was only the band’s fourth show on a 2-month long tour (full tour dates at the bottom).  I wish Seun rest and many large mugs of tea!

I picked up their most recent record, From Africa With Fury: Rise.  I dig it.  It’s available in CD or 12″ double-vinyl at the show… or over on the Amazons.  And next time a Kuti or other afrobeat band comes to town… get there.  You won’t be disappointed.

many more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

Check out more tour dates below.

Next show for me… well, as I write this, it’s in a few hours… Skerik’s Bandalabra @ Cozmic Pizza (3/20).  After that, it’s Dan Bern @ Cozmic (3/27) and Ani DiFranco @ Roseland (3/31).

~Dan – np: Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80From Africa With Fury: Rise

SEUN KUTI & THE EGYPT 80 PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2012 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Seun Kuti & the Egypt 80 – Spring 2012 U.S. Tour Dates
3/15 – SXSW – Austin, TX
3/16 – Neumo’s – Seattle, WA
3/17 – Mt. Tabor Theater – Portland, OR
3/18 – W.O.W. Hall – Eugene, OR
3/21 – Center for the Arts – Grass Valley, CA
3/23 – Moe’s – Santa Cruz, CA
3/24 – Mateel Cultural Center – Redway, CA
3/28 – Belly Up – Aspen, CO
3/29 – Boulder Theater – Boulder, CO
3/30 – Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS
3/31 – Englert Theater – Iowa City, IA
4/1 – House of Blues – Chicago, IL
4/4 – Variety – Atlanta, GA
4/5 – Duke Performances – Durham, NC
4/6- Soundstage – Baltimore, MD
4/7 – Club Helsinki – Hudson, NY
4/8 – Highline Ballroom – New York, NY
4/12 – UW Madison – Madison, WI
4/13 – Rhythm Foundation – Miami, FL
4/14 – The Cedar – Minneapolis, MN
4/15 – Coachella – Indio, CA
4/16 – Campbell Hall – Santa Barbara, CA
4/18 – UC San Diego – San Diego, CA
4/19 – Zellerbach Hall – Berkeley, CA
4/20 – UCLA Royce Hall – Los Angeles, CA
4/22 – Coachella – Indio, CA
4/24 – KTAOS Solar Center – Taos, NM
4/25 – Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater – Albuquerque, NM
4/27 – New Orleans Jazz Festival – New Orleans, LA
4/29 – Houston International Festival – Houston, TX
5/2 – House of Blues – New Orleans, LA
5/13 – Lake Eden Arts Festival – Black Mountain, NC

Seun Kuti & the Egypt 80 in Eugene [photos soon]

19th Mar 12 (Mon) Leave a comment

Youngest son of afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, Seun Anikulapo Kuti & the Egypt 80 hit Eugene’s WOW Hall on Sunday night… it was an amazing show!

More photos, setlist and review of the show to be posted by Wednesday morning are posted here.

~Dan

REVIEW: Secret Chiefs 3 in Oregon @ WOW Hall & Dante’s (Eugene & Portland – 2/6 & 2/7/12)

9th Feb 12 (Thu) 3 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

I’ve been a fan of instrumental world/surf/film metal shape-shifters Secret Chiefs 3 for a long time and a fan of Los Angeles-based, Cambodian-pop-fusion band Dengue Fever for a handful of years as well.

SC3 and DF has their own connection.  Dengue Fever’s debut album in 2003 was on Web of Mimicry, the label that SC3 frontman Trey Spruance runs.  Their connection goes a little deeper still.  Dengue guitarist Zac Holtzman was in Dieselhed with Danny Hefietz (drummer for Mr. Bungleanother Trey Spruance band).  Danny is also back drumming with SC3 on this co-headlining West Coast tour.

For this tour, the bands have been switching off their order of performance.  I was able to catch both Oregon shows… for Eugene (Mon 2/6), DF played first and SC3 closed.  There was no opener, and Dengue Fever went on just before 8:30 at WOW Hall.  I have a couple of their earlier records, but never had the chance to see them live.  I dug it… pretty fun, and it looked like they were having fun on stage as well.

They played about an hour of Cambodian power pop.  Trey Spruance joined them on stage and played guitar and a wicked solo for their final number “1000 Years of a Tarantula”…

DF Eugene 2/6 Setlist: about an hour

  • Genjer Genjer
  • Seeing Hands
  • New Year’s Eve
  • Hold My Hips
  • Tiger Phone Card
  • Durian Dowry
  • A Go Go
  • Uku
  • Pow Pow
  • Sober Driver
  • Only A Friend
  • Cement Slippers
  • 1000 Tears of a Tarantula [with Trey]
    No Encore

Secret Chiefs 3 came out at about 10pm, donned in long, dark hoods except for violinist/ guitarist Timb Harris dressed in more masked martial arts attire…

This was my third time seeing them, and it was definitely the tightest band I’ve witnessed.  They ripped through a blistering set of proggy, world metal.  The off-kilter timings, the meticulous instrumentation… all spot on.  “Bereshith” is a tune that I think I saw them start the 2007 NYC show with, and I thought it was “off” in NYC.  It’s a really odd number, from a timing perspective.  This time… they nailed it.

Probably the most strikingly different moment “live vs. studio” was the gorgeous intro/outro to “Exodus.”  The intro/outro on the Book of Horizons studio version is a lovely melody played on strings (Eyvind Kang on viola & Timb Harris on violin).  For this live setting, Timb put down his violin and played it on trumpet.  I looooooove trumpet… and this melody on trumpet about made me swoon…

SC3 Eugene 2/6 Setlist: about 80 mins

  • Radar (The Day the Earth Stood Still) [Bernard Herrmann]
  • Zombievision
  • Personnae: Halloween [John Carpenter]
  • Balance of the 19
  • Fast
  • Bereshith
  • RFID Slaverider / Agenda 21 / Codex Alimentarius (Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini Medley)
  • Sophia’s Theme
  • Vajra (Rat Puriya)
  • Combat for the Angel
  • Tistriya
  • Book T: Exodus [Ernest Gold]
  • Saptarshi
  • Encore: Hurqalya

For Portland (Tues 2/7), I showed up at Dante’s right around 8pm, and the first band wasn’t going on until closer to 8:45.  It was U SCO, who I had never heard of before; so I walked to the near-ish Deschutes Pub and had one of the last pours of their Jubel Kriek (their Jubel Ale aged 25 months in a barrel on cherries and with Brettanomyces).  They blew their 2nd (and last) 1/6 BBL keg shortly after I ordered.  Mmmm… sour beer… after that, I skedaddled back just in time to catch U SCO’s bitchin’ set.

U SCO were helmed by guitarist Ryan A. Miller, who I had just seen a week prior in Eugene opening for a solo bass show from Trevor Dunn (a former Trey Spruance band member as well).  Small musical world in a quite vast musical sea.  Crazy.  Anyway, U SCO was a shredding, avant-garde jazz-metal band – to the best of my descriptions.  They’re a three piece made up of Ryan on guitars, Jon Scheid on bass, and Phil Cleary on drums.  They also had a guest saxophonist for some songs.  They’re from Portland; so I hope I’ll get a chance to see them again.  Definitely!

SC3 started setting up right afterwards and hit the stage about 9:45pm… of core of their setlist was the same, but they did throw in a few new ones: “The 15,” “The 4” and “Zulfikar.”

They ripped through a great set once again.  They’re such a tight band on this tour – quite stunning.  Even when Trey kicked his cord out for about 5-10 seconds during “Halloween,” they didn’t miss a beat.  And, once again, Timb’s trumpet intro/outro for “Exodus“… swoon…

SC3 Portland 2/7 Setlist: about 70 mins

  • Bereshith
  • Radar (The Day the Earth Stood Still) [Bernard Herrmann]
  • Zombievision
  • Personnae: Halloween [John Carpenter]
  • The 15
  • The 4 (Great Ishraqi Sun)
  • RFID Slaverider / Agenda 21 / Codex Alimentarius (Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini Medley)
  • Vajra (Rat Puriya)
  • Zulfikar
  • Tistriya
  • Book T: Exodus [Ernest Gold]
  • Saptarshi
    No Encore

The one gripe with the Portland show… the lighting was pretty poorly matched.  They didn’t turn the house lights down until nearing the end of SC3’s first song.  Also, the lights in general were behind the band, and they were still too bright if you ask me.  For some bands, that’s probably good… but with the Chiefs, the air of mystery and cloaks in darkness adds to the allure of the live show.  Don’t get me wrong, it was still an amazing show.  I’m just glad I got to catch it in Eugene, too.

I had a long drive home and work in the morning; so I sadly bailed on Dengue Fever’s closing set in Portland.  I’m sure it was groovy like the Eugene show.  Sorry, but my body thanks me for getting home at 1am instead of 2:30am!

The tour wraps this weekend… but stick around, SC3 are bound to kick something off later in 2012.  More 7″ vinyls?  More touring?  The long-awaited Book of Souls?  A Chinese Democracy cover album?

If you missed the tour, I’d HIGHLY RECOMMEND checking out their new schwag… including the new SC3 Traditionalists Le Chanson de Jacky / The Western Exile 7″ split (featuring Trey’s fellow Mr. Bungle band-mate Mike Patton on “Jacky”), the 12″ re-releases of First and Second Grand Constitution & Bylaws, and three bitchin’-design new t-shirts.

many more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

Check out more tour dates below.

Next show for me… most likely the David Bazan (Pedro the Lion) house show in Portland on 2/15, unless something pops up before then.

~Dan – np: John ZornFilm Works XIII: Invitation to a Suicide

SECRET CHIEFS 3 & DENGUE FEVER PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2012 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

SC3 & DF 2012 West Coast Tour Dates

  • Jan 24 – Denver CO – Bluebird Theatre
  • Jan 25 – Santa Fe NM – Santa Fe Brewing Company
  • Jan 26 – Phoenix AZ – Crescent Ballroom
  • Jan 27 – Los Angeles CA – El Rey Theatre
  • Jan 28 – Santa Ana CA – Constellation Room
  • Jan 29 – San Diego CA – The Casbah
  • Jan 31 – San Luis Obispo CA – Club SLO Brew
  • Feb 1 – Santa Cruz CA – Moe’s Alley
  • Feb 2 – San Francisco CA – Great American Music Hall
  • Feb 3 – San Francisco CA – Slim’s
  • Feb 4 – Sacramento CA – Harlow’s
  • Feb 6 – Eugene OR – WOW Hall
  • Feb 7 – Portland OR – Dante’s
  • Feb 8 – Seattle WA – Neumos
  • Feb 9 – Bellingham WA – The Wild Buffalo
  • Feb 10 – Vancouver BC – Rickshaw Theatre

Secret Chiefs 3 & Dengue Fever in Eugene & Portland

7th Feb 12 (Tue) 1 comment

Due to my schedule, I won’t be able to edit photos until Wednesday night, but I should have my Secret Chiefs 3 / Dengue Fever post covering both the 2/6 Eugene WOW Hall show and the 2/7 Portland Dante’s show posted on Thursday morning.  Here’s a teaser from Eugene…

2/6/12 Eugene Setlists:

2/7/12 Portland Setlist (SC3 only):

Bereshith
Radar
Zombievision
Personnae: Halloween [John Carpenter]
The 15
The 4 (Great Ishraqi Sun)
Medley (Le Mani Destre Recise Degli Ultimi Uomini)
Vajra (Rat Puriya)
Zulfikar
Tistriya
Book T: Exodus [Ernest Gold]
Saptarshi
no encore

Check back Thursday morning for more photos…

~Dan – np: MadLoveWhite With Foam

Secret Chiefs 3 & Dengue Fever – West Coast Tour 2012

15th Dec 11 (Thu) 1 comment

Trickling in via the venues and/or ticketing sites, the official announcement has finally come in…

World metal phenoms Secret Chiefs 3, led by Mr. Bungle guitarist Trey Spruance, is hitting the road this winter with Cambodian/Los Angeles fusion pop band (and former Web of Mimicry labelmates) Dengue FeverConfirmed dates below, more details will be posted shortly:

  • Jan 24 – Denver CO – Bluebird Theatre
  • Jan 25 – Santa Fe NM – Santa Fe Brewing Company
  • Jan 26 – Phoenix AZ – Crescent Ballroom
  • Jan 27 – Los Angeles CA – El Rey Theatre
  • Jan 28 – Santa Ana CA – Constellation Room
  • Jan 29 – San Diego CA – The Casbah
  • Jan 31 – San Luis Obispo CA – Club SLO Brew
  • Feb 1 – Santa Cruz CA – Moe’s Alley
  • Feb 2 – San Francisco CA – Great American Music Hall
  • Feb 3 – San Francisco CA – Slim’s
  • Feb 4 – Sacramento CA – Harlow’s
  • Feb 6 – Eugene OR – WOW Hall
  • Feb 7 – Portland OR – Dante’s
  • Feb 8 – Seattle WA – Neumos
  • Feb 9 – Bellingham WA – The Wild Buffalo
  • Feb 10 – Vancouver BC – Rickshaw Theatre

If you’ll be at either Oregon date, let me know.  I’ll be there for both Eugene and Portland!  Last time I saw them was 2008 (Aug 2008 – Doug Fir, Portland); so it’s been a long time coming…

~Dan – np: Marketa IrglovaAnar

Beats Antique “Revival” video

3rd Aug 11 (Wed) Leave a comment

Splendidly interesting animation and sexiness from Zoe Jakes in the new Beats Antique music video for “Revival” from their latest album, Blind Threshold:

~Dan – np: Sufjan Stevens invites you to Come On Feel the Illinoise!

Secret Chiefs 3 – 2011 North American Tour (wave 1)

8th Jun 11 (Wed) Leave a comment

Posted this morningSecret Chiefs 3 tour dates…

really looking forward to playing the US again!
thanks to bookers and all promoters for making it happen well!
(don’t worry west coast, it’s being planned)

  • 8/31 Hamilton, ON @ The Casbah
  • 9/1 Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
  • 9/2 Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks
  • 9/3 TBA, QC (details in Aug),
  • 9/5 Montreal, QC @ Cabaret Mile End
  • 9/6 Quebec City, QC @ Le Cercle
  • 9/7 Portland, ME @ Space Gallery
  • 9/8 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
  • 9/9 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Lounge
  • 9/10 Milford, CT @ Daniel Street
  • 9/12 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
  • 9/13 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
  • 9/15 TBA
  • 9/16 Ferndale, MI @ The Magic Bag
  • 9/17 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
  • 9/19 Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel
  • 9/20 Raleigh, NC @ Local 506
  • 9/22 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
  • 9/23 Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle
  • 9/24 Lexington, KY @ Buster’s (Boomslang Fest w/Swans and Sir Richard Bishop)

News about Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson’s next solo album, Grace for Drowning, coming tomorrow…

~Dan – np: Red Hot Chili PeppersStadium Arcadium

Secret Chiefs 3 – Europe 2011

26th Jan 11 (Wed) 7 comments

Trey Spruance and the Secret Chiefs 3 haven’t really swung around the U.S. since 2008 (Portland review linkfrom their last full US tour?).  Lately South America and Europe are getting some love.  While I’m bummed for no chance to see them as of late, I’m glad they’re active…

SECRET CHIEFS 3 Europe tour
from 16th June to 18th July 2011
Confirmed dates TBA
Booking contact : europe@webofmimicry.com

I think that’s also their first new press photo in a while.  If my brain is working correctly, that’s (L-R) Jai Young Kim, Trey Spruance, Ches Smith, Toby Driver Rich Doucette, and Timb Harris.  Will we see Book of Souls in 2011?  Here’s hoping!!

~Dan – np: Yuka HondaHeart Chamber Phantoms

Secret Chiefs 3 in Italy 2010

13th Dec 10 (Mon) 2 comments

So, a new video has just surfaced… possibly for an upcoming DVD from the Secret Chiefs 3‘s jaunt in Italy earlier this year?  Here is their cover of John Carpenter’s “Halloween” at Grottarossa in Rimini, Italy:

Slow start with the drum intro and the drums being a bit high in the mix, but I like the way it was shot.  Needs some more strings (Timb Harris) and more variation (I’ve never been all that fond of Halloween’s repetition)… anyway, I’m hoping something comes out.  Regardless of the choice of leading off with this song on vimeo, I’m stoked for new SC3 on the horizon.  No clue on the legitimacy of a future release.  Just rumor mill at this stage.

Will it come out before Book of Souls?

Um… yeah, Jesus will come back before Book of Souls… said the atheist.

~Dan – np: CelldwellerKill the Sound

REVIEW: AMA Trio @ House Show (Eugene, OR – 9/25/10)

26th Sep 10 (Sun) Leave a comment

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

My second time to a lovely Rolling & Tumbling House Concert near UO campus in Eugene, OR.  R&T is a great!  They seem to bring in a lot of songwriters and world musicians.  SO, this was only my second of many R&T house shows…

When I saw Amy Denio on the list with a new project, the AMA Trio, I didn’t want to miss it.  I have been a fan of another of Amy’s bands – The Tiptons Sax Quartet.  The AMA Trio is a bit different from the woodwind-forward jazz of the Tiptons, more world fusion / Latin American music.  The AMA Trio is Amy Denio alongside Madeleine Sosin & Abel Rocha (who have a few CDs out under the name Correo Aereo).

They played traditional songs from Venezuela, Mexico and Argentina, as well as many of their own original tunes.  All three were proficient multi-instrumentalists.  Madeleine also played the violin, guitar, drum, shakers as well as singing on a few songs.  Amy played accordion, clarinet, and drum.  She sang on a few tunes as well.  Abel was the primary vocalist (when they weren’t jamming), as well as played a mean set of guitars and harp.  The ease of all three members switching from one instrument made it seem quite effortless.

Some of the most fascinating playing was what might be considered normally subdued instruments… Madeleine’s shaker playing made the little instruments seem way more distinctly rhythmic.  She should teach lessons… because I don’t know how many times I’ve seen people “just shaking” them with no real purpose.  Abel’s harp playing was also captivating… playing both the lead melodies and the rhythm parts.  Amy stuck to accordion for more than half the set, when she broke out the clarinet, she had some nice flavors and solos to add to the songs.  I dug the more jazzy textures she added when she was on reeds.

Setlist: a little over 2 hours

  • Set 1~ unknown
  • Carnaval (Venezuela)
  • Ararat (Armenian)
  • Jarabe Loco (Mexico)
  • Martiñana (Mexico)
  • “I Love You” (Amy’s tango for a cat)
  • Playa Grande (Venezuela)
  • Cuatrapeado
  • Raisa (Algerian-based original)
  • Ti Feu (Mexico – Spanish & Zapotec)
  • Entre a Mi Pago (Argentina)
  • Golpe de Agua
  • Set 2~ Tres Diamantes (Venezuela)
  • Finadita
  • Breakfast in Bed (Amy original)
  • Los Hermanos (Argentina)
  • unknown klezmer-Argentinian tune (Tiptons-y in spots to my ear, but actually arranged by Madeleine)
  • Guendanabani (Zapotec)
  • Darling, Please Don’t Wake Me (Amy original)
  • Golpes Tocuyanos
  • Hanana (Amy original)
    corrections to the setlist are welcomed

They’re going into the studio this coming week to make their first record as a trio.  Stay tuned to their MySpace page below for news as it becomes available.

more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: Beats AntiqueBlind Threshold

AMA TRIO PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

REVIEW: Boys Eats Drum Machine & Beats Antique @ McDonald / Eugene Celebration (Eugene, OR – 8/28/10)

29th Aug 10 (Sun) 1 comment

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

Eugene Celebration 2010Raise the Roof” was in full effect on Saturday.  This year’s Celebration was in a partnership with with Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity and Northwest Community Credit Union to fund the construction of two houses in the Eugene-Springfield community over the next three years.

We caught some good grub, interesting people watching, scoped out the pretty damn awesome electric vehicle (the Pulse made by Arcimoto)… and some music.  The first band I saw was Upstate Trio.  They’re from New York, but now live in the Eugene area.  Great groove rock trio.  I hope to catch them again soon.

Boy Eats Drum Machine was the next major act to take in.  I saw him open for That1Guy in May (review link with photos below), and he put on a great show.  Last night’s performance wasn’t any exception.  Sax, turntable, drums, effects pad, loops, and all around great grooves from this one-man wrecking crew.  Check out the stop-animation video for “Hoop+Wire“:

You can also download the BEDM song “Hoop+Wire” on mp3 and FLAC (or other options) for FREE over at Bandcamp.  Next up…

As mentioned a little over a week ago, Beats Antique is coming out with a new album in about two weeks.  It’s called Blind Threshold.  If it’s anything like their past two albums and an EP, it’ll be great.

They hit the stage around 11pm and played a fairly percussive set.  Zoë Jakes wasn’t able to dance last night.  She hurt her knee a while ago and is on doctor’s orders to take it easy for a while.  So, we didn’t get the gorgeous dance performance that we’re used to (photos of Zoë dancing at prior events linked below).  Despite the lack of dancing by Zoë, their infectious music got the rest of the crowd to pick up some of the slack.  It was a great show, and hopefully they’ll be back soon, with Zoë in full health.

The overwhelming bass attacked our ears for both BEDM’s and Beats Antique’s sets.  It got especially painful up in the balcony; so we stayed downstairs for most of the night.  All in all, a great hour-long set from each band.  Round 2 of Celebration for me today… I hope to catch 3 Leg Torso‘s set.

many more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

Check out more Beats Antique tour dates below.

~Dan – np: Bar Kokhba SextetJohn Zorn 50th Birthday Celebration 11

BOY EATS DRUM MACHINE & BEATS ANTIQUE PHOTOS
pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld, except for Beats Antique #21-29 (cc) 2010 Margaret O’Brien, you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Beats Antique Tour Dates

  • 8/20 – Sheldon, VT – Liberate Music And Arts Festival
  • 8/21 – Stephentown, NY – Bella Terra Music Festival
  • 8/28 – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre
  • 9/10 – Clarks Grove, MN – Harvestfest – Harmony Park
  • 9/11 – Minot, ME – 1st Annual Dankfest
  • 9/17 – Laytonville, CA – Earthdance
  • 9/18 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
  • 9/24 – Seattle, WA – Decibel Festival @ Motor
  • 9/25 – Arcata, CA – Aracata Theatre
  • 9/28 – Fargo, ND – The Aquarium
  • 9/30 – Madison, WI – Majestic Live
  • 10/1 – Milwaukee, WI – Miramar Theatre
  • 10/2 – Chicago, IL – Abbey Pub
  • 10/3 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
  • 10/6 – New Orleans, LA – Republic
  • 10/9 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
  • 10/11 – Mobile, AL – Alabama Music Box
  • 10/12 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
  • 10/13 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
  • 10/14 – Asheville, NC – TBD
  • 10/15 – Charleston, SC – The Pour House
  • 10/16 – Athens, GA – New Earth Music Hall
  • 10/17 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade – Hell Room
  • 10/22 – Allston, MA – Harpers Ferry
  • 11/11 – Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
  • 11/12 – Edmonton, AB – The Pawn Shop
  • 11/13 – Calgary, AB – Royal Canadian Legion
  • 11/14 – Winnipeg, MB – Crescent Wood United Church

REVIEW: MEDGE presents Karim Nagi @ WOW Hall (Eugene, OR – 4/30/10)

1st May 10 (Sat) 4 comments

The Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene (aka MEDGE) hosts monthly shows at Cozmic Pizza.  Great food, great music, and great dancing come to mind when I make my way over there the third Fridays of each month.  For a special International Dance Day celebration, they brought in Karim Nagi for special workshops and moved their event down the street to WOW Hall.

Karim Nagi is an Egyptian musician, composer, music arranger and DJ.  He specializes in traditional Arabic music but works in other musical mediums.  He has two CDs out under the artist moniker of Turbo Tabla.  He has also recorded music for Bellydance Superstars, Bellyqueen, and the Bellytwins, as well as mainstream artists like Alicia Keys, and The Urban Griot Project.

Sadly he didn’t pull out a traditional Indian tabla last night (apparently an Egypt table / darbuka is very similar to a dumbek).  Regardless, we were treated to a lot of wonderful dancing and drumming.  Here’s a pictorial review of last night’s show… Enjoy!

all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld & Margaret O’Brien,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution
(click for larger)

Karim Nagi (stick dance, traditional folkloric dance of Egypt)

Mem Aleph (troupe consisting of Candice Nelson, Barbie Griggs, Jeannie Anderson, Amanda Bounds, Marie Scott and Monica Trent) performing three folk dances: Syrtos from Greece; Hands Talk (a Jewish Yemenite dance); and Ma Nava (an Israeli dance)

Siobhan performing a Ghawazee-inspired dance choreographed by Hassan Khalil

Amani (choreography by Mahmoud Reda — Oriental piece with his signature balletic movements incorporated into Raks Sharqi)

Elena Villa (Arab Flamenco Fusion)

Caravan Dancers (Troupe consists of Deena, Zendra, Crystal and Erin performing a Folkloric Suite: Basket Dance, Turkish 9/8, Cane Dance, Tambourine Dance)

Sabine (Indian Sapera Dance of the Kalbeliya snake-charmers)

Karim Nagi – improvisational finger cymbal dance

>> << intermission >> <<

Jamara (dance performance to live drumming by Karim Nagi)

Devi Safir (dance performance to live drumming by Karim Nagi)

musical performance by Karim Nagi & Ishmael, a qanun player (stringed instrument from Egypt), followed by an audience participation debke, a traditional Arabic folk dance

Be sure to check out MEDGE on the web to find out about the monthly shows and upcoming special events & workshopshttp://medge.org/

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: Carla Kihlstedt2 Foot Yard

Radical Jewish Culture in Paris

18th Mar 10 (Thu) Leave a comment

If you’re going to be in Paris, France, between the 9th of April and the 18th of July, 2010, check out this Radical Jewish Culture exhibit at the Museum of Jewish History.  It features John Zorn, Ben Goldberg, Marc Ribot, David Krakauer, Frank London, Anthony Coleman, Mark Feldman, Sylvie Courvoisier, and more.

Info about the exhibit (in French) is below…

~Dan – np: CopelandYou Are My Sunshine

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

More info at http://www.mahj.org/

Le MAHJ présente la première exposition consacrée à la Radical Jewish Culture, mouvance musicale issue de la scène underground newyorkaise des années 1980 et 1990.

En parallèle à l’exposition est organisé un programme de concerts exceptionnel : John Zorn, Anthony Coleman, Mark Feldman et Sylvie Courvoisier, David Krakauer, Frank London, le Ben Goldberg Trio (ex-New Klezmer Trio)… Les plus grands noms de cette scène. joueront dans des dispositifs pour la plupart inédits en Europe.

En 1992 se tient à Munich un événement au titre manifeste : Festival for Radical New Jewish Music. Le programme du festival est imaginé par le compositeur et saxophoniste new-yorkais John Zorn, qui s’entoure pour l’occasion de figures majeures de l’underground new-yorkais : Lou Reed, John Lurie, Tim Berne, mais aussi Marc Ribot, Frank London, David Krakauer, Roy Nathanson, Elliott Sharp ou encore Shelley Hirsch. John Zorn choisit d’y présenter une pièce intitulée Kristallnacht en remémoration de la Nuit de Cristal du 9 novembre 1938 : une pièce puissante qui transgresse les normes d’écoute, en mêlant improvisations free-jazz et klezmer, discours d’Hitler et bruits de bris de vitres.

L’événement fait date : des musiciens juifs américains jouent en Allemagne et tentent, pour la première fois, de retracer la genèse des musiques de la scène underground newyorkaise à travers des sources juives. Dans le sillage de ce moment fondateur, des tournées sont organisées en Europe, tandis que des clubs de Manhattan, telle la Knitting Factory, accueillent des festivals de Radical Jewish Music associant performances, lectures et débats, et soulevant des questions essentielles à leurs yeux : qu’est-ce que la musique juive d’aujourd’hui ? que dit la musique que l’on joue de nos origines et de notre expérience de vie ?

Dès les années 1970 et 1980, des musiciens juifs new-yorkais, très présents sur les scènes alternatives du rock, du punk, de l’avant-garde jazz et de la musique contemporaine, (re)découvrent le répertoire des musiques juives populaires, notamment celui des musiques juives d’Europe orientale, le klezmer. Ces acteurs clés de l’avant-garde musicale et de la world music y puisent – non sans un certain degré de contestation – un nouvel engagement artistique qui souligne la force du lien qui les rattache à leur culture juive, vécue comme source d’inspiration et de questionnements constants.

New York est leur foyer de création, en particulier le sud de Manhattan. Les quartiers longtemps populaires de l’East Village et du Lower East Side ont accueilli, au début du XXe siècle, les populations juives immigrées d’Europe de l’Est. Dans les années 1950, ils deviennent le refuge des avant-gardes esthétiques, depuis la Beat Generation ( Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg ,William Burroughs) jusqu’à John Cage et Andy Warhol. Espace de contestation intellectuelle, esthétique et politique, ce New York radical a longtemps gardé les traces de la culture yiddish, qui y a connu une véritable renaissance. Cette atmosphère culturelle très spécifique imprègne encore fortement les lieux, lorsque les musiciens de ce qui deviendra la Radical Jewish Culture s’affirment artistiquement, au cours des années 1980.

Dans le prolongement de cet héritage, John Zorn crée en 1995 la collection « Radical Jewish Culture » (plus de 120 titres parus à l’heure actuelle) sous le label Tzadik, devenu depuis une référence incontournable des musiques alternatives. Les albums édités dans cette collection s’inscrivent comme autant de réponses aux questions qui s’imposent aux musiciens confrontés à la tradition protéiforme dont ils sont issus.

Le parcours de l’exposition est thématique ; à travers une approche essentiellement sonore et visuelle, il revient sur les temps forts de la création musicale, depuis la scène du Klezmer Revival jusqu’aux explosions sonores du groupe phare de John Zorn, Masada, en passant par le festival de Munich de 1992.
À partir de l’écoute se déploie le contexte historique, musical et artistique dans lequel la musique a été créée. Il met en lumière le réseau d’influences des musiciens, parmi lesquelles : la Beat Generation, présentée notamment à travers la démarche de deux icônes de ce mouvement, le plasticien Wallace Berman et le poète Allen Ginsberg ; les artistes juifs révolutionnaires du début du XXe siècle, comme El Lissitzky ; ou encore la scène du rock alternatif des années 1970. Grâce à l’implication des acteurs clés de cette scène, de nombreux documents d’archives (interviews, prises de concerts et textes largement inédits) ont pu être rassemblés.

Comme le dit John Zorn, la Radical Jewish Culture est tout à la fois une mouvance musicale, un mouvement aux résonances politiques diverses affirmées et assumées, une communauté de musiciens et, plus largement, une communauté esthétique.

Commissariat de l’exposition : Mathias Dreyfuss, Gabriel Siancas et Raphaël Sigal

Avec le soutien exceptionnel du label Tzadik
Avec le soutien de l’Ambassade des États-Unis d’Amérique en France

Tzadik Ambassade des États-Unis d'Amérique en France

REVIEW: Raquy & the Cavemen @ Joe’s (Eugene, OR – 9/24/09)

25th Sep 09 (Fri) 1 comment

In Cincinnati, we got to see Raquy Danziger, Liron Peled, and the rest of the Cavemen about twice a year due to the large tribal bellydance scene.  Well, luckily, Raquy’s sister lives in Eugene; so we get a visit roughly once a year.  They always put on a great show, full of wonderful percussive world rhythms.

I’d never been to Joe’s Bar & Grill… if I get a chance, I hope I’ll choose not to go again (or at least on a Thursday). You see, last night, besides the four different sources on the web with different start times and openers listed, was “ladies night.”  So, during Raquy’s set, we got a nice dose of “two drunk ‘ladies’ shouting too loudly over the music.”  One girl was literally explaining in a PhD dissertation-length exchange about how her phone was ringing, that she was going to pick it up, that she did pick it up, that she was going to talk on it, and then the volume didn’t decrease much when she was talking on it.  It must have been listed as “classy ladies night” in the local paper.

Despite prior interweb research, the Ruins of Ooah (a local band) was not the opener, but rather the last band.  We didn’t stick around for them, but I’ll try to catch them at another venue around town.  Up first was Mood Area 52 (a local bohemian/gypsy-style band).  They usually have a larger band, but last night was just accordian/vocals, cello, and double bass.  The cellist, Amy Danziger, is actually Raquy’s aforementioned sister who is Eugene-local. I’ve seen MA52 several times, but usually in a more “secondary” setting… meaning, they happen to be playing I stop by for a few songs during a Saturday Market, art walk, or coffee shop visit.  They played about 6 songs over 30 minutes.  They weren’t mic’ed at all, but it didn’t seem to matter.  They missed the loud lady convention that seemingly descended on the venue during Raquy’s set.  MA52 was quite delightful, and I recommend them if they’re playing and you’re in town.

Raquy and the Caveman hit the stage around 9:45 or so.  This time it was sans Nezih (only a Raquy & Liron duo band).  We had caught their long-ish soundcheck, and due to it being a “school night” only stuck around until about 10:30 for their main set.  They started out with several dual dumbek / dumset* songs… mostly fast, showing off both Raquy’s and Liron’s insane percussive skills.  We left shortly after their song that featured Raquy on kemenche (a Persion stringed instrument) and Liron on a Liron-custom 11-string guitar (stringed and tuned with a saz in mind).  A great performance by both of them… we wished we could have mustered up enough to stay longer.  Next year, we shall!

*-The “dumset” is a small set-up by Liron with a dumbek set up to a kick pedal, a dumbek in hand, cymbals, riq, etc.  It’s played like a regular drumset.

Raquy & the Cavemen’s fifth album, Bewitched, is out now.  We picked it up at the show, and I look forward to spinning it today.  Click the picture for more information on the new release:


The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: Explosions in the SkyAll of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

Mini-REVIEW: Extra Golden @ Celebration (Eugene, OR – 9/5/09)

7th Sep 09 (Mon) Leave a comment

So, Eugene Celebration is one of the many good things going in Eugene every fall.  We went down on Saturday and caught the tail end of Thomas Mapfumo, Extra Golden, and much later in the evening Gift of Gab.  Both Gift of Gab and Thomas Mapfumo were good, but the highlight of the evening for me was Extra Golden…

I was introduced by my friend Aaron to Extra Golden only a few hours prior, and the sound samples I heard online were “OK,” but I really only listened to a few songs for a little bit.  I’m up for anything and was already planning on going to Eugene Celebration; so I was game.

Well, let’s just say that their live show was fantastic.  Really fun groove, tight musicianship, and a very energetic frontman (who likes our yogurt here in Eugene).  Extra Golden were formed in Kenya by two Americans and one Kenyan.  I think their live set was made up of three Americans with a Kenyan singer and Kenyan drummer.  They played for a solid hour plus.  For the last song, their singer, Otieno Jagwasi, joined us in the crowd and danced up a storm.

I snapped a few crappy iPhone pictures.  Kinda fuzzy… anyway… here are some pics from their show:

Note how one of their guitarists looks like John Locke from Lost… :)

Check out Extra Golden on the MySpaces.

~Dan – np: Extra GoldenThank You Very Quickly Vol 3

REVIEW: Yael Naim @ Aladdin Theater (Portland, OR – – 10/15/08)

16th Oct 08 (Thu) Leave a comment

Mini-Review

Well, I heard about Yael Naim a week ago thanks to the NPR World Cafe podcast… she’s a Paris-born, Israeli singer-songwriter.  She’s been described as “a touch of folk and a touch of jazz, with mysterious and evocative words sung with a delicate and intentionally husky voice.”  After just hearing of her, I found out that she was playing the Aladdin Theater in Portland the very next week.  I was just going to head up to the Aladdin if I was up for it, and buy a ticket if they had some available.  Well, thanks to the power of the internets, I got an email Tuesday morning from the Aladdin, and they were giving away 50 tickets to the first people who responded to their email.  And, woot, I got a free ticket.  Natch.

The opener, Peter Von Poehl, was… well… absent.  So the replacement opener was Grey Anne.  And she was… RAD!  Very quirky, indie rock girl with an electric guitar, drum, accordion, butterfly wings, echoplex, and a stuffed giraffe.  Fun songs, off the wall, nice textures, strong voice, confident, quirky… She’s from Portland; so I hope she makes her way down to Eugene sometime soon.

 

Yael Naim and her band were really good, too.  They played Britney Spears’ “Toxic” as well.  That’d make my friend Bruth happy. :)  I enjoyed her set a lot, but I think my favorites of hers were the ones in French.  There’s something about French music that’s just… FUN.  Yann Tiersen, Jeanne Cherhal, Paris Combo, and… well, Yael Naim.

Next Aladdin visit for me… Jonatha Brooke and GlenI sat on a glass table and might not be playing guitar for a whilePhillips.  Yikes. :)  I hope Glen’s arm is better to be at this show, because otherwise, I don’t think I’ll go.  At the end of the day, I hope he gets better more than me being able to see him.

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: RadioheadIn Rainbows

Anakronic Electro Orkestra

21st Sep 08 (Sun) 6 comments

OK, I love Jewish music. I didn’t know I loved it until early 2006, when I got into John Zorn’s Masada, a great mixture of composed, yet improvisationally free jazz, grounded in Jewish melodies.


(Dave Douglas & John Zorn of Masada, photo courtesy of volume12)

Masada led to discovering many more great Jewish, Klezmer, and Slavic/Balkan music artists on John Zorn’s Tzadik label (and other labels):
……Electric Masada / Masada String Trio / Bar Kokhba Sextet (splinter bands from the Masada Book), Steven Bernstein (of Sex Mob), Jon Madof’s Rashanim & CircuitBreaker, Bester Quartet (formerly the Cracow Klezmer Band), Daniel Zamir & Satlah, David Buchbinder’s Jewban (or Cubish) cultural mash-up Odessa/Havana (and the similar mashups from Irving Fields and Roberto Rodriguez), David Krakauer’s Klezmer Madness, Jamie Saft, So Called, Balkan Beat Box, Slavic Soul Party!, Davka, Eyol Moaz, Jennifer Charles & Oren Bloedow’s La Mar Enfortuna (both from Elysian Fields), Koby Israelite, Marc Ribot’s Jewish music, Paul Brody’s Sadawi, Talat, Yoshie Fruchter, Z’ev, Zakarya, Klez-Factor, the Tiptons Saxophone Quartet, the Lithuanian Empire, the Alexandria Kleztet, Alex Kontorovich, et cetera…

Anyway, after I got into more John Zorn, I also got into more jazz and more Jewish music.  There are many cross-overs between the two worlds (jazz and klezmer).  Around that time, I was also getting into podcasts… and the only podcast that focused on klezmer music (that wasn’t always heavy on the vocals) was/is Keith Wolzinger’s Klezmer Podcast.

Recently, Klezmer Podcast #38 (from 9/3/08) focused on French record label, Jumu Music… and then had some clips from the Anakronic Electro Orkestra.

Wow… Anakronic Electro Orkestra is really fresh Jewish music, with a fun rock-meets-klezmer feel – – complete with accordion & clarinet.  They don’t have an album out yet, but they’re hoping to have an EP out later in 2008 and a full-length in 2009.  Check out some of their music on the MySpaces (Why Is It Funny” is my favorite):

~Dan – np: George CarlinIt’s Bad For Ya

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