Author Archives: Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

Music listings – 8/13 through 8/19

1. Bad Names w. MIRTHKON, MOETAR & AUDIO COLLISION

Date: Monday, August 13, 2012
Time: 8pm
Venue: PIANOS (158 Ludlow St., New York, NY 10002
Ticket: $8
Genre: indie rock

Bad Names are touring this summer in the US in support of their new EP. Bad Names are a four piece from London whose music recaptures the energy and passion of the 70s, spiced up with modern Brit Rock. Their style channels the roguish charm of the Rolling Stones, the glamour of T-Rex and the attitude of Oasis. They make 21st century rock n roll that echoes the sounds of the classic British bands.

BAD NAMES 11pm, MIRTHKON 10pm, MOETAR 9pm and AUDIO COLLISION 8pm
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Recommended Kickstarter Campaign: recording of compositions for piano and shakuhachi by the Japanese composer Rando Fukuda played by Marco Lienhard and Charles Tang!

Text by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

I have known Marco Lienhard  for more than thirty years. We met in Osaka, Japan, when we were thirty years younger. At that time I studied Kendo at a sports college and had just started playing sax. Marco, as far as I can remember, was an exchange student. We both were young and starting our adult lives far in the Far East. Both of us had no idea that we would stay in Japan for a very long time and would master a specific Japanese art. Marco is one of the first Europeans to learn and master the shakuhachi and taiko drum in Japan, and I myself become a Kendo master. In 2008 NY brought us together.

Recently Marco joined my band SoSaLa on shakuhachi.

Recommended DooBeeDoo posts

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Film feature: Violeta Went To Heaven @ The Film Society of Lincoln Center (LATINBEAT 2012)!

The extraordinary story of the iconic poet, musician and folksinger Violeta Parra, whose songs have become hymns for Chileans and Latin Americans alike. Director Andrés Wood (Machuca) traces the intensity and explosive vitality of her life, from humble origins to international fame, her defense of indigenous cultures and devotion to her art. Chile’s official Oscar entry.

The 8/17 screening will take place in the Film Center; the 8/18 screening will take place in the Walter Reade Theater.

Buy tickets here.

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CD recommendation: Togo’s Fela Kuti speaks out for the 2nd time with music jumping “Between 2 Worlds”!

Artist: Elikeh
Titel: 2 Worlds
Label: Azalea City Recordings
Genre: Afro Beat or “taking Fela Kuti and mixing him with Bob Marley. Put in a pot and stir for three minutes and add some Osibisa and Togolese traditional music to it and let it all boil for two more minutes,” Dogo laughs. “Then you add a sprinkle of rock and you have Elikeh. ” (by Massama Dogo)
Release date: August 23, 2012

Elikeh mixes Afro-beat with traditional Togolese polyrhythms to produce captivating tunes that are as listenable as they are danceable. Although based in indigenous traditions, Elikeh’s music has no borders, exploring global themes and personal odysseys.

The eight-member group knows how to get the fire burning. They channel that energy into funkified pop anthems and thoughtful critiques of corruption, ignorance, and cultural neglect. Now on Between 2 Worlds the group digs deep into the African vintage pop inspiration, the reggae vibes, and the current craze for African-inflected funk and blues on an album that easily straddles two continents.

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A Documentary Film: THIS TIME – an unflinching celebration of six diverse artists living on the flip side of the music industry!

Date: Friday, August 10, 2012
Venue: Quad Cinemas (34 W. 13 St. NY)
Purchase tickets here

THIS TIME 2011, USA, 111 min.  A film by Victor Mignatti.  Produced By Mark Bower and Victor Mignatti.  Photographed, Edited & Directed by Victor Mignatti.  Featuring: The Sweet Inspirations, Peitor Angell, Bobby Belfry, Pat Hodges and Cissy Houston.  Featuring Songs by Peitor Angell and Bobby Belfry. Original Musical Score by Peitor Angell. A production of Village Art Pictures And Inspiration 101, LLC.

They’ve sung back-up for Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield and Jimi Hendrix, been homeless while their songs were on the charts, and struggled to fill tiny cabarets while fighting for their big break – all the while holding tight to their dignity and to their dreams. A new documentary work by filmmaker Victor Mignatti, THIS TIME explores a world far from the overnight television sensations of “American Idol,” capturing the underbelly of an industry that relies on the ever-present pool of new artists waiting for their chance at stardom.  Accompanied by the soaring music of the gifted artists featured in the film, including the legendary Sweet Inspirations and Cissy Houston, the film tracks the triumphant and heart-wrenching efforts of six musicians working day and night to turn up the volume on their careers. From the streets of South Central Los Angeles to Park Avenue in New York, THIS TIME is a unique musical story about utter dedication to an art form and the transformative power of music.

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