April 15, 2017 by Paul Debraski
SOUNDTRACK: DAKHABRAKHA-“Kolyskova” NPR’S SOUTH X LULLABY (March 21, 2017).
I loved DakhaBrakha’s Tiny Desk Concert. It was mesmerizing and beautiful. And so the performers came to SXSW and did a lullaby. And as the blurb says, they brought their “cello, keyboard, accordion – and tall, wool hats! — to the balcony of the Hilton Austin hotel.”
This lullaby of “Kolyskova” quiets things down a bit. The song opens with simple keyboard notes. One of the women sings, and when they reach the end of the verse, the male accordionist sings a falsetto that matches the women’s tone. The woman on drums makes a strange sound–like a baby crying or animal yelping.
Then he winds up singing lead on the second verse in that falsetto with the women singing backing vocals. Then the cello and drums kick in to build the sound. The third verse is sung by the cellist as the keys play a pretty melody.
The song is upbeat with lots of bouncy vocals, even though the lyrics seem rather dark. ‘The band only ever calls it “Lullaby.” It’s a quiet, contemplative song that the band says is a “connecting of several lullabies” with “philosophical lyrics that [say] we have time for everything — time to laugh and cry, time to live and die.’
I love at the very end as the song slows down to just the keyboardist singing because the drummer adds a very cool breathing as a kind of percussion accompaniment. And then as the camera pulls back the two attack the keyboard making a cacophony of fun notes. I bet they’re a lot of fun live.
[READ: June 2 2016] Explorer: The Hidden Doors
This is the third (and I assume final) in a series of graphic novel short stories edited by Kazu Kibuishi, the creator of Amulet.
I really enjoyed the first one a lot and was pretty excited to read the rest. As with the other two I was delighted by the authors involved and the quality of these stories.
The three books are not related to each other (aside from thematic) so it doesn’t matter what order you read them in.
This book revolves around the theme of “hidden doors.” I like the way each author takes a concept that seems like it would be pretty standard and turns their stories into things that are very different indeed. Continue Reading »
Posted in Adventure, Aliens, All Songs Considered, Alternate Reality, Cats, Children's Books, Culture Shock, Cute, DakhaBrakha, Douglas Holgate, Dragons, Faith Erin Hicks, Fears, Fish, Graphic Novel, Jason Caffoe, Jen Breach, Jen Wang, Johane Matte, Kazu Kibuishi, Mystery, Outer Space, Sci-fi, Short Story, South X Lullaby, Spirited Away, Steve Hamaker, Supernatural, Surreal, SXSW, Threats | Leave a Comment »
April 14, 2017 by Paul Debraski
[ATTENDED: April 14, 2017] The Decemberists
Two years ago Sarah and I went to The Decemberists concert at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. It was spectacular. A great venue, a dignified crowd and a great set deign. The only complaint we had at all was that we couldn’t stand up and dance (well, we could, but we try to be considerate of those around us).
We knew we’d want to see them again, so when they announced another show in Philly–this time at the Fillmore, we were super psyched. We love the venue, the sound is great and best of all, you can dance.
I was telling Sarah that I have become spoiled by smaller venues like Union Transfer, which holds about 1,000 fewer people than the Fillmore, because I can get up really close. Well, this show was sold out big time (we were packed in a little too tightly for my liking). I wanted to try to get there as early as possible, but a few things led us to getting there about ten minutes later than I had hoped. And as such we were just a little too far out for my liking–the tall people seemed to have a wall set up about five rows of people ahead of us and we just couldn’t break through it.
So that meant a lot of leaning side to side depending on who you wanted to watch and, of course, terrible pictures. But wow did they sound great. This tour was a little less elaborate than the previous one. There was no real “set,” just lights. And that’s fine because the focus was on the music! Continue Reading »
Posted in Chris Funk, Colin Meloy, Jenny Conlee, John Moen, Kelly Hogan, Nate Query, Philadelphia, PA, The Academy of Music, The Decemberists, The Fillmore Philadelphia | Leave a Comment »
April 14, 2017 by Paul Debraski
[ATTENDED: April 14, 2017] Julien Baker
I first heard Julien Baker from All Songs Considered. Her song “Sprained Ankle” is simply beautiful. She plays a very delicate guitar and on that song you can barely hear her voice–everything is very gentle.
I was intrigued when I saw that she was opening for The Decemberists, but I wasn’t entirely sure how much I’d like a whole set of such mellow music. But Bob Boilen has said on many occasions that you need to see her live.
And that proved to be true.
Her set started quietly with a new song, “Funeral Pyre” and then the incredibly pretty harmonics (looped) of “Funeral Pyre.” But she wasn’t all about delicate folksiness. Because on a few of these songs she belted out powerful notes–signing loud and hard and letting those notes linger for a long time. Her voice was absolutely amazing. And for just a “girl with a guitar,” she won the audience over pretty easily. Continue Reading »
Posted in Julien Baker, Philadelphia, PA, The Decemberists, The Fillmore Philadelphia | Leave a Comment »
April 14, 2017 by Paul Debraski
SOUNDTRACK: NINA DIAZ & Y LA BAMBA’s LUZ ELENA MENDOZA-“January 9th” & “Living Room” NPR’S SOUTH X LULLABY (March 20, 2017).
I was intrigued by this pairing because Luz Elena Mendoza has a shirt buttoned up to her neck and, from the angle of the first song, it appears that she has her long sleeves down, while Nina Diaz (originally from Girlfriend in a Coma) is wearing a sleeveless T-shirt with tattoos showing up and down her arms. They seem somewhat mismatched. Until they sing. (And also during the second song when it becomes obvious that Luz Elena’s arms are covered in tattoos as well).
The two have never played together, but after NPR Music paired them in the courtyard of St. David’s Episcopal Church for a late evening performance, we’re beginning to wonder why not. They’ve both played the Tiny Desk (Diaz twice, once with Girl In A Coma) and both navigate complex emotions and notions of identity in their music. Also, they just sing beautifully together, Mendoza’s yodel swirling in Diaz’s gritty croon.
Luz Elena’s song “Living Room” is first. She plays guitar and sings. It’s a short song with Nina’s nice high harmonies over Luz Elena’s deeper voice. The blurb also notes: Mendoza shares a brand-new song here, “Living Room.” When the two harmonize its confession — “I feel like I’ve been undressing all my thoughts in front of you” — it is, in tandem, starkly intimate and separate.
Nina Diaz’ song “January 9th” is a bit more fun (partially because I know it from her Tiny Desk Concert, but also because it’s a bit more upbeat). I like Diaz’ singing quite a bit. Mendoza’s backing vocals add nicely to the “bad one/sad one” part of the chorus. The blurb adds: “It’s a bluesy ballad with a through line of ’60s pop, a tribute to her late grandmother, cooed and howled into a warm Austin evening.”
Future collaborations should be called for.
[READ: June 27, 2016] Explorer: The Lost Islands
This is the second in series of graphic novel short stories edited by Kazu Kibuishi, the creator of Amulet.
The three books are not related to each other (aside from thematic) so it doesn’t matter what order you read them in.
This first one is all about “lost islands.” What was neat about this book was that since the premise of an island is so broad, the stories were all very different. Continue Reading »
Posted in Adventure, Aliens, All Songs Considered, Alternate Reality, Children's Books, Chrystin Garland, Culture Shock, Cute, Dave Roman, Fears, Fish, Girlfriend in a Coma, Graphic Novel, Greed, Huh?, Jake Parker, Jason Caffoe, Katie Shanahan, Kazu Kibuishi, Luz Elena Mendoza, Michael Gagne, Mystery, Nina Diaz, Outer Space, Raina Telgemeier, Sci-fi, Short Story, South X Lullaby, Steven Shanahan, Supernatural, Surreal, SXSW, Threats, Y La Bamba | Leave a Comment »
April 13, 2017 by Paul Debraski
[ATTENDED: April 13, 2017] Tanya Tagaq performs Nanook of the North
No use burying the lead: I just witnessed something singular. Something unique and unforgettable. Tanya Tagaq is a magical performer and I consider myself lucky to have seen her (even if I wasn’t always looking at her). And to have heard her incredible band live.
Tagaq is an Upik performer who incorporates throat singing into her music. And when she performs, her entire body is possessed by the music. She becomes animalistic, both low and growling as well as high and soaring.
Nanook of the North is considered the first documentary film. Filmed in 1920 by Robert J. Flaherty, it depicts Nanook, a “happy Eskimo,” and his family as they go about their lives. For many people it was their first and only exposure to Native culture. This film has been praised for its documentary techniques, but ridiculed for its patronizing attitude and for fudging reality.
I learned last night that part of the reason some of it was fudged was because his original film was destroyed in a fire and he returned to get more footage–often recreating what happened the first time. [Some Wikipedia details shed some light on his good intentions and controversies–see bottom of the post for a few details].
I first watched Nanook of the North about 20 years ago in a college film class. It was fine–less boring than I imagined, with some interesting moments, but not exactly gripping after 80 years of filmmaking. But with Tagaq’s new soundtrack, the film took on an amazing and powerful component which added intensity, drama and tension to this film. Continue Reading »
Posted in Canadian Content, Canadian Music, First Nations, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Nanook of the North, Philadelphia, PA, Robert J. Flaherty, Tanya Tagaq, Verizon Hall | Leave a Comment »
April 13, 2017 by Paul Debraski
SOUNDTRACK: L.A. SALAMI-“Day To Day (For 6 Days A Week)” NPR’S SOUTH X LULLABY (March 17, 2017).
L.A. Salami’s full name is Lookman Adekunle Salami. I really enjoyed Salami’s song “Going Mad As The Street Bins.” His delivery is great and there were some rather unexpected chords.
For this performance of “Day to Day,” he is standing on the balcony of the Hilton Austin hotel overlooking the downtown skyline.
I usually try to pair kid-friendly songs with books, but there’s some curses in this song).
The music is basically the same for 7 minutes (although it does build by the end), which means you must focus on the lyrics. And they are pretty dark. It talks about boredom on public transportation as well as gruesome deaths on the news. There’s talk of mental health, like this section:
Went to work for the NHS –
Mental health, people depressed.
Met Joanne – Scared of living,
Afraid of dying, terrified of being.
Then met Paul, a schizophrenic,
Shaking limbs, paranoid fanatic –
Unwashed 10 days in a row –
So afraid almost paralytic.
I tell them that I do the same –
In certain moods, on certain days…
But despite the sane ways I can think
I could not do much to convince them…
But mostly I enjoy his delivery which has his slightly accented voice and charming mannerisms. The first time I heard this I wasn’t as drawn to it as I was his other song, but each listen unveils something more to like about it.
[READ: June 1, 2016] Explorer: The Mystery Boxes
This is the first in a series of short graphic novel short stories edited by Kazu Kibuishi the creator of Amulet.
Sarah brought these home for the kids to read and they were sitting around our house for a while so I picked one up. When I flipped through it and saw all the great authors in it I knew I had to read them.
The three books are not related to each other (aside from thematic) so it doesn’t matter what order you read them in.
This first one is all about “mystery boxes.” Continue Reading »
Posted in Adventure, Aliens, All Songs Considered, Alternate Reality, Children's Books, Culture Shock, Cute, Dave Roman, Emily Carroll, Fears, Graphic Novel, Greed, Huh?, Jason Caffoe, Johane Matte, Kazu Kibuishi, L.A. Salami, Mystery, Outer Space, Rad Sechrist, Raina Telgemeier, Sci-fi, Short Story, South X Lullaby, Stuart Livingston, Supernatural, Surreal, SXSW, Threats | Leave a Comment »
April 12, 2017 by Paul Debraski
SOUNDTRACK: LET’S EAT GRANDMA-“Deep Six Textbook” NPR’S SOUTH X LULLABY (March 16, 2017).
Let’s Eat Grandma is a duo consisting of two girls from England–Jenny Hollingworth (17) and Rosa Walton (16). I love that they took their name from the grammar joke about removing a comma. But the somewhat sinister reality of the name is representative of the somewhat sinister tone of their pop songs.
Not all South X Lullaby venues are worth describing, but this one sure it. It takes place in an airstream trailer. The setting is wonderful–all wood-paneled and streamlined. And it seems to make the sound echo perfectly.
The song begins with an electric drum–much louder than one might imagine–and then the girls do a little hand clapping game before the music starts.
Rosa on the keys has really long hair. She sings lead and has an incredible, unique voice–a heavy accent and a menacing but childlike delivery. Jenny sings occasional lines (they intertwine very nicely). When the verses end, the chord change is fairly dramatic before it returns to this pretty and slightly creepy melody.
After 3 and a half minutes Jenny pulls out a saxophone and plays a short, weird muffled solo. And then the song continues on to the end. It is utterly mesmerizing and as fascinating as the duo are. I’m really excited to explore more of their music.
[READ: January 27, 2017] Cleopatra in Spaaaace!
While looking up Book 3 on Goodreads I saw this book called Cleopatra in Space Book .5 (that’s point five). It is the original webcomic that inspired the series. if you’re thinking about reading it, I’d wait until after Book 3 of the graphic novel. You’ll see why.
Maichak introduces us to the series by saying he wrote it from August 2009 to October 2012 and that it ends abruptly because he began working on the graphic novels.
These pages will never appear in printed form because while they are the basis for the comic, they are a little different and, as he says, they are aimed at a slightly older audience. But most of the elements are in place like Khensu The Space Kitty, the humor, the pacing and the great hieroglyphics that the aliens speak. She’s even got her Sphinx space scooter. Although Cleopatra herself is a bit older (and sexier). Continue Reading »
Posted in Brian Carroll, Bryan Ballinger, C., Caanan Grall, Cats, Children's Books, Dani Jones, Egyptology, Funny (ha ha), Gene Gonzales, Graphic Novel, Harry Myland, James Anderson, Jason Horn, Katie Cook, Let's Eat Grandma, Maloney & Preitano, Mike Laughead, Mike Maihack, South X Lullaby, SXSW, Time Travel, Unfinished series, Webcomic, Wes Molebash | Leave a Comment »
April 11, 2017 by Paul Debraski
SOUNDTRACK: VALERIE JUNE-“Astral Plane” NPR’S SOUTH X LULLABY (March 15, 2017).
I have been hearing a lot about Valerie June lately, but I actually didn’t know her music before this lullaby.
For this song it is just her and her guitar sitting on a wall underneath some fairy lights. “Astral Plane” is a 3/4 time song (with a kind of plucked strumming) . The melody is simple and comforting, call it “a softly swaying, country-tinged soul song.” But I feel like it’s her voice that stands out.
Her voice is unique, and based on it I have no idea where she is from. It sounds accented but also almost cartoony. But there’s nothing funny about this song–it’s a pretty song about dancing on the astral lane. I found that I didn’t really like her voice at first, but it slowly grew on me. And I find myself somewhat addicted to this song now. Must hear more.
[READ: January 28, 2017] Cleopatra in Space Book Three
I ended the previous review by saying I couldn’t believe I had to wait forever to read the next book. And here it is almost a year later and book three is out.
As with the previous books in this series there is a lot of action–a lot of fighting sequences. But Maihack once again does a great job in keeping the action easy to follow even while lasers and knives are zapping all over the place.
As the story opens, we see Cleo’s ship surrounded by Octavian and a massive Xerx fleet. Cleo’s team is obviously afraid but we hear Octavian tell his crew that he wants everyone on Cleo’s ship alive. Unfortunately for Cleo, Zaid, a rather impulsive youth has joined them and fires on one of the ship’s lasers. This causes all kinds of chaos and a chase sequence. Continue Reading »
Posted in Adventure, C., Cats, Children's Books, Egyptology, Funny (ha ha), Graphic Novel, Mike Maihack, South X Lullaby, SXSW, Time Travel, Unfinished series, Valerie June | Leave a Comment »
April 10, 2017 by Paul Debraski
SOUNDTRACK: JEALOUS OF THE BIRDS-“Goji Berry Sunset” NPR’S SOUTH X LULLABY (March 14, 2017).
Jealous of the Birds is, I believe, just the two women in this video. This song is a beautiful, short, sweet song. Naomi Hamilton, a singer from Northern Ireland sings (and whistles) and plays the guitar while backing singer Hannah McConnell sings the deadpan-ish lines in the response two the lead vocals. But when the chorus comes in their harmonies elevate the song just a little higher.
This video was filmed under a soft, glowing light installation. The Amsterdam-based audiovisual design studio Circus Family conceived TRIPH as an immersive experience — as people enter the room, the lights change color, and as people leave, it falls to sleep.
So, while the song is lovely, it’s really satisfying to watch this video as the colors change and the camera moves all around. And the sound is great, too.
[READ: February 8, 2016] Cleopatra in Space Book Two
I really enjoyed book one of this series a lot. So I was delighted to see that Book Two had come out. I brought it home and C. enjoyed it and so did I. T. enjoyed it too. So much so, that I brought home book one for her to read so she could get all caught up.
This book follows the day after the previous book ends.
The only problem I had with the book is one that I tend to have with action stories. The first chapter was almost entirely action/fighting. Typically I find this sort of plot development hard to follow and unsatisfying. Fortunately, Maihack has an excellent artistic style and very clean lines and coloring, so there was nothing confusing about the action at all. But I had enjoyed the dialogue in the first book so much that I wished there was more in this one. Continue Reading »
Posted in C., Cats, Children's Books, Circus Family, Egyptology, Funny (ha ha), Graphic Novel, Jealous of the Birds, Mike Maihack, South X Lullaby, SXSW, Time Travel, TRIPH, Unfinished series | Leave a Comment »
April 9, 2017 by Paul Debraski
SOUNDTRACK: LILA DOWNS-Tiny Desk Concert #591 (January 13, 2017).
This is yet another example of musicians, artists who are bridging the divide that certain politicians have been trying to wedge int our country. Between the translated works of Zambra and the multilingual works of Lila Downs, it’s pretty obvious that cultural racism is just stupid. #ITMFA
The blurb tells us
Downs has spent her career exploring the furthest reaches of Mexican folk music. With a voice that borrows heavily from opera, Downs performs the kind of full-throated mariachi singing that would fit right in at Mexico City’s Garibaldi Square — ground zero for mariachi.
She can also coax the most tender moments from romantic boleros. But Downs is at her best when she and her band gather all of those influences to create cross-cultural expression that breaks down musical barriers. Entertaining and inspiring, she’s as much a storyteller as a singer, and her between-song banter lays bare the Mexican soul, only to have it punctuated in song.
She plays four songs and dedicates the first “Humito De Copal” to “all the journalists in the line of fire.”
Even though this song has many components of traditional Mexican folk, the size of the bad (nine pieces) and the big sound she creates transcends folk and makes it sound really catchy for all. I love it when midway through, the song takes off in a fun fast dancing section
She is really striking and her voice is amazing. She’s also playing a cool scratchy/grater item.
“La Promesa” comes from a series of song about he ritual and the offering of the Day of the Dead. She asks, “what does the homeland mean to us as Latin Americans as Mexicans and as Mexican Americans. It begins with a great electric guitar sound and cool organ accompaniment. And then she sings in quite a low voice holding notes for amazingly long (about 18 seconds). It turns into a bluesy song with a lengthy bluesy guitar solo.
The third song, “Viene La Muerte Echando Rasero” was written by a campesino, a farm worker, about rich and poor and young and old being taken by death. He says “even hit men are going to die.” She switches to a jarana, a small eight-stringed guitar-like instrument. After a slow intro the song picks up a bit with a kind of reggae feel. There’s already a big echo on the mic already but in the middle she cups her hands and gives the whole sound a much bigger echo. It has a catchy ending with everyone singing along.
She introduces the final song, “La Patria Madrina” by saying “In Mexico, you wake up and put on the news and see a lot of depressing things and you wake up and hope today will be better…and it isn’t. But despite all of this everything will be better tomorrow.” It’s a slower song with more reggae sounds and dramatic flourishes. This time there’s a kind of slide guitar running through the song.
The band consists of : Lila Downs (vocals, jarana); Paul Cohen (sax); George Saenz, Jr. (trombone); Hugo Moreno (trumpet); Marcos Lopez (seated percussion); Yayo Serka (seated drums); Rafael Gomez (electric guitar); Leo Soqui (jarana); Luis Guzman (bass).
[READ: August 28, 2016] “Reading Comprehension: Text No. 3”
I’ve enjoyed a lot of Zambra’s works and this one is no exception. I’m particularly intrigued by the “quiz” portion at the end of the piece which really takes the story in a different direction.
The structure of the story is similar to other stories I’ve read by him–I have to assume that he is being reasonably autobiographical about his youth and his life with the woman who would be his son’s mother. If not then he has really appropriated this character.
A man is writing a letter to his son. I loved the way the beginning started with the narrator telling his son to forget all of the thing that he has said or done: “mitigate my shouting, my inappropriate remarks, and my stupid jokes.” Continue Reading »
Posted in #ITMFA, #RESIST, Alejandro Zambra, Apologies, Dogs, Harper's, Letters, Lila Downs, Megan McDowell, Parenting, Racism, Regrets, Short Story, Tiny Desk Concert, Translation | Leave a Comment »
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SOUNDTRACK: DAKHABRAKHA-“Kolyskova” NPR’S SOUTH X LULLABY (March 21, 2017).
I loved DakhaBrakha’s Tiny Desk Concert. It was mesmerizing and beautiful. And so the performers came to SXSW and did a lullaby. And as the blurb says, they brought their “cello, keyboard, accordion – and tall, wool hats! — to the balcony of the Hilton Austin hotel.”
I Just Read About That... 