Monday, September 19, 2011
[DARNELL LEVINE: REAL BLOG]: Darnell Levine resumes Small Rooms
[DARNELL LEVINE: REAL BLOG]: Darnell Levine resumes Small Rooms: One night only...Darnell Levine with solo tourdates playing new songs with very special guest DJ Always. See venues at www.darnelllevine....
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
James Blake By: Mfoniso Udofia
By no means is this artist new. He has been around for years doing his own work and then mixing some fly ass tunes for other artists under the name Harmonimix. So…yea he isn’t new…I’m just old… and slow and so when I first heard of James Blake, about a month ago, he was a revelation.
Number one…the guy can sing. Like..SANG-sing. The genre is post-dub step. So it is minimal and sparse in terms of the actual singing….and you would have to have a general like of electronic music…but the sounds…Jesus Christ! I don’t know. My vocabulary is inadequate. Listen to Blake’s, “The Wilhelm Scream,” and try to explain it beyond: haunting.
It has been a long time since I have heard truly artistic music. Music that is meant to make me feel and think. Music that is an expression beyond the commercial demands of the masses. Music, I think, was actually joyfully/painfully made. Upon hearing Blake’s, “The Wilhelm Scream,” I promptly bought the entire album, hoping, that the expectation I had built up around what I had just heard would be met in the other cuts. It was. I was immediately addicted. Blake’s “Unluck” with the incessant, almost schizophrenic tapping made my heart race. It was like Blake knew and could sing/produce sounds that mimicked that crazy sort of pressure only ourselves can but on ourselves…It was heart racing fear/panic/imminent danger while still appearing controlled….but falling apart….while spaces are closing in…”Unluck“ is like a refined nightmare in the middle of the day and no one can it see/feel it but you. I love…love that song.
I realize that I connect to Blake because of where I am now. There is something inside of me that Soul-understands Blake’s music. I found an artist who meets me. I hope everyone finds that someone at least once every 3 months. Shake it up a little! It’s kind of like food…you have to have it.
…If you have never heard of him and want to explore Blake…go and check him out. His work deserves to be heard. You might like him. You might not. But I dare you to tell me, that amidst all those sounds, James Blake has not founded a genre of music that is irrevocably human.
The Wilhelm Scream:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVgEaDemxjc
Unluck:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yubEmY6ruu8 (about 1 minute in)
For more of my writings go to:
http://www.mfonisoudofia.com/
Number one…the guy can sing. Like..SANG-sing. The genre is post-dub step. So it is minimal and sparse in terms of the actual singing….and you would have to have a general like of electronic music…but the sounds…Jesus Christ! I don’t know. My vocabulary is inadequate. Listen to Blake’s, “The Wilhelm Scream,” and try to explain it beyond: haunting.
It has been a long time since I have heard truly artistic music. Music that is meant to make me feel and think. Music that is an expression beyond the commercial demands of the masses. Music, I think, was actually joyfully/painfully made. Upon hearing Blake’s, “The Wilhelm Scream,” I promptly bought the entire album, hoping, that the expectation I had built up around what I had just heard would be met in the other cuts. It was. I was immediately addicted. Blake’s “Unluck” with the incessant, almost schizophrenic tapping made my heart race. It was like Blake knew and could sing/produce sounds that mimicked that crazy sort of pressure only ourselves can but on ourselves…It was heart racing fear/panic/imminent danger while still appearing controlled….but falling apart….while spaces are closing in…”Unluck“ is like a refined nightmare in the middle of the day and no one can it see/feel it but you. I love…love that song.
I realize that I connect to Blake because of where I am now. There is something inside of me that Soul-understands Blake’s music. I found an artist who meets me. I hope everyone finds that someone at least once every 3 months. Shake it up a little! It’s kind of like food…you have to have it.
…If you have never heard of him and want to explore Blake…go and check him out. His work deserves to be heard. You might like him. You might not. But I dare you to tell me, that amidst all those sounds, James Blake has not founded a genre of music that is irrevocably human.
The Wilhelm Scream:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVgEaDemxjc
Unluck:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yubEmY6ruu8 (about 1 minute in)
For more of my writings go to:
http://www.mfonisoudofia.com/
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
" Voices of The Soul" (The Mark of True Independent Artistry)
Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin... What do they all have in common? Is it the fact that they are recording artists, successful, or gifted? In my opinion the common denominator is their independence of sound and vision accompanied by true artistry. At this point in today's music industry many pop artists spat these names off very rapidly, equating their inspiration and drive w/these artists as the catalyst. Yet we all agree that something is missing in today’s popular music genres, and has been missing for the last five to ten years. We have chosen many different factors as part of the reasoning behind this great change in mainstream artistry. We truly are in need for what I like to call, "Voices of the Soul."
When Donny Hathaway sings the chorus, "I Am Singing This Song To You", or Aretha sings, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" there is a sound that is not only sonically extraordinary. There is something emotional and spiritual that happens in the mind and body of each listener despite race, class and creed. This is what has to be ushered back into our society, and I believe the conduit of this necessity will come from the heart and pen of the independent artist. Music has always had the power to shift society, and it’s always been the songs that were meant to rebel, and had a poignant message and intent to change that propels society.
The voice of the independent artist has changed and shaped our world into what it is currently. Individuals such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and many others despite their relationship with a major record label or not, have maintained the message and power in their vision. Their goal was to utilize music as a tool for movement and inspiration and not commercialization.
Soul Sensations Indy Artist Events are designed to give a stage and audience for these artists who have this same level of greatness and purity of purpose and their weapon is their music. Come check out Soul Sensations, and witness the next regime of revolutionary "Voices of Soul".
Youtube (Marvin, Nina, Aretha, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and anyone else that moves your soul)
U.O.
When Donny Hathaway sings the chorus, "I Am Singing This Song To You", or Aretha sings, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" there is a sound that is not only sonically extraordinary. There is something emotional and spiritual that happens in the mind and body of each listener despite race, class and creed. This is what has to be ushered back into our society, and I believe the conduit of this necessity will come from the heart and pen of the independent artist. Music has always had the power to shift society, and it’s always been the songs that were meant to rebel, and had a poignant message and intent to change that propels society.
The voice of the independent artist has changed and shaped our world into what it is currently. Individuals such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and many others despite their relationship with a major record label or not, have maintained the message and power in their vision. Their goal was to utilize music as a tool for movement and inspiration and not commercialization.
Soul Sensations Indy Artist Events are designed to give a stage and audience for these artists who have this same level of greatness and purity of purpose and their weapon is their music. Come check out Soul Sensations, and witness the next regime of revolutionary "Voices of Soul".
Youtube (Marvin, Nina, Aretha, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and anyone else that moves your soul)
U.O.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Roll Call/ Who are the writers you support and how do you support
ROLL CALL
What are your favorite playwrights? In this time in New York many are coming to mind- The names that we call often, see on billboards or on the front page of Playbill.com. But I ask- what if your favorite writer is one that's name is not on the board? What if you have to replay the actors beautifully sprouting your writers words in the workshop reading you saw two months before? Will you continue to follow a playwright voice is never consistently heard? Would it frustrate you enough to FUND their work? To tell your local theatre about them? OR--would you find another artists whose work is currently being produced?
What will you do?
Shout out to my fav writers of now
Mfoniso Udofia/ Shaun Neblett/ Keith Josef Adkins/ Zakiya Alexander/ Jason Holtham/ Robert O'Hara/ Kevin Dedes/ Michael McClure/ Sarita Moore and Justin Scribner/ Dominque Morisseau/ Radha Blank
SHOUT OUT the writers you support and support them!! Its in our hands!
What are your favorite playwrights? In this time in New York many are coming to mind- The names that we call often, see on billboards or on the front page of Playbill.com. But I ask- what if your favorite writer is one that's name is not on the board? What if you have to replay the actors beautifully sprouting your writers words in the workshop reading you saw two months before? Will you continue to follow a playwright voice is never consistently heard? Would it frustrate you enough to FUND their work? To tell your local theatre about them? OR--would you find another artists whose work is currently being produced?
What will you do?
Shout out to my fav writers of now
Mfoniso Udofia/ Shaun Neblett/ Keith Josef Adkins/ Zakiya Alexander/ Jason Holtham/ Robert O'Hara/ Kevin Dedes/ Michael McClure/ Sarita Moore and Justin Scribner/ Dominque Morisseau/ Radha Blank
SHOUT OUT the writers you support and support them!! Its in our hands!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Belief in the Unseen/ The journey of Soul Productions
Hello New york. Hello World. Erin here. I have been up since 3am working on sponsorship letters for the support of my production company, SOUL PRODUCTIONS. I have decided to add to my load of work by detailing my days so you can see a day in the life of ME!
Lets get started!
3am woke up like it was 10am got the computer and starting to brainstorm new concepts for theatre events. I am starting to realize that everything that we conceive to imagine can come to life if we TRULY believe that it is a possibility. If there is one ounce of doubt, FORGET IT! But i ask, what does it take to believe? Especially if you are in our art of music and theatre. How do we continue to believe in a future we cannot see?
When i was in Cali in acting school, no one told us how to really live in this world, this New York -L.A.- ChicagoWorld. It was school. It was supposed to be a bubble of goodness- colorblind casting, Shakespeare all the time, and the basics of creation- sending and receiving. I have been in some theatres where I had an experience like my old school days, but for the most part I feel that artistry is led by UNBELIEF.
It comes across in the way we choose artists. We choose artists with acclaim in hopes that their name can be associated with our events- therefore making the event a Success. Another example is trying to follow someone else's career path thats not your own. This has been a huge life lesson for me. My grandmother told me one time: "Don't ever try to be on someone else road. You don't know what's over there". I totally agree, but its the easiest thing to do especially in a culture that categorizes every aspect of our lives.
I am coming back to my blank document now on the screen/ headline: "New Devised Theatre Projects"/ Gonna try to finish up my thoughts so i can go back to sleep! Thanks for listening to my rant-- Lets all try to BELIEVE in the UNSEEN this week.
Peace
Lets get started!
3am woke up like it was 10am got the computer and starting to brainstorm new concepts for theatre events. I am starting to realize that everything that we conceive to imagine can come to life if we TRULY believe that it is a possibility. If there is one ounce of doubt, FORGET IT! But i ask, what does it take to believe? Especially if you are in our art of music and theatre. How do we continue to believe in a future we cannot see?
When i was in Cali in acting school, no one told us how to really live in this world, this New York -L.A.- ChicagoWorld. It was school. It was supposed to be a bubble of goodness- colorblind casting, Shakespeare all the time, and the basics of creation- sending and receiving. I have been in some theatres where I had an experience like my old school days, but for the most part I feel that artistry is led by UNBELIEF.
It comes across in the way we choose artists. We choose artists with acclaim in hopes that their name can be associated with our events- therefore making the event a Success. Another example is trying to follow someone else's career path thats not your own. This has been a huge life lesson for me. My grandmother told me one time: "Don't ever try to be on someone else road. You don't know what's over there". I totally agree, but its the easiest thing to do especially in a culture that categorizes every aspect of our lives.
I am coming back to my blank document now on the screen/ headline: "New Devised Theatre Projects"/ Gonna try to finish up my thoughts so i can go back to sleep! Thanks for listening to my rant-- Lets all try to BELIEVE in the UNSEEN this week.
Peace
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