Monday, June 27, 2005

Gimme the light

About a week ago (or has it been two?!), a friend invited me to her performance at the Faites de la lumière out there in the nomansland in the 20th where every metro line is equidistant from a center where there is no service. That is NOT to imply it is a cultural wasteland, quite the opposite; the tourists may hold the center of Paris, but the locals of partying and creating on the outskirts. Case in point, cette fête. An old winding street is blocked off to traffic, artists are invited to make installations on the theme of light, and the public runs amok. Sorta a cross between a street fair and art gallery opening. Little kids are "painting" the sides of buildings using projectors, people are dancing under blacklight swathed in underwear and dayglo paints, teenagers are talking too loud on cell-phones.


This is a fine event for such a large city. It's the sorta thing I could imagine in Olympia, WA (Pop. 35,000), but Paris? Pas mal.


Speaking of Oly-town, Mind Your Pig, Latoya did a concert over at the Clipper the other night. I'm sure it was a kick. Just listen to this:


Mind Your Pig, Latoya - Angel (2005)


The ladies are playing at Ladyfest (as well as Wanda Jackson!). The link to the song will only last a week. So get 'em while they're hot and you can say "I knew them when..."

Monday, June 13, 2005

I am translating in a room

[a bit long of a post, but they'll be a song at the end]

Taking a cue from Alvin Lucier, and Mark Twain, I spent a few minutes translating and re-translating a text of mine in and out of English and French utilizing Babel Fish.

After the rousing success of our first venture there, DJ Whistle Punk returns to Mange Disque for another night of wine, friends and fun. The theme: Psychedelic Music from around the world. We'll hit the underground underneath Sgt. Peppers. England and the US will be in force, but also music from Germany, Cambodia, Turkey, Japan and all around the world. Grab your friends and get ready to drop in and tune in to the Freak-In. Details below.

Après le succès suscitant de notre première entreprise là, DJ sifflent des retours Punks à Mange Disque pour une autre nuit de vin, des amis et d'amusement. Le thème : Musique psychédélique de partout dans le monde. Nous frapperons le souterrain sous sgt. Peppers. L'Angleterre et les USA seront en vigueur, mais également la musique d'Allemagne, Cambodge, Turquie, Japon et tout autour du monde. Saisissez vos amis et soyez prêt pour se laisser tomber dedans et accorder dedans au Anormal-Dans. Détails ci-dessous.

After the causing success of our first company there, DJ whistle Punks returns to Mange Disc for another night of wine, the friends and recreation. The topic: Psychedelic music of everywhere in the world. We will strike the underground under sgt. Peppers. England and the USA will be in force, but also the music of Germany, Kampuchea, Turkey, Japan and all around the world. Seize your friends and are ready to let itself fall inside and grant inside to Abnormal-In. Details below.

Après le succès causant de notre première compagnie là, DJ sifflent des retours de Punks au disque de Mange pour une autre nuit de vin, des amis et de récréation. La matière : Musique psychédélique partout dedans du monde. Nous frapperons le souterrain sous le sgt. poivres. L'Angleterre et les Etats-Unis seront en vigueur, mais également la musique de l'Allemagne, Kampuchea, Turquie, Japon et tout autour du monde. Saisissez vos amis et soyez prêt laissez-vous tomber à l'intérieur et la concession à l'intérieur à Anormal-Dans. Détails ci-dessous.

After the causing success of our first company there, DJ whistle returns of Punks to the disc of Eats for another night of wine, the friends and recreation. Matter: Psychedelic music everywhere inside of the world. We will strike the underground under the sgt. peppers. England and the United States will be in force, but also the music of Germany, Kampuchea, Turkey, Japan and all around the world. Seize your friends and are ready drop you inside and the concession inside to Abnormal-In. Details below.

I have't followed it long enough to see if it eventually stablizes (as say with the nouns) or make small adjustments everytime becoming more and more, shall we say psychedelic?

Psychedelic music hit in the late 60s admist global changes in power, economics, and movement of cultural ideas. Though one generally traces it roots to the US or the UK, traces of it find their way in to many popular musics. In Cambodia, just be before the rise of Pol Pot, there was evidently a scene. The only evidence that remains are compulations such as Cambodian Rocks!, offering the music. Unknown are the artists, the titles and whether they survive the killing fields.

Unknown - Unknown
(track ten from Cambodian Rocks!)

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Freak-In'ternational

From the propaganda files of DJ Whistle Punk:

Crazier than a Freak-Out. Sexier than a Love-In.
It's a Freak-In'ternational.

After the rousing success of our first venture there, DJ Whistle Punk returns to Mange Disque for another night of wine, friends and fun. The theme: Psychedelic Music from around the world. We'll hit the underground underneath Sgt. Peppers. England and the US will be in force, but also music from Germany, Cambodia, Turkey, Japan and all around the world. Grab your friends and get ready to drop in and tune in to the Freak-In.

Details:

Thursday, 9 June, 9pm to 2am (pre-mix drink with the DJ: 8pm)
Mange Disque
58 rue de la fontaine au roi, 11è
Metro: Goncourt

And a little something to put you in the mood:

Mavi Isiklar - Benim Dunyam Sensin (1967 Turkey)

taken from his album 33 'sayan.