vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds that reflect the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era
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(Music Zeitgeist) Who?
Master kamale ngoni player, Mamadou Sidibe is from the Wassoulou Region of Mali, West Africa. Twenty-five years ago Mamadou played a groundbreaking role in transforming the music of this region from its origins in hunters’ sacred melodies; played on six string donso ngoni (hunter’s harps) to a music of philosophical observations, politics and daily life, Mamadou was one of the first to expand the instrument’s range with two extra strings, creating the popular kamale ngoni. |
He has recently enhanced the kamale ngoni even further, by creating 10 and 12 string kamale ngoni. Mamadou, with artists Coumba Sidibe, Oumou Sangare and Ramatu Diakite, spread the new sounds through recordings and performances in Europe, Africa and the United States. Not only is Mamadou a master of the kamale ngoni, he is accomplished on several other African instruments as well.
Vanessa Sidibe, originally from New York, is an accomplished Afro-Cuban and Salsa musician. She has performed, recorded and taught in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City for over fifteen years. She brings earthy depth and ethereal sensuality to all her vocals whether singing in English, Bambara or Spanish. In addition, her time spent in Havana, Cuba, shows with her impeccable rhythm on percussion.
What?
Music from the Wassoulou Region of Mali, West Africa blended with Blues.
Why?
It combines our musical roots and passions.
Until when?
As long as we are having a good time!
Instrumentation
Mamadou Sidibe - vocals, donso, kamale ngoni
Vanessa Sidibe - vocals, percussion
Discography
The new CD is available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/mamvan/
Find out more at:
http://www.musicmali.com/
Listen to Mamadou and Vanessa’s track “Janjon” at Musiczeitgeist.com
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Dear Mr./Ms. band named Crocodile: |
You don’t know me, and I don’t know you - I am not a stalker, but I am really a fan of your music. It reminds me of when I was a teenager and it was the beginning of the 90’s and I listened to the Vaselines (who are going to play their first-ever US show this year) and Spin Magazine actually mattered because it was subversive and daring in its taste, and I liked Stereolab and early Ween, and I liked getting high and I played around with my Korg Analogue sequencer and we had BBQ’s and sometimes I would stay up all night thinking about things like who I would wanted to hook up with, what God might be and where all of this was going.
I had two massive wooden speakers with huge 20″ cones on either side of my bed and I would fall asleep to Ministry, The Dark Side of the Moon or Talk Talk’s Laughing Stock and sometimes I would listen to mix-tapes someone at the rival high-school made for me and left in my locker anonymously and the sound of the hiss shutting off meant I could finally turn off my mind and go to sleep.
Thank you for your new record “The Great Depression” - it was really fun to listen to, and for a second I felt like it was then again, and I could go play with the willow tree at my grandparent’s yard and your CD sounds more crystal clear than those mix-tapes sounded and the music is good. I know you are “just” an indie, but I hope that lots of people get to hear your music, because you rock in a really good way.
(Music Zeitgeist) Who?
We are Crocodile from Oklahoma City, OK.
What?
We are a three-piece band that makes a mean pop cocktail and we’re not afraid to sing songs about unicorns and sex. But we don’t really. Synthcore, essentially - you dig? There are approximately 200 plastic & wooden “ivory” keys on our stage. We play them all.
Why?
Because Ace Frehley isn’t looking so hot these days and someone’s gotta carry that torch to the finish line.
Until when?
Until we’re 30. That’s the pact we’ve made.
But we’ve also been known to not acknowledge the concept of time. We’re often late to every show we play. Sometimes we show up before we’ve even been booked. So who knows really…
And then?
We’ll become responsible adults and ride off into the sunset on our donkeys.
Instrumentation
Raechel Brown - vocals, synths, guitars, theremin
Derek Brown - vocals, synths, guitars
Dusty Nelson - drums
Discography
The Great Depression - EP (2008), self released
Listen to Crocodile’s track “August Is Over” at Musiczeitgeist.com
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Fronted by comely siren Midori Longo, Midori/Audioclique is a West Coast outfit that straddles the narrowing line between long-tail Jessica Simpson bands like Paramore->Be Your Own Pet and the wild wild world of self-produced ever-more widely available independent releases that take chances in the production room and sometimes crank out something that intertextually (so not a real word) leans on the wide-open sound of Zeppelin and what No Doubt must have sounded like before their first major label (read gated toms) outing. This project rides the wave in both directions, promising a fresh voice and one that is institutionally sanctioned by the payola powers that be. |
It is in this very dichotomy that the interest lies.
Midori’s voice has all the making of mainstream stardom and the band that she rides understands the gravity of letting the moment ride, calling on vintage recording techniques and broad sounding mixes that remind us that there is a life in all this, not just an agenda to cut through the clamor. It will be interesting to see how they proceed, for indeed they will either blow open a door or walk through another where the party is well attended and they will scan the room in fear that someone may already be wearing the same dress.
Let’s give ‘em an A. Cuz the sound, when it’s sound, is sexy and so is she.
In their words:
(Music Zeitgeist) Who:
Midori/Audioclique
What:
We are a young Bay Area band with a mix of influences that creates a unique sound. Our songs have been featured on slicethepie, pulse radio, and Garageband.com. Our sound can be described as organic, classic rock fused with a modern presence a lá Beatles meets Avril meets Zepplin meets Sheryl Crow meets Matchbox [20]. Four of our songs won several awards on garageband[.com], including track of the day, track of the week, and several number one spots in the Bay Area music category.
In January 2007, our song ‘Dangerous Side’ was featured on the UK radio show The Rock Show with Wyatt Wendels (SKY 0155 UK).
We also made it to the Showcase Round for slicethepie.com - AllGenres 4 Arena, and placed 3rd out of 1000 entrants (we were the top ranked U.S. band).
Recently, Midori won Singer Universe’s Best Vocalist of the Month competition for her song ‘Close Your Eyes,’ and will be featured on their home page from 5/8/2008-6/8/2008.
Why:
We LOVE to play and we want to be heard and to build a strong fan base. We want to share our music, and there’s no better rush than playing for people that are totally into your music 
!!!
Until when:
Until we die, of course.
And then:
…we will decompose instead of compose.
Instrumentation:
Midori Longo- lead vocals
Kevin McCammon-bass
Ron Longo- guitar, vox
Conor McCammon- keyboards
Dylan Garrison- Drums
Discography:
Debut CD to be released June 2008.
Listen to Midori/audioclique’s track “Go” at Musiczeitgeist.com
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anhai May 25, 2008 8:00 PM 1214 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario Cost : free |
New Music from Anhai. A refreshing new Canadian sound with songs from Canada’s nature. Anhai creates a blend of Anishanabee (First Nations) and mixed world background emerges in an original popular alternative music format. Her songs are awakening people to a powerful voice from nature.
Anhai’s live performances have included collaborations with (Ani DiFranco’s drummer) Don Kerr, upright bass legend George Koller, and inventor of virtual reality (true story) Jared Lanier. A protegé of Bob Ezrin’s in her mid-teens, Anhai has matured into a unique and unrepeatable voice that evokes anything from Polly Jean Harvey to Diamanda Galas to Lisa Gerrard, but resembles none. A transformative performance not-to-be-missed.
Visit http://www.myspace.com/anhaimusic
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Artist Profile: Joseph A. Peragine
Music Zeitgeist recently discovered the music of Ohio artist Joseph A. Peragine. The self-produced multi-instrumentalist creates gorgeous and urgent evolving songs that summon up the best that the first wave of early 90’s independent alternative music had to offer. This is not a slight - it was a golden age for musical experimentation and the music landscape would do well to remember the undercurrents that have slowly become annexed by the bands that claimed the game prize.
His angelic and beautifully rendered vocals aside, Peragine evokes everything from Jesus Lizard, His Name Is Alive and King Crimson to Smashing Pumpkins and Fred Frith. But it isn’t limited to post-prog innovators; his track “Perspectives of Then and Now Saved… Metamorphosis Engraved/Rewind” from his album The Acoustic Diaries is a holographic dream of amazing sampling, tape-playback, acoustic/vocal singing and songwriting that instantly bypasses all your defense mechanisms and leaves you staring a thousand yards beyond the twilight out the grimy window of whatever little box you live in and contemplating those seemingly significant moments of your life that you can still manage to surrender from fading memory.
Music Zeitgeist had an opportunity to ask the artist some personal questions:
Music Zeitgeist: Who?
My name Is Joseph A. Peragine
What?
I am an Indie/Experimental Solo artist who writes my music about my personal struggles with paranoid Schizophrenia.
Why?
I want to eliminate all of the negative stigmas associated with my illness and show the world that there is recovery.
Until when?
As long as I am mentally and physically able to create music and spread my positive message I will do so.
And then?
Hopefully I can leave some type of positive impact in the world of music and mental health.
Instrumentation
Joseph A. Peragine: Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Drums, Percussion, Sampling
Discography
“The Acoustic Diaries” (Oct. 2004)
“Self Medication…Poems of Alienation” (Nov. 2006)
http://www.josephaperagine.com
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fizzarum - “exivyd” - Album: monochrome plural
Why: obviously made by a brain jettisoned into space after the biomech upgrades went wrong. But in a really zen way. In other words - just the real deal.
Jack Wall, Sam Hulick, Richard Jacques, David Kates - Album: Mass Effect Original Game Soundtrack
Why: Because it often leans towards Richard James Selected Ambient Works 2, and it does it right. Made finishing this massive RPG a lot more satisfying. More of this in games please.
Santana - “Mantra’ - Album: Lotus (disc 2)
Why: This rare import of Santana live in Japan back in the mid 70’s is just the lick. Insane percussion, stream of consciousness, fat analog synths and psychotropics. At about 180bpms. Amazing.
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