Black Rock Abundance....Vote for Change...826 Valencia

Over at Bold As Love... while I was woodshedding, Mr. Fields was hosting his own Black Rock Coalition co-sponsored CMJ show at BAMCafé on October 25th. Dang! How did I miss hearing about this?

Plus there are a few new interviews over at Bold As Love as well, with the Hendrix loving headliners Red Lotus for one, and Chewing Pics , another act on the Bold As Love bill (I'm digging the latter's "The Matter of Glass" at the moment). After listening to the interview with Red Lotus lead singer/guitartist Rozz Nash-Coulen (who is also a personal trainer; unh-hunh, how do rockers keep working it night after night, um...they WORK IT...) and guitarist Jean-Marx Sentel (the name definitely gives you cause to pause), where they spoke about influences, creative process, and working on an inclusive sound that results in a rich melange rather than an indescriminate stew, I was really intrigued about their music. Plus they appreciate the melodic and timbral aspects of Hendrix's writing--which doesn't get as much recognition as it should in relation to the sonic pyrotechnics. Listening on their MySpace page didn't really do it for me, but then I found the track that had Mr. Fields trying to see them live for two years, finally he just had to book them himself (Mr. Fields is dedicated ya'all...). Anyway, then I got it, yep, "Firecracker" (I think that's the name, there's no credit listed on the post) it reminds me of Sophie Ramos' work, songs that need to be out there complicating the musical/songwriting landscape.

I'm still waiting to hear all about the Bold As Love CMJ event. I hope that report is coming soon...(paging Mr. Fields...)

Speaking of BRC events Burnt Sugar Arkestra is going to have a post-election celebration in Brooklyn (because, they're in "Yes We Can!" mode, and "Either way, we're gonna rise up and make some noise.")

Wed. Nov 5, 2008
10:00 PM
Zebulon Cafe
258 Wythe Avenue (between Metropolitan and North 3rd St.)
Williamsburg, BROOKLYN, New York 10012
No cover -just a pass of the hat


Also, courtesy of J's Theater, the cast of The Wire reunites to urge North Carolinians to "Vote for Change":



Lastly, in the "Six Degrees of Separation" category, writer Tayari Jones linked to a TED video of writer Dave Eggers talking about 826 Valencia, the San Francisco-originated non-profit he started which is "dedicated to helping children with their reading and writing." Eggers was received the 2008 TED award. There are now 826 chapters in Chicago, Boston, Seattle, NYC, Los Angeles, and Michican, about 826 National the website adds, "826 is especially committed to supporting teachers, offering services and resources for English language learners, and publishing student work. Several locations offer unique retail experiences as well." Earlier this week Tayari Jones's "Lunch Break Links" also linked to my previous blogpost on Toni Morrison's new book, the AACM celebration, etc. which included a list of short story collections I have enjoyed or am now considering reading. One of these is The Book of Other People, edited by writer Zadie Smith (White Teeth, Autograph Man, On Beauty). All of the royalties from this anthology are being donated by the writers to 826 Valencia. I have only just started it, so I'm not saying anything, OK, I will say I really like Edwidge Danticat's story "Lélé". Smith's only direction to the 20+ writers she assembled was "make somebody up."

Dave Eggers' TED Award acceptance speech, and TED wish, where he talks about the community changing effects of helping children with their homework, and supporting your community's teachers in the work they do to educate the nation's children. Basically as Jone's blogpost title puts it "Dave Eggers Wants to Change the World"(one of the best parts are the unique storefronts a number of the chapters have set up, based on the original 826 Valencia model, meant to fulfill the building's zoning requirement) :