a voice, a flash of the spirit

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

nEW YORK LIFE 2009 - red hawk powwow in brooklyn 6/2009 - da chillens

nEW YORK LIFE 2009 - red hawk powwow in brooklyn 6/2009 - da face

nEW YORK LIFE 2009 - red hawk powwow in brooklyn 6/2009 - stoic

nEW YORK LIFE 2009 - red hawk powwow in brooklyn 6/2009 - various

nEW YORK LIFE 2009 - red hawk powwow in brooklyn 6/2009 - da designs

Sunday, June 7, 2009

nEW YORK LIFE 2009 - now in the city of my birth #3 - AFROBEAT FESTIVAL #1

the knitting factory in SOHO kicked off a kickass festival unfortunately slightly unpromoted but still with great intention. I'm not sure is NYker's are tired of afrobeat signs but regardless if they can shake their ass they shouldn't be. Cause straight up all of the indie shit permeating through brooklyn does stink to high heaven and a little soul or a shake never hurt a soul. Though the festival started on JUNE 2nd (i was unable to attend), some of the more forceful acts were not in attendence: them being ANTIBALAS and AKOYA. Both amazing groups in their own right. I actually received a flyer promoting Antibalas AFTER!! the festival. AnyWAY..... the one night i was able to attend was the last night properly ended with FEMI KUTI. Here he is.

Friday, June 5, 2009

nEW YORK LIFE 2009 - now in the city of my birth #2

I'm very much in love with film, filmmaking and filmviewing. When i first came to tokyo, i was frustrated by not being able to understand any of the movies due to my lack of linguistic ability. Now that I am fluent, I have no interest in watching Japanese movies. How ironic. Because of work and other obligations as well as interferences, I don't watch as many movies as I want. Also watching movies at home is just not so much fun. There is also no one to talk to about different types of movies available. Luckily seeing this as well as other films recently has renewed some of my faith in the actual experience of watching, enjoying as well as supporting film. These pics were taken while trying to find the knitting factory in SOHO. I happened upon a film set but it was just a video prod. for a south american band. Another guy watching said there were a lot of NICE women there. Of course I arrive after that. Anyway the pics show film is alive.

NEW YORK LIFE 2009 - now in the city of my birth #1

part of the life of the city is the musicians that play for free but ask for donations:busking. In tokyo, too many musicians labor in obscurity having to conform to the invitation-- invite friends so that you can pay the base pay of a club. no one comes and you pay from your pocket. The actual love of hearing, listening and enjoying music is quite changed. So it is with great relief that music can be free and supported directly by the public. Here I came across AFRO-ANDES, a nice band playing at penn station on this day.