Stories about Music from November, 2007
Ukraine: Ani Lorak
Ukrainian Musical Matters writes about pop singer Ani Lorak.
Kuduro: The Sexy Angolan Rhythm With a Message
Whether the word Kuduro comes from the Kimbundu language, native to northern Angola and means “location” or from the Portuguese expression meaning “hard ass” or “stiff bottom” is debated but there's no argument that the dance is sexy. As one watches the dancers of this Angolan music style jutting their...
Armenia: Rock ‘n Roll Rebels
The Armenian Patchwork posts photographs from the last gig by Armenia's most popular rock band, Bambir. Now with a new drummer, Anush quotes the band's guitarist as saying their new set contains songs which are a reaction against society and nationalism.
Zambia: Listen to George Kazoka
Ben Loxo takes us to Zambia for a musical journey: “Wow, busy week. Feeling a bit tired this morning. A little Zambian “you’ve done me wrong” acoustic by George Kazoka lifts me out of bed and into my mug of coffee.”
Uganda: Ten questions with the Comrade
Beloved by the blogren for his prolific, provocative comments and his endless, passionate devotion to North Korea, the 27th Comrade was until recently one of Uganda's most active bloggers. Two months ago the Comrade decided to take a hiatus from his blog Communist Socks and Boots. Our author Rebekah Heacock sought him out for a conversation about writing, reggae and, naturally, Communism.
Russia: Peter Nalitch
Siberian Light writes about Peter Nalitch, Russia's “homegrown star to match Borat”: “Seriously – who could resist the charming Nalitch as he croons “Gitarrr, Gitarrr, Gitarrr, jump to my yaguarrr, Gitarrr, Gitarrr Gitarrr, come to my boudoirrr” from the front seat of his cramped Soviet Kopeika car?”
Bulgaria: Sofia Cab Driver
Petya of Bighead shares a Sofia cab driver story.
Belarus: Rock Music and the Regime
Lukashenko's regime makes Belarusian “half-prohibited” rock musicians an offer they can't refuse; TOL's Belarus writes about Belarusian bloggers’ reactions.
China: “Red Foreigner” Sings Red Songs Naked
An American blogger who names himself Honglaowai (red foreigner) has revived the Chinese red songs, a serious political music in China ,and extensively posted his music videos on YouTube, Youku and Tudou such video sharing websites. What's more, in his red song MVs, he is naked to the waist.
Croatia: Football News
Illyrian Gazette writes about the Croatian football team, music – and Borat.
Russia: History of the Anthems
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about all the anthems of Russia – and admits that John Lennon's ‘Imagine’ would have been the best option.
Armenia: HaShiSh
Life in the Armenian Diaspora reports that HaShiSh, an Armenian punk rock band from South America, is touring the U.S. Meanwhile, Unzipped posts an account of former System of a Down frontman, Serj Tankian, performing in London.
Ukraine: Maidan is 3
Ukrainiana posts photos and video from the third anniversary of the Orange Revolution in Kyiv and criticizes president Yushchenko for not being self-critical enough: “What about our purchasing power? What about our average life expectancy? What about the AIDS epidemic? What about the casualty rate in the mining industry? What...
Ukraine: Holodomor Song
Nash Holos posts a YouTube video of a Ukrainian song dedicated to the Holodomor victims.
Egypt: New TV Channel
“As if we are really in a desperate need for another Music Video Channel !! And it is not like any other channel it is the MTV Channel directed to the Arab world,” writes Zeinobia, from Egypt.
Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti: Film Screening
Trinidad's Studio Film Club will be screening the Haitian film Ghosts of Cite Soleil.
Ukraine: Verka Serdyuchka; MTV Ukraine
Ukrainian Musical Matters reports on Verka Serdyuchka and the recently launched MTV Ukraine – and explains what makes Ukrainian music special.
Ethiopia: Teddy Afro Concert Review
A review of Teddy Afro concert in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: “Last night I attended a concert by Teddy Afro. I think I'd heard the name maybe once before K mentioned going. The concert was being held at the Ghion, so I imagined a nice little crowd in one of the...
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Christmas in the Air
Abeni sees signs that Christmas is coming…
Mali: The music of Mariam Bagayoko
Awesome Tapes From Africa posts the music of Mariam Bagayoko: Um, yeah. This is scary. The other-worldly pentatonic balafon and its apocalyptic overtones repeat toward infinity, and I can't help but think of Reich's marimba ostinatos and Partch's microtones here.
D.R of Congo: Grand Master Franco Luambo
Shakara blogs about the Congolese musician, Franco Luambo: “It’s a known fact that Franco recorded various praise songs for Mobutu, openly supported Mobutu’s presidential campaigns and toured to promote the Authenticity policy.”
