Stories about Music from June, 2010
Cape Verde: Bau Talks On Being a Musician in a Small Country
In an interview for blog Café Margoso [pt], musician Bau shares his dream of creating a music school for the children of Cape Verde. The artist says that because he is based in “such a small country”, he finds many restrictions to the possibilities of growing as an artist.
Laos: Vientiane's second radio station
Sabydee Lao blogs about the opening of a radio station in Vientiane, Laos. It’s newsworthy because it is only the second radio station in the nation's capital.
China: A music video's take on property prices
Alice from DANWEI translated the lyrics of a music video commenting on the property price in China.
Philippines: Dancing Prisoners’ Tribute to Michael Jackson
And they've done it again. Convicted criminals from Cebu Province in the Philippines danced to the tunes of the late Michael Jackson in a tribute performance marking the first death anniversary of the famous music icon.
Chile: Flash Mob Remembering Michael Jackson
María Pastora writes [es] about her first time participating in a flash mob. She also includes a video of the flash mob, which was choreographed as a tribute to Michael Jackson. The flash mob was organized by flashmob.cl [es]
Turkey: Jazz and the Russian Revolution
The Daily Seyahatname/Blogging Balkanistan writes about “how the Russian Revolution brought jazz to Turkey.”
Ethiopia: Musician receives honorary degree
Arefe writes about Ali Birra who is one of the premiere artists of his generation, dominating the national Oromo music scene in Ethiopia.
Brazil: Stefhany, Authentic Pop Star Rises from the Web
Stefhany is known as “Beyonce from Piauí”. Her first video “Eu sou Stefhany” [I am Stefhany], uploaded to Youtube by a friend and fan, has had almost 2 million views so far. She is a great example of Web 2.0's power to create new pop stars.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Viva the Vuvuzela
Abeni remembers when the ICC Cricket World Cup came to the Caribbean: “The conch shells, bugles, horns, drums etc which were integral to the Caribbean cricketing experience [were no longer] allowed” – which is why she declares, “Viva the vuvuzela!”
Trinidad & Tobago: In Through the Out Door
Outlish is a new online magazine targeted at young adult Trinbagonians. It showcases people who are going after their dreams and features fresh perspectives on issues that readers obviously relate to, because its popularity is soaring. We find out what makes Outlish the newest "in" thing by talking with its founder and Editor-in-Chief, Karel Mc Intosh...
Senegal: The Fiercest Critic of President Wade's Regime
A You Tube video in Wolof criticizing president Wade's regime has become an internet sensation in Senegal. «Tassou Abdoulaye Wade» [fr] by a young street vendor who also claims to be a griot.
Jamaica: Dancing for the Don?
“Passa-Passa wasn’t just a big street dance. It was a full-on performance BY Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke for the rest of the country and the world. He showed…that he had the power to…[draw] crowds of people like moths to a flame to frolic in his personal fiefdom that is Tivoli. Smart...
China: Ongoing online ‘jihad’ against Korean pop fans
Following a stampede outside a Korean boy band concert at the 2010 Expo in Shanghai, an ongoing culture war between China's devoted K-pop fans and their equally crazed World of Warcraft gamer counterparts has broken out in a fresh online skirmish.
Israel: Pixies Pull Show Stopper
In the wake of mounting international criticism and condemnation of Israel’s clash with activists intent on breaking the blockade on Gaza, the Pixies, a veteran rock band, have canceled their concert in Israel. Nicole Hyman follows the debate on the link between music and politics on Twitter.
Macedonia: Singing Skopjans Cover Footbal World Cup Anthem
Singing Skopjans celebrated [MKD] the start of the Football World Cup in South Africa by singing its anthem, “Waving Flag,” because they “realized that the Somali K'naan managed to slip a powerful social song to FIFA and Coca-Cola, which fits perfectly with the current situation in Skopje.”
Caucasus: Eurovision gossip
Chasing Liberty’s Shadow comments on Azerbaijan's entry into last week's Eurovision Song Contest and considers what benefits a victory might have brought the country. The blog also comments on speculation that Azerbaijan spent as much as $10-16 million on its entry while Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports on a minor spat...
Cambodia: Bopha Chiang Mai song
Tharum links to a youtube video of a Khmer-American singing Bopha (flower/girl) Chiang Mai. The student also comments on Thailand-Cambodia relations.
Israel: IDF Poetry Slam Between Druze, Bedouin Soldiers
Picture this: Druze and Bedouin Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers sitting in a room singing call and response poetry to each other in the ancient Arabic style of Zajal. The video and background information can be found at Nizo's Blog, subtitled “A Gay Palestinian Muses on the Missile East.”
Africa: Winners of Museke Online Africa Music Awards
Lizha James, Dama do Bling, Amr Diab, Ralph Anselmo and Perola emerged multiple winners of the inaugural Museke Online Africa Music Awards (MOAMAs), reports MightyAfrican.
Azerbaijan: Eurovision reflections
Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines reflects on the weekend's final of the Eurovision Song Contest and says that despite the politics it enjoyed the international music competition more so than in other years. Moreover, the blog notes, there was no major conflict this year between Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russia and Georgia.
Taiwan: Chiayi Sound Project
“Chiayi Sound Project initiated from 2008. It mainly focuses on field recording in southern Taiwan – Chiayi, the recording topics include oral history, nature environment, folk music, industry, religion and local events.” Check the project's latest recording of Mayasvi, one of the two most important rituals of Tsou indigenous people.