Stories about Music from July, 2008
Uganda: Interview with singer Omega Bugemba Okello
Pamela Stitch has an interview with Ugandan singer Omega Bugemba Okello at the African Loft, which includes one of her music videos. She talks about why she sings in Luganda and her difficulties in a male dominated industry, among other things.
Morocco: Bring on the Gnaoua!
Every year in June, thousands upon thousands of tourists from around the world and Moroccans from all over the country flock to Essaouira, a small coastal city about 200 kilometers from bustling Marrakesh, for the annual Festival of Gnaoua and world music. The town, made famous by the Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix (Castles in the Sand is rumored to have been written about Mogador), is a year-round hot spot for Moroccan musicians of all kinds, but truly livens up during the festival. This year, many bloggers were in attendance.
Ethiopia: Singer Teddy Afro still in jail
Addis Journal reported that singer Teddy Afro (popular for his protest songs) celebrated his 32 birthday yesterday in jail awaiting his trial. Mamá Etiopía [Es] posted the link to an online petition to free him saying: “… we have no idea if Teddy Afro is guilty or innocent. But we...
Balkans, U.S.: Goran Bregovic in NYC
Veni Markovksi posts pictures and writes at length about Goran Bregovic and his Wedding and Funeral Orchestra's concerts in New York City.
Trinidad & Tobago: Internet Connection
Trinidadian blogger Four Fingers and a Thumb 2.0 learns a few things about music, and discovers there's a lot she still doesn't know about her mother.
Armenia: Junior Eurovision
Unzipped comments on Armenia's entry into this year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The blogger says he is impressed by 12-year-old Monika Manucharova whose family is homeless, but concludes that the song is not the best.
Barbados: Trini Invasion
As Barbados gears up for its annual “Crop Over” carnival, Boyce Voice protests the inclusion of several Trinidadian performers as headliners in the festival's biggest event.
Serbia: Arts Roundup
Here are some picks from the blogosphere on the Serbian literature, architecture, film, music, visual arts and cuisine. Enjoy!
Underground Bangkok radio
Gnarly kitty blogs about the UB Radio (Underground Bangkok) – “this is where you will get to hear Bangkok's top DJs mixing and doing their thing live through the virtual radio waves.”
Jamaica: Heat in the Dancehall
Several countries have banned Jamaican dancehall artists because of the violent, misogynistic and often homophobic content of their lyrics. Claude Mills.com discusses the marketing nightmare that this offshoot of reggae has become, and asks “Is Dancehall Dying?”
Nicaragua: Blog of Salvador Cardenal
Nicaraguan singer-songrwriter Salvador Cardenal's blog provides photos of recent concerts and information about upcoming events.
Iran:Arian, a popular pop music group
Kourosh Ziabari has published several photos of Arian, a popular pop music group in Iran.
Bahrain: Traditional music
Yagoob visits the Mohammed bin Faris House of Sut Music in Bahrain.
Bermuda: Mixed blessing
21 Square and Vexed Bermoothes wonder whether the high cost of the Bermuda Music Festival was justified.
