Stories about Music from September, 2011
China: Xinjiang’s Most Popular Song
Josh recommends an Uyghur pop song from Xinjiang presented by a trio, named Shahrizoda, from Uzbekistan.
Israel: Beyond ‘us’ and ‘them,’ Lihi Yona is an Arab Jew
Israeli woman Lihi Yona, a Moroccan Jew descendent, reclaims her Arab roots and complicates local identity politics on a bus ride to Jordan to attend a Lebanese band performance. The Hebrew version is followed by an English one: I am an Arab Jew.
Puerto Rico: Photos of Hello Seahorse!
The music blog Puerto Rico Indie [es] has a photo gallery of the concert of the Mexican band Hello Seahorse! [es] at La Respuesta, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Cuba: Milanes’ Miami Concert Stirs Controversy Among Cubans
On August 27th, Cuban music legend Pablo Milanés performed in Miami, marking his first concert in South Florida since the 1970s. On Cuba-focused blogs and news sites, bitter disagreement over the event’s political significance reverberated throughout the weeks surrounding Milanés’ performance.
Russia: Indie Band Uses ‘Office Violence’ Viral Video For Promotion
Biting Elbows, Moscow-based indie/punk band, has shot quite funny viral video for the promotion of its debut album. The clip reminds both the “Matrix,” and 2008 ‘Russian Office Rampage‘ footage (later recognised as the ad for Timur Bekmambetov's movie “Wanted“).
China: California Hotel adapted by a cook
A Chinese kitchen worker adapted the song California Hotel and sang in his farewell party. The video was uploaded in youku and echoed by thousands of people. China Hush translated the story and the lyrics of the Chinese version song.
Cuba: Talented Singers
Havana Times interviews Cuban singer Evelyn Garcia Marquez “who comes from a family of recognized musicians” and posts an update on the health of popular singer-songwriter Sara Gonzalez, who is recovering from surgery.
Trinidad & Tobago: Intellectual Property Guideline
Mark Lyndersay on yet another instance of copyright infringement: “If an image, or a video, or a story or any other intellectual property is still owned by its creator, whether or nor it's being actively exploited, the right to make use of that work remains with its creator until a...
Azerbaijan: Caspian Dreaming…
Aaron in Azerbaijan posts a well-produced music video by two of his fellow Peace Corps Volunteers in the country, singing under the name of the Caspian Dreamers, ahead of next year's Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the capital, Baku. The blog says that while Azerbaijan faces some serious...
Puerto Rico: Miguel Zenón and his “Alma adentro”
Journalist Mariana Reyes Angleró interviews Puerto Rican saxophonist and musician Miguel Zenón about his most recent album “Alma adentro.”
Puerto Rico: Campo-Formio is Back
The music blog Puerto Rico Indie [es] presents the latest from the alternative local post-punk band Campo-Formio.
Haiti: How News of Alleged Assault Spread
mediahacker explains how he obtained the video of “the apparent assault by Uruguayan UN troops on Johnny Jean. The answer is simple: The video is circulating on cell phones in Port Salut.”
Azerbaijan: Eurovision and visas
Aaron in Azerbaijan comments on a request from the management of the Eurovision Song Contest to the Azerbaijani authorities to simplify visa procedures ahead of next year's competition to be held in the capital, Baku. While such a move would be a boost for the country's tourism industry as well,...
Malaysia: Video salutes Generation 709
Following the formation of Generation 709 by young Malaysians to call for free and fair elections in the country, the Cantonese-speaking Malaysian music group EVYbody has created a video (with Chinese and English subtitles) to salute everyone who dares to stand up for their rights.
Sing Out from Japan
Musicians from the earthquake-hit areas united and gave life to a project called Sing Out From Japan [en,ja]. They have released two songs so far: Let's go home/lawblow and One love/I shall walk looking up, which are both cover versions of popular songs. The videos were shot in the regions...
