Cumbia rockers La Chiva Gantiva's fun new video "Apretao"...
…shows them pursuing shamans, wrestlers and tennis players in search of new stage outfits.Apretao conveys the playfulness and energy of the band's celebrated album & live show. We follow bandleader Rafael Espinel as he wanders in the city and meets a bunch of strange characters, before sharing his sartorial finds with the band and launching into a final, dishevelled jam.
La Chiva Gantiva's performance at the River of Music Festival during the London Olympics was described by The Times as one of the high points of the event:
"For sheer rabble-rousing lust for life, La Chiva Gantiva took first prize. A multicultural group of mostly Colombian exiles based in Brussels, they produced a frenetic carnival-punk racket that detonated like a Molotov cocktail of rock, rap, soul and ferociously funky Latin rhythms. Whippet-thin and explosively hairy, their livewire singer Rafael Espinel electrified the sun-weary crowd with his irrepressible energy and charisma",
while Uncut (UK) wrote about their debut album "Pelao":
"It seems a fair guess that Joe Strummer would have loved La Chiva Gantiva. A joyous ramshackle racket that interweaves clattery Latin rhythms with dishevelled funk, rock and jazz elements in a similarly frenetic style to other deracinated roots-punk acts like Gogol Bordello or Manu Chao. This lively debut is awash with bone-shaking carnival punk-funk grooves",
and London mag Monocle said:
"Kaboom! Tish! There's a lot going on in this hot-blooded mess that features a UN-tastic personnel. Restless, arresting, addictive"
The French press has been just as enthusiastic:
"Une bombe incendiaire de groove latino" (Libération)
"Fusion déjantée de traditions afro-colombiennes (porro, cumbia), de funk et d'énergie rock, ce groupe bruxellois multi-ethnique (trois Colombiens, trois Européens et un Vietnamien) réveille les articulations du Vieux-Continent. Façon pogo plutôt que danse de salon" (Vibrations)
and MTV Iggy's just published an article on the band, in which they describe La Chiva Gantiva as "one of the dopest new Colombian bands around" !!!
Don't miss their upcoming shows!
STAFF BENDA BILILI : Behind the Scenes
Staff Benda Bilili Get ready to "make the world shake" by sharing with us scenes from the creation of their new album "Bouger le Monde !" WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!
Set to the new single "Osali Mabe" & filmed in Kinshasa at Ricky's house and at the historic Renapec studio, this new video gives us a look into their daily lives: rehearsals, friends, and the work involved with the creation of this new album to be released on September 3rd.
Don't miss their explosive live show near you , including their first tour in the States!
07/07/2012 DK Roskilde Roskilde Festival
15/07/2012 CZ OSTRAVA Colours of Ostrava
17/07/2012 CH St Gallen Kulturfestival
22/07/2012 GB London River Of Music - Africa Stage
28/07/2012 FR Vic-Fezensac Tempo Latino
02/08/2012 FR Carcassonne Square Andre Chenier
04/08/2012 BE Floreffe Esperanzah
05/08/2012 FR La Petite Pierre Au gres du jazz
10/08/2012 FR Les Vans Festival Ard'Afrique
31/08/2012 GB Aldeburgh Snape Maltings / Snape Proms 2012
02/09/2012 IE Stradbally Electric Picnic
06/09/2012 GB London BBC Prom 74 / Royal Albert Hall
08/09/2012 FR Guyancourt
26/09/2012 FR Dijon Tribu Festival
27/09/2012 FR Sannois EMB
03/10/2012 NL Breda Chasse Theater
06/10/2012 NL Rotterdam Oude Luxor
09/10/2012 NL Leiden Stadsgehoorzaal Leiden
10/10/2012 FR Nancy Nancy Jazz Pulsations
11/10/2012 NL Drachten Schouwburg De Lawei
12/10/2012 NL Zwolle Theater De Spiegel
15/10/2012 CA Montreal
16/10/2012 US Asheville North Carolina State University
17/10/2012 US Boston ICA | The Institute of Contemporary Art
18/10/2012 US New-York Symphony Space
19/10/2012 US Sorrs, Connecticut Jorgensen Centre
20/10/2012 US Wilmington, Delaware Opera House
21/10/2012 US Washington DC, The Howard
23/10/2012 US San Diego Universtity of California
24/10/2012 US Los Angeles
25/10/2012 US San Fransisco Slims
27/10/2012 US Seattle Town Hall
28/10/2012 CA Vancouver Seymour 560
SKIP&DIE: New Crammed Artist, New Single
SKIP&DIE, the sensational new genre-blending band, formed by South African vocalist / visual artist Catarina Aimée Dahms (aka Cata.Pirata) and Dutch producer Jori Collignon (C-Mon & Kypski, Nobody Beats The Drum), have unveiled 'LOVE JIHAD', the first new track from their upcoming debut album 'Riots in the Jungle'.Entitled "Riots in the Jungle", the album was written by Cata.Pirata and Crypto.Jori
while traveling through South Africa’s Soweto, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Guguletu, collaborating along the way with some of SA’s most inspiring music-makers on the rise. The album portrays their experience of blazing sun, dusty roads, township shacks, cockroaches, riots, skulls, bones and lovebirds.
It contains songs in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Spanish and Portuguese.
Catch this energy live !
SKIP&DIE SHOWS
16/6 Festival Mundial, Tilburg
1/7 Metropolis, Rotterdam
6/7 PITCH, Amsterdam
7/7 Burgerweeshuis, Deventer
13/7 Stekkerfest, Utrecht
14/7 Dijkpop, Andijk
22/7 Milkshake, Amsterdam
28/7 Jam de la Creme, Scheveningen
"Riots in the Jungle" will be coming out in October 2012 on Crammed Discs.
R.I.P. Ilie Iorga, singer and Taraf de Haidouks mainstay
See that thin little man, standing among all these musicians who brandish their respective instruments and seem to concentrate on adopting the most attractive pose for this group picture.He smiles broadly, and strangely holds his hand behind his ear, as if he's trying to hear, what? The photographer's flash, or his instructions? He seems happy, despite the obvious discomfort —attested by his slightly plum-coloured complexion— of being thusly dressed up, with this superb violet stanton hat chosen for him by the dresser, for the fashion show which is to take place right after the photo session. Happy, with a twinkle in his eye, yet extremely discreet. No one knows what his thoughts are at this very moment, or whether he's really conscious of being there, standing between his old friend Marin, his son-in-law Costica, and all the other members of the Taraf de Haïdouks.
This man went away forever a few days ago. He spoke until his voice and breath died away, and then raised his hand, as if he meant to signify "it's enough". He was born on the 15th of November 1928, his name was Ilie Iorga, they sometimes called him Ilie Paputsoi. A singer, a minstrel, a troubadour, recognized by all as one of the last depositaries of that treasure of ancient Romanian music: epic songs, love songs, bawdy, poetic, pastoral and sometimes even patriotic songs. This man passed through the most part of a century and its wars, upheavals and transformations, without ever losing his courtesy, his natural kindness and his gentleman-like manners: "Ca un dom", as they would say in Romanian. He spent 60 years singing his vast repertoire, and takes away with him an innumerable wealth of poetry and musical knowledge.
Always standing in a very upright posture, his slightly stiff figure gave out the impression that "life is something serious", and conferred to his ballads a solemn gravity, a sense that "this is too true to be only poetry", only to be sweetened by the modulations of his voice. Towards the end, his hearing became impaired, yet he kept singing in tune, without noticing the mischievous yet affectionate tricks played on him by his bandmates, who sometimes changed keys in order to confuse him, a tough game often played by Gypsy wedding musicians, who love to trap their peers, even in the midst of a public performance.
He loved everything —except what doesn't deserve to be loved— and never worried about his health. Now he really has no more reason to be worried, neither about himself nor about us.
S.Karo
STAFF BENDA BILILI announce their new album!
STAFF BENDA BILILI are set to "make the world shake" with their new album set for release in September. Listen to the first single here!in 2009, STAFF BENDA BILILI, the Congolese group made up of paraplegic street musicians, ignited their conquest of the world with their album, "Très Très Fort". The international media were charmed by their enchanting music, their relentless energy and uplifting optimism. STAFF BENDA BILILI have become a symbol of triumph over adversity, a true source of inspiration for the increasingly large audiences which fill up their concerts across Europe, Australia and Japan.
Released in movie theatres and on the television, the feature film dedicated to the story of the group has achieved a high level of success, and the album "Très Très Fort" has won many awards.
STAFF BENDA BILILI have just finished recording their new album, which will be released on Crammed Discs in September of 2012. Titled "Bouger le Monde" ("Make the World Shake"), the album bears witness to the spectacular evolution of the band, and its intent to keep making... the world shake!
The first single from the disc, "Osali Mabe", comes out in the beginning of this May
(LIsten to it HERE!)
and the group just started their European Spring 2012 tour.
(LIsten to it HERE!)
and the group just started their European Spring 2012 tour.
Video Premiere of Maïa Vidal's "Follow Me"
A wolf in sheep's clothing, Maïa Vidal presents an enticing video reinterpretation of her single "Follow Me", which turns the script originally depicted in the lyrics into a dreamy, mysterious parable, loosely inspired by one of the Brothers Grimm tales.The video was shot near Barcelona and directed by Joana Colomar.
With a number of high profile international concerts and placement of her music in ads for such brands as Desigual and Ikea, Maïa is winning many ears over to her unique sound.
Maïa will be performing all around Europe this spring and summer. See the dates here
Passons à la VF:
Dans sa nouvelle vidéo "Follow Me", Maïa Vidal détourne le texte de sa chanson: la fille quelque peu prédatrice qui aborde les garçons a fait place à une parabole mystérieuse, une rêverie inspirée par un conte de Grimm ("Le loup et les sept chevreaux").
Réalisé par Joana Colomar, le clip a été tourné près de Barcelone.
Nul besoin de montrer patte blanche pour voir Maïa Vidal aux Nuits Botanique le 16/5, à Europavox (Clermont-Ferrand) le 26/5, ou à Barcelone, Athènes ou Amsterdam…
(toutes les dates sont ici)
Springtime for BALOJI & MAÏA VIDAL
Two of our budding artists, Baloji and Maïa Vidal, will be blooming at the ¨Printemps de Bourges" festival this weekend.Maïa will play Thursday the 26th at L'Auditorium & Baloji will play the 28th at Le 22 Ouest.
The photo is from their first encounter, where they traded their respective albums!
BBB launch "GIVE" : Live in Europe
To celebrate the release of their brilliant new album, "Give", BBB (Balkan Beat Box) play a series of concerts starting the 13th of April in Vienna!Be sure to catch this energetic live show in the city near you !
13/04 AT Vienna Flex
14/04 IT Bologna Estragon
15/04 IT Trieste Teatro Miela
17/04 HR Zagreb Aquarius
18/04 DE Munich Freiheiz
19/04 FR PARIS Cabaret Sauvage
20/04 FR Toulouse Le Bikini
21/04 FR Grenoble CNAC Le Magasin
22/04 DE Cologne Gloria / Funkhaus Europa
10/05 DE Bielefeld Forum
11/05 DK Copenhagen Pumpehuset
12/05 DE Berlin Lido
13/05 BE Gent Vooruit
15/05 GB Manchester Band On the Wall
16/05 GB Glasgow ABC 2
17/05 GB London Islington Academy
18/05 GB Brighton Concorde 2
19/05 FR Lille Fivestival
Here's what the press says:
‘It’s ridiculously exciting’ -WORD (UK)
‘BBB are as outspoken and uncompromising as ever. It’s hard to resist the album’s intensity’ -SONGLINES (UK)
‘BBB are a party band. Most of the songs here could apply could apply for the job of director of getting the party started and expect to be hired on the spot’ -SUNDAY TIMES (UK)
'BBB kick against rich pricks on most electro-focused LP to date' -SPIN (US)
'The explosive trio are at their provocative and edgly best again, with their mashup of all things exotic, eclectic and politcally-sensitive' -ROLLING STONE (South Africa)
‘This is hip-hop that takes no prisoners, and is passionate and determined…The band still makes sure the party’s on the floor, but this time they want everyone to think as well as dance’’ - EMUSIC.COM
‘It’s great ribald, wild party music where anything goes from gypsy music to dub… the roots riot upgraded to the 21st century" -LOUDERTHANWAR (UK)
'Imbibing influences from Curtis Mayfield to Bob Marley, 50s guitar licks, punk bass lines, Eastern Eutropean rhythms, reggaeton and dubstep — you name it, BBB leap out highly inebriated... ...Spare, ironic lyrics, hand in hand with deeply witty music... There is not a single track that misses the mark' -ROCK'NREEL (UK)
'M.I.A. rencontre Asian Dub Foundation ou un Goran Bregovic hip-hop... Difficile de résister à la bonne humeur politique de BBB ! Et pourquoi ne pas danser de façon responsable cette année ?' -MUSICZINE (BE)
Get you own copy of this slamming new album here!
Lonely Drifter Karen new album "Poles"
Euro popsters LONELY DRIFTER KAREN are launching their new album "Poles" with a series of concerts around the continent:
18/03 NL Amsterdam Paradiso
20/03 BE Brussels AB
23/03 AT Graz Postgarage
24/03 HU Budapest Gozsdu Mano Klub
27/03 AT Vienna Ost-Klub
28/03 AT Linz Stwst
29/03 AT Salzburg Jazz-It
30/03 AT Munzkirchen Mobelhalle
31/03 AT Dornbirn Spielboden
07/04 FR Paris Fleche d'Or
And in England, here's the word from Word Magazine (UK): "We are sincerely in love with the cosmic reveries of this Brussels-based trio, who mix Les Baxter/Esquivel-style space-age pop with the woozy grind of real guitars. Singer Tanja Frinta is quite something to hear — an intergalactic Charlotte Gainsbourg."
Zita Swoon Group: album launch, exclusive shows, video
"Wait For Me", the very awaited new album by the revered Belgian band, features 2 guests from Burkina Faso.Here's the video for the first single, "Sababu", which includes footage shot during the band's stay in Burkina Faso.
For "Wait For Me", their first song-based album in 4 years, the Antwerp collective (led by Deus co-founder Stef Kamil Carlens) has worked with burkinabe diva Awa Démé and master balafon player Mamadou Diabaté Kibié. The songs (which can be loosely described as a blend of raw, acoustic folk/blues with traditional West African music) manage to wonderfully weave African and "northern" styles styles within an almost pop-like song format with seemingly effortless ease.
The release will be celebrated by a handful of selected European shows in early March (including the AB in Brussels on March 4, the Lido in Berlin on March 5, The 104 in Paris on March 8, the Tivoli in Utrecht on March 16 - details here).
The band will be back for dates in late Spring, a festival tour in the Summer, and a club/theatre tour in the Fall
"Wait For Me" is Zita Swoon Group's first release on Crammed, and we're extremely happy and honored to start a long-term collaboration with such an exciting band.
More info on "Wait For Me" here.
