Girls just wanna to have fun
Sometimes we all take ourselves way too seriously. The way we dress, the way we speak, what films we see— even what music we listen to.
My ex- husband, who I still adore, loved jazz rock fusion. Being a musician himself, he understood the complexities of the pieces he played. If the music wasn’t involved, intricate, with a menagerie of different arrangements, then for him it just wasn’t music.
This was his opinion. It certainly wasn’t mine.
As a result, we had quite a variety of interesting and explosive arguments on the subject over the years.
After all, can’t music be just be fun, some of the time?
The answer (in my opinion) is a resounding YES, and The Cleopatras are living proof of this. This all-female band from Lucca, Tuscany seems like they're having a ball on their most recent CD, Things Can Get Better. They belt out nine highly original songs and do a damn good version of “Real Wild Child.” Intracks like “Doll” and “T-Boy” you can hear their classic rock 'n' roll influences. They have a surfer-band-meets-garage sound and a touch of pop punk all rolled up into one. “The Asp” is probably the best example of their musical talent as a group. The Cleos no doubt have a great sense of humor: Their lyrics are amusing, extremely original and send a message about feminine strength. Things Can Get Better never loses its energy from beginning to end (apart from the last track which is a bit disappointing).
Listen to believe, and please give in to the urge to have fun. Their music is fresh, upbeat and raring to go . And it's not in the least bit pretentious.
Karin Andrea Halliwell
www.myspace.com/thecleopatras
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cleopatras/117188154962154
Artists permanently (and randomly) "on air" at present date: The Cleopatras(Italy), Hollowblue(Italy), OPA(USA), Nora Keyes (USA), Simona Gretchen(Italy), Facciascura (Italy), hiiragi fukuda (Japan), Stardog(Italy), I Got A Violet(Italy), The Agrarians (USA); Feldmaus (Russia); Red Velvet (Italy - France); Eigenheimer (Holland); Drugs Made Me Smarter (Mexico); Kelvin & Speedy Peones (Italy); Tidy Kid (USA); NIMM (Italy); MorningPaper (Italy), Edgar Graves (Czech Republic), Marshmallow (Croatia), David Morley (England/Belgium); Bancale (Italy); Antony Raijekov (Bulgary); Amélie (Italy); Celestial Aeon Project (Finland); Channel in Channel out (USA); Madrigali Magri (Italy), Gimme 'hat Moonshine (Belgium), Krakenti (Latvia), Wheelchair Discotheque (Latvia), TheOneOnTheIsland (Slovakia), Maok (Slovakia), LaBon (Slovakia), Jordan Jordan (Slovakia), Social Society (Slovakia), Batte (Norway), Orange Crush (Norway), Oriental Music System (Hong Kong), Iamsum (Hong Kong), Rex Cody (Hong Kong), Donkey Valium (Hong Kong), Smiling Buddhas (Hong Kong), O-M (Hong Kong), Hvoya (Ukraine), Automatic Pilot Required (Brazil), Yogi (Brazil), Light Merchants (South Africa), The Slowmovies (Italy); I am this (USA); Kråkvind (Sweden); Planet Brain (Italy); Lebatol (UK); Sarah Schuster (Italy); Krt 963 (Italy-Japan); Flap (Italy); Nicker Hill Orchestra (Italy); Menrovescio (Italy); Annabel (USA); Karmatest (Italy); The Dada Weatherman (France); Diablo Swing Orchestra (Sweden); Japanese gum (Italy); Above the tree (Italy); Volcano Playground (Canada); Linz (Italy); Anomie Belle (USA), Christophe Marc (France), Death Valley Sleepers (Denmark), Jeremy Sparrow (Denmark), Zoon van snooK (England), Systemton (Germany), Matti Bye (Sweden), Manuzik (Japan), Chances (Italy), Hometaping (Great Britain...?), Ping (Norway), Frey (New Zealand), Manhan (Japan), One Chef (Sweden), Mijagi (Poland), Pandacetamol (Scotland), Lu-Sin (Argentina), Thomas Solgaard (Denmark), Wonderboy (France), Los Hermanos Butaca (Argentina), La Biyuya (Argentina), Negro Fluo (Argentina), Sempai (Italy), Riccardo Vianello (Italy), Wolther goes stranger (Italy), Eildentroeilfuorieilbox84 (Italy), Buzz Aldrin (Italy), Stefano Roveda (Italy), Rosso! (Italy); manzOni (Italy).
QUIET DREAMS
I often listen to music asking myself why certain pieces are so appealing while others aren’t. It’s clearly not an issue of genres, because I like to listen to almost anything. I’m ravenous when it comes to music. It can't be a matter of lyrics, because I’m captivated by an endless number of instrumental groups.It's always difficult to understand how something so personal as music secretly touches us all so profoundly in many different ways. It’s amazing how it can stir things inside such as memories, dreams or-even nightmares-that have lain dormant for a good deal of time.
Most likely, I'm questioning a concept that has no answer. However, while I listen to the most recent CD by Hollowblue, Wild nights, Quiet Dreams, an infinite amount of questions keeps running through my mind. I am captured by the notes in “Wild & Scary” as Gianluca’s voice guides me through landscapes that seem familiar, despite the fact that they are actually new.
The contrast between classic and new sounds makes Hollowblue’s music so soothing to the soul. If you think this is just my own mental road trip, try to listening to 'I've got The Key to Change The World “and “Cry Hell!” ... but remember, I warned you that this product is addictive.
Stay Tuned!
Jacopo Ravagnan
P.S. Here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD0PXuKpaHA ‘Wild dogs run’ 3D video, the official winner of the
English translation by Karin Andrea Halliwell
Artists permanently (and randomly) "on air" at present date: Hollowblue(Italy), OPA(USA), Nora Keyes (USA), Simona Gretchen(Italy), Facciascura (Italy), hiiragi fukuda (Japan), Stardog(Italy), I Got A Violet(Italy), The Agrarians (USA); Feldmaus (Russia); Red Velvet (Italy - France); Eigenheimer (Holland); Drugs Made Me Smarter (Mexico); Kelvin & Speedy Peones (Italy); Tidy Kid (USA); NIMM (Italy); MorningPaper (Italy), Edgar Graves (Czech Republic), Marshmallow (Croatia), David Morley (England/Belgium); Bancale (Italy); Antony Raijekov (Bulgary); Amélie (Italy); Celestial Aeon Project (Finland); Channel in Channel out (USA); Madrigali Magri (Italy), Gimme 'hat Moonshine (Belgium), Krakenti (Latvia), Wheelchair Discotheque (Latvia), TheOneOnTheIsland (Slovakia), Maok (Slovakia), LaBon (Slovakia), Jordan Jordan (Slovakia), Social Society (Slovakia), Batte (Norway), Orange Crush (Norway), Oriental Music System (Hong Kong), Iamsum (Hong Kong), Rex Cody (Hong Kong), Donkey Valium (Hong Kong), Smiling Buddhas (Hong Kong), O-M (Hong Kong), Hvoya (Ukraine), Automatic Pilot Required (Brazil), Yogi (Brazil), Light Merchants (South Africa), The Slowmovies (Italy); I am this (USA); Kråkvind (Sweden); Planet Brain (Italy); Lebatol (UK); Sarah Schuster (Italy); Krt 963 (Italy-Japan); Flap (Italy); Nicker Hill Orchestra (Italy); Menrovescio (Italy); Annabel (USA); Karmatest (Italy); The Dada Weatherman (France); Diablo Swing Orchestra (Sweden); Japanese gum (Italy); Above the tree (Italy); Volcano Playground (Canada); Linz (Italy); Anomie Belle (USA), Christophe Marc (France), Death Valley Sleepers (Denmark), Jeremy Sparrow (Denmark), Zoon van snooK (England), Systemton (Germany), Matti Bye (Sweden), Manuzik (Japan), Chances (Italy), Hometaping (Great Britain...?), Ping (Norway), Frey (New Zealand), Manhan (Japan), One Chef (Sweden), Mijagi (Poland), Pandacetamol (Scotland), Lu-Sin (Argentina), Thomas Solgaard (Denmark), Wonderboy (France), Los Hermanos Butaca (Argentina), La Biyuya (Argentina), Negro Fluo (Argentina), Sempai (Italy), Riccardo Vianello (Italy), Wolther goes stranger (Italy), Eildentroeilfuorieilbox84 (Italy), Buzz Aldrin (Italy), Stefano Roveda (Italy), Rosso! (Italy); manzOni (Italy).
New York state of mind
It doesn't happen everyday but it seems to be occurring with more frequency lately.I call it the NYC blues. Basically what I'm saying is that I am homesick. But not for the New York City in the Jay Z and Alicia Keyes' MTV videos, all spruced up, clean and picture-perfect pretty.
I long for the days of my childhood, back in the NYC of the 70's.
In particular, I miss those hazy lazy summer days... the gritty feel of the dirty asphalt under your feet and the sweltering sun above.The spray of the illegally opened fire hydrants and snow cones from Mister Frosty. The strutting, the attitude.
Music seemed to be playing everywhere. Rock, soul and latino styles all mixed freely through the air, whether it came from a ghetto blaster on a front stoop or from the open window of a passing car. The radio was an essential part of this moment of musical freedom. The DJ's spun the latest hits and never failed announce the rising temperatures outside in the concrete jungle.
So when I slipped on my headphones to listen to OPA, it was as if I had stepped into a time machine. "Back Home: The Lost 1975 Sessions" is a consummate tribute to the sounds of the 70's. Their music is the missing piece to animate my memories. All I had to do was to close my eyes and listen to songs like "Goldenwings" and "Brooklynville" to see the scenes of the city pass through my mind like a film. A combination of instrumental and vocal pieces all with a funky, jazz-fusion, retro beat and a serious touch of Milton Nascimento, plus a healthy pinch of psychedelia. The CD has a hundred different sounds, and they're all beautifully orchestrated. The more you listen, the more you love it.
The story of the band is intricate and fascinating but much too long to sum up in a few lines, so you'll just have to pick up a copy and read it for yourself. A whole-hearted thanks has to go out to Vince Tornatore of Lion Productions for reissuing these lost tracks. Lion Productions is a unique concept. A representation of outstanding musical styles. Vince best describes it himself :" Lion Productions is an independently owned label and wholesale distribution company started in 2001. The LP label concentrates on creating respectful re-releases of music first recorded during the "psychedelic era" (1965-1973); as a distributor, we offer similar reissues made by other labels from locations all across the globe."
Keep tuned to this music blog because it is not the last time that Lion Productions will be mentioned.
In the meantime if you would like to know more about OPA and Lion Productions at: www.lionproductions.org.
Tell Vince I sent you!
Karin Andrea Halliwell
Artists permanently (and randomly) "on air" at present date: OPA(USA), Nora Keyes (USA), Simona Gretchen(Italy), Facciascura (Italy), hiiragi fukuda (Japan), Stardog(Italy), I Got A Violet(Italy), The Agrarians (USA); Feldmaus (Russia); Red Velvet (Italy - France); Eigenheimer (Holland); Drugs Made Me Smarter (Mexico); Kelvin & Speedy Peones (Italy); Tidy Kid (USA); NIMM (Italy); MorningPaper (Italy), Edgar Graves (Czech Republic), Marshmallow (Croatia), David Morley (England/Belgium); Bancale (Italy); Antony Raijekov (Bulgary); Amélie (Italy); Celestial Aeon Project (Finland); Channel in Channel out (USA); Madrigali Magri (Italy), Gimme 'hat Moonshine (Belgium), Krakenti (Latvia), Wheelchair Discotheque (Latvia), TheOneOnTheIsland (Slovakia), Maok (Slovakia), LaBon (Slovakia), Jordan Jordan (Slovakia), Social Society (Slovakia), Batte (Norway), Orange Crush (Norway), Oriental Music System (Hong Kong), Iamsum (Hong Kong), Rex Cody (Hong Kong), Donkey Valium (Hong Kong), Smiling Buddhas (Hong Kong), O-M (Hong Kong), Hvoya (Ukraine), Automatic Pilot Required (Brazil), Yogi (Brazil), Light Merchants (South Africa), The Slowmovies (Italy); I am this (USA); Kråkvind (Sweden); Planet Brain (Italy); Lebatol (UK); Sarah Schuster (Italy); Krt 963 (Italy-Japan); Flap (Italy); Nicker Hill Orchestra (Italy); Menrovescio (Italy); Annabel (USA); Karmatest (Italy); The Dada Weatherman (France); Diablo Swing Orchestra (Sweden); Japanese gum (Italy); Above the tree (Italy); Volcano Playground (Canada); Linz (Italy); Anomie Belle (USA), Christophe Marc (France), Death Valley Sleepers (Denmark), Jeremy Sparrow (Denmark), Zoon van snooK (England), Systemton (Germany), Matti Bye (Sweden), Manuzik (Japan), Chances (Italy), Hometaping (Great Britain...?), Ping (Norway), Frey (New Zealand), Manhan (Japan), One Chef (Sweden), Mijagi (Poland), Pandacetamol (Scotland), Lu-Sin (Argentina), Thomas Solgaard (Denmark), Wonderboy (France), Los Hermanos Butaca (Argentina), La Biyuya (Argentina), Negro Fluo (Argentina), Sempai (Italy), Riccardo Vianello (Italy), Wolther goes stranger (Italy), Eildentroeilfuorieilbox84 (Italy), Buzz Aldrin (Italy), Stefano Roveda (Italy), Rosso! (Italy); manzOni (Italy).
Nocturnal mysteries...
"The show is over" is a splendid litany. Dark, melancolic, persuasive.
Its music is often difficult to describe, but in some rare cases, is so incredibly beautiful and diverse that any attempt to classify "its sound" becomes almost disrespectful to the artist.
Nora Keyes is from LA and was the headliner of the Centimeters, an underground Californian band produced by David J. of Bahuaus. The song that you are listening to is from the album Songs to Cry By for the Golden Age of Nothing, which was the first solo work by Nora dating from the far distant days (for the fast moving modern era) of 2004.
How much sweetness can there be in death? How beautiful can a cold winter night be?
As the last surviving leaves fall from the trees, I allow myself to be trasported by Nora's voice. I soar for a short time over the streets and fields. The yellow leaves never leaving my side . The breeze rivives us and almost imediately after the fog wisks us away forever into the darkness.
This is because Nora, an enchantress par excellence, knows how to transform the cruelist destiny into a fantastic and marvelous dream.
Carlo Trevisan
PS: "Songs to Cry By for the Golden Age of Nothing", is produced and distributed by Dual Plover, and Austrailian label definetely corageous. Check it out...
English translations by Karin Andrea Halliwell