#international sound poetry festival

[garadinervi]

The 12th Annual International Sound Poetry Festival [New York City, 1980], (4x cassette + book – box set), Recital, 2022.- Feat.: Carles Santos, Jackson Mac Low, Greta Monach, Bernard Heidsieck, Katalin Ladik, Jerome Rothenberg, Mary Ellen Solt, John Giorno, Armand Schwerner, Charles Stein, Beth Anderson, Charles Amirkhanian, Richard Kostelanetz, Franz Kamin, Michael Gibbs, The Four Horsemen, Adriano Spatola, Paula Claire, Sten Hanson, Charlie Morrow, Glen Velez, Larry Wendt, Nina Yankowitz, Robert Joseph, Pier Van Dijk, Alison Knowles, Bern Porter, P. Clive Fencott, Bob Cobbing, and the Ocarina Orchestra

[astrojulia]

Tarot Cards as Professions

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Major Arcanas:

The Fool: Work with abroad, connections with imports, language teacher, multinationals, entrepreneur, intern, college student, art major.

The Magician: Entrepreneur, job that needs skill with the hands (acupuncture, hairdresser, artisan), actor, salesperson, influencer.

The High Priestess: Education, especially children, nutrition, psychology, cook, housewife, food engineering, toy factory, fortuneteller, spiritual advisor, librarian.

The Empress: Management, business administration, foreign trade, secretariat, translation, decoration, stay-at-home mom, model, cook, farmer.

The Emperor: Business administration, work related to areas of technological innovation, the military or sportsmen, CEO, tycoon.

The Hierophant: Philanthropic areas, ONGs, religious work, social work, diplomacy, and a degree, journalism, writer, editor, priest, spiritual guru, politician.

The Lovers: Sales area in any sector, tourism, theater, advertising, the arts in general, porn star, stripper, masseuse.

The Chariot: Activities related to transport, cars, the latest technology, chauffeur, mechanic, athlete.

Strength: Aesthetics, physical education and various body therapies, medicine, zoologist.

The Hermit: Teacher, writer, doctor, antique dealer, restorer, librarian, gardener.

Wheel of Fortune: Financial market, exchange offices, casinos, lottery houses, stock exchanges, and areas related to public relations, hospitality, game show host.

Justice: Public jobs, won through competitions, politics, police, with government positions, in the diplomatic area, law, insurance company worker.

The Hanged Man: Nurse, auditor, inspector, porter, secretariat, general assistants, yoga instructor, prison guard, philanthropist.

Death: Doctor, farmer, geologist, business administrator, gardener, accountant, assassin, death row executioner, surgeon.

Temperance: Working with liquids in general or with what is transported in liquid form such as alcoholic beverages, medicines, juices. chemist, chef, food critic, regional or even international traffic.

The Devil: Does not limit the individual to a professional wing, so he can also go to extremes for the desire he has, such as landlord, drug lord, sex trafficker.

The Tower: Social assistance, humanitarian aid, medicine, firefighter, police officer, construction worker.

The Star: Music, painting, sculpture, poetry, cinema, makeup artist, dressmaker, beautician, agent, promoter, sound artist, astronomer, harpist, dealer, meteorologist.

The Moon: Oceanographers, sailors, fishermen, owners of bars and restaurants or nightclubs, artists in general, medium, hypnotist, psychiatrist.

The Sun: Motivational speaker, entertainer, comedian, social relationships, work with the public, artist in general, member of society.

Judgment: Work done at home, connection with the law, lawyer, judge, work with disabled or people excluded from society, social assistance, board member, executive producer, director.

The World: Pharmacist, massage therapist, scientist, teacher, community leader, religious leader or priest, fashion designer, makeup artist, interior decorator.

Wands:

Creative industries such as advertising, marketing, and graphic design.

Entrepreneurship and starting your own business.

Athletics, sports coaching, or physical training.

Outdoor jobs like park ranger or tour guide.

Event planning or organizing.

Firefighters or rescue workers.

Ace of Wands: Entrepreneur, startup founder, motivational speaker, fitness coach, personal trainer.

Two of Wands: Business strategist, project manager, travel agent, international consultant, import/export specialist.

Three of Wands: Sales representative, marketing manager, e-commerce entrepreneur, market researcher, international trade coordinator.

Four of Wands: Event planner, wedding coordinator, party organizer, festival manager, hospitality industry professional.

Five of Wands: Conflict resolution specialist, mediator, lawyer, debate coach, competitive sports coach.

Six of Wands: Public relations manager, spokesperson, social media influencer, motivational speaker, winning athlete.

Seven of Wands: Defense attorney, human rights activist, political campaigner, advocate, civil liberties lawyer.

Eight of Wands: Courier, delivery driver, airline pilot, travel blogger, expedition guide.

Nine of Wands: Security guard, bodyguard, soldier, endurance athlete, self-defense instructor.

Ten of Wands: Overworked entrepreneur, project manager, event organizer, professional organizer, heavy equipment operator.

Page of Wands: Assistant in a creative field, aspiring artist, intern in a startup, social media coordinator, apprentice.

Knight of Wands: Travel journalist, adventure tour guide, professional athlete, race car driver, stunt performer.

Queen of Wands: CEO, business owner, charismatic leader, life coach, influential speaker.

King of Wands: Executive manager, entrepreneur, leadership coach, consultant, director of a creative agency.

Cups:

Counseling, therapy, or social work.

Hospitality industry, including restaurant management and bartending.

Wedding planner or event coordinator.

Artistic fields like poetry, writing, or acting.

Healing professions such as nursing or holistic therapy.

Psychologist or counselor specializing in emotions and relationships.

Ace of Cups: Therapist, counselor, social worker, holistic healer, emotional support specialist.

Two of Cups: Marriage counselor, matchmaker, relationship coach, wedding planner, love psychic.

Three of Cups: Event organizer, party planner, celebratory event coordinator, community organizer.

Four of Cups: Meditation teacher, mindfulness coach, spiritual counselor, psychologist, therapist.

Five of Cups: Grief counselor, trauma therapist, hospice worker, emotional healing practitioner, bereavement support.

Six of Cups: Child psychologist, teacher, daycare worker, children's book author, pediatric nurse.

Seven of Cups: Creative writer, fantasy novelist, imaginative artist, dream analyst, visionary.

Eight of Cups: Travel blogger, adventure seeker, spiritual pilgrim, explorer, wanderlust photographer.

Nine of Cups: Life coach, happiness consultant, gratitude coach, self-help author, wellness retreat organizer.

Ten of Cups: Family therapist, marriage and family counselor, foster care advocate, wedding planner, family mediator.

Page of Cups: Creative writer, artist in training, intuitive healer, aspiring therapist, dream interpreter.

Knight of Cups: Actor, romantic poet, musician, art therapist, love and relationship coach.

Queen of Cups: Psychic reader, intuitive healer, counselor, compassionate caregiver, therapist.

King of Cups: Therapist, counselor, intuitive mentor, emotional intelligence trainer, psychologist.

Swords:

Legal professions like lawyers, judges, or law enforcement officers.

Journalists, reporters, or investigators.

IT specialists, computer programmers, or hackers.

Teachers or professors specializing in critical thinking or philosophy.

Military or defense-related careers.

Strategic planners or analysts.

Ace of Swords: Lawyer, judge, legal consultant, investigative journalist, strategic planner.

Two of Swords: Mediator, conflict resolution specialist, negotiator, diplomat, relationship counselor.

Three of Swords: Divorce lawyer, grief counselor, trauma therapist, emotional healer, heart surgeon.

Four of Swords: Rest and relaxation specialist, meditation teacher, spiritual retreat organizer, yoga instructor.

Five of Swords: Military strategist, competitive sports coach, lawyer specializing in litigation, debate coach.

Six of Swords: Travel agent, relocation consultant, therapist specializing in transitions, boat captain.

Seven of Swords: Private investigator, spy, intelligence analyst, cybersecurity expert, undercover agent.

Eight of Swords: Social justice lawyer, human rights advocate, disability rights activist, therapist specializing in limiting beliefs.

Nine of Swords: Insomnia specialist, anxiety therapist, nightmare counselor, sleep coach, mental health counselor.

Ten of Swords: Surgeon, coroner, forensic scientist, mortician, grief counselor.

Page of Swords: Researcher, journalist, fact-checker, apprentice in a legal field, investigative reporter.

Knight of Swords: Military officer, police officer, attorney, competitive fencer, conflict resolution specialist.

Queen of Swords: Judge, lawyer, critic, journalist, literary agent.

King of Swords: Judge, attorney, CEO, strategist, military general.

Pentacles:

Financial advisors or investment bankers.

Real estate agents or property developers.

Agriculture, farming, or gardening.

Architects, builders, or construction workers.

Conservationists or environmentalists.

Accountants or bookkeepers.

Ace of Pentacles: Financial advisor, investment banker, wealth manager, entrepreneur, luxury goods retailer.

Two of Pentacles: Financial analyst, accountant, bookkeeper, event planner, stock trader.

Three of Pentacles: Architect, contractor, project manager, teamwork facilitator, craftsman.

Four of Pentacles: Wealth manager, investor, financial planner, asset protection specialist, treasurer.

Five of Pentacles: Social worker, philanthropist, charity organizer, financial counselor, volunteer.

Six of Pentacles: Philanthropist, humanitarian worker, non-profit manager, social worker, charitable fundraiser.

Seven of Pentacles: Gardener, farmer, agricultural consultant, sustainability expert, botanist.

Eight of Pentacles: Craftsperson, artisan, apprentice, skilled tradesperson, technical trainer.

Nine of Pentacles: Luxury brand manager, independent business owner, successful entrepreneur, vineyard owner, art collector.

Ten of Pentacles: Real estate developer, property investor, family business owner, generational wealth manager, financial advisor.

Page of Pentacles: Intern, student, apprentice in a practical field, aspiring entrepreneur, entry-level employee.

Knight of Pentacles: Accountant, financial planner, farmer, skilled tradesperson, meticulous worker.

Queen of Pentacles: CEO, business owner, property developer, hospitality industry entrepreneur, financial advisor.

King of Pentacles: CEO, business mogul, successful investor, high-level executive, financial consultant.

(CC) AstroJulia Some Rights Reserved

[writingsforwinter]

I am so excited to share some news! Last summer, Michael Barosky, an Emmy-nominated audio engineer known for his work as a sound mixer for the A Quiet Place I and A Quiet Place II movies and the TV shows Master of None, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, Veep, Gossip Girl, and Law & Order reached out to me to request permission to create a filmed monologue of my poem "The Morning After I Killed Myself."

The film was recently chosen as an official selection for the 2023 Monologues and Poetry International film festival and will be screened as part of their competition in December.

I am so grateful for Mr. Barosky's endeavor and for the wonderful talent of Lexee McEntee, the actor in the film. <3

[zawescource]

‘I always play extreme characters’: Zawe Ashton on life after Fresh Meat

As Vod in the hit Channel 4 show she shocked even her own parents. What’s next for the actor-writer-director-producer?

The problem with interviewing someone you feel like you already know is how quickly it can go wrong. One minute you’re saying hello in the empty east London pub you’ve agreed to meet in, spontaneously hugging each other. The next, you’re trying to order a glass of wine and Zawe Ashton is horrified, because it’s not even 5pm yet. She reckons we should have tea instead, so we do. And then she says, “Oh God, I can’t believe I wine-shamed you.”

It is then that I realise Ashton isn’t actually Vod, the student she plays in the Channel 4 student sitcom Fresh Meat. Vod is a literature student who doesn’t read books, preferring partying, shagging and paying her way by selling ecstasy. Ashton, 31, is a straight-A scholar, who spent all her childhood weekends training as an actor, and thus has been earning her own money, appearing on telly in The Demon Headmaster, Jackanory and Desmond’s, since the age of six. Unlike Vod, Ashton has also written a play that’s being developed by the National Theatre; has a book deal for something that sounds like an autobiographical novel, “but I can’t talk about it. Well, not much. Well, I probably will”; and has set up her own production company, Asylum Features, to release films that she writes and directs herself. She is, I have to concede, a bit busy for pubs.

What Ashton does have in common with Vod, however, is that they are both very funny, as becomes apparent when we discuss what it’s like being hailed as “one to watch” and getting nominated for “best newcomer” awards when you’ve already been working for 25 years. “The single perspective shot, Stanley Kubrick, down the corridor,” she says, her mind racing ahead. “Aww, there’s a little girl down there! And then you get closer and she turns round and has the face of” – she puts on a scary voice – “a 200-year-old woman. That is my career right now, in a nutshell. I’m actually at retirement age, internally.” She estimates that she might be due a breakdown. “Or a Macaulay Culkin moment where I just go generally off the rails. Or a Winona Ryder moment, shoplifting.” She thinks about Winona. “How did that happen?”

We head to a quiet room upstairs, where Ashton sprawls across an armchair, all long arms and legs and funny voices, her mind scattering ideas like wildflowers. She recently got back from LA – she bought a plane ticket and left the same day – and found herself getting lured into the new age scene in Venice Beach and Topanga Canyon. “I know it’s the worst word ever,” she says, grimacing, “but I really am transitioning.” Ashton has been to LA several times before, though she won’t say why (you get the feeling there might be various projects in various Hollywood pipelines she can’t yet discuss). This time, she says, a conversation with a guru has left her believing she might be on the cusp of a whole new stage of her life.

Perhaps this transition will liberate her from the anxiety she describes as something of a constant in her life. She was not a carefree child, and even playing Vod, who can be so comically unaware, takes a great deal of awareness. At one point I ask her if it was a relief that the only real sex scenes she’s ever had to do as Vod were more comic than sensual. “A relief?” she repeats, as if I have brought up something as unlikely as Antarctica or a hippopotamus. She is almost breathless. “There’s never any relief! Relief is not a word that ever enters my mind, about anything.”

Does she never give herself a break? After all, plenty of people say they want to write a play, a film, a book, but hardly anyone wins the London Poetry Slam Championship in 2000, a Verity Bargate award nomination in 2007 for her debut play, Harm’s Way, or a Raindance film festival nomination in 2014 for best British short for Happy Toys, which she directed. “Well, I think I am like other people. It’s just that I think I’m going to get to the end and then give up. But wow, thank you for saying I finish things, because I really think I am such a scatty person.”

She credits Lena Dunham with showing sex on TV that is not actually sexy, and also with the inspiration for writing, directing and acting in her own shows. “As a woman, you do have a sense that if you can do other things, then you should. If you feel, mmm, the roles are getting a little” – she raises a sardonic eyebrow – “repetitive, and you know you can write, then you should write a different role. It’s a quadruple indemnity mission. I plan on having a long career. I don’t want to burn out. It’s like, I have the shield, and I have the lightsaber” – she is doing movie voices now – “these are my weapons of choice! Hopefully, one of those will come to serve me in some way.”

Does she feel she owes it to the world to redress the balance? “Well, the world doesn’t have to give a shit in any way. It just feels like a fulfilling and smart thing to do.”

Ashton grew up in Stoke Newington, north London, the eldest of three children, and has recently bought her own flat not far from there, living with her boyfriend, a film distributor, whom she prefers not to talk about. Her mother Victoria arrived in England in her teens from Uganda, where Ashton’s grandfather, Paulo Muwanga, had briefly served as both president and prime minister. At a Christmas party, Victoria met her future husband Paul, a working-class cockney who was the first in his family to go to university (Cambridge). The couple both worked as schoolteachers, Victoria teaching design and technology, and Paul teaching English – though he later moved to Channel 4 to commission education programmes for teachers, so telly was always a presence in their house, as well as literature. The three children went to local state schools, and young Zawe was taken to Anna Scher improvisation classes merely to “burn off some energy”. She instantly loved it. “It is very odd to be a very tiny person and know what you want to do.”

Famously, the Anna Scher theatre has produced lots of big names including Kathy Burke and half the cast of EastEnders. But Ashton says it was precisely the unstarry nature of the place that shaped the artist she would become. “It was a weekend drama class that cost £2.50, and we weren’t supposed to do commercials, we weren’t allowed to use the words star or fame – they were banned. You had to say actor or success. You couldn’t say, ‘I want to be a star’ because it was meaningless, just empty calories.”

Ashton recounts a story about a black boy being sent home from an audition, having been told that he could never be the Milky Bar kid. Scher, who did the teaching herself, dedicated an entire session to discussing with her pupils where the casting people had done wrong. “We were armed with all of this amazing… activism, I suppose. She’s an amazing woman. You were always encouraged to know why you wanted to act. Politics is not something you think about as a kid, but I realise now that she was infusing us with a level of conscience. You had to be on time, you had to be present. The number of birthdays I missed. I just gave up every Friday night and Saturday afternoon for 14 years.”

It was a dedication that didn’t make her popular with other children at school. Ashton was bullied, and eventually moved secondary school when the threats of beatings from other teenage girls, who knew she was taking days off to film for TV, became too much. At City and Islington College, she found better friends who shared her love of poetry. She took A-levels and applied to do drama at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Then came results day. “I got hurried by my teachers into an antechamber. They were like, ‘Have you opened your results yet?’ I was like, ‘No? Should I? Oh my God, I’ve got three As.’ I was overwhelmed, because it had been a really tough year. My mum had been really ill with cancer. They all said, you have to take a year off to apply to Cambridge now. So there was this crossroads moment – you know, when you realise your life could go in two really different directions? But then the stupid, stupid girl – no, I’m joking. I’m really glad I did what I did.”

What she did was take a year off to look after her mum, and then went to Manchester Met anyway. The course was a bit of a disappointment, she says, the teachers intent on making Ashton less experimental, disparaging her idea to do things such as walk around the audience trailing a red ribbon behind her. (She pitched the same concept at a local experimental theatre a week later and it came second in a commissioning competition.) But she experienced student life, and the partying that she had missed while being such a focused child. She went to Manchester nightclubs and got into DJing, experiences that would prove valuable when she auditioned for Fresh Meat years later.

Written by Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, the duo behind Peep Show, the show is set in the fictional Manchester Medlock University. Vod is a blunt, libidinous raver; tub-thumping and workshy, with a thudding estuary accent and directional hair. She shares a house with a mismatched group of students – Jack Whitehall, “who makes me laugh so much”, plays the posh twit whose family money has bought the house. In one memorable scene she is made to read Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children and tells the class the book makes her feel “like I’ve got this pompous, fat, naked man sitting on my face, and he’s resting his big, overrated bollocks on my airways”.

Ashton auditioned for the part about eight times, and saw so many other actors there, of every type and look, that she realised she could make Vod her own, that she wasn’t being asked to play any kind of trope. I ask if there has been any negative response to the only black character in the group ending up as a drug dealer. “NEVER!! Oh my God, that’s never something that’s come up,” she says, clearly surprised by the question. “And I feel like, she’s not even as extreme as a ‘dealer’. Vod is someone who capitalises on situations, sometimes ones that are really misguided. It all goes really horribly wrong – I think Vod’s got a lot of obstacles this series. I’m quite excited about watching it.”

She might well be watching it alone, however, or certainly without her dad, who isn’t too keen on seeing her shows. She might have developed her sense of humour from her parents (“They are my favourite comedy double act”), as well as her love of language (“My dad is such a brilliant writer”), but he can’t get used to seeing her on screen. He pretends her shows are radio plays, so he can keep his eyes closed. “Actually, I told my dad he should watch the episode with Vod and her mum, and he said, ‘I’d love to.’ Then he came in and I was right in the middle of saying the c-word. And he was like, ‘Might just go and put the kettle on again.’ ”

She recently played another challenging role in Not Safe For Work, a much bleaker Channel 4 comedy by playwright DC Moore, about the jilted generation of thirtysomethings whose job security has disappeared. Ashton plays Katherine, one of a group of civil servants whose jobs are relocated from London to Northampton following public sector cuts, and who has to maintain a steely professional exterior to hide the way she is falling apart inside. Other roles have included a small part in Doctor Who (for a moment, she was the bookies’ first choice to become the first female Doctor), and the lead in Dreams Of A Life, Carol Morley’s documentary film about Joyce Vincent, the woman whose remains were found on her sofa three years after her death, with the television still on.

“I just always play these really extreme characters – they’ve all come with parental guidance stickers on them. I did this Abi Morgan play at the Donmar just now and she said, ‘You play a lot of outsiders, don’t you?’ And I was like, ‘Oh my God, I do!’” She looks surprised. “And she said, ‘Outsiders who don’t need much male intervention.’ ‘Well, yes, I do,’ I said, like I knew that about myself.”

Other theatre work includes Othello at the Globe and Gone Too Far! at the Royal Court, which is the theatre where she took the young writers’ course and wrote her play For All The Women Who Thought They Were Mad, at 24. It was inspired by research into the way that psychiatric medication affects women, and the way that black women in particular are often over-medicated, so that their health deteriorates even further. “There are stories of women in pretty powerful positions, in jobs, suddenly finding themselves in institutions, unrecognisable to themselves and their friends,” she says. “So I just had to sit in the research and think about it, but there was a writing competition. The night before the deadline, I said to myself, you really owe it to yourself to deliver – just do it. So I sat down and wrote it in an actual fever, staying up for 24 hours.”

Next up is the Genet play The Maids, a double-hander with Emmy-winning American actor Uzo Aduba (best known as Crazy Eyes in Orange Is The New Black), opening in London next month. “It’s going to be really, really interesting to explore two characters who are essentially ready to burst from the beginning of the play.”

After that, perhaps she will have time for a quick personal collapse, though it seems unlikely. “I don’t really have the luxury of having a breakdown,” Ashton says. “I’ve just been working for a really, really long time.” And yet that 200-year-old woman in the corridor has got another century ahead of her, at least.

[finishinglinepress]

FLP CHAPBOOK OF THE DAY: AGE BRINGS THEM HOME TO ME by windflower

On SALE now! Pre-order Price Guarantee: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/age-brings-them-home-to-me-by-windflower/

windflower lives on the beautiful California Mendocino Coast with her wife, border collie and mini aussie, on unceded ancestral land of the Pomo people. She co-founded the Feminist Arts Program at the University of Massachusetts Women’s Center where she published and edited, Chomo Uri, a women’s multi-arts magazine and produced the first National Women’s Poetry Festival in 1976. Her poetry has been published in numerous journals and anthologies, including international publications.

windflower is also a photographer celebrating the #poetry in #nature.

PRAISE FOR AGE BRINGS THEM HOME TO ME by windflower

This is a beautiful book, written by a contemplative and generous poet with a musician’s ear and a photographer’s eye. The metaphors sprinkled throughout—“Tiny tongues of sand,” “moist chiffon of fog,” “lips of clothespins,” “skirt of the ocean.”—all add up to a rich and sensual reading experience. The sound and rhythm of lines such as “Make me your summer lullaby” and “our waterbed a boat in its own warm harbor” beg to be read aloud and simply made me swoon. In the last section of the book, the poems widen into a provocative and intelligent exploration of social justice; the poem, “My First History Lesson” alone is worth the price of admission. This book is both soothing and exciting and these poems will stay with me for a very long time. All in all, a very profound reading experience.

–Lesléa Newman, author of the dual memoir-in-verse, I Carry My Mother and I Wish My Father

Here is a book about loss and connection – written with the power and imagination of an accomplished poet who invests the feminine spirit with love, power, grace and redemption. She traces love from the blue found in her grandmother’s hands through the wisps of blue that brush across the sky and lands in the cornflower color of her wife’s eyes.

Here is a woman who has found a cathedral in nature that blesses her with endless images: beauty, joy, pain, and love with a depth that illumines all parts of the poet’s life and yet at the climax, skillfully brings us into the crushing tragedy of the murder of three civil rights workers.

Here is a poet who follows a path of vowels and consonants down to the ocean, who won’t let hope slip away with the king tides: It is the women who look up at the sky and see their children nestled in the moon. It is the women who hem the skirt of the ocean.

–Elizabeth Kirkpatrick-Vrenios, author of Special Delivery and Empty the Ocean with a Thimble

Please share/please repost #flpauthor #preorder #AwesomeCoverArt #poetry #chapbook #read #poems

[burpenterprisejournal]

JD ZAZIE AT ANARCHY IN THE GARDEN FESTIVAL

2023/07/22 Anarchy In The Garden festival HUI-CHUN LIN / ELO MASING / SABINE VOGEL SIRI SALMINEN LARA ALARCÓN MELTEM NIL / ELO MASING LORENA IZQUIERDO EDITH STEYER YUKO KASEKI / TOT ONYX MINNA ETEIN JD ZAZIE Kühlspot Social Club Berlin - DE

The second edition of Anarchy in the Garden, feminist festival curated by Elo Masing, is ready to start. It will take place on Saturday 22 July in Berlin at Kühlspot Social Club from 15:00 to 24:00.

Anarchy in the Garden provides a platform for female perspectives in the experimental arts, such as electronic and acoustic improvisation, instant composition, movement and performance, intermedia/installation as well as action poetry. This interdisciplinary and international event is aimed at audiences of all ages, genders, and species. The program of the one day festival will be the following: 15:00 Hui-Chun Lin (cello) + Elo Masing (violin) + Sabine Vogel (flutes) 16.00 Siri Salminen (dance) 17.00 Lara Alarcón (voice, electronics) 18.00 Meltem Nil + Elo Masing (movement and sound improvisation) 19.00 Lorena Izquierdo (action poetry) 20.00 Edith Steyer (saxophone, electronics) 21.00 Yuko Kaseki (butoh) + Tot Onyx (sound) 22.00 Minna Etein (performance) 23.00 JD Zazie (turntable, CDjs)

Kühlspot Social Club Lehderstraße 74-79 - HH links 13086 Berlin

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[tartyfart]

Abigail Child has been at the forefront of experimental writing and media since the 1980s, having completed more than thirty film/video works & installations, and written 6 books. An acknowledged pioneer in montage, Child addresses the interplay between sound and image, to make, in the words of LA Weekly: “brilliant exciting work…a vibrant political filmmaking that’s attentive to form.”   Her films rewrite narrative, creating the cult classics PERILS, MAYHEM and COVERT ACTION (1984-87). Other productions borrow documentary to poetically envision public space including B/Side (1996) and SURF AND TURF (2011). Child’s re-constructed home movie THE FUTURE IS BEHIND YOU (2004) served as inspiration for UNBOUND: Scenes from the life of Mary Shelley shot as imaginary home movies. In recent years, Child has expanded her vertical montage to multiple-screen installation with MIRRORWORLDS and THE MILKY WAY. ACTS AND INTERMISSIONS, the second in her trilogy on Women and Ideology, circling around the life of Emma Goldman and a history of protests, premiered at The Museum of Modern Art’s Doc Fortnight in February 2017.

Child is the principal director, cinematographer and editor on her films. Cultural displacements, mostly urban ones, have been at the heart of her concerns. Her work involves intimate collaborations, with poets: Monica de la Torre (To and No Fro), Gary Sullivan (Mirror World), Nada Gordon (Ligatures) and Adeena Karasick (Salomé) as well as with notable downtown composers including John Zorn (The Future Is Behind You), Ikue Mori (B/side, 8 Million), Zeena Parkins (Unbound, Mayhem), Christian Marclay (Mayhem, Surface Noise) and Andrea Parkins (Vis A Vis and Acts and Intermissions). Child is currently working on the last film in the trilogy "The Andriod Project" (wt).

Her films, compulsive visual and aural legerdemain, have been widely awarded and shown internationally. Child has been honored with a Rome Prize Fellowship (09-10), as well as a John Simon Guggenheim, Radcliffe Institute and Fulbright Fellowships. She is winner of the Stan Brakhage Award, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New York Foundation for the Arts, Jerome Foundation, LEF Foundation, Mass Arts Council, and Art Matters. Child's film and media works have been exhibited worldwide, in venues including The Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Whitney Biennial Exhibitions (1989+1997); Centre George Pompidou, Paris; Rotterdam International Film Festival; New York Film Festival; CAPC Musée, Bordeaux; Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid; Pacific Film Archives, Berkeley; and festivals in Oberhausen, Locarno, Berlin, Toronto, Brazil, Mexico City and Seoul, among many others. Her work is in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art New York and Centre Pompidou among others. Harvard University Cinematheque has created an “Abigail Child Collection” which will preserve and exhibit her films. 

Child is also a writer with more that 5 books and numerous chapbooks. Her critical study, THIS IS CALLED MOVING: A Critical Poetics of Film (2005) is the only critical book written by an active American artist/filmmaker in over two decades. Her book of poetry MOUTH TO MOUTH came out in 2016, courtesy of Eoagh Press and was honored with a Lambda Prize in 2017. Child is Emeritus Professor of Media at Tufts University, the SMFA, and lives and works in New York City. 

[burlveneer-music]

Electric Sufi - Breathe In Love

This is Breathe in Love, the new album by Electric Sufi. A first single 'O Ignis Spiritus' will be released on 1 February 2023, the album will be released later that year.

Electric Sufi are Sheffield based Professor of Music and Sound Archaeologist at Huddersfield University Rupert Till, Manchester based singer-songwriter and environmental activist Sarah Yaseen and Nottingham based multi-instrumentalist / University lecturer Mina Mikhael Salama.

Rupert has produced ambient dance, chillout and electronic music under the the moniker Professor Chill throughout his career, including the album Dub Archaeology released in 2018. He’s also written the book Pop Cult which delves into the mysteries of music and spirituality, participated in the BBC TV series Civilisations as well as numerous other TV and radio shows, plus written articles in The Quietus, Huffington Post and New Scientist. His extensive research projects have been wide and varied, covering a multitude of subjects ranging from ‘The influences of Religion on British Club Culture and Electronic Dance music’ to ‘Sound Archaeology, Acoustics and Cave Art’.

Sarah, whose family roots are in Kashmir, is known in world music circles as a singer in UK Womad favourites Rafiki Jazz and Danish all-woman ensemble Radiant Arcadia. In Electric Sufi she sings in Urdu, Punjabi, Persian, Latin and English – and by doing so, draws upon a wide range of cultural influences. Inspired by Qawwali (Islamic devotional singing from India) and Ghazals (Arabic poetry), she has one foot firmly placed in a contemporary multicultural world and the other in the ancient lyrical and musical traditions on which she draws.

Mina, a Coptic Christian from Alexandria, Egypt, came to the UK as a refugee, taking asylum here from persecution in his homeland. He has since contributed much to UK culture through his performances at WOMAD, Edinburgh Festival, The Southbank, London as well as Cardiff, Leicester, Manchester and beyond. Along with Rupert, Mina has also contributed to the BBC TV series Civilisations where he demonstrated a 30,000-year-old Isturitz Vulture bone flute. On an international level, Mina has contributed to the music score on Disney’s Aladdin, directed by Guy Richie and starring Will Smith, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott.

With a first performance at Bradford’s Kala Sangam Arts Centre, which received much applause from a diverse audience, this trio brings much collectively and individually to the Electric Sufi sound, resulting in a rich tapestry of cultural and musical layers of influence that their album Breathe In Love explores in much detail. Their modern interpretation of O Ignis Spiritus is a wonderful introduction to this enchanted world and their message of hope.

[gmqazi19739]

Aslam Tunio - Top 10 Best Sindhi Folk Music

Aslam Tunio is known for his contribution to Sindhi classical and folk music and his programs on various platforms like Sindh TV station, KTN TV, Kashish TV station, Sindhi FM radio station, etc. But what makes Aslam Tunio such a monumental figure in Sindhi music? Let’s immerse ourselves in his life, his art, and his lasting legacy. Sindhi music has a clear history and is filled with songs that are synonymous with Sindhi culture and traditions. At the center of his musical heritage is Aslam Tunio, a name synonymous with Sindhi folk music.

Best Aslam Tunio Sindhi Folk Music Download

Biography and Early Life Aslam Tunio was born in Sindh, Pakistan, a province rich in culture and tradition. Sindh has long been known for its deep association with music, especially folk music which reflects the daily lives, struggles, and joys of its people, and growing up in such an environment, it was only natural for Aslam to gravitate towards music rhythm and melody surrounding him. The beginning of his musical career Aslam Tunio’s journey in the world of music began at an early age. He enjoyed Sindhi traditional songs sung at local festivals, weddings, and religious gatherings. Early discoveries of the works of legendary Sindhi poets and Sufi saints such as Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and Hazrat Sachal Saramast played an important role in shaping his musical style at community meetings. Aslam Tunio's contribution to Sindhi folk music Development of Sindhi folk music Sindhi folk music has evolved over the centuries, adapting to its changing cultural context and maintaining its relevance. It is a form of music-making that is deeply rooted in the spiritual and social life of Sindhis. From the poetic verses of Sufi saints to the vibrant ragas of folk songs, Sindhi music is a reflection of the region’s rich heritage. Aslam Tunio has been a key figure in this development, staying true to the originality of the music and bringing a modern touch to traditional music. Role of Aslam Tunio in Contemporary Sindhi Music And Aslam Tunio wasn’t just preserving the old; He did other things. He introduced Sindhi genres and new sounds, making them accessible to the youth. His ability to blend Sindhi classics with contemporary trends helped rejuvenate the taste of Sindhi folk music. While doing so, he ensured that the music of Sindh remained relevant and continued to flourish in modern times. Career and career highlights The main function is how Aslam Tunio’s career includes several plays on national and international stages. He became a household name in Sindh when he appeared on local TV channels like Sindh TV, KTNTV, and Kashish TV. His performances were not confined to television; He also became a popular voice on Sindhi FM radio stations, where his songs were played regularly, winning the hearts of listeners. Live performance in the Sindhi cultural context One of the most remarkable aspects of Aslam Tunio’s work is his ability to perform live music in traditional Sindhi settings. Whether at a mehfil (people gathered to listen to music and poetry) in an “attack” (traditional living room), at a wedding, or ceremony (Aguansoro). Tunio’s live performances were a happy occasion for the audience he brought energy and emotion to each performance, and everyone It made the event special and memorable. Aslam Tunio through Exploring various genres   "Bats" style in Sindhi music One of the notable Sindhi genres in which Aslam Tunio excelled was the "bats" genre. This type of vocal music is characterized by the fact that its pitch can be low (Graham) or high (Sanhoon). Tunio mastered both genres and put on a performance that showcased his versatility and deep understanding of Sindhi music. "Tarang" style in Sindhi music Another important style of Sindhi classical music is "Wai", also known as Kafi or Arfana Kalam. This style of instrumental music uses stringed instruments to create exciting music. Y is popular not only in Sindh but also in neighboring areas like Balochistan, Punjab, and Kutch. Aslam Tunio’s mastery of Y-style singing furthered his reputation as a versatile and talented musician. Influence of other regional genres The music of Aslam Tunio was not only a Sindhi tradition. He incorporated elements of other regional songs like Saraiki and Balochi into his repertoire. This fusion of different musical traditions enabled him to reach a wider audience and further enriched the cultural fabric of Sindhi folk music songs. Dialogue and Influence in Sindhi Pop Music He works with contemporary Sindhi poets Aslam Tunio’s collaborations with contemporary Sindhi poets have been some of the highlights of his career. He lent his voice to the poetry of contemporary Sindhi poets, bringing their words to life with his emotive melodies. These collaborations have helped bridge the gap between traditional Sindhi songs and contemporary literary narratives, allowing his music to appeal to audiences of all ages A blend of traditional and contemporary sounds Tunio's ability to combine traditional Sindhi music with contemporary sounds was unprecedented. He experimented with genres, mixing folk music with pop, and creating new, familiar, and fresh sounds. This blend not only revitalized Sindhi pop music but also brought a large audience inside and outside Sindh. Aslam Tunio’s influence on Sindhi radio and Television Sindhi TV channels Aslam Tunio on Sindhi television is far less stable. His appearances on Sindh TV channels, KTN TV and Kashish TV made him a household name across the province. His ability to connect with viewers through film was unmatched, and his music became an integral part of the cultural fabric of Sindhi television. Celebrities on Sindhi FM radio stations Apart from television shows, Aslam Tunio was a regular on Sindhi FM radio stations. His songs were played frequently and his voice became a staple for radio listeners. Be it new releases or classics, Tunio’s music has always been in demand on the airwaves, enhancing his status as the flagship of Sindhi music. Cultural Impact of Aslam Tunio Music Impact on Sindhi youth and new generation The music of Aslam Tunio had a profound impact on the youth of Sindh. His modern approach to traditional music has inspired a new generation of Sindhi musicians to explore their cultural roots, while also embracing modern influences Tunio's work keeps Sindhi music alive and vibrant from birth one layer to the next. Preservation of Sindhi Cultural Heritage Through his music, Aslam Tunio plays an important role in preserving Sindhi's cultural heritage. Often accompanied by traditional Sindhi poems and ragas, his music is a link between past and present. By keeping these traditions alive, Tunio helped ensure that Sindh’s rich cultural history would not be lost to time. Aslam Tunio and Sufi music Poetry by Sufi saints Aslam Tunio’s repertoire includes poetry by some revered Sufi saints like Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, and Hazrat Sachal Saramast, and his ability to convey the spiritual depth of Sufi poetry through his music has earned him a special place in the hearts of his listeners. Tunio’s performances are more than musical; They are spiritual experiences that deeply touch the audience. the spiritual elements of his music The spiritual element in Aslam Tunio’s music is one of the defining features of his music. His music often evokes a connection with the divine, making it more than just entertainment. This spiritual aspect has made his music appealing to those who not only seek to entertain but also find solace and inspiration through music. Legacy of Aslam Tunio Acceptance and Awards Aslam Tunio’s contribution to Sindhi music has not gone unnoticed. Over the years he has received numerous awards and accolades for his work. These recognitions are a testament to his genius and impact on the culture of Sindh. Tunio's legacy is an excellent one, and his music will continue to inspire generations to come. Continued influence on Sindhi music While new artists are emerging in the Sindhi music scene, Aslam Tunio’s influence remains strong. His innovative approach to music, his dedication to preserving Sindhi traditions, and his ability to connect with listeners have left an indelible mark on Sindhi music Aslam Tunio's career will continue to be a source of inspiration and a benchmark of identity Excellent Sindhi music. History of Sindhi music Origins of Sindhi Music Sindhi music has a long and storied history, with roots going back centuries. Traditional music of Sindh is closely linked to the spiritual and cultural life of the region, many songs are based on the poetry of Sufi saints Aslam Tunio music continues this rich tradition, but with a unique twist that makes it suitable for modern audiences. How does Aslam Tunio combine modern traditional styles? Aslam Tunio’s ability to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary music is what separates him from other musicians. He has managed to keep the essence of traditional Sindhi music alive while also incorporating contemporary elements that appeal to contemporary audiences. This balance of old and new is a major reason for the popularity and influence of Aslam Tunio’s music. Conclusion Aslam Tunio’s contribution to Sindhi Cultural music is immeasurable. He has not only preserved the traditional sounds of Sindh but also modernized them in a way that has kept them relevant for new generations. His music continues to be celebrated, and his legacy as one of the most iconic figures in Sindhi music is secure. Aslam Tunio’s work is a testament to the power of music to transcend time and connect people across generations. FAQs Who is Aslam Tunio? Aslam Tunio is a renowned Sindhi folk music artist known for his contributions to Sindhi classical and folk music. He is celebrated for his performances on Sindhi TV stations and radio, as well as his innovative approach to traditional music. What are the main contributions of Aslam Tunio to Sindhi music? Aslam Tunio has played a key role in modernizing Sindhi folk music by blending traditional sounds with contemporary elements. He has also popularized Sindhi music through his performances on TV and radio. How has Aslam Tunio influenced Sindhi pop music? Aslam Tunio introduced new styles and fused traditional Sindhi music with modern genres, helping to create a new sound in Sindhi pop music that appeals to a broader audience. What styles of music does Aslam Tunio perform? Aslam Tunio performs a variety of styles, including the "Baits" and "Waee" styles of Sindhi music, as well as Sufi music based on the poetry of Sufi saints. Where can I listen to Aslam Tunio’s music? Aslam Tunio’s music can be found on various Sindhi TV channels, FM radio stations, and online platforms where Sindhi music is available. Read the full article

[filamentzine]

Tilemachos Moussas

Α piece of music that needs to be played loud

Iron Maiden - The Trooper

A piece of music that moves you forward

Pat Martino - Boundaries

A piece of music that gets stuck in your head 

John Dowland - Flow My Tears

A piece of music that makes you want to dance

Kim Wilde - Keep Me Hanging On

A piece of music that makes you feel badass

Sex Pistols - Anarchy in the UK

A piece of music that you remember from your childhood 

Status Quo - In The Army Now

A piece of music that reminds you your hometown 

Ζαφείρης Μελάς - Γεια σου μάνα Σαλονίκη

The piece of music you’ve listened to the most

Αττίκ/Κάκια Μένδρη - Μαραμένα τα γούλια και οι βιόλες

Tilemachos Moussas is an Athens based composer, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, educator. He invests in the creation and performance of subversive music, from instant composing and avantgarde. He creates, performs and produces experimental music and opera that fuses the musicality of speech, poetry, classical music, jazz and electronic sound art. He is a founding member of music theater company, ODC Ensemble and has presented his music across Europe and internationally and released multiple albums. 

Tilemachos has received the International "Music Theater Now 2018" Award and has been awarded the 1st Prize at the Be Festival of Birmingham. 

He is a PhD Candidate & he also holds a Master of Music in "Jazz Performance & New Technologies, Musical Studies Department, UOA.  

www.moussas.com

[garadinervi]

7th International Festival of Sound Poetry, The Poetry Society, London, 1974 [The Idea of the Book, Portland, OR]. Feat. Henri Chopin, Bob Cobbing, Lily Greenham, Sten Hanson, and Sean O’Huigin among others

[camelotresort6]

Christmas Day Splendor: Revel in the Festivities at Camelot, Best Luxury Resorts in Munnar

This Christmas, travel to Camelot, one of the best luxury resorts in Munnar and the pinnacle of natural beauty, and enter a world of magic and peace. A trip to one of Munnar's best luxury resorts is more than simply a getaway; it's an enchanted encounter that draws you into the heart of Kerala's breathtaking scenery. Discover the wonders of Christmas with your loved ones at Camelot, hailed as Munnar's best resort and the epitome of a family retreat.

Reserve a stay in one of our wonderfully named rooms to experience the romance of Camelot: the ultra-luxurious Humming Birds, the sumptuous Sun Birds, the graceful Silver Bills, or. It's the perfect place to unwind because each room has been thoughtfully designed to create the perfect ambiance for your family's holiday celebrations. With its magnificent furnishings and amazing vistas, Camelot ensures a wonderful stay for each and every guest.

The spirit of Christmas goes beyond the decorations at Munnar's Best Luxury Resorts. Take part in a wide range of activities suitable for all ages and interests. The resort has a variety of entertainment alternatives, including daring ziplining and tire traversing, as well as gentle games of chess, table tennis, and carroms. Enjoy the charming ambiance as you watch your kids play in the children's park.

Take in the surrounding natural music as you surround Camelot. Camelot is your entryway to Munnar's organic beauty, where you may enjoy peaceful activities such as fishing by the lakeside, hiking through verdant pathways, and swinging in the breeze.

Select opulent Munnar resorts this Christmas for a party that goes above and beyond. Enjoy a celebratory feast that features the best of regional and international cuisines while dining in elegance at the resort's amenities. Savor the warmth of the holiday décor and the festive atmosphere that has been thoughtfully chosen to make your celebrations absolutely unforgettable.

Explore the senses in Camelot's carefully designed gardens, where fragrant foliage fills the air with a vivid display of blossoms. Like lyrical poetry, the pathways lead you through a rainbow of hues, beckoning you to explore the obscure nooks and crannies of this verdant paradise. This Christmas, Camelot becomes a sensory tapestry where the sound of rustling leaves and the aroma of blossoming flowers create a melodic accompaniment for your joyous occasion.

Camelot is a mystical sanctuary where luxury and the natural world come together, not merely a resort. Choosing Camelot entails selecting the best resorts in Munnar for your Christmas getaway, where each memory is thoughtfully created and every second is a celebration. Make your Christmas a symphony of happiness, love, and the enchantment of Munnar's beauty by booking a stay at Camelot, the luxury resorts in Munnar.

[chorusfm]

The Veronicas – “Detox”

The Veronicas have returned with the new song “Detox.” Los Angeles, CA - December 15, 2023 - In late October, Pop-Rock trailblazers The Veronicas made an astounding global comeback with their long-awaited release “Perfect”. The “proud middle-finger lead single” (Billboard) sent fans into an online hysteria, reminding listeners how the girls have served as the blueprint for the pop-rock anthems dominating music today. The track provided a glimpse into their highly anticipated album GOTHIC SUMMER, releasing March 2024 via Big Noise. Today, The Veronicas are giving fans the next taste of their upcoming album with the release of their second anthemic single “Detox”.   "Detox” is a wild fusion of Pop-Rock, Ska, poetry and Skate Punk, fearlessly blending genres and challenging any expectations of pop conventions. The single is an exploration of the chaos and hypnosis of toxic relationships, delivering provoking lyrics like “I’m on my knees, I’ll never leave - I love my friends like I love all my enemies”. “Detox” is bound to elevate your heart rate, have you banging your head, and shouting along to its addictive hooks all winter (and summer). A testament to the girls’ historic love of genre-fusing songwriting and pushing artistic boundaries, this is the song of your “Gothic Summer”. Created with Australian Pro BMX Rider-turned-Video Director Pat Freyne, the “Detox” music video is heavily inspired by the song’s fighting energy of keeping your head above water. Featuring references to the spontaneity of Quentin Tarantino’s greatest dance scenes, The Veronicas’ Jessie and Lisa explain their vision, “We contrasted wide shots with extreme close ups, and purposefully improvised dance scenes to encourage physical and emotional mirroring in the moment. A mix of 60s choreography, fused with some Michael Jackson kicks and high energy, to encapsulate the fighting emotional volatility of the song. The video ends in a burst of underwater color and sinking euphoria upon the tempo change, giving in to the push-pull cycle of the song’s lyrics.”   “Perfect” has set the stage for the latest achievement in The Veronicas’ story, with Wonderland sharing that the track “...is a testament to their ongoing brilliance” . The song has been met with additional outstanding critical acclaim, as American Songwriter raved, “The declarative track offers a modernized, elevated version of the duo’s early, infectious pop-rock sound”, and Forbes best summed it up stating, “The Veronicas make a ‘Perfect’ comeback”. The song released just 24 hours ahead of The Veronicas’ electrifying appearance at When We Were Young festival, making them one of the most talked about performances of the weekend. They recently also shared a beautiful stripped back, acoustic version of the song for fans - watch here.   Expectations are rightly high for The Veronicas’ GOTHIC SUMMER album, out March 2024. They have continued to remain one of Australia’s most valuable exports since Kylie Minogue, with a countless number of international awards and Billboard-charting songs under their belts. The Veronicas have announced plans for a tour in the USA for Spring, with EU shows to follow in the summer. Fans can get decked out in new Veronicas merch HERE and purchase tickets to the GOTHIC SUMMER Tour HERE. --- Please consider becoming a member so we can keep bringing you stories like this one. ◎ https://chorus.fm/news/the-veronicas-detox/

[aiciacolophotos]

Mood Keep (2018) Alice dos Reis

Video 13:51 min Directed and Edited by: Alice dos Reis With: Alice dos Reis, Bin Koh, Danae Io Text and Voice: Alice dos Reis Sound: Emile Frankel Camera: Alice dos Reis, Wyatt Niehaus

Mood Keep focuses on the critically endangered Mexican axolotl, a water creature with regenerative abilities that refuses to metamorphose into maturity. In the film, set in the near future, the world population of captive axolotl has had enough of the aggressive electric lights of their aquariums. Communicating via wireless waves and watching anime telepathically, they decide to develop eyelids to shut their eyes, reclaim the agency of their bodies and encourage empathic communication. 

In charting the connections between the axolotl’s post-colonial history, unique - almost unearthly - biology, and recent online popularity as one of the world’s cutest creatures, the work seeks to trace the prevalence of cute imagery in contemporary semiotics.

Alice dos Reis is an artist and filmmaker. She has exhibited, solo and in group, at the Serralves Museum for Contemporary Art (Porto), Kunsthalle Lissabon (Lisbon), Gallerie D’Italia (Torino), 5th Istanbul Design Biennale (Istanbul), RADIUS CCA (Delft), Porto Municipal Gallery (Porto), PuntWG (Amsterdam), Display (Prague), Gallery and Lehmann + Silva, among others. Her films have been shown at the Palais de Tokyo (Paris), EYE Film Museum (Amsterdam), Platform Vdrome, and Museum of the Moving Image (NYC), as well as in various international film festivals. Recently Alice was a recipient of Fundacion Botin Visual Arts Grants (2022-2023). She co-runs Pântano Books, an independent poetry press.

[hafsa-poet]

Ian McMillan presents some of the most exciting international poetry and poets - recorded in Leeds, UK at the Contains Strong Language Festival 2023. He's joined by poets from the 'Language is a Queer Thing' project - an international poetry development programme from The Queer Muslim Project and the British Council - including Jay Mitra, Gayathiri Kamalakanthan, Mukahang Limbu, Rachit Sharma, Anureet Watta, and Hafsa Bukhary.

[cryingoflot49]

Book Review

Eurock: European Rock & the Second Culture

edited by Archie Patterson

By 1970, psychedelic music had begun to fade in popularity in America and the U.K. At the same time, there was a small scene of musicians in Germany that began experimenting with rock styles that started where psychedelia and acid rock left off. The British press condescendingly labeled this scene “krautrock”. The influence of bands like Tangerine Dream, Can, Amon Duul II, Kraftwerk, Neu, Faust, and others spread throughout continental Europe and soon bands like Magma and Heldon formed in France. Krautrock would later merge with progressive or prog rock, space rock, cosmic music, fusion, and a whole bunch of other genres. Little of this music was known in America, but one man named Archie Patterson fell deeply in love with it and so formed a fanzine named Eurock to promote it in the underground American music market. His attempt at bringing this wide-ranging music to the narrow minds of American people largely failed and yet his journal lasted until 2002. In Eurock: European Rock and the Second Culture, Patterson provides us with articles from the thirty year lifespan of his underground music journalism. It is a treasure trove of archival information for people who either love this kind of rock or for people who are familiar with it but want to explore it on a wider and deeper level.

The initial articles are not easy to read. Patterson and others attempt to put into words what they hear on some of the pioneering krautrock records. The descriptiveness is neither clear nor accurate. If you read one of these essays and then listen to the music being described it is difficult to find any connection between the two. It is possible to write prose or poetry that sounds musical, just try James Joyce or Jack Kerouac as examples, but using words to described music is entirely impossible. Frank Zappa famously said about rock journalists, “You can’t write about music for the same reason you can’t dance about architecture.” Had Patterson and crew continued on in this vein, I would have given up on this book half way through or maybe even sooner.

The writers at Eurock saw the light though. They ditched their futile attempts at achieving the impossible and took the fanzine in another direction. From then on, their articles consisted of band biographies, scene reports, interviews, and essays on music theory. The scope also expands to a more global perspective. From Germany and France, they begin covering bands from all across Europe and eventually touching on musical projects out of Japan and Latin America. Many of these bands are included in the Nurse With Wound List; if you don’t know what that is, look it up. While the intended purpose of Eurock is to bring international underground music to the attention of American listeners, some American and British bands do get attention when they are radical or experimental enough. Brief articles on bands like Chrome, the Legendary Pink Dots, Lemon Kittens, and Nocturnal Emissions are included although the harsher sounds of post punk and industrial music are only mentioned briefly. Some interesting reoccurring themes are the ongoing struggles of the legally persecuted Plastic People Of the Universe in communist Czechoslovakia, the Rock in Opposition movement and festivals, the Leftist /utopian political visions of the musicians, the way in which the introduction of cassette tapes made it possible for non-commercial musicians to record and distribute their works, and ways in which changing technology affected the production of underground music particularly in relation to synthesizer and moog oriented electronic music.

This anthology also gives a broad overview of the trajectory of this kind of music. By the 1980s, krautrock and prog rock had reached their peak and these journalists struggle to find new bands and scenes to report on. There are a lot more interviews with old guard musicians like Klaus Schulze and Richard Pinhas. Some of them go quite in depth and retrospectively reveal a lot about the history of their careers. On the downside, more and more articles are included about new age musicians which tend to be just as bland and vapid as the music that these artists made. In the chapters from the mid-1980s and 1990s, you begin to see that Patterson’s vision of futuristic and creative rock music has become less and less relevant in the horrid Reagan/Thatcher era. However, in terms of interviews and writing, the passages from 2000 to 2002 are some of the most well-written ones in the whole book.

Not all of the bands covered in Eurock are good. Some have definitely not stood the test of time. The articles also vary in quality, ranging from creative and mind-expanding to vague, confusing, and sometimes shallow. But this big long book stays interesting most of the time. Some of the best writing comes from interviews with musicians I have never heard of who inspired me to go out and look up their music. The best articles have also done a lot to enhance my understanding of the underground music scene in Europe and the importance of non-commercial music in a world dominated by excessive media coercion and corporate control over art and entertainment. Some of us are just hungry for alternative visions of the world when the society of consumerism and mass-conformity have us surrounded on all sides. These experimental musicians are like islands of sanity in a world gone to hell, where most people insist on marching in lockstep with all the others on the road to brain death. These musicians are saying, “Look, there are other possibilities, other modes of existence that may be more meaningful and exciting so try it out and see what it’s like.”

As a document and archive, Eurock is an outstanding book that provides a detailed overview of a musical scene that is destined for obscurity. It is niche literature for one of the most specific niches you can imagine. Not all of the writing is great, but most of it is good enough and when the writing is strong it really shines. The honesty and dedication of Archie Patterson’s lifelong project ring true loud and clear. If Patterson and the bands represented in this volume never get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, at least we have Eurock to remind us what cross-current and counter-cultural possibilities lie outside the mainstream.