Music Policy Forum Webinar 5/31/2020
Hey world. We all want live music to resume, but we are nowhere close to where we need to be on so many fronts—health-wise, economically, and so forth. I was invited by Michael Bracy and the Music Policy Forum to share my experiences and outlook as a professional musician since the Covid-19 shutdown.
My last day of work was February 29, 2020 performing in Denver with Antibalas. We were in the midst of a spring/summer album tour through North America and Europe, and a fall trip to Nigeria in the works and all of that is on ice for now. It is far too early to create any sort of a timeline, but several cities are on board with REVS (Reopen Every Venue Safely), developing standards and protocols for what it would take to make this a reality. It is going to take a lot.
Anyway, below is my segment of the webinar but PLEASE check out the whole thing—we talk about healthcare resources before and during Covid-19 in New Orleans, Seattle, and Austin.
New Music: "Lamentos"
Hey world. I hope you are safe and sound and protecting yourself and your loved ones.
I’ve been working in a new lane of data sonification (turning datasets and numbers into sound).
This is related to that, but turning feelings into sound. It’s a series called Lamentos - quick improvisations, and snapshots of how I’m feeling and what vibes I’m absorbing on any particular day as we get deeper into this global crisis.
It is called Lamentos. A lamento (lament in English) is an expression of grief.
Me Quedo En Casa Fest Show/Livestream 4/12/20
I did an improv concert from my studio. It was the first one I’ve ever done, building loops and textures on the spot with my keyboards, flutes, saxophones and a drum machine the size of a pocket calculator. I was a bit nervous but happy to contribute to the effort of making sheltering place a little bit more interesting for everyone.
Upcoming Antibalas tour dates postponed
Hey world.
I’m flattered that in this moment of global chaos you dropped in on my website. Here’s what’s new.
I just got off the road from three weeks of touring with Antibalas beginning in Southern California and wrapping up in Denver.
The shows were great energetically, musically, and emotionally. Just a day or two after we finished the leg of touring, we began to get reports of widespread venue closures and health alerts from both inside and outside the United States to halt any large-group events. That put a wrap on all of our remaining touring (about 35 or so shows) between now and the end of May and possibly beyond.
So I (and the rest of the other musicians and my whole musical community) are posted up at home (or worse, stranded on the road) with little to no income for the foreseeable future except for any royalty checks that might be on their way. (My last one from ASCAP was for $66.14).
If you are in a position to help, visit Antibalas.com - you can buy our music there, arrange an online music lesson or consultation with one of the musicians or just kick us a love offering.
NPR Weekend Edition Interview
My bandmate Amayo and I were interviewed by NPR’s Scott Simon of Weekend Edition to discuss our latest Antibalas album “Fu Chronicles.” LISTEN:
NEW Antibalas album "Fu Chronicles" Out Now // West Coast+Rockies Tour
Hey! The new Antibalas album is done and out in the world on vinyl/digital via the eminent Daptone Records label, Bandcamp, and streaming platforms.
We’re on tour beginning February 11, kicking off the tour in Morro Bay, CA and finishing in Denver on 3/1.
TOUR DATES HERE:
1/21/2020: Live in Los Angeles at Hodgepodge
This Tuesday 1/20 I’ll be at Apotheke in Los Angeles with my man Todd M Simon and friends for his Hodgepodge musical night. I’ll be playing saxophones, flute, percussion and who knows what else.
