Men plan, God laughs…

Sat March 20
I figured I would be able to attend each and every seminar that day. Why the hell not? I even made a nice list… but fatigue kicked in.

Every so often one of my cousins join me on tour to hang out and remind me of what a nerd I really am. Much love to Nicey for being patient with my excessively tired azz. I’m afraid I was not much of a host, waking up at 6:30 pm

9:40pm) We went to Beauty Bar, for another Soulico cameo, because the SXSW site SAID Beauty Bar. Well that show was at Palm Door… a different venue OWNED by Beauty Bar.. Niiiice… Figured it out waaay after 10.! Got to Palm Door just as they were calling my name. I hate that.

1am) Pop Montreal’s Showcase – Thanks for the invite (which really came from Poirier), but don’t even try to leave “f. MC Zulu” out of the headlines (or write it in all small) when I am doing an official showcase there with him.

Maybe I’m not a big deal….. But how will I ever GET to be one if people keep playing me like that?

This is not a rant. I appreciate EVERYONE allowing me to share their stages! 5 SXSW appearances, all wonderful audiences;

Sun March 21
We got to see the Capitol Bldg. of Texas the next day! My Momma’s from Texas  :o)

I finally found some pastry satisfaction in the way of Cinnabons.. Not all DRY like they make it in the wannabe-cost-cutting Chicago burbs either…. TEXAS Style dammit! (“Sinner Buns”)

OK Next I will post some Twitter responses I found.Boom

Z.

I had big plans for Saturday..didn’t do sh**

Cousin Nicey with her nerd cousin Zulu

Who knew Austin was the Capitol of Texass.s.sshit.Ishould.have… no comment

Cinnabon done Texas style.

SXSW Facebook Update:

Thursday March 18
I rocked the Beauty Bar with “Chllngr”, who make a HEAVY Reggae / Electro / Dub fusion, and afterwards went to Momo’s to sit in with “Soulico” from Tel Aviv. (I was pleasantly surprised that ONILI was making an appearance at the Soulico show!) This was directly from the airport. Against better counsel I did not rent a car…….. Foolish

Friday March 19
Screw this… went to get a rental car.
After that the trade show was THE THING. There is a top of the line microphone that is calling my name. Maybe more on that later. Met Kush Arora, Juakali and Nate Mars. (The Dread Bass Sound System) Collectively they made their debut at this SXSW.

One group I really like was The Sleighbells… They make a nice mix of rock music with hard 808 beats. Checked them at the iheartcomix Carnival.

Do you know I can’t find ONE good bakery here in Austin? Someone please help with that.

Anyway, the show at the Ninjatune Showcase went really well. Poirier and I were interviewed afterwards by DagnoMusic.com. He spoke French to the interview lady and she got all mesmerized and ignored me! I will kick his ass for that. (and I will learn French)

Also big up Wayne (and Wax) for passing thru.
The best show I watched (and did not participate) award goes to: Daedelus

To be continued…

with ONILI at MoMo’s / LRG Up the Soulico Vibezz

Tacky Champagne Toyota, babyyyyy

Wayne & Wax, Poirier, MC Zulu

Poirier speaking French again… making the ladies all Starry Eyed ……………………………….. bastard

Change your plans for this Thursday, damn you.

The Drastics will be appearing at a place in Chicago called “The Whistler” and attendance is mandatory.

   (pictured here with African Reggae Superstar Fada Dougou)

Yes folks, our drummer Antron is a card carrying member of the ‘musical elitest’ brigade.. meaning he will never listen to an artist you’ve heard of… unless of course they are remixing said artist See Here: MJ A Rocker

SO… it only makes sense that our collective only plays venues where they “Get Us”… or at least we hope they do. Word is that upon sending the initial correspondence, The Whistler mgmt. returned a flat-out, even-handed denial in the form of “We don’t do Reggae”; and actually reconsidered after finally listening to the CD.

In light of all that, perhaps it could be an enjoyable evening. Hoping to see you in the place!

Oh yea.. NEW TRACK! ”Lightning Train” up now on The Drastics MySpace Page 

Also become a Facebook Slave.oops I mean please join our Fan Page :o)

SEE?? I’m all over that ‘new style media’ for ‘old style music’, aren’t I? ….  BAM!

The Drastics appearing at  THE WHISTLER
Thursday March 11, 2010
Doors at 9 – NO COVER
2421 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
ph: 773-227-3530

http://www.whistlerchicago.com/

So.. I have played with this band (The Drastics) as a recurring , occasional feature for a couple of years now.
 
The Drastics is not a ska band…lol I am going to have to drill that into your heads.. Still we have a ska band following,,, so we made some ska tunes. What the hell? Music is music.

Everyone caught up in a “genre” classification, saying “this is what I do”, they are limiting themselves at the same time.

Live At Martyr’s 13 Feb., 2010 / Chicago, IL

So all the Dubstep kids who love “Ransom The Senator” from way back when, should realize it started out as a Drastics tune. Everyone is Dub influenced, one way or another, but it does not stop there. Consider Jazz/Blues/R&B, etc.

Once you can spot common threads of influence running through all of these, you will begin to realize that music is the only Universal language.

The Drastics are vital because they understand this. Not every musician does; especially the “successful” ones, and  overexposure is by no means an indicator of validity.

This is why I don’t make them. Here I was pledging to update this blog daily.lol and here we are…on the 14th..

Anyway It’s not all my fault. I am in a New Zealand internet cafe, with full service internet… for the first time in a week. Below is what I’ve been up to:

Sydney Festival / Opening Night / January 2010

ALSO…
A Running gallery on on the Australia trip:

Dear 2009 H&S Grant Award Judges:
http://www.communitytech.net/ctkfoundation/517/the-ctk-foundation
 
The Winner of the 2009 Heart and Soul Grant Award:
($10,000 cash grant and poem turned in to a song by Los Lonely Boys)
 
The Family Justice Center of Erie County
 
[My spirit is unbroken, though my body bears a scar.
Sometimes I really doubted I would ever get this far.
My eyes convey a sadness, but there's strength behind the tears,
And hope is in my heart instead of emptiness and fear.

Within these walls of kindness, my healing has begun.
Your gentle words have soothed me like the radiance of the sun.
Who knew such possibilities were waiting to be found?
I thank you all for helping me to stand on firmer ground.]

The Family Justice Center of Erie County offers centralized services for victims of domestic violence and their children in Erie County and Buffalo, New York.  FJC has been operating independently since May 2006 and has since assisted thousands of clients in receiving medical treatment, shelter, consultations with professionals and countless other services. The poem was written by a current resident of their safe house.

Three additional recipients of Heart and Soul grants include: San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum, Workers Defense Project of Austin and Arrowhead United Way.  These organizations will each receive a steel-stringed acoustic guitar, for use in fund raising auctions, donated by First Act, Inc. and autographed by the members of Los Lonely Boys.
 
The nonprofit beneficiaries and the judges of all 2009 Heart and Soul Grant Awards are invited to attend a gala in their honor on November 21 at the Austin Museum of Art in Austin, Texas.  The event will feature the world-premiere of the song, performed by Los Lonely Boys, that was inspired by the award-winning poem.
 
Thanks to you all for your terrific work, benefiting all these worthwhile causes!  Hope to see you on November 21st!
 
Kathryn
Kathryn Engelhardt-Cronk  |  CEO/President
Community TechKnowledge, Inc. (CTK)
701 Brazos Street, Suite 1425, Austin, TX 78701
Toll Free: 1-877-441-2111  |  F: 512-345-9091
www.communitytech.net

Tell a nonprofit colleague about the benefits of the CTK Online Data Manager, Community Impact Online Data Manager or CTK Apricot™ for small nonprofits and receive a gift from CTK. We’ll send you a $20 gift certificate for either Apple iTunes or Starbucks–your choice–if your colleague attends one of our free online demos. Go to www.communitytech.net and click on the heart-shaped “Customer Referral Program” button for all of the details.

I had the chance to catch sights around the city, like I do… as well as doing the show with Poirier.
Big Up to Rasmus Schack, our host in Copenhagen who arranged for us to stay in the KODA apartment, which is Denmark’s version of ASCAP… ah, look it up..lol..

MC ZULU In Copenhagen, Denmark

Our show was aboard the M.S. Stubnitz. Stubnitz is actually a big seafaring vessel, transformed into a nightclub. It travels around Europe to various ports, and was docked in the city of Copenhagen when Poirier and I got there. Our show was rescheduled from club Kb18 to the party boat.

There was also a girl group called “The Faget Fearies” who played a big, Bass-Driven set, which included some of my songs… You never can tell where you will find fans and friends.

I also need to say much respecK to producer Jimmy Antony and the Copia Doble Sound System. Also Steve Borth from Dub Defender in the house. Look for more collaborations with these names.

European Tour with Poirier…! Good Energy at the Montreux Jazz Fest in Switzerland! As you know, I had to also get pix (as much as possible) in the daytime. Thankfully I did not have to go far at all. Most of these shots are views directly from the hotel room. (PLEASE ADVISE: I’m wondering….. In true spirit of ‘rock & roll wannabe’ fashion, should I have trashed the hotel room?)

Montreaux Switzerland Click Above For PIX

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Next Morning after Checkout, B.S.ing in the hotel lobby. Aretha Franklin will kick my azz for such a bad rendition I think; BUT… she made Dr. Feelgood about someone like ME.

Anyway, next stop Leipzig, Germany. I also heard from one of Grace Jones’ roadies that she liked our set the night before ) Nicenesss..

Really.. coming from the Chicago Reggae scene to play Fabric is kind of a stretch. Fabric is one of the hottest night clubs in London, and has the best sound system I have ever heard in a club… But why was I on that History Channel sh**? That’s what I like..!

Anyway, I will be pulling double duty, trying to SEE the best that the cities have to offer,, by day.. and BE the hottest ticket in town by night.

London Pictures Jul 09 Click Above

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If you haven’t done so already:
Click HERE To Join The Facebook Event For The Tour!

European tour this week, with POIRIER Sound System

Click HERE To Join Facebook Event!

We will try our best to give you front row access
(crappy computer notwithstanding)

::: Reach out if you LIVE in, or plan to BE in any of these cities :::
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