ERA new age musical project touring in Europe in 2019/2020

ERA, the new-age musical group of the 1990s and 2000s, returns for amazing shows throughout Europe in 2019 and 2020. They provide a real musical journey out of the ordinary, brought by its creator and his 40 singers and musicians.

Former guitarist-rocker Eric Levi begins composing film scores in the early 1990s. Shortly thereafter he creates Era, a project that fuses Gregorian Chant-style choral singing with rock beats, in the style of Enigma’s MCMXC A.D.

ERA new age musical project touring in Europe in 2019-2020

Era (styled as +eRa+, an acronym for “Enminential Rhythm of the Ancestors”)  uses lyrics (by Guy Protheroe) which, although similar to Greek or Latin, are, in fact, deliberately devoid of any exact meaning. Lyrics are also partially based on beliefs of the 13th century French Christians, the Cathars.

Furthermore, Era’s live shows and music videos often feature artists dressed in medieval or traditional clothes and armour. For the ‘Ameno’ song, Eric Lévi draws his inspiration while visiting the Collioure castle, South West of France.

Indeed, 22 years after the triumph of their first album, Era comes back with a family-oriented and enchanting performance. They dive into the group’s fantasmagorical universe that sold more

Additionally, Era sells out in 2019 and adds more touring dates and cities for 2020 throughout France, Belgium and Russia. You can book your tickets or buy their albums directly on their website.

In the meantime, enjoy this slideshow and videos taken at the live concert in Zénith Toulouse in November 2019.

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Finally, if you would like to follow them on social media, you can find them on Instagram and Facebook.

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Colombian Caribbean Festival 2019 at Mix’Art Myrys, Toulouse

Time is up, on 22nd June 2019, the Picós phenomenon, Caribbean Colombian Coast sound systems, invades Toulouse at Mix’Art Myrys!

As a follow-up to the French ‘fête de la musique’, several Toulousian communities offer to bring you on board of an immersive trip through the popular urban culture of the Colombian coast.

1. EVENT OVERVIEW

Firstly, let me give you an event overview:

la maquina musical del Caribe (the musical Caribbean machine),

– the ‘Hasta Abajo’ exhibition from the photographer Leslie Moquin,

– the live graff painting with Latino Graff,

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– a music set compiled by DJ Galletas Calientes and local DJ No Breakfast. They are meeting for the first time on stage!

2. DJs PRESENTATION

Secondly, let’s talk about the tropical DJ Galletas Calientes (Colombia/France) coming directly from the Caribbean Colombian Coast for everyone’s delight!

►►Galletas Calientes Records label creator, he honours us as a DJ within the ‘Mas I Mas’ Parisian community since the middle of the 1990s. Techno/Drum and bass DJ at first, he is also currently interested in the traditional folk and electro music fusion…
Since he lives in Colombia, his music culture is enhanced with Latin and tropical rhythms. He collaborates with labels and artists at the forefront of the Colombian stage such as:

  • Systema Solar,
  • Meridian Brothers,
  • Palenque Records,
  • Sonidos Enraizados…

For this festival, he offers you a trip through frenzied rhythms around a set coming directly from the best Picós of the Colombian Caribbean Coast!

And with him, the unmissable and legendary local DJ No Breakfast we no longer introduce due to his reputation of vinyl’s digger and music nights entertainer in the pink town of Toulouse.

►► DJ No Breakfast offers us a wonderful Caribbean set on his vinyl collector discs.

3. PROGRAMME

Then let’s move on to a more detailed programme.

►► 7 pm:

  • Champeta’ dance entertainment by Anika. Champeta is a Caribbean Colombian Music of African influence. I’m afraid I do not have videos of this, as I came to the event at 9 pm. But I have filmed their music performance!
  • A fresco from a collaboration between Colombian artist Soma and a local artist Natsvit.
  • ‘Hasta Abajo!’ is a series of street posters at the image of the Picó nights announcers. They are produced by the photographer Leslie Moquin in partnership with Locombia Festival.

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►► 9 pm: The ‘Picó’ documentary: the Caribbean music machine. It is about the ‘Picó’ culture, sound system from the Colombian Caribbean coast.

It is worth noting the film is a finalist at the Sundance London Film and Music Festival 2019. This highly recommended film has been produced by Roberto de Zubiria and Sergio Zaraza.

►►10.30 pm: DJs sets start

Colombian Caribbean Festival

►►12 pm: Video Mapping by Felipe Vargas, the Caribbean Mapper:

4. PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Thirdly, here is the overall programme of the main events:

  • 7-9 pm: Doors opening and Latino Graff Walls
  • 9 pm: Film screening
  • 10 pm: Champeta music
  • 10.30pm: DJ sets start
  • 12 pm: Video mapping.

Furthermore, please take note of the festival location:

Mix’Art Myrys, Rue Ferdinand Lasalle 43, Toulouse.

Also, what else to find?

  • refreshment and catering areas
  • market stalls of Colombian Caribbean souvenirs such as these dolls:

5. Organisers and partners

Finally, a big thank you to all the following partners who made this festival possible!

The Jaffa Cakes band – Live Jazz/Bossa Nova concert (Dublin, 2016)

JAFFA CAKES BAND

On Saturday 2nd January 2016 I attended this amazing live concert by 2 members of the Jaffa Cakes band at Cafe Dublin, 17b Asdill’s Row, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

I got the chance to meet both the lovely singer Plinny Phoenix and pianist Dario Rodighiero. I enjoyed so much their live jazz/bossa nova performance that I made a video out of it! The audience appreciated it as well. You can see and hear them cheering and clapping.

BAND MUSIC STYLES AND MEMBERS

The Jaffa Cakes band is a taste of the most famous songs in a retro style, that could be any genre of music, but mostly:

  • jazz,
  • blues,
  • swing,
  • funk.

They’ve got just a piano, drums and a voice. Yet they bring a unique mix of retro-modern songs in the blues, funk and jazz genre.

The 3 band members are:

  • Miss Phoenix @ Vocals
  • Dario Rodighiero Duck @ Piano
  • Paolo Zuddas @ Drums.

If you’d like to know more about each member, check their biographies:

Now getting excited and curious to listen to their music? If so, watch this video:

 

 

 

‘Trash’ award-winning UK, Brazilian and German co-produced film

‘TRASH’ FILM PRODUCTION

First, this ‘Trash’ film is an uplifting and energetic drama based on the novel by Andy Mulligan.

The film was co-produced at 80 % in Brazilian Portuguese and 20% in English.

It has also both Brasilian and American actors.

Secondly, if you do not understand English or Brazilian, you can watch it dubbed in your own language.

I have personally watched it in German at this lovely cinema in Hamburg. I was late for the film. But the staff opened one screening room just for me!

'Trash' film

FILM AWARDS

The ‘Trash’ film has won or been nominated for 5 awards:

For more insights about its production, read this article.

STORYLINE AND TRAILERS

Now, want to know more about it? Check these two articles providing you:

  • the storyline
  • two video teaser trailers
  • a longer story plot explanation as well as critics:

http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-new-trailer-for-trash-starring-rooney-mara-starts-a-revolution-20140827

http://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/film-review-trash-1201323827/

RELEASE DATES

Thirdly, the film has been released a few years ago. But it’s worth checking if it is available in your country:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1921149/releaseinfo?ref_=ttfc_sa_1

FILM SOUNDTRACK

Finally, you may enjoy the classic, energetic and upbeat Brazilian film soundtrack.

Check the YouTube playlist and SoundCloud mixed tape below to listen to it:

Nova Collective Bossanova band live concert at House Dublin (Ireland, 2014)

NOVA COLLECTIVE Bossanova BAND

I attended in 2014 a bossa nova and samba live concert by the Nova Collective Bossanova band at House Dublin, 27 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.

I thought you might have liked to hear more about it!

Nova Collective Bossanova band
Nova Collective, an Irish-Brazilian Bossanova band founded in 2012. The band is playing every Sunday from 5 to 7 pm at the ‘House Dublin bar and restaurant’.

The band is led by pianist Louis Ryan. The line-up ranges from 5 to 8 of the finest jazz and Latin musicians Ireland has on offer.

They released a debut EP called ‘Samba De Amor’ you can buy and download in multiple formats.

If you would like to know more about them and their projects, check their Facebook page.

Finally, I have recorded few songs from their live performance on Sunday 23rd November 2014.

I hope you will enjoy listening to these mixed tapes!

City of Men soundtrack showcases the Brazilian music diversity

For those who haven’t watched the City of Men series and film (called Cidade dos Homens in Brazilian), I highly recommend you to do so. The story follows two characters from early teenage hood to adulthood and can be purchased on ebay or amazon.

City-Of-Men-02

Here, I will only discuss with you today about the music aspects of these series and film, as the soundtracks are well worth a mention!

The  composer of the film (Acerola and Laranjinha as young adults) is Antonio Pinto, who mixed many genres such as rap, funk, jazz, blues, samba…If you would like to read a little more about him and/or listen to some of his tracks, check the following links:

http://shakefire.com/review/antonio-pinto-city-of-men-soundtrack

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7582790&style=classical&fulldesc=T

Other composers have worked for the City of Men series (Acerola and Laranjinha as teenagers).

City of Men picture

You can check out tracks from this youtube mix:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN0xVXX4GT8&list=PL77E6AC9E3C04FA2A

And if you would like to know more about Brazilian music as well about City of Men series and film, check these links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Brazil

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Men

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