Monday, February 07, 2005
I love the name Antananarivo
With a lot more time on my hand this semester (atleast thus far), I figured being more disciplined with myself is the least I could do. So I started experimenting with the 'early bird' concept which implies I try and get to bed at an earthly hour and ofcourse rise early. Obviously, this is no simple feat to master. This is subjective to each person, but my most productive hours are certainly in the morning (under the influence of darjeeling, earl grey or green tea ofcourse) - my daily drug dosage. Point is, with all this extra time coming out of nowhere, for the first time in years, I can actually come home on an average night and cook me a darn good meal, or spend time dabbling with electronic music sofware, read, or practise for ze band. In regards to the latter, its coming along well, but we are in dire need of a conga player. You would think that would be easy to arrange for in a city like Austin. Apparently not.
In my quest to discover some of the traditional styles and inspiration behind contemporary African music (which in itself is a a super-diverse category), I have stumbled upon some amazing stuff. My most recent discovery has been Salegy, the infamous dance pop music of Madagascar. With a restless beat interlocked with rich and deep harmonic voices, a gently rippling guitar and sometimes even an accordion, this constantly evolving genre has become the quintessential Malagasy dance pop style. Jaojoby (we are experimenting with his music) is the 'undisputed king' of this 'most danceable music of modern times'. Its like an accelerated version of merengue or makosa. The origin of Salegy goes back to the early fifteenth century and it apparently began as traditional malagasy folk music and is labeled differently in different regions of the country. Tuska in the north and bassessa in the east. Salegy is rapidly gaining popularity in Europe and now in the US. I am told to watch Jaojoby live in Antananarivo is to die for. After listening to his music I wouldn't doubt it. Vamos la?
Random but a good article on Ayn Rand at 100
In my quest to discover some of the traditional styles and inspiration behind contemporary African music (which in itself is a a super-diverse category), I have stumbled upon some amazing stuff. My most recent discovery has been Salegy, the infamous dance pop music of Madagascar. With a restless beat interlocked with rich and deep harmonic voices, a gently rippling guitar and sometimes even an accordion, this constantly evolving genre has become the quintessential Malagasy dance pop style. Jaojoby (we are experimenting with his music) is the 'undisputed king' of this 'most danceable music of modern times'. Its like an accelerated version of merengue or makosa. The origin of Salegy goes back to the early fifteenth century and it apparently began as traditional malagasy folk music and is labeled differently in different regions of the country. Tuska in the north and bassessa in the east. Salegy is rapidly gaining popularity in Europe and now in the US. I am told to watch Jaojoby live in Antananarivo is to die for. After listening to his music I wouldn't doubt it. Vamos la?
Random but a good article on Ayn Rand at 100
# posted by Surya Swamy : 7:51 PM
