Singer-songwriter Mirel Wagner sings gloomy, bare-boned folk songs accentuated by her near-spoken vocal delivery. The Ethiopian-born singer, who was raised in Finland, released her self-titled debut LP last year in Europe (the album will get a US release this March). Watch her absolutely absorbing clip for the stunning “No Death” above.
(via GvsB)
The Addis Ababa-based kissar player Soul Keita was 17 when Democracy EP dropped in 2009. His tracks, along with others found on the Clown and Sunset label, are largely influenced by Ethio-Jazz father, Mulatu Astatke. If you’re a fan of Astatke’s beautifully haunting key rifts, it’s truly amazing to hear where Soul Keita and new friend Nicholas Jaar takes the vibe. Check out “Dusties n 808s” from 2010′s Ines LP below.
Do NOT get it twisted people, the brilliant write-up below comes not from moi but from Okayplayer Editor-In-Chief Eddie Stats. We’re re-posting b/c didja know that The Weeknd‘s main man Abel Tesfaye is Ethiopian? Yup, that’s right Ethiopia – claim him while you can before some other entity gets their dirty little paws all up in there –>
While we were snug in our beds enjoying a long winter’s nap last night The Weeknd crept spider-like down our chimney and left an ornately wrapped present staple-gunned to the fridge. When we woke up this morning, our kitchen contained a camo jacket that smelled like cigarette smoke, bloody Santa pants and a few popped balloons – and this mixtape Echoes of Silence–part free in the House of Balloons trilogy. Also somebody had scrawled big Xs and Os all over the bathroom mirror. Still unpacking the contents of this (fishnet) Christmas stocking but just based on the title track and the cover of Michael Jackson‘s “Dirty Diana” (oh, yes. He did.) Echoes is going to prove to be as quirky, ambitious and brilliant as the first two installments. Download below – and get ready to start paying out for your Weeknd entertainment in 2012. The free party is over!
The Simpsons‘ car breaks down in Little Ethiopia so Bart, Marge, and Lisa opt to (cautiously) experiment with “ethnic” food. It’s a good play on the sheltered-suburb-meets-diverse-city stereotype. Particularly the exoticization of Ethiopian and Korean food by the “foodies” that show up. The clip is a great commentary on the fact that much of America chooses to identify non-white culture as “ethnic” and “exotic,” ignoring white-European ethnicities all together. Lisa: “exotic… vegetarian.. I can mention it in a college essay… this is amazing!”
We recently wrote about MERKATO, the amazing documentary project about one of the largest and oldest open-air markets in Africa. The film focuses on the differing lives of a selected group of locals with ties to the market and the ominous threat of modernization. Now’s your chance to meet the filmmaker, Sosena Solomon, Thursday night at JoJo’s (1518 U st NW) in Washington, DC. Solomon will be sharing a clip from the film as well as a photography installation at the event which is focused on raising funds for the completion of the project.
Purchase advance tickets here. Details below.
Brooklyn boutique label Electric Cowbell is set to release a brand new batch of eclectic 45s. This week, they’re highlighting Boston-area Ethiopian group Debo Band‘s cover of “Gedawo,” a 1970s Ethio-funk classic from singer Ayalew Mesfin. While Debo Band’s version sounds like a spastic afro-rock power tune (a 15-piece band layed down the live backing tracks), Kiddid‘s remix takes things into dub-territory — deep bass, synth upstrokes, et al. Grab both on 7″ vinyl and stream/download Kiddid’s remix below.
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Download: Debo Band “Gedawo (Kiddid Gedubwo Mix)
MERKATO is a documentary on Addis Ababa’s open air market, one of the largest and oldest in all of Africa. The film focuses on the differing lives of a selected group of locals with ties to the market and the ominous threat of modernization. In filmmaker Sosena Solomon‘s own words:
From the perspective of five personal stories a reflection emerges of a fascinating place that is a true microcosm of the human condition. The culture and way of life for many of Merkato’s merchants is under threat by modern development. MERKATO is the final portrait of the people who LIVE, WORK and DREAM within this rapidly transforming reality… The modern development in Ethiopia and its overall impact on the people and culture of this unique community is threatening the survival of MERKATO. I knew this moment had to be documented to share the unheard voices of the people affected the most.
For the next month, Sosena is campaigning for funds to support the film and have it seen around the globe. Head to her Kickstarter to learn more and donate few bucks to an amazing project!
Plus, check out a preview clip of the vibrant life and characters featured in MERKATO above.
Celebrities are using their fame to raise awareness and funds for the famine that has recently hit the horn of Africa, devastating the region, especially Somalia. One of the most severe droughts of the past 60 years, the disaster has already killed 29,000 children and deprived 12 million people of food, water and basic sanitation. Bob Marley’s family has joined forces with Save the Children charity and Oscar-winning director Kevin MacDonald to create a music video for Marley’s 1973 hit, “High Tide or Low Tide.” It’s hard not to be moved by the short (check it out above), which features victims of the famine. Celebrities – including Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Eminem, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Madonna, and Lady Gaga, just to name just a few of the 150 involved in the worldwide celebrity campaign entitled I’m Gonna Be Your Friend (a line from “High Tide or Low Tide”) – are supporting the initiative and spreading awareness by posting the vid to their Facebooks and Twitters. So far, they have collected over 700 million fans and followers.
Other celebrity-driven campaigns include U2’s Bono’s ONE petition, which asks governments to provide the funding deemed necessary to aid the region, and presses governments to keep promises that if kept, would prevent future devastation. Check out this video of superstar/philanthropist Bono and Somali singer/poet K’naan speaking with CNN correspondent Anderson Cooper about the famine as they try to raise awareness and discuss short and long-term solutions. The short-term solution, Bono explains, has two components: funding and security. Obviously, aid-workers need money to provide food, water and shelter to those in need, but they also need safe channels through which these supplies can be transported to victims. In the long-term, affected countries need programs to develop richer seeds and fertilizers. Both Bono and K’naan emphasize the urgency of the situation – we have the responsibility to act and must make immediate aide a priority. It’s easy to numb ourselves to the hardships of those hundreds of miles away (especially Somalis who have been degraded in the media — defined by stories of piracy and movies like Black Hawk Down), but these times — today and tomorrow – are defining moments in which we can show humanity and compassion. Check out the videos the learn more, click here to donate, and here to sign Bono’s ONE petition.
Hailing from Boston, Debo Band pays tribute to the vintage sounds of 1970′s Ethiopian pop but in a style all their own. The group, founded by Ethiopian-American musican Danny Mekonnen, presents electrifying live shows full of crooning vocals, blazing horns, and funk grooves – introducing Ethiopian music to new audiences in the West. Check out the above video for a taste of their energetic live show. Debo and Fedinka (an Ethiopian dance troupe) are currently on tour in the U.S. now – see after the jump for tour dates. NYC, make sure to head to Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park tomorrow to catch Debo Band live.
Audio: Mirel Wagner ‘No Hands’
“No Hands” is the second track to see the (American) light of day off acoustic folkstress Mirel Wagner‘s self-titled album. We previously fell in love with the completely stunning clip/song for “No Death.” This new tune finds Mirel in a less ominous mood as she captures childhood innocence singing through the eyes of a kid on his bicycle. Mirel Wagner LP is out March 26 via Friendly Fire.
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