Pacific Festival: OC

PACIFIC FESTIVAL

Tortured Soul

On Tuesday Night I was fortunate enough to attend an event at Focus and experience the live performance of one of my favorite jazz, soul, disco, minimal, r&b, house groups Tortured Soul. I've followed this group for years now and have been dying to listen to them live. This group is special because they combine the simplicity of "old soul and funk with a modern dancefloor sensibility. Tortured Soul's style is both an echo of the past and a challenge to the future." It's a sound that can be appreciated by all generations. The group consists of 3 members, a bassist, a drummer-who I have to mention is the main vocalist...that cannot be easy, and a pianist. They perform live at various venues and festivals across the country, and I can tell you from experience, they are amazing.

Here are some pictures from the event.

And check out some of their songs here.

Interesting...I've realized that I have a fond attachment to very jazz, soul infused rhythmic songs that can range from being found in hip hop to minimal house. Huh. Never thought about that.

Theophilus London

Theophilus with a new album Timez Are Weird These Days this year. He is killing it album after album.

Jungle Brothers-Brain

Here's a laidback hip hop song to hang out to late at night with friends.

Art in the Streets

Knowing I loved Hip Hop, a friend of mine told me about this art exhibit at the MOCA in LA called Art in the Streets. I checked it out and it was very impressive and nicely curated. With graffiti being one of the four elements of hip hop, the exhibition traces the development of graffiti and street art from the 1970s to the global movement it has become today where a unique visual language or attitude has evolved. Unfortunately my camera is still broken and I haven't been able to replace it...but here are some pictures I took with my phone. If you have the time, the exhibition is still going on til August 8, 2011 and it's free admission on mondays!!

Cry Just a Little

Old School:



New School:

Abelardo Morell

I know this is more a music blog than anything else, but I've acquired an interest in photography and I was amazed by Abelardo Morell's work.

He is known for his life size photographs projected onto the walls of rooms all over the world using a unique technique called camera obscura.

Check him out.

Munich, You've Been Too Good to Me.

Just came back from Europe a week ago and I cannot get over this rapper I heard on the radio while browsing for t-shirts at a local skate shop in Munich, Germany.

I always thought German sounded a little harsh on the ears, but Marteria makes German sound so sexy. And yes, I have to Google Translate his lyrics....

Though most of the radios in other countries are still dominated by the US & UK's Top 40 charts, I enjoy listening to other countries' music in their own language while traveling because music has a tendency to reflect culture, you just have to listen closely.