I didn’t quite know how to react. Came to me as a shock when my brother sent me a text saying he’d died. I’d just finished shooting the first act from the photo pit, happy that minutes ago I’d been escorted to it by security as ‘press’ - a big step with this blog. Couldn’t hold on to that joy for long.

I’ll let you in on a secret. Ever since I’d started reaching out to musicians and interviewing them last year, I had been wishing that one day I’d interview MJ and only talk music. Over the years I had been pretty pissed at all the interviews on television that focused on nothing but stupid scandals. Even those big ‘journalists’, they wanted a piece of him. No one asked ‘What’s your favorite new record?’ or ‘What songs are you working on?’ ‘What is your advice for new songwriters?’ No. They’d all focus on the one or two things he didn’t want to talk about. I hope they feel some shame now. Imagine Bill Clinton being asked about the blow job every single interview he gave, and asked in every possible combination. Well, fuck them now – trying to act all sad!

I was about 7 when I heard ‘Thriller.’ It’s a part of my childhood. That and ‘Off the Wall’ we (me +brother) played over and over and over. When I did my musical DNA series back in February, guess whose video I started with?  About a month ago, I started to obsessively listen to MJ songs on my iPod. It took me back to when we were little, in Libya, looking out the window and watching shooting stars with MJ tracks playing on a cassette player. The songs were associated with other memories too – the color of our car, our backyard, dad’s voice, mom’s sunglasses, sister’s smile, brother’s bicycle and the MJ posters he cherished like gold. 

I’m pretty emotional about this. Perhaps another time would be right to correctly express what MJ’s music has meant to me. When people say his music was a soundtrack to their childhood, I know exactly what they mean.

I’ll end by saying that it is very sad that the man who’s given so much to so many, left misunderstood, and with a broken heart. 

I’ve decided to take a break. Feeling a little scattered at the moment.

Need the break to gather myself and work on content that’s basically not shit. All the original interviews and videos are my pride and joy. Which is why I need this break to come back, hopefully in June, and present better content and not have to scramble to put together a post. I like to think that what I try to do with this blog makes a difference, if even slightly so, to someone out there.  Contribution doesn’t have to come in envelopes.

So, will be working away – woodshedding, if you will – and hopefully with more good stuff in June!! I’ll keep my photography going here because I can’t not do that. So, see you soon.

Hi All, Sorry for the no-show on the blog for the past few days. I’ve been in Washington DC for the past few days attending the Inauguration; have been planning this since November.

I won’t post detail about that here, but will at my other blog when I return Friday. Took tons pictures. Will be back to normal routine next week.

I was there!

Watch the clip about his life and music first.

Debashish Bhattacharya [Bio] [Site] [Music] [MySpace] [Tour]

He’s just been nominated for the 2009 Grammys for his album ‘Calcutta Chronicles‘ [album preview]

Now…ready to be blown away?

I swear – only if I knew why it is taking me so long to edit and post these videos. I do know – the medical term is ‘laziness’.

Some of the catchiest melodies of that day came from Habib Koite’s performance. People tried, but weren’t able to stand still; the rhythm was just too infectious! Go over to his MySpace page and check out ‘Africa.’ Mm mm.

HABIB KOITE and BAMADA: [Bio] [Albums] [Tour] [Site] [MySpace]

Daby Toure [bio] [myspace] [music]

Head over to MySpace and listen to ‘Banta.’ I’ll guarantee you it will stick in your head and go on loop.

Slideshow of some pics from the fest.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

This video is only a section of one song he performed, cut down for length.