Movement Torino kicks off today (VENUE: Pala Olimpico Isozaki di Torino). Movement Torino is the European version of Movement in Detroit (the Detroit Electronic Music Festival aka DEMF), one of the largest, longstanding and most influential dance music festivals in the world. Movement, started on Memorial Day weekend back in 2000, then called the Detroit Electronic Music Festival or DEMF, a name still used by many. The event was free that first year in 2000; a weekend that can never be matched. It was the best weather I’ve ever witnessed in Detroit on Memorial Day. The music was hot and stayed true to tha D. The festival was pure and poetic: unpaved by company banner Ads, the scent of carny sweet and misfit freak-shows who dig out lonely Halloween costumes to give the Hart Plaza bums something to laugh at besides mental anguish. Back then it wasn’t a bottom line that drove the artists to the stage but the dark and gritty, once industrial giant city that demanded it. Whispering admiration echoed through the abandon streets until the oceans heard Detroit’s gift to the world load and clear. It was the largest free event in the world… and an important time in history for electronic music.

Although the music expanded the event grew worse. More commercialized and less organized. It had a few bad years, though still pulled impressive artists. Thankfully Paxahau took the event over and things have seemed to run smoothly ever since. They have since moved their expertise and success with Movement overseas. The first event of this kind was staged on December 15th, 2006 by Movement Europe srl together with Derrick May, Movement founder and world ambassador. The third edition of Movement – Torino’s Dance Music Event in 2008 attracted 13 thousand people and established itself as the World’s Best Halloween Indoor Music Event. Now being paired as Movement Torino and Movement Detroit – Paxahau have recently signed a strategic partnership aimed to strengthen the two events and the Movement name across language barriers and country borders.

VENUE: Pala Olimpico Isozaki di Torino
—Palaisozaki, Corso Sebastopoli, 123, 10134 Torino, Piemonte

Friday:
Location: Pala Olimpico Isozaki di Torino
Artists: Luciano, Derrick May, Phil Weeks, Chris Carrier, Hugo, DJ Torpez, Sten, Gambo
Live Bands: A Mountain Of One, Motel Connection

Saturday:
Location: Pala Olimpico Isozaki di Torino
Artist: Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, Stacey Pullen, Mike Huckaby, Krakatoa, Michel Cleis, Didier Alline, Danny Fiddo, Vasta, Frola

Gust of Wind # 11
Taken by Trees, East Of Eden
Rough Trade

This Gust of Wind comes to us with a sincerity that follows down a path of raw tradition, fluently mixing two cultures together that are connected by the past, and haunted by the future.

East of Eden’s songs are thoroughly accessible, and most of the music comes from instrumentations generally found in the World genre. On their latest effort, Taken by Trees makes it clear that Pakistan’s rich musical history is expressed through the lens of the western world’s pop culture. The album is soothing to say the least. It lays with a beautiful texture that calls upon peace to all. I see the flags blowing in the wind, and the rich fulfilling ability of East of Eden lifting the hearts of millions.

The Animal Collective cover “My Boys” is for sure a flowing treat of a jam, which makes smiling easy. Another favorite moment is the tune “Anna.’ Right from the beginning Taken by Trees puts you in the middle of group chant. The field recordings are vibrant, and as the voices fade, the song rolls through to reveal itself.  The melody stays with you long after it passes by, which is a reoccurring theme on this record. Quite honestly the whole thing is fantastic. It breathes new life into sound, and takes the time to instill a sense of deepness. I recommend turning the lights to a minimum, maybe a candle, bottle of red, and some shared time with close friends.

This record does make me think about more then just music. Is America’s beauty as deep as we think? Have we lost the raw sensibility of originality? By erasing the lines of our ocean’s shores, have we covered up America with the world? Do we erase the nature of other cultures by assimilating them with our glory in self righteousness? These questions might be too much for a simple review, but this music begs for these questions, b/c it’s unhinged from the sound of prepackaged products. Its beauty is obvious from the first tone, and I can’t help but think how much American (popular) music has gone cold when compared to the fresh tonality Taken by Trees conveys. Its cold in the sense that today’s most purchased music sounds like non-creative pieces of forgetful muck.

Taken by Trees offers much more then the warmth of a spinning record, or the cold emptiness of a download. This wondrous album will make you appreciate the world. I couldn’t listen without thinking of the major issues this country faces with the East, and the inevitable (second) troop increase for the fight in Afghanistan. I would be dishonest if I simply stated how amazing I find this record without mentioning the issues, and the scary as hell situation we find ourselves in, yet again. I believe that music can heal wounds, and bring forth the humanity in all of us – I realize my belief is a quixotic one.

Special Note:

President Obama I voted for you. I believe in the words you say, but I disagree with you on all fronts when it comes to the “War on Terror,” and the troop increase for Afghanistan. Let us not forget the past in order to react in the future. We have seen this story before, especially the one where the United States inflates an enemy to promote a war. I call on the history of LBJ, Nixon, and more recently George W. Bush. All three men went to wars that were not of necessity, but of choice, and bad choices they turned out to be. America cannot be the ruler of all lands, and Democracy cannot be the solution to all the world’s issues. The vast diversity, both secular and religious, can never be blanketed by the policies of the most powerful; the world’s people will never let this happen. Killing millions away from home to make up for thousands lost at home doesn’t seem to be a logical explanation for war. We are America, and that’s a pretty cool thing, but it’s not the only thing.

Let’s get the hell out of these Wars!

- Ryan Boos Oct 27, 2009

Devendra Banhart’s new album What Will We Be is released today. This will be his first release on a major label (Warner Bros.), which sometimes results in major changes for artists. A musician with such a plethora of experience, talent and diversity, such as Devandra, should weather the evil storm well.

The Winter Music Conference is now in it’s 25th year. This is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated and publicized global gatherings for pioneering artists, innovators and professionals in the electronic and music industry as a whole. The event will still be in Miami Beach at the bold new Eden Roc Beach Resort & Spa, March 23-27, 2010.

This event has long been regarded as an essential proving ground for new releases, artists and technological advances. Not to mention “it’s the place to be” for artist networking and a hotspot for parties including top names from across the globe. To put this event into perspective, WMC 2009 attracted over 70,000 event attendees, 503 accredited journalists and 3,228 industry delegates from 62 countries who participated in 52 industry panels, seminars and workshops as well as 1,910 artists and DJs who performed at a total of 506 events presented at 127 venues across 6 days in Miami Beach and Miami.

Highlights of the WMC 2010 will include the IDMAs (International Dance Music Awards), also in its 25th consecutive year, where the music business converges to honor exceptional achievements of industry, artists and innovators in more than 50 categories. The IDMAs is one of the only longstanding industry events of its stature where the fans decide – generating over a million votes from music fans in 183 countries last year. The online ballot will be posted in November.

WMC will also present the 3rd edition of South Beach Sessions, a new perspective on the traditional WMC panel program. Founded on the principles that make music compelling – individual expression, empowerment, creative thinking and collaboration – the program’s mission is to create greater exposure for artists and ideas. Pioneers in music, art, fashion, technology, business, education and the environment participate in one of the most inspiring and epic programs of the week. SBS has featured some of the industry’s most pioneering champions of positive change from Richie Hawtin to Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am.

Even though a majority of DJ’s have gone digital these days, there has been a recent spike in vinyl sales and there will always be die-hard collectors. Honoring the 12″,  WMC 2010 will also host the 4th edition of the Record Collector’s Show – an international hub for buyers, sellers and traders of rare and collectible vinyl, tapes, and music memorabilia which assembles the best record dealers and features some of the rarest music in the world.

Your WMC badge will also include entry to the 12th Annual Ultra Music Festival, the largest event of its kind in the US.

Currently the WMC industry badge is being offered at a promotional Early Registration rate of $235 until November 11th, which includes access to all official WMC events across the conference dates. Marketing opportunities are currently discounted by 40% through December 18, 2009.

More information @ wintermusicconference.com

Gust of wind # 10

Califone, All My Friends Are Funeral Singers

This Gust of Wind goes round and round, painting pictures in the fog.  The dead leaves swirl through the night, casting silhouettes above railroads. Inevitably, the street light will flicker in the dead ends of inner-city neighborhoods.

My appreciation for Califone runs deep. I think they stay true to their creative intent and never veer off course for the temporary satisfactions of conformity. There music sets its own standard, its own place, in the middle of this packed house of trends. This record continues their profound evolution as a serious band, with serious staying power. All My Friends Are Funeral Singers is a raw look into the deep edges of Califone.

On this latest record, Califone expresses a big sense of grit that surrounds the gorgeous blues of their previous releases. The track “1928” is a great tune to carry you through walks on down the road – your mind watching the leaves swirl, as the passers by chat on their cell phones. It has this mysterious ability to compel reflection; it’s the sliding of the guitar and the rustic vocal tone, mixed with a glitch mash up of real and electronic instrumentation.

Another favorite moment on this record is the song “Ape-like.” From the beginning it comes off as a barn burner, essentially jarring your attention back to the front. The rest of this record can help you get lost for awhile, and “Ape-like” brings you back.

Califone is becoming one of those groups that sits above the rest of the pack, which is to say they’re one of a handful of bands that will be here for years to come. All My Friends Are Funeral Singers is indeed a true piece of art-work. It’s sound is made from real artists with a real appreciation for their craft.

Ryan Boos – October 12, 2009

Fruits Bats have released a new video today off their latest record, The Ruminant Band.

A short time ago they were # 5 in the Gust of Wind Series, and up to this point I believe they have the album of the year. I was fortunate enough to catch them live in Knoxville, Tn.  I spoke with Eric Johnson about his discography, and the future plans for Fruit Bats. Let me just say, the dude was super nice, and the show was one of the best I have seen.

Here’s the video…

On Oct 27th Devendra Banhart releases his Sixth album, first with Warner, called What Will We Be.  In support of his new release he will hit the road for a small tour, which begins in the Windy City.

11-16 Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre

11-17 Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark

11-19 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground

11-20 Boston, MA – Berklee

11-22 New York, NY – Town Hall

11-24 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory

11-25 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club

11-27 Toronto, Ontario – Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Ready for the Weekend, by Calvin Harris is out today. I really don’t have much to say about it. Nothing struck me as impressive with this release. Check it out and tell me if I’m wrong.

No Age’s Losing Feeling EP is out on vinyl today. Even though I can hardly afford it… I still love vinyl.

Wow! Is and Always Was, new music from acclaimed singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston. Made famous simply from a t-shirt worn by the great Kurt Cobain, Daniel Johnston has arisen from the ashes with a new release. Struggling from mental illness and possible demonic possession, Johnston’s career as a musician and artist has been quite a ride. His music was originally only spread by word of mouth and copied cassette tapes from his then diligent manager and friend. Eventually the world became a very ugly place for Daniel and he secluded himself from music. He moved on to become a somewhat successful artist in his own right selling drawings and his well known album art at galleries. Medications helped him to lead a healthy life again and it seems the music just won’t let him go.