2 Years and Counting...

Ok, ok. It's been established that yours truly a F.A.N.D.R.O.I.D. The story of how it began, however, goes back to this very date 2 years ago.

     It was my first Janelle Monae show, which was at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in my hometown of Detroit, MI.  Let's flash back, though, to a few weeks earlier.  A co-worker of mine offered a set of Royal Oak Music Theatre season tickets she won.  The only acts I was vaguely familiar with was Janelle Monae and Of Montreal, so I chose those tickets.

*Cue September 20, 2010*
     Given I was tired from work, I was close to not even going to the show. Something in me, though, really wanted to tough it out and go. With that, I hastily change clothes and hop the bus.  Luckily, I walked through the door just in time.

     I arrive unaware of what to expect. I hadn't been in to a show that wasn't electronic music in years.  On top of that, though I new the names of both acts, I hadn't heard their music in full before.  Shortly before the show started, a woman in front of me gave me, shall I say, a warning of how good Janelle's show was going to be. Lo and behold, she was right-and then some.  Being the observant person I am, I decide to stay towards the middle of the room to get a full view.

The house lights drop, and the magic begins.

From start to finish, Janelle's entire set had me in awe. I was in disbelief in what I saw. Every song and movement coming from this woman was literally like nothing I've ever heard or seen in my life.  Here's a taste of what my eyes and ears had been witness to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0-b8flQB10
(This is a clip from the show I luckily found on YouTube.  THANK YOU to whoever posted this)
Imagine seeing that for the first time. EVER. My mind did a veritable jaw drop.  By the end I wanted to know who this woman was.

I stayed for a few songs of Of Montreal's performance. Less excited about that perfomance than Janelle's, I decide to go to the lobby and wrap up the night by calling a cab.  That wasn't before asking the vendor more information about Janelle, though-and fulfilling the overwhelming need to buy her music.  After a short mental deliberation on which of her albums to buy, I decided to buy the ArchAndroid. Upon arriving home, I immediately gave it a listen.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Some Sounds to Look Forward To

Well, well, well-

It looks like some fantastic music will be gracing the ears of the masses soon in the form of  new works by Roman GianArthur, ACEG, and Flying Lotus.  Here's the deal:

Flying Lotus-
Even if you haven't heard of him, you've probably heard his music in the Adult Swim bumpers.  His new album Until the Quiet Comes comes out October 2.  www.flying-lotus.com (Oh, and yeah-Don't leave the site before watching the album's short film. Make sure to listen to his 2010 masterpiece Cosmogramma as well)

ACEG-
The geniuses behind the M.I.L.K. and Be Kool EPs are at it again with the Kool as Hell EP.  From the looks of the tweets and Facebook the it's almost ready for release.Who is ACEG, you ask? Go to www.acegmusic.tumblr.com. While you're at it, do yourself a favor and listen to the aforementioned EPs. You'll thank me later.

Roman GianArthur
You already know I'm a huge supporter of Janelle Monae and her Wondaland Arts Society. Well, here comes one of the masterminds behind her album, The ArchAndroid, with "High and Dry-Send It On"- a mashup of the songs from Radiohead and D'Angelo, respictively.  It's from his upcoming suite "You Should Be Paranoid", which is said to be a whole album of D'Angelo/Radiohead song mixes. www.romangianarthur.tumblr.com is the place to go.

Until next time!

A Little Something Something for Your Day

So,
Your humble blogger's intended post for this month unfortunately fell through.  However, I'd like to share a nugget of inspiration:

"If you are who you are called to be, you would set the world on fire"
-St. Catherine of Siena

Thoughts on New Orleans

(A view of the Superdome from my hotel taken from my camera phone)

A couple of weeks ago, your humble blogger went to The Big Easy for a conference.  Nearing the hotel, my eyes came across this structure: The Superdome.  Upon seeing this up-close and personal, it was hard to imagine what happened in there 7 years ago post-Katrina. May this and the entire New Orleans story serve as a testament to bouncing back after adversity.  Also, let us never forget so the past cannot be repeated.

Global Call For Peace (Poem)

How about
making peace
instead of blowing each other to pieces
with guns and bombs
I have a problem
with having to fear
that violence will come near
to me, my family, my friends, my people
We've dug ourselves into deep holes
Too many souls
have been lost at the end of a
gun
fist
knife
The strife
has got to end
Instead, let's send
LOVE
from Detroit to Damascus
It's all I ask
of us
Like Fela I want to bring a coffin to a state official
and say
"Let's make it official
that love
will be our driving force
instead of brute force
ruling our lives"
Like Janelle said
"This is a cold war"
Let's shout "NO MORE"
and create
a state
of well being
for all

The Tale of Rita Barbour, Pt. 2.

     The elevator door opened. "What are you doing here?" a voice barked. Rita didn't even step through the door before the voice startled her. "I live here", she said. "Room 4322". The aforementioned voice shouting the gruff interrogatory belonged to a member of Droid Control.  "Credentials", he barked again.  Rita pulled up her sleeve. The officer scanned the barcode on her arm. "Ok, but you shouldn't have been allowed up here". The officer was a burly human. Under his breath, he muttered "Incompetent oafs", referring to the office at the front door of the apartment. He then looked sternly at Rita. "We're conducting an investigation.  You said your room is 4322, correct?" Rita replied in the affirmative.  She happened to glance over the officer's shoulder when she noticed two officers come out of the apartment.  "What are they doing there?" The officer turned his heads towards the officers, then back at Rita. He scowled. "You'll have to come with me.". "What? To where?" Rita asked. "Come this way. We have some questions to ask.". The two went to an alcove off the hallway. Again, the officer continued with his stern tone.  "The name is Officer Black. a fugitive android was tracked down hiding in your quarters.  Any idea why she would be there?".  "Obiously it was a break-in, sir.  I've been at work all day.".  "It would be in your best interest not to play games with me.", continued Black.  "Can this by verified?".  "Well, there are cameras at my employer. It's the Star Commission Tribunal.", Rita replied.  " We'll look into it right now. Stay here.".  Black motioned to a nearby guard to watch the android while he confirmed her story.  "So much for the relaxing I planned.", Rita mumbled.  Black returned after a few minutes with an annoyed look on this face.  "Apparently, your story checks out.  You won't be able to return to the apartment until tomorrow.  Our search has to be through.".  "Looks like I'll need to look for lodging for the night, sighed Rita.  She insta-chatted with her co-worker droid, Felicity Rue, about staying with her.  It was a go.
    
     Next morning, Rita returned to a less than pristine abode.  While re-organizing her e-books, she found a mini holograph player hidden under a shelf.  She turned it on.

 Whoever this is receiving this message, this is Cindi... 

"Oh, Maker!", Rita squeaked.  She continued the holograph.

...I'm sorry if any trouble was caused with my hiding in your apartment.  It was the first out I saw in getting away from Droid control.  Many thanks, though.  From the looks of the place I'm assuming you are a droid, so I'll end by asking you to help the cause.  Supporters have a special telewave for recognition. Details will be paged on that signal at 1700 sharp tomorrow .  Cindi, out.

In The Merry Merry Month of May

One year ago today, I attended the Hooligans in Wondaland show in Miami.  It was the first time I met my favorite artist, Janelle Monae.  It was also the culmination of a two day bus ride from Detroit, which created memories of their own as well as some enlightening insights. In reminiscing on this trip, my hart was moved to share the journal entry I wrote on the my first day on the road. Enjoy!

The Road to Miami  

5/9/ll
My first thought when getting on the bus was "What was I thinking ? I'm going to be on a bus for 2 DAYS".  There's no turning back now.  The tickets aren't refundable.  Then again, this is a journey and I have to treat it as scuh.  This is quite a life lesson on patience.  It's also a time for deep thought.  Three things have come to my mind thus far- 1) It's interesting how in two to three hundred years this HUGE country became "America".  This road trip had me thinking about how big geographically this country is and how man was able to traverse it over a short period of time and make the beginnings of what it is today 3) In the wake of the 50 year anniversary of the Freedom Riders I'm able to make this trip down south as a black woman without having to go through separate entrances, drink from separate fountains, and going to see a black woman and white man performing on the same bill.  That's amazing when I think about it.  Only 50 short years ago, that would have been a different story. Wow. 3) How ironic my dad left the South to avoid the problems of those days and I'm goingdown South for va vacation.  This is a learning experience. Only a day and a half or so to go. Let's DO IT!