#no sleep til tokyo tour

[traveling-north]

March 1-3 : Yokosuka Japan

We spent our Leap Day in the air, landing in Tokyo on the afternoon of March 1.

Nathan's sister Crystal and her husband Dmitry have been living in Yokosuka for several years, and they were our expert tour guides for 2 perfect days in the area. We took the train straight down from the airport to meet them for a dinner.

As a Navy town, Yokosuka has a lot of English being spoken and a high proportion of people recognize Dmitry, including staff at the establishments where we tried delicious grilled meat & veggie skewers followed by chuhais - all I could handle before I was falling asleep on my feet. 

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The next morning we met up for a true breakfast of champions - Japanese strawberries, in the peak of their season and fresh off the vine! You pay a set price to pick all you can eat for half an hour, and you better believe I got full value out of that. 

We took the train to Komatsugaike Park, a popular Sakura (cherry blossom viewing) spot. In the first week of March, these trees were past their peak bloom but still very beautiful, and fun to be a part of this local seasonal event. There were food vendors where we got some small bites to balance out all that fruit. 

I had seen a glimpse of the beach from the train, and noticed the sea was full with windsurfers. I wanted to get a look at that, so we walked down to the Miura beach. It was way to frigid to consider touching that water even in a drysuit, but a good wind for the sport, just like home! 

After that we were pretty well frozen and ready for a nice hot lunch - ramen of course! 

We got back on a train out to Kotoku-in, where we got to see (and go inside) the giant Buddha. 

We walked from there to an incredible hillside temple complex, Hase-dera. It had some very different styles of Buddhas, a zen garden, a cave shrine, some incredible views, some distinctive koi and better example of peak cherry blossom beauty. This place is definitely worth the trip down from Tokyo to see! 

It was a pretty touristy area too, so as the temples closed down, so did every restaurant and shop. We walked through the pedestrian street to one more temple, where we happened upon a very traditional wedding.

This was a nice full day topped off with another good dinner and a bit better night’s sleep. Nothing beats jet lag like forcing yourself out into the sunlight from dawn til dark! Feeling very fortunate to have these couple days of weekend for a mini vacation before trying to start a work week. 

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The next morning C&D picked us up in their car for a trip out into more natural beauty - Jogashima Island. Turned out we couldn’t drive all the way as a marathon had closed down the streets, so we just parked on the mainland and walked over the bridge.

We explored beaches and tide pools, watched the giant seahawks swoop and saw another, less traditional, wedding couple’s photoshoot. it was a beautiful and relatively warm day - Mount Fuji even made a rare appearance from the beach!

This island seems to be all about tuna, and we got to try 5 or 6 different cuts and preparations at a seafood restaurant, as well as back at the large fish market where we parked and even alongside craft beers at a new brewery. 

Next stop, Kurihama Flower Park. In the right seasons it would feature colorful fields but even after dark, you can enjoy this highlight: Godzilla!

 

A second full day of walking and we had worked up an appetite for hibachi, lots more delicious grilled meats and veggies! Served by a robot, of course.

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Today is March 4, and it was back to work, with breaks for a pastry and coffee breakfast, and to get up to Tokyo to catch the bullet train. Per tradition, we had bento boxes for the trip. Next stop, Hiroshima! 

I promise I won’t take a picture of EVERY meal. It has been amazing spending these first couple of days in vacation mode but I’m looking forward to getting on schedule and cooking our own meals again. We will start that at our first ever Home Exchange in Hiroshima! 

Keep up with our calendar here

[secretmiyavi]

Saw Miyavi in Toronto last night - he is just hands down one of the best performers ever.

[kpopulr]

I can’t wait! :D

[yuuana]

Music Monday #105: MIYAVI - Under The Same Sky release: July 2019 genre: visual rock

There are a lot of ways you could interpret this song, but the video is sort of like a love letter to the global Co-Miyavi community. Plus I love seeing this international rock star still being humble and playful and giving back to all the people that are why he is where he is now. Compiled from Day 2 tour footage, though he's once again doing shows in most or all of these countries for No Sleep 'Til Tokyo. So basically, this song is Miyavi at his very best and I adore it and him.

If you’ve been enjoying my selections and analyses, please consider buying me a Ko-fi!

[doushiyou-ka]

[AAA Nishijima Takahiro] I want to know the charm of this guy who does different activities [Aug 27, 2018]

This time, we interviewed Nishijima Takahiro-san, a member of AAA who graced with September’s cover. Active both as an actor and as a solo artist “Nissy”, we wonder what kind of life does he live?

I’m probably surprisingly good at cleaning troublesome places that people dislike (laughs)

“Domestic chore I’m good at? ..... cleaning the drainage (laughs). ‘cause usually, people hate stuff like that”, he says, laughing mischievously. Hearing that he’s good at domestic chores might actually be wrong here. In the first place, he’s a person that doesn’t have much ‘sense of life’. 

“The rooms in my place are my work room, bedroom, living room. I really like how each one of them is divided. But it’s just that I probably don’t need the living room (bitter laugh). I hardly use it. There’s a cushion, but no sofa. ‘Cause if I put a sofa, I’ll end up sleeping there. I have a leftover LED from work which I put on the floor near the wall and sometimes I use that as my light. I used to light candles before but it became troublesome so I stopped.” 

If we talk about work-life balance, Nishijima-san’s “life” aspect is somewhat bleak. “But that can’t be helped, right? Because 365 days a year, 24/7, always, I’m always thinking about work (laughs). I do want to go on more efficiently but ideas and stuff can’t be maximized in such a limited time.....(distant eyes)” He’s a guy you’d call workaholic. However, it’s probably incorrect to simply call “work” what he’s so engrossed with because it involves music, expressions, entertainment, and art.

“I can’t deny the fact that I have chronic sleep deprivation but just recently, when I went ahead from the tour back to Tokyo, I was sleeping the whole time in the car til I reached the workplace (laughs). Since I slept without being pressured unnecessarily by stuff like ‘I need to sleep’ or ‘I need to wake up at ○ o’clock’ I woke up feeling good”. 

The more he speaks, the more it’d feel like we need to say, “please rest!”. But Nishijima-san seems to see “small joys” out of unexpectedly simple things. “I have this chocolate I like and I’ll be happy if I can eat it”. Moreover, it seems like it’s an affordable one which you can buy at a convenience store.

*T/N: the original text on the website is divided into two paragraphs. I just divided them into five so it won't look too long a paragraph.**

[music-addiction-disorder]

“Dance To The Radio” Kill Moto (2002) Little Teddy Recordings

M.O.T.O. (Masters of the Obvious) is a garage punk band currently based in New Hampshire. Formed in New Orleans in 1981 by Paul Caporino, the lineup of the band has seen many changes over the years, with Caporino being the only consistent member. The band has recorded many albums, singles and CDs, including several albums for the Chicago-based record label Criminal IQ Records.

“Shitty Kids” Shitty Kids 7″ (2013) Secret Mission Records

“Redivider” No Way Street (2012) Blast Of Silence Records

“Living On A Battleship” No Sleep ‘Til Turku (2012) Blast Of Silence Records

M.O.T.O. has existed in some form for over 38 years. Over that time, the band has undergone numerous lineup changes, but it has always functioned primarily as a platform for Paul Caporino's songwriting, a repertoire that includes hundreds of songs in a variety of genres such as pop, punk rock, metal, soul, noise music, garage rock and new wave.

M.O.T.O. performing in Columbus, Ohio, 2015. Left to right: guest drummer Big Nick, McDonough, Caporino.

“I’ve Never Had A Glass Lie To Me” No Sleep ‘Til Turku (2012) Blast Of Silence Records

M.O.T.O. was formed in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1981. The original lineup consisted of Mike Tomeny on guitar, his brother Jeff Tomeny on guitars and vocals and Don Ward on drums in addition to Caporino on guitar and vocals. This edition of the band first performed the songs "Skeletons Need Their Sleep" (composed by Jeff Tomeny) and "Satan Always Calls Collect" (by Tomeny and Caporino), which would reappear on several 7" EPs in later years.

Paul Caporino

Because M.O.T.O. recorded and performed live somewhat infrequently, Paul Caporino began to record a series of cassette albums without the assistance of the other members of the band. The tapes were originally intended as demos, but Caporino was so satisfied with the results that he decided to distribute them to the public. These tapes included Turn Your Head and Cough, BOLT! (short for "Best of Lent Tape"), Rock, Roll & Dismember and MOTOERECTUS. Caporino wrote all the songs and played all the instruments on the cassettes, layering multiple guitars, bass, lead and harmony vocals over a Mattel Synsonics drum machine. These early tapes feature many songs that would reappear in live shows and studio recordings over the years, including "Midnight at the Guantanamo Room", "Dick About It", "Month of Sundays", and "I'm Infected". The tapes showcased Caporino's offbeat and sometimes vulgar sense of humor along with his extensive knowledge of the history of popular music. To reward the astute listener, the music contained winking references to the Beatles, the Kinks, Bob Dylan, Donovan, Led Zeppelin, The Jam, Black Flag, Hüsker Dü, Judas Priest and many other artists.

Original MOTO Cafe Brazil circa 1984 - Left to right: Mike Tomeny, Paul Caporino, Donald Ward (mostly hidden behind Caporino), Jeff Tomeny.

“Metal Man” Raw Power (2005) Criminal IQ

The original lineup also made a few recordings as a band, which were collected on the QUASIMOTO cassette. When, in 1987, the original lineup disbanded, Caporino continued M.O.T.O. as a trio backed by Brad Brewster on drums and Greg Fisk on bass. This edition of the band played more live dates than the original lineup, but recorded very little.

For more info on the band and further line-up changes see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M.O.T.O. https://www.discogs.com/artist/680776-MOTO

Origin: New Orleans, Louisiana Genres: Garage Punk, Pop Punk, Indie Rock Years active: 1981–present Discography:

LP’s & CD”s: Chinese Rocks (or A Fistful of Maobacks) - (2014 vinyl LP release by Blast Of Silence Records/Secret Mission Records) - (released on CD (with bonus tracks) 2017 by MOTOPAC) Pack Your Troubles In Dreams - (2013 vinyl LP release by Svart Records/Blast Of Silence Records) No Sleep 'til Turku (2012 vinyl LP release by Svart Records/Blast Of Silence Records) No Way Street (2012 vinyl LP release by Svart Records/Blast Of Silence Records / CD release by Tokyo No Records) Raw Power (2005 release by Criminal IQ, also on CD) Single File CD (2004 re-issue by Criminal IQ in the USA) Kill MOTO! (2002 vinyl LP release by Little Teddy Recordings in Germany; 2012 vinyl LP re-release by Svart Records; 2003 CD release by Criminal IQ in USA) Single File CD (28-song collection of single tracks 1988-1994; 1997 release by Mind Of A Child in USA) E Pluribus MOTO LP (1996 release by Teenage Kicks in Germany - reissued 2012 by Rerun Records - USA) Bolt LP (1996 release by Little Teddy Recordings in Germany - reissued 2012 by Rerun Records - USA) This Corpse is a Warning CD/LP/CS (1990 Netherlands release by Resonance Records)

Singles & EP’s: Shitty Kids EP (Secret Mission Records / 2013) Golden Quarter Hour of M.O.T.O. EP (Rerun Records / 2013) No Way Street EP - 300 on black wax, 150 on clear purple, 50 on clear blue (Surfin'Ki Records Records / Italy / 2008) European Tour EP (P Trash Records / Germany / 20.3.2007) What's Words Worth? EP (Rehab Records / USA / 2006) El Stop b/w She's Gone Nuts (Baby Killer Records / USA / 2006) Spiral Souch EP (Shit Sandwich / USA / 2003) Eternal Standby (MOC / USA / 1998) 4PAC (MOC / USA / 1997) Jacuzzi For the Dead EP (Little Teddy Recordings / Germany / 1996) Wee Beasties EP (Little Teddy Recordings / Germany / 1995) Midnight at the Guantanamo Room b/w Skinny Head (Mind Of A Child / USA / 1994) Street Where Love Lives b/w Coming Down All Day and Night (Hi-Ball / USA / 1993) Places We Used to Go / Love Back / Skeletons Need Their Sleep (Rockville / USA / 1992) Magic Words b/w Ghosts (Jetpac / Canada / 1992) I Am the Cheese b/w I Can't Stop It (Feel Good All Over / USA / 1991) She's Not Ready b/w Badger & Germ Inside (Feel Good All Over / USA / 1990) I Shot My Load and I'm Ready for the Grave EP (Tulpa / USA / 1989) Hammeroid! EP (Tulpa / USA / 1988)

Cassettes: Live In Turku (Blast Of Silence Records 2012) AMNFM (1999) TERRAMOTO (1998) Gangway for Miracles (1997) Wall of Phlegm (1997) Ampeg Stud (1996) Bandit 65 (1996) Fletcher Henderson (1995) E Pluribus M.O.T.O. (1993) Talk of M.O.T.O. (1991) M.O.T.O. Machine Music (a.k.a. RADIO BJ) (1990) 1000 Years of Rock'N'Roll (1989) Neon Bone! (1988) MOTOERECTUS (1987) QUASIMOTO (1987) Rock, Roll & Dismember (1986) BOLT! (1986) Turn Your Head and Cough (1985)

- necro69mancer -

[sweetersecondtimearound]

Our Story: Year 2018 pt. 1

2018

Jan. 4 - Makati. Lunch with tito Glenn (Apartment 1B)

Jan. 11 - Makati. St. Jude. Rabbit Hole & cash & carry

Jan. 16 - Bigyard (Kumintang), Pitch Perfect, Pugaran

Jan. 20 - Breakfast @ Elle, Pugaran, Lunch katabi ng Elle. Haha, Sm(Greenwich) w/ Nona, Mcdo Diversion ice cream

Jan. 24 - Happy Birthday to me! ☺️ Flowers, Necklace & Letter. 😘 Max’s (Dinner), Tim Hortons, Slept @ condo

Jan.26-27 - Sm (Insidious), Danika HAHAHA, Kila Janine: tambay(cake), Slept @ Pugaran, Breakfast drive thru Jollibee.

Jan. 28 - Quick visit @ 3:16 Food Park. ☺️

Feb. 7-8 - Surprised him. Hehe. Yellow cab, Pugaran, Tambay bhouse, Mcdo, Pugaran. @12 - Punta kay Grant. Tulog. Gising ng 7. Pinagluto ng brunch(tocino, hotdog, kape), tulog. Alis ng 1 balik makati. Hahahaha

Feb.12-13 - Nasurprise ako bes. Hahahaha. Hinch Doughnut. Moa. Dinner: Tokyo Tokyo. Watched Jumanji. Condo. Breakfast: Jollibee. Hatid sa school. Hahaha

Feb. 16 - Sundo sa Botika. Flowers. ☺️ Sm. Watched Meet me in st. Gallen (pangit). GG Burgers. Janine. Ton ton Massage. Pugaran. Ice cream. 1st hatid sa bahay. Hahaha.

Feb. 17 - Hebrew’s (closed 😂). Konstantine’s chami. Hatid sa bahay. Meet tito Dennis, Jr, Lloyd. 2 shots. HAHAHAHA

Feb. 23 - Dalaw sa bahay. Lot’s a pizza and Fruits. 😂 Stayed ‘til 11. :) Met nanay kinay, nanay pits and ninang.

Feb. 25 - Sundo bahay, Sm: bili gift, FIRST MASS @ trinity. 💕, pugaran, shake ‘n wings with gally. Hatid terminal

Feb.28-Mar. 1 - Sundo terminal, He Brews, Pugaran, Bhouse, Pugaran, Watched Bad Genius, Tulog. He cooked Brunch, Hatid terminal

Mar. 4 - Sundo Botika, Pugaran, Sm (Kfc), Mass @ Basilica with my fam

Mar. 9-10 - Sundo terminal, Drive thru Mcdo, Tambay bhouse, Pugaran, Caltex: Basketball with Ren Caraan, Rojen, etc., SPRAIN. 😞 HAHAHAHAHA., Drive Grant to Pugaran, Tambay sila then watched Van Wilder, Tulog, Brunch with Gally @ Lynd’s, waited him ‘til 5. Hatid Botika

Mar. 11-12 - Sundo sa Chez Amiz, Letter & a Rose. Mass at Basilica with Dom & Jillian, Sm, Dinner @ Kenny’s, DQ, Daan botika kumintang, Hatid terminal 🙊 pero wala na bus. Hahahahaha. Tulog sa Pugaran, Watched Fired Up, Woke up @4:20, Drive thru Bfast @ Mcdo, Hatid Terminal

Mar. 16-17 - Sundo sa terminal, Tambay kila Grant w/ Joven. S&R Pizza and J.Pops, Pugaran, Watched Greatest Showman, Tulog, Gising ng 10, Cooked Bfast, Tulog, Ligo, Hatid sa Botika.

Mar. 24 - Sundo sa botika, Hatid sa Rosario(Dom), Taysan(Janine) and Libjo(Jillian). Hatid sa Botika

Mar. 25 - Sundo sa Botika. Drive thru Jollibee. Bili ng palaspas, Simba sa Basilica. Bili sb sa sm. Sarado ng Kumintang. Balik ng Balagtas. Sarado ng New. then Pugaran, tulog. Hehe

Mar. 26 - Cooked Breakfast for him. Hatid sa Terminal, Condo, Punta ng Bambang, Condo: Ayos ng gamit, uwi ng Btg. Sundo sa terminal @ 10pm., Drive thru @ Mcdo Lawas, Pugaran, tulog

Mar. 27 - Cooked Breakfast for him, linis ng cr, workout, ligo then went to school to watch him play bball, octane(libjo) carwash w/ Dom, Jillian, Janine, Gally and Mark., Bili ng snacks. Watched Cult of Chucky and Half of Bad Moms., Tulog

Mar. 28 - Cooked Brunch. Then ligo, went to utik utik, Bili Red Velvet (Ann’s Home), Tinga: Banana Chips, Emjaykas: Lomi & Guisado, Pugaran, Finished Bad Moms, Packed things, Hatid sa Bahay: gawa phone ni Nona. Alis ng 10:30. Huhu

Apr. 1 - Sundo bahay @ 7AM, mass @ 7:30: Euphrasia, Drive Thru Jollibee, Pugaran, Hatid Eternal @ 12:30

Apr. 2 - w/ AJ Sundo botika kumintang, Liza’s Cafe, Dinner @ SM Bonchon, DQ, Hatid Botika

Apr. 3 - Dala Lunch: Jollibee Botika, Daan ng gabi hehe

Apr. 4 - Sundo Botika, hatid Renn, Dinner @ Mcdo Diversion, Hatid Botika

Apr. 6 - Bought Pizza Greenwich & Wedges, Brought it @ school then sundo Chez Amiz, Dinner @ Giligans SM, Hatid Botika

Apr. 7 - Daan Botika with Renn. Haha

Apr. 8 - Sundo Bahay. Breakfast @ Mcdo. Kuha kape sa Lipa, Honey on Balete, then Mabini. Meet the familyyyy. Haha. Lunch sa kubo. ☺️ Tour sa bahay, Mass @ 4, Halo-halo then cards with Auntie, Tita Mariel & Pam, Ayos gamit, Dinner @ tindahan then hatid sa bahay. ☺️ Happyyyyy!!!

Apr. 9 - Daan Botika before & after San Pascual

Apr. 10 - Dinner @ Marylaine’s ☺️

Apr. 14 - Birthday Celebration of Tatay @ Chez Amis. Celebration of RPh. Surprise w/ flowers by Predo. ☺️😍 Pakilala sa buong angkan. Hahaha. Central with Ninna, Axl, Grant, Babs & Predo. Pugaran. Tulog sa lodge with Ninna, Axl, Babs & Predo

Apr. 15 - Hatid sa bahay with Babs, Ligo, Tambay sila Axl, Predo, Ninna and Babs, Hatid sa terminal si Babs. Pangao with Axl & Ninna. Pangao. Pugaran. Dinner @ Jollibee Diversion. Hatid sa botika. Paalam kay Inay for prom. Hehe

Apr. 16 - Daan ng Botika. ☺️ Pogiiiii. 👓 😍

Apr. 20 - Dinner @ Mcdo. ☺️

Apr. 21 - PROM. ☺️ Sundo sa bahay. Daan botika. Banjo. Mcdo Diversion. Lima. Alis ng 2. Hehe. Banjo. Pugaran. Shell Kapitolyo. Total Balagtas. Jollibee Kumintang. Hatid sa bahay ng 4. Haha

Apr. 23 - Sick ang Papa P! 😔 Visited him. Drive thru @ Jollibee Kumintang. Pugaran. Lunch. Tulog. Hatid ng 6pm sa Kumintang. ☺️

Apr. 24 - Sundo Botika. 3:16. Kain late lunch. Hatid Botika

Apr. 26 - Sundo terminal. Elexhub. Bhouse. Dinner: Balagtas with Gally, Dom and Jillian. Bhouse. Pugaran. Type internship assignment. Veronica. Tulog

Apr.27 - Pasok si Predo. Naflatan si Puti. 😂 Lunch: Tuna. Watched half of Pete’s Dragon. Tulog. First 😈. Paalam na bukas uuwi. Hahahaha. padeliver pizza. Tulog.

Apr. 28 - Punta ng Bauan si Predo, exchange w/ his parents. Pugaran. Doen finished Pete’s Dragon. Tulog si Doen. @10:30 dating si Predo. Ubong: Cheeseburger. Alis ng pugaran ng 12:30. Utik-utik. Banana chips. Honey @ Balete. Coffee Lipa. Sm Lipa. Meryenda @ SB. Bili ng bigas @ SM supermarket. Uwi na. Hehe Hatid Botika. ☺️

Apr. 29 - Sundo Botika. Simba Basilica @ 7pm. Dinner at Bk SM Batangas. DQ. Sundo Kumintang. Hatid Balagtas.

Apr. 30 - Daan Botika. Ubong La lola kasi masakit ulo ko. Haha.

May 1 - Sundo Botika. Pugaran. Bili Roses. Basilica. SM. Dinner: Greenwich. DQ. Hatid Botika.

May 2 - Sundo Botika. 7 11 Balagtas w/ Renn. Shawarma Shack. 7 11. Hatid Botika.

May 3 - Sundo Botika. Paalam kay Inay. Haha. Punta BSU. Madonna. UB (Hard Bound). Trinity. SM. Dinner: Goldilocks. SB. Sundo Kumintang. Hatid Botika.

May 4 - Sundo Botika. Rosario. Kapihan w/ JK, Renn and Janine. Novena. Bili flowers. Hatid Botika.

May 5 - Sundo Botika. Ann’s. Daan kay Inay Kumintang. SM. Bili Ticket for hydro. Dinner: KFC. Cry cry 😋. Trinity. SB. Hatid Botika. ☺️

May 6 - Paspas. Hahahaha. Mabini-Kumintang. Yakap na Yakap!! Hahaha

May 7 - Sundo Botika. BDO kumintang. Vape X. BxB with Renn. Hyper bili ng Cake for AC. Hatid Botika.

May 8 - Dala lunch Mcdo. Ticketing. Computer Shop then Ticketing.

May 9 - Daan sa Kristine. Haha

May 10 - Daan Botika. Bless kay Inay.

May 11 & 12 - Sundo Terminal. Mabini. Pugaran. Watched A Space between Us. Tulog. Bfast: Century with Skyflakes hehe. Ligo. Alis Pugaran. BSU. Utik-utik. Aseptique. 7 11. Balete. Kape. SM Lipa. Domino’s. KK and SB. Hatid sa Botika

May 13 - Mother’s Day. Dinner at Max’s w/ family. Ciudad kaso liquor ban. Haha.

May 14 - Lunch @ Ticketing. Humba. Drive thru @ Mcdo. Tambay konti. Haha

May 15 - Daan botika. Bili Syringe and Bigay toy (unicorn). Sundo Botika. Dinner @ 3:16. Pabasa notes. Hatid Botika.

May 16 - Sundo Botika. Dinner @ GG Burgers with Janine, Gally, Jillian, Dom, Renn, Thessa, Dave, and Arji. Hatid Botika.

May 17 - Lunch @ Mary Laine’s. Pugaran. 😈. SM. Bili cake. DQ. Hatid sa bahay.

May 18 - Drive thru @ Jollibee Diversion. Lunch @ ticketing. Print. Hehe

May 19 & 20 - Sundo sa condo. Haha. Subway with Grant & Joven. Hatid sa pugaran, 5am. Tulog. 😈. Lunch @ Tazamia. Tambay ‘til 6PM.

May 21 - Sundo Botika with Sub. Haha. Nissan to meet Tita Ohyette and Ate Ilonah. Meryenda @ Tazamia. Hatid sa may diversion.

May 22 - Sundo Botika. Fiesta kila Renn. Pugaran. 😈. Hatid Botika.

May 25 - Sundo Botika. SM with Renn. Pabutas tenga. Chowking. ACE. DQ. Hatid Botika.

May 27 - Sundo Bahay. Daan Botika. Padre Pio. Lunch @ Toledo. Met Jouie and Ninang Janet. EK with Tita She, Tito Wally and Pam. Dodgem, Ekstreme, Roller Skater, Agila, Go Kart, Rio Grande, Rialto, Fireworks and Swan. Balik Toledo. Ligo and Dinner. Nuvali. Massage. Mcdo. Letter. Uwi. Hatid sa bahay. ☺️

May 30 - Sundo Botika. Xentro Mall: Lunch with Gally. Hatid Gally sa Terminal. BPI. Gulod. SM. Rice supermarket. SB. Surprise for luwas. :) Highlighter, Rosary and Sticks. :) Hatid Botika.

June 1 - Baba ng Botika. Sarado. Dinner @ TazaMia. Pugaran. Drive thru Jollibee and Mcdo for Nona. Hatid Bahay.

June 2-3 - Luwas. Sundo ko sa Morayta. MOA. Slide slippers. Juice. Ticket. DQ. Watched Sid & Aya. Uwi condo. Sleep konti. Lakad going People support. Dinner @ Tokyo Tokyo. SB. Uwi condo. Tambay sa balcony. Ligo. 😈. Tulog. Simba st. Jude. Lunch @ Hot Star Large Chicken. Lakad padorm. Tulog until 1. SB with Gally. Uwi ako ng btg.

June 7 - Tagpo BPI. School. Drive thru Mcdo. Honda. Terminal. Sabay papunta Manila. Surprise him sa SB P.noval after St. Jude. Wing Vibe with Ninna. Uwi ako ng Mkt.

June 9 - Galing sya Manila. Baba Botika. Dinner @ Mary laine’s. Uwi sya ng Mabini.

June 16 - Sundo Botika. Terminal. Byahe Mabini. Baba ng Shell Bauan. Sundo Tito Wally. Bahay. Ligo. Bihis. Fridos. Celeb of 70th Birthday of Daddy. Bahay. Halo halo. SB. Vape X. Hatid Bahay with Clark, Jouie and JanLloyd

June 19 -20 - Sundo condo. Glorietta. Withdraw. Bili ticket. NBS. Dinner at Tokyo tokyo. Watched Jurassic World. Punta Metro Suite. SB People Support. Condo. 😈. Tulog.😈. Punta Baclaran. Breakfast Mcdo. Grab Condo. Uwi sya ng Btg.

June 21 - Congratulations!! 🎓 Punta BSU main. Sundo ni Tito. Pasok Gym. Picture picture. Hehe. F. Baylosis. SM. Bahay. Terminal. Condo. Morayta. 😈. Mcdo (coffee)

June 23-24 - Sundo @ Makati Med. Condo. Dinner. 😈. Tulog.😈. Ligo. Bihis. Quiapo. Metro Suite. Dominos. SB. Metro Suite. Tambay. Nuod Sin Island. Zarks for Dinner with Janine. Uwi ako ng condo.

June 29 - Lunch with Vidal Fam @ Pancake House Makati Med. Take out SB People support. Pasalubong nutella. :) Balik ng Station.

June 30 - July 1 - Galing sya Laguna. Sent the Incredibles in Makati Med. Sundo Makati Med. Dinner @ KFC. Condo. Nuod the Incredibles 2 @ Greenbelt. SB Greenbelt. Uwi condo. Usap about work. 😈 Ligo. Bihis. Lunch @ Chatime. Simba St. jude. Metro Suite. Dinner @ Bon Chon.

July 7-10 - Surprise sa condooo. ☺️ Dinner @ Yellow cab. SB. Uwi condo. 😈. Tulog. Watched Blockers. Lunch @ Deliver Greenwich. Ligo. St. Jude. Dinner @ Food Truck. Metro Suite. Ayos gamit ang Predo. Balik condo. 😈 Tulog. Absent ang Ninna 😂. Breakfast @ Deliver Jollibee. Watched __. Tulog. Nagkagalit dahil sa pagddelete. HAHAHA. Dinner @ Carenderia. Dunkin Donuts. Tulog. Nagising ng 3. First BJ. lol. Gising ulit. Hatid MMC. Take out Breakfast @ Burger King. Duty. Balik sya ng Metro Suite.

July 12-15 - Surprise sa condo. ☺️ Dinner @ Tokyo tokyo. SB People support. Balik condo. 😈 Tulog. Gising. Duty @ MMC. Simba ang predo sa Quiapo. Went to Predo @ SB People Support ‘til 7. HAHAHA. Uwi ng condo. 😈. Aral @ SB People Support. Balik condo. 😈 Tulog. Duty @ MMC. Lunch together @ MMC Canteen. DQ with Ninna. Aral @ SB Reserve. Hehe. Meryenda @ Yellow Cab. Hypermarket. Then Uwi condo. 😈. Footspa & Back Massage @ Sense Spa. Uwi condo. 😈 Watched half of Late Bloomer. Pusoy 2. Hahaha. Tulog. Breakfast Pancit Canton. Ligo. Alis. Mass @ Baclaran Church. Moa. Early Dinner @ Kenny Rogers. Hypermarket. Bought J.co & KK. Balik condo. Uwi sya ng BTG.

July 17-19 - Galing sya ng BTG. Baba ng condo. Dinner: Delivery Dominos. Nakatulog na ko. HAHAHAH. Nagising ng 4 para ayusin gamit tas tulog ulit. Gising ng 7. Punta sya ng Rob Mnl for filing tas balik ng condo ng 3pm. Watched Secret life of Dork. Punta Cash. Take out Dinner: Chatime. Laro Pusoy 2. Tulog. Pasok. Uwi sya ng dorm.

July 21-23 - Dating ng 7:30 sa condo. May sakit. Huhu. Dinner @ Tokyo tokyo. Bili ng SB. Uwi ng condo. 😈 Tulog. Breakfast @ Jollibee Delivery. Punta ng Sta.Cruz pinabili ni Inay. Simba ng Quiapo. Uwi ng condo. Dinner @ Pancake Cash & Carry. SB @ People Support. Uwi ng condo.😈. Tulog. Pasok. Uwi sya ng dorm.

July 25-28 - Dating sya ng condo ng 11:30pm. Tulog. Absent si Ako. HAHAHAHA.😈. Jollibee Delivery for bfast. Tulog.😈. Ligo. Dinner @ Carenderia. SB People Support. Uwi ng 12. Pasok ako ng MMC. Punta sya ng SB Reserve. Pinuntahan ko ng 3:15 dala Cafe france. Surprised Cheese Cake. Necklace and SB Card Reserve. ☺️ Balik ng MMC til 7. Sundo sa SB Reserve. Hatid Ninna sa may Petron. Dinner @ Domino’s. SB Oriental. Uwi. Nuod ng Exorcism of Emily Rose.😈. Tulog. Alis sya ng 5:30am. Preboards.

July 29-30 Punta sa kanya sa Dorm. Kain sa Carenderia sa España. Balik dorm. Simba Quiapo. Bili ng food sa Chowking habang naghihintay sa grab. Punta Naia. SB. Hintay sila Tita galing Tugue. Dala ng gamit kay Redz. Walk punta Resorts. Dinner @ Crisostomo with Inay Tilde, Tita, Tito. Balik airport. Kuha gamit. Uwi sila ng Btg. Hintay ng grab. Uwi ng condo. Ligo. 😈. Nuod ng Barcelona. Tulog. Pasok ng MMC ng 6. Huhu. Punta sya ng 11 sa MMC. Lunch @ Cafeteria. Uwi sya ng dorm.

Aug 2-3 - Alam ko na pupunta sya pero surprise na nasa baba na sya ng elev with Mcdo chicken sandwich, fries and iced coffee. Kuha ng results ni Tito. Uwi ng condo. Aral dito. Tulog. Pasok ng MMC. Uwi sya ng dorm.

Aug 4-6 - Nasa reserve na sya ng 7:30AM. Pinuntahan ko ng lunch. Lunch @ Canteen. Punta sya ng SB People Support. Sundo MMC. Uwi ng condo. Dinner @ Deliver Domino’s. Nuod ng 3 Idiots. Tulog. Breakfast @ Jollibee Deliver. Nuod ng PK.😈 Tulog. Gising. Ligo. Simba ng Holy Family in Makati. Punta Cash. Wax. SB sya nag-aral. Dinner @ Jollibee Take out. Bili ako ng SB. Uwi ng condo. Nuod ng Every child is special-half. Hehe. Tulog. Pasok ng MMC. Punta sya ng MMC for lunch tas DQ. Uwi sya ng dorm.

Aug 8-9 - Pinuntahan ko sa dorm. Punta sta. cruz, Bambang buendia. Balik ng dorm from Buendia. Bili ejuice. Dinner @ Carenderia. Balik ng dorm. Kuha gamit. SB. Uwi ng condo. Tulog. Gising. Pasok MMC. Take out sya ng Mcdo breakfast. Breakfast @ Canteen. Uwi sya ng Btg.

Aug 12-14 - Alis ako ng condo ng 5:30AM. Uwi ng Btg. 7:20 dating ng Btg. Sundo sa terminal with Sub. Hehe. Drive thru @ Mcdo Calicanto. Bisita ng Basilica, Trinity & Euphrasia. Mabuhay. Withdraw @ BPI. Daan caedo bili sana juice kaso sarado. Hahaha. Kuha baked mac & red velvet kay Darlen. Bili ng cake for Jelyne. Punta ng Baguilawa. Surprise Jelyne. Gift: SB Card & Cake. Uwi ng Mabini. Lunch. Tambay and Kain ng Baked Mac & Oreo red velvet with Jouie, Ninong Louie, Ninang Janet, Daddy & Mommy. Mama & Papa. Uwi ng Bahay. Idlip ‘til 3:30. Simba ng 4 with Mama & Papa. Uwi ng bahay. Impake ng gamit. Kain halo halo. Alis ng mabini. Byahe hanggang Terminal. Balik ng Makati. Tulog. Gising ng 7. 😈. Tulog ulit. Absent si Ako. Hahaha. Tulog. Breakfast @ Mcdo Deliver. Nuod ng Guardians of the Galaxy. Dinner @ Chatime. Bili ng Burger Jollibee. Uwi ng condo. Review. Tulog. Gising. Hatid MMC. Breakfast @ Canteen. Uwi sya ng dorm.

Aug 15 - Uwi ako ng btg!! Uwi din sya ng gabi. Dumaan sa Botika ng Bitin sa jeep! 🙄

Aug 16-17 - Balik ako ng Makati ng umaga. Balik sya ng gabi. Hintay sakin sa SB People Support. Dinner @ Mcdo People Support. Lakad pauwi ng condo kasi malakas ulan. Hahaha. 😈. Ligo. Review. 😈. Higa. Laro ng ML. Hahaha. Tulog. Gising. 😈. Ligo. Hatid MMC. Takeout breakfast @ Jollibee. Breakfast @ Canteen. Ministop. Uwi sya ng dorm.

Aug 18-19 Surprise sa Makati Med with SB. ☺️ Punta sya ng hydro. Hahaha. Uwi sya sa condo ng 3 na mejj lasing. 😂 Tulog. Gising.😈. Breakfast @ Mcdo Deliver. Ligo. Punta ng Sta.Clara alay ng egg. LRT 2 going to Metro Suite. Meryenda @ Jollibee UST. Kuha ng gamit. Balik ng Makati. SB People Support. Uwi ng 11 dahil may nag-aaway. Hahaha. Tulog.

Aug 20-21- Absent ako. HAHAHAHA. 😈. Ligo. Punta ng morayta. Attend sya ng review. Punta ako ng St. Jude. Grocery @ Puregold. Tambay ako ng SB. Pinuntahan nya ako. Uwi ng makati. Last dinner with Ate Marianne (Domino’s). Review sya. Tulog. Pasok MMC. Pinuntahan ako ng 8:30. Breakfast @ Burger King. Uwi sya ng dorm.

Aug 22 - Punta ako ng Mendiola for thesis. Hinintay ko sya sa SB then 711 tas yun pala nanunuod lang ng movie! 🙄 Pinuntahan sa Metro Suite. Uwi ng makati. Bili ng dinner (BBQ Dela Rosa). Kain. SB People Support. Uwi. Laro ng Mini Militia. Hahaha. Review. 😈. Tulog.

Aug 23-24 - Gising. Pasok MMC. Sabay lunch @ Mcdo then SB. Uwi sya ng Condo. Hinintay ako. Bili dinner (BBQ Dela Rosa). Good talk sa buhay buhay. Laro ng Box Head. HAHAHAHA. Tulog. Pasok MMC. Lunch together tas balik sya ng condo. Aral sya tas Tulog

Aug 25 - Absent ako dahil ng UTI. Huhu. Breakfast Jollibee. Pacheck up sa St. Clare. Kain ng tokyo. Bili ng SB. Uwi ng condo. Aral sya. Tulog.

Aug 26-27 - Gising. 😈. Breakfast Mcdo. Tulog. Simba @ Holy Family. Condo. Dinner @ Shakey’s Delivery. Tulog. Uwi sya ng Metro Suite ng 6AM.

Aug 29 - SB near Metro Suite. Mejj nainis ako. Hahaha. Ayon. 😂 Dinner @ KFC. Uwi ng Condo.

Aug 31 - Pinuntahan ko sya Metro Suite from Bayanihan, Tambay SB then Dorm. Bili pencil&eraser. Balik dorm. Uwi ako ng Makati. Nag-UV ako. sad. Haha

[codystrum]

Tweeted

#Miyavi returns to Vancouver @TheVogue to start his No Sleep TIL Tokyo world tour @MIYAVI_OFFICIAL https://t.co/7m4GZoXiro

— Charles Emery (@DjSenseic) July 26, 2019

[isthespiceoflife]

H4thOJ!

Fireworks? Never a bad idea on the 4th, esp in Jersey City right on the water!Did I mention Snoop Dog’s performing? Yep Ummm...but if it’s too played out...how about pool party/bbq? Always in season! Catch Brasstracks (DJ set) @Dream Hotel on a Happy 4th, if you’ve never partied -- compliments Corona Electric Beach, like it’s your LAST.

On NOW, “Represent: Hip-Hop Photography” at the Smithsonian (in D.C.), running ‘til May 5, 2019. U got time!

Opening exhibit reception for artist Olimpia Zagnoli’s “Cuore Di Panna”, May 25 (this Friday) in LA @HVW8 Gallery, RSVP.

It goes -- Fall, Winter, Spring... Summer! Well, U all know if U lived thru NY’s winter, how harsh weird it was. We’re in 80+ degree weather in Spring, yet there seemed to be NO TRANSITION. Which means, let’s get out-side, I mean right here in NY! Riis Park Beach anyone? There’s been so much going on nationally n’ internationally, from Kanye’s ‘free thought’ as a precursor to promote his latest music, NBA playoffs is heating up, then there’s the ever-revolving media circus surrounding this madman, not to mention his staff. Ummm...what else? So much going on, I need a RED BULL! See some below beats, if U may -- including some treats rockin’ from Cali, to JA. And don’t forget, Cinco De Mayo this weekend passed, esp if you’re not Mexican!

The WORLD CUP 2018 hits Russia this summer, June 14 to be exact is kick-off/opening ceremony. Don’t be surprised to see this symbol instead of yesteryear’s “Bolting”, every time someone from the African diaspora scores, celebrating ‘black excellence’ n’ living out loud, the ‘wakanda’ dream!

From Side Hobby, to Cash Flow: Shooting for Brands! This Saturday, May 5 (don’t worry you can drink after U elevate your photography career) in NYC! 

Art150 = Jersey City -- so venture outta ya ‘hood this weekend, n’ hit up the JC!

Not to be missed, in Red Hook (yes, Brooklyn), the “1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair,” kicks off TODAY (5/4-5/6)!

Tonight’s your last chance to catch the Grace Jones flick, “Bloodlight & Bami” @BAM.

U won’t wanna miss this (n’ no that’s not Jazzie B from Soul II Soul, it’s Comrade Cav)! UK II BK, going down @Black Flamingo in W’Burg w/DJ Misbehaviour, tomorrow Fri, May 4.

Wait ya turn boy!? Missed that? Then go to this “Everyday Afrique” (Memorial Day) @Output!

Schomburg Talks: Carnival traditions in the African Diaspora thru the lens of T&T. On June 20th, “Consecrating the Consequence -- Masquerade, Performance n’ Spirituality in Carnival” happens @Schomburg Center for Research in BC, from 6:30-9p. RSVP.

After almost a year after a mishap in immigration/passport issues, this tour is finally on n’ happening. Tricky is here in the U.S., catch him as he promotes his latest 2017 Ununiform album, if U can (below dates)!

5/3 - New York City, NY @ Irving Plaza - Tickets 5/5 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick - Tickets 5/6 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Longue - Tickets 5/7 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry - Tickets 5/9 - Denver, CO @ Marquis - Tickets 5/12 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos - Tickets 5/13 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge - Tickets 5/14 - Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre - Tickets 5/16 - San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine - Tickets 5/17 - San Diego, CA @ Music Box - Tickets 5/18 - Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda Theatre - Tickets

Yea, this May 10th David Bowie event @BK Museum, will soon sell off! A Music video binge on some of Bowie’s best.

Celebrity photographer & director Markus Klinko presents: “2000s” -- an exhibit open to the public (June 14-30), @Mouche Gallery.

X Gallery and EnFoco join together to present “Queer Eye” -- a photographic artistic exhibition celebrating LGBTQ Pride month, opening June 1-30 w/an artist (Lola Flash) meet n’ greet on June 14.

Join these two house music master DJs (Chicago’s Roy Davis, Jr. + France’s Franck Roger) in Paris @Glazart, June 9. Peep all the invite info, and no I don’t have flight info haa!

Cuco’s Tour Dates:

5/5-6 - Pomona, CA @ The Glass House

5/26-27 - Cleveland Square Park, TX @ Neon Desert Music Festival 

6/1-3 - Randall's Island, NY @ Governors Ball

7/21-22 - Exposition Park, LA @ FYF Fest

8/2-5 - Grand Park, Chicago @ Lollapalooza

8/3-5 - Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal @ Osheaga Festival

8/10 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Shrine

8/10-12 - Golden Gate Park, SF @ Outside Lands

A rare happening, Fishbone’s on tour (see dates below)!

Thu, May 24/18 - Pioneertown, CA - Pappy & Harriet's Fri, May 25/18 - Las Vegas, NV - Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival Sat, Jun 23/18 - San Diego, CA - 91X Beer Festival Fri, Jun 29/18 - Los Angeles, CA - Levitt Pavilion, Downtown LA Sat, Jul 14/18 - Ventura, CA - Surf Rodeo Festival Sat, Jul 28/18 - Tokyo, Japan - Fuji Rock Festival Thu, Aug 23/18 - Silver Spring, MD - Fillmore Fri, Aug 24/18 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl Sat, Aug 25/18 - Worchester, MA - Palladium 

BRIC’s Opening Night Concert n’ Gala feat. Common, hits us June 5. Don’t sleep, it’s FREE. It just sounds (n’ he looks) fancy!

Annually, most equate summer in Europe n’ the U.S. to...? Yes, outdoor reggae festivals! And this one’s been growing bigger n’ stronger each year, in Monterey. California Roots Music & Arts Festival is hitting 9-years old, w/a line-up that’s special.

Protoje has a new LP (A Matter of Time), pushing “No Guarantee” n’ is on tour w/Chronixx, see dates below!

MAY 24, 2018 - SUBTERRANEAN - CHICAGO, IL - BUY TICKETS MAY 25, 2018 - SUMMER CAMP FESTIVAL - CHILLICOTHE, IL - BUY TICKETS MAY 26, 2018 - UNION STAGE - WASHINGTON, DC - BUY TICKETS MAY 27, 2018 - CONEY ISLAND AMPHITHEATER - BK, NY - BUY TICKETS

Awwww...that’s Ziggy Marley w/his lil’ ‘Ziggy’, he’s going on tour -- to promote his latest Rebellion Rises, see dates below:

UPCOMING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

Dates:                                   City:                                                       Venue:

6/8/18                                   Napa, CA                                           Uptown 

6/10/18                                Carmel, CA                                         Sunset Center

6/12/18                                Jacksonville, OR                                Britt Pavilion

6/13/18                                Seattle, WA                                        Seattle Zoo

6/14/18                                Portland, OR                                      Portland Zoo

6/16/18                                Kamas, UT                                           DeJoria Ctr

6/17/18                                Winter Park, CO                                 Hideaway Park

6/18/18                                Aspen, CO                                           Aspen

6/19/18                                Albuquerque, NM                 Villa Hispana Outdoor

6/20/18                                Phoenix, AZ                                        Van Buren

6/22/18                                Santa Ynez, CA                                  Chumash

6/23/18                                Sacramento, CA                                 Ace of Spades

6/24/18                                San Francisco, CA                             Sigmund Stern

8/23/18                               Bellvue, CO                                  Mishawaka

9/1/18                                   Vienna, VA                                         Wolf Trap

+UPCOMING EUROPEAN TOUR DATES!

It’s incredible how fast this movement grew into something actually cool, over just a few years. It WAS poorly organized, poorly attended n’ pathetically not a true reflection of the carnival zest from Trinidad, representing in LA. But that’s recently changed, also incorporating other cultures from across the globe! Don’t miss from June 21-24 in H’wood, the Hollywood Carnival & Parade + ‘nuff activities surrounding this better soca-infused weekend of LA Carnival’s non-stop bachannal!

Hop on, but don’t hop off ‘til it docks. You’re invited, btw...this is a one-time only summer event, don’t lapse.

If you’re performing at one of Brooklyn’s coolest venues, National Sawdust, there’s something really cool about you. And that’s why U should check Underground System on Sat, June 16 @7p. Hopefully tix are still left!? If not, there’s 2 other upcoming shows (see below) too!

Feeling a lil’ nostalgia living in NYC, for the Pacific Ocean, Venice Beach n’ West Coast Gangstarr rap? @Project Parlor in BK, every 3rd Saturday, from 3p-8p, Str8 West Coastin’ got ya ‘chronic’ needs!

Above, catch the duo -- Adrian Younge + Ali Shaheed Muhammad aka The Midnight Hour w/band in NYC on Weds, June 20 @Manderley Bar (McKittrick Hotel). And below, back in their home-base of LA, catch them on Saturday, June 23 @Lodge Room. These shows should be a top priority, if music is your thing, ya feel me?

This year, Reggae Sumfest organizers are really kicking up some dust in branding this year’s festival (July 15-22 in Montego Bay), to be their best yet. For instance, it has now expanded to 8 days of real authentic Jamaican entertainment n’ food, amongst other forms of entertaining one’s self ;-) 

See lineup + schedule below.

Sun. July 15   Sumfest Colour-Fest Beach Party @Tropical Bliss Beach | Doors Open: 3pm | (Ticketed)

Mon. July 16 Sumfest Street Dance @ Hip Strip, MoBay | Gates Open: 7pm | (Free)

Tues. July 17 All White Party @ Pier One Restaurant & Bar | Doors Open: 8pm | (Ticketed)

Wed. July 18 The Blitz “All Black” Party Feat. Safaree and Stefflon Don @ (Venue TBD) | Doors Open: 8pm | (Ticketed) 

Thu. July 19 The Inspire Awards @ Iberostar Hotel | 5pm-9pm | (Invitation Only) 

Thu. July 19 Reggae Sumfest Presents: Irish & Chin's World Clash 20th Anniversary @ Pier One Event Center | Doors Open: 8pm | (Ticketed) Tony Matterhorn, Mighty Crown, Ricky Trooper and Pink Panther!

Fri. July 20 Sumfest Symposium @ Montego Bay Conference Center | Time TBD | (Free) 

Fri. July 20 Sumfest Festival Night 1 @ Catherine Hall Event Centre | Doors Open: 7pm | (Ticketed) Popcaan, Aidonia, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, Spice, Tommy Lee Sparta, Agent Sasco, Ding Dong, I-Octane, Stonebwoy, Harry Toddler, Yanique, D-Major, Kemar Highcon, Dance Expressions, Govana, Tosh Alexander, Shano, Jah Fabio, Kim Nain, Rygin King, Vanzo, G Don V, Press Kay plus special guest stars 

Sat. July 21 Sumfest Festival Night 2@ Catherine Hall Event Centre | Doors Open: 7pm | (Ticketed) Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest, Cham, Capleton, Raging Fyah, Jesse Royal, J Boog, Fantan Mojah, Keznamdi, Empress Ayeola, Naomi Cowan, Jah Dore, D’Yani, Stushi, plus special guest stars.

And everyone in NYC -- young n’ old, has to hit up at least one of these, come summertime. See below, or FULL line-up here.

[tune-collective]

Thundercat's Style Is As Funky and Out There As His Music: Exclusive

Thundercat's Style Is As Funky and Out There As His Music: Exclusive

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  About 30 minutes into his set at Chicago’s Concord Music Hall, Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner drops both hands from the guitar resting on his chest as his keyboardist and drummer, too, take breaks from their early evening concert. He looks up at the adoring audience who sold out the venue on a frigid Saturday night in the windy city and asks, “You guys feeling good?” Screams, cheers, and applause confirm that they are, in fact, quite well. “That’s tight,” he says. The Los Angeles native is a day removed from releasing his thoughtful, star-studded (Pharrell Williams, Kenny Loggins, Kendrick Lamar) third full-length studio set, Drunk. 

Then he locks back into his music—a smooth, velvet-textured amalgam of jazz, soul, Hip-Hop, and funk partnered with lyrical content fit for both talking head social-political programs and inner-city barbershop dialogue. Each song he performs seemingly gets its own 30-second improvisational period before returning back to the realm of familiarity, stirring the crowd into a frenzy. As he’s bathed in green and blue spotlights, Drunk’s “Them Changes” earns the loudest cheers. He also sprinkles bits of Kendrick Lamar’s “Complexion” and “These Walls,” which he assisted in producing for the rapper’s critically acclaimed To Pimp a Butterfly album. 

In purple camouflage sweatpants, a black tee under a red lumberjack shirt, Thundercat, 32, was having a chill day in comparison to some of the louder pieces he’s been photographed wearing in the past. Wolf hats with ponchos. Blazers that recall Michael Jackson’s vintage regal vibes. Outfits so heavily stylized and exaggerated that they’d make sense on the characters of the ‘80s cartoon heroes he named himself after. He’s rocked it all. Prior to this show, the eccentric artist sat down with Billboard backstage to talk about what inspired Drunk, why Lamar’s verse on this album is special and his generally flamboyant style. 

What journey are you taking this listener on with Drunk? 

I’m observing and reporting what my experience as a musician has been ’til now. It’s such a weird thing to be a musician nowadays. If you’re not in a rock band, music doesn’t exist for a musician. You’re just a “session” musician. Nobody tells you that. So you wind up figuring it out. Somewhere between those lines, there’s this existence where you end up drinking. That goes for everyone that I’ve worked with. It’s part of the business. It’s something to talk about. It’s me telling a story from that perspective. 

I try not to think too hard about music. I like to see where it goes. I try not to give it a direction. I figure out what it is as it’s forming. I don’t have any goal in mind other than to make the best music I can. I always start with the bass [guitar]. Things get added, but it always starts with the bass. 

“Walk On By” has Hall & Oates nods to it musically. Would you say they’ve influenced you? 

Hall & Oates is everything. Fuck everything else. [Laughs] If it’s not Hall & Oates, it’s nothing. They’re a titan duo of songwriting. Being able to convey ideas through song, I had to learn that from different places. The best thing is knowing that there’s somebody out there who doesn’t know who they are, just so you can be like, “Sit your ass down and let me play you this.”  It’s timeless. They’re a major influence on my songwriting. As a bass player, that’s what comes easy to me—the bass playing. The songwriting, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. 

How’d you get comfortable as a vocalist? You essentially didn’t become an active singer until your late 20s. 

I’m looking at people like Beyonce and Trey Songz and Jamie Foxx—people that sing like they’ve got chicken all in their throat. I didn’t know where I was supposed to make sense. I would feel around it a bit. I would sing on other people’s albums, their backgrounds. And I’d ask, “Was it cool?” By the time we got to [sophomore album] Apocalypse, it was a weird moment for me. I was like, “I have to sing?” I had references and different things that made me feel comfortable, like, “I know I can do it.” But I didn’t know to what extent I could. I had to deal with people laughing at me. I had to deal with my friends telling me, “You can’t sing.” 

Really? 

Of course. I’m not going to name any names, but that was the honest criticism. And I could take it. But it wasn’t going to stop me. There was one time when I was in the studio and I’m recording vocals for Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly track, “These Walls”, and a few of my friends had never seen me sing before. I literally had to kick everyone out of the room, because it was weird. Someone told me I had to put Auto-Tune on my voice and I told them, “I am not that guy.” I had to find my comfort zone. Kendrick was comfortable. I usually just sing at home by myself with my bass. It was a process of having to open up. 

[readmore:7709000]

You have a great working relationship with Kendrick and he’s on “Walk on By.” What’s your favorite part of his verse? 

There’s one line where he says, “Immature and retarded is what you call me.” It was one of the things where when he said that, you felt that you understood the inner-workings of what we feel a lot of the time. You have these internal moments where you’re trying to figure it out. And Kendrick always has those moments in his verses where he’s speaking to a guy like me.

On his Unmastered, Untitled album, there’s a line where he asks, “Why you wanna see a good man with a broken heart?” It hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m thinking, “Yeah, why would that be your goal?” I love his ability to connect with that deeper part through music. And when he laid his verse to “Walk on By,” it immediately became this portrait. I was in shock and awe that he could see it. 

On “The Turn Down,” you sing about how trashed our world has become in different ways. There’s even a Captain Planet line.

That’s really how I feel. “What’s going on? Why can’t we all just see each other?” There’s a lot of amplified bullshit. Infinite, magnified bullshit. And it’s piling up. “Being Black” is always a thing. Even moving the Black thing to the side, two white people can’t even figure this world out. Nobody wants to make sense of the other. Nobody loves each other. Nobody really cares. Is that how this is supposed to happen?

“Show You The Way” features Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. Today, people still can still easily hear Michael’s husky soul voice and know it’s weight. But folks sleep on Kenny’s catalog of classics. Why was it important to have him on it? 

Kenny Loggins pours his heart and soul into the music he makes. He’ll take you with him through everything he’s going through, which is not easy. People don’t survive shit like that. We see it all the time. Like a Janis Joplin. Kenny’s still here. My favorite song of his is “Heart to Heart” [featuring and co-written by Michael McDonald]. You can tell he’s talking to someone. It’s too intimate. He takes you to where he’s at. Along with that, the music and the vocals are just jamming. I learned that from Kenny, along with people like Leon Ware. Good lord. 

Leon died yesterday and I know that he was someone you knew and worked with. Drunk’s “Tokyo” is inspired by you touring with him in Japan, right? 

It’s making me sad just thinking about it. You have these moments where you play in somebody’s band and the person leading is smart enough to show you the bigger picture. Leon Ware took me under his wing, man. He invited me into his life. I was a teenager and he took me to Japan for the first time. It was surreal. It was like playing with Marvin Gaye. I got a chance to see how he created and how his music affected who he made it for. I got a chance to play “I Want You” with Leon. I was 17 and crying on stage.

Up until his death, which is when my album came out, all I could ever talk about was that moment. I can’t even remember what happened yesterday. But I remember every day in Japan with Leon. It was magical. I talked to his son today. I had to tell his family that “I love you guys.” I wish I could have said something to him before he passed. It’s just the way of the world. “Tokyo,” as funny as it seems, was about that experience. It was bigger than life.

To take a turn, your style is super dynamic and out there. Let me show you what comes up when you search Goggle for “Thundercat” images… What would you say about this guy’s style if you weren’t him? 

[Laughs] I would think that he’s just wild as hell. Good god!

  A post shared by @thundercat_music on Dec 30, 2015 at 9:05am PST

  Is there any strategy to you getting dressed for a regular day or for stage? 

A lot of the time I’m in the moment with stuff. Sometimes to a fault. I’ll look at superheroes and comics and stuff and wonder, “why wouldn’t you dress like that if you could?” With fashion, I look at it as a way to express that. I don’t really pull any punches on it; otherwise you get caught up in this nexus of dressing like everyone else. Or finding something that’s a little above the standard. But to dress the way I’m really thinking? I do that. 

What are the cartoons you admire for their quality and style-wise? 

I’ve got some high standards when it comes to cartoons, man. There’s always Fist of the North Star. That’s one of my favorite all time movies. Quiet as it’s kept, that was the inspiration behind To Pimp a Butterfly from my perspective. And [my work on Flying Lotus’] You’re Dead! And [2015 EP] The Beyond / Where the Giants Roam. I’ve been watching that since I was a child religiously. I can quote the movie verbatim as it’s happening. It’s that amazing. 

Style-wise, it’s also amazing. I’d watch him and say to myself, “I want to be that guy!” There’s cross-play and character-based dressing up. And there’s a place between higher end fashion and what designers don’t want to admit they pulled inspiration from. You’ll see some shit come out from Gucci and be like, “Man, that’s straight off of Neon Genesis Evangelion.” And I know that. I’m always looking for that connection. I try to find my place in those pieces and try bring that vibe with me onstage. There have been times where I’ll freak my friends out because we’ll go to the store and I’ll go for the weird thing on display and they’ll be like, “You’re not going to do it, are you?” And I’ll be like, “You shouldn’t be here with me.” 

Where do you shop? 

A lot of my stuff is handmade. Or it’ll come from a boutique and be a one of four pieces.

What’s the oddest thing you’ve worn? 

The Native American garb is a very touchy subject and why musicians think they can appropriate culture. So something definitely my Native American headdress. I’m actually part Comanche. That’s in my blood. My family is from Detroit, Michigan and they were there. So just a slight bit off of my generations of Black, there are actually Native Americans. My great grandmother was named Prudence. She had all white hair. I have a picture of her next to her shotgun. Her husband was exiled for murder. He murdered someone because the man raped a woman. He committed an honor killing and was exiled for it. He was a Comanche. That’s why they couldn’t charge him the way they would charge a regular criminal. I never tell people, “I’m part Comanche!” 

  A post shared by @thundercat_music on Dec 30, 2015 at 8:59am PST

  But that would be the most controversial thing I’ve worn; a Native American headdress. Nobody ever tripped off of me wearing the wolf. But the chief headdress, that’s a thing where people go, “Who do you think you are?” And I try to respect that. Cultural appropriation is corny. Imitation is the biggest form of flattery a lot of the time. People forget that even with the dark past things come from, if it translates into good, you’ve got to be happy for that. Sometimes the timing is too soon.

Do you ever wear clothing to speak about the world’s issues—politics or humanity?

Yeah, man! I’m not very political. It’s nice to make a statement with something like a “Not My President” tee or something like that. It’s a way to identify with other people. But I’ve mostly been identifying with the earth through color tones. The things that you see in the world from that point. I look at animals and think, “Wow, that’s not fair! I just have one color and a bunch of moles.” And you see butterflies or cats and you’re like, “What the hell?” I’m identifying with them.  

This article originally appeared on: Billboard

http://tunecollective.com/2017/03/01/thundercats-style-is-as-funky-and-out-there-as-his-music-exclusive/