Global Beat Fusion: Journeymen

by Derek Beres

The question of identity affects us in stark and profound—and very often, unconscious—ways. Individuals, and by extension the communities they are born within, generally use two means of defining “who” they are: geography and religion. It can be argued that the latter, like all later affiliations in life, is a conscious choice, although many religious groups believe themselves to have inherently been born as such. Geography is, then, the most reliable means of defining a culture.

The Rom, popularly known as Gypsies, has not fit this mold for some time, mostly due to the fact that no one can prove where its origins lay. (The same can be said for humanity in general.) While linguistic parallels trace the Romani dialect to India, some feel that these people originally arrived from East Africa. The Sidis of Gujarat, the “Black Sufi” community in India, is one example of how ethnographic cultures form over time. Claiming India as the motherland of Gypsy culture doesn’t always pan out: some feel that they are the descendents of the kshatriya, the warrior caste, while others claim they were lower, given the fact that wherever they traveled that is the role they assume.

And traveled the Rom did, to Persia in the ninth century, and soon after up the Balkan trail into Eastern Europe. Today Gypsy culture is global; the term comes from economic and social standing as much as ancestry, as well speaking the Romani language. Why, exactly, the seemingly random journeying of a lower-class population should even deserve attention seems confusing, until we recognize one simple fact, regarding the influence of their travels: they are the very soul of each culture they touch.

Click here to read full article on Pop Matters.

Top Ten Things That Made Live Earth Awesome

By Jill Ettinger

1. Earth united – 7 continents – 9 stages. That’s one hell of a performance. Seeing the whole planet share in an historic event is inspiring beyond words. The number quoted during the event was over two billion worldwide! Music has that power to unite, whether we completely understand what we’re there for or not. The roster of talent included everyone from Dave Mathews Band to Akon, Alicia Keys to Metallica, Joss Stone to Smashing Pumpkins. Perfomers shared messages of what it means to face the climate crisis - what solutions we have that are tangible right now. Many revealed their contributions as artists, like bio-diesel tour buses and charity organizations building LEED-certified homes for Katrina victims.

2.  It’s Easy Being Green – The boldly candid public service announcements ranging from Moby to Chris Rock touched on all the really simple ways to make a difference. Recycling and changing over to CFL (compact fluorescent light bulbs) the obvious and easy choices, but even touchier subjects, like vegetarianism, the black sheep of the environmental movement, got its proper credit. Facts like 50 million animals being farmed for human consumption produce over ten percent of the methane causing the greenhouse effect; also, by switching to one veg meal per week, we could save enough grain used to feed animals to feed more than 25 million people. Duh.

3. The Mermaid short film - All the films were incredibly creative, thoughtful and touching, but maybe it’s something in that little girl’s Australian accent that got me, or maybe it’s the thought of the Great Barrier Reef dying that put a tear in my eye. But damn. The message was loud and clear. All the videos can be seen here and are absolutely worth your time.

4. Duran Duran – Remember at Live Aid when Simon Le Bon’s voice cracked during “Wild Boys?” Being a thirteen-year-old girl at the time, I remember it like I was watching the Kennedy assassination. There before my ears and eyes was a pitchy Le Bon, defacing the new wave pop gods I had pledged my entire existence to. It’s a good thing they fell out of mainstream culture for the next twenty years.“Lay low like the Pope after another church scandal.” I’m sure that’s what Le Bon was thinking on that hot summer day in 1985. The painful memory resurfaced when they appeared on the Live Earth stage. I held my breath. I know Simon was terrified. (He didn’t sing that song, not surprisingly.) Not only was his voice completely on this time but the Fab five have finally, actually become a decent live band.  “Planet Earth” was a great performance, and a perfect fit for the theme of the day. Bollocks to all you nonbelievers!

5. Robert Redford and Sundance Channel’s coverage – Bobby really should think about throwing his hat into the Presidential election. Seriously. Everything Sundance does is so superbly perfect, it makes one wonder what this country would look like under a Redford administration. Probably a lot of fresh local fruit deliveries for everyone, educational film festivals in every city and posters of him smiling and winking, tastefully hanging in city buildings. He’s got that Sundance Kid swagger, and  could probably even tout a pistol all bandit-in-charge style and let’s be real, Hillary would totally vote for him.

6. The scientist/rocker dudes from Antarctica - Hell yeah! I’m pretty sure starting a rock band on a giant ice cube with only penguins for groupies is about as badass as it gets.

7.The Police with John Mayer and Kanye West – FINALLY! Some bold live music mash up that rocks. (Figures it was the very last song of the day.) While the cover of the Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter” by Keith Urban and Alicia Keys was seriously smoking (that’s right, I said Keith Urban rocked it), it was just true to form. It’s a hot song, but give us a little surprise people, we can handle it. Kanye coming out to freestyle overtop Sting crooning “Sending out an S.O.S” and John Mayer’s bluesy guitar was just the type of sass this event and climate crisis needs. If we keep playing songs exactly like they were written, we lose our ability to see new ways of making them even better. (We all know songs are metaphors for everything, so use your imagination here.)

8. Madonna - Whether you love her or hate her, one thing is undeniable: she definitely has the upper hand. Be afraid, people. How the hell did she pull off Romanian Gypsies [Gogol Bordello] playing the Spanish “La Isla Bonita?” And since when did she play guitar like she was in Metallica? And for real, is she bionic? Seriously, her body is so incredibly taught, I bet she’s on some super secret British special forces gig for the Queen Mum where she can squeeze your head between her hips like a vice grip and rip the damn thing off for her trophy case. Good thing she’s on this side of the climate crisis issue.

9. This ain’t no Live Aid – 1985 was a strange year and that concert made it even stranger. Didn’t we already have that “We Are the World Song” out for six months before the concert? Who is Bob Geldof, really? Isn’t he that crazy drugged out dude from The Wall? He wants me to send him money for a country on a continent far far away for what again? Too confusing. Live Earth on the other hand, all they’re asking is I turn off the water when I brush my teeth, change a few light bulbs, recycle and think a little about what I use and what I throw away. That I can do. It’s easy, it’s practical and let’s hope, enough to make a change.

10. Al Gore  - Dude may have been badly robbed of the measly President of the United States job, but joke’s on Bush now, because Gore is officially the first President of Planet Earth. Go with it Al. We trust you. We love you. Thank you

Sarah

By Jill Ettinger

Last night, a friend and I talked about our laborious decision-making processes. Being heavily involved in the natural products industry for over half of my life, I’m aware that I’ve developed the habit of thinking through my purchasing choices, perhaps even to a crippling degree. The thing is, so much is affected by conscious and unconscious decisions. Though these are perhaps not the thoughts of the average American, we nonetheless weigh the value of eating organically versus the impact of transporting foods from around the globe, the economic and environmental tolls of paper towels versus hand dryers, and the struggle of “buying green” versus buying nothing at all. There are no right answers; these questions in and of themselves involve the practice of becoming more connected to everything we are already connected to. They serve to remind why it is I am so grateful for the opportunities to bring more choices to an era inundated with less freedom. One can only hope that pleas like in the video posted below (Remixing Nixon) to a government for, by and of the people begins to sink in, and the powers that be step it up for the collective best interest, not just their own.

At 35 years old, with more than 15 of them spent in this industry I value so tremendously, it’s refreshing to see the passionate next generation come of age. I am no longer the youngest player on the team, but find myself surrounded by individuals with the drive to take things even further. Just imagine that. We have come so far, yet there’s still so much more room to grow. What the founding fathers of the organic movement brought to this planet a few decades ago was enormous. And I am in awe when contemplating where we’re at now. Despite the challenges that continue to present themselves, the doors that open to sharing not just organic foods, but fairly traded, environmentally considerate and compassionate options is just unbelievable. It’s an honor to look into the eyes of this generation that will insist on even bigger change, affecting more people and (hopefully) bringing more happiness and balance. The saying “child is the father of man” continues to ring true, and I for one feel safe getting older. While corruption and greed still exists ad nauseum, those are the last efforts of dying breeds.

As Sunfood Nutrition grows, we have developed relationships with brokers who can assist us in our retail placement. We’ve acquired some of the longest standing pioneers, who have great reputations and relationships  valuable to a small company. But at this year’s Natural Products Expo West in March, I pledged my support to a small North West team, none over age thirty, because the smile and sincerity in their eyes was undeniable. One particular young lady in the crew, Sarah Venning, passed away tragically just two days ago in a car accident. The news left me feeling sick to my stomach as I tried to process the unthinkable. It was just days before her 26th birthday.

Though my exchanges with Sarah were infrequent, they were always inspiring. She resonated with our products, and her enthusiasm was touching, genuine. Like her partners at Conscious Trading, I always felt we were not just in good hands, but some of the best on the planet. This was a team committed to standing for something because it was who they were; they simply have to do what they’re called to do. Compassion is a powerful tool, one that lends itself to positive change, and it is indeed  the trademark of our future. If we cannot respect all things, we will not begin to understand nor learn how to live together. And there is so much to learn about other cultures, traditions and individuals.

Sarah, a massage therapist from New Orleans, set up shop after the Katrina disaster, using her healing gifts to ease people through the tragedy. She also co-founded A Conscious Tune, a non-profit organization designed to revive and preserve the unique culture of New Orleans by raising and allocating funds for local grassroots organizations that have a remarkable volunteer base and a significant impact toward improving living conditions in New Orleans.

The miracle of myspace allows all of us to take a look at what was, like her beautiful smile, a unique and unforgettable life. Though the tragedy of losing anyone is no easy thing to forget, I find some comfort on this blue rainy evening thinking there are many more valiant spirits like Sarah Venning, ready to rise to meet the future. Both Jesse and Julie at Conscious Trading specifically. I know they’ll carry on even more nobly and courageously for the cause Sarah was so passionate about. Blessings and Love.

Remixing Nixon

Taking a Bite Out of Apple

by Derek Beres

I’m not sure what’s more disturbing about this recent article on Reuters: that Apple has a stronghold on the digital music industry, or that Universal is accountable for one in every three sales of CDs in America. As the article opens with: “Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company, has declined to sign a long-term deal with Apple Inc.’s iTunes music store, leaving open the possibility for exclusive deals with other services, an industry source said on Sunday.”

When seeking out music online, I inevitably open up my iTunes store first. There’s a sense of convenience and quality that I’ve grown to depend on with them. If I’m seeking out new tracks for dance floors, that is not my first stop, however; that would be Stompy or Dance Tracks Digital. If I’m looking for something in international music, Calabash would be my weapon of choice. In general, though, iTunes is the first - and for some, only - point of reference in digital downloads.

It’s easy to understand why Universal is pissed. Apple is essentially creating the same corner that UM’s parent company, Vivendi, has built. When you own some 33% of the market, and suddenly you become dependent on someone else and still lose money, you’re not going to be happy. It makes you look frail, and in terms of business, that means death. And even with their foray into communications via large share holdings in SFR and Maroc Telecom, they refuse to have any part of their grip slip. It’s a shame when you can no longer cash in on somebody else’s talent.

As Six Degrees co-founder Bob Duskis told me in a recent interview, “There is something very democratizing about the Internet. It hasn’t happened yet where Universal Records gets more exposure than Six Degrees Records on the world or electronica pages of iTunes. The consumer is moving towards a digital-purchasing model. We can sit and whine about it, as the majors have been doing for years, and fight our own consumers and engage in a ridiculous losing battle. Consumers don’t want DRM sound files. If you don’t embrace your buying base, you’re going to go out of business.”

Totalitarians do not really want a democracy, however. The playing field is too wide open. While Apple has, in many ways, cornered a market, they did it because they offered consumers something they wanted, and did it well. (Well, mostly, given the delicate nature of the iPod - I’m on my fourth.) Where else are we really going to go? Zune? Be serious. Yes, with smaller download services the artists and labels can get better deals - with much less exposure. Many indies have done extremely well because of iTunes. It’s the fact that Universal’s expectations (read: bottom line) is so high that they’re in a tizzy.

While this Reuters article has created some stir, the reality is: who cares? When too much of the power goes to one entity, then choices become decisions made by a select few. It happens often; another name for it is: industry. Branding involves a degree of specialization, or else everything will fall into an unrecognizable mess. The little guys are going to proser from this, unless, of course, our government keeps using the RIAA as the only voice in music that they’ll listen to. Regardless of the odds, I’m with Steve Jobs on this one. It’s not that he doesn’t have his own blinding traits to his service, but he does it with a smile. Most of all, he serves the interest of his consumer base; he doesn’t go around making it harder for us to get what we want. At this stage of the game, that’s why he’ll stay one step ahead.

Pic of the Week

Ojos de Brujo’s Marina “la Canillas” @ Highline Ballroom, NYC, 6.29.07. Pic by Derek Beres.