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Cascais Jazz Club - Workshops e afins

Para os que ainda não sabem, abriu em Cascais uma associação de Jazz (ou um clube se assim preferirem chamar) de seu nome Cascais Jazz Club, situado mesmo no centro da Vila ao lado da farmácia Cordeiro. 

Este clube foi inaugurado com o intuito de promover aquilo que é na minha opinião o género musical mais rico e influente no cenário musical. O projecto foi levado a cabo por um grupo de pessoas no qual consta a minha Mãe (cantora Maria Viana) e Padrasto (Manuel Franco), que se deixaram levar por várias influências e contributos históricos de pessoas como Villas-Boas ou Duarte Mendonça, mas acima de tudo pela sua paixão pelo Jazz e vontade de transmitir os valores por detrás da música de raízes assentes nos Estados Unidos.

Desde o seu inicio, quando o espaço não tinha ninguém que zelar por ele, muita coisa aconteceu! Muitas horas e dinheiro foram investidos neste projecto (de grande cariz pessoal diga-se), muitos sacrifícios pessoais foram feitos... tudo para que Cascais pudesse usufruir de algo que contribuísse para o espectro cultural dos habitantes desta terra em tempos conhecida como a terra dos pescadores.

A iniciativa mais recente, uma que infelizmente não estive presente por estar fora, aparentemente foi um sucesso! Para ficar com esta ideia, bastou-me uma simples conversa com um dos presentes ou uma rápida análise à reportagem elaborada por João Moreira dos Santos, autor do blog Jazz Num País de Improviso e também ele membro fundador do CJC.

Mas como se isso não bastasse,  fruto da minha curiosidade (e também orgulho) vi uma pequena peça de autoria da Geração C Cascais que demonstra parcialmente o que foi este dia...

Take a look...

Bridesmaids (2011)

When I first saw the trailer, I admit it had a few good moments, but not enough to make me get out of my house towards the nearest cinema... A comedy to drag me to a theatre has to be very very promising and also has to involve a lot of friends in order to make the best out of the laughter experience!

So why did I watch Bridesmaids (2011)? Well, for one because I started reading a few reviews and checked the score on iMDB. It holds an impressive 7.5 out of 10, which usually means it's good! Also, it was an Apatow production, so here I had enough to  be aroused with! Also, taking in to consideration we were with a female friend, it made more sense to watch this movie opposite to Transformers 3 (which let me tell you, I will only see it due to special effects! Hated the second one and I'm almost certain I'm bound to hate this third sequel).

So there we were... Ready to watch a female cast lead by Kristen Wiig, who also wrote the screenplay!
Both Wiig and fellow actress Maya Rudolph have a comedy background, with a special connection to the acclaimed show Saturday Night Live, making this even more interesting to watch!

Didn't took long for me to realize I was in for a ride! As the inaugural scene came up, slowly but steadily I started giggling... a giggle that seconds later turned out to be a huge outburst of laughter!

No doubt about it... this was promising and throughout the movie I came to a point in which I was certain this was for me to recommend to friends (Watch out for the dress scene... it's absolutely hilarious!)!
There's a chemistry between the female group, which providing different set of skills into this comedy, allowed it to consistently progress without reaching a dull moment!

Please go watch it while you can... and make sure to go with a huge army of close friends!

Beach Fossils - What a Pleasure (2011)

A wonderful EP (or should I call it a half record?) that has a summer feel into it! And What a Pleasure (2011) it is to dive in a beautiful ocean of sweet guitars and gazed bass notes.

It's irresistible melodies have the capacity to make the listener travel through waves of mellow and cool subtleness... One that is increasingly better if near the sea or with an intense sunshine in your face, while contemplating a sublime landscape through the lens of your set of Raybans!

Well, maybe none of the mention above will work for you while getting your head around Beach Fossils, but at least it has provided me the will to write something in a more eloquent fashion! It's not a proper writing skill of mine... I'll give you that! But what's the point of fighting it? That's what their music has given me right now... A sudden rush to wonder off in tales and descriptions of Summer time, my favourite season of the year and one that I've been enjoying a lot back in my home town in Portugal.

Beach, Sunsets and Sundowns, dancing, partying, chilling out with friends over a cold beer, summer romance... all of it is mandatory in these months... and these kids from the Big Apple, so-called Beach Fossils, are certain to make all of those present, even if only in your minds.

In fact, Beach Fossils definitely are amongst a group of indie rock bands that provide that same feeling. Bands in the likes of The Drums, Wild Nothing or Beach House... All of which are required throughout the entire year, but especially in July and August!

Elefantes Azuis

by: TRÊSPORCENTO

PJ 20 - Coming Soon

Snyposis (Apple Website):

Pearl Jam Twenty chronicles the years leading up to the band's formation, the chaos that ensued soon-after their rise to megastardom, their step back from center stage, and the creation of a trusted circle that would surround them-giving way to a work culture that would sustain them. Told in big themes and bold colours with blistering sound, the film is carved from over 1,200 hours of rarely-seen and never-before seen footage spanning the band's career. Pearl Jam Twenty is the definitive portrait of Pearl Jam: part concert film, part intimate insider-hang, part testimonial to the power of music and uncompromising artists. 

Director Cameron Crowe unveils never before seen footage of one of the most influential and significant rock bands to ever step foot on a stage! One that has especially left a huge stamp on my generation! They have a special relationship with Portugal and have come many times, but unfortunately (for one reason or another) I was never able to see them! Last year when they announced on stage they would stop playing I felt horrible... I could I have missed so many chances to see one of my all time favourite groups? They give amazing shows... one after another... they keep coming back to my country and I'm still able to miss every single gig! Shame on me! But even beneath that sense of misery and (sort of) disregard, I am keeping the faith alive! They will be back! Until then, there's nothing left for me to do then to keep listening to their music and wait for this documentary to come out!

Can't wait for that to happen!

Iron

by: WoodKid

Time (Better Not Stop)

by: We Trust

caso para dizer "o que é nacional, é bom"! 

"O projecto português WE TRUST vai-se estrear discograficamente no final do ano pela Meifumado.

WE TRUST é André Tentugal, um jovem realizador português conhecido por ter realizado vídeos de X-Wife, Tetraton, Mind Da Gap."

Os Velhos - Os Velhos (2011)

Once again I'll have to apologize to the English readers due to the fact that I'll be writting this post in Portuguese, not only because I'm back in Portugal (even if only for a short period of time) but also because the subject in hands is a Portuguese band! Let this not stop you from getting to know a little bit more of "Os Velhos" (can't really figure out which translation would suit "Velhos" best... maybe "the old guys"... I don't know). 

They are considered to be one of the "wonder kids" in Portugal's indie rock music scenario and personally they are one of my favourite groups coming up!  

I hope all of you can still enjoy their music, even if you can't make sense of the lyrics...

Bem meus caros, 

Posto este texto introdutório destinado a quem deixei para trás em Londres, quero vos dizer que este disco d'Os Velhos há muito andava no meu iPod, tendo eu ouvido várias vezes back to back... Ora porque adorei grande parte das faixas, ora porque havia temas que simplesmente não me caiam bem no ouvido à primeira e como tal, decidi dar outras oportunidades...

Confesso que depois daquele EP em 2009 a fasquia estava alta ! Estes miúdos de Lisboa deixaram desde logo boas indicações nesse "meio disco" e ainda mais nas suas prestações ao vivo! Com uma dinâmica forte e uma musicalidade impregnada de juventude e alegria, parece difícil não gostar deles...

Comparações são inevitáveis, principalmente com os The Strokes a quem as melodias parecem ter algumas semelhanças, mas não se iludam! Há uma identidade muito própria neste grupo... A começar pelas letras e a acabar na voz do Francisco Xavier (mais conhecido por Kika) que apesar de muitas vezes não respeitar determinadas normas de conduta (porque ignora a métrica dos temas ou simplesmente porque desafina) fá-lo de forma eficiente e cheio de intenção! Mas isto está longe de ser um "one man show"! Zé Preguiça, Lucas e Sebastião não se deixam ficar pela sensação de "dever cumprido"! Há muita entrega e talento e isso sente-se de uma forma avassaladora... não fossem eles uma grande aposta da editora Amor Fúria, que cada vez mais tende ser visto pelos ouvintes como uma das pequenas "grandes editoras"!

Agora, sem seguir propriamente um tipo ordem, faço pequenas notas/comentários à setlist que compõem este álbum de estreia.

Conservação dos Pregos é a eleita para abrir as hostes e fá-lo em grande estilo! Não consta de forma alguma no meu top deste projecto, mas isso serve apenas como indicador da qualidade do disco, feito com arte e engenho nos confins de Évora!

Saltamos Quem Quer (um cruzamento de Strokes e Ramones) e chegamos a Deixa-me Dançar, tema este que tão somente se arrisca a ser a minha "música oficial do Verão 2011". Com um refrão que facilmente fica na retina, passando pela ressonância das guitarras que faz bater o pé e dançar (um pouco como o titulo sugere)... é caso para dizer (de pulmão aberto e com convicção) "Deixa-me Dançar"! Se algum tipo de inércia e desalento existe, Quica e companhia certificam-se de acabar com isso (sem qualquer tipo de moderação) apenas com os primeiros acordes... 

E então se chega o refrão a sala pega fogo!

Há que também falar sobre as que sobreviveram a transição do EP para o disco ... Era Moderna e Foi Assim Que as Coisas Ficaram. Ambas sofreram alterações nos arranjos, na produção... não deixando de perder a sua essência original é certo, mas passando a ter diferenças perceptíveis ao ouvido. Mesmo o Tempo dos Passeios, que nos tinha sido apresentado em tempos no MySpace da banda, passou por essa transformação!

Inicialmente céptico se estariam a fazer a opção certa, escutei com curiosidade (e algum medo à mistura) apenas para chegar à conclusão que se há mudanças acertadas, há outras que com alguma pena vejo acontecer (assim de repente a que me vem agora à cabeça é o inicio original de Foi Assim Que as Coisas Ficaram com as segundas vozes que na minha opinião assentava lindamente). Obstante disso, são músicas fortíssimas, principalmente Tempo dos Passeios que saliento como sendo "A" grande malha desta compilação.

À Minha Alma é um exemplo perfeito na forma como as palavras são conjugadas em jeito de poesia ao melhor estilo Lusitano, ainda que abdicando do arcaico para ser adaptado aos dias correntes. E quando as vozes dos restantes elementos se elevam para acompanhar o vocalista, sentimos uma manifestação, ou melhor, um desabafo sentido que quase fazemos dele nosso!

Controlo e Contrição é insípido! Não me diz rigorosamente nada até sensivelmente os 2.12, momento este em que começa um instrumental em modo crescente que felizmente antagoniza o que para trás ficou!

Senhora do Monte é um tema fundamental de ser abordado porque afinal de contas, é o single de apresentação e o primeiro teledisco (belíssimo diga-se) da coqueluche portuguesa. Tema condecorado com um instrumental inacreditável, confesso que não fiquei imediatamente rendido ao refrão! É daqueles casos em que aprendi a gostar há terceira ou quarta "escutadela". Inesperadamente e talvez de forma abrupta, senti uma mudança se abater sobre mim, tal foi a forma efusiva e descontrolada com que comecei a repetir sucessivamente (e num ritmo frenético): Senhora do Monte!

Por fim, quero salientar Maria Diz!

No inicio passei por algumas dificuldades em gostar do tema de encerramento deste álbum homónimo... E isto acontece quando tudo indicava o contrário, pois os primeiros minutos absorveram-me completamente e numa demonstração de êxtase emocional, senti cada palavra proferida com intensidade! O meu problema foi ter "chocado" com a recta final que sinceramente deixou a desejar na altura em que a estreei no meu iPod!

Suponho que me tenha levado mais tempo a apreciar totalmente, mas certo e sabido (como muitos amigos me avisaram) acabei por me apaixonar, apesar de ser da opinião que a distorção da guitarra perto do fim ofusca em demasia a voz, que com os gritos (quase em desespero) tende ficar cada vez mais difícil de se ouvir com a aproximação do final. Contudo, isto não lhe retira qualquer tipo de mérito sendo facilmente (e compreensivelmente) o tema mais arrebatador para muitos!
Adoro a paixão com que Kika se entrega à letra, sendo esta aquela que considero ser inquestionavelmente a mais densa, profunda e sincera!

Quinta-Feira à noite é no Rossio... Sábado é no Rio... Eu não tenho frio... 
...
Deixa-me Dançar...
Tu não sabes o que queres...
Deixa-me Dançar...

Chegou o tempo dos passeios, quatro da manhã... noites sem dormir, sem querer dormir...
  O tempo das palavras, vinte primaveras, corram as panteras...

Se eu te pergunto quanto custa não morrer... A conversa é outra, a conversa é outra...

A vida inteira... o que é que queres fazer? A conversa é outra, a conversa é outra...

In The Sun

by: Michael Stipe and Chris Martin
(original by Joseph Arthur)

I pictured you in the sun wondering what went wrong
And falling down on your knees asking for sympathy
And being caught in between all you wish for and all you seen
And trying to find anything you can feel that you can believe in

May God's love be with you
Always....
May God's love be with you

I know i would apologize if i could see your eyes
'Cause when you showed me myself, you know, i became someone else
But i was caught in between all you wish for and all you need
I pictured you fast asleep
A nightmare comes
You can't keep awake

May God's love be with you
Always...
May God's love be with you
Always...
May God's love be with you
Always...
May God's love be with you

'Cause if i find
If i find my own way
How much will i find
If i find
If i find my own way
How much will i find
If i find
If i find my own way
How much will i find
You...
You...
I'll find you
You...

I don't know anymore
What it's for
I'm not even sure
If there is anyone who is in the sun
Will you help me to understand
'Cause i been caught in between all I wish for and all I need
Maybe you're not even sure what it's for
Any more than me

May God's love be with you
Always...
May God's love be with you
Always...
May God's love be with you
Always...
May God's love be with you

'Cause if i find
If i find my own way
How much will i find
If i find
If i find my own way
How much will i find
If i find
If i find my own way
How much will i find
If i find
If i find my own way
How much will i find
You...
You...
I'll find you
You...
I'll find you
You...
I'll find you
You...

SBSR 2011

Opposite to what I did last year when I went to the Festival, this time I won't extend myself by describing favourite gigs or moments... I won't make a full stat review of the 17th edition of SuperBock Super Rock.

I will just say this... 

Even though it was poorly organized (seems like the people behind this event haven't learned from mistakes made in the past), it was a lot of  fun! Was great to see a lot of familiar faces (missed so many of you guys) and also to meet a lot of new people! Fortunately enough we were living in great style, considering that we were camping in one of the worst possible places. Eating dust was becoming a typical meal, showers and bathrooms were nothing shorter than poor, bad car access, one ATM available... and the list goes on! In a nutshell: It lacked suitable conditions for our day-to-day basic needs!

Nonetheless we made the best of what we had and also what we eventually arranged for us that made those three days seem like a sort of "resort vacation".

In terms of music, I have to admit I didn't take full advantage of the excellent bands that were stored for us! Shame on me for being lazy and for settling in for good meals and conversations while groups such as Paus or Junip were playing. 

But still, can't really complain after watching groups in the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Beirut, Arcade Fire, The Walkmen, Tame Impala, Slash, The Strokes or Elbow.

Arcade Fire stood out has the best from all of the three days. They gave a hell of a show, demonstrating a great deal of intensity and team work while also giving away to the audience that they had a lot of fun on stage. Too bad they didn't save No Cars Go for last, being this my favourite track and all...

Walkmen (already had the chance to see them live a few months ago), Beirut and Tame Impala also made a very good impression...

On a negative side... The Strokes played for 1h10m without an encore or at least addressing the audience before leaving! A bit to short for a main stage group, who's not only closing the stage for the day but also has a bigger responsibility towards the crowd. Plus, I think that Mister Casablancas owed us from last year's SBSR where he only acted for 30 minutes due to stomach illness. Anyway, it was still awesome to hear a lot of good tracks live for the first time... It could have been possibly been my favourite gig if not for the disappointing ending! Being aware that I might be a little harsh with my words, let me make it clear that even in those circumstances they still rocked! And yes, they make my top 5 chart of this years SBSR!

(Here's just a glimpse of how it was like)

Slash shows no identity of his own! I know most people wanted to hear some of the old Guns and Roses hits... but that time is long gone and with so many solo albums, it would be expected of him to introduce more of his own work than some of the tracks that Axl Rose was heavily involved with!

Oh... last but not least... The Kooks! In my opinion I find them to be cheesy, dull and very commercial! Having a few good tracks doesn't compensate for the fact that they have no strong points that make the band enjoy the success they have today!

All and all, adding this to the previous festival I attended (Optimus Alive) I can only say...

It's great to be back!

Até ao meu regresso

ou Until my return se preferirem!

Hora do Bolo: Part 2

This Saturday at 17h, yours truly goes back to Radar for another "Hora do Bolo"!

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, it's basically a radio segment in which the listener gets to go the studio and record a one hour session, where he can speak his mind and choose a set-list of his own!

You can either tune in 97.8 on your radio (if you are in Portugal that is) or visit their website and click on "Emissão Online"for the live stream! If you miss it, no worries! It's back on Sunday (17h) and Monday (00h).

Portamento: Coming Soon

Seems the wait is almost over and that The Drums second album is coming in September!

Check out their first single: Money

The Drums - Money by WorkItMedia

The first poster "Rises"

The Dark Knight Rises

Loving You is Killing Me

by: Aloe Blacc

Taken for A Fool

by: The Strokes

Their new clip has just come out and even thought its not great, the track is amazing!
(one of my favourites from the album)

I WAS THERE...

... AND IT WAS LEGENDARY!!

The Look

by: Metronomy

Simply Simple

by: Mother Mother

Splitscreen: A Love Story

Winner of the Nokia Shorts competition 2011
(Shot entirely with a N80)

Splitscreen: A Love Story from JW Griffiths on Vimeo.


Jim Morrison ...

Today marks the 40 year anniversary of Jim Morrison's death!

One of the most iconic and greatest singers of all time, Morrison is remembered first and foremost for being leader of The Doors, something that he always did in great fashion!

His legacy still lives on and it will always be refered as one of the most influential characters in the rock n roll scenario. 

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MasterChef Spoof

Hilarious!

Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest - Coming Soon

New York actor Michael Rapaport decided to join A Tribe Called Quest in their comeback tour back in 2008 and turn it into a documentary. Being a huge fan of the legendary hip-hop group himself, it seemed a good opportunity to register their crusade back into stages, while struggling with ego conflicts, creative differences and other personal issues.

Through Rapaport’s lens and with testimonies from the likes of De La Soul members, Busta Rhymes or The Jungle Brothers, we witness the sort of impact and influence ATCQ had back in the day in 1985, coming up to our present day.

For not only hip-hop fans, but music all around, band members Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi White are regarded as key players in one of the biggest and most successful groups in the history of Hip-Hop, being pioneers in a whole new genre that fused hip-hop and jazz, for ever revolutionizing the music culture worldwide.

I personally think that there isn’t a great debate in terms of their status: One of the best of all time! And forget the fact they are one of my personal favourites… Anybody who is anybody will tell you “Quest is colossal”! If you don’t know that much about them, then I would recommend you to take a look at the upcoming documentary Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest (2011). Even though I haven’t seen it, it promises to give great insight of what that band was in the mid eighties and early 90, coming up to their comeback.

Meanwhile, funnily enough, right before I was aware of this “backstage documentary” I’d just hooked up with their The Anthology album. A compilation consisting of their best tracks throughout the years, such as: Scenario, Check The Rhime, Can I Kick It, Stressed Out or Vivrant Thing.

So take my advice… hear as much as you can and try having a sense of what they represent as a cultural icon!