Going For It

This week I’ve got big news.
I left my day job to focus on Van Sounds full time.
I started the show 3 years ago, and have decided that this is what I want to do, so I’m gonna do it.

On this episode I chat with some other musicians who also took the leap and went for it - including Joe Lally (Fugazi), Luciano Valério (Desmonta Records + MNTH), and Saundra Coutinho (Mercenarias + Smack).

Joe Lally (press photo)

Joe Lally (press photo)

Luciano Valério in São Paulo

Luciano Valério in São Paulo

Coffee on the veranda (São Paulo) -- L-R Marcelo Florentino, Saundra Coutinho, Luiza Demoro

Coffee on the veranda (São Paulo) -- L-R Marcelo Florentino, Saundra Coutinho, Luiza Demoro

There, There // Hear, Hear

National Rock is a huge genre in Argentina. And to be honest, when hearing about it for the first time I was expecting British or American Style stadium rock sung in Spanish. But each person I talked to seemed prepared for that assumption. They’d immediately claim - It’s unlike rock from anywhere else.
And sure enough, i think it is.

"NO SE BANCA MAS "

On my last day in the city, I went the military dictatorship museum with a handful of strangers. It was dedicated to the thousands of people, mostly artists, activists and writers, that simply disappeared during the night.

Outside of the museum, I talked to an old woman.
"To really get national rock, she said, you had to experience it, . I’m glad you didn’t, but if you did…" She trailed off.
"It’s like…Standing outside of a concert hall, at 3am, Sweaty, lyrics in your head. they are singing about a world without fear. A place without violence and murder and repression."

It seemed like a far off world, somewhere over there. Somewhere else. Not here.

http://amzn.com/9508770074

http://amzn.com/9508770074

The Loneliest Rap in America

Van Sounds contributor Kent Irwin (howlsroad.com) and I drive to Ely Nevada to interview 2 rappers, and get the feel of the hip hop scene in the middle of nowhere.

Downtown Ely, NV

Downtown Ely, NV

I Interviewed former Sheriff Romero while he played a slot machine in the Hotel Nevada.

I Interviewed former Sheriff Romero while he played a slot machine in the Hotel Nevada.

Asocka, Tupac and Bone in McGill, NV.

Asocka, Tupac and Bone in McGill, NV.

 

Dice #6 (End of the Line)

"Where you coming from...?"

"Where I've been."

"Where else?" - Blue Highways, William Least Heat Moon

"King of the Mountain." 2 hours into a mistaken shortcut. Near Happy Camp, Ca.

"King of the Mountain." 2 hours into a mistaken shortcut. Near Happy Camp, Ca.

"I've never really rolled the dice, as you say." - Mark Lucas, sitting in front of the Lost at Sea Memorial - Trinidad, Ca.

"I've never really rolled the dice, as you say." - Mark Lucas, sitting in front of the Lost at Sea Memorial - Trinidad, Ca.

The Gods poke their heads from the water.

The Gods poke their heads from the water.

I throw the die into the ocean. It washes back to me.

"2," it says. I start to take a picture but the next wave rolls in.

I wait silently; it returns.

"3" it says. I reach into the sand and pick it up. I bring it east, then south - back to the board game it belongs to.

Music:

The incredible edible Porteur

King of the Mountain, Josiah Knight

Scrambled Meggz

Andrew Jansen's new, awesome project, LOUD SUN