Mini Interview with Richie Blanke
29 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Interviews Tags: Area, artists, Bay, Black Owned Business, Community, Oakland, Organic Teas, support
Richie Blanke: Creator of Blank Tea Interview 2012
Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? and if not, how long have you lived in the Bay? Richie: Yes, I’m a Bay Area native…of the suckafree city of gold (SF).
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on? Richie: Right, after the Y2K lol
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration? Richie: My inspiration comes from watching classic movies, reading classic books all creative angels, and lovely people.
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased? Richie: I first piece of vinyl I purchased was Michael Jackson’s I’m Bad album at a thrift record shop on a Sunday afternoon, really lol and I still own the record to this day!
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? a joke/quote? Richie: I would like to leave a quote: “Give back goodness to this earth which you walk on daily…and positivity will follow you, forever!”
http://www.facebook.com/#!/blankteajoint
Mini Interview with Dedan Anderson
29 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Interviews Tags: Activist, Area, artists, Bay, Community, DJ, House Music, movement, Oakland, support, Underground
photo by Dori Camino
Dedan Anderson: Turntablist Interview 2012
Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? and if not, how long have you lived in the Bay? Dedan: I’ve been in the Bay since 1988, i’m originally from Harlem, NYC and I came out here to go to UC Berkeley.
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on? Dedan: I’ve been enamored by the night life probably since I was about 16 back in NY. Before I DJ’d I was a dancer and a heavy club goer. My love of dancing and battling took me all over NY at that time and to all different types of parties and night clubs including YMCA (on 135th), Rooftop, Union Square, Latin Quarters and later the Choice, Sound Factory, Red Zone, Save The Robots, Nells, the World, Mars (RIP Beasley!), the Tunnel, House Nation and many more… It would probably take a whole book to describe the influence these clubs had on me, some of these clubs were mainly hip hop, some were mixed and some played what is now called house music – so my music palate was very broad by the time I came to Berkeley.
I was probably a bit spoiled lol. The musical diversity I missed and eventually I started buying music to make up for it, which ultimately lead to me sharing this music with other folks as a DJ.
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration? Dedan: As mentioned in Q#2 major early inspiration came from the clubs and the dj’s that molded my music taste; djs such as ez-rock (Yes rob base’s dj was brutal!), clark kent, red alert, brucie b, dj duke of denmark, mixmaster miriam, franky knuckles, tony humphries (who preaches the gospel of breaking records – amen!) plus many more that had me groovin’ so much i never bothered to know who they were.
Nowadays my greatest inspirations are from the creators of today’s underground dance music (AKA HOUSE!) and dj’s such as David Harness, Patrick Wilson, Dj Rob Rhythm, Wazir, Cecil and Cali, DJ Hanif, Spinna, Osunlade, and Frankie Feliciano.. the list goes on and on and I’m sure I missed some folks!
And ultimately I’m inspired by my original Brothers & Sisters dj partner Dj Daniela, my current partner Dj Emancipacion and the dancers and music lovers that react positively (or negatively) to the music we share.
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased? Dedan: So long ago, I’m sure I bought some new york, new york song (that one that goes “start spreading the news” lol!) when I was a kid, as well as ohio player’s fire for some reason but I’d say my first REAL purchase was eric b and rakim paid in full import mix, the one that goes “this is a jounery into time.” (I think that was by coldcut) Being an import it was pricey, I bought it at Rock and Soul with my school buddy and we split the cost. I think he still got the record though (hmm how’d that happen!?).
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? a joke/quote?
Dedan: Peace to Dori & the Great Nandini! And… we will be starting Brothers & Sisters back up so keep an eye out for us. Join our group at: http://www.facebook.com/groups/clubbrothersandsisters/
Resist!
2012 Vending with Safety1st & TuffGyal 808
21 Feb 2012 1 Comment
in Community Blogs, Gallery Tags: Activist, Area, artists, Bay, Community, movement, Oakland, Painter, Photographer, support
Femme Arts Collective monthly Pop-up shop, Flowers Building
Extended Play event hosted by Bananas Inc, Bench & Bar
ThePeople event, New Parish
Deeper Side of Soul event, La Estrellita
~and we thank you for your support…
Mini Interview with Esther Manilla
21 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Interviews Tags: Activist, Area, Bay, Community, DJ, Music, news, Producer, Radio, support, women
photo by Julio Duffoo
Esther Manilla: Radio Producer Interview 2012
Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? and if not, how long have you lived in the Bay? Esther: I’m from LA, Whittier to be exact but been calling the Bay home for almost 10 years.
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on? Esther: It might have started during the late night drives with my dad when I was a kid, he used to listen to AM talk radio, the ol school kind when it used to feature radio drama, stories with characters acting out parts and these crazy sound effects. I used to love listening to those stories, I found it amazing that somewhere, someone was making and creating these stories and to be able to tune in at the right frequency and you could be a part of that experience. I think I might have been the only kid listening to AM radio back then. My love for radio progressed as I grew older, I stumbled across a radio station that inspired me on the daily, KPFK and I was so blown away by all that I was learning, they put a call for volunteers one day and I responded and literally was offered a job on the spot. I was further inspired when I learned of its incredible history and was surrounded by this amazing pool of people who were so passionate, walking advocates of this and that cause- it put me on this trajectory of utilizing radio to make a difference, to instill awareness, creativity, and humanity, and I haven’t left.
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration? Esther: Lately, I’ve been finding a lot of my inspiration in Oakland- the Bay Area has some of the most passionate people around, ever-provocative & ever-creative, to be around that energy is contagious. I also find it in the affection found in its streets to the music that surrounds us daily.
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased? Esther: It was the soundtrack to E.T, the extraterrestial…it came in this beautiful box set that contained the audio version of the story narrated by Michael Jackson and the soundtrack to the movie. It also had these dope pictures of Michael Jackson and E.T. circa 1980’s. I loved it and took such care of that thing. Which reminds me, I need to find it!
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? a joke/quote? Esther: I’ve always been a big fan of Ani Difranco- so it seems fitting to quote her,
“Because the world owes us nothing and we owe each other the world. ”
www.radioproject.org
Former producer of KPFA’s Morning Show, Esther’s work has been heard on Making Contact, Pacifica Radio, NPR and other affiliates.
http://www.radioproject.org/2011/08/remixing-revolution-art-music-and-politics/
http://www.radioproject.org/2011/09/bees-the-threatened-link-in-food-security/
Mini Interview with Amy Nabong
21 Feb 2012 1 Comment
in Interviews Tags: Amy, Area, artists, Bay, Community, Music, Nabong, promoter, Soul Music, support, Support Bay Area Hip Hop, TuffGyal 808 photography, women
photo by Danny King
Amy Nabong: Party Maker/Promoter, Co-CEO of Bananas Inc Interview 2012 (here with Jen Martinez & Malia)
Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? and if not, how long have you lived in the Bay? Amy: Yes, I am native to the East Bay. Seems like a rarity these days. I was born at home in Berkeley on Berkeley Way and Grove (now MLK). Raised in the Rich, aka Richmond, California.
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on? Amy: Our first event was named “Soul Tempura” (lol) in 2000. DJs Cali, Cecil and Hanif spinning every Wednesday at Ozumo, SF. This marked the birth of Relevant Sound. I’ve been promoting underground global-soul music ever since.
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration? Amy: L O V E. I love the music. I love my crew. I love the East Bay. It’s an incredible time right here, right now. So many beautiful folks 100% invested in making (((where we live some place we want to be))). It’s truly incredible. Blessings around every corner.
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased? Amy: I was 6 years old. I remember this well because my brother was a DJ and was always trying influence my purchases … so that he could snag my 45’s for himself! My first vinyl purchase of my very own consisted of four 45’s: “Lies” by the Thompson Twins, “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth, “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye and “I Like It” by DeBarge. back then I listened to my records on my Mickey Mouse record player that I could close up and carry around with me. Mickey’s glove was the needle. Pretty cool. Much cooler than my current portable turntable 
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? a joke/quote?
Amy: PLEASE SUPPORT THE LOCAL BEAUTY!
*Buy ART from local artists!
*Buy RECORDS from your local record store!
*Support your local MUSICIAN!
*Support your local DEEJAY!
Let’s keep it movin’ everybody.
One love, amy nabong
www.thepeopleoakland.com
http://cali.podomatic.com/
http://www.djcecil.com/music.html
Support Bay Area Music: PepLove
20 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Videos Tags: Area, artists, Bay, Hieroglyphics, HipHop, Oakland, Pep Love, support
Mini Interview with Joanne Ludwig
07 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Interviews Tags: Area, artists, Bay, Community, Muralist, support, Visual, women
Joanne Ludwig: Visual Artist Interview 2012
Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? Joanne: I’ve been back in the Bay since 6 grade. My father was in the Army so I grew up in the Presidio but moved to Colorado and then Hawaii for a short while. I went to Jefferson High in Daly City and finished my senior year in Milpitas.
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on? Joanne: Frida Kahlo, The Biography by Hayden Herrera, along with the work of painter Georgia O’Keefe first turned me on to art. However, the first person whom I met that inspired me to paint was friend Momar Clemens. Before meeting him, I didn’t know you could go to College to paint. Instead, I was concentrating on humanities, writing and athletics. A big fan of Rage Against the Machine, I spent my time talking to the Socialist from the Revoluntary Bookstore – while he was hanging out in the Art Department. Finally I took a painting class at Chabot College then went on to study at Laney during the “Laney Renaissance of 98” when everybody wanted to be Jean Michael Basquiat.
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration? Joanne: I try to find new inspiration in my life experiences and personal growth. I look to ancient and spiritual art, nature, martial arts, weaponry, reading or watching heroic stories, and the creative process inspires me – especially transforming the material or experimenting with technique.
Most recently my artwork addresses women roles – from empowerment to responsibility but also the limitations we have within our traditional roles. The creative process has been self-revealing for me but I try to maintain a sacredness or mystery in the work I produce.
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased? Joanne: When I was old enough to buy my first stereo – I ran to get Roger and Zapp’s – I Wanna Be Your Man (along with Cover Girls, Debbie Gibson and Tiffany) Yeah LOL! But it worked for my hot dance routines!
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? A joke/quote? Joanne: Why talk when you can dance. Hit it Malia! Zapp & Roger: I wanna be your Man
http://joanneludwig.tumblr.com/
Mini Interview with Gracie Ginian
04 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Interviews Tags: Area, artists, Bay, Community, Ginian, Gracie, jewelry designer, Seamstress, support, TuffGyal 808 photography, women
“Flowers Building” by TuffGyal 808
Gracie Ginian: Jewelry maker, Seamstress Interview 2012
Q#1: Are you a Bay Area Native? and if not, how long have you lived in the Bay? Gracie: I am not native to the Bay, but would visit a few times a year for work ( sewing and art installations) before I moved here 3 years ago.
Q#2: When did you start on the creative path you are currently on? Gracie: I’ve been crafting since I was a child.. at six I would make jewelry out of things I would find (bottle caps, barbie toys, twistie ties, ect.). By the age of 10 my mother gave me her first sewing machine (an old singer from the 1950 ‘s) and I’ve been sewing ever since… going on 12 years now.
Q#3: Where do you find your inspiration? Gracie: Inspiration for me is everywhere, in the streets, in nature, people I see, music, friends, youth. My fashion is inspired by pieces of culture from all over the world, my heritage, hip hop, traveling and art.
Q#4: What was the first piece of vinyl you ever purchased? Gracie: I don’t remember, but it evenually turned into an artpeice 
Q#5: Anything else you’d like to share? a joke/quote? Gracie: live your dreams, love yourself, express your creativity, laugh, dance and be yourself!
http://facebook.com/gracieginian
Malia Connor Interviewed on Hard Knock Radio
03 Feb 2012 Leave a Comment
in Community Blogs Tags: malia, movement, support, artists, Bay, Area, Community, KPFA, Hard Knock Radio, 94.1, Anita Johnson
For our upcoming 20th Anniversary shows in April, I was invited onto Hard Knock Radio by Anita Johnson…
