Went to see Colin Stetson who did a concert for like 140 people in a tiny lutheran church in the smallest city of Latvia. Here's how the church looks -



This was the single most powerful musical experience I've ever had. The audience left shell shocked with spaced out looks in their eyes. Met with Stetson who basically had a meet and greet with everyone after the concert. One of the most humble of men I've ever met, a complete contrast to his playing style. They were selling LP's for like 40 bucks a pop and I mentioned him that I don't like listening to his music from a vinyl record because the intense subsonic content induces feedback on the turntable. We both had a bit of a laugh about that.

Church acoustics and live instruments complement each other. Just imagine what a harp or an organ can do. Before Metal was invented, the church organ produced and still produces a sound and experience so imposing that silence feels different and slow.

Karma To Burn at the Underworld Camden Town London

<a href="../../external.html?link=https://www.youtube.com/v/De-zrgA3o0g" target="_blank" class="new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/De-zrgA3o0g</a>

supporting...
 - SONS OF MERRICK
 – DESERT STORM
 – SONS OF ALPHA CENTAURI


Karma To Burn are one of theses rare beasts in contemporary rock. First, they don't have a lead singer, despite record labels trying to force them to fit in. There are about a couple of track in their entire canon that has vocals and one of those features John Garcia.

Despite that their sound doesn't sound like a rock track sans vocal. They develop these great grooves and licks that would almost be spoilt with a vocal tagged on.

Although I've been a fan for a while this was my first opportunity to see them live and boy did they not disappoint. The Underworld is what you would call 'intimate'. I was about twenty feet from the stage and later I got a chance to say thanks to the band. The bassist said "Yeah, I saw you enjoying yourself". I'm not difficult to spot in a rock gig, but they were interacting with the audience and obviously enjoying themselves which added to the vibe.

I don't know if it's rare, but it's a really nice feeling to leave a gig thinking if they were playing next week I'd go again.

A special mention to one of the supports Desert Storm. For a group from Oxford they held their own.

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Yesterday I was at Eindbaas Amsterdam. 8-bit music and chip-tune artists with laptops, sources and modified game-boys. The pre-party was great. There was also a main party.

There are some very talented artists out there. Think of Popsicle Theory, Carf Darko and Bit Shifter.

Just got back from Englebert Humperdink's concert.  Took him 3-4 songs to loosen up but he can still belt it out at 78 years old.  The last clip gives you an idea. 

Yes, that was a very big loss and a great shock to us all --- and I wasn't even a great fan. I think he actually died from a lung infection; he had just had a liver transplant.

Was the concert by Chitraveena Ravikiran?

Yesterday evening I attended a Jalatharangam concert by this artist. I think he is the only one playing Carnatic music on this instrument, which is basically ceramic bowls filled with water to give the required pitch



I've seen him three or four times. I might even have been at the above featured performance, not sure.

I went to a carnatic vocal concert this afternoon too, but I could not empty my head of clutter and concentrate on the music. I hate it when that happens.



It was a live webcast, I don't know how long it is going to remain on YouTube. You can even see my feet in the video!