THE SOUND OF THE WORLD RIGHT NOW APRIL 2014
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#HTAF2014
photo: Luis Olazabal
SCHEDULE Launch Party Wednesday April 2nd • 10PM Blackbird Ordinary, Miami Live sets by Eagle Chief and Hunters of the Alps
Friday April 4th • 6PM - 11PM North Beach Bandshell, Miami Beach 6PM: Mobile Micro Theater and Carioca Capoeira 7PM: Afrobeta 8PM: Esteman* 9:30PM: Astro* Saturday April 5th • 6PM - 11PM North Beach Bandshell, Miami Beach 6PM: Mobile Micro Theater and Capoeira Abolição 7PM: Tremends 8PM: Courtney John Project* 9:30PM: Bombino* *Florida debut
The Bandshell also features: • MIMO Market Pop-Up Shop • GroundUp Collective Pop-Up Shop • Live paintings by muralists from MLK Community Mural Project • Allove Tree: Organic fair-trade tea and other eco-conscious products including electricity-generating bikes (Friday) • Raffle to win a new “Gucci” Fiat 500 from FIAT of North Miami • More TuneIn all weekend to WynwoodRadio.com for live streaming and TransAtlantic radio specials
After show party on Friday and Saturday at Sandbar Lounge, Miami Beach with DJ Fabio Soul
TransAtlanticFestival.com
ASTRO North Beach Bandshell, Friday The Chilean electro-band‘s hype generates an amalgam of high expectations: “Imagine 1990's Axl Rose's singing …coupled with fierce synth sounds and drums you might find on any NIN record,” KCRW reviewers claim. “Café Tacvba reprogrammed by Animal Collective and MGMT,” gushes the New York Times. Fans fall sway to the blissful curiosity of the four-man group who formed in Chile in 2008. In a short time, Astro's sparkly synthesizer tones and infectious joy became huge in Chile and across Latin America, as the band headlined stages like Lollapalooza Chile and Colombia's massive Rock al Parque. They began recording for Nacional Records in 2012, and created a sensation at showcases at SXSW and LAMC, along with a visit to Barcelona's legendary Primavera Festival last June. While the band finds their frequent comparison to MGMT flattering, they would generally describe themselves a bit differently. Daniel Varas, who plays keyboard and percussion, says he'd best explain Astro's sound as “experimental pop, rock, and psychedelia.” Some recent highlights include being named one of the Best Latin Alternative Songs of 2013 by MTV Iggy, and year-end shout-outs from KCRW and NPR. They won the 2013 Discover Award at last July's Latin Alternative Music Conference in New York, and their hit Panda was included on the 2013 Fifa game compilation. http://AstroAstroAstro.com Photo: Camilo Bustos
BOMBINO North Beach Bandshell, Saturday The incantatory grooves of Omara “Bombino” Moctar's guitar will be hypnotic; the lyrics reflective, and the crowds drenched in sweat from dancing. The Tuareg guitar sensation is touring the US. In addition to this headline spot at Heineken TransAtlantic Festival in Miami Beach, Bombino will visit Coachella, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and other major spring music festivals. Bombino was born in 1980 in Niger's Sahara Desert to family of Tuaregs. The nomadic tribe is known as a people of grace and nobility as well as fighters of fierce reputation, descended from the Berbers of North Africa, fighting for centuries against colonialism and the imposition of strict Islamic rule. The Tuareg rebellions of North Africa have shaped Bombino's life and music.
Photo: Tom Leentjes
During one exile in Algeria in 1980, he began to play guitar, plucking out imitations of the rebel ishoumar tunes. Here began his love of music. By connection and coincidence, Tuareg music sounds much like mirrors American blues. Bombino soaked up videos of Jimi Hendrix and other guitar heroes, and practiced his guitar during the long hours he worked as a shepherd in the desert outside Tripoli. His talent and fame grew, and he became a popular musician across North Africa, giving voice to his people's yearning for peace and defense of their rich cultural heritage. Bombino's music came to the attention of Western producers, most recently Grammy Award-winning Producer of the Year Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Their 2013 collaboration for Nonesuch Records Nomad was named “Best Of the Year” on countless lists including Rolling Stone, NPR Music and the CBC. “Workingsman's Dead - if it'd been made in the Sahara desert,” claimed the Rolling Stone year-end review. http://BombinoMusic.com
ESTEMAN North Beach Bandshell, Friday Before he became an actual viral video sensation, Colombia's Esteban Mateus had already created his pop star persona, Esteman. The former “musical theatre geek” from Bogotá and performance artist from Bogotá was catapulted to internet fame with his 2009 hit “No te metas a mi Facebook” (Don't Hack Into My Facebook), a catchy and ironic song about internet mischief. In 2012 he released his first album, 1er Acto (First Act), whose quirky and fun-filled music mixes boleros, '50s American pop, rockabilly, country-western, and tropical sounds. His innovative collaborations, love of electronic synth, addictive melodies and authentic lyrics have spawned numerous hits and helped the young star redefine the sound of Latin pop music. http://Esteman.com
THE COURTNEY JOHN PROJECT North Beach Bandshell, Saturday Jamaican reggae meets EDM in the music of this brilliant new group from Kingston. Singer and composer Courtney John is known for 'lovers rock' melodies. Here, he collaborates with Natassja “The Wizard” Hammond, a young Jamaican producer from the world of dance music. “One part Kingston Mashup, one part Euro-electronica,” gives birth to a new sound the band calls rootstronic, as dubstep complements classic dub. The next generation is bringing sweet reggae music into exciting new directions. http://TheCourtneyJohnProject.com
AFROBETA North Beach Bandshell, Friday Miami's avant-dance duo Afrobeta (Cuci Amador and Smurphio) have been tearing up dancefloors in their hometown since 2006, with Miami New Times even naming them Best Band in 2010. Cuci and Smurphio's mutual love of classic songwriting, Cuban pastries and dancing till 5am inspired them to begin making music together. Afrobeta's unique sound comes from Cuci's rapid-fire deli ery, combined with Smurphio's funky synths and head bo ping basslines. Afrobeta has taken their joyous beats and dazzling live shows across the nation and abroad, including high-profile performances at the 40th Anniversary Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, Burning Man, Fall Fashion week in New York, Ultra Brazil, Space Ibiza and the Ultra Music Festival, and more. http://Afrobeta.com
TREMENDS North Beach Bandshell, Saturday Tremends was formed in Miami by Alejo Rozas (drum/vocals) in 2011. Rozas was joined by his brother Juan (guitar/lead vocal) and Alex Posada (bass/vocals) in 2012. The influence of the band’s Argentine roots, and their love of great rock music is sewn through their music and bilingual lyrics, a natural expression of a gritty sound. The band’s popularity has grown significantly, as they have performed alongside other local and national bands at some of Miami’s top venues - Bardot Miami, Electric Pickle, Blackbird Ordinary, and The Stage. http://facebook.com/thetremends
EAGLE CHIEF Launch party at Blackbird Ordinary, Wednesday Eagle Chief, formerly known as Arboles Libres, was formed five years ago by three best friends - Nacho Landono (bass/ vocals), Alejandro XX (drums), and Eddie Moreno (guitar/ vocals). Last year, the trio formally announced that Arboles Libres, the alternative latin rock back was no more. Leaving all expectatons behind, they were reborn as Eagle Chief, and creating from the ashes a louder, heavier sound with English lyrics. Currently, the band is working on recording their first EP as Eagle Chief, and preparing to hit the road for a mini tour. http://facebook.com/eaglechiefmusic
HUNTERS OF THE ALPS
Launch party at Blackbird Ordinary, Wednesday Singer/songwriter Mario Giancarlo and multi-instrumentalist Jorge Velásquez, as Hunters of the Alps, are electro-tinged mainstays of the Miami indie scene. They describe their music as moody, electro body-moving darkrock pop, with stretches of mood building synths anchored by mid and up tempo beats. Well-versed in music production, the synergy between the two is evident in their catchy melodies, danceable grooves, and heartfelt lyrics. Hunters of the Alps is currently prepping songs for an EP release. http://HuntersOfTheAlps.com
DJ FABIO SOUL After show parties at Sandbar Lounge, Friday and Saturday Carioco (born in Rio de Janeiro), Fabio Soul began his career in the early 90's at Brazil’s top clubs. Looking for new challenges, he moved to New York City in 1996 and launched some of the City’s best Brazilian parties. Based in Miami since 2010, his signature mix of funk, soul and classic Brazilian grooves, with a taste of favela-house, have kept crowds happy and dancing.
HEINEKEN TRANSATLANTIC FESTIVAL “….The Heineken TransAtlantic Festival features unpredictable rhythms and beats from around the globe…..transforming Miami into the ultimate musical melting pot.” - The Huffington Post The 12th Heineken TransAtlantic Festival brings the focus of modern world music back to the true center of the Atlantic rim - Miami. International innovators and the cool locally-based bands offer up the sound of the world right now. The Heineken TransAtlantic Festival, named Best Festival by New Times' Best of Miami, explores new world music from the Atlantic rim. The focus is on those artists whose sounds move across oceans and cultures in the beautiful collision between traditional and electronic music. The series also pays tribute to Miami as a true TransAtlantic capital, a crossroads for the Americas, Europe and Africa. The Festival began in 2003 at the North Beach Bandshell, and other area venues. Highlights have included shows by Chambao, Bajofondo, Nouvelle Vague, Yerba Buena, Sidestepper, Bossacucanova, Seu Jorge, Céu, Tinariwen, Budos Band, Curumin, Bonde de Role, Jose Gonzalez, Zero 7, Bomba Estereo, Medeski Martin and Wood, Prefuse 73, Antibalas and so many others.
Some links: Festival blog with interviews, music samples, more 12th Heineken TransAtlantic Festival Youtube Playlist Heineken TransAtlantic Festival photo page archives
photo: Luis Olazabal
photo :UrbanResource.com
THE NORTH BEACH BANDSHELL The North Beach Bandshell is an important and beloved work of Mid-Century Miami Modern (MiMo) architecture., designed by renowned local architect Norman Giller in 1961. In its original heyday, the unique structure hosted big band dance parties, roller skate nights, and various community events - even tapings of the nationally-broadcast Mike Douglas Show. The Bandshell is owned by the City of Miami Beach, and operated by the Parks Department. It closed for much needed renovations in 2010. The North Beach Bandshell Trust, the City of Miami Beach Mayor & Commission, Capital Improvements Projects Department, Parks & Recreations Department, Planning Department, and Unidad all worked diligently to restore this unique venue on time, so that it could once again be an asset to the residents and visitors of North Beach. The updates were seamlessly integrated into the classic architectural style, but included increased production capabilities, an expanded stage, a new backstage area, and new lighting equipment. Residents now look forward to the re-opening of the adjacent Community Center. Exciting programs are in the works for the iconic Miami Beach venue, which continues to delight attendees with its beautiful oceanfront ocean-air setting, in the heart of charming North Beach. Some restaurants and bars close to the Bandshell you might enjoy visiting: Mixtura Peruvian Restaurant (7118 Collins Avenue) Moises Bakery (7310 Collins Avenue) Buenos Aires Bakery (7134 Collins Avenue) George’s Restaurant (300 - 72nd Street) Manolo’s (7300 Collins Avenue) El Rancho Grande (314 - 72nd Street) Lou’s Beer Garden (7337 Harding) Sazon Cuban Restaurant (7305 Collins Avenue) Little Brazil Restaurant (6984 Collins Avenue) Cafe Prima Pasta (414 = 71st Street) Norman’s American Bar & Grill (6720 Collins Avenue) And of course the Sandbar Lounge, hosting the official After Show Parties! (6752 Collins Avenue)
RHYTHM FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013-2014 Ricardo Taño Feijóo, President James Quinlan, Chair Bianca Moura, Vice President Robert Glick, Treasurer Pedro Menocal, Legal Affairs Katherine Sanoja, Secretary Geane Brito Benice Fidelia
Jorge R. Gutierrez Robert Plessett Dr. Rigoberto Rodriguez Dara Schoenwald Ilan Segal Asa P. Sealy Dean Taha
STAFF Laura Quinlan, Executive Director Adam Ganuza, Producer Angie Bell, Production Coordinator
Gene de Souza, Development Director Karla Arguello, Communications Coordinator
Heineken TransAtlantic Festival Marketing Consultant: Stef Vidal / Tropicult.com Live Streaming is provided by our online radio partner WynwoodRadio.com Video documentation by Curveline Films and IP Agency Rhythm Foundation official photographer: Luis Olazabal
CREDITS The Heineken TransAtlantic Festival receives major funding from Heineken USA. Additional support is received from: FIAT of North Miami Atlantic Broadband Remezcla.com Gummdrops Media Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council The Embassy of Colombia in Washington DC Season support is received from the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; the City of Miami Beach Department of Tourism and Cultural Development, Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Miami Beach Mayor and City Commissioners; and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs Department of State.
Patron Level Members 2013-2014 The Flower Bazaar,Pasha’s Healthy Mediterranean Cuisine, Kaufman Rossin & Co, Novecento Restaurant Group, Piola, Teleswitch, Dr. Rigoberto and Judy Rodriguez, Robert and Mia Glick, Robert and Kathy Plessett, Dara Schoenfeld and Dave Doebler.
Friends Level Members 2013-2014 Luis Amato, Stephanie Ansin and Spencer Stewart, Ed Boen, Geane Brito and Daniel Kron, David Desmond, John Flickinger and Angela Parra, Edmund Geller, Mike Gibaldi, Jorge R Gutierrez, Jacqueline Hea, Esther Kaufman and Daniel De Fasson, Ivonette Leite, Alan and Diane Lieberman, Scott Margol, Shawn Meyer Steele and Iris Reijnen, Jeff and Marci Pearl, Stephen and Seog Soon Pearson, Ilan and Carolina Segal, John Sowell, Brett Steinberg, Laura Swauger, Vanessa Tamariz, John and Carmel Tooney, Daniel Veitia / Urban Resource, Jason and Carrie Weisenfeld.
(305) 672-5202 • RhythmFoundation.com photo: Luis Olazabal