RAGE

With a title like that I can only be talking about one band and that would be Rage Against the Machine. This band would be known when it comes to discussing politics within their lyrics. While sitting around thinking of how I would be able to relate them into the music of the Mexican Culture I began to think how is this possible. Then as I began to look into what music would be related to Zapatista. While after going through my library and searching a few things the song "Zapata's Blood" came up. I found this quite interesting because this would be a band that would be known for their political commentary writing a song about historical events that can be linked to what is happening in the present day. I found this interesting because this band would have quite a large fan base so many people would be getting a hold of this sound and the information that is passed along. I highly recommend taking a listen to this song because it carries very relevant information in regards to what is/was happening. A specific area in the lyrics that would stick out is when they talk about how the PRI needs to not be in power and when it is finally dead the peoples voices will be heard once again.

The link is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B549Gsyzv2I

After watching the documentary, I was very amazed with the power of the media. I thought it was very clever how the teachers used a radio station as their main source of communication and organization. On the other hand it was unbelievable the unreliability of main stream media. I was in Mexico when all this was going on and I had no idea of the seriousness of the situation, because main stream media was in control. I can't wait to see the end of the film and see what happens to the teachers.

I am proud to finally accomplish my first post. So far this class has introduced new ideas into my head. For example, after doing my music report on “Molotov” I started to think about mainstream media. In my opinion there is uneven balance between music that is trying to send a message and music that is trying to sell records. Why is activist music not equally accepted? I feel that after an artist reaches a level of popularity he is not allowed to express his opinion on controversial topics, which brings me back to my point about “Molotov”. They are one of the few bands that I know that have kept their music truth to what they believe, sometimes even gambling their own popularity. As of now, the band has not had a new album in a couple of years, which only makes me wonder if they have been censored for their work.

Aztec instruments

Before I talk about what my post is really about, I came across this guy named Xavier Rudd who is doing some really cool music and just happens to use a few Aztec instruments.

Xavier Rudd:

Is a 26 year old Australian solo artist who combines 'acoustic soul, manic fretwork, rhythmic stomps, exotic percussion, and modernized didgeridoo'. (see link below).
I thought he was a very interesting musician because he uses a few aztec instruments as well as the coolest instrument on the planet (in my opinion): the didgeridoo. He switches between 12 string acoustic and electric guitars, banjos, didgeridoos, slit/Aztec drums, and the Djembe.

As I promised in class, I am posting pictures and descriptions of Aztec Instruments that I didnt include in my presentation about Aztec Dance.

(I know it sounds morbid, but check out the link i provided about the death whistle... it's actually a really cool video).

This is an ayoyote hand maraca. It is made from a carved wooden (or bamboo) shaft and usually contains 12 ayoyote seeds on top.

The maracas they wear on their arms and legs are called coyoleras. They are made from about 50 ayoyote seeds sewn to leather bands.

These are aztec carved whistles. They were made from wood and clay. They sometimes depict sacred animals, and sometimes even people. Some of the ones that look like frogs actually sound like frogs.

There is also something called the "Aztec Whistle of Death". They arent really used in the dances or anything (and dont really have anything to do with our class.... ), but they are really interesting. In Mexico city, scientists found a human skeleton buried in an Aztec temple (devoted to the god of wind) with a clay, skull-shaped whistle in each of his hands. The idea of it was so ominous, that for 15 years after the find no one blew into the whistles. When they finally did in about 2008, the sound they heard was shocking! They said it was a shrill windy shreik that made their spines tingle. they said that if death had a sound, that would be it. Some were used to help the dead find their way to the afterlife, some were used to warfare, some whitsles were used for healing as well (probably not the death-whistle though). For the full article go here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,373702,00.html
To actually hear the whistle of death, and other whistles go here: It kinda sounds like someone screaming. http://video.foxnews.com/v/3908017/aztec-death-whistles

These are Aztec carved drums. The verticle drums are called huehuetl drums. Huehuetl drums are known as a single-headed drum with a round wooden shell. The drum sticks are made from a wooden handle and caribou hide wrapped to make the head. The drums that are played horizontally are called teponaztli. The ones that are played horizontally contain 2 key slits on the top and sides and are made thicker on one side than the other to give two distinct sounds as you tap on each side.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-paXVHdS28E&feature=player_embedded - go here to hear a demonstration of a teponsatli (it's played like a xylophone) This really funny guy is in it.

That's about it. Hope you enjoy the links. I found them pretty interesting, especially because instruments such as these are still being used today, in cultural ceremonies, as well as protests and anti-war peace gatherings.

Santana

Alright guys It's crunch time who knows my latest posts may involve specific songs now. I figured it was about time for me to unveil one of my favorite guitarists. While re-listening to a Carlos Santana album there was a track that was written and performed by Santana along with Willie Nelson. this song was called "Si Se puede". This song was actually written in protest/opposition to what was going on in the time in Arizona in regards to if people were suspected of being an illegal immigrant. Someone would asses the legality of their status.

Look into another song that I found would be closely related to what we have discussed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rleit7YFwIM

Recent tension

While recently reading through different news articles I noticed that the Mexican Senate is angry. The Mexican Senate is angry due to reports linking the United States government with allowing guns to be smuggled across the border. Though this is a safety hazard in itself they were being used within the war on drugs. The Senate has voted to summon the US Ambassador and look further into the issue. More information regarding incident go to
http://www.9wsyr.com/news/world/story/Mexican-Senate-angry-at-reports-US-let-guns-south/xYxCizS26UOUMCAbiOZZzg.cspx

http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/Chicanomovement_part1.htm

This article is very interesting and focuses on a specific period of the chicano movement from 1967 all the way to 2006. On the side of the article there is newspaper clipping and snapshots from the Chicano movement. Check it out

El Teatro Campesino

Wow I didn"t know they had a website. You can follow them on twitter on everything. They have a bio on thier founder Luis Valdez and also they have a 2011 season of shows. Check it out it's very interesting.


www.elteatrocampesino.com