Muslims & hate crimes in Amerikkka

Thanks Anida for your conscious video and message.

Timeless screening coming to LA, May 1st!

Seems like its been a whirlwind the last eighteen months at Mochilla. And as of today we are proud to announce that finally the 3 DVD Box Set exists and is being unleashed on the planet. It’s taken a lot of monumental efforts from a lot of people. Let me begin by giving thanks to all who helped, advised, supported, promoted, blogged, twitted, facebooked and then go on to bless all those who helped with their pocket books from our sponsor VTech to each and everyone who bought these advance box sets. You will not be disappointed. They are beautiful and we are very proud of them.

The tour has been epic so far. I will write a diary of it when I have more of a chance to digest.

The premiere in Los Angeles will be next Saturday May 1st. J.Rocc will be doing his thing with the films at The Downtown Independent and he will then join Quantic (all the way from Columbia) for the after-party.

Please download Quantic’s mix here aswell as the epic mix by Nuts of all the Verocai music. They are both historical mixes really. You need them. If you want to buy a full res version of the mixes with the amazing art – they will be available at the Mochilla store next week.

The final remix in the series will be coming next week also. It is a complete classic by none other than Georgia Anne Muldrow. She remixed Untitled/Fantastic - all I can say is wow. We will release all the remixes as a 12" in the early summer.

There are definitely box sets left to buy from us and they will be in select retail outlets from June 6th.

For retail inquiries please contact Traffic Ent.

Stay tuned there lots more to come.

VTech in collaboration with Mochilla and media sponsor Wax Poetics are very happy to announce the following screening dates for the Timeless 3 DVD Set.

These Screenings of Timeless feature the works of J Dilla (Suite for Ma Dukes), Mulatu Astatke, and Arthur Verocai. Instead of showing all three films back to back or indeed making a screener edit of all three films, we will be doing something historic. At certain screenings J.Rocc, of the World Famous Beat Junkies and also maybe the greatest DJ on the planet right now, will be DJing all three films, using the latest Serato technology. J.Rocc will be manipulating the films using vinyl on turntables to control the hi-res film files, creating an amazing megamix of all three films (see the sneak peek here). This, as far as we know, has never been done to premiere a film or indeed a series of films ever.

The screenings will be followed by Q&A w/ B+, Eric Coleman and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson,
with after-party to follow, J.Rocc as the main guest DJ. ***We will be giving away one VTech IS9181 at each screening!!!
Follow VTechMusic on Twitter to find out how you can win one of these amazing music players.

for more info please visit: http://mochilla.com/timelesstour



The Timeless Concert Series wasn’t just a series of stunning performances. All the shows were framed by our favorite DJs. Madlib, JRocc, Houseshoes and Quantic all came with amazing sets. Cut Chemist even raised the bar with a one turntable romp.

On the eve of the Verocai show, DJ Nuts was supposed to perform with Madlib. He made the arduous journey from Brasil after completing a show with Marcelo D2. He endured a punishing series of flights that took 20 hours to complete, and in the end, a plane delay caused him to miss his own set at the start of the show.

In a pinch, J.Rocc stepped up to the plate and performed a stellar set at the Luckman in his place, and Nuts went on to DJ a mind-blowing two hour set at the after-party.

So much of Mochilla’s dealings in Brasil would not have been possible without Rodrigo Teixera (known to the world as DJ Nuts). The Verocai concert surely would never have happened without him. His role in helping with the pre and post co-ordination was enormous.

DJ Nuts is an astute and rigorous historian of Brasil’s vast and varied musical culture. His record collection is legendary; his skills as a DJ are world class. We commissioned him to make this mix to help people understand the extraordinary legacy of Verocai. Many by now know Verocai’s self-titled album, some even know the more popular compositions and arrangements, but none have dug as hard as Nuts. Years of collecting and a strong friendship with Verocai himself have made this historic mix possible. 78 minutes of all Verocai compositions and arrangements is a dream come true.
For such a mix to be made, only a true Brasilian music aficionado could have created this, and we are honored to be able to share it with you.

Click here to download DJ Nuts - Arthur Verocai mix. This ish is hot!

For over a decade, Jneiro Jarel (aka Dr. Who Dat?) has provided listeners with an unbelievably eclectic mix of sounds ranging from hiphop, to electro, from Bossa Nova to bass music. With more monikers than Kool Keith, his collaborations and producer credits are almost too many to mention. Highlights include works with Khujo Goodie (as Willie Isz), MF Doom, TV on the Radio his own projects for Kindred Spirits and many more.

Jneiro is a big fan of Arthur Verocai and has already sampled some of Arthurs work. He was delighted to be able to work on this project and turned in an ode to Brasilian girls. Available exclusively here Listen, enjoy and share and of course turn it up!!!!

Click here to download Balada 45, Like a Brazilian Girl Remix: Jneiro Jarel

Mochilla would like to invite you to please visit music.vtechphones.com for a FREE

Exclusive Quantic Mulatu Show Mix Ready to Download Now!

The Timeless Concert Series wasn’t just a series of stunning performances. All the shows were framed by our favorite DJs. From Madlib to J.Rocc to DJ Nuts and more. Cut Chemist even raised the bar with a one turntable romp!

For the Mulatu show, Quantic brought along something very special .

In 2004 Quantic, Miles Cleret and B+ went to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia to find records and meet with Mulatu Astatke. It was there and then the first thoughts of bringing Mulatu to LA were hatched. So it was fitting that Quantic came to LA to DJ for Mulatu and brought with him records almost all found on that first unique trip.

Ethiopia has many musical traditions indeed not all of them have made it to vinyl. But those chunks of plastic contain some secrets that you really have to go to Addis to find. Trawling ebay is never the same as a trip to East Africa.

Quantic made that trip. And at the Luckman Theater on February 1st, 2009 he buckled everyone in, and took us on a one hour flight back. Here is his DJ set in its entirety. Don’t be alarmed by the crackle, that’s what 30 plus year old records sound like.

Please visit: music.vtechphones.com to listen and download this exclusive mix!

DJ Neil Armstrong (5th Platoon-NYC), Inka One & more at Grand Star tomorrow night!

Soul Sessions is bringing in Neil Armstrong tomorrow night alongside Inka One! Sounds like a dope night! I always seem to miss Neil Armstrong when he's in LA but not this time. With all the mixes that my friend, Sharon gave me from this guy, it's about time I support this fellow pinoy. Come out and play! I haven't been out often lately, but this is worth pulling me outta the creative cave =)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010

SOUL SESSIONS PRESENTS

DJ NEIL ARMSTRONG
(5TH PLATOON-ADDIDAS GLOBAL SPOKESPERSON-NYC)
Showcasing his "ORIGINALS" set

ALSO WITH:

INKA ONE
(BOOMBOX-BEATHACKERZ, LOS ANGELES)

AND IN THE JAZZ LOUNGE:

THE BEAT VENTRILOQUISTS

WITH LOVE FROM YOUR SOUL SESSIONS FAM,
THE reMitch | PLANN.B | B-NASTY | BABY BUBBA | NINJA SIMONE | CHAD| FLOCK SHOP

VISUALS
MCSTUDIOART.LA

9PM-2AM | 21+

$3 LONG ISLANDS & HEINEKENS TIL 11PM!

EATS PROVIDED BY THE SHRIMP GUYS
www.theshrimpguys.com
twitter.com/theshrimpguys

The Wedding Singer

Last minute, I get an e-mail from my best friend/sister, Mari's husband, Kaoru, who says that he still wants me to sing for their wedding ceremony this Saturday. I had originally wanted to sing for their wedding but I wanted to sing this song "Love and Honesty" which was a duet. Unfortunately, it fell thru because their guest list was already full, and they couldn't accommodate my duet partner, Minh. When this was decided, I pulled out as well.

But when Kaoru asked me again to sing for their wedding, I had to put a lot of thought into it and realized that this would be one of the only moments that I could share my gift with Mari and her husband, in front of a bunch of other talented musicians. The thought of this could be anxiety driven but when I thought of the true purpose and real reason for doing it, how could I say "no". So I agreed, and the song above is what I will be singing for them, this Saturday, at their wedding.

It is an honor to be sharing the stage with a bunch of other talented musicians. I mean, this is the line-up for the evening:

1) Ayako+Haruka Watanabe (harp and violin)
2) Dale+Kaelyn (trombone, french horn)
3) Cheryl Samson (voice)
4) Shoji (taiko-throat singing)
5) Isabella Mori, Haruka and Ayako Watanabe (Mongolian song)
6) June Kuramoto (koto)
7) Charlene Hwang (violin)
video presentation
8) George Abe (shakuhachi)
9) Alicia Hall Moran and Ayako Watanabe (voice and harp)
10) Hideki Watanabe (poi/fire spinning)
11) Tamango (tap dance)
12) Kaoru and Mari (flutes, video, etc?)
13) Kenny Endo (taiko)
14) Johnny Mori (taiko)
15) taiko, rhythm session?!

Kaoru's parents play for an orchestra, and well, Kaoru, Mari's husband, is a professional taiko flute player who trained with this taiko group (see below):



So you could now imagine what this reception will be like. I'm honored to be a part of it. Now, back to practice...

RIP Guru

Lost another one in hip hop music history. RIP Guru...give my love to JB, MJ and JD. Mourning your lyrics, your music & your contribution to hip hop.

Dad's 70th bday and mom's love

April has been the busiest month for me ever! Just last week alone, there were 4 bdays going on and this week I am preparing for my best friend/sister, Mari Nakano's wedding. My aunt, Tita Bie, turned 75 on Monday, my dad turned 70 on Wednesday, Akiko turned 30 on Thursday, and Emiko turned 30 on Friday! Oh, what a week of family and good girlfriends!

This past Saturday, I spent the day with my dad. I had to get my car fixed and ready to pass my smog check so I can re-register it for the year, so my dad picked me up from the mechanic and drove with me to my "vocal dojo" class. Everyone LOVED my dad and it was so cute to watch him lipsync the vocal exercises with the rest of the class. Being a singer himself, you could see how into it he was and how much he enjoyed to observe my class.

Afterwards, I took him to have some Ethiopian food for the first time at Merkato in Little Ethiopian. He enjoyed the food as we ate traditionally with our hands (both Filipino and Ethiopian style) and we got to enjoy our afternoon intake of alcohol. Mine with my glass of honey wine and dad, with his Ethiopian beer. Returned back to my place and we both took a power nap before picking up my car and dropping off the fried trout for my mom thought I bought her from Merkato. It was a well day spent with my dad for his bday.

I spent the evening with my mom and over dinner she asked me if I loved her. I was taken a back by this question and she said that she felt that I didn't like her as a mom. I reassured her that I did love her, of course, followed by the different reasons I loved her. I brought up the many times I noticed how she prepared food for us everyday of our lives and I was able to bring a good lunch to school everyday. Because of this example, I have to cook a good lunch for myself everyday, as co-workers are amazed at what I'm eating. I tell them it's because my mom did the same for me. I told her how I don't have a sweet tooth and eat healthy because of her. I reminded her of how many of her clothes I wear with pride and told her that I have written poetry about her. I reminded her that I was filming/documenting her life story. These were enough examples, I think, to show her how much I loved her. She began to see and understand as tears filled her eyes. I gave her a long, reassuring hug afterwards and told her "of course, I love you mom!"

It's days like these that are SO significant in my life. My mom is turning 73 this year, and my dad, now 70. I told them both on Saturday that I would miss them when they die and that makes every second spent with them even more valuable and special.

Exit Through the Gift Shop: Banksy's new film

Just saw Banksy's new film: Exit Through the Gift Shop last night. For those of you who know me, you know how I LOVE Banksy! Had to see it after seeing the movie poster one day during my weekly afternoon walks thru Elysian Park. The poster was posted outside the gas station down the street from my place. I was curious, looked it up, and found out that this weekend was the opening weekend for his new movie playing at The Arclight.

I HIGHLY recommend all of you who are interested/like "street art" to go see it. I am definitely adding this one to my "movies to own" list. It's a funny movie and just like Banksy, artistic, well-thought out and put together.

Enjoy it at an independent theater near you!

A photographic Journey thru Washington DC: Day 1, March 27, 2010 - Our Nation's Capital

On capitol hill...




What are they protesting about now?

Man, these people protest about everything! LoL!


where the Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc. are held

Inside the capital...



The women of the suffrage movement

Lady Liberty

A photographic Journey thru Washington DC: Day 1, March 27, 2010 - Monuments, Memorials & More...

(Thomas) Jefferson Memorial




Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial




Hmm, what do we have going on here?

I had to come in & take a closer look...

Acro-yoga is what my friend, Melvin, called it.

The C/Korean War Memorial



The (Abraham) Lincoln Memorial


The Washington Memorial



The WWII Memorial




gotta represent!

Entering the Vietnam War Memorial...(going to all these memorials in one day just gave me an eerie feeling. It reminded me of how often this country has gone to war and is STILL actively in two wars and probably more that we don't know about. How many more memorials will fill DC? How many more wars does this country have to be involved in and fight in?)



I guess I shouldn't refer to this as The White House because the people living in it are no longer "white". The only thing that's white about the White House now is probably the paint job.

The US treasury

DC metro