NIN CONCERT CANCELLED

Pic. by raquel Castaño

Everybody's upset because NIN's concert that was programmed for Oct. 12 2008 was cancelled in Bogotá, Colombia (South America).
There was a lot of speculation about the cancelation but Alfredo villaveces, Evenpro's representative was clear when he said that it was the band who decided to cancel the concert because it's not a profitable show if you think about the production expenses and all the equipment that needs to be transported and stored for the show.
Yes, it's true it's easier to have the gig in the U.S, but what about the music? and the fans? and the experience?. I guess some people forget about the beauty of art when money comes in the way, and I'm not saying they should loose money, but WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC?
Well, NIN also cancelled their shows in Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre and Trent Reznor wouldn't dare to talk to Colombian media.
So, eventhough I like NIN's music, it looks like they've forgotten about it and this is just bussines, so here's something I want you to think about. Specially you colombian NIN fans (just so you stop blaming Evenpro):
It's true Trent Reznor is responsible for creating the first industrial album to sell a million copies with Pretty Hate Machine in which he wrote the songs, coproduced and played every instrument. But beyond that, and the fact that you can enjoy NIN's music for purely enterteinment and not a critical experience, what's the ultimate creation of Reznor?.
Really, I mean, we're talking about a guy that described himself in 1997 in a Spin interview like this: "I'm boring...and I kind of made this pact with myself that I would just be honest(...)I am 31. I was born in Pennsylvania. I wasn't a male prostitute. I'm not gay. My tongue is my own. It's not like a Marilyn Manson situation".
So I guess I agree with Melissa Maerz (senior editor of Rolling Stone) when she says that "ultimately the most interesting art reznor has ever created is Marilyn Manson".
So yes, the show was canceled but still, Marilyn Manson WAS in Bogotá. So no worries.

LUCÍA PULIDO WANING MOON

In This video: Stomu Takeishi on bass and Lucía pulido on cuatro and voice. They where playing Tonada de Luna Llena, at the Encuentro de Música Colombiana in NYC, Nov. 2007.

In November last year I heard Lucía Pulido for the first time and she made me cry. Lucía is a Colombian singer that stands out not only for her special approach to music, but also for being an authentic folclore interpreter. Basically, she's the REAL THING and not a folclore thief.
I'll explain the term folclore thief: I've found, as a Colombian musician, that many Colombians exit my country and come to NY or go somewhere else to study music. Meanwhile,they discover what real and authentic folclore lovers have known for centuries; Colombian music is aesthetic, unique, beautiful, and good, so, what these thiefs do is sell our ethnic and folk music by learning some songs while being in another country. They exploit our songs playing them with no respect, or spirit, or tradition, or even accuracy. Meanwhile they take the opportunity to make money and allege to be unique, rare, and even special, but the truth is they're only a cheap fake.
Being that said, Lucía's music is the opposite of that definition. Lucía is a complete and true musician that brings the listener to the essence of Colombian music from an intimate and modern approach. Lucía works with outstanding musicians like bassist Stomu Takeishi, drummer Ted Poor, and clarinetist and flutist Adam Holker all under guitarrist Sebastián Cruz's gudance.
I really recommend Lucía Pulido's most recent recording "Waning moon"/"Luna menguante" which will be released September 16th and you can find under the label Adventure Music (www.adventure-music.com).