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| Brothers of the Baladi |
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Print Profile |
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| Middle Eastern & World Music |
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Highlights of 2008
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Most of 2008 had to do with the release of Just Do What�s Right, our 11th CD, released in March by Allegro Distribution (http://www.allegro-music.com/).� This one took a long time to finish with a lot of fits and starts. We worked at Blue Dog in Portland (http://www.bluedogrecording.com/) and included a lot of surprises, from odd covers to unexpected hybrids of our Middle Eastern influences and World music from a variety of cultures. The original music was a co-writing breakthrough for Michael, Geoff and J. Michael. Our drummer, Mark Giles, created all the graphics and it is a beautiful visual piece of art. It was entered in Grammy Awards and was one of 74 to make the �Contemporary World Music� category. We did not make the last cut of five finalists, but cherished the experience. We were featured in the top 100 songs on Neil Young�s excellent website, Living With War Today (http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/) and received national and global airplay on Thom Hartmann�s progressive radio program on Air America (http://www.thomhartmann.com).
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Our official release party in our hometown of Portland, Oregon was at the Doug Fir Lounge and was recorded and mixed for the interesting weekly show, PDXposed (http://www.pdxposed.com/)�look for segment #006. Our producer, Bruce Robertson, sat in on drums that night, as well. We helped raise $7,000 for the Obama campaign in April and kept our finger on the pulse of the campaign in Oregon and beyond. By the time it came for voting, our album title seemed more appropriate than ever!
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Our California tour in May was more fun than we ever expected, bringing this new music to our friends in the Golden State. From tiny rooms to big festivals, it was a great trip, especially with both Daniel Eshoo and Kerry Movassagh along to balance contemporary and traditional aspects of our repertoire. We will be back!
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In June, we set out for our first British tour, with Mark at the helm of an RV and gear from our generous friends across the pond, we had the pleasure of playing 12 gigs in a fortnight: from Bath in the South to Lancashire in the North and memorable performances in London. Every gig was special, as were the dancers who brought their magic nightly. We plan a return trip that will include the Raqs Britannia in 2009.� Mike Khan and Paul Stimson helped out a lot on this trip. We were saddened by Mike�s passing in October. He was a friend to the band and to both Michaels for many years in Portland and London.
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We returned home for our biggest crowd of the year as we headlined the Oregon Zoo Concert series on July 2nd. It was a warm night with a bevy of improv bellydancers filling the first 10 rows dancing til the moon came up-- thanks to Dennis Elmer for percussion that night. In July we played a number of summer festivals in the Northwest, finishing up at the largest Hemp Festival in the world in Seattle. (http://hempfest.org/drupal/)
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The year came to an end with McMenamins �Great Northwest Tour��an exciting adventure that sent us to 8 different venues owned by the McMenamins brothers, who have done so much for the Northwest micro brewery scene as well as the restoration of some Oregon�s architectural jewels that have become hotels as well as brewpubs! (http://www.mcmenamins.com/) Our last show of 2008 was a very acoustic event for the Portland FolkMusic Society, where Clark Salisbury filled in on the oud. We look forward to working with Clark in the future.
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Brothers of the Baladi music was featured on several national television shows: Lost, Sexual Healing and Easy Money. Thanks to the folks at Music Supervisor for those referrals. Finally, as we start the New Year, we have signed a booking agreement with Dynamic Artists (http://www.dynamicartists.com) in the Bay Area. Brad Stewart at Dynamic has been a friend for many years and reps some great music as you can see at their website. He will represent the band at the APAP Conference in New York and our hopes are high for an exciting 2009.
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Our thoughts are with you and we plan to see you and play for you soon. Baladi fans are the best in business and we really appreciate your support. Please visit our website for updates. Peace to you and let us all bring Peace to a troubled world, remembering that Peace only comes through action and we can all help out.
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Onward and Upward,
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Michael, J. Michael, Geoff, Mark, Daniel, Kerry, Clark
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The Brothers of the Baladi
Call or email for further information & quotes:
503-774-2511 nwartmgt@bigplanet.com |
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