DubMC

Artist Discoveries from Music Biz Insiders, WOMEX Report, Part 3

For our third report from WOMEX, we summarize some "artist discoveries" or highlights from several attendees. What a diversity of perspectives on what showcasing artists were great or new!

Claudia Norman, President, CN Management
Faiz Ali Faiz and his Qawwali Group - The power of the ensemble and to hear the incredible voice of Faiz Ali Faiz
DJ Dunkelbunt - Incredible (a fun) journey to the music of the Balkans
BajoFondo TangoClub - The finest of the tango music with a dance beat and great visuals

Eric Herman, Co-President, Modiba Productions
Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 -- had never seen them live before – hadn’t truly lived ’til I did! :)
Mamani Keita -- big fan but had never seen her live -- Mamani exuded grace on stage and the group delivered a beautiful trans-national sound.
Telmary -- Cuban hip hop that reminded me of being at a Soulive show --attention hiphopers: keep the funk alive!

What Really Happened at WOMEX 2007, Reports from the Field, Part 2

In this round-up of WOMEX 2007 highlights, we hear favorite artist discoveries and new business ideas/trends from representatives of the Kimmel Center (Philadelphia), Global Rhythm, the Chicago World Music Festival, and On Queue Performing Arts (booking agency).

Name: Mervon Mehta
Company: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Position: VP of Programming

Favorite WOMEX artist discoveries:
- Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 - Knew of the band but seeing is believing
- Balkan Beat Box - have seen them before but the combination of great crowd energy and Seville night air put them over the top.
- Bajafondo Tangoclub - new group, musically very interesting/tight, great live energy

Grammy World Music Entries

Before an album becomes a Grammy nominee, it is a Grammy entry. This Wednesday (11/7/07) NARAS voting members will vote on which entries become nominees. Here are list of entries:

World Music   Latin   Reggae
Gospel   Blues   Folk   Polka

What Really Happened at WOMEX 2007, Reports from the Field, Part 1

Just back from WOMEX, where two of my favorite quotes were "Music blogs are what college radio used to be" (Yale Evalev, Luaka Bop) and "Give it two years for the niches online to really develop" (Erich Ludwig, online music consultant). So I'm bringing DubMC out of hiatus with several report-backs from industry-insiders. I am kicking off with a concert presenter, a manager, an agent, and a label. So if you did not make WOMEX this year, or if you could not be ten places at once, read on...