Vote for Dislocados in the IMAs in two categories here!

Dislocados nominated TWICE to the Independent Music Awards!

Kiev’s Own DISLOCADOS Joins Ra Ra Riot, Melissa Auf der Maur, Flying Lotus, Jim Campilongo, Jackson Browne and David LindleyAs Nominees for The 10th Independent Music Awards
More Than 300 Self-Released and Independent Label Talent Nominated

For Immediate Release
February 17 2011 – Kiev based Dislocados join Ra Ra Riot, Melissa Auf der Maur, Flying Lotus, Hemoptysis, Darrell Scott, Jim Campilongo, Jackson Browne and David Lindley and other self-released and independent label talent as Nominees for The 10th Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans.

Representing the broad spectrum of today’s global independent music scene, the more than 300 Nominees in nearly 70 Song, Album, Music Video and Design categories were culled from submissions from North America, South America, Asia, Australia and Europe.

Known for celebrating artists that follow their own muse, The 10th IMA Nominees are an eclectic mix of rising stars including Strawfoot (Alt. Country Song), Hemoptysis (Metal/Hardcore Song), and Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three (Amerciana Album) and established talent including telecaster virtuoso, Jim Campilongo (Instrumental Album), experimental multi-genre artist, Flying Lotus (Music Video and Dance/Electronica Song), and indie rockers, Ra Ra Riot (Pop/Rock Album). Perhaps better known as major label acts, this year’s Nominees strutting their independence include former Hole bassist, Melissa Auf der Maur (Indie/Alt./Hard Rock Album), and songwriting legend Jackson Browne with David Lindley (Live Performance Album).

Winners will be determined by a panel of 62 influential artist and industry judges including Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, Suzanne Vega, Aimee Mann, Pete Wentz, Bettye LaVette, Seal, Adam Duritz, Ozzy Osbourne, Arturo Sandoval, Martin Atkins, Andrew W. K., Shelby Lynne, Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour), Bill Bragin (Lincoln Center), Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone), Pat McGuire (Filter Magazine) and Evan Schlansky (American Songwriter) and will be announced in mid-March 2011. Music fans have until July 11 to cast their votes at The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to determine the fan-selected IMA Winners.

Hear the music of all Nominees at: http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/10th/albumArtistry Has Its Awards
Celebrating the democracy of creativity and meritocracy of talent, The Independent Music Awards honor exceptional independent artists who are, traditionally ignored by mass media and big box retailers. For the past 10 years, artists and labels from around the world have found new fans and prominence through The Independent Music Awards. Produced by Music Resource Group, publisher of the popular industry networking database The Musician’s AtlasOnline, and producers of the original webTV series, Grooveable Feast, The IMAs use its unrivaled access to performance, promotion & distribution opportunities to connect Winners and Nominees to new audiences and revenue opportunities. Earning IMA honors goes beyond a badge of distinction. Artists credit The IMAs with increasing recognition among music fans and industry gatekeepers.

Past winners and nominees include: And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Cursive, fun., The Flatlanders, Spinerrette, Holly GoLightly & The Brokeoffs, Vienna Teng, The So So Glos, Cephas & Wiggins, The Matches, All That Remains, The Cliks, Oran Etkin, State Radio, Lee “Scratch Perry, The Very Best, Tim Easton, Marco Benevento, Kes The Band, Jamie Lidell, Lacuna Coil, The Trews, Joan As Police Woman; Koko Taylor, Miguel Migs; Speech, God Forbid, Lionel Louekee; Jeff Healey, Johnny Dowd, Chris Whitley, Ike Turner, The Apples in stereo, Mary Gauthier, Jennifer Nettles (Sugarland), The Mooney Suzuki, and Denque Fever among many others. Submissions for The 11th Independent Music Awards will open in March.

Nominees For The 10th Annual IMAs Are:

Best Latin Song:

Damian Wyldes: Tu Que Lloras Por El
Dislocados: Ya (Nada Menos)
Domino Saints: Ahora es Ahora
Manicato: Familia
Omar Torrez: Marina

Best Latin Album:

Arturo Ortega: Teoria Hibrida
Dislocados: La Salida
Orquesta Sabadonga: Pa' los Rumberos del Mundo
Savor: ¡Moviendote!

Dislocados pays homage to Michael Jackson with Billie Jean!

So, the single is out! Like I said, we were coming out with a BIG song for us, and it's finally here! We've pre-released our new single which is a pure hard salsa interpretation of Michael Jackson's classic, Billie Jean. The song is coming out officially on June 25, 2010, the one-year anniversary of MJ's death, but you can catch it on youtube here!:

The song was a lot of work and effort from our side, mostly from Ilya, who did the awesome hard salsa arrangement. But, it's always hard when you're doing a cover, especially such a FAMOUS one, because everyone is going to have their own opinion. For us, the most important thing was to maintain the main singable parts of the song so people could enjoy singing along in the club, make the beat very salsa-groovy, but still do it the Dislocados way, meaning that I wasn't trying to be too much like Michael on the vocals, and the band does its hard salsa thing.

I hope you all enjoy it, we're really pleased. Special thanks to Sasha Sadovets from Na Hati Records for doing such a great job with the sound post-production.

And, no, we haven't abandoned our old style and now are going to be doing just danceable salsa covers. But, we like to see what we can do when we experiment a bit. Be assured that on the next album you'll have the whole spectrum from this kind of stuff to intense jazzy hardcore jams!

Dislocados records NEW SINGLE!

So, just came back from the studio in Kiev this weekend. Awesome fun. I laid down the lead vocals for our new single coming out on JUNE 25TH! It's supposed to be a big deal for us, so I'm really excited.

I went with my brother, Nicholas, who joined Ilya and Lesya on coro and I think it worked out great. Nicholas gave a new flavour to the coro that you guys won't regret.

Before I forget, as always, special thanks to Sasha Sadovets of Na Hati Records, Ukraine, who made the recording process as enjoyable as possible, as usual. What a professional.

The plan is that the song will be available as a single download from iTunes, etc. Although, it always takes a little delay with iTunes, but even if it's not available there straight away, you'll be able to hear it starting June 25th on Hard Salsa Radio in New York, around a bunch more radio stations worldwide, and I'm going to make it available for immediate listening on youtube.

We're keeping the song a big secret until it's out. The song has a couple of purposes. Mainly, it's to increase Dislocados' visibility among salseros that don't know us yet. Our main concentration was on:

1. increasing visibility

2. increasing "dance-ability"

3. making a special dedication to a beloved artist

Well, without saying more, I just have to say that the song seems awesome. We already pre-performed it twice in Kiev, and I gotta tell you, the audiences loved it. Ilya paid special attention to make the arrangement as danceable as possible without losing Dislocados' hard salsa essence. Be especially prepared for some great coros, great horn parts, and sing alongs...

Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know about it for now. It's the most exciting thing right now for us... We're done the rhythm section, lead and coro, and now we have to record the horns and mix it, and it'll be ready to go!

So, the countdown begins. T-25 days until Dislocados' new blockbuster hit...

Get ready to hear it in a salsoteca near you!

Spotlight on Andrey Chayka

Andrey is a fiercely committed Dislocados member and dedicated musician, and shines as a timbalero, particularly in his mind-blowing solos.

АНДРЕЙ ЧАЙКА - ANDREY CHAYKA

Национальная Музыкальная Академия Украины им. Чайковского 2006

Dislocados c 2007 года

Ансамбль ударных инструментов НМАУ им. В. Колокольникова

Олег Путятин & Валерий Кошман Project

Salsa dura очень актуальна в наше время. Она несёт колоссальный заряд позитивной энергии и радости. В ней есть всё! - музыка, самые разнообразные ритмы, жизнеутверждающие тексты с глубоким философским содержанием и очень жовой энергичный танец, как спорт и интелектуальное развитие!!! В сальсе очень много разных ритмов, которые можно и интересно играть на любом инструменте. QUE VIVA LA SALSA DURA!!!

Salsa dura is a very relevant and current form of music. It brings a colossal charge of positive energy and happiness. It has everything! - music, a huge variety of rhythms, life-affirming lyrics with deep philosophical content and a lively and energetic dance, like a sport, and intellectual development!!! In salsa there are many different types of rhythms that you can play in an interesting way on any instrument. QUE VIVA LA SALSA DURA!!!

Spotlight on Valentin Korniyenko

Valentin Korniyenko / Валентин Корниенко

Dislocados' baby bass player, Valik's creative skills are especially well featured in a 3-minute long solo on Descarga de 44, a real La Salida gem!

Харьковское Музыкальное Училище им. Лятошинского 1992/1996

Харьковский Педагогический Университет им. Сковороды 1996/2001

Харьковский Институт Искусств им. Котляревского 2001/2003

КГВМУ им. Р. М. Глиера 2003/2005

Skhid-Side, Квартет Гетца Грюнберга, Трио Константина Стрельченко, Квартет Сергея Капелюшка, Овсяников & Ересько Band, Lush Life, Квартет Theodora Enacia, Dislocados c 2007 года

Когда джазовый музыкант начинает слушать сальсу,он думает что это просто ,легко и не очень интересно....во всяком случае со мной было именно так....Но стоит ему вслушаться повнимательнее в эту музыку или попробовать сыграть ее и , он начинает менять свою точку зрения - не так уж это легко,и ,когда у него уже начинает получаться он чувствует удовлетворение от своих новых ощущений......если это продолжается - музыкант и сам не заметит как влюбится в этот ,наполненный бешеной энергией, необычный для европейца стиль музыки....... Лично для меня сальса открыла качественно новые ритмические ощущения....и джазовая музыка от этого только выиграла....

When a jazz musician begins to listen to salsa, he thinks it's easy, simple, and not very interesting... either way, with me it was exactly like that. But, it's worthwhile to listen a little closer to it or to try to play it and, you begin to change your perspective - not so easy anymore, and, when the jazz musician starts to get it, he feels satisfied by his new feelings... if this continues, the musician himself won't notice how he falls in love with this full fury of energy, an unusual style of music for a European. Personally for me, salsa opened numerous new rhythmic feelings... and my jazz side only got better because of it...

Videos are up! And salsa, as perceived by Dennis Adu.

Hey guys, WE'RE BACK. After a long bout of silence, and a lack of salsa for me for 2 months, I went back to Kyiv last week and picked up our professional videos from the Jimmy Bosch concert!!!

Check them out, I'm so excited!

Soooooooooo exciting. Now the next step is to get to the Ottawa and Montreal jazz festivals. If we could bring Jimmy, we can do anything now!

In other news, for the Dislocados launch concerts, I had the guys prepare some text about why salsa is cool for musicians and not only for dancers. We didn't get a chance to use them before the concert, unfortunately, but I think it's important to post their ideas now. This part is in Russian for our Russian audiences. The first one I'll post will be by Dennis Adu, first trumpet in the band, international maniac on trumpet. :) pictured above

САЛЬСА – НЕ ТОЛЬКО ДЛЯ ТАНЦОРОВ

Деннис Аду

Криворожское Музыкальное Училище 2002/2005; КГВМУ им.Р.М.Глиера 2005/2009.

Dislocados c 2005 года, Cactus Fresh, Z-Band, Квинтет Дмитрия Александрова, Квартет Родика Иванова, Alex Fantayev Band, Квинтет Дениса Дудко, Квинтет Дениса Аду, Группа «Ремонт Воды», Little Band Academy, MazaFanka, Band 44.

Я думаю, что для джазового музыканта интерес играть сальсу заключается в том это прежде всего этот невероятный ритм этот драйв (когда он есть конечно^^) непохож не на одну музыку в мире. Тем более если ты играешь эту музыку с amazing musicians (как в ДисЛоКадОс) к примеру, то ощутить этот своеобразный драйв не сложно (ну когда у всех нормальное настроение конечно же это немаловажно в любой музыке) (моё настроение на 80% зависит от трубы, даже я бы сказал от того сколько времени я с ней провожу в флигеле Глиэра). Что касается ритма это очень сложные комбинации рисунков на разных инструментах способны вскружить голову даже самым профессиональным музыкантам, так как они действительно сложны и если ты даже трубач или пианист или басист ты должен их обязательно знать (хотя бы основные рисунки основных стилей) чтобы быть уверенным в себе и чтоб не случалось разный мистейков на сцене! Как типо джамену мне интересно играть сальсу так как в импровизации в сальсе есть определённые правила в основном заключающиеся в красивых мелодиях построенных на самых обыкновенных трезвучиях в необыкновенных ритмических построениях, и конечно же масса разных клише которые используются в сальсе так же как и в джазе (или не используются). А как трубачу особенно интересно играть сальсу ещё и потому что эта музыка даёт возможность играть на трубе совсем иначе чем в любой другой музыке Это в превую очердь проявляется конечно же в штрихах, в звуке, в выдержке ну и конечно же в выдержке (endurance) и в регистре (range), (относительно двух остальных я мог бы написать наверное ещё на пару страниц но напишу в кратце). Что касается выдержки и регистра на трубе в сальсовой музыке это особая история, так как все сальсовые трубачи славятся своим невероятно мощным звуком и естественно умопомрачительным регистром что придаёт этой музыке фантастическую энергию. Для того чтобы играть сальсу трубачу ему главное не только иметь определённый регистр выдержку и звук, а и невероятную дисциплину которая будет помогать ему быть всегда в форме (вот кстати почему большинство трубачей более ответственно подходят к занятиям нежели другие инструменталисты 8-). Нет физической формы(на трубе) – нет и сальсы)))) В этой музыке можно оторватся вообщем(если знать как) gg

Rough translation:

I think that a jazz musician's interest in playing salsa lies in, above all, its incredible pace and drive (when it exists, of course ^ ^) it's unlike any other in the music world. Especially if you play this music with amazing musicians (as with Dislocados), for example, you feel this kind of drive is not difficult to achieve (well, of course when everyone's mood is good, as is similar in any music) (my mood is 80% dependent on the horn, especially I would say of how much time I spend with her in the wings of the Glier school). As for the rhythm, it's very complex with combinations of patterns on different instruments that can challenge you, even with the most professional musicians, as they are really complex and even if you trumpet or piano or bass you need to know (at least the basic patterns, basic styles) to be confident in yourself, and not to make too many mistakes on stage! In terms of jamming, it's interesting for me to play salsa because in salsa improvisation there are certain rules, which are primarily in the beautiful melodies built on triads of unusual rhythmic constructions, and of course the multitude of different riffs or quotes that are used in salsa as well as in jazz (or not used). A trumpet player in particular has fun playing salsa also because the music makes it possible to play the trumpet very different than in any other music, is reflected in the bars, the sound, and of course in the endurance and range, (on the other two I could probably write another couple pages but I'll write in brief). With regard to maturing and the register of the trumpet in salsa music, it's a special story, because all salsa trumpeters are famous for their incredibly powerful and natural sound mind bending register that gives the music a fantastic energy. In order to play salsa, a trumpet player not only has to have patience and good sound, but also incredible discipline that will help him to be in form (this is the why the majority of trumpeters take a more responsible approach to employment than other instrumentalists 8-). No physical form (in trumpet) - no salsa)))) In this music, you can let yourself go completely (if you know how) gg

Jimmy Bosch in Kiev!

WE DID IT! We put on our CD release concert with Jimmy Bosch, and it was a success! First of all, we completely sold out, and more people were demanding tickets at the door. Salseros came from Kiev, Kharkov, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Prague, and perhaps other cities we're unaware of to celebrate live music in Kiev with the special honorable appearance of Jimmy Bosch!

There is so much we can talk about, so I hope that Ilya will use the opportunity to make his own post so that I don't miss anything, and so that you can get a different perspective on our adventure.

Among the difficulties was the fact that this was one of Kiev's coldest weeks in YEARS probably, with every day averaging -25 degrees Celsius. Because of this, many of us got sick, including Jimmy, Lesya, and myself - I was out the night before the concert with a super high fever, scared that I wouldn't be able to ATTEND the concert, let alone sing in it. Sacha's car broke down, the car I rented got stuck in ice and snow many times and Jimmy himself pushed it out of many a snowbank, something in my arm snapped from playing the guiro that I couldn't really play it anymore, the venue people (Galeria Lavra) did nothing that they were supposed to - the place was completely frozen by the day of the concert (and we were especially careful to ask about heat all throughout our preparations for the event), the toilets were broken, the place was filthy, and the cleaning people were nowhere to be found. We had to emergency-order extra special heaters for which we were going to pay a large yet needed amount, yet they never ended up showing up because they were "stuck in traffic". So, the salseros came and filled up an icy room, but it got warm really fast.

Despite all of these problems the days were great. Two rehearsals with Jimmy were amazing. All of us were focused on his amazing skills, sound, rhythm, phrasing, and technique on the trombone, and his deep knowledge and experience with salsa music. All of us - I think especially the horns - were trying to observe every movement so that any detail could maybe make us just that much better of a salsa player.

Meanwhile, we got to hang out with Jimmy socially and he was great. Telling us the stories behind his songs, something about our other salsa idols, and generally laughing and having a ball with us, being the life of the party. Despite the INCREDIBLY difficult weather, Jimmy was a real sport and he seemed like he was having just as much fun as he would if he were playing in Puerto Rico, which made us feel very honored that he would go to the effort to make us feel so comfortable.

Ilya, Jimmy and I even got to go on M1, the Ukrainian version of MTV, for an interview eaaaaaaarly Friday morning (again, reminding that it was COLD - the offices had very little heating). Otherwise, a few news channels came to take interviews with us on the night of the concert and we had our own camera crew which hopefully got to capture the magic.

The actual concert was great, although it started a bit late. Paradush was amazing, perfectly supportive and full of energy with their Brazilian beats. We also had Yulia and Gabriel, two dance teachers from Kharkov, who were our last-minute MC's because Adrian couldn't make it in the end, and they did a fantastic job! They also brought 60 people to come see us all the way from eastern Ukraine, so we really appreciated it!

The actual concert of Dislocados + JB was great. We played a couple of our tunes that Jimmy played along with, which were great, and otherwise we had SO MUCH FUN singing and playing Jimmy's songs. Jimmy was so full of energy, and this time the band let loose a bit too (not like at rehearsals as much) and had a great time, trying to improvise and generally just feel the music and have a great time.

The whole experience was amazing, and we'd like to sincerely thank Jimmy Bosch again. When we get official documentation up of the event, of course we'll share it.

And, once again, I'd like to thank our sponsors (Caribbean Club, Na Hati Records, Opera Hotel, Den Schliker, Verano Tours, Berman Group, What's On Kiev) as well as our amazing assistant - Anya Lukanina.

Lonely greaseball

Ilya was hanging out with Jimmy Bosch all day, sightseeing in Kiev.

And all I had to do today (besides work) was get on the plane.

Instead I waited 5 hours at the airport before they sent me back home. Broken plane.

And here I am in my house eating McDonalds before I fall asleep on the couch.

Let's hope that's the only hiccup this weekend.

Korrespondent.net

Apparently it's a big deal that we're in this.

We're also in some Ukrainian Diaspora news site, that's funny (and cool, of course).

People are calling Ilya every 15 minutes or less to get info, etc.

Anya, our assistant, is helping us constantly.

I'm doing a full day's work, and still I managed to get my hair done, buy a few last-minute things (like options of clothes for Ilya cuz apparently he likes nothing in Kiev) before I leave and still I have to work more now when I finish doing Dislocados work.

And people keep calling and wanting us.

This is amazing... I'm getting really excited, we're starting to realize our dream within this project...

And a few TV channels already want interviews with us.

"We're gonna make it after alllll..."

Opening band for Jimmy Bosch concert!

Here I'm having problems with the order of pictures again... forgive me, guys.

Anyway, we have an exciting announcement! We finalized the opening band for our concert with Jimmy Bosch on January 23, 2010! I'm super excited because they were my first choice: I wanted a group of musicians that are also trying to promote international live music, and quite frankly, I was just unsure that we'd be able to get them because they're quite good to be *just* an opening band for us. But, we wanted this concert to be of the highest caliber, and so I'm really excited for our audience that they'll be able to see these guys at the event!

The band is called PARADUSH, a pair of souls, as they tell me, but it also sounds like a Portuguese word kind of if you say it, which is appropriate because they play a lot of music based on Brazilian rhythms as well as in Portuguese, but from what I understand, they also sing in English, Ukrainian, etc, so it's a really nice mix of everything.

I'll post some more official information when I get it from them, but I wanted to just say how excited I am!

Also newly announced to be working with us is Adrian Garcia! He will be the MC of the concert, and I'm super excited, because he unites all these cultures on a daily basis - himself being Cuban-Ukrainian. Adrian also has his own music career which you can check out on his website, so we're extra excited to have him support us like this.

6 days 'til JB concert... insane...

Cheers to our sponsors!

What's On Kyiv came through and printed a full page article about Ilya, the band, and the event, along with our event poster on another page.

Thanks to Neil and Tatiyana from What's On - the article and photo look great, and I hear we're already getting calls inquiring about the event! Success!

Man, wouldn't it be cooooool if we sold out? Tres cool...

Check out the online version here (even though it's prettier in print). ;)

Ironic experience with Jimmy Bosch

So, it's Bosch T-9 and I'm getting closer and closer to *****ing my pants. ;) In all seriousness, we're quite excited. In fact, before anything crazy happens, I tend to get very calm, and that's kind of where I'm at now.

In fact, I was so much the "calm before the storm" that when I called JB yesterday to finalize the last plans, I was trying to not be hyper and I think I put him to sleep... haha.

But there was one ridiculous part of the conversation. Jimmy, as the great man that he is, wanted to let me know that people already know about us. Now, the more times I tell the story, the more it could be like the fishing story, where you keep exaggerating the size of the fish you caught, but I'm pretty sure this is how it went:

JB: "By the way, did you know that you guys are well known?"

KP: "Really, what do you mean?"

JB: "When I was in Cali, Colombia, I said that I was going to Ukraine and people were asking me if I was going to play with Dislocados. So, they know you down there. They even have your music."

Now, when I was re-telling this to Ilya, the irony suddenly dawned on me. JIMMY BOSCH was telling ME, Karolina, that DISLOCADOS is well known.

Jimmy Bosch.

It reminded me of this Seinfeld scene (minus the anger and the dumping, but my enthusiasm for the irony was pretty much similar to Elaine's here):

Gotta love JB. I'll try to keep up with the blog a bit more if I can for the days leading up to the concert cuz I think it'll be interesting to keep track of this ridiculous experience. I already told my facebook friends, the next stop for me is dancing on Mars in my underwear.

Preparing for JB

I was gonna put this at the end of the blog as a "by the way", but when I uploaded the pic, it wouldn't move to the bottom of the blog, so I'm starting with it. So, a couple of weeks ago, I was searching around for different pics of our guys, and I found this pic of Sergey (2nd trumpet/flugelhorn) playing with Gogol Bordello! (That's him, smoking and playing, haha). Awesome.

Anyway, back to the normal post. Since we're all quiet, you might think that nothing much is going on as we're preparing for JB, but you be wrong... That's exactly why I'm not writing.

First of all, let me say that Jessie Kawata is an amazing designer and the amount of stupid things that have been going on with the poster are annoying the hell out of me, as with her. As you can see at the top of this page, the poster is done, but someone keeps whining about something or stopping the process for some reason or another and we're just trying to get them printed already... Plus, we wanted to paste them around the city, but apparently that costs a lot more than we were prepared for, and since it's wintertime, we figure that maybe people won't be walking outside so much anyway...? We've decided to put our money into more targetted promotional media.

Secondly, we're trying to find an opening act. Who knew it would take this long... We have to make the exact right decision for us, and also make sure that the people we invite feel like it's a good fit for them too. And for some reason, it's been difficult for Ilya and I to come to a perfect decision and find the right act. And, it's cutting it close...

Jimmy and Ilya have finally agreed on a setlist, which is quite exciting, and it also enables us to start preparing the right songs, rather than just prepare in general. In that, it's hard for me because I'm away from the band, so I have to be disciplined enough to rehearse my voice in general, practice those songs and exactly the feeling I want for them (I came up with some new ideas and variations in some of our old stuff), to practice the Cuban guiro which is a new instrument for me and I'm very conscious that I have to find the right groove, practice the Puerto Rican guiro which our amazing friends from Tres Panderos sent me, figure out the new coro arrangements with Ilya (because now Andrey is singing with us), practice my movements onstage, actually plan with Lesya how some songs will look visually, especially practice the JB songs so he'll be pleased with them, and most of all, practice my rhythm while singing - which is a daily feat for me. And that's just me. Can you imagine what Ilya has to do as a bandleader?

Two other people we have to find that are crucial - one is video crew, since we're planning to record the whole concert live. Our good friend Adrian Garcia gave us a good tip, and otherwise, I've got some backup crew from Poland that could eventually come. And, the last thing is to find the right MC........ and so far we're more behind with that than with the opening band. Because that's the trick. We can easily find "any" MC and "any" band, but it's about finding the *right* ones.

And of course, we always welcome more money. I just watched Julie & Julia today as I was making promotional stuff for the concert, and she got people to send her stuff by the sole act of writing a blog. Well, in case anyone has any spare money that they have no idea how to spend, you are welcome to send it our way. I assure you, it won't go to waste. ;) hehe

Dislocados is out of work for one week while Caribbean Club takes a break from live music for the first weekend of 2010, so there's more time for practicing and a bit less time for earning a living.

So, here I am, practicing and practicing. In fact, 24hr/day connected Ilya isn't even ever online anymore because he's practicing all the time. We're going into lockdown mode here.

Meanwhile, EVERYONE is telling us they want to go to this concert, but they all want to wait to buy their tickets, which is making me really nervous. And, we did what I thought you should do - make the tickets more expensive at the door than beforehand, and make the salsa school dance teachers push the tickets on their students, but still ppl are being lazy. That's weird, right? What can I do? Any ideas? I could use some audience participation here like on Julie & Julia... :P ;)

Ok that's it for me now. I have to record my voice and send some stuff to Lesya that I made up that we'll be doing at the concert. I'm out, see you in a bit.~

We just made a new poster for our CDrelease/Jimmy Bosch concert!

Header Banner Made with MyBannerMaker.com! Click here to make your own!

Finding Dislocados info in random places

I just came across this newspaper today. Check out page 9!

It's a Ukrainian-American newspaper by the looks of it, and it wrote about our CD release! Too bad I just found it now, because it was published on August 9th, but this is awesome!

Somehow from the text, it seems like I may have talked to these guys, but I don't really remember... Either way, I must say this is the first time that any text has gotten all the info about us and our release 100% right. You would think that's easy, but it's not. Every publication, review, promotion, etc has made at least one mistake so far, even if the whole thing is almost copy/pasted, so props to these guys for getting it right!

Special thanks to Matthew Dubas and Yarema Belej for the shout-out and enthusiastic writing. We're so happy that the Ukrainian diaspora is supporting us. Now, if only we could work on the Ukrainians... ;)

Great review

Big thanks goes out to Azucar y Candela for doing this great review of our album! Check it out here.

In other news, we're just working really hard for this Jimmy Bosch concert... so much stuff to prepare... But it's going to be worth it. I can't believe we've got like 15 people working full or part time on this and we still have new stuff to do every day... but it's kind of fun. And it will definitely be worth it.

Official ads and announcements go out in December. Keep your ears and eyes open...

In yet more news, my wooden guiro stick - my favorite one, the white one doesn't have enough friction for me - is finally starting to split... :( Also, I didn't realize how hard it is to find a Puerto Rican guiro anywhere outside of Puerto Rico. I can't even find it online to order (or at least a place that will ship to Poland). Boo.

Can I blog about this?

So it's November 9, 2009, the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the beginning of democracy sweeping through Central and Eastern Europe.

As the first original salsa band to come out of the former Soviet Union, we're proud to remember this day, even though quite a few band members (myself not included) were under 5 years old at the time.

At the same time, we're dealing with some frustration. And, unfortunately, I'm even scared to blog about this, which is a shame that I'm scared to exercise some free speech while we say we've come so far. So, before I go on, let me just say that I, Karolina Patocki, am taking this on myself, and am not expressing the views of any other band member in particular.

Presidential elections are coming up in Ukraine, and right when the campaign opened, a mass hysteria started about swine flu in the country. It is true that there are many people sick, but first of all, it is from all flus and respiratory illnesses, and as far as I understand, the statistics this year are not dissimilar to any other year.

Dislocados is organizing the biggest event of our lifetime as a band, and one of the biggest multicultural concerts to this date in Ukraine, intending to open the country up to embrace other cultures and people of different backgrounds working together to enjoy their common passion, regardless of their background.

And yet now there's a talk about a state of emergency in the country, possibly cancelling the upcoming elections for the foreseeable future.

And we are frustrated. We're working for a better Ukraine, for a better unity of international culture in these 20 years of freedom...

Well, we refuse to give in. The show must go on. We're going on with the concert on the planned date of January 23rd. We believe that it will happen and it will be a success, and we ask all Ukrainians to join us.

And as we close with the words of our Plena Pa' Tontos, now you understand why we sing:

A mi me cansa la politica

La economia, la religion

Quiero cantar en armonia

Porque la plena (y nuestra salsa dura) celebra mi pasion.

I'm tired of politics

Of economics, of religion

I want to sing in harmony

Because the plena (and our salsa dura) celebrates my passion.

Dislocados with JIMMY BOSCH!!! Jan 23, 2010

Well, we've been quiet for a while because we've been organizing our launch in Kiev (set for Jan 23, 2010), but we haven't been able to talk about it yet, but... we're super excited.

First, Andy Harlow writes the liner notes for our CD. And now, Jimmy Bosch is agreeing to come play with us at our CD release party in Kiev!!!

We're going bananas with excitement. I think JB is one of the only musicians that actually every single member in the band likes. (For other artists, we have varying opinions, which of course keeps things interesting.) He's the real symbol of salsa dura these days, and we're so happy to partner with him to promote international hard salsa!

Everyone is going mad. For me and Ilya this is the best of the best at this point for us. Now our task is to make a KILLER event.

But even I saw Sergey (2nd trumpet & flugelhorn) in our Lvov concert about a week ago, and he couldn't stop giggling like a schoolgirl. I hope Jimmy gives him a big wet kiss when he sees him, haha, that'll be it for him, he'll be set for life.

It's really important for me and Ilya that we use this event to broaden our audience in Ukraine. This is so that Ukrainians can really start respecting what they have in their country as much as outsiders do. We are

really trying to open up Ukraine culturally, and so we don't want only the regular dancers to come, although we LOVE it when they do. We of course want to take advantage of the exhibition of real live salsa dura to show the Ukrainian dancers that it's the best music to dance to (their repertoire is still a bit limited, although growing every day).

We also want to take the opportunity to show Ukrainian musicians that salsa offers a lot of satisfaction technically, artistically, musically... and to encourage opening cultural horizons in music.

As well, we really want international representatives to show up to support us, because we know the Americans, French, Germans, Canadians, et al, have all at some point expressed interest in investing in Ukraine not only financially but culturally. But, this is their chance to participate in a historic cultural event.

This is a huge deal. There has never been an event like this in Kiev. That's why we have to make it good now.

In other news, our beloved bandleader, Ilya Yeresko, just recently went to Yalta where he arranged the music for a certain portion of a new huge film that's being recorded there. I think they're doing it in Russian, it's called "Алые Паруса" ("Scarlet Sails"), but we're super proud that people are starting to recognize his talents. He recorded the track with our old friend Susana, who has recently gained fame as Jamala, the new Ukrainian pop sensation.

Let's hope "film composer" will add itself more and more to his resume. Congrats, Ilya!

I also mentioned we went to Lvov together. I can't believe I forgot to post news about that. It was super fun - our first time in Western Ukraine, a

nd the audience was great! We had a few technical issues (ahem) but in the end, the crowd kept their energy, and we're super happy they did. We had a great time, and I'm especially lucky because I

was able to come down for that (as I'm now living in Poland for a while).

Ok, I think that's all the news for now. Like I said, this is just when it starts for me an

d Ilya in terms of organization, and the whole band in terms of preparation, but we're really hoping we can create a valuable event to enrich Ukraine's musical landscape even further.

DISLOCADOS LYRICS - PLENA PA' TONTOS

And, here's track three, in Spanish, English, and Russian. I wrote this inspired by the fact that Ilya hates to talk about politics because political games have exhausted him so much in his country.

Enjoy.

------

PLENA PA’ TONTOS

A mí me cansa la política

La economía, la religión

Quiero cantar tonterías

Sobre gatos que bailan la plena y tocan tambor.

1. Había una papa

Que conocí cuando era bebé

Hablábamos de muchas cosas

Mientras tomábamos café.

Y de esa papa amable

Yo nunca me cansé

Hasta que un día me dio hambre

Y en vez de papa, tuve puré. (Lesya)

2. Yo vivo en la tierra de los dulces

Mi casa está hecha con galleta

Hay montañas de azúcar enormes

Y una cascada de caramelo secreta.

Para cenar, solo se comen tortas

Y ni tu abuela tiene mejor receta

Y aunque este mundo de verdad no exista,

A mí no me importa, ¡yo soy el poeta! (Karo)

3. Ayer conocí un conejo

Vestido con traje azul

Le dije que algo tan raro

No vi ni en mis años de juventud.

Contestó el conejo curioso

Orgulloso del traje azul

“Como ucraniano que toca la plena,

¡El único raro aquí, eres tú!” (Ilya)

A mí me cansa la política

La economía, la religión

Quiero cantar en armonía

Porque la plena celebra mi pasión.

1. Otro día, conocí una serpiente

Parece que era un delincuente

Me vació la cerveza

Por encima de la cabeza

Y me jura que fue un accidente (Lesya)

2. Me enseñaron, ayer, una planta

Que baila, que toca, y que canta

Pero siempre lo ensaya

Y así nunca se calla

Y la gente ya no la aguanta (Karo)

3. Yo creo que no me equivoco

Que los latinos se unen poco a poco

Boricuas y cubanos

Dándose las manos

¡Arriba el Truco y Zaperoko! (Ilya)

Ustedes tienen que sentirse inspirados,

No se preocupen, ¡ya llegaron disLOCAdos!

1. Que toque mi gente, el ritmo nos va a salvar, en lo que creo es en la musica, y la plena voy a cantar (Karo)

2. Y la plena vamo’ a bailar, y la plena vamo’ a gozar, los elefantes y los gatos, que sí, que van a participar (Ilya)

3. Sobreviviente, en este continente, disLOCAdos se van por su camino a contracorriente (Lesya)

1. Mi perro y mi gato viven en armonía

Hay que aprenderlo muy pronto

Así que, ¿por qué nos peleamos, sin vivir con alegría?

Esta es la plena pa’ tontos

2. Aprendamos algo de nuestros amigos, los animales

Hay que aprenderlo muy pronto

Parecemos infantes, ¡hay que cambiarnos los pañales!

Esta es la plena pa’ tontos

3. Por eso cantamos de algo que no nos importa

Hay que aprenderlo muy pronto

¡Disfrutemos! Que la vida es muy corta.

Esta es la plena pa’ tontos

----------

THE SILLY PLENA (PLENA FOR SILLY PEOPLE)

I’m tired of politics

Economics, religion

I want to sing stupid things

Of cats that dance plena and play the drum.

1. There was a potato

That I met when I was a baby

We talked about many things

While we would have coffee.

And I never got tired

Of that friendly potato

Until one day I got hungry

And instead of a potato, I had mashed potatoes. (Lesya)

2. I live in the land of sweets

My house is made of cookies

There are huge sugar mountains

And a secret caramel waterfall.

For dinner, you only eat cake

And even your grandmother doesn’t have a better recipe

And although this world doesn’t really exist,

I don’t care, I’m the poet! (Karo)

3. Yesterday I met a rabbit

Dressed in a blue suit

I told him that I haven’t seen

Anything so strange in all my youth.

The curious rabbit answered,

Proud of his blue suit,

“As a Ukrainian that plays plena,

The only weird one here is you!” (Ilya)

I’m tired of politics

Economics, religion

I want to sing in harmony

Because plena celebrates my passion.

1. The other day, I met a snake

It seems like he was a delinquent

He emptied his beer

On top of my head

And he swears to me that it was an accident (Lesya)

2. Yesterday, they showed me a plant

That dances, plays (an instrument), and sings

But it’s always rehearsing

And it never shuts up

And nobody can handle it anymore. (Karo)

3. I believe I’m not wrong

That latin people are uniting, little by little

Puerto Ricans and Cubans

Shaking each others hands

Cheers to Truco y Zaperoko! (Ilya)

You have to feel inspired,

Don’t worry, disLOCAdos are here!

1. I want my people to play, the rhythm will save us, I believe in music, and I’m gonna sing my plena (Karo)

2. And we will dance plena, and we will enjoy the plena, the elephants and the cats, oh yes, will participate (Ilya)

3. Surviving, on this continent, disLOCAdos are on their own path, against the current (Lesya)

1. My dog and my cat live in harmony

You must learn very soon

So, why are we fighting, rather than living in happiness?

This is the silly plena

2. Let’s learn something from our friends, the animals

You must learn very soon

We’re like children, you should change our diapers!

This is the silly plena

3. That’s why we’re singing about something that doesn’t matter

You must learn very soon

We should have fun, because life is too short.

This is the silly plena

--------

ПЛЕНА ДЛЯ ГЛУПЫХ Эй!

Наконец, плена пришла в Украину! С Дислокадос! Для глупых и для сумасшедших!

Мне надоела политика, Экономика, религия!

Хочу петь о глупостях

Про котов, которые танцуют плену и играют на барабане!

1. Жила-была картошка,

С которой я познакомилась в детстве

Мы говорили про разные вещи,

Когда пили кофе

И от этой любезной картошки

Я никогда не уставала,

Пока однажды не проголодалась

И не сделала из картошки пюре

2. Я живу в стране сладостей

Мой дом сделан из галеты,

Есть огромные горы сахара

Потайные водопады из карамели

На ужин (там) едят торты

И даже у твоей бабушки нет рецепта лучше

Но, хотя эта страна на самом деле не существует,

Мне всё равно – я поэт!

3. Вчера познакомился с кроликом,

Одетым в синий костюм.

Я ему сказал, что такого странного дела

Я не встречал даже в дни моей молодости

Ответил мне заинтригованный кролик,

Одетый в синий костюм:

«Будучи украинцем, играющим плену,

Единственное странное дело тут – это ты, только ты»

Мне надоела политика, Экономика, религия!

Хочу петь в гармонии

Потому что в плене торжествуют мои чувства!

1. Я недавно познакомилась со змеёй,

Мне показалось, что она преступница.

Она вылила пиво

Мне на голову

И поклялась, что это была случайность.

2. Мне вчера показали растение,

Которое танцует, играет и поёт.

Но она постоянно занимается

И поэтому никогда не перестаёт шуметь,

И люди её терпеть не могут

3. Я думаю, что не ошибаюсь:

Латиносы (люди из Лат.Америки) понемногу объединяются:

Пуэрториканцы с кубинцами,

Подавая друг другу руку.

Эй, Труко и Сапероко!! (группа, которая нам очень нравится и в которой играет половина кубинцев, половина пуэрториканцев – хотя в треке всё равно последней строчки не слышно)

Вы должны себя чувствовать вдохновлёнными,

Не беспокойтесь, уже пришли Дислокадос!

1. Пусть мои люди играть, нас спасёт ритм, во что я верю, так это в музыку, и буду петь плену!

2. Будем танцевать плену, радоваться с пленой, слоны и коты, которые да!, которые будут в этом участвовать!

3. Выживая (в хорошем смысле) на этом континенте, Дислокадос идут по своей дороге против течения

1. Моя собака и мой кот живут в гармонии

Надо понять поскорее

Ну, и зачем мы дерёмся, вместо того, чтобы жить с радостью

Это плена для глупых

2. Поучимся кое-чему у наших друзей – животных

Надо понять поскорее

Мы похожи на младенцев – надо менять пелёнки

Это плена для глупых

3. Поэтому поём о чём-то не важном

Надо понять поскорее

Давайте радоваться! Жизнь весьма коротка!

Это плена для глупых

Плена, которую мы знаем, может быть и из Сан Антона, но ещё её поют в Украине!