All posts by newsandnoise

Calle 13 features Julian Assange

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Today the Puerto Rican band Calle 13 premiered the single “Multi_Viral” off their fifth studio album to be released in 2014. The track features spoken-word contribution from Wiki-leaks’ Julian Assange, guitarist Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) and Palestinian singer Kamilya Jubran. The sound is filled with electronics, rap, fast moving rhythms, lyrical singing of Jubran and the screaming guitar of Morella. Calle 13 has always been outspoken and socially engaged like their hit Querido F.B.I. (2005). This time the new single ‘counterattacks manipulation and turns it into a collective expression’.

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Musical Right Awards 2013

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Last Saturday the International Music Council (IMC) announced the winners of the Musical Right Awards. IMC is an independent non-governmental organization, based at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris. According to the IMC all people should be able to express themselves freely, learn musical languages and skills, and have access to musical involvement. Musical artists got to have the right to ‘develop their artistry and communicate through all media and to obtain just recognition and remuneration for their work’ (IMC). The awards will be presented during the opening ceremony of the 5th IMC World Forum on Music in Brisbane, Australia, on 21 November 2013. There are three programs that stand out this year.

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Mercedes Sosa was on the black list

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In Buenos Aires there has been a major discovery of secret documents dating back to the years of military rule in Argentina. ‘The files contain the transcripts of all meetings held by the military junta, which ruled the country from 1976 to 1983, said Defence Minister Agustin Rossi. The documents also name famous artists and intellectuals who were blacklisted. Folk singer Mercedes Sosa, writer Julio Cortazar, tango musician Osvaldo Pugliese and actress Norma Aleandro are among many banned or subjected to censorship for opposing the government’ (BBC News). The documentary Mercedes Sosa, the Voice of Latin America of Rodrigo H. Vila is about to premiere in Europe.

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Madonna’s revolution of love

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Last year News and Noise! published an article about the commotion caused by Madonna on her MDNA tour. We were wondering whether she could use her fame to be truly engaged. The answer is yes. She actually started a revolution of love! In an interview with Eddy Moretti (Vice), see video below, she explains how and why. Looking back at the MDNA tour, she noticed signs that made her feel uncomfortable and eager to do something. The tour started in Israel when the threat of war between Israel and Iran emerged. But also the fact that homosexuals are in danger in Iran. In Kiev, the people aren’t allowed to complain about the imprisonment of Yulia Tymoshenko. The arrest of the girls of Pussy Riot, the intolerant gay law in Russia. Back in the USA, the complacency and the disproportionate security. And so on and so further. These signs of oppression made Madonna wanted to fight ignorance, fight for freedom of speech, and encourage people to tell their stories. Together with Steven Klein and Vice, she launched the digital platform: Art for Freedom.

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Letters of morality to Miley Cyrus

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Why should Bruce Springsteen and Sinéad O’Connor bother to write a letter to one of the best selling artists originated from the Walt Disney Company, Miley Cyrus (1992). Is it simply a generation gap, or is there more to it? Cyrus, daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, started her showbiz career in her early childhood. The TV-series Hannah Montana, in which she portrayed the starring character Miley Stewart, became her big breakthrough. Since then her music scores highly in the charts. After her Hannah Montana period Cyrus decides to tear the good-girl-image off. A little bit like Brittney Spears, Lady Gaga, or even Madonna, provocative and sexy. The video clip Wrecking Ball made Bruce Springsteen and Sinéad O’Connor want to give her some lessons in morals. In this article you will find both letters ánd the response of Amanda Palmer to Sinéad O’Connor’s letter.

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