The Kick-ass Factor

In the spring, you feel like going out to enjoy the -few hours of- sun in Rotterdam. Some events however are worth spending some time inside; like the one that celebrated (back in May) the six years of existence of Strange Fruit Music: the 6th Year Birthday Session.

Founded by DJ Thelonious and DJ Lucky Dubz, Strange Fruit offers “monthly music events for souladdicts, funkaholics, hiphopfanatics, dub-steppaz, jazzdancers & breakers!”

No Live Music in Rotterdam They Say

A few months ago, I was an edition of BeatMUp; this time in Rotterdam. BeatMUp is a beat battle: Hip hop artists create beats (so instrumentals only) and play them in front of a crowd that votes for their favorite.
I’ve lived in Rotterdam myself for five years now and I keep hearing the same thing over and over again: there’s no place for live music in Rotterdam.

Well first of all, it’s not true. Secondly,

“Music is what life sounds like.” Eric Olson

MUSIC AND LIFESTYLE ARE LINKED AND THIS FOR SEVERAL REASONS AND ON SEVERAL LEVELS. YET NOT ALL OF US AGREE ON WHICH COMES FIRST AND THEREFORE INFLUENCES THE OTHER. ONE THING’S FOR SURE, NO ONE DENIES THE RELATION BETWEEN MUSIC AND LIFESTYLE. MANY ORGANISATIONS EVEN CHOSE TO COMBINE BOTH WORDS FOR THEIR NAME AND BOTH NOTIONS IN THEIR MISSION STATEMENT.
LET’S HAVE A LOOK HERE AT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

FROM A FASHION STANDPOINT
The obvious link that comes to mind is the one between fashion and music, or the way people dress

Discovering Bryan van Putten

There are many artists whose creativity and work contribute to making Rotterdam’s music scene what it is today: colorful, diverse.
Bryan van Putten is one of them!

RoSounds: Bryan, hi.
Bryan van Putten: Hi.

RoSounds: For those who don’t know you, introduce yourself.
Bryan: I’m Bryan van Putten. I’m originally from Aruba and I moved here in 2004. I’m a singer-songwriter. I write both for myself and other people.

RoSounds: So you write for other people but do you also compose?
Bryan: I do yes, upon request when someone needs music to go with lyrics for example.

A few Words from Ai Ming Oei

A few minutes after a very intense performance, Ming of Ming’s Pretty Heroes answered our questions. Let’s see what she had to say.

RoSounds: Ming, hi.
Ming: Hi.

RoSounds: Tonight was the release party of your new album, Karma.
Ming: Yup!

RoSounds: So Karma is your second album, right?
Ming: The second yeah.

Free Concert by Typhoon

This Saturday, 10th September, Dutch rapper Typhoon will give a free concert at MuseumPark. It will start at 10pm.

Don't miss it!!

Ming's Pretty Heroes: Good Energy, Good KARMA

Sunday 4th September 2011 saw the release party of Ming’s Pretty Heroes’ second album, Karma, in good old Rotown.

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to get to know the band’s lead singer Ai Ming Oei, through an interview for Looking Forward Magazine. Then, Karma was still being finished (final arrangements in the studio, photoshoots and so on).

I could listen to some of MPH’s newest songs beforehand but last Sunday’s event was the occasion to see them live. Somehow the same question always seems to pop up: studio or stage artist? Well these guys are both as far as I heard and saw!

Now there are three things I’d like to mention.