Taller Leñateros en vivo

2009.10_lenateros

Taller Leñateros is a Mayan / mestizo arts collective from Chiapas, Mexico. I have one of their many fans since I first stumbled upon their workshop in San Cristóbal de las Casas in 2003 and held in my hands their book "Conjuros y Ebriedades" (cover at left). It's an amazing thing, a collection of Mayan poems and cantos, the first of its kind in maybe 400 years. The Leñateros make their own paper from corn husks, coconut husks, old cardboard, maguey fibers, among many other materials. On this paper they print their words in Tzotzil, Tzeltal, Spanish and English. Then they sell the books over the internet to people all over the world.

This year Taller Leñateros was invited by the renown poetry festival Poesía.en.Voz.Alta to give a rare live performance in Mexico City. That was last week. I feel lucky to have been able to attend, and that I was able to make a high-quality audio recording of the performance. Under a tent in the pouring rain, it was one of the most beautiful stage performances I've ever seen. I'd like to share that.

Download the entire recording here. (42mb) And enjoy.

radio habana

Recorded in early marzo in la Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba as part of the Ambient Mixtape Project, I give you the Cuban airwaves.

Most of these sounds can't be found anywhere off the island. What you'll find here may or may not interest you. If you're into linguistics you'll dig the accents, if you like music there's a good variety here, if you're into politics you'll get a chance to hear some first-rate propaganda, if you're curious I hope you won't be disappointed.

I'm still working on importing all of the audio I recorded, though I'm finished with the radio sections now and thought they deserved to be heard. If you're curious but not patient, wait for the mixtape, as most of the good stuff will also appear on there. Enjoy and let me know what you like.

These files are large. All are available as 96kbs mp3 files.

  • A.M. 1 15.1mb 21:59 By nature of it being AM radio, some of this is a little sketchy as far as quality. But remember, perfection ain't the goal. I run more or less through the dial on this one. A couple full songs, some better than others depending on what you like. A long and somewhat strange discussion about the importance of the horse in the history of people. A very misplaced American country rock song.
  • A.M. 2 12.2mb 17:41 Information on people willing to swap casas (as selling or buying them is illegal in Cuba). Some cuts from a few different songs. Radio Rebelde. Los titulares, news of the day. An errant ESPN signal. About five minutes of novela. A weak Radio Reloj signal broadcasting news of the Iraq war. Ending with some good propaganda.
  • Canciones 19.5mb 28:22 We begin with some more novela. Sometimes iffy quality. Trova, salsa, free jazz, disco. Radio Progreso. "La Onda de la Alegria, Cadena Nacional." The last few minutes are the best, if you ask me. Yes, including the shitty disco.
  • La Voz de Fidel 1.1mb 1:33 What can only be Fidel speaking over the airwaves. Listen to this man's voice and then decide for yourself how much longer you think he'll be around...
  • Radio Reloj 1 9.3mb 13:34 My favorite station, Radio Reloj, Clock Radio, with news and info thrown in as the seconds tick by in the background. Discussion of linguistics. International day of the Woman. Sports. The illegal base of Guantanamo.
  • Radio Reloj 2 5.4mb 7:51 Venezuela. Música Cubana. And a lot more. Enjoy.