Lyrical Evolution
May 23 2007
Organic
Lifeforms,
I've been getting some interesting curveballs this spring while gigging around the UK. For instance, in a few days I will be a the University of Birmingham for an event co-sponsored by the English and Biology Departments, a day of events celebrating Darwin and Chaucer, those two great beacons of English enlightenment. Besides the Rap Canterbury Tales, they will also have a performance of "The Origin of Species in Dub" (no joke) and I will be unveiling a new rap song called "Natural Selection" (produced by Tom Caruana) in honour of the day.
Originally they
approached Richard Dawkins about being the keynote speaker, but unfortunately
he's in the Galapagos and had to send his regrets. Now that would have been a gem in my CV: "Opened for
Richard Dawkins". Also, check
out the delightful poster featuring funked-up versions of Charles and Geoffrey:
http://www.infection.bham.ac.uk/BPAG/Dub/Baba
If you want to learn
more about the "Origin of Species in Dub" project you can listen to
mp3s and such at this link:
http://www.infection.bham.ac.uk/BPAG/Dub/origin.html
In the past week I've had performances in Bath (where the Wife was right at home), Nottingham, Birmingham, Brighton and Essex. Five weeks into my UK tour, I now have only two weeks left here before heading back to Canada for some Fringe Festivals. Speaking of which, I think this would be a good time to plug the upcoming Fringe blitz. If any of you have friends in Montreal (June 7-16), Ottawa (June 17-24), or Toronto (July 4-15), I will be performing in all three and would be happy for people to meet, people to stay with, or especially people to play to. Invite them to come to the show and bring the extended family. Good times, laughs, and thought provocation are guaranteed.
Also, brace
yourselves, my brother and I are going back to Edinburgh in August for another
full run with an updated version of the show (featuring projected
illustrations), and this time we're bringing friends. This came about in a bizarre way, since I had no venue and
no plan to return until literally the day before the deadlines closed, but long
story short I was offered a choice time slot in a choice venue at the last
minute and decided to go for it. I
will be performing every night at 8:45 pm at the Roman Eagle Lodge from August
4th - 26th.
I also got a
venue for Aaron Ross to preview his album to a world audience, so he will be
doing a musical cabaret show every evening as well for the first week of the
festival. For those of you just
tuning in, I signed Aaron to my label earlier this year and we have been
working on his record all spring.
It's in the mix process right now and is sounding incredible, so rest
assured you will be hearing more about him soon.
So, if any of
you know anyone in Edinburgh, I am looking for affordable accommodations for
the three of us there for the month of August. To give you a sense of proportion, I recently inquired about
renting a three-bedroom basement suite in town and was told the festival rate
was £4500 for the month. Hmmm,
time to pitch a tent on Arthur's Seat?
Cheerio,
baba