ARTiculate at Northeastern University
On February 20, 2008, as part of Asian American Heritage Week at Northeastern University, the folks at the Asian American Center put on a concert featuring Asian American artists. I was privileged enough to be able to attend the ARTiculate show.
First up was Conchita Campos, a Filipino American singer-songwriter from New York City by way of California. Gentle, soulful melodies combined with thoughtful lyrics stirred up emotions of wistfulness, nostalgia and longing in me. She was a great way to kick off the show. Conchita’s So It Goes is a compilation of her solo work along with music by Neoterics and display her diversity as a songwriter and performer.
After Conchita, Kevin So hit the stage. I’ve seen Kevin perform before. In fact, it was almost one year ago. This time, he performed solo without a band, but he was every bit as captivating as he was last time. Kevin is one of those artists who really wears his Chinese American identity on his sleeve, bares it for all the world to see, and is really proud of it. He’s happy to sing about Asian American identity in his songs. Hailing from Boston, Kevin now lives in New York City. Kevin is quite the wailer—he can really sing—but he’s also pretty funny too. There were segments during his set that he started improvising and cracking jokes. You can find out more about Kevin at his website kevinso.com.
Blue Scholars rose up and did their one emcee and one DJ thing. As many folks know, I am fond of the Scholars. I think the lyrics do the most for me cause they are pretty political and challenge conventional thinking. DJ Sabzi puts up some good beats too. I don’t remember all the songs they did, but they pretty much did all the good stuff from Fire to the People to The Ave to Opening Salvo to Life and Debt. I was especially happy to hear the remix version of the Inkwell with Modest Mouse in the background. Both The Ave and The Inkwell bring me back to the days when I was in Seattle as a college student. I remember RKCNDY where I saw Modest Mouse play a couple of times. I remember all the streets up the Ave. I lived on 42nd and NE Campus Parkway. I guess I’m just a nostalgic kind of guy.
They finished off their set with the song No Rest for the Weary from their first album Blue Scholars. I think they often end with that song because it is a reminder to us all that social justice and activism work is never done.
Before the show, I also had the pleasure of chatting with Brian, the Blue Scholars’ road manager. Despite being a Washington State Cougar, he was awfully cordial while he sold me some Blue Scholars’ merch. Being a road manager can be tough. You are the one responsible for making sure the artists get to the places they are supposed to be at. And you don’t get recognition. Since road managers often don’t get much notice from fans and such, I thought I would send him a blog shout out here. Hey Brian! Besides being the road manager, I hear he’s an expert on all things Filipino, but… you don’t have to take my word for it.
Overall, I thought ARTiculate was both a fun show and a thought-provoking one. Much love to Delia, Long, Martin, and Van for putting it all together.
Last 5 posts by eugene
- Yet another post on the supratarsal fold - May 12th, 2008
- Famous Asian Americans I Want to Meet - May 6th, 2008
- As I Am: Asians In America Goes National - May 4th, 2008
- East Meets Words Welcomes Conchita Campos - April 27th, 2008
- Boston Independent Film Festival 2008 - April 21st, 2008
i too was like uber really excited and happy that blue scholars did the modest mouse remix. well, i was like uber really excited and happy anyway.