The Daily Slice Journal: Celebrate Something About Life Daily, is a
journal that provides little slivers the best parts of life. It provides
a platform for you to discover, celebrate, remember, evolve and share
what ever your heart and mind desires.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
FREE eBook – “A Short Discourse to a Kick-ass Life” by Wilma Jones
A Short Discourse to a Kick-ass Life (or The Living Happier After
Manifesto) ebook is for people getting over relationship breakups,
separation and divorce. For people trying to live happier AFTER
relationships they thought would lead to happier ever after. Whether the relationship ended yesterday or ten years ago, if you’re
still getting over it, this ebook is for you. It’s for people who are
now single moms and dads – no longer a part of a couple, feeling
oversubscribed and underappreciated. Maybe you are raising children and
carrying way more than 50% of the parental load. If life sometimes seems
like a series of days strung together, where you’re simply putting one
foot in front of the other and before you know it another week has
passed – A Short Discourse to a Kick-ass Life is for you.
You can use some positive reinforcement. You know there has to be
more to life than the way you’re living, but you’re not sure how to get
started or what it is you’re looking for. At some point you must face
the fact that an entertaining, exciting, fulfilling life isn’t going to
knock on your door and take you away from what you face every day.
You’ve got to go out and get it.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
The Holiday S.N.A.P. Back Routine
You know the story. Weeks of holiday gatherings seem to have set you
back months with your fitness goals. After indulging in decadent food
and cocktails, your pants are snug, you're less toned and your energy
has plummeted. According to personal trainer, JR, owner of 2DayBeFit,
all is not lost. In fact, you can shed more then you gained quickly with
his secret weapon - The Holiday S.N.A.P. Back Routine.
Consider that spare wreath around your waist obliterated when you
S.N.A.P. - Squats, Nutrition, Arms & Abs, Post Workout - back!
S=Squats. 4 sets.
· 25 Pulsing squats
· 15 squat 10 sec holds
N= Nutrition: Put down the donut and get back on the wagon.
A=Arms & Abs
Arms: Supersets Group 1-3sets, Group 2-3sets.
Group 1:
· 15 Preacher Curls
· 15 Hammer Curls
· Plank Position (45-60 seconds)
Group 2:
· Body weight dips 25
· Push ups
· Side planks each side (45-60 seconds)
P= Post Workout
Finishing your workout you never want to forget the all-important
CARDIO! 30-45 Minutes of your favorite cardio exercise. I personally
enjoy the Stairmaster 72 step rate for 45 minutes.
Happy Holidays, let’s get it right today with 2DayBeFit.com @2daybefit
The Giving Arts Gallery
The Giving Arts is a virtual art gallery that donates proceeds
from every single purchase to a foundation,
fundraiser or person in need.
Giving Art was founded out of the desire to contribute to all that ask,
as well as provide a platform for artists to share their art and crafts.
Email inquiries, orders and questions to givingarts4U@gmail.com.
Check out the Giving Arts page here:
Indie Review radio playlist - December 21, 2013
Indie Review Radio – Hosted by Raychelle and C.Truth
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Say that | Leela James, Anthony Hamilton | |
Dorothy dandridge | Janelle Monae, Esperanza Spalding | |
eyes | ||
Symptoms of love | Margot B | |
Hold up wait a minute | Antonique Smith | |
Where I go | Art of Fresh | |
Interlude | Lili K | |
Secret | Johnny Popcorn | |
Love is the answer | Aloe Blacc | |
True love | Lydia Rene | |
The gift of love | Temple Jackson |
Friday, December 20, 2013
Indie Review welcomes JR Allen !!
Set your reminders and tune in! See ya Saturday :)
Indie Review Radio – Hosted by Raychelle & C.Truth
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Call-in Number: (646) 478-5123
Tweet: @IndieRevue
JR ALLEN
JR grew up as a chubby kid as health
and nutrition wasn’t a primary focus. When he was in college a girl
called him chubby and that comment would change his life forever. JR
began working out intensely and eating much healthier. He even entered
into his first bodybuilding contest called The Tampa Classic and won first
place. As JR began to see his body more defined and his overall health
improve, he decided that he would help others look and feel great, too.
JR’s interest in personal training
started with an interview with celebrity trainer, Mark Jenkins. Mark has worked
with Sean “Puffy” Combs, LL Cool J, Tyler Perry and Beyonce, to name a few.
Mark became JR’s mentor and taught him to be innovative and creative with each
client as everyone is different and has different needs. Taking the
advice, JR began working at Magnus Functional Training Group. It was
there he would implement his functional and corrective training with tennis
pro’s. Although JR blossomed as a superstar for the company, he decided to
start his own business.
Today JR is the owner of 2daybefit,
which specializes in athletic, functional, strengthening, and weight lose
training. As a personal trainer to super star celebrities, executives of major
corporations and people that simply want to lose weight and feel good about it,
JR focuses on designing individualized programs to reach their fitness goals as
well as help them to gain a better understanding of the importance of fitness,
nutrition and wellness.
He works with super star Mary J
Blige, and is responsible for the amazing 6 pack seen around the world on the
cover of Shape Magazine. Mr. Allen has most recently rolled out his S.N.A.P
Back Routine to help us all get back in shape after the holidays.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Indie Review Radio Playlist - December 14, 2013
Indie Review Radio – Hosted by Raychelle and C.Truth
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Twitter: @IndieRevue
SONG | ARTIST | |
Berries and cream | Amel Larrieux | |
Secret | Johnny Popcorn | |
Symptoms of love | Margot B | |
Higher | Sanura | |
Other girls | LINA | |
Interlude | Lili K | |
Love will save the day | Yahzarah | |
Love is the answer | Aloe Blacc | |
Dance with you | Nat Burns | |
Be careful | Collette | |
Maybe | Amma Whatt |
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Indie Review welcomes Johnny Popcorn !
Set your reminders and tune in! See ya Saturday :)
Indie Review Radio – Hosted by Raychelle & C.Truth
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Call-in Number: (646) 478-5123
Tweet: @IndieRevue
JOHNNY POPCORN
In 2001, Johnny Popcorn was at its early stages, and for the
members it was a place to be creative. Considered as a project outside of the
regular music careers, Johnny Popcorn would be the outlet when things got too
stressful. Fittingly enough, recording Johnny Popcorn jams seemed to hit the
spot. Fast forward to 2011 when Johnny Popcorn offered a unique musical
formula—a concoction of highly fueled croons layered with its own views on
topics ranging from teenage growing pains, self-gratification, weed, humdrum
suburbia, and family values. Initially consisting of two members, Hezekiah and
Tone Whitfield, the duo's inspiration and experience is the masterpiece that
cements Johnny Popcorn. Vocalist and songwriter, Hezekiah, is no stranger to
the music industry with 3 full-length solo albums as a hip-hop artist. Feeling
like he was neglecting his Southern Funk/Rock upbringing passed down from his
parents from Kentucky and North Carolina, he felt inspired for something new
and exciting to develop—ultimately settling in on a new found passion. Bass
guitarist and all-around producer, Tone Whitfield a.k.a. Grumpy Smurf, has
produced numerous songs for Bilal, Meshell Ndegeocello, Zap Mama, and others.
Contrast to Hezekiah’s hip-hop background, Grumpy Smurf has always been a rock
purist with an open mind. Today, JOHNNY POPCORN is a crow on a mission. An
alter ego that was inspired by Hez and Tone, who would jokingly put down fake
names on open mic lists. When the host called out JOHNNY POPCORN, the crowd
would chuckle in amusement. “I think we have a name for a band,” says Tone
Whitfield. If it’s riff-heavy, rolls off the tongue and is more filling, then
it’s Johnny Popcorn.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Indie Review Radio welcomes Bradd Marquis!
Set your reminders and tune in! See ya Saturday :)
Indie Review Radio – Hosted by Raychelle & C.Truth
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Call-in Number: (646) 478-5123
Tweet: @IndieRevue
BRADD MARQUIS
Boyishly handsome, towering with a strut accented
by that indisputable New York swagger, and boasting a baritone dipped in the
gravel and gravy of Southern soul, Marquis is one of the streets and the
steeple. A committed man of dedicated faith and community service, Marquis is
the anti-thesis of today’s R&B bad boys. Like his inspirations, Sam Cooke
and Marvin Gaye, Marquis started his stage life in front of the pews. Deriving
from a rich family legacy of performers that includes blood ties to Phyllis
Hyman, Debbie Allen, and Phylicia Rashad, Marquis traveled up and down the East
Coast with family as a child performer in the “Family & Friends” gospel
troupe. From age four to pre-adolescence when basketball dreams beckoned,
Marquis rocked the church with his preternaturally grown vocals. After a love
affair with the ball, a star-turning performance at a college show returned
Marquis to music’s fold, quickly leading to two craft honing years as a member of
the R&B quartet, Mass Appeal. Garnering the attention of Babyface’s
production team, Marquis refined his music and engineering skills even further
both in front of and behind the studio boards, meeting and working with future Finding
My Way producer Jeremy “Cochise” Ball (Rhymefest, Notorious B.I.G.), Thank
You producer Angelo Ray (Keyvon Edmonds, Pieces of a Dream) Joe Little and
the Rude Boys, the production team of legendary Gerald Levert. In the midst of
these refinement years, a much sought-after Marquis mixtape, All
Love, All the Time, was released in 2006, opening more doors. Signed to
a production company, it wasn’t long before Marquis was releasing his 2007
debut LP, Finding My Way, with the independent production company, Quiet
As Kept. Breaking through the New York airwaves with the regional R&B hit,
“Radio,” Marquis suddenly found himself a multiple guest on both BET’s 106
& Park and Showtime at the Apollo, in addition
to an appearance on Apollo Live. Named Soul Singer of the Year by 106
& Park, Marquis booked the Soul Summer Tour and later the Budweiser
Superfest where he traveled the country as the stable opening act for
vets like Jaheim, Tamia, India.Arie, Blue Magic, Frankie Beverly & Maze and
fellow newcomers Gordon Chambers, Hal Linton and Kameron Corvet. Marquis also
had toured for six months as “Adam” in Oscar Brown Jr’s musical fable, ‘In De
Beginnin’. More than an in-demand vocal talent, Marquis was also starring
in videos and writing music for artists in New Zealand where Finding
My Way and “Radio” had found a serious following. Marquis lyrical
prowess soon scored song placement on international projects by Styles P,
Ethical, Young Sid, and a forthcoming compilation by Super Producers Sly and
Robbie, amongst others. Following Finding My Way, Marquis went on to
release two additional independent projects. The 2009 mixtape, FMW2.5,
was partially comprised of unreleased material from the uncensored Finding
My Way sessions. While his debut told the aftermath of Marquis’s broken
engagement, its 2011 follow-up, Authentic, was an introspective view
of a man struggling to find himself artistically and personally. Marked by
moody blues and torchy ballads, Authentic, was a raw, transparent
portrait of a man making hard decisions at life’s crossroads. While Authentic
doubled Finding My Way’s sales and whetted fans’ appetite for the new,
the experience of singing about broken families, lost love, and the roughness
of the climb opened something up in Marquis. Following Authentic, Marquis took a
hiatus to make peace with his family history, study the industry, and re-discover
his spirituality and the church.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Indie Review welcomes Temple Jackson !
Set your reminders and tune in! See ya Saturday :)
Indie Review Radio – Hosted by Raychelle & C.Truth
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Call-in Number: (646) 478-5123
Tweet: @IndieRevue
TEMPLE JACKSON
Temple Jackson has always been a lover of God and music. Her very soul embodies the definition of what a true artist is. Temple has been singing, playing instruments and writing since the tender age of 5. She continued her exposure to music by singing with several community groups like DeKalb Youth Choir, Bethesda Cathedral Choir, Divine Faith Ministries Praise Team, New Life Ministries and In God’s Company. Temple Jackson increases the beauty of life and love through her interpretation of music. Tem- ple’s determination and uniqueness, has helped her develop pas- sion for music and create an irresistible sound. Soon after, she continued her career by co-writing and performing on McDon- ald’s commercials in 2004 and a gospel album with Lion Share Music in 2006 with In God’s Company. Additionally, Temple toured Australia with In God’s Company in early 2007. Temple served as the praise leader for Fountain of Life Ministries in Marietta, GA and is currently a member of Berean Christian Church in Georgia.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Indie Review welcomes WAYNA !
Set your reminders and tune in! See ya Saturday :)
Indie Review Radio – Hosted by Raychelle & C.Truth
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Call-in Number: (646) 478-5123
Tweet: @IndieRevue
WAYNA
Ethiopian-born, singer/songwriter Wayna possesses a voice
that is as sweet and pure as it is honest and passionate. This young talent’s
love for music started as a child, when she starred in theater productions like
“Annie,” and “Damn Yankees” and toured with a children’s musical review
company. Wayna went on to hone her vocal talents as a young adult by absorbing
the works of her favorite artists, including Minnie Riperton, Billie Holiday,
Stevie Wonder, and Donny Hathaway. While in college, Wayna was crowned Miss
Black Unity of the University of Maryland in 1995, earning a one year tuition
scholarship and special honors for “Best Talent” and “Best Response to
Question” at the 17th annual pageant. The following year, she founded a gospel
quartet and performed with the group at the World Famous Apollo Theater in
Harlem, NY, where they placed as finalists in the Amateur Night competition.
She traveled with the critically acclaimed University of Maryland Gospel Choir
and regularly performed at churches and gospel showcases throughout the East
coast. After earning a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in English and
Speech Communication from the University of Maryland, Waynabegan her
professional career as a Writer in the White House for the Clinton administration.
But soon, the pull to realize her dream as a recording artist would prove too
great. She left to concentrate on her music full-time. Since then, Wayna has
collaborated with legendary studio icon/producer Bill Laswell, with critically
and comercially hailed producer Eran Tabib, Jive Records producer, Veit Renn,
and former Touch of Jazz standout, Kev Brown. She is a featured
vocalist/co-writer on on the Sly and Robbie album, Version Born released by
Palm Pictures and also featuring contributions from Killah Priest, Black
Thought, and N’dea Davenport. She’s also served as a featured vocalist and
writer on a number of independent projects for artists, including W. Ellington
Felton, Kenn Starr, Kev Brown, Cy Young, and Tamara Wellons. Wayna received a Grammy nomination in
the "Best Urban/Alternative Performance" Category in 2009, for her
remake, "Lovin You" featuring Kokayi. "The Expats" is the
third and latest LP from this innovative artist and represents a new and daring
departure from her previous work. The project is named after its Toronto-based
backing band and production team hailing from various parts of the world --
Ethiopia to Japan, Isreal to India, Germany to Jamaica. Drawing from diverse
musical influences, Wayna and the Expats create a unique blend of African and
Reggae-inspired soul, fused with classic and alternative rock -- Sade and the
Police meets Lauryn Hill and Radiohead. This new sound, which Wayna calls
“world soul” was the result of a creative journey, jamming, writing and
recording with “the Expats” in Toronto over the past 2 years.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Thermal Soundwaves presents..It's Real (Official Video) Directed by Crazy Al Cayne
Hey folks check out this music video, concept by our very own C.Truth
of Indie Review Radio who also makes a few cameos. The track interpolates the
classic "Free" by Deniece Williams and Mic Geronimo's "It's Real" featuring
Napoleon Da Legend. As you can see in the video, there is a secret organization
that's trying to stop Napoleon Da Legend from getting his music out because
it's too powerful, positive and informative. They are afraid that through his
music NDL will awaken the people and possibly cause a backlash, protest
or revolution on the powers that be. The organization sent their top agents out
to find Napoleon and anyone else who's been passing around his CD's but they're
always one step behind.
of Indie Review Radio who also makes a few cameos. The track interpolates the
classic "Free" by Deniece Williams and Mic Geronimo's "It's Real" featuring
Napoleon Da Legend. As you can see in the video, there is a secret organization
that's trying to stop Napoleon Da Legend from getting his music out because
it's too powerful, positive and informative. They are afraid that through his
music NDL will awaken the people and possibly cause a backlash, protest
or revolution on the powers that be. The organization sent their top agents out
to find Napoleon and anyone else who's been passing around his CD's but they're
always one step behind.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Indie Review welcomes Joy of Be the Difference !
Set your reminders and tune in! See ya Saturday :)
Indie Review Radio – Hosted by Raychelle & C.Truth
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Call-in Number: (646) 478-5123
Tweet: @IndieRevue
JOY of Be the Difference
Joy is a representative of the new company "Be the
Difference." The company intends to Be the Difference through design. They
have several T-shirt lines which include: “The Worker” Paying homage to all the
hard workers Fitness with playful parodies about working out and dieting, “Social
Awareness” bringing awareness to the very things that hurt families, friendships.
The company believes now is the time to bring goodness to a hurting society. Life
may have a way of pushing you but you just have to push back.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Indie Review welcomes April Silver !
Set your reminders and tune in! See ya Saturday :)
Indie Review Radio – Hosted by Raychelle & C.Truth
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Call-in Number: (646) 478-5123
Tweet: @IndieRevue
APRIL SILVER
April
R. Silver is a social entrepreneur, activist, and writer/editor. She is also
Founder and President of AKILA WORKSONGS, Inc. (AW), a leading communications
and management agency headquartered in New York. AW specializes in public
relations, marketing, and programming for the "arts and activism"
field (a phrase that Silver is credited with popularizing). The former talk
show host of My Two Cents (on Centric TV, previously known as BETJ), is also
editor of “Be A Father to Your Child: Real Talk from Black Men on Family, Love,
and Fatherhood” (Soft Skull/Counterpoint Press), a critically acclaimed
anthology. Silver’s life/work is powered by the belief that regardless of the
endeavor, working with respect, integrity, and excellence matters most.
Ms. Silver’s achievements in the fields of social justice
and entrepreneurship have been widely documented for over twenty years. Susan
L. Taylor, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence magazine and Founder of National
CARES Mentoring Movement (CARES) calls April “a spirited and visionary leader.”
Past and present clients of Silver’s company reflect her relationships to all
kinds of people and projects. She has come to work closely with and/or provide
services for artists and authors Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Sonia Sanchez, Sister
Souljah, Kevin Powell; The Ford
Foundation, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and countless others.
In 1997 she founded Put On BLAST!® The popular online
marketing service includes a network of tens of thousands of email list
subscribers, Facebook fans and friends, Twitter followers, and other
connections and has helped place Silver as a respected voice in new media
communications. In 2009, she was the keynote speaker for the Cool Twitter
Conference in New York and continues to conduct communications workshops. As a
writer, April's essays on hip hop and popular culture, women, personal
development, and social justice issues have been published in the New York
Daily News, Word.Beats.Life (The Global Journal of Hip Hop Culture),
AllHipHop.com, DaveyD.com, and throughout the blogosphere. Her writings and
commentaries are also referenced in Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black
Inferiority by Tom Burell and in Put Your Dreams First: Handle Your
Entertainment Business by Thembisa Mshaka.
Once a month, April hosts Arts and Activism on the Air on BlogTalkRadio.com.
She is also a founding panelist on The Spin, a weekly all-women panel on Wake
Up Call on WBAI Radio in New York. And for her 20+ years of service, April has
received many awards and has been featured, profiled, or quoted in Time Magazine,
Newsweek, The Washington Post, Network Journal, Ebony, Essence, Ms., NY1 News,
CNN, and many other local, national, and international outlets (including in
London, Japan, and The Netherlands).
Ms. Silver is frequently called upon to speak publicly and
has lectured at hundreds of campuses, conferences, and community events
nationwide - from the University of Wisconsin to the NAACP National Convention.
She has been honored to share the podium with Bill Cosby, Ras Baraka, Terrie M.
Williams, Nana Camille Yarbrough, and many others.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Indie Review welcomes MANGA !
Set your reminders and tune in! See ya Saturday :)
Indie Review Radio – Hosted by Raychelle & C.Truth
12 pm to 1:30 pm
Call-in Number: (646) 478-5123
Tweet: @IndieRevue
MANGA
Embracing
numerous musical genres and a fresh blend of traditional Turkish and Western
rock music, hard rock quartet maNga are ready to storm the U.S. Featuring
singer Ferman Akgül, guitarist YaÄŸmur Sarıgül (aka “Yamyam”), drummer Özgür Can
Öney and bassist Cem Bahtiyar, the Turkish group have drawn international
acclaim for the infectious sounds on their three albums, which one could
compare in spirit to Linkin Park or System Of A Down. They made a big noise
representing their from home country in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, have
over 3 million Facebook followers and have drawn the attention of Billboard,
the Huffington Post and MTV Europe, who declared them to be "one of
Europe's best kept secrets".
Although the band recorded their first English language songs ("We Could Be The Same" and "Fly To Stay Alive") just three years ago, they have always sought an international audience. Indeed the band name maNga possesses a dual meaning. In Turkish, it refers to a unit of ten men in the army, and in Japanese, which was their chief inspiration for using the word, it means graphic novel.
"The name was Yağmur's idea, and from that moment 12 years ago we were dreaming about having connections to other countries," declares Özgür. "A North American tour is a dream for us." The foursome finally got to play before a North American audience at the SXSW festival in Texas in March, and they play CMJ on October 18th.
The members of maNga always knew they wanted to make their own music. They even set aside the careers they had studied for in college to become full-time musicians. Three months after they formed in 2001, the group competed on the TV show Sing Your Song, which is the Turkish version of Star Search. Their second place showing ignited a creative spark that lead to numerous gigs in Turkey while writing the original tunes that comprised their self-titled debut album, which was released via Sony Epic in Turkey in December 2004. The album and its videos spotlighted an amalgam of heavy rock, hip-hop, pop and Turkish music.
Big things followed. The album sold more than 180,000 copies in Turkey, making maNga the first band there to get gold certification on their debut album. The CD also achieved Japanese success. The group played notable festivals like Rock and Coke in Turkey, Sziget Festival in Budapest and the Mannheim Turkish Rock Festival in Mannheim, Germany.
The song “Bir Kadın Çizeceksin” appeared in the EA Sports FIFA 2006 computer game soundtrack, which exposed them to European audiences who loved their music even if they did not understand the words. That same year, an extended edition of their debut album called maNga+ emerged with one new song, “Kandırma Kendini,” and the Cem Karaca cover “Raptiye Rap Rap”.
Their second album, Şehr-i Hüzün, was released via Sony in 2009 and showcased a band transformed by personal growth and their international travels. "On our first album, except for two or three songs, the songs were about relationships, love and feeling hopeless," explains Özgür.
"The first album especially explored teenage feelings, and we were also younger," observes YaÄŸmur. "Our songs were closer to the nu-metal genre at times, like Limp Bizkit and Korn. Songs for angry teenagers. After that, we started to talk more about people's problems, political problems and war, although we still had songs about relationships and broken hearts."
"Ferman really got inspiration from living in Istanbul," adds Özgür. "We read some books about Istanbul, about the history and the modern people living there and the people living in Istanbul becoming more desperate and lonely in city life. Starting from that point, he wrote some lyrics about that."
"We even gave the name of the second album to the old Turkish name of Istanbul, something like 'city of sorrow'," says Ferman.
Åžehr-i Hüzün offered a rich blend of Eastern-Western fusion that included traditional instruments like reed flute, piano, tambour and the baÄŸlama. Famous Turkish philosopher poets KaracaoÄŸlan and Ömer Hayyam were quoted in the songs “Ãœryan Geldim” and “Hepsi Bir Nefes”.
maNga's sophomore album garnered them strong sales and European accolades, most notably the “Best European Act” award at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2009. "The Backstreet Boys gave us the award," reveals Ferman. "It was an interesting moment for us. It was funny, when I was bored during the recording of the second album, I was always trying to sing like the Backstreet Boys on our songs. Of course, we didn't tell them that." That same year, the group played with Limp Bizkit and Queensryche at the Rock The Balkans festival in Bulgaria.
In 2010, maNga became the official Turkish contestants in the world famous Eurovision Song Contest, for which they submitted and performed the English language song "We Could Be The Same". Shot at an abandoned naval facility, the song's video helped to emphasize its dual nature -- it is a love song but also a call to remove borders between people. "We always have other meanings beneath the songs," states Cem. "They could be about love, but if you think closely and deeply you'll find other meanings. Most of our songs have that speciality."
After the massive exposure gained by Eurovision (they came in second place), including the Sony release of the single for "We Could Be The Same" in Denmark and then the release of the "Fly to Stay Alive" video -- which debuted on MTV European and shot to number one on the MTV Adria Rock Chart and to number 3 on the Top 20 chart -- the group's experimentation continued with the 2012 release E-akustik. maNga rearranged and reinvented their songs in an acoustic format while offering mellower versions of their two English language songs. Their forthcoming studio album -- the first to be recorded in their new personal studio, which has allowed them greater creative freedom without pressure or time constraints -- will be their first English language release.
"We're using a bit more of a Seattle sound this time, but unconsciously," says YaÄŸmur. "When we play like that, sometimes we hear a little bit of Pearl Jam, sometimes a little bit of Nirvana. It's really interesting because we have never used those chords or that style in our music before, but we still have classical maNga arrangements in our songs. We still have some hip-hop stuff, but not as much."
Özgür states that traditional Sufi music and American blues have similar feelings, although maNga's blend of the two makes them harder to categorize. He notes that for Western ears they sound Eastern and vice versa. "For Persians, we are Western because we are more democratic and more free than compared to Eastern countries," says the drummer. "For example, in Iran you can't have a rock band play in a bar. They go to other countries to play. That's the biggest difference, I think. I see us as an Anatolian band. We're just Turkish guys who grew up with Turkish influences who are playing Western instruments."
And cranking out some damn good music.
Although the band recorded their first English language songs ("We Could Be The Same" and "Fly To Stay Alive") just three years ago, they have always sought an international audience. Indeed the band name maNga possesses a dual meaning. In Turkish, it refers to a unit of ten men in the army, and in Japanese, which was their chief inspiration for using the word, it means graphic novel.
"The name was Yağmur's idea, and from that moment 12 years ago we were dreaming about having connections to other countries," declares Özgür. "A North American tour is a dream for us." The foursome finally got to play before a North American audience at the SXSW festival in Texas in March, and they play CMJ on October 18th.
The members of maNga always knew they wanted to make their own music. They even set aside the careers they had studied for in college to become full-time musicians. Three months after they formed in 2001, the group competed on the TV show Sing Your Song, which is the Turkish version of Star Search. Their second place showing ignited a creative spark that lead to numerous gigs in Turkey while writing the original tunes that comprised their self-titled debut album, which was released via Sony Epic in Turkey in December 2004. The album and its videos spotlighted an amalgam of heavy rock, hip-hop, pop and Turkish music.
Big things followed. The album sold more than 180,000 copies in Turkey, making maNga the first band there to get gold certification on their debut album. The CD also achieved Japanese success. The group played notable festivals like Rock and Coke in Turkey, Sziget Festival in Budapest and the Mannheim Turkish Rock Festival in Mannheim, Germany.
The song “Bir Kadın Çizeceksin” appeared in the EA Sports FIFA 2006 computer game soundtrack, which exposed them to European audiences who loved their music even if they did not understand the words. That same year, an extended edition of their debut album called maNga+ emerged with one new song, “Kandırma Kendini,” and the Cem Karaca cover “Raptiye Rap Rap”.
Their second album, Şehr-i Hüzün, was released via Sony in 2009 and showcased a band transformed by personal growth and their international travels. "On our first album, except for two or three songs, the songs were about relationships, love and feeling hopeless," explains Özgür.
"The first album especially explored teenage feelings, and we were also younger," observes YaÄŸmur. "Our songs were closer to the nu-metal genre at times, like Limp Bizkit and Korn. Songs for angry teenagers. After that, we started to talk more about people's problems, political problems and war, although we still had songs about relationships and broken hearts."
"Ferman really got inspiration from living in Istanbul," adds Özgür. "We read some books about Istanbul, about the history and the modern people living there and the people living in Istanbul becoming more desperate and lonely in city life. Starting from that point, he wrote some lyrics about that."
"We even gave the name of the second album to the old Turkish name of Istanbul, something like 'city of sorrow'," says Ferman.
Åžehr-i Hüzün offered a rich blend of Eastern-Western fusion that included traditional instruments like reed flute, piano, tambour and the baÄŸlama. Famous Turkish philosopher poets KaracaoÄŸlan and Ömer Hayyam were quoted in the songs “Ãœryan Geldim” and “Hepsi Bir Nefes”.
maNga's sophomore album garnered them strong sales and European accolades, most notably the “Best European Act” award at the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2009. "The Backstreet Boys gave us the award," reveals Ferman. "It was an interesting moment for us. It was funny, when I was bored during the recording of the second album, I was always trying to sing like the Backstreet Boys on our songs. Of course, we didn't tell them that." That same year, the group played with Limp Bizkit and Queensryche at the Rock The Balkans festival in Bulgaria.
In 2010, maNga became the official Turkish contestants in the world famous Eurovision Song Contest, for which they submitted and performed the English language song "We Could Be The Same". Shot at an abandoned naval facility, the song's video helped to emphasize its dual nature -- it is a love song but also a call to remove borders between people. "We always have other meanings beneath the songs," states Cem. "They could be about love, but if you think closely and deeply you'll find other meanings. Most of our songs have that speciality."
After the massive exposure gained by Eurovision (they came in second place), including the Sony release of the single for "We Could Be The Same" in Denmark and then the release of the "Fly to Stay Alive" video -- which debuted on MTV European and shot to number one on the MTV Adria Rock Chart and to number 3 on the Top 20 chart -- the group's experimentation continued with the 2012 release E-akustik. maNga rearranged and reinvented their songs in an acoustic format while offering mellower versions of their two English language songs. Their forthcoming studio album -- the first to be recorded in their new personal studio, which has allowed them greater creative freedom without pressure or time constraints -- will be their first English language release.
"We're using a bit more of a Seattle sound this time, but unconsciously," says YaÄŸmur. "When we play like that, sometimes we hear a little bit of Pearl Jam, sometimes a little bit of Nirvana. It's really interesting because we have never used those chords or that style in our music before, but we still have classical maNga arrangements in our songs. We still have some hip-hop stuff, but not as much."
Özgür states that traditional Sufi music and American blues have similar feelings, although maNga's blend of the two makes them harder to categorize. He notes that for Western ears they sound Eastern and vice versa. "For Persians, we are Western because we are more democratic and more free than compared to Eastern countries," says the drummer. "For example, in Iran you can't have a rock band play in a bar. They go to other countries to play. That's the biggest difference, I think. I see us as an Anatolian band. We're just Turkish guys who grew up with Turkish influences who are playing Western instruments."
And cranking out some damn good music.
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