The Daily Swarm

Videos

October 12, 2009

Watch: Manu Chao's Che Concert in Havana...

Andrew Flanagan

After a three year absence, Franco-Spanish singer Manu Chao returned to Cuba, this time to sing in dedication to legendary guerilla fighter Che Guevara. The first concert took place on Friday in front of the expansive main stairway of the University of Havana, while the second and final concert will be held in Santa Clara.

“I came for Manu Chao; I like his songs a lot. I’ve been following him since he was with the group Mano Negra. Every time he comes I’ll be there to hear him. The last time he came with a group and performed at the Anti-Imperialist Bandstand. Today was lighter but more serious, though the lyrics and the music were the same. I liked it just as much,” said Mariela, 40.

The musician is an advocate of social justice, protesting the repression of campesinos in Atenco, Mexico, which resulted in the death of several people and the incarceration of 115 men, or speaking out in support of ending the blockade of Cuba. During the performance he dedicated the song “Alas Rotas” (Broken Wings) to the enemies of the Cuban Revolution.

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October 09, 2009

Must-See Videos of the Week: Justice, Modest Mouse, La Roux...

Andrew Flanagan

La Roux “I’m Not Your Toy (remix)”

It’s nice to see someone rocking the sort of Annie Lennox ambiguous sexuality combined with killer singing ability on the aural attack and a visual that’s a cross between M.I.A., National Geographic and Anthropologie.

Animal Kingdom “Tin Man”

Emotional porn for indie rock girls? When a cute boy with a haircut makes those rolling up eyes at the camera. If he’s standing in snow wearing a scarf then all the better. The brief moments of eye contact in this video are to us what a girl full on flashing her boobs are to men. Sit back and enjoy (er, except when they show the bassist…way to kill my indie boner).

Justice “Let Love Rule”

While I do not endorse any moves that might provide a revisionist music history in which Lenny Kravitz is cool, the video for this Justice remix is pretty fucking great. Just great creative vision riffing on Back to the Future, end credits and the laws of gravity. I wish I had time to Google all the names they use and discover Justice/Kravitz/Michael J. Fox easter eggs but I’ve gotta catch up on my Hipster Runoff memes.

View the video here

Modest Mouse “Whale Song”

I have to say that Modest Mouse have really stepped it up on the visuals front since their 2004 major label debut. Even their third, fourth, fifth videos from albums are really great. Most people just phone it in by the fourth video from an album as they’ve mentally moved on to the tour or the next album anyway. This vision from director Nando Costa is pretty fantastic and falls nicely into the seafaring aesthetic MM have cultivated. It could have easily been a piece of crap but the overuse of effects takes it to the next level. Er, that doesn’t mean I think you should over effect your next video. Not unless you really know what you’re doing.

Kate Ferencz “Bright Flying Lightbulb”

Nikola Tesla was one of the fathers of electricity and did revolutionary work in the field of electromagnetism (if you’re way into Lost you should know who he is or you’re not watching it right). He was also a mad scientist. Seriously, he was ridiculed by all the other scientists who didn’t want him to play their reindeer games because he acted like he was batshit crazy. This video and song are about him. Excellent make-up.