Stop Internet Censorship!

Now that they took down Megaupload, it’s time for action. We’re all here having a good time posting, reposting, sharing, tweeting, emailing, uploading, retweeting and rejoicing. But, the corporate demagogues are out to get the people again. Read more here about the dirty world of internet censorship and help keep the world wide web a place for freedom to run wild. Click here. 

Sexy Track: “¿Which Side Are You On?” by Ani DiFranco

Ani DiFranco could be one of the most prolific artists in the music world today, however, even as she is on her seventeenth full-length album right now, she has not covered many songs. She is an original and has an influx of songs that can fill up many albums. But, when something is as pertinent as this song, Ani takes the chance, but with her own twist. DiFranco took this old labour union folk song penned in activism by coal miner’s wife Florence Reece and built on it, changed the lyrics to make them timely for this era and gave it a great rock edge. Even if the tracks starts with a banjo interlude (provided by the legendary Pete Seeger), it manages to get to a loud angle once it kicks in.  A great tune to have around during an election year. So, “¿Which Side Are You On?”

Ani DiFranco performs “¿Which Side Are You On?” with Melissa Ferrick

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We can’t tell you how beautiful 2012 will be just because Ani DiFranco’s new album, which had the longest hiatus precede it, is coming out on the 17th of January 2012. This is a cover, but Ani changed the lyrics a little bit  to fit the time. We love is some Ani. “A little socialism, don’t scare us one bit.” – gotta love it.

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Rufus Wainwright & Sean Lennon cover Madonna’s “Material Girl” at #OccupyWallStreet

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It might seem dichotomous and down-right wrong to sing this song at the Wall Street protests, but we think they are either parodying it or just using some playful irony. They are certainly not cheering about “livin’ in a material world.” In any case, the spirit of the protesters are high and we hope reform comes out of this. This system the world lives in is stale and backwards. No one is benefitting except the greedy. It’s about time socialism wasn’t thought of as a dirty word. As long as one person lives in poverty, we all live in poverty.

Must-Watch: Video: “My I.Q.” by Ani DiFranco

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We grew up listening to this music and it still rings true to us. Music is great, but it’s greater when you have something to say. Ani DiFranco always has something to say. This is a great kinetic typography adaptation of the spoken word track from the monumental album Puddle Dive that was the voice of a generation. Listen without prejudice.

Ke$ha does t-shirts for Human Rights Campaign!

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HRC is unveiling a collaboration with pop star Ke$ha to encourage everyone to celebrate their inner superstar and come out for equality. National Coming Out Day (NCOD) – a globally celebrated event encouraging LGBT people and their supporters to be visible by living open and honest lives – is celebrated each October 11th. The theme for 2011 NCOD is “Coming Out for Equality.”

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Kuwait: International Youth Day 2011 (Pecha Kucha Night)

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Come see us this Thurday August 11, 2011 at 9pm!

We know this is a music blog, but we can’t not cram in a little something we have been working on. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kuwait is glad to invite you to its first ever celebration of International Youth Day. In a bid to further expand its youth programme, UNDP Kuwait is throwing the world-renowned PechaKucha night for youth to attend. Comedienne Hoda Marafie will be the hostess for the evening. The event will also have an exhibition with corporate and organization booths that cater to the youth of Kuwait.

Please RSVP on Facebook! 

Lady Gaga apologizes for bigoted comment

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When we first read the interview we were enraged. “Retarded” should never be used in that manner. We’ve gotten into disputes over that before. It irks us everytime we hear it and it’s in big usage with a lot of people. We have to say that she fell from our eye a little bit, if you know what we mean. Now she is apologizing for it. She asserted: ”I consider it part of my life’s work and music to push the boundaries of love and acceptance. My apologies for not speaking thoughtfully. To anyone that was hurt, please know that it was furiously unintentional. An honest mistake, requires honesty to make. Whether life’s disabilities, left you outcast bullied or teased, rejoice and love yourself today.”  Alright then, Gaga.

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Nelly Furtado to donate money from Gaddafi concert to charity!

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Nelly Furtado has tweeted about a concert that she had performed in Italy for Gaddafi‘s “clan” in which she made a million dollars. She said the leader gave her a million American dollars to perform a 45 minute set. Now, she is ashamed of this “blood money” that she made in 2007 and wants to donate it to charity. Well, that’s cute and all but all it would have taken for her to grasp what kind of totalitarian dictator he is is some googling. Why is it now that she decided it was the wrong thing to do. Know your oppressors.

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