Hey everyone,
Wow, it’s 2009. 2008 was fairly insane for me: full of huge decisions and, therefore, major changes. As many of you know,
a month before my departure date to Kobe, I withdrew from the JET Program and happily remained in Chicago among family and friends. I accepted a full-time position as a Project Manager at an E-Commerce company in River North instead of teaching elementary school students basic English, and have never been happier with an actual “grown up” job.
In any event, of course music continues, though at a much slower pace. After a first run at an improvised sampler set with Chicago producer and old friend K-Kruz for DJ Striz’s party at the Whistler, we are teaming up again for two shows this month in Chicago:
::: (Abbreviated Press Release from A/V XPLO)
A/V XPLO presents: CHANGE WE XPLO
featuring nearly 50 artists and 8 music entities
Friday, January 23rd, 7:00 PM (17 & over) @ Subterranean
2011 North Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 278-6600
$10 cover
2008 has proven to be an historic year for the United States. Chicago’s own Barack
Obama ignited a political and creative movement throughout the city and nation. The
good people who run A/V XPLO festivals (music director Paul Midstates and art
director Tony Vega) could not sit by and allow this seminal moment to pass without
throwing a party.
AUDIO :
Golden Sores
Ten Speed www.tenspeedmusic.com
Midstates & the Choir of Ghosts midstatesmusic.com
Change! http://www.myspace.com/changemusic
Caural (Zachary Mastoon www.caural.net) with K-Kruz (Chicago producer)
Panda Riot www.pandariot.com
Pugs Atomz www.myspace.com/pugsleeatomz
DJ SR71 http://www.myspace.com/srseventyone
VISUAL:
Tony Vega, Jessica Wagner, Bernadette Aguilar, Jose “J-Rod” Rodriguez, Natalie
Escamilla, Nuria McNeal, Brad Biancardi with many more to come.
For more information, visit http://avxplo.com
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::: Caural & K-Kruz opening for Warp’s Nightmares on Wax
Yes, in case you miss our show at Subterranean, the next week we’ll be joining Abstract Science DJs and opening for Nightmares on Wax!
Saturday, January 31st, 9:00 PM @ Abbey Pub
3420 W. Grace Street. Chicago, IL 60618
$16 in advance/$18 at the door
This should be a great show. Thanks to the Windish Agency and Approaching Serpents for setting this up!
—
::: Boy King Islands : Finally ready to mix!
Over the last year, Jason and I have written and recorded a slew of new songs and thus totally reshaped the Boy King Islands record, which has been a long time in the coming. Five years and three record labels later, we will finally mix and release the album, tentatively entitled “Fall.” I am really happy with the new material and, as soon as it’s ready for public consumption, I’ll post some new tunes on the good old Myspace for you to hear. Some older songs are up for you to listen to:
www.myspace.com/boykingislands
Stay tuned; Release date TBD in 2009
—
::: Tambourine Solo: Take One (Collaboration with Chicago artist Cody Hudson)
After an initial opening in Los Angeles this past May at New Image Art, my collaboration with artist Cody Hudson was unveiled - and is still up - at the Andrew Rafacz Gallery here in Chicago. If you missed the opening, you can view the video component here:
http://www.vimeo.com/2579556
The video was also picked up by French clothing company Sixpack, for whom Cody designs cool shirts and hoodies. You can view Cody’s line here:
http://www.sixpack.fr/static/artist.php#id=6
—
There’s a lot of stuff coming your way in 2009, and I’ll keep you in the loop as release dates approach. Meanwhile, best of luck to each of you this year.
Zachary Mastoon aka Caural