Here is the text of an article I wrote, originally published here by Air Traffic Control about an artist retreat / fact-finding trip to Tucson, Arizona this past May.

Here is some footage from a concert I was a part of last Sunday, Sept. 11 2011 with Tony Allen, members of the Roots, Macy Gray, David Murray and his Big Band, Amp Fiddler, singers/dancers from the Fela! musical, and of course, my brothers from Antibalas as part of the Red Bull Music Academy*. There [...]

El Mac & Retna – Thai Town, L.A. (2010) from ELMAC on Vimeo. Mural painted by Mac & Retna in Hollywood, California in March of 2010. Artwork copyright ©2010 Mac & Retna Video by: K.Ann Hagey Music: “Contra el Sol” by Ocote Soul Sounds Model: Dianne G.

This summer we’ve enjoyed 70 days of straight triple digit weather in Austin. This mix is dedicated to all the people in Texas without air conditioning. Enjoy these classic sounds as you sweat it out wherever you are.

El Mac & Retna – COLLIGE, VIRGO, ROSAS (2009).Process video of the creation of a large painting for Nick Cassavetes. Artwork copyright ©2010 Mac & Retna. Photography: El Mac, Music: “Paz y Alegria” by Ocote Soul Sounds

This is a video done by Marc Ngui for the song “The Grand Elixir.” It was done a few years back but I’m re-posting it because it’s one of my all time favorites. Our man Todd Simon guest stars on trumpet, french horn, and flugelhorn.  

This Friday 11/5 from 3-4PM I’ll be on a panel called Italianita in a Minor Key, part of the Hybrid Moments: Independent Music in Italian America Symposium at the Calandra Institute at Queens College. Panel discussions and paper presentations will explore topics including: the Italian-American influence in indie music-making; the experience of negotiating ethnic identity [...]