DJ Set Playlist for Saint Etienne at Union Stage /  by Les Talusan

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of DJing for Saint Etienne for their 'Good Humor’ 20th anniversary show in DC, and what a fantastic night it was! So happy to hear them play all the songs in ‘Good Humor’ plus a bunch of my favorite songs. 

I’ve gotten several requests for my playlist for the evening so here it is, along with a handful of photos.

Thanks again for having me, Saint Etienne! It was truly a night to remember.

Saint Etienne ‘Good Humor’ 20th Anniversary Tour
Union Stage, Washington, DC
Les The DJ (all-vinyl)

First Set
Bernthøler “My Suitor” [Blanco Y Negro]
Young Marble Giants “Searching For Mr. Right” [Rough Trade]
Orange Juice “Falling and Laughing” [Polydor]
Ubangi “Just a Little Bit Shy” [Sound Of Scandinavia]
Friday Club “Window Shopping (Extended Version)” [Two-Tone Records]
Dislocation Dance “When” [Slip Discs]
The Go-Betweens “Streets of Your Town” [Beggars Banquet]
Prefab Sprout “Cars and Girls” [Kitchenware Records]
Harrison “(There Is) No Refrain” [Skipping Rope Records]
Stereolab “Ping Pong” [Duophonic Ultra High Frequency Disks]
The Lines “Nerve Pylon” [Red Records]
The Wake “Crush The Flowers” [Sarah Records]
Dolly Mixture “Baby It’s You” [For Us Records]
The Cliffmores “He’s Not There” [His Master’s Voice]
Helen Gamboa “Uptight” [Jonal Records]
Shirley Ellis “Soul Time” [Columbia]
Doris “Don’t” [Zonophone]
張小英 and The Stylers “幸福要自己找” [Tong Aik Records]
Adnan Othman & The Rythmn Boys “Budi Bahasa” [Sublime Frequencies]
VST and Company “Ayos Ba” [Sunshine]
Şenay “Honki Ponki” [Türküola]
Hajji “Ako Pa Rin” [Jem]
Kiki Gyan “24 Hours in a Disco” [Soundway]
Steve Watson “Born to Boogie” [S.P.Q.R.]
Freeez “Southern Freeze (Dance Mix)” [EMI]
Field Mice “Let’s Kiss and Make Up” [Sarah Records]
Mariya Takeuchi “Plastic Love” [Moon Records]
Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band “Sunshower” [RCA Victor]

Second Set (after ‘Good Humor’ and before the hits!)
Muriel Dacq “Tropique” [Carrere]
Contessa “Super Star” [Favorite Recordings]
Golden “Wishful Thinking” [Icerink]
Cola Boy “7 Ways To Love” [Arista]
PLUSTWO “Melody” [Mothball Record]

Closing Set
Dionne Warwick - Walk On By [Specter Records]
Saint Etienne - Lover Plays The Bass [Kung Fu Fighting Recording]

Here is Saint Etienne’s set lists for the evening:

After giving me a shoutout on stage during the last song (He’s On The Phone), Sarah Cracknell gave me her boa!

Saint Etienne Celebrates Twenty Years of Good Humor /  by Les Talusan

I am so thrilled to be opening for one of my all-time favorite groups, Saint Etienne! They will be performing 'Good Humor’ in its entirety and other jams this Friday at Union Stage. Come early to catch my all-vinyl set!

saint-etienne-good-humor-tour.jpg

Twenty years ago, I had a weekly DJ night in Makati City, Philippines called Thrift Thursdays at ABG's and I definitely played the heck out of 'Good Humor'. Thanks for the hookup for this gig, Rob Fearless & Mojo Gogo!

SAMASAMA: Art, Beauty, Community, Togetherness /  by Les Talusan


🎥: Joseph Le

Sherry and I (Batang Kankaloo) would like to thank everyone for all the support we received in making our second annual Samasama Art Show & Gathering bigger and better. We are still unpacking our lives from the 5-day whirlwind of love that was SAMASAMA! The theme of the exhibit, Bayanihan, meaning the spirit of communal unity, work, and cooperation was truly felt every single day. Thank you to the 50+ artists for exhibiting your work with us and to our vendors, panelists, and volunteers for lending your time and talents. We’ve received a lot of compliments on the vibe and the energy this show created. Community building at its finest.

Special thanks to Shopkeepers, our most gracious host, Seda Nak and Samandar Khelgati for both being so kind, accommodating and supportive. We appreciated sharing such a truly special space together.

📷: Carlos Salazar

📷: Carlos Salazar

SAMASAMA Art Show & Gathering - Call For Artists /  by Les Talusan

SAMASAMA_BlogBanner_2018.jpg

CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ART SHOW
SAMASAMA Art Show & Gathering

Deadline:  April 2, 2018
Curators: Soul & Ink and Batang Kankaloo
Location:  Shopkeepers, 1231 Florida Ave NE Washington, DC 20002
On View:  May 2-6, 2018
Opening Reception: May 2, 2018 6-9PM

Call Summary: March 9-April 2, 2018 Soul & Ink and Batang Kankaloo present the 2nd Annual SAMASAMA Art Show & Gathering. Held in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May, this exhibition will present original work by artists of color from diaspora communities. 

The term SAMASAMA means all together in Tagalog. Bayanihan is a Filipino custom derived from the Tagalog word bayan, meaning community. The theme of the exhibit is Bayanihan, which refers to the spirit of communal unity, work, and cooperation to achieve a particular goal. 

From the outside, AAPI communities are often perceived as devoid of meaningful difference in identity and experience. From the inside, our communities live vibrant, varied lives - but remain divided by a lack of exchange between our cultures and ongoing histories. 

Our goal is to examine the multicultural American experience. Breaking through stereotypes and boundaries because diverse stories, perspectives, and contributions to push humanity forward.

This year we will be donating a portion of proceeds for all art sold to local organizations Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) and Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute for the tireless work that they do for our youth. 

Specifications: Open to artists producing original paintings, screen prints, illustrations, digital prints, photographs, stand-alone installations or 3-dimensional work with print components. Artwork must be displayable on wall and must be wired for hanging and no larger than 4x5 feet. Art that highlights the Spirit of Bayanihan, AAPI culture or perspective, social justice and racial justice issues are especially encouraged.

Requirements:
1. Complete the Entry Form.

Submission Deadline: April 2, 2018 (Midnight EST) and Artists will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance on or before April 5, 2018. Art to be delivered at Shopkeepers between 12-3pm on Monday, April 30, 2018.

For more information, please contact:
Sherry Meneses and Les Talusan at samasamaartdc@gmail.com.

 

March 2018 DJ Gigs /  by Les Talusan

March2018.JPG

Hello, Marso! Catch me playing tunes this month:

3/2 Friday Vibes at WeWork Dupont Circle

3/9 Friday Vibes at WeWork Dupont Circle

3/12 National League of Cities Congressional City Conference 

3/13 National League of Cities Congressional City Conference 

3/16 Friday Vibes at WeWork Dupont Circle

3/17 Purple Patch's 3-Year Anniversary - RSVP

3/21 The General Store Inc.'s BeatsNBowls: A Special Women’s Month Edition - RSVP

3/23 Friday Vibes at WeWork Dupont Circle

3/23 Taking The Piss - A Night of "Good Music" w/ The Kaiser & guest DJ S Double V and DJ With A Egg On Top at Marx Cafe

3/24 C’est Chic - Disco/Funk/Boogie night at Marx Cafe

3/30 Friday Vibes at WeWork Dupont Circle

See you at one or more of these events!

Moving Mountains /  by Les Talusan

IMG_7610.JPG

Tonight, I'm DJing at Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)'s inaugural Southeast Asian American Trailblazers Awards Reception at the Renaissance Downtown. Here's a photo of Tessa and Layla from Lao Heritage Foundation playing the khim and the khene.

On Sunday the 15th, come see me play for the grand reopening of the Freer|Sackler - IlluminAsia: A Festival of Asian Art, Food, and Cultures. I'll be at the Haupt Garden from 1-3PM playing an all-vinyl set of API music!

"SAMASAMA" Art Show & Gathering - Call For Artists /  by Les Talusan

CALL FOR ARTISTS FOR ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN ART SHOW
"SAMASAMA" Art Show & Gathering

Deadline:  May 17, 2017
Curators: Soul & Ink and Batang Kankaloo
Location:  Ten Tigers Parlour 3813 Georgia Ave NW, DC 20011
On View:  May 24, 2017, 6-10PM

Call Summary: April 28-May 17, 2017 “SAMASAMA” is derived from the Malay language and is Tagalog/Pilipino for “you are welcome”; “all together”; “united”. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, this one night only pop-up art show and gathering aims to showcase artists while benefitting Asian American LEAD (AALEAD)*. Everyone is welcome to submit work. We will highlight the Asian Pacific American experience to raise our voices collectively, acknowledging we’re part of a whole and that we are all in this together.

*Proceeds from suggested donations for admission and 10% of all art sales will go to AALEAD. AALEAD’s youth programs provides academic and enrichment support to low income and underserved youth in the DC metro area.

Specifications: Open to artists producing original paintings, screen prints, illustrations, digital prints, photographs, stand-alone installations or 3 dimensional work with print components. Artwork must be displayable on this type of easel that can hold up to 20x30” canvas. Art that highlights APA culture or perspective, social justice issues, or unity is especially encouraged.

Requirements:
1. Complete the Entry Form
2. Email Form including digital representations of up to 3 different pieces of work to info@soulandinkcrew.com and cc hello@lestalusan.com. Make sure to include on the subject line “SAMASAMA”.

Submission Deadline: May 17, 2017 (Midnight EST) and Artists will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance on or before May 19, 2017. Art to be delivered in Petworth on the afternoon of May 21, 2017, Sunday.


For more information, please contact:
Sherry Meneses at info@soulandinkcrew.com | soulandinkcrew.com and
Les Talusan at hello@lestalusan.com | lestalusan.com

Lakwatsa // Zurura /  by Les Talusan

Hello! Mothershiester and I have a treat for you. We made a mixtape with 7 songs each. I hope you like it.

Lakwatsa (to loaf/roam around in Tagalog/Pilipino) by The Pinstriped Rebel

Frankie Reyes "Alma, Corazón y Vida"
Rob Galbraith "Tell Me With Your Eyes (Just Be You)"
Dorothy Ashby "Essence of Sapphire"
Hailu Mergia & Dahlak Band "Sintayehu"
Khruangbin "Mr. White"
Buscabulla "Tártaro"
角松敏生 Toshiki Kadomatsu - "52nd Street 'Akiko'"

These are songs I've been listening to a lot lately. I took the photos in San Juan and Old San Juan, while gallivanting with my kumare Steff V.

https://www.mixcloud.com/lestalusan/lakwatsa-zurura/

Zurura (to roam/mosey in Swahilii) by Mothershiester

I spent most of January 2017 in Kenya--long walks thru Nairobi, summited Mt. Longonot, explored Hells Gate, camped along Lake Naivasha, chilled along the Mombasa coast.  I hadn’t visited since I was 12 except for a recent work trip. I spent so much time being afraid to go there for many reasons.  But also holding these deep, growing needs to connect with my homeland...to understand myself by knowing a part of where i came from. So I’m sharing these tracks that I’ve fallen in love with as part of my ancestral journey using music as my stallion. Some of them, I’ve been listening to for awhile, others are new friends. 

Kigeugeu "Jaguar"
Not the most hopeful song but I can dance to it. Also, most of what Jaguar puts out is fire.
 
Vivian "Teren Teren"
I didn’t realize dancehall was so big in Kenya until my visit.  A lot of it, I can’t seem to hang with but my love for Vivian’s sound just swells.  Most love songs I croon to are breakup/”woe is me” songs so this is a musical change of pace. You’ll definitely catch me throwing a goofy smile when this plays out. 
 
Nakei Nairobi "Mbilia Bel"
I went into a cathartic state when I heard this song playing at Ozone Lounge -- a restaurant, bar, and hooka joint in this Nairobi based strip mall called Valley Arcade. This classic from Congolese songstress, Mbilia Bel, has been on my marathon training playlist for at least 2 years.  It takes me back to when I begrudgingly listened to my parents’ music and now this kind of sound makes me so happy.
 
Mimi Nawewe "Nameless"
The first Kenyan pop artist of this century that became my bedroom Dancefloor hero. Before Nameless, most of the musical artists that I listened to and eventually djayed out were South African, courtesy of my short 2002 stay in Joburg.  
 
Dela "Mafeelings"
I just found this gem.  And now I’m all about following this Taurus Musik signed artist.  She also sings a Swahilii version of Hello, which rivals Backyard Band’s version.  Don’t fight me tho! 
 
Cece Sagini "Ensobosobo"
I just think Cece is innovative and fun.  Totally jammin out to anything she puts out.
 
Princess Nokia "Brujas"
Princess Nokia is not East African but I played this track a lot while in Kenya including a cosmic moment while lying on the beach in this town called Watamu.  I remember the sound of the wind and the feeling it brought as it covered me in sand. I felt this surge of energy…spinning my own wordless incantations….and letting go of my body as she invokes “Don't you fuck with my energy”