I count this a lucky trip when I managed to engineer pockets of free time to go to gigs. Never mind you guys in Singapore were bobbing to Jimmy Eat World. Hmmmph. I is got happening bands here too. I didn't realize that U2 360° Tour resulted in the band and Muse hanging out in the city during my dates till I ran smack into them at the hotel lobby and restaurants. That sorta settled the plans for one night to buy tickets off the scalper, no matter how expensive they're going to be. I only live once.
After the disappointment of having The National cancel on Singapore and Tokyo before I flew out, I chased them down (not at the hotel of course!) at the beautiful La Trastienda Club in Buenos Aires. The friends were wondering if it would be safe for me to catch a gig in a strange city; I was unperturbed. It was safe. LatAm isn't unlike ASEAN. Have a bit of commonsense and all, and one would be fairly okay. Plus I don't look like an easy target. I carried no camera, no purse and wore flats, i.e. I could run. And I had friends who speak Spanish going around with me. All cool.
Guitars aside, I'm really fascinated by the bandoneon. It is NOT an accordion. Similiar principles, but different usage and sounds. The bandoneon uses buttons instead of the piano keys of an accordion. The push and pull of the bandoneon and the accordion are almost in reverse. The bandoneon is instrumental in providing the stirring melodies of the tango. In the provinces of Argentina, I've found time and had the fortune to sit with a skillful bandoneon player for 2 separate hours just for fun and learn the fingering on the instrument. It was AWESOME. I don't know how to play it well, but at least I now know how to play some notes.
8 comments:
great that the imp is seizing the day, living every moment. full respect.
Ha - I was driving Simian nuts calling it the accordion!
Glad you managed to catch The National! All the way on the other side of the world! I've never heard of a bandoneon. Maybe you should buy one back! :)
tuti: i must. to keep sane.
dawn: I know why it would drive him nuts! It's clearly NOT an accordion. muahahhaha.
corsage: i'll see if i can buy one. i'm flying through sydney and aust is anal about leather, wood (paintings, etc), jam, wine. gaah. i'll prob have to ship it back.
Heh, glad you managed to catch those gigs! Awesome.
*adds bandoneon-playing to never-ending list of imp's talents*
So I've been told :)
Good bandoneons are apparently pretty pricey. I can see why though - they need a lot of work!
sounds like you had a blast.. will I have the pleasure of hearing you strum before I leave? hehe..
vale: NO LAH! i anyhow play one. cannot play like pro.
dawn: i'll find out about the prices back in BA!
ladyJ: eeeeps! not playing it for anyone! i'm not good enough! but tea and coffee, let's do it!
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