“THE GIFT” is the story of a mysterious Radio, and its journey through intersecting lives. Shot in Berlin we follow the radio across the city as we learn of its power, and influence on all that cross its path. Directed by Berlin based music producer AYBEE (Armon Bazile) the film is silent, and was created to be scored LIVE in front of audiences. Done in collaboration with Berlin based photographer Marie Staggat “THE GIFT” was debuted, and scored live at the 8th annual FORWARD Fest (DC) on Thursday, May 14th 2015 at the Goethe Institute in Washington DC.
Starring:
Ari Sabrina Basten Fred P. Dave Aju Matthieu La Christopher Rau Yuval Gross Alland Byallo Levon Vincent
DEEPBLAK Label Nite in Berlin. It’s funny to think that we sat together in Afrikan Sciences apt. in Oakland in 2006 as a small group of sonic misfits trying to figure out a way to perform together. Life has a funny way leading paths away then back together, but here we found ourselves in my new home of Berlin for the 1st DEEPBLAK Label Night. It was a truly magical evening, and a cap to what has been an amazing year for DEEPBLAK. To be able to merge my worlds in a night of sonic travels, was something i will always cherish. Afrikan Sciences, and Damon Bell in from Oakland, along with my Berlin massive of Loganic & the mad scientist that is Onyx Ashanti… simply beautiful.
Smiles and vibes in the air…definitely a historic night. To ALL DEEPBLAK massive worldwide your energy/love was present. It’s so tough to put a whole evening into context, but here is a snapshot. Also an amazing glimpse at the end of the vid of Onyx’s stunning live performance. ~ A
Was an honor to grace the decks at the now Legend that is Plastic People (LDN). No speakers visible. All Speakers built into the walls surrounding you… never saw anything like it. Immersive sound no matter where you were standing. Needles to say DJ Deep and myself thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Bless to Alexander Nut, and crew for the invite. Glad to be on the right side of a History. – A
Deepblak fILMs launches with “D I V I S I O N” a short Directed by Chief Alchemist AYBEE. Deepblak fiLMs curates original shorts written, directed, and scored by the Deepblak collective along with friends, kindred spirits. Our goal is to continue to evolve our creativity, sound, and narratives through the visual mediums.
Venus Vs. is a new the film by 2012 Sundance Best Director Ava Duvernay. The film produced for ESPN chronicles story of tennis champion Venus Williams and her struggle to get women equal pay at Wimbeldon.
via ESPN
We know about the swing. We know about the swagger. But what most Americans don’t know about Venus Williams is how she changed the course of her sport. In a stunning case that captured the European public beginning in 2005, Williams challenged the long-held practice of paying women tennis players less than their male counterparts at Wimbledon.
With a deep sense of obligation to the legacy of Billie Jean King, Williams lobbied British Parliament, UNESCO and Fleet Street for financial parity. And it was her poignant op-ed piece in The London Times that convinced many people that the Wimbledon tournament organizers were “on the wrong side of history.”
Roland Garros and Wimbledon finally relented in 2007. That year at Wimbledon, Venus became the first women’s champion to earn as much as the men’s singleswinner (Roger Federer). “Venus VS.” chronicles Williams’ fight for pay equality.
I was extremely honored when approached by Ava to work on the soundtrack. Largely because I was a fan of her work as a Director, and also a tremendous fan of Venus Williams as a ground breaking tennis champion from my native California. I considered myself pretty clued up on things of this nature so I was actually shocked at how little I knew about this historic story. To participate on the scoring of such a film was a benchmark moment for Deepblak as a label. It is very rare that a small indie outfit such as Deepblak is tapped for a project of such magnitude, and was humbled by Ava’s confidence in our music.
I was struck, and inspired by the dedication, and tenacity that Venus Williams showed in taking up this cause of Women’s rights not only in her sport, but also in merging it with the larger push for women’s equality on the international stage. She took on tremendous risks to herself financially by challenging some very well entrenched institutions, and corporations to right a long standing inequity. As the weight of the story unfolded so did my anxiety at scoring some of these moments. Here I find myself as a modest musician in the middle of narrative that will sit for generations to come, and my music will be a part of it.
It was surreal… I pushed through the process learning many many lessons along the way. In the end with the brilliance of Ava, along with her music composer Karyn Bostic, and all the amazing people that worked on this film something memorable was created. And yes I am totally biased… 😉 I hope that you find the time to see the film, and that you can draw the same strength, and inspiration from it that I did. Let us know how you thought the music sounded.
Got to hang with one my favorite producers the one called GB (aka Gifted and Blessed, The Abstract Eye) on his recent stop thru to Berlin. Did a little record digging as he speaks on his tour, and upcoming projects.
Got a chance to hang with the Deconstruct boy’s before their respective gigs. Levon heading out to Leipzig, and Anthony in from NY on deck at Berghain. Discussing socks, music, and my atlas pancake problem…
A few moments from Tresor (Berlin) withJoey Anderson and Steven Tang. Back Story > Joey flew in from NY with just a thin hoodie on so by the time he got on his bones had been thoroughly chilled by Berlin, but he went on to play a great set.
