Daily Archives: April 14, 2010

Audio Fiction Interview with channelAPA.com

While on the channelAPA.com East Coast Tour, we sat down with a couple members of the band Audio Fiction. We chop it up with lead guitarist Charles Park and drummer/manager Mark O’Toole. We cover everything from how the band got together to how they got the name Audio Fiction. The band has used technology to their advantage to spread the word about their music. First, there was a revolution in online music distribution that leveled the playing field for large, small and no label bands. Then there was the work, courage and determination. The band produced their eponymous debut album, created their own label to market it, used social networking sites to inform and inspire a growing cadre of fans, and funded and directed their first music video. They used Harmonix tools to author their track ‘Race the Hourglass’ for the Rock Band Network.

NYC indie rockers Audio Fiction became one of the first independent bands to launch Harmonix and MTV Games’ just released Rock Band Network Music Store for the Xbox 360 Rock Band that allows bands and labels to author their own songs. About 100 songs were available on launch. Peer testing results and posts on gaming blogs have been overwhelmingly positive. Audio Fiction’s bass player, Darren Korb, an expert Rock Band player himself, became a technical wizard and authored the band’s track by putting it into a game-compatible file format. Similar to how iTunes leveled the playing field, the Rock Band track is offering ways for the group to find new fans and connect with them in a fun way. Apparently, there’s a tricky guitar solo on the track that’s great for players.

To download the song ‘Race the Hourglass’, all you need is an Xbox, an internet connection, an Xbox live membership and Rock Band 2.

Audio Fiction’s self titled debut album is available now on Audio Fiction - Audio Fiction and Amazon. Also check out their music video for Way Out.

If you are in the NYC area, Audio Fiction has a FREE show at the Best Buy in Union Square, NYC on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 6pm. Here’s your chance to rock with them.

Audio Fiction Interview with channelAPA.com

Guitar solo on Audio Fiction’s track ‘Race the Hourglass’

Pyramid music video by Charice x Iyaz

Harry Shum Jr. vs Matthew Morrison danceoff on Oprah

Last month, we showed you an early music video for Pyramid by Charice x Iyaz. The songs is now getting spins on the radio across the country. The Oprah-backed singer recently debuted the world premiere of a new Pyramid music video. If you like this song, you can get it on Charice - Pyramid - Single or Amazon. Now, Charice is getting ready to promote her self-titled debut album. You can get the album on Charice - Charice

Charice has already made several appearances on Oprah. Previously, she also debuted Note to God on Oprah. Iyaz will potentially collabo with Asian American artists too.

Pyramid music video by Charice x Iyaz

Pyramid music video by Charice x Iyaz (Youtube version)

Pyramid music video by Charice x Iyaz (behind the scenes)

Lyrics to Pyramid by Charice x Iyaz

[Iyaz]
Shawty’s love is like a pyramid (ooh)
We stand together till the very end (eh ooh)
There’ll never be another love for sure (ooh)
Iyaz and Charice let we go

Stones, heavy like the love you’ve shown
Solid as the ground we’ve known
And I just wanna carry on
We took it from the bottom up
And even in a desert storm
Sturdy as a rock we hold
Wishing every moment froze
Now I just wanna let you know
Earthquakes can’t shake us
Cyclones can’t break us
Hurricanes can’t take away our love

[Chorus:]
Pyramid, we built this on a solid rock
It feels just like it’s heaven’s touch
Together at the top, like a pyramid
And even when the wind is blowing
We’ll never fall just keep on going
Forever we will stay, like a pyramid

Like a pyramid like a pyramid eh (ooh)
Like a pyramid like a pyramid eh (ooh)
Like a pyramid like a pyramid eh eh (oooh)
Cold, never ever when you’re close
We will never let it fold
A story that was never told
Something like a mystery
And every step you took we’ve grown
Look how fast our time has flown
A journey to a place unknown
We’re going down in history
Earthquakes can’t shake us
Cyclones can’t break us
Hurricanes can’t take away our love

[Chorus]

Pyramid, keep it going

Like a pyramid girl let me show you
That I love you so much
That we gonna get through (oh oh)
Even when there’s storms
I will never go, Ima be the one to keep you safe (hey)
Before was our love back it up more than enough
Holding on to one another be the cover when it’s rough (oh oh)
Mother nature (hey) or disaster won’t stop at happy ever after

[Chorus]

[Charice:]
Pyramid, keep it going

Built this on a solid rock
It feels just like it’s heaven’s touch
Together at the top, like a pyramid
And even when the wind is blowing
We’ll never fall just keep on going
Forever we will stay, like a pyramid

Pyramid, pyramid, pyramid, pyramid
Pyramid, pyramid, pyramid

[Charice:]
Pyramid [whispered]

kevjumba and his dad’s iPhone app

kevjumba and his dad's iPhone app

Kevjumba talks about his dad’s iPhone app (Papa Jumba). It plays his dad’s funny quotes. Kevjumba seems really excited about this app. With the “Papa Jumba” app, you can have the hilarious phrases and personality of Kev Jumba’s dad in your pocket. If you want this app, you can get it here. The father – son duo also go out to see Dallas Stadium get blown to bits.

kevjumba and his dad’s iPhone app

Papa Jumba iPhone app demo

KOLLABORATION Atlanta 2010

Going down in the ATL this weekend is KOLLABORATION ATLANTA 3 on April 17, 2010 at Center Stage at 7 PM. Come out to the BIGGEST show in Atlanta that showcases the best Asian-American talent that the South has to offer!

Selected Competitors –
* The Fu – acoustic guitar duo
* Shaun Patrick & the Standard – alternative rock band
* TNT & Persuasian – hip-hop dance crews
* Lost in the Gym- breakdance crew
* Aural Pleasure – a cappella group
* Kato & Akademikz – rappers/MC’s
* Clara Hong – vocalist

FIRST Place Winner – $1000 cash + Performance Spot in Gwinnett’s Asia Festival + Performance Spot in WWAAC conference

SECOND Place – $500 cash+ Performance Spot in Gwinnett’s Asia Festival + Performance Spot in WWAAC conference

And don’t FORGET about our FREESTYLE DANCE & VOCAL competitions – winners receive $150 cash!

Special Guest Performances –
* Rubox – beatboxer and winner of Kollaboration ATL2
* Swagger Crew – from MTVs America’s Best Dance Crew (Season 5)

Special Guest Judges –
* Sachi Koto – former CNN anchor and founder of WWAAC
* Kimberly Gittings – Miss Georgia USA 2009
* Nick Masino -Former Suwanee Mayor, VP of Economic Development of Gwinnett Chamber
* Swagger Crew

Hosted by Paul “PK” Kim – founder of Kollaboration

Get your tickets here

KOLLABORATION Atlanta 2010 Promo by Kato and Akademikz

2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

As Southern California’s largest and most prestigious film festival of its kind, the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) launches the celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month through this year’s slate of over 170 films and videos from both Asian Pacific American and Asian international directors from 20 countries. Over the past 26 years, the festival has presented over 3200 films and videos by Asian American and Asian international artists since 1983. This year, 36 feature films and 134 shorts and videos will be showcased throughout the 10-day fest.

Berlin Film Festival hit film AU REVOIR TAIPEI from LAAPFF alum/USC grad filmmaker Arvin Chen will open the festival on Thursday, April 29, 2010 at the DGA at 7PM with the filmmaker and cast scheduled to attend the Los Angeles premiere. The romantic comedy executive produced by German film director Wim Wenders and produced by LAAPFF alum In-Ah Lee (The Grace Lee Project, American Zombie) was an audience fave in Berlin.

AU REVOIR TAIPEI Trailer

Another LAAPFF alum, filmmaker Quentin Lee (Drift, Ethan Mao, Shopping for Fangs) brings his hit sex comedy THE PEOPLE I’VE SLEPT WITH to the fest as the American Centerpiece film on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the DGA at 7PM with director Lee, screenwriter Koji Sakai and film’s stars Karin Anna Cheung (Better Luck Tomorrow), Archie Kao (CSI, Desperate Housewives), and Wilson Cruz (He’s Just Not That Into You, My So Called Life, Noah’s Arc) in attendance.

THE PEOPLE I’VE SLEPT WITH Trailer

Le Thanh Son’s action packed film CLASH – Vietnam’s current box office smash is slated for the LAAPFF International Centerpiece premiering on Sunday, May 2 at 7PM at the DGA. CLASH reunites the team behind the LAAPFF 2007 closing night film The Rebel and stars Johnny Tri Nguyen and Veronica Ngo in this hard-hitting thriller. Incorporating stylish action sequences and stunning cinematography, the film continues to propel the current Viet Wave Cinema. Cast members will join Director Le Thanh Son at the LA premiere.

CLASH Trailer

In a World Premiere slot, the 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is proud to present THE MIKADO PROJECT from Festival alum Chil Kong on Saturday, May 1 at 9:30 PM at the DGA. The comedy centers on an Asian American theater troupe – The Angry Buddha Theater Ensemble – as they try to mount the popular theater piece after they lose their leading male star. Director Kong and his all-star cast of actors including Tamlyn Tomita, Erin Quill, David McInnis, Allen Liu and Ryan Yu and others are slated to attend the gala event.

This year, the LAAPFF will present the North American premiere of the hit South Korean comedy THE ACTRESSES from director E. J-yong in the Special Sneak Preview slot on Saturday, May 8 at 7PM at the Downtown Independent Theater. Shot as a documentary, this comedy send-up is an inside look at the dramatics of six of the most famous actresses in Korean film who were gathered together by Vogue Korea for a photo shoot on Christmas Eve 2008. The multi-generational cast played themselves and worked without a script creating their dialogue, while playing up the varied facets of their respective private and public personas. With THE ACTRESSES, it’s always about the drama on and off screen for stars Youn Yuh-jung, Lee Mi-sook, Choi Ji-woo, Ko Hyun-jung, Kim Min-hee and Kim Ok-vin.

Closing out this year’s fest is the Southern California premiere of the current Hong Kong smash BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS from director Teddy Chen and featuring an all star cast including Tony Leung, Simon Yam, Donnie Yen and kickboxer/MMA fighter Cung Le. This blockbuster action film will be presented Thursday, May 6 at 7PM at the Aratani Japan America Theatre in Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles with actor Cung Le at the gala.

BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS Trailer

Something special this year at 2010 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival will be the celebration of Asian American icon Bruce Lee’s 70th birthday. Together with Bruce Lee Enterprises, the festival will highlight the life of this legend with special screenings including a free outdoor screening of the classic THE CHINESE CONNECTION on April 30 at Madang the Courtyard in Korea Town at Western and Wilshire Blvd. and a special screening ENTER THE DRAGON on May 1 at Noon at the Laemmle’s Sunset 5 and an outdoor free screening In addition, two special panel discussions are scheduled as follows:

· May 1 – 1:30 PM following ENTER THE DRAGON screening with filmmakers Reginald Hudlin and Brett Ratner, president of Bruce Lee Enterprises Shannon Lee, actor/martial artist Bob Wall and others to be announced. Guests will discuss the impact of Bruce Lee on world wide pop culture.

· May 2 – 4:00 PM at the DGA Atrium – a special panel with the Lee Family and friends including wife Linda Lee, daughter Shannon Lee, God-daughter/actress Diana Lee Inosanto and others to be announced. The guests will discuss Bruce Lee as the man, the father, the husband, and the friend.

This year marks a strong year for non-fiction works at the LAAPFF with submissions way up than other years. The 2010 documentary line-up includes award winners and premieres and a special spotlight on Academy Award® winner/LAAPFF alum Freida Lee Mock. Some of the films are:
· LAST TRAIN HOME – Lixin Fan
· ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE – Rob Lemkin and Thet Sambath
· ONE VOICE – Lisette Marie Flanary
· STATE OF ALOHA – Anne Misawa
· A VILLAGE CALLED VERSAILES – S. Leo Chiang
· IN THE MATTER OF CHA JUNG HEE – Deann Borshay Liem
· MAMACHAS DEL RING – Betty M. Park
· BEIJING TAXI – Miao Wang
· AOKI – Ben Wang and Mike Chang
· MACHO LIKE ME – Helie Lee
· MY TEHRAN FOR SALE – Granaz Moussavi
· LT. WATADA – Freida Lee Mock
· SING! CHINA – Freida Lee Mock

One of the ongoing objectives of the LAAPFF is to support and present the best of Asian American filmmakers. This year, these films include many filmmakers who are based in the US, but have gone to Asia to film, as well as those here at home:
· AU REVOIR TAIPEI – Arvin Chen
· GOD IS D_AD – Abraham L. Lim
· KTOWN COWBOYS– Daniel Park
· THE MIKADO PROJECT – Chil Kong
· RASPBERRY MAGIC – Leena Pendharkar
· SF STORIES – Raul Jocson
· STRANGERS – Michael Aki
· THE TAQWACORES – Eyad Zahra
· THE PEOPLE I’VE SLEPT WITH – Quentin Lee
· CLASH – Le Thanh Son
· THE MOUNTAIN THIEF – Gerry Balasta

For ticket and program information and to purchase tickets, go here or contact Visual Communications at (213) 680-4462 x68. Tickets are on sale now online.