Lu Cozma

LU's new official website...

2010-06-15T02:08:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all,

Yes, it's taken an incredibly long time (too long, some would rightly say) to spruce up the website. But hooray, RED DOT Music & Management have come to my aid and nobly saved a damsel in distress - fixing up the site and making it, well, lovely and.... new!!

It's not that I've been sat on my laurels, twiddling my thumbs watching the world go by over the last, goodness knows how long. I've actually been rather busy, but updating the site was never one of my strong points! So apologies on that detail... or lack of!

Such lovely goodies to look forward to - signed copies of RED, new tour dates and progress reports on new recordings to the long awaited follow up to RED. All info can be found on the official Lu Cozma website.

Steve and I will be hitting the road in the near future with our music. We're looking forward to seeing you at a gig near you soon. In the meantime, if you need any info on gigs, CD's, news or just want to say hello, please drop us a line at - info@reddotmanagement.co.uk / www.lucozma.com

LU

LU teams up with Red Dot Management

2010-05-18T04:17:00.000-07:00

LU is looking forward to getting back in the studio with fellow musician/producer Steve Askew in the summer to record tracks for a new album to take out on the road.

LU is also proud to announce her partnership with UK based RED DOT Music and Management who are now actively involved with the follow up to Lu and Steve’s debut album RED.

For tour information/bookings contact info@reddotmanagement.co.uk

http://www.myspace.com/lucozma

Earth Hour Film by Cristi Enache....

2010-04-23T00:57:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all,

Cristi Enache from Total Image Solutions (www.totalimage.ro)has recently completed a short film summary of the Earth Hour event in Bucharest, 2010.

Follow this link to find a brief insight into what is behind the event and what happened on the evening. http://exposureroom.com/earth_hour_bucharest

Many thanks Cristi.

Sophisticated Lemons without a bitter twist...

2010-04-13T11:31:00.000-07:00

Sophisticated Lemons, Clubul Taranului, 10th April, 2010

Indie Popsicles? Nope. They’re ‘Sophisticated Lemons’ with a sharp appeal that’ll tickle the taste buds...

They’ve done their homework and the studies have come good. They’ve got the look, they’ve got the sound and they’ve got the charisma... Top marks all around.

I anticipate in the very, very near future, a flock of screaming starry eyed girls in tow, with a throng of adoring fans queuing a mile down the road just to get through the doors of venues where they’ll be playing. To get hands on the hottest tickets in town will be every persons mission... well those who have good ears for good new sounds!!!

Yes, the fresh faced youthfulness of the ‘Sophisticated Lemons’ have made an impression and one hopes that it will be an indelible one on Romania’s new and thriving music scene - a waking call to the public, an alternative that is not a bitter one to swallow but something that‘s current, energetic, and that speaks volumes to the young generation....

Key trax – Bloody Mary, Drugs and Hugs

http://www.myspace.com/sophisticatedlemons

Sounds like – Live they sound like a mash up of vocal front man Tom Smith from the Editors and have an indie guitar based zest of The Kooks (but without the Brighton come pseudo northern English accent)!

Review by LU
(photo credit by Alexandru Trifan)

World Vision & LU...

2010-02-25T16:23:00.000-08:00

LU has teamed up with World Vision to help the welfare of children and families in rural communities.

Full details can be found on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lu-Cozma/267440988509

LU's album RED is now available through http://www.charitygift.ro/ and costs 25RON. All proceeds will be going to World Vision Romania to help children from the 'Colinde' group in Ialomita make their first CD of Romanian folk songs.

Please support this worthy cause and buy a CD. Charity comes naturally and only takes a few minutes to go online and make an order...

There is also an article on LU's partnership with World Vision with Avantaje magazine http://www.avantaje.ro/Timp-liber/Stiri-si-evenimente/Lu-Cozma-canta-pentru-familiile-din-comunitatile-rurale.html?a=6023/1258636

Many thanks for your constant support and friendship...

LU

A good year for female artists...

2010-02-16T00:21:00.000-08:00

A strong year for female artists / Brit Award nominees 2010 / Awards @ Earls Court, 16/2/10

BAT FOR LASHES – Nominated, Best British Female solo artist. Alternative.
Likened to a new Kate Bush, indeed she will probably be with us for many years to come making ground making music while other female artists fall away. Our dear Kate was always underestimated for so many years, Natasha Khan could suffer the same fate, but hopefully the UK listening public can see true quality and give praise when it’s due.
Now playing on LU’s myspace on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track ‘Daniel’ http://www.myspace.com/batforlashes
Recommended Album ‘Two Suns’

FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE – Nominated, Best female solo artist. Pop/Alternative/Indie
Flame haired siren, whose mission is to storm America - she’ll probably do it. ‘Kiss With A Fist’ (’08) brought her to the UK music press attention. A demure female artist with attitude? Too freakin’ right!
Now playing on LU’s myspace on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track ‘Dog Day’s Are Over’ http://www.myspace.com/florenceandthemachine
Recommended album ‘Lungs’

LILY ALLEN – Nominated, Best female solo artist. Pop/Other
LDN lifted her off into orbit. Sharp wit and a refreshing ‘say it as it is’ attitude our Lily’s been proof that you can kick back in rebellion and still be commercially viable.
Now playing on LU’s myspace on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track ‘The Fear’ http://www.myspace.com/lilymusic
Recommended album ‘It’s Not Me It’s You’.

PIXIE LOTT – Nominated, Best female solo artist. Pop/R&B/
Eighteen year old, fairy pop princess, blonde and obviously Pixie like! She went straight into the UK charts at No’1 with ‘Mama Do’ in June ’09.
Now playing on LU’s myspace on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track ‘Here We Go Again’ http://www.myspace.com/pixiesongs
Recommended album ‘Turn It Up’

LA ROUX - Nominated Brit’ Break Through Act. Alt/electronic
Hair slickin’, quiff flickin’ songstress who’s other music half is never seen on stage... La Roux aka Elly Jackson’s androgynous looks and 80’s stylistic music have made her stand out from the crowd as well as her hair ...
Now playing on LU’s myspace on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track ‘Bulletproof’ http://www.myspace.com/larouxuk
Recommended album ‘La Roux’

ALESHA DIXON – Nominated Best Brit’ single for ‘Breathe Slow’. Pop/R&B
A woman who refuses to lie down - won’t be beaten and just comes back more determined better and better, - slick pop with a thick slab of R&B.
Now playing on LU’s myspace on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track ‘Breathe Slow’ http://www.myspace.com/aleshamusic
Recommended album ‘The Alesha Show’.

ALEXANDRA BURKE – Nominated Best Brit’ single, ‘Bad Boys’. R&B/Soul/Pop
X Factor winner of ’08. After resurrecting yet another version of Cohen’s Hallelujah, Burke rose to fame onward and upward with record unit shifting sales within 24 hours of the singles release.
Now playing on LU’s myspace on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track ‘Bad Boys’ featuring Flo Rida http://www.myspace.com/alexandraburke
Recommended album ‘OverCome’

MARINA & THE DIAMONDS – Nominated Critics Choice. Pop/other
Marina Diamandis is of Welsh/Greek background with an interesting individualism and promising staying power.
Now playing on LU’s myspace on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track ‘I Am Not A Robot’
Recommended album ‘The Crown Jewels’ (release 2010)

LADYHAWKE – Nominated, Best International Female solo artist. Pop/Alt/Electro
Innovative Kiwi song maker who likes to wear men’s underpants... Rock on!
Now playing on LU’s myspace on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track ‘Dusk ‘Til Dawn’ http://www.myspace.com/ladyhawkerock

LADY GAGA – Nominated, Best International Break Through Act. Pop/pop/pop
An American singer who wears all kinds of underpants... Keep them on!
Now playing on LU’s myspace on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track ‘Bad Romance’ http://www.myspace.com/ladygaga
Recommended album ‘The Fame’

LU's music clips available on e-cards...

2010-02-15T07:57:00.000-08:00

Lovers, lovers, lovers...

Valentine's day may be over but the lurv month of Feb' continues in Romania with Dragobete.... Whoohooohooo!

Music clips from my album RED are available on e-cards through http://www.feminis.ro/

Scroll down to the end of the page on audio clips/photo's and take your pick, then send to your loved one.

Cu dragoste...

LU

Folkin’ acoustic, English style...

2010-02-10T10:38:00.000-08:00

Now playing on LU’s playlist on http://www.myspace.com/cozmalu folk and acoustic from England...

MUMFORD & SONS – A band that started life on the London folk scene in ’07. http://www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons

CHARLIE WINSTON – Brother of successful singer/songwriter Tom Baxter, now successful in his own right. Suffolk, England. http://www.myspace.com/charliewinston

SETH LAKEMAN – Burning bright star from Devon, England http://www.myspace.com/sethlakeman

JESSE & THE METS – Fresh sound with an indie/folk feel if there could ever be such a thang. London. http://www.myspace.com/jessequinandthemets

BETH ORTON - Highly successful since the early nineties with a lift off of her career with the likes of William Orbit and the Chemical Brothers, Orton has recently also had a fruitful collaboration with the great Bert Jansch. Norwich, England http://www.myspace.com/bethorton

KATE RUSBY – The darling of the folk scene & a favourite for folk traditionalists. Barnsley, England. http://www.myspace.com/katerusby

TOM BAXTER – Bush Hall favourite resident. Songwriter with film score credits. Ipswich, Suffolk, England http://www.myspace.com/tombaxter

JACKIE OATES – Award winning folk songstress from Exeter, England. Now extensively touring the UK http://www.myspace.com/jackieoates

OLIVIA CHANEY – Plays a mean Indian harmonium and sings like an angel. http://www.myspace.com/oliviachaney London

NOAH & THE WHALE – Regularly present on radio and press, this band from Twickenham, London are set for more great things to come. http://www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale

Berti Barbera gig review / Bucharest

2010-02-09T02:51:00.000-08:00

It wasn’t the warmest of evenings and it was also a Sunday, so I supposed Bucharest was going to be a little subdued rather than its normal high paced self at 9 o’clock at night – I supposed right! Stepping up the pace on a strangely quiet Calea Victoriei, I was keen to find the Club where Berti Barbera & Nicu Patoi were scheduled to play, to get out of the evenings chill and warm up with some music.

Club Tribute is an easy place to find on the main street – once through the brightly lit passage, into the main entrance and down the steps I found myself in an ambient lit spacious room, with classy but not too pretentious decor, snappily dressed good looking young bar tenders (all male, I hasten to add), hosting mainly thirty something aged, largely middle class customers.

Kashmir, the song that Led Zeppelin brought to life all those years ago and also brought joy to my ears on many occasions whilst brooding in my room as a teenager was pretty much in my mind an untouchable song to cover. Not only because the song in itself is so indelibly fingerprinted as Zepp’ but also because any one who dared cover it could and most probably would fail miserably.

Berti Barbera & Nicu Patoi however blew that assumption of mine out of the water on their recent television appearance on TVR. Performing Kashmir (and other songs) acoustically and with the Sangam String Quartet was courageous in delivery, quietly powerful in its understatement, rhythmic and totally bombastic.

So, waiting for my drink and sitting on my tod at Club Tribute on a chilly night in a rather swish place, I was intrigued to know how the evening would reveal itself and what Berti & Nicu would have in store for the evening’s musical mix.

The dynamic between Berti and Nicu was evident from the moment they entered the stage. They were poised, enthusiastic and alert to the audience and begun with ease into the set, as if continuing a conversation with the audience, like old friends parted by a day or two. It reminded me of how musicians particularly in folk operate and with immediate effect I was drawn like everyone else into the ‘family’ of audience members – we were all taken under the fold, easily surrendering and warming to the music.

It was striking to see two musicians on stage hold the attention of an audience, with just voice, light percussion and guitar (and on one song, a kazoo)!
Voice matters and in my opinion its better if the lyrics can be heard too. Berti’s vocal tone is very powerful, comparable to Paul Carrack and many of the cover songs that were chosen brought Berti’s voice out in to the open.

Nicu’s fundamentally blues approach to guitar’s like a knife through butter, cutting through effortlessly – not intrusive, harsh, or bringing on the noodle for noodles sake. He’s solid in execution and embellishes perceptively, allowing Berti Barbera to rise vocally to the song and supporting him in doing so.

Berti & Nicu know how to work the dynamic between them and know how to work an audience too. This isn’t to say they do this by hamming it up, they just confidently choose good old familiar songs, but add to it a twist - putting the seal of individuality to the material, sometimes in a totally unexpected way, such as a dirty, funk groove to Hendrix’s Crosstown Traffic and a vocal skiffle/scat vocal ending to Billy Jean or a wickedly sparse blues twang to Depeche Modes, Personal Jesus. I realised on that Sunday evening that Kashmir wasn’t the only different adaptation that this duo can come up with. And I’ll probably be more surprised with twists to other covers they may have up their sleeves.

For Berti Barbera’s upcoming gig listings please log onto :-
http://www.bertibarbera.com/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Berti-Barbera/711576643

SAVOURING THE SET-LIST. Some of the songs played at Club Tribute.
Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell
CrossTown Traffic – Hendrix leading into...
Purple Haze - Hendrix
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Eleanor Rigby - Beatles
Billy Jean – Michael Jackson
Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
Kingston Town
Pride n’ Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan
Light My Fire - (Jose Feliciano’s version)
Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
Kashmir - Led Zep’
Lately - Stevie Wonder
Hey Joe – Hendrix
Every Breath You Take – Police
Redemption Song - Marley
Hush Little Baby
Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran
I Can’t Dance – Genesis
Perfect Day - Lou Reed
(Real Crowd pleasers - I can’t dance, Light my fire, Personal Jesus)

Written by LU

LU's RED video now on youtube....

2010-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hi y'all,

Peter Smith's itouch drawing of RED has now been put in movie format and can now be seen on youtube via this link :-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOvC03QmAtY

It's unusual and eye catching and is based on sketches and drawings Peter made of me... well actually my 'shadow' whilst performing in Holland last year on stage.

Many thanks to Peter... it's been so exciting to see the drawing come to life.

:)

Scandinavian landscapes. LU's top ten recommendations

2010-02-05T03:23:00.000-08:00

SCANDINAVIAN, TOP 10 RECOMMENDED LISTENING

FINLAND
JERMAINE www.myspace.com/jermainerocks
If you like – Adam Clayton rolling bass, Coldplay production and Placebo-like vox then this band will be your prime contender.
Key trax – Way out, Note To Myself, Don’t Be A Stranger
Genre- rock/pop
This band freakin’ rocks!
Now playing on LU’s myspace player on www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track DON’T BE A STRANGER

ICELAND
SEABEAR www.myspace.com/seabear
If you like – Eeeeiry music with atmosphere and the type of songs you’ll find generally on the ‘Bella Union’ record label then put your slippers on and you’re Aran pullover, pull up a cushion and go sit by the camp fire.
Key trax –I Sing I swim, Teenage Kicks, (lovely folky cover of the Undertones. Post punkers be warned!!!
Genre – folk / experimental
Now playing on LU’s myspace player on www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track COLDSUMMER
SIGUR ROS www.myspace.com/sigurros
If you like - ambient melancholy and a melodic description of the icy wilds, you’ll need your hot thermos flask.
Key trax – Staraflur,Hoppipolla, Goobledigook
Genre – landscape visual
Now playing on LU’s myspace player on www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track HOPPIPOLLA
BJORK www.myspace.com/bjork
If you like – pure genius!
Key trax – everything
Genre – alternative / experimental
Now playing on LU’s myspace player on www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track INNOCENCE REMIX

DENMARK
OH NO ONO www.myspace.com/ohnoono
If you like – A slight flavour of Air, a candy sound with balls then listen on... They have a new release called ‘WorldWide Eggs’, yes I can hear all you Romanians chuckling!
Key trax – Helplessly Young
Genre – Indie/experimental/psychedelic
Now playing on LU’s myspace player on www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track INTERNET WARRIOR
THE KITES www.myspace.com/thekitesofficial
If you like – teenage innocence and the Kooks get your hormones around what the Danes have to offer.
Key trax – Liizzie
Genre – indie/pop
Now playing on LU’s myspace player on www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track LIZZIE
EFTERKLANG www.myspace.com/efterklang
If you like – Andrew Bird originality with instrumental rich backing.
Key trax – Towards The Bare Hill, Mirador, Modern Drift
Genre - pop/experimental
Now playing on LU’s myspace player on www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track MIRADOR

SWEDEN
THE SOUNDS www.myspace.com/thesounds
If you like – pop that’s blatantly in your face
Key trax – Dorchester Hotel, Beat Box, Tony The Beat
Genre – New Wave/indie/pop
Now playing on LU’s myspace player on www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track TONY THE BEAT
SAD DAY FOR PUPPETS www.myspace.com/saddayforpuppets
If you like – pop with a US feel, that does what it says on the tin!
Key trax – Set Alight
Genre – pop/rock
Now playing on LU’s myspace player on www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track MOTHERS TEARS
DEPORTEE’S www.myspace.com/deporteesmusic
If you like – Peder Stenberg has a Darren Hayes quality about his voice but the similarity stops there.
Key trax – Damaged Goods
Genre - pop
Now playing on LU’s myspace player on www.myspace.com/cozmalu the track UNDER THE PAVEMENT

English translation of Eugen Istodor Interview with LU...

2010-02-03T23:46:00.000-08:00

Why are you singing?

My father is a singer and I’ve heard his voice in my ear since the time he hushed me to sleep as a baby. He left the family home when I was very small, but the connection of music and singing has always been strong between us. The Irish have a strong affinity toward music, so I guess it’s in my genes too.
I sing because without it I feel not total or whole. It’s more than enjoyment – it’s a need.

What are you thinking when you’re singing in public?

I’m very aware of course of the audience and paying public who come and see me perform, so I get nervous before-hand because I care about what I’m doing and want everyone to enjoy what I do. But there comes a point where I totally become the song, where I become absorbed in the words and the meaning and somehow become slightly oblivious to anything but the story, words and music.

How is it helping you the thing that you’re British and you’re singing with Romanescu in Romania?

I assume no preferential treatment because I’m British. My main criteria is quality in everything I do, which means who I chose to work with and associate myself with and that also can be said vice versa. Romanian musicians top in their profession see that I am a good performer and chose to work with me. Being British is irrelevant. Sorin Romanescu and I have a good synergy and we read each other’s next move musically, so every show is slightly different because we can improvise or divert from our routine. This is terribly exciting and keeps our performance sharp and fresh. It’s a joy to work with such an artist as Sorin Romanescu.

In which language are you thinking? What do you think about Romania in this language?

I think, dream and speak in English! Romanian is a beautiful language and pleasant to hear - I wish to speak it more fluently. Presently I’m able to understand a little more than I can speak.

How would sound a song about your Romania?

Romania has been good to me over the years and I have had many wonderful memories and experiences here. So my song of Romania would quite naturally be one about friendship, good times and happiness.

What kind of music do you use in order to inspire you for your music? What kind of music do you forgot in order to build your music?

Music with emotional content, words with meaning and story are also important. I listen to a very diverse range of music. I’m influenced, I suppose by many genres of music – music from my youth and from my family. There are many ingredients to how I write music, sing it and perform it, but primarily I am ‘me’.

How can you be a brand new presence in a world made of Xerox copies?

It’s not a question of how I can be a new presence. I already am.
Commerciality is important, the same can be said for finding your own niche and to have awareness of market value, but I also hold a firm belief in making music that is true and has meaning with individuality and integrity.

What’s more important: your voice or your person?

The two can’t be separated but if one day I have the terrible misfortune of not being able to sing, then I hope my character would be strong enough to carry me through the rest of life!

English translation of Kudika Interview with LU ...

2010-02-03T23:35:00.000-08:00

1. Coming from Britain, where the industry as far as alternative music’s concerned, is a lot more competitive than here, how do you find Romania in terms of your own opportunities to get seen, “discovered” as it were? Do you think you’ll have to work for it less than you would’ve in Britain?

All genres of music are highly competitive in Britain and Alternative is no different. The music climate has changed there purely because artists are frustrated with the way the industry operates. Artists are therefore doing a lot more for themselves and taking control of their own destiny rather than waiting for a record deal that might never happen! I think the same is true for artists here in Romania. But of course there are problems with this - the difficulties primarily are having to deal with self promotion, self funding, finding the gigs, making contacts etc. It can become quite wearisome and actually absorb a lot of time and effort that could be better spent actually creating and making music! I share the same challenges as Romanian artists have in this regard.
I haven’t the luxury of working less here for my opportunities. Making music and selling it is never easy. I came to Romania not knowing anyone in my profession, so I had to find my own path. There is a curiosity about my music, who I am and where I come from. But I don’t assume any preferential treatment or easier way in, just because I’m English.

2. Do you consider this relocation experience a success, and would you do it again, pick up and move, if you had to?
Relocating is pretty stressful at the best of times. I knew more or less what to expect in coming here due to having a long connection with Romania, but still, living in a different country no matter how prepared you think you are, always brings surprises!

For the most part the move has been a success. I’ve made some brilliant friends here and from a professional & personal view point I’ve had a fruitful time so far and expect lot’s more exciting things to come.
Would I pick up and move again? Hmmm, I’m settled here, so I have no plans to uproot again, not for the foreseeable future anyway!

3. Tell us about your daughters! Are they old enough to be proud of their mother’s career? What do you most love/ find most challenging about being a mum... and in a new country, with a different educational system and so forth?

My eldest is thirteen and my youngest is eleven.
Although they are half Romanian, my daughters were born and brought up in England, so they are very English in their character. I can see so much of my husband and myself in them but they are both equally individual. They’re artistic; creative and intelligent kids and have me laughing out loud with their sense of humour. We’re a close family. We love each other’s company – we make a good team the four of us.
It’s something I haven’t really asked them, but I think they’re proud of what I do. My daughters except their mums got a different job than most. I was singing whilst pregnant and was working within days of having my babies. I selected my work more carefully of course when they were very small, but basically what I do is so normal to them.

I chose to give birth to my second daughter at home. The pregnancy and labour were healthy & I really wanted to have a natural birth, so that’s what I did. Motherhood is important to me and my kids take priority. A happy mum makes a happy child, so although I felt it important to be at home for the children as much as possible – I felt strongly about this - I also felt it necessary to continue to sing and write. Doing this certainly had its difficulties and frustrations, especially when I was writing songs and rehearsing. It’s hard to find inspiration and head space when you have a baby and toddler crying and demanding your attention, but for our family it was the right decision and I have no regrets.

Both girls have adapted very well to being in Romania and enjoy being near family and being more connected to their father’s culture. They do miss England and get homesick sometimes but they get on with it and usually it doesn’t last long. They’re being educated through the British school curriculum as they will eventually return to England to study at University.

4. I have to, absolutely HAVE to, ask you this, since I have a feeling my readers won’t believe their eyes when I post a photo of you along with this interview – how do you do it, what’s your secret to looking like a 20 year-old?

Gosh, I’m very flattered. Erm... I’ve aged well I suppose, like a fine wine?! I can’t quite believe that I’ll be celebrating my 40th birthday in a couple of month’s time. Time certainly flies when you’re having fun.

I’m enjoying my life much more than I did when I was in my twenties and actually feel better in myself. Maybe I’m confidant more, happier to be in my own skin, less self conscious and generally able to just go with the flow easier with life.
I was happy for my teens and twenties to pass to be honest. I woke up on my 30th birthday and felt relieved and very ready for a new era of my life – I embraced it. Now I’m approaching another pivotal era in my life and I’m quite excited about what the next ten years might hold. God willing.

5. Did you have any knowledge about the whole ‘faulty childcare for orphans’ debacle, the dim view Baroness Emma Nicholson took of Romania’s handling of international adoptions etc. – when you decided to come help the orphans in Vaslui? And if you had heard about this, did it play any role in your decision?

Frankly speaking, at the time I wasn’t terribly interested in what was said, who said it, how things came to be or who was to blame. Seeing the children’s plight through media compelled me. So I decided to find a way to come here with a determination to do what I could, even if it turned out to be miniscule in the grand scheme of things. It was probably very naive of me and not terribly well thought out, but often good things come out of spontaneous reactions to situations.
Furthering the protection of vulnerable children worldwide is of paramount importance. What measures are taken to ensure this, often become quite complex in the process. Focus should always be in firm position and done with sensitivities to the wider issues.

6. If you were to characterize yourself and your music in just one word (or phrase), what would you choose to sum it all up? What drives both you and your music to constantly evolve, progress? In other words, what’s your “muse”?
Attitude - on stage, definitely that’s the word. Sometimes off stage too!
I am my music and music is me. When I sing, I become the song. It’s something that I don’t really think too much about because it just ‘is’ and always has been. Singing and performing are integral parts of my being - for me to be whole and fulfilled I have to feed this part of my need.

7. I was reading your MySpace profile and one of the things that caught my eye was your definition of heroes – you say that they’re those “who can survive life and still smile.” How is it that you’ve come to such a deep, and ultimately dark, understanding of life?

Most people have a story to tell and most people have encountered tragedy of some kind in their lives. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who hasn’t been untainted by life. To see life as beautiful and smile through the bad times as well as the good is heroism and I respect and admire such people – ordinary people; neighbours, friends, teachers, hospital workers, train drivers, rocket scientists...
Superman is a hero, but he’s fiction! AND he wears his underpants outside his leotard... need I say more ;)

8. Seeing that I’ve only ever heard you sing live on stage twice, and both times you were sharing the limelight with the Romanian band byron, I was wondering how you guys found each other, musically in tune as you are; also, where do you see this collaboration going – a joint album perhaps?

A good friend of mine is a fan of byron and asked me to go to a concert with her last spring. I’d never heard of byron, but thought I’d go for a night out. Well, I was blown away, so much so that I sat down that very same evening and wrote a gig review about the show. I’d managed to speak with Dan Byron after the gig and get his number with the intention of arranging an interview, which we did about a week later.

We hit it off immediately and after the interview we chatted for ages about music, our view points and experiences and actually realised that we had many things in common. We stayed in touch and later in the year I got a call to ask if I’d be interested in doing some guest vocals on their new album ‘A Kind Of Alchemy’ – hell yeah! Then byron asked if I’d like to appear at their album launch party, to which I again replied, hell yeah!

All members of the band are great musicians and they complement each other seamlessly. The lyrics and musical content are intelligently put. They have originality, can write songs of epic proportions and at the same time be radio friendly, which is so rare in this day and age, especially in alternative rock.
I have quite a deep range to my voice, so when Dan and I sing together there’s an unusual edge, but yet we fit.

There’s been talk of us working on songs together in the future. It’s a strong possibility.

9. What type of British music do you listen to, and who would you have play some gigs here in Romania, if you could call anyone from back home? And, btw, could you actually do that? :P

I like to try and keep up with what’s going on in the UK charts – listening online is an essential part of my daily routine. But actually I prefer all kinds of weird and wonderful stuff, indie, alternative, electro, sometimes punk, post punk.

I’m enjoying some single releases from ‘Chew Lips’, ‘Vampire Weekend’, ‘Mumford & Sons’, ‘Delphic’, Biffi Clyro.... there’s so many.

One of my fave bands at the moment is ‘Does It Offend You, Yeah?’ They’ve gone from strength to strength recently. A good friend of mine, a producer I worked with in England has worked with them (one band member is his son) and I’ve mentioned whether they’d be interested in coming over to Romania. Anything’s possible I suppose, if the timings right.

10. I’ve been wondering, about the which came first – was it the Elbow song that inspired you to name your album “Red” or was it after naming it that you thought a cover of Elbow’s “Red” would work – as we could all see it did, when you sang it with Byron at Fabrica?

Elbows song never came into my thinking when I wrote the title track to my album RED. In a way the lyrics I wrote to Red are nonsensical, but I liked the imagery of being ‘painted in red’ or ‘showered in red’ – it’s kind of sensual, rebellious and slightly dark. Both Steve Askew (co-writer) and I thought a one word title to the album would be more catchy and memorable and that’s how ‘Red’ came to be!
When I told Dan Byron about the concept behind my new show ‘Acoustic Red’, he mentioned Elbow’s Red track as a kind of joke, but then we thought we’d try it out and hey presto it turned out to be a fabulous choice for both our voices.

rant, rants & lot's of raves...

2010-01-18T02:01:00.000-08:00

Phoenix, the French band have been making music for quite a while now ... well, just about ten years give or take a month or 4. They have enjoyed a huge following of fans since the beginning - simply trillions of them, not only from France but worldwide.

Listening to music over the years I stumbled upon Phoenix during my very early adventures through myspace - it was about 4 years ago and I have been a member of the fan trillion-hood since.

I never understood why Phoenix weren't taken seriously by the UK music industry & press. They weren't particularly noticed and I don't think the British public were ever exposed to their wonderful alternative pop on daytime airwaves or prime radio listening hours. If they had radio play, probably at 2 o'clock in the morning when grannies with insomnia were drinking warm cocoa! Because of course radio bods know only too well that grannies are up at that time drinking cocoa and might like to listen to French bands!!! Erm...?

Anyway, it seems a miracle has occurred! UK radio has recently been flying the French flag for pop! Hooray! They've finally realised that Phoenix are actually quite good and have been playing tracks from their latest album 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' (which incidentally was released spring '09). I even had the surprise of my life when I heard Phoenix on the radio in Bucharest(still not to be confused with the Romanian 70’s folk /rock band). Seems that to be a popular band in Europe you’re named after a mythological bird!

Why has this miracle happened on the airwaves after such a long drawn out period of ‘not getting’ the fact some people like to hear more of this band? TV advertising campaigns of course! Who had ever heard of Jose Gonzales before Sony Bravia and their clever bouncing balls?

In the UK, Swedish artists are cool, Icelandic artists are very cool, if you're a band from Norway, chances are you are cool and if you're an artist that's blessed because Baltimore or Seattle in the US of A is where you come from, then you'll be honoured by wearing the sash with 'the in thing', emblazoned in large print (for the sake of the elderly again, so that they can see the wording).

Phoenix and their 'Frenchness' (I know it's not a correct word but just humour me), took awhile to get in to the industry’s psyche and still it's questionable as to whether they would be considered hip, cool or 'the in thing' by the British music industry, probably because unlike Baltimore, or parts of Scandinavia, Versailles is... in France!

Who cares where good music comes from? Most of the music loving population would agree that it doesn't actually matter. Unfortunately the 'industry' is slow on these matters. I'm thrilled that Phoenix has been noticed in Britain and if it's mainly due to advertising campaigns thrusting products such as washing machines, cleaning products, or fast cars in my face whilst watching TV, then so be it. Furthermore, it's nice to know that Mr & Mrs. J. Public like what he or she hears; make their own educated decisions, their own judgement on personal musical (and normally quite sophisticated & varied) taste and subsequently find, then go straight to the source of good music and become a consumer - rather than being kept in the dark ages, which the industry would prefer us to stay. A win win situation all around and a lesson for the music industry bods?

Hmmmm, one thinks not!!!

http://www.wearephoenix.com/

Lu @ Clubul Taranului, 23rd January...

2010-01-11T03:47:00.000-08:00

Hi y'all.

It's been a crazy few weeks and I'm a little embarrassed that I haven't wished you all a Happy New Year before now, but I hope I'll be forgiven ;)

The first gig of the year for me has been confirmed. I will perform 'Acoustic Red' with Sorin Romanescu @ Clubul Taranului, Bucharest on Saturday the 23rd January.

I'm very excited about this show as we've been working on new material and although it's slightly belated it would be nice to celebrate the new year with you at one of my fave places to play in Bucharest.

I'll keep you updated with ticket/booking information and of course the time will be announced shortly.

May 2010 bring you all many blessings, happiness and wonderful new adventures and I look forward to catching up with you at Clubul Taranului or if you're not in Bucharest, at a venue near you very soon.

Rispekt,

Lu

Article by Kudika, Lu @ Fabrica

2009-11-20T04:43:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

A new article by www.kudika.ro is now out - Fabrica gig, 17th November for charitygift.ro

http://www.kudika.ro/articol/timp-liber/611/slideshow/4/In-caz-ca-n-ati-auzit-deja-Lu-Cozma-este-o-forta-a-naturii-o-tipessa.html

Many Thanks Ioanina.

Lu Cozma - new interview by Metropotam

2009-11-13T14:05:00.000-08:00

New Interview - English version with Metropotam.
Many thanks to Cristina for some great questions....

http://metropotam.ro/Interviuri/2009/11/art9017213067-Interviu-Lu-Cozma/

We don’t know much about you. Please introduce yourself.

My name is Lu Cozma and I’m a British singer/songwriter of Irish, Italian background.

How come you decided to move to Bucharest?

I moved here nearly 2 years ago with my Romanian husband and our 2 daughters.

What does this mean to your musical career? Is it a challenge?

Thankfully as a musician I can work where the music takes me, so I’m quite mobile. I can be based anywhere really. But for my family it is better that we are all based in the same place, as my husband’s business projects are here, so it was better for all of us.

Adapting to new surroundings, culture and language has been a challenge but one I embrace. Often taking calculated risks reap great rewards and bring personal growth. I won’t shy away from the fact that I get homesick and find the changes sometimes quite tough, but I’m up for the adventure and new frontiers both musically, creatively and at a personal level.

Whats the story with the Romanian orphanage you worked for?

I first came to Romania in ’92, where I worked for a charity based in the UK. The orphanage was in Vaslui. The work was rewarding, difficult, often heart breaking but the experience was life changing in a positive way for me - brought me down to reality and got me viewing life from a different prospective.

What did you know about Romanian music scene before and what do you know now, after you have moved here?

Understanding the mechanisms of how the music industry work has been something I’ve had to get better acquainted with. I now live here so it’s important that I contribute to the music community and get to know it as best I can.

Like anywhere else in the world, there is music of top quality and there’s music that’s not. Romania is no exception. It’s all according to taste and trend. Taste differs from person to person, but trends kind of rule the way and that’s what mainstream music relies on.

However some exceptional bands and artists are here, living, breathing and moving toward a wave of new culture in music and I’m feeling extremely excited about it. I’m so happy to be in Romania at this time, because I can see new frontiers being pushed and this is always a healthy sign.

Sometimes we’ve just got to look for the less obvious. Yeah, I suppose it’s great going to see international bands that come here but it’s also good to look at the interesting, intelligent, deep textured sounds that are right here, home grown, under our noses.

How would you characterize your musical style? Do you explore different genres?

Well, I would class myself first and foremost as an alternative artist due to a style which straddles both pop and rock. I started singing at the age of 11yrs predominantly in Irish and English Folk music. It was good training ground for me as a professional and also connected me to my culture. I am however not frightened of pushing the boundaries - as a singer I can only experience the dynamics of my voice and performance by being challenged by other genres.

You said once that the ultimate thing for you is performing. Can you tell me more about performing? What makes a great performance? (the audience, the music, the place, the context...)

Yes, you’re right I did say that. Performing... is me being myself. The stage is my platform of life and I am the story teller - the communicator of imagery, feelings, description and truth. Of course there are other elements at play. The audience are integral to the story, if there is no audience then why would the story teller even have a use? The music and the lyrics are of course important because I have to believe in the meaning and communicate it. I’ve performed at some really awful looking venues in my time, the sound has been rubbish or the surroundings haven’t been all that great but the concerts were electric. So often the place matters but not all the time.

What can you tell about Romanian audience? Is it different from English audience?

The Romanian audiences are extremely warm and emotionally alive - responding to every detail and alert to the message and performance, which is incredibly inspiring to me as a performer. In some ways audiences here remind me of Irish audiences – a similar interaction. That’s not to say that the English aren’t like that because they’re warm too.

We had the chance to see and listen to you at Byron’s album launch in Silver Church. What can you tell us about your musical partnerships with romanian artists?

Byron in my opinion, are one of the top bands in Romania at the moment. I’m very proud of their achievements and think their success is more than deserved. When they asked me to guest on their new album ‘A Kind Of Alchemy’ I felt very honoured and excepted. There’s a mutual appreciation and respect too, which is like gold dust in the music industry.

I’m in discussions on various collaborations with other Romanian artists which I’m considering depending on schedules, availability and timelines etc. Updates on this will be revealed once confirmed.

What can you tell us about your latest album, Red? Maybe some inside information, some stories from recordings, an unusual/funny event...

Before I moved to Romania I was promoting the album RED extensively with my co-writer and fellow musician Steve Askew (from the 80’s band Kajagoogoo). When we can’t perform together I go out solo acoustic where ever the music takes me. In Romania I’m taking out RED live under the name ‘Acoustic Red’ with Sorin Romanescu, a very gifted guitarist.

Stories? Oh there are too many to mention!! This one involves a reporter – no names mentioned!! Late at night after a gig a couple of years ago abroad, I was asked by a reporter if I would do an interview. I was feeling rather tired but I said yes. After finding a spot to do the interview we sat and chatted over a beer and then the interview commenced after recording devices were in place and note pads at the ready. 20 minutes into the interview I sensed that I was on my own or as good as! The interviewer had promptly fallen asleep. He was on his way to dream land.... hello, are you still awake!!!

Which are your favourite artists/bands? Not only Romanian, of course.

I’m a bit of a Brit’ music freak. I like listening to UK Indie and Alternative past and present. I’m fascinated with bands such as Joy Division, Elvis Costello, RadioHead, The Jam and anything Punk and post Punk – New Wave is cool too. I simply love Elbow, Portishead... oh, I can’t stop!!!

Listening to folk is something I do often – maybe it’s an antidote sometimes for my homesickness! Cara Dillon, Eliza Carthy, Seth Lakeman and Clannad, to name a few.

Berti Barbera has a great voice and style and I’m enjoying listening to the greats such as Alifantis and Andries. The Nightlosers are cool....

When is your next gig happening? And where?

The next gig is on the 17th November, sharing a line up of very special artists performing for charityGift.ro @ Club Fabrica.

2009-11-13T13:33:00.001-08:00

New Interview - English version with Metropotam.Many thanks to Cristina for some great questions....

We don’t know much about you. Please introduce yourself.

My name is Lu Cozma and I’m a British singer/songwriter of Irish, Italian background.

How come you decided to move to Bucharest?

I moved here nearly 2 years ago with my Romanian husband and our 2 daughters.

What does this mean to your musical career? Is it a challenge?

Thankfully as a musician I can work where the music takes me, so I’m quite mobile. I can be based anywhere really. But for my family it is better that we are all based in the same place, as my husband’s business projects are here, so it was better for all of us.
Adapting to new surroundings, culture and language has been a challenge but one I embrace. Often taking calculated risks reap great rewards and bring personal growth. I won’t shy away from the fact that I get homesick and find the changes sometimes quite tough, but I’m up for the adventure and new frontiers both musically, creatively and at a personal level.

Whats the story with the Romanian orphanage you worked for?

I first came to Romania in ’92, where I worked for a charity based in the UK. The orphanage was in Vaslui. The work was rewarding, difficult, often heart breaking but the experience was life changing in a positive way for me - brought me down to reality and got me viewing life from a different prospective.

What did you know about Romanian music scene before and what do you know now, after you have moved here?

Understanding the mechanisms of how the music industry work has been something I’ve had to get better acquainted with. I now live here so it’s important that I contribute to the music community and get to know it as best I can.
Like anywhere else in the world, there is music of top quality and there’s music that’s not. Romania is no exception. It’s all according to taste and trend. Taste differs from person to person, but trends kind of rule the way and that’s what mainstream music relies on.
However some exceptional bands and artists are here, living, breathing and moving toward a wave of new culture in music and I’m feeling extremely excited about it. I’m so happy to be in Romania at this time, because I can see new frontiers being pushed and this is always a healthy sign.
Sometimes we’ve just got to look for the less obvious. Yeah, I suppose it’s great going to see international bands that come here but it’s also good to look at the interesting, intelligent, deep textured sounds that are right here, home grown, under our noses.

How would you characterize your musical style? Do you explore different genres?

Well, I would class myself first and foremost as an alternative artist due to a style which straddles both pop and rock. I started singing at the age of 11yrs predominantly in Irish and English Folk music. It was good training ground for me as a professional and also connected me to my culture. I am however not frightened of pushing the boundaries - as a singer I can only experience the dynamics of my voice and performance by being challenged by other genres.

You said once that the ultimate thing for you is performing. Can you tell me more about performing? What makes a great performance? (the audience, the music, the place, the context...)

Yes, you’re right I did say that. Performing... is me being myself. The stage is my platform of life and I am the story teller - the communicator of imagery, feelings, description and truth. Of course there are other elements at play. The audience are integral to the story, if there is no audience then why would the story teller even have a use? The music and the lyrics are of course important because I have to believe in the meaning and communicate it. I’ve performed at some really awful looking venues in my time, the sound has been rubbish or the surroundings haven’t been all that great but the concerts were electric. So often the place matters but not all the time.

What can you tell about Romanian audience? Is it different from English audience?

The Romanian audiences are extremely warm and emotionally alive - responding to every detail and alert to the message and performance, which is incredibly inspiring to me as a performer. In some ways audiences here remind me of Irish audiences – a similar interaction. That’s not to say that the English aren’t like that because they’re warm too.

We had the chance to see and listen to you at Byron’s album launch in Silver Church. What can you tell us about your musical partnerships with romanian artists?

Byron in my opinion, are one of the top bands in Romania at the moment. I’m very proud of their achievements and think their success is more than deserved. When they asked me to guest on their new album ‘A Kind Of Alchemy’ I felt very honoured and excepted. There’s a mutual appreciation and respect too, which is like gold dust in the music industry.
I’m in discussions on various collaborations with other Romanian artists which I’m considering depending on schedules, availability and timelines etc. Updates on this will be revealed once confirmed.

What can you tell us about your latest album, Red? Maybe some inside information, some stories from recordings, an unusual/funny event...

Before I moved to Romania I was promoting the album RED extensively with my co-writer and fellow musician Steve Askew (from the 80’s band Kajagoogoo). When we can’t perform together I go out solo acoustic where ever the music takes me. In Romania I’m taking out RED live under the name ‘Acoustic Red’ with Sorin Romanescu, a very gifted guitarist.

Stories? Oh there are too many to mention!! This one involves a reporter – no names mentioned!! Late at night after a gig a couple of years ago abroad, I was asked by a reporter if I would do an interview. I was feeling rather tired but I said yes. After finding a spot to do the interview we sat and chatted over a beer and then the interview commenced after recording devices were in place and note pads at the ready. 20 minutes into the interview I sensed that I was on my own or as good as! The interviewer had promptly fallen asleep. He was on his way to dream land.... hello, are you still awake!!!

Which are your favourite artists/bands? Not only Romanian, of course.

I’m a bit of a Brit’ music freak. I like listening to UK Indie and Alternative past and present. I’m fascinated with bands such as Joy Division, Elvis Costello, RadioHead, The Jam and anything Punk and post Punk – New Wave is cool too. I simply love Elbow, Portishead... oh, I can’t stop!!!
Listening to folk is something I do often – maybe it’s an antidote sometimes for my homesickness! Cara Dillon, Eliza Carthy, Seth Lakeman and Clannad, to name a few.
Berti Barbera has a great voice and style and I’m enjoying listening to the greats such as Alifantis and Andries. The Nightlosers are cool....

When is your next gig happening? And where?

The next gig is on the 17th November, sharing a line up of very special artists performing for charityGift.ro @ Club Fabrica.

CharityGift.ro Concert. Confirmed artists & info

2009-11-11T02:14:00.000-08:00

CharityGift.ro sarbatoreste un an de la primul click printr-un concert caritabil
Bucuresti, 10 Noiembrie 2009 — Proiectul de voluntariat CharityGift.ro, primul magazin online in care toate produsele contin o donatie, sarbatoreste primul an de la lansare printr-un concert caritabil. Marti, 17 noiembrie, ora 20.00 in Club Fabrica din Bucuresti se vor aduna toti prietenii si sustinatorii CharityGift.ro pentru un eveniment aniversar caritabil unde vor concerta byron, Alexandrina, Spitalul de Urgenta, Hi-Q si Lu Cozma&Sorin Romanescu.

Concertul marcheaza un an de la infiintarea CharityGift.ro - proiect de marca in ceea ce priveste responsabilizarea individului fata de problemele societatii intr-un mod accesibil si inovativ. Gama larga de produse disponibile pe CharityGift.ro, peste 1500, are un singur scop, ajutarea ONG-urilor partenere pentru a oferi celor aflati in dificultate ajutorul de care au nevoie. Mecanismul prin care functioneaza este unul foarte simlplu si la indemana oricui. Furnizorul produselor alege un ONG catre care doneaza un procent din valoarea acestuia, la vanzare. Merita mentionat faptul ca produsele au aceleasi preturi ca si in magazinele furnizorului.

Trupele care vor concerta, voluntarii CharityGift.ro si prietenii proiectului vor sarbatori offline, iar contravaloarea tuturor biletelor de intrare va fi donata catre un ONG. Acest ONG poate fi ales de catre toti utilizatorii CharityGift.ro pe prima pagina a site-ului, http://www.charitygift.ro/, printr-un sondaj ce va fi afisat in perioada 10-24 noiembrie. Beneficiarii ONG-ului cu cele mai multe voturi stranse vor primi pe 25 noiembrie primul lor cadou de Craciun.
“Primul an de CharityGift ne-a adus doar satisfactii. Nu atat faptul ca ajutam persoane aflate in dificultate si care merita ajutorul nostru, dar mai ales faptul ca implinim un an de munca voluntara si parteneriate cu oameni la fel de dispusi ca noi sa ajute. Sentimentul muncii in echipa cu oameni binevoitori si lupta pentru o cauza sociala este mereu o sursa de energie care ne obliga sa ne facem datoria zi de zi cu placere” a declarat Nicoleta Talpes, initiator proiect CharityGift.ro.

Despre trupe :

byron
Participant activ in viata proiectului de voluntariat CharityGift.ro, trupa byron s-a conturat la sfarsitul anului 2006. Desi a fost conceputa initial ca un proiect solo, Dan Byron, vocalistul si fondatorul formatiei, a conferit o amploare benefica acestui proiect, recrutandu-i pe 6fingers (clape, voce, chitara acustica), Vlady Sateanu (bas), Costin Oprea (chitara electrica), Cristi Matesan (tobe).
Noul album marca byron, “A Kind Of Alchemy”, este distribuit prin intermediul A&A in reteaua librariilor Carturesti din toata tara si pe www.charitygift.ro, magazinul online in cadrul caruia toate produsele contin o donatie. Trupa byron foloseste celebrele chitare Tanglewood, care le-au fost puse la dispozitie de catre producatori din anul 2008. Aceiasi producatori sustin si formatia Coldplay. Trupa byron doneaza 5% din valoarea CD-urilor vandute prin intermediul platformei CharityGift.ro Asociatiei Culturale ACCES, unul dintre beneficiarii cauzei “arta-cultura”.

Spitalul de urgenta
Trupa Spitalul de urgenta s-a alaturat recent proiectului de voluntariat 100% CharityGift.ro, donand 5% din orice album “F.P.S”, vandut prin charitygift.ro, catre Fundatia pentru SMURD.
Spitalul de urgenta s-a nascut in 2000, tatal ei fiind Dan Helciug, caruia ii apartin conceptul, muzica si textul. Orchestratia originala este asigurata de Victor Panfilov, mentor spiritual, aceasta fiind imbogatita de catre chitaristul Emil Chican. Dan Helciug isi pastreaza umorul si pofta de viata buna si in noul album, “F.P.S.”, in care abordeaza teme evitate in general de trupele mainstream, cantand drespre viata de student, politica si fotbal. Prin ultimul album, Spitalul de urgenta isi dovedeste implicarea adanca in temele de interes ale generatiei actuale.

Alexandrina
Alexandrina Hristov, pe numele ei intreg, este o artista originara din Republica Moldova, a carei activitate se leaga de muzica, pictura si poezie, dar pe care romanii o stiu drept fata care “merge pe jos”, datorita numelui uneia dintre piesele ei. Alexandrina canta in romana, franceza si rusa, iar stilul ei muzical este greu de definit, aflat la confluenta curentelor pop acustic, rock contemporan, alternative, jazz si soul.
Poate aparea pe scena, inarmata cu un pian si cu vocea sa, sau cu o trupa de instrumentisti. Efectul este acelasi: mereu impresioneaza. Primul album al Alexandrinei se numeste "Om de lut" si a fost lansat pe 9 aprilie 2009, reprezentand o colectie de piese vechi si noi . Albumul il puteti gasi si pe CharityGift.ro:
http://www.charitygift.ro/2918/0/0/8/Alexandrina%20-%20Om%20de%20Lut.html, unde include o donatie de 30% catre SMURD.

Hi-Q
Trupa Hi-Q este un grup pop romanesc, ce a luat fiinta in 1996 la Brasov. Grupul, format din Anya Buxai, Mihai Sturzu si Florin Grozea, a incercat mereu sa se reinventeze, sa aduca un produs fresh, diferit de muzica difuzata in Romania. Recent, trupa Hi-Q a lansat cel de-al XX-lea single oficial.

Lu Cozma&Sorin Romanescu
Lu Cozma este o cantareata de origine britanica, ce s-a mutat, in urma cu 2 ani, in Bucuresti, unde a continuat sa incante publicul si sa impresioneze artistii locali.
Recent, Lu a fost invitata sa cante pe noul album al trupei byron, ‘A Kind Of Alchemy’.
Lu Cozma va canta la concertul aniversar CharityGift.ro alaturi de Sorin Romanescu, o colaborare ce o va ajuta pe Lu sa dea o nota acustica albumul sau “Red” – promovat acum drept “Acoustic Red”.

Concertul este organizat de CharityGift.ro, este sustinut de Radio Zu, impreuna cu Image Factory, byron Management, club Fabrica, metropotam.ro, eOk.ro, bestmusic.ro, iconcert.ro, muzicabuna.ro, maximum rock, port.ro, adoptaunong.ro, Lume Buna, Kudika, Amelie, Tabu, mayra si Fab.

Despre CharityGift.ro
Este un proiect de voluntariat 100%, dedicat responsabilizarii individuale si sociale, care functioneaza ca un magazin online, o platforma pentru expunerea de produse din partea furnizorilor care astfel se angajeaza sa directioneze, partial sau in totalitate, contravaloarea acelor produse unor cauze sociale pe care aleg sa le sustina. Astfel, CharityGift.ro este menit sa ofere ajutorul financiar atat de necesar cauzelor umanitare si in acelasi timp sa acorde tuturor oamenilor posibilitatea de a-si exprima bunatatea mereu, nu doar in situatii extreme sau in preajma Sarbatorilor.

Proiectul este sustinut pro bono de Andreea Marin-Banica, cunoscuta pentru implicarea sa extrem de activa in campaniile umanitare din ultimii 15 ani, de Rogalski Grigoriu Public Relations - pentru servicii de consultanta PR - si de Balms&Asociatii - care ofera servicii de consultanta juridica - Graffino si Hanson Online Brand Communication, care ofera servicii de webdesign si X3 Studios prin Proiect 1000, care ofera servicii de design pentru materialele de promovare. Recent, proiectul CharityGift.ro a fost adoptat de trupele Sarmalele Reci, Spitalul de Urgenta si Byron.

Tea Vasilescu Coordonator Proiect tel.: 0726 184 858
email: tea.vasilescu@charitygift.ro http://www.charitygift.ro/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1282658515&ref=profile Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/charitygift_ro

Lu Cozma & Sorin Romanescu, confirmed guests @ Charity gig

2009-11-06T23:37:00.000-08:00

Dear all....

CharityGift.ro, the first online store where all products include a donation, is celebrating its first year in a charitable way. Tuesday, November 17th, 8 p.m. in club Fabrica (Bucharest) all CharityGift.ro friends and supporters will gather for a charity concert: Byron, Spitalul de Urgenta, Alexandrina, Lu Cozma with Sorin Romanescu and Hi-Q.CharityGift.ro volunteers and friends will celebrate offline, and the tickets' equivalent will be donated to an NGO. The name of the NGO will be chosen by the users on the website's homepage from November 10-24th. The beneficiaries of the NGO that gathers most votes will receive all funds on November 25th as their first Christmas gift.

CharityGift.ro, primul magazin online in care toate produsele contin o donatie, sarbatoreste primul an de la lansare in stil caritabil. Marti, 17 noiembrie, ora 20 in club Fabrica din Bucuresti se vor aduna toti prietenii si sustinatorii CharityGift.ro pentru un eveniment aniversar caritabil unde vor concerta Byron, Spitalul de Urgenta, Alexandrina, Lu Cozma with Sorin Romanescusi HI-Q.Voluntarii CharityGift.ro si prietenii proiectului vor sarbatori offline, iar contravaloarea tuturor biletelor de intrare va fi donata catre un ONG. Acest ONG va fi ales de catre toti utilizatorii CharityGift.ro pe prima pagina a site-ului, printr-un sondaj ce va fi afisat in perioada 10-24 noiembrie. Beneficiarii ONGul cu cele mai multe voturi stranse vor primi pe 25 noiembrie primul lor cadou de Craciun.

See ya there folks!

Sorin Romanescu, solo guitar concert

2009-11-06T23:20:00.000-08:00

Dear all,

Sorin Romanescu will be performing his solo guitar concert. An evening not to be missed. All details are as follows.....

JAZZ la Jukebox Club (str. Turturelelor nr. 11 - fost Becker Brau)Duminica, 22 noiembrie, ora 20
POVEŞTI şi CHITARISIRI
RECITAL EXTRAORDINAR SORIN ROMANESCUEndorser for Moffa Guitars
Poate ca exista undeva o planeta a chitaristilor....in Bucuresti exista o sala pentru acestia.....de pe aceasta planeta...in aceasta sala.... Sorin Romanescu vine sa prezinte un program unic, original, cu 5 chitare diferite...
Un eveniment unic in Bucuresti !Sorin Romanescu se lanseaza pe orbita carierei solistice oferind un spectacol in “Lumea chitarelor”.Endorser for Moffa Guitars, Sorin Romanescu este posesorul a doua chitare de lutier construite special pentru muzica sa originala, captivanta.
Muzicianul anului 2008 in jazzul romanesc va invita la “POVESTI si CHITARISIRI” – o calatorie in lumea fascinanta a muzicii pentru chitara, vazuta prin ochii, mainile si imaginatia lui Sorin Romanescu – artist Moffa in Romania.
Sorin Romanescu canta in aceeasi seara la 5 chitare !Yamaha, Moffa Maestro, Fender, Ibanez si Moffa Lorraine sunt instrumentele ce prind viata prin maiestria lui Sorin Romanescu intr-o demonstratie captivanta de virtuozitate !
22 noiembrie este data la care Clubul Jukebox gazduieste recitalul extraordinar al chitaristului de jazz Sorin Romanescu."Povesti si chitarisiri" este un program de succes al muzicianului ce canta in aceesi seara la 5 chitare diferite, abordand stiluri variate in piesele sale care au entuziasmat anul acesta publicul bucurestean la Sala Mare Radio. Premiat ca "Muzicianul anului 2008 in Jazzul romanesc", Sorin Romanescu s-a lansat intr-o cariera solistica ce continua in noiembrie la Jukebox Club, in "sala chitarelor" care se descopera a fi cadrul potrivit pentru un artist si 5 chitare, dintre care doua sunt instrumente de lutier, construite de Domenico Moffa special pentru muzicianul roman ce este in prezent Endorser for Moffa Guitars. Evenimentul este oferit de Jukebox in colaborare cu Asociatia culturala Pro Contemporania.Ora de incepere: 20
Contact: Irinel Anghel (0722755469) / irinel.anghel@gmail.com

Lu guest vocalist - Byron new album launch

2009-10-14T04:42:00.000-07:00

Lu Cozma has been invited to be guest vocalist for the alt' rock band Byron for their new album launch gig 'A Kind Of Alchemy' @ The Silver Church, on Friday 23rd October.

For info on tickets/bookings please contact http://www.tscarena.ro/tsca/

Lu Cozma team

Lu's going cave singing.... !

2009-06-14T04:32:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all,

I'm counting down the days 'til I get back to Germany. It's always such a joy to perform there.

As I was guest vocalist on Andy Lang's album 'Beautiful People' I have been asked to sing with him live. I will also be guest supporting and will be singing solo acoustic.

Looking forward to seeing you there, somewhere in a cave!!!

For more details of the gigs please log onto...

http://www.schulerloch.de/termine09/200609.html

Lulu

Lu's TV appearance, Bucharest...

2009-06-13T01:22:00.000-07:00

Hello all you lovely people,

My 1st TV broadcast here in Bucharest will take place on Saturday, 21st June, 16:00hrs, on TVRM Educational.

The show is about folk revival and is called IN CAUTAREA FOLKULUI PIERDUT, with Maria Gheorghiu. As my roots began in folk, particularly Irish folk, I'm delighted to be invited to perform some songs that influenced me as a young singer/songwriter.

Many thanks to Maria for inviting me and thanks so much to all the team at Bocancul-literar...

Lulu
http://www.tvrm.ro/
http://www.bocancul-literar.ro/

Lu @ The Iron City Club, 24th May

2009-05-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all,

It was a fabulous night of prose, poetry, sketches and music last night @ The Iron City Club, Bucharest.

The sense of community in arts was quite wonderful to behold and I felt priveleged to have been invited to perform and be part of the event...

Here's some links to the evenings entertainment. If you're in town and want to check out a little of what upcoming Romanians are upto in literature, music and all things 'arts' then contact http://www.bocancul.literar.ro/ for info on future events...

http://www.bocancul-literar.ro//Forms/CreatieLiterara/DetaliiCreatie.aspx?id=17117

http://www.bocancul-literar.ro//Forms/CreatieLiterara/DetaliiCreatie.aspx?id=17118

See you at a gig soon,

Lu
www.myspace.com/lucozma
www.myspace.com/cozmalu
http://www.expatromania.ro/

NY based musician Alex Harding talks to Lu Cozma...

2009-05-07T22:45:00.000-07:00

“I BELIEVE MUSIC IS PART OF THE UNIVERSE AS WE ARE...”

Coffee n’ conversation, Lu Cozma interviews Alex Harding.

Bari Sax is not a name of a person! Well there might be someone out there, somewhere by that name but in this instance Baritone Saxophone is, as I’ve only recently discovered, the most amazingly beautiful sounding instrument. And in the hands of NY’s adopted son, the most highly esteemed and talented, Alex Harding, ‘bari sax’ is at its most magnificent.
A recent tour with the New York, cult, underground funk band ‘DEFUNKT’ brought Alex to Europe where he first played Prague, Germany and then the Netherlands, from April 19th. Bucharest brought some much needed ‘down time’ from his busy schedule - by hanging out and performing concerts with his musician friends in the city. With the likes of Cristian Soleanu (alto sax) and Vlad Popescu (drums) he set forth on an exploration of his new musical concept ‘The Afro/Brazilian, Afro/Cuban Project’, which he performed at Clubul Taranului, GreenHours (both in Bucharest) and also Brasov, before his return home to NY.

Live, the show was a mesmerising display of sound and technique, a flume of energising musical passion. Brazilian, Cuban and Jazz wouldn’t be what you’d normally hear moulded together in one evening under the same roof, anywhere on this planet. With Alex Harding & Friends at the helm I was definitely sailing through an evening full of unchartered waters and in their capable hands the adventure was a good one.

Catching up with Alex one lunch time during the last leg of his tour in Bucharest was sheer joy. His chilled out personality and sense of humour was infectious. It was one of those occasions when time just vanished. Before realising it, a couple of hours had wandered by without us noticing!

LC – You’ve come to Romania quite regularly since 2005.
AH – Yeah, definitely once a year sometimes twice.
LC – When you travel with your music do you notice differences in audiences?
AH – Yeah I think there’s a real openness. One thing I like about Europe is that people you’ll find going to see a heavy metal concert or a rock concert would be interested to still see what’s going on with what we’re doin’. So you get this kinda cross, music taste... that’s a good thing. A lot more open mindedness.
LC – Is that less so in America?
AH – Yeah, I will have to say yes unfortunately, because I think it’s the programming.... it’s like, ok well, you have to be put in a certain box.
LC – A box? In commerciality terms?
AH – Exactly. The whole commercial aspect of it is... ok, ‘put this in this box’ and you’re not supposed to go over to that box, so stay in your box now. It’s not really encouraged to seek out and check out other aspects...
LC – So you see it as a kind of marketing safety valve rather than an artistic exploration of different genres?
AH – Yeah. I’m sure. When people do hear my music and I tell them about things I’m doing, they hear it, they say ‘whoa, that was pretty cool’, but you know it just never occurred to them to go. They’ve been kinda shuttled around almost like sheep in a way...
LC – Has that caused you great frustration with your projects?
AH – Well in a way but you know you just can’t get frustrated. Just play the music.... sincere and true.
LC – How did you come up with the conceptions of your past recordings? Do they represent different phases of your life, personally and artistically?
AH – Of course yeah. Nothing is separate... it’s all connected. So with this ‘Afro/Cuban, Afro Brazilian Project’, I didn’t know what to do and I said well, I want to come there (Bucharest), cos I was on tour with another band and I thought once I finish that part of the tour I’ll go over to Romania and hang out with some friends and play some music and stuff and I said ‘ what do I wanna do?’ and I really, really enjoy music of south America and Cuba and stuff.
LC - ... have you been there?
AH – I have. I haven’t been to Cuba. I’ve been throughout the Caribbean. I’ve been to Brazil, to Bahia which is like the Mecca of where that music comes from.
LC – Did you make alliances there with musicians and get to play?
AH – Unfortunately not cos I wasn’t there long enough to do so...
LC – You were long enough though to absorb it....
AH – Yeah, yeah definitely and plus I had an opportunity in the late ‘80’s, say ’88, to work with a gentleman who contributed to several of the compositions to this project. He had explored African music around the world so that meant all of South America, Caribbean and Africa itself and in America. It was very good, Francisco Mora was his name, so once I started playing with him, ‘wow, this is beautiful, wonderful’. Music you know - brought by the people of Africa, it’s all connected . From that point on I had a real thirst and desire to emulate this sound...
LC – So, with ‘The Afro/Brazilian, Afro/Cuban Project’, you were stimulated by a sound with its cultural content and moved it to your own style ?
AH – Yes, because I’m not from Brazil or Cuba, but you know, the wanting and desire to deal with the music and learn about it and bring my experiences from the States, Detroit to it - an interesting mix. It’s all from the same tree... it’s all coming from Africa.
LC – Tell us a little about yourself, your beginnings and where you’re from...
AH – I’m from Detroit, Michigan, born and raised. The home of Motown...
LC – A really good music foundation...
AH – I didn’t know before I was born, learning was going on when I was in my mother’s stomach I was getting on with all this beautiful music. We always had music on...
LC – Have you siblings?
AH – I’ve four sisters...
LC – And you’re the youngest?
AH – Yeah...
LC – I bet you were so spoilt!
AH – Haha, yes, but my father didn’t allow that to go on. My father said, ‘enough, enough of this’!!!
LC – Are you a close knit family?
AH – Yeah, yeah. Very close.
LC – Wow, you’re mother must be a strong woman... Your family’s still in the States?
AH – She is a real strong woman. Yeah, they’re all in the States. All in Detroit except one’s in Colorado.
LC – Are your family artistic/creative?
AH – One of my sisters Vicky played clarinet and they all played music they liked to listen to...
LC – That must have been to your advantage, because you were listening to all this at home.
AH - Yes, I had all of this stuff going on, which was really good. I guess you could say Vicky was influential, you know, with the instrument. I was like a natural. My first instrument was drums, at 9 or ten yrs.
LC – Why drums? Did you just say to your parents one day, ‘I wanna play drums’?
AH – Yeah, it was just natural... I could just play it! I just knew how to do it. I figured out I must have been a drummer in my past! I must have been cos I didn’t have any lessons up ‘til a certain point and then I did that for about 2 years and then I listened to Grover Washington Jr the saxophone player and I said ‘Man, saxophone, I like this’!!! I was like 11 or so and then that Christmas I had a saxophone.
LC – As a child you had obvious potential and you were encouraged.
AH – Yes I was. Anything that was positive and kept you out of trouble and kept you doing something good.
LC – Is Detroit a difficult city to be brought up in?
AH – I didn’t seem to think so. A lot of families, kids...
LC – With this powerful want and need to express yourself in music, how did you take that further? Did you have formal music education?
AH – Yes, I started saxophone and I started playing in a school band, and you know doing by hand little music notes and then as I got better and my parents saw it they said ‘OK’, then they provided me with lessons. But I had good teachers, which was good. It really nurtures you, because you have such a passion from the teacher just instilled in you.
LC – Who are the most significant artists that put you on your way to become a performer yourself?
AH – Well, of course, Harry Parker, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ellington...
LC – When you approach a new project or write new material, what gets things started?
AH – It depends. I try to be very intuitive with it, to allow it to manifest itself. Same with this project (A/B,A/C project). I believe that music is alive. Music is part of the Universe as we are, so you just have to trust and step to the side a little, let it do what it’s gonna do.
LC – Can you remember the first album or single you bought?
AH – I most certainly can. It was Charlie Parker, Live at Storyville and then I bought John Coltrane’s Countdown album. I was in my mid teens...
LC - From Detroit, why the move to New York?
AH – It was a matter of being around a wider pool of musicians and to have more opportunity. I’ve been there now 16 years.
LC – Did you find the transition easy?
AH – It was difficult, cos at first I hated it. It’s expensive, you know, fast paced crap but what I didn’t realise was, as I stayed there longer and started to get myself introduced to other musicians the networking came into play, then it became ‘oh wow, this is not so bad’. Then I decided after another couple of years, it’s ok. Now I could never go back to Detroit. I go back to visit my folks, but to live, nah. In all honesty there’s only one place in the States to live and that’ll be New York. If and when I get tired of NY I’ll have to leave and probably come to Europe or something.
LC – Is there a place in NY off the beaten track that you’ve discovered that you’d recommend going to see, a less obvious place?
AH – The park is nice, you know Central Park, but I don’t go there that often. There’s another large park in Brooklyn near me, Prospect Park - peaceful there, with a lake... I miss that, you know, my father and I when I was little he had me out hunting, fishing... and I really miss that. I was just talking to a friend of mine who I was on tour with last and he said ‘Man, you need to go fishing with your father’, cos, you know, you can’t get that time back once it’s gone, it’s gone. I was lamenting about how we used to go on these fishing trips once a year, I’d come home and then we’d go up in Canada with some of his friends and neighbours... I was just thinking about that.
LC – Where would be the place of choice for you to go and play... a place you’ve never been before?
AH – I’ve never been to Asia in terms of China, that whole region, India, Africa. I’ve been to Australia, New Zealand I’ve never been to. Canada... I’ve been there but it’s so infrequent, let’s see now, when was the last time I played in Canada? It must have been the Montreal Jazz festival, 9 years ago. (Laughs) I’m due a visit. I’m due a tour, a good strong two week tour of Canada! Yes, yes, it would be delightful...
LC – If you were transported to an unknown planet somewhere in the Universe and you could only take a few belongings with you, what would be the top 2 albums you would bring for your pleasure?
AH – Oh that’s difficult. Ummm... ok, ‘A Love Supreme’ by John Coltrane. (Takes a moment to think, then laughs). Shit...
LC – You know, you’re not being disloyal to any particular artist cos you haven’t chosen their album!
AH – Oh man, there’s a myriad of albums... there’s Ellington, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye... (begins to reel off names of artists)...
LC – OK, OK... how about the first 500 albums you can bring!!!! Then would it be easy?
AH – It would be EASIER...!!!
LC – For a young person who aspires to become a musician of any kind, what would be your main advice to them?
AH – (Laughs) become a lawyer. Go to law school... or become an architect. I mean this shit is... you pay for this. You know, you pay for your freedom to be able to chose; to go and hang out, to do whatever, to tour and shit, cos for the most part as musicians...
LC – ... There’s a sacrifice?
AH - Always. I mean you have to love it like there’s no other choice. I have no choice.
LC – What would be the most prominent sacrifice in your life?
AH – Relationships. It makes relationships difficult because you don’t have what’s deemed as a normal 9 to 5 gig. You’re in town, then out of town. Just because you’re gone doesn’t mean you don’t care about them or not wanna be with them. Professional touring is what being a musician’s about.
LC – Will we expect to see you in Bucharest again?
AH – Absolutely yes. Possibly this summer or early fall.

Alex may be returning to Romania later this year to continue his ‘Afro/Brazilian, Afro/Cuban Project’. There are also possibilities to perform at festivals with his project ‘OrgaNation’. For details of when he’ll next be hitting the limelight here in Bucharest, please log on to www.alexharding.net
Additional sites of interest, http://www.defunktmusic.com & http://joebowie.org

Interview by Lu Cozma / May, ’09.

Hanno Hoefer Interview...

2009-04-30T02:58:00.000-07:00

“ I wouldn’t change it for anything”.

Grabbing a coffee at his usual watering hole somewhere in the deep depths of the city, I soon realised whilst chatting and losing track of time, how enigmatic Hanno Hoefer really is. Romania knows him as front man of ‘The Nightlosers’ a band that concocts a combustible recipe of blues & country with traditional Romanian sound. Immense success also as a founder member of Mobra Films, with Christian Mungiu and Oleg Mutu won them the Palm d’Or and FIPRESCI award at Cannes in 2007, with the critically acclaimed film ‘4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days’.
I found myself at a unique vantage point to ask the less obvious, to delve into his past student life, musical beginnings as a performer and the start of his life behind the camera.

LC - You studied in Berlin?
HH – For awhile, yes
LC – What was it you studied?
HH – I studied Eastern European history and social anthropology,
LC – And you were in Berlin for how long?
HH – Let me see... for about 3 years.
LC – Why Berlin?
HH – Because I left Romania in ’88 and went to Germany as an immigrant actually. I have a German background and from Romania I went there. I didn’t feel good in western Germany. I studied a year in Bavaria and didn’t like it at all. Then I moved to Berlin because I visited Berlin and somehow I felt very at home. I still had my Romanian passport and I was able to travel to East Berlin whenever I wanted, without paying, so you know... I even lived in East Berlin, studied in West Berlin... for me having those 2 passports the German one and the Romanian one...
LC – There wasn’t so much of a cultural difference then?
HH – Yes and no. In West Berlin there was a cultural difference but in East Berlin where I knew a lot of people there wasn’t. I knew people there because lot’s of East Germans came to Romania during the summer to go to the Black Sea. And I made a lot of friends. Actually I knew lots of East Berliners and it was easier for me to see what was going on there and with their help.
LC – Why study those specific subjects?
HH – Well, I finished High School with the focus on history in Bucharest and then I went to Germany, thought, ‘what should I study’?’ Where could I have a good position’? I mean, not every University took you and the Institute for Eastern European History had one big condition, you had to know one of those languages, so, as I knew Romanian they took me immediately, so that was one of the reasons. And of course another reason was because it was interesting and basically it was very good there. Unfortunately I didn’t finish those studies, because I switched to film directing. But it was useful anyway...
LC – When you came back here to Romania you studied cinematography, to begin a career in filming? Had you made a conscious decision then for that type of career?
HH – No, not at all. It was much simpler than that. I had a girlfriend in Cluj, in Transylvania...
LC – Ahhh, so it was all about a woman...
HH – No... (smiling), well, more or less. No, I organised from Berlin, I managed to get a scholarship to study Eastern European history in Cluj for one year, so there I studied. Then some good friends of mine tried to get into the Film School in Bucharest and they told me about the exams... I got interested and then I said ‘I’m gonna try this too’, out of fun. And there were 3 exams in a period of, I don’t know, 10 days or something like that. They were eliminatory exams, so if you missed one, failed, you’re out. I took the first 2 and it got serious, I mean, I realised I had chances to be admitted. I think the reason why I got admitted into the school was because I didn’t want to...
LC – ... because you were relaxed? And you had nothing to lose?
HH – Exactly. That’s it. And that’s how I switched to film. I quit studying history and switched to film...
LC – So really by chance...
HH – More or less.
LC – You’ve done some acting too.
HH – Yeah, on the side.
LC – Have you a desire to act?
HH – No, I don’t have a desire. I don’t go to castings, only if I’m forced to do it, no, it was an accident! I worked in a theatre before ’89 in Romania, as an actor, for about 2 years, but that was it, then I took a break for about 10 years, but when I was in film school they started to give me small parts, some of them obviously went good and they called me from time to time, but it’s not my job and I’m not an actor, to be clear (smiles).
LC – When you were studying, were you involved with music?
HH – Yes. In Cluj I formed this band.
LC – The Nightlosers?
HH – No I had another small band, the 3 of us. Some guys in Cluj they were music producers and organised regular parties. They needed a jam session band and they took me from my band and my colleagues who were popular musicians in Cluj. We met one day at a club without knowing what to play and of course blues is the best... when you don’t know what to play you play blues! We didn’t even have a name and we played for about ½ year for free beer, out of fun and slowly, slowly. We stayed together. The name wasn’t our choice it was given to us by the audience, by some guys, I don’t know who it was! I didn’t even like it in the beginning...
LC – But the name stuck and you were destined to have it...
HH - Yeah, we tried to change it about 10 years ago.
LC – You have a very loyal and strong following.
HH – Actually yes. We built the following. I recognise the people when we go to a different city. We’ve been playing for 15 years. It’s time they got familiar with what we’re doing!
LC – When you look at new film projects, do they come to you, or do you get the creative flow going yourself, do you collaborate... how does it work?
HH – It’s kind of from outside. I don’t sit down and say ‘let’s write a script’, no, something has to happen. You never know where you go from there, it can be a discussion sitting at a table, can be from anything. I have to admit I’m not good at sitting down and writing out of fantasy, like some people do.
LC – Tell me about your film ‘The International Phone Call’ (Telefon In Stainatate).
HH – You know that film? You surprise me...
LC – The photography is quite exceptional and the little details in the first minute when nothing is spoken. I was taken aback by the wonderful detail you’d captured. Your observations on the everyday, streets, stray dogs... spot on and identifiable.
HH – That was a school film, it was made in school. I think we shot it in 3 days and to prepare another 2 or 3 days, maybe 2 weeks. We edited in one night. And we edited on film on an editing table, not a computer. At Film School we had an editing table from the 1940’s, really, really, and they were still working and we were editing with the film...
LC – That’s a creative process in itself...
HH – It’s a very creative process and I’m very sorry it disappeared because everything is now on software... I learned to keep everything in order, you know, because you were surrounded by hundreds of metres of film and if you lose your orientation ‘where did I put that metre of film’? It’s a disaster... I had to be very careful with it. Everything was done physically, by cutting the film...
LC – Do you think it’s better now?
HH – It’s easier now but definitely there’s something lost. It was complicated, it’s much easier now and you can focus more on the creative process, but on the other hand it helped me, I liked it. I get lost on a computer. I liked editing at that time.
LC – Did you use professional actors in the film?
HC – No and the main character wasn’t an actor.
LC – I think that’s what’s so appealing about it, because it’s so normal and natural. Are you going to make another film like that again?
HH – Yeah the one I’m going to do in July or August is more or less the same approach. It’ll need a lot more preparation because now I have to take care of everything.
LC – Where can we find out info on your Nightloser gigs?
HH – On our Myspace page.
LC – Are there plans for a new album?
HH – We definitely plan on this, in the summer. If everything goes well, we’ll start recording in April.
LC – Any videos?
HH – Yeah, we have to do some videos.
LC – Is it going to be a covers album or original?
HH – Maybe three or four original songs but mostly blues standards because that’s part of what we do.
We played in Toronto Canada in November (2008). One of the best compliments, I ever got was from a 60 year old carpenter. After the show he came over to us and said ‘I like the way you fuck around with those songs’... Yeah, that’s actually what we do!
LC – At different points of your life, you’ve had significant projects, but basically you’re a free man to work on things that you really want to do.
HH – yeah, I’ve been lucky. The financial part of course cannot be neglected, sometimes it was hard, sometimes it was good, at times a little insecure, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

Since interviewing Hanno Hoefer, Mobra Films have now been confirmed as a contender for this year’s Cannes Film Festival with ‘Tales from the Golden Age’. All the very best with the film guys. Romania’s standing proud!

‘The Nightlosers’ gig listings, info, video’s and samples of music on the band can be found on www.myspace.com/nightlosers
For Mobra Films and info on ‘4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days’ -
http://www.mobrafilms.ro/
http://www.4months3weeksand2days.com/blog/index.php

Lu Cozma
www.myspace.com/cozmalu
http://www.expatromania.com/

Peter Smith, Art Exhibition, London

2009-04-08T23:49:00.000-07:00

" I am currently interested in the way a record of a fleeting everyday shadow often stills a particular moment or event" - Peter Smith

Peters exhibition of some of his new work is now showing at the Art & Architecture Gallery, Richmond Upon Thames, until 14th June.

His captivating book 'The Way I See It', will be available at the exhibition, " The pages of this book turn very slowly" - Edwina Ellis, UK Engraver & Printer.

These days there aren't many opportunities to view such originality and depth of perception in art as in Peter Smiths work. Highly recommended.

To find out more about Peters, art, photography, etchings, paintings and his book, please log onto http://www.peterssmith.weebly.com/

The A&A Gallery is situated in the Art & Architecture shop, 129 Kew Road, TW9 2PN, http://www.aandagallery.com/

Lu

Lacramioara Brecea, 'One Woman Show'.

2009-04-04T04:01:00.000-07:00

Bucharest's new and highly talented actress Lacramioara Brecea will be starring in her one woman show "Evadare din multimea vida".

Always engaging and charismatic, Lacramioara's show is set to storm Club A, 11th April. Show starts at 7:00PM.

For ticket bookings and info please contact CLUB A, Strada Blanari 14, Bucharest. Tel / 021 313 55 92

More info on Lacramioara can be found on http://tiny.cc/qKNV1

Lu
www.myspace.com/cozmalu / www.expatromania.ro

DRUM-UP @ Spice Club

2009-04-04T03:54:00.000-07:00

For a truly unique and interactive experience get yourselves down to Spice Club to see the 'tornado trio' in DRUM-UP'.

Orlando Petriceanu, Adrian Noir and Mihai Axinte provide an evening of energetic theatre and musical entertainment where the audience are part of the show...

For more info and ticket bookings please contact -Spice Club: Adresa, Calea Victoriei 21-23, mezanin. Telefon (Rezervari): 021 312 01 36 or http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LnNwaWNlY2x1Yi5ybw== Email: office@spiceclub.ro

For Drum-Up reviews please check out Ziua Verde on http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vdGlueS5jYy5kR1RGVA== and http://www.drum-up.blogspot.com/

Lu
www.myspace.com/cozmalu / www.expatromania.ro

ARTS & cULTURE... NEWSFLASH

2009-04-03T00:35:00.000-07:00

GIG NEWSFLASH... Confirmed music artists performing in Romania and events in April, May & June.

Alexandrina Hristov @ Silver Church, 9th April.

Art Exhibition @ Carturesti Bookstore, Bucharest, 17th April.

Alex Harding, on tour, 26th April - 6th May, venues tba.

Byron, 21st May @ Silver Church.

Asleep In The Park, Clubul Taranului, 29th & 30th May, Groove Garden, Brasov, 31st May.

Al Jawala on tour from the 3rd May, Silver Church, Clubul Taranului, fatzaDa festival, Prato and Groove Garden confirmed gigs.

fatzaDa Festival, bands confirmed, Byron, Aria, Urbana, The Amsterdams, Les Elephant Bizares, 4th/5th/6th June...

These bands are well worth seeing. Don't delay, get your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

For more info, log on to http://www.depouldearturbana.ro/, http://www.teatruljoint.ro/ , http://www.fatzada.ro/ . For box office/tickets please contact Dan Oprea dan@oprea.net

Updates, posts, reviews, interviews will follow...

Lu
www.myspace.com/cozmalu
http://www.expatromania.ro/

Interview with Dan Byron...

2009-03-31T04:42:00.000-07:00

‘IF THE AUDIENCE CAN’T RELATE, THEN I HAVE FAILED....’ Dan Byron chats to Lu Cozma about his album ‘Forbidden Drama’ and the release of BYRON’S forthcoming, new album and single release.

I met Dan in a relaxed mood, chilling at a coffee house in Piata Romana, Bucharest, on a pleasant spring afternoon, sipping cappuccino and taking in the midday city atmosphere. Last time I saw him, he had just come off stage, buzzing from a hugely successful show at The Silver Church.
Certainly, it was one of those meetings where the weather and such an interesting interviewee, inspired hours of talking music, life, the universe, however the subject of his new album was very much on the agenda and he was keen to divulge.

What’s on his mind? What gets his thinking processes on hard drive? What are the issues that mean something to Dan Byron? By the end of the interview, I got to thinking that what he feels strongly about comes to life in song.

Exposed to music at an early age; the second child of 2 boys, exceptional parents who encouraged creativity; studying music at school, nearly marrying and living in Germany, even faking mental instability to escape Military Service were all subjects that could have made a story in themselves. But that’s for another time, maybe in his autobiography in years to come.
I asked Dan about writing, creating and performing original compositions and what’s his take on it all...

DB – The biggest pleasure I have is to create. And when I am at home, sitting on my chair, with my computer, with my keyboard, with my guitar and create something new and something exciting you know.... this is the pleasure.
LC – The album ‘Forbidden Drama’... what was the reason for the title?
DB – The first reason was it sounds well.
LC – Which is a good enough reason.
DB – Yeah. The 2nd reason is about things we don’t speak about. It’s about the reality of the world and all this corporate stuff, all these walls everyday that we build. 30 years after the album ‘The Wall’ (Pink Floyd), we’re still in the same shit or worse. During the writing of that album I met our manager, he thinks corporate. I met those corporate types. And the guitar player was a lawyer.
My kind of freedom and their kind of life gave birth to this album, from beginning to end. I start with corporate stuff and step by step going to my kind of stuff.
LC – Do you find as a writer you’re making a conscious decision or obligation to have some thought provoking content in your music?
DB – Many artists are talking about love. They are talking about love since the 50’s or one century before, but they don’t really talk about love actually, they only talk about love cos they know they can sell the album...
LC - Playing on sentimentality...?
DB – Yeah. For the next album, I tried hard, really hard, to write one song about love.
LC – Was it that much of an effort?
DB – It was a real, big effort. The first point; I don’t like to lie. If I make music, I have to be there and think. The second is I don’t want to talk about my private life, but I did... And I wrote a song about one love that I lost, it still obsessed me. Not because of the person. It was more about - I loved that love. I always remembered how it was.
LC – Nostalgia, you were kind of grieving over?
DB – Yeah, but that was the challenge. In that song the chorus is ‘There is one love we never forget, one love every day we try to recreate’. On ‘Forbidden Drama’ I included a little episode on (the song) ‘Faraway’. Faraway is about sex actually. It’s about the feelings you have but it’s not about love...
LC – Lust and a drive for lust...
DB – Yeah. When you have sex with somebody, you forget about your problems, your troubles, and you’re so far away from the world. And for this new album I was thinking man, I wrote something about sex before but not about love... The next album is about writing; the process, from beginning to end.
LC – The theme of the album and the songs ‘thread’ throughout will be about ‘writing’?
DB – I don’t like to have an album with greatest hits. If I write 20 songs and chose 10, it’s not good...
LC – You like to have continuum throughout?
DB – Yeah. There are many layers of the album. A primal layer when you first hear and then after deeper and deeper. For example; it’s exciting to write about writing because you can talk about all problems you have, you can talk about media, how you are treated by media, how you feel about all these chicks on the television showing their asses and being rich and you as a real artist writing about yourself, life and everything... and nobody cares about you.
LC – Celebrity is different from actual talent...
DB – Yeah, yeah.
LC – Do you find yourself writing social documentary in your music?
DB – This influence comes from Bob Dylan; Pink Floyd, King Crimson. I guess my major influence come from Roger Waters and Bob Dylan because they wrote something so social, that when I listen I start thinking on what my life is. When Bob Dylan talks about love, he really means it. You can feel it. Like The Girl From North Country. (Dan then puts on a convincing Bob Dylan imitation voice and starts singing).
LC – Is it all about the product, is it all about the story and is it about bringing the audience in to your world?
DB – Well it’s not actually my story. It’s everybody’s story, but from my perspective. It’s what I see around me.
LC – So you’re putting forward to people something they can relate to ...
DB - If they can’t relate, then I have failed. Empathy is the most important .
LC – You seem to have a really solid team of musicians you’re working with. Do they have any say in the creative process? Do you bring them on board at a specific time? Is it a joint effort?
DB - I become more and more like a dictator, ha, but not like that kind of dictator...
LC – Haha, what kind? Like a nice dictator????
DB – I’m obsessed with making drafts, with music soft (software) and I bring to life every idea I have for each and every instrument we have in this band.
LC – Do you hear the arrangements in your head?
DB – Yeah, but my rule is like ‘well this is what I think about this. This is the theme I give you but if you don’t like it change it. If you like it keep it’, you know? So for the first album they changed it a lot because I was not so professional, like...
LC – Or maybe not so sure of yourself, then?
DB – No I was pretty sure of myself then but I didn’t have all the conditions I have right now. In the meantime time I bought another computer, a new midi control...
LC – A new surge of confidence...
DB – Yeah, and right now I can do almost anything at home, you know. Back then I didn’t know the software so well...
LC – Were you reliant on other people to help you with the technology of it?
DB – No, I made everything myself but I learnt in time... But my computer was old. Many things I wrote, with my right hand with the mouse and it’s hard to do it like this, because until you write an idea you’ve almost lost it, you know... Many things I wrote with my pen because I just didn’t want to lose the moment.
LC – Has the new album got a title or a working title? Or are you still working on that?
DB – The working title is ‘A Kind of Alchemy’. It’s something like an innuendo on ‘It’s a kind of Magic’ by Queen. A Kind Of Alchemy because making music is like being an alchemist; transforming people, happenings, into something different.
LC – You haven’t recorded yet... But the content of the album is pretty much there?
DB – It’s been ready since November.
LC – So it’s just a question of when you’ll be recording. Have you a deadline for release and will it be independently released or through a record label? With Forbidden Drama did they (the record company) distribute? Can you find it in the shops?
DB – Yeah.
LC – When a band’s ready at the point of bringing a product together, it’s better to have full control of every process, graphics, design, distribution etc ?
DB – No, I don’t want full control. I want to know what’s happening.
When we made ‘Forbidden Drama’ I had full control and I failed a little because I didn’t know much about making an album. I knew how to make the music but the rest of it, it is too much for me. After that, for the DVD ‘Acoustic Drama’ I almost didn’t feel like I had something to do because our manager did almost everything. We realised we had a designer in our band and we didn’t know about it... 6Fingers the keyboard player made the design. He just showed me the final draft and I said, alright, it’s very fine. Right now we are pretty much a team, everybody is doing something.
LC – When do we expect the release?
DB – In the autumn.
LC – A tour?
DB – I hope so. We have a tour this summer. I don’t know exactly when and where. Anyway, just Romania. There is no reason to go outside and play in clubs where nobody knows about you.
Actually now we are working on the final drafts and I believe in one month we’re gonna go to the studio.
LC – Excellent. How can we find out updates and info’? On your website?
DB – Yeah. The next site I want total control. That’s why I think, maybe, we’re gonna make it!
LC – A video, for the next album? Have you got a single that you’re going to push forward with a video?
DB – We have many. We’re thinking, this song or the other one.
LC – A tight decision?
DB – I already know the first single. And if someone’s going to be against me I’m going to fight!!!

Whoa! Before a possible fight breaks out, better get yourself logged on to http://www.byronmusic.ro/ for updates, news, gig listings and info on the new album.

Interview by Lu Cozma.

Lu, live radio broadcast, Bucharest

2009-03-29T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all,

I'm gonna be on the radio this Tuesday 31st March.

www.radio3net.ro

The name of the presenter - Adrian Paduraru.

The name of the show - Intamplator...

Time / 7PM-9PM (CET)

Tooon in,

Lu
www.myspace.com/lucozma www.lucozma.blogspot.com

Gig Review, Byron @ The Silver Church

2009-03-21T05:55:00.000-07:00

Gig review, Byron, 19th March @ The Silver Church

It’s exactly as I hoped... two new encounters on the same evening, both incredibly exciting and both experienced without toppling my hallo from its rather precarious position... that’s if you believe I am deemed responsible enough to have a hallo in the first place. Erm, moving swiftly on...

I’d heard about The Silver Church venue. I was intrigued by its name and by looking at its dress code recommendations before arriving; rather curious. The fact that it has rapidly become a new gig hotspot (opened last December) the public outcry for fresh new visionary cutting edge music venues had previously fallen on deaf ears. Well folks. Not anymore. The Silver Church has arrived. Let’s face it if the Ramones performed there after only a few weeks of the venues opening, heck, it’s definitely the place to hang out in!

Its prime position at Calea Plevnei is as close to spitting distance from Eroilor as you can get, bringing easy access to and from the venue. Result. So, those who would rather not brave the traffic (and to be honest who would blame you), it’s relatively easy to get to by tube and bus network.

Confession #1, I love kitsch. Confession #2, I don’t like gothic chandeliers. But, hang on a little moment there’s certainly enough chandeliers here for Quasimodo to trapeze swing Esmerelda 360°. Somehow though, it all adds to its charm and kooky detail. It’s got a slight goth’ atmosphere but without the dank, dark, beer stinking, sticky floor sombreness (ah, brings to my memory many a drunken night in Camden). The Silver Church was the perfect venue for gigging nymphs of the night to be left to rock on to the sounds of BYRON. No. Not that British bloke who wrote stuff in the 1700’s... I’m talking about the band BYRON!

As usually is the way here in Romania, Latin concept of time rules. Rather than panicking whilst trying to leg it out the door late to a gig with one shoe off and one shoe on, the chances are gigs start a little past the time they’re advertised, well actually, sometimes a long time after! In this case however, Byron took to the stage a respectable ½ hour later than scheduled, which was jolly decent of them I think.

Unlike most of the audience, I hadn’t heard Byron’s music before. No preconceived ideas on my part, just an opportunity to take the full impact head on without barriers. At the first sense of them taken to the stage the audience surged forward and both mind and senses were blasted into Byron territory on the first note of their intro. Video screens simultaneously pronounced logo, images, videos and photos of the band whilst the neon lighting back drop illuminated the celestial rock dominion... the stage.

Byron, have described themselves as ‘alternative rock’. I’d stand in agreement to this proclamation. They are refreshingly different with a seamless marriage of energetic rock of latter day Rush and a subtle, modern take on Jethro Tull.

It’s more than apparent that all members of Byron are craftsman at work. They not only have technical ability as musicians, they are masters of their instruments. Individuality is used to best advantage, without compromise and without fear. They’re slick without losing personality; hold an air of command yet still approachable. Byron, in what they do, who they are and what they’re about, believe, which seeps into audience psyche, guiding them to a joint destination... a great show.

The delectable front man Dan Byron has an extraordinary vocal ability that one doesn’t often come across. There’s a hint of Brian Ferry at times when songs ebb to delicacy. Hints of Ian Astbury too, when songs speed into full whack, power thrashing through the ears. 6Fingers, lives up to his name. Oozing talent and quiet authority his clever keyboard riffs, fillers and stayed foundation of sound is fascinating to behold. Rick Wakeman would be concerned to hear there’s a usurper waiting in the wings.

I’d be sticking my neck out here by saying that the more I hear live music in Bucharest the more I’ve come away exasperated due to listening to the safe mediocre concept of ‘let’s stick to the covers format’. Yeah, it’s ok for the occasional knees up and sing-a-long night in drunken stupor, but if that’s all there is to offer in every pub, club and bar in the city then I’ll seriously considering taking up knitting woolly socks!

Sound the trumpets... Here comes a band that has revitalised my hope in music for this city and indeed Romania itself. It may be a responsibility on their shoulders to cultivate a wave of free thinking, free expressive, original bands and set a precedent for others to follow, but Byron not only are in prime position to take the mantle and hold the torch, I believe they can influence new young artists to do the same.

Key tracks of the evening – ‘Blow Up My Tears’ & ‘Lazy’.

Byron’s currently promoting their album ‘Forbidden Drama’. For more info on the band and gig listings, log onto www.byronmusic.ro / www.myspace.com/byronmusicspace

Dan Byron - vocals, acoustic guitar, flute
6fingers - keyboards, guitar, vocals
Costin Oprea - electric guitar
Ovidiu Baciu – drums
Vlady Sateanu – bass

REVIEW by Lu Cozma www.lucozma.blogspot.com / www.expatromania.ro
19/03/09

New album spring release...

2008-11-14T06:39:00.000-08:00

There has been a delay in the recording of Lu Cozma & Tempesta Crews new album. Fear not dearest follower of the weird and wonderful... the release date is nigh!

Spring shalt be the time of fruition. Along gestation ay, grant ye', but well worth the wait.

Updates and postings will follow... news will get t'thee, by town cryer, dirty rotten pigeon, snail mail or electronic means.

Multumesc. Ta very much.

Lulu
www.myspace.com/lucozma
www.myspace.com/tempestacrew

Location, location, location

2008-07-27T23:04:00.000-07:00

It wasn't the easiest of tasks. The ideas were flowing for a photo shoot, but the right locations seemed to elude us. Rugz managed to get us into a high school to use their theatre stage, however,once we all arrived (me being late cos of the bloody traffic), we were told that the school was going to be closed up. After quickly assessing the situation we came to the consensus that although the stage area was nice, to get photo's hurried in 10Min's wasn't the best option! We were disappointed because we were told initially we had a couple of hours.

I've learnt that here you just have to think on your feet and be spontaneous, cos things will never quite turn out as you'd planned and things change like the wind... our photo shoot seemed no different!

We quickly packed up, got in our cars and took to the road, hunting down an appropriate place to down tools and get on with the job at hand. Meh! Not so simple when it's hot and sticky and the traffic is shite!

We'd had an idea about a crematorium in the middle of the city. Hmmm... could be worth checking out. We got our gear and started to walk up a slight incline to where the crematorium was hidden. Eventually out from the undergrowth, in a quiet haven, loomed the most beautiful disused art deco building I'd seen in a long time. It was relatively small in size, dilapidated, sadly in terrible condition, but for us it was just perfect.

The security man, on realising we weren't there to cause trouble or do anything that would mean him getting up from his packed lunch, waved us on and muttered we only had half an hour to do what we needed to do. To say we got cracking was an understatement.

Quickly shovelling on make-up, getting my hair sorted and choosing an outfit (yes, I had many to choose from. I came well equipped and prepared) was swiftly accomplished. Getting changed with virtually no privacy proved to be a challenge but, where there's a will there's a way!

Neve and Shatyr donned monks outfits and I as instructed to do so by our more than capable photographer Ioana, got on with striking poses and generally making a pigs ear of looking like I knew what I was doing.

Shortly after starting the shoot a security car rolled up. We gulped, took a breath and kind of expected the worst... our time was up. A rather beefy chap got out, asked what we were doing. After briefly explaining that packed lunch man said it was OK, he parked up and preceded to sit back and watch the shoot.

We got back into posing and carried on with what we were doing. Another security car came, we repeated our explanation for being there, packed lunch man etc etc. He parked up and sat watching. After another 10 Min's.... yes a third security car came. Asked the same questions we replied the same answer, so he too, parked up and watched the shoot. The weirdest 'audience', I've ever experienced and one of the weirdest scenarios that'll make me giggle for awhile yet!

He kept to his word. Half an hour later, packed lunch man shuffled over and grumbled with a dead pan expression that we'd better scoot. We didn't need telling twice! So with my high heels, black and white stripy stockings and 2 monks in tow, we headed off back to be swallowed up by the hub and noise of the city.

It was cool hanging out at the crem'... must do it again sometime!

Lulu
www.myspace.com/lucozma
www.myspace.com/tempestacrew

And so I survived. Plus, HEAT... the new track

2008-07-20T22:48:00.000-07:00

Unscathed and still alive, I've returned to the nitty, gritty, city. Yep, my adventures took me to the outer perimeters of my fear and shook me out of my cosy comfort zone.

Girlie screaming has never been my thing. However on the odd occasion afew slipped out... I admit my weak moment(s)!

The mountains were the most stunning I've ever seen. I had to keep rubbing my eyes to enable me to take in the beauty surrounding me. I was convinced it was an illusion... my eyes/mind playing tricks on me. I soaked up the atmosphere and gladly de-cloaked myself from the hard armour of Bucharest. It was such a release letting go of the stress and breathing in a fresh, natural energy, rather than car fumes and city dust.

It's lovely too when you hook up with friends you haven't seen for a while... those first moments of hugs; smiles, the buzzing, rapid chitter-chatter between sips of beer. Totally ace.

I decided to hit the sack early the first night. My nemesis awaited the next morning.... a wide expanse of water. Kayaking was on the agenda!

For someone who just about paddles in knee deep water and still has her toes curling at the soundtrack to Jaws ringing in her ear was more than freaked out by the concept of voluntarily getting into a flimsy, inflatable dingy and 'splashing about' on a VERY, VERY DEEP lake! Gulp! However I wasn't gonna let my fear of drowning or having my leg bitten off by an overgrown thuggish, toothy fish creature stand in the way of what could be a perfectly pleasant, gentle experience. Hmmmm!

When there's water and testosterone pumped men folk about, it's always a recipe for complete mayhem. Gentle paddle? For God's sake, what was I thinking!

Of course... it's all part of the experience! You get chased by your so called 'mates' who are relentlessly on a quest to topple your dingy thingy over or at the very least make you as wet, as wet can be and then you do the same back! Thank goodness for wet suits... didn't stop me from getting wet, cold and shivery, but I found after going blue with hypothermia that peeing in it keeps ya well warm!

After more than a couple of hours (felt like an eternity) I think eventually I must have lost the will to live. All I remember screaming was something on the lines of 'Stop. I want my mama'! To which pity was reluctantly bestowed on me and I was taken safely back to shore. I didn't care that I had become a giant prune... a blue one stinking of pee. I was on solid ground and the feeling was more than pleasurable.

After stuffing our faces with the best home cooked grub ever, quad biking was next. Full stomach and choosing to go team up with Jurgen... made a few eye brows fix to a raised position. I soon realised why. Jurgens need, is for speed. He's a regular quad biker, or should I say ATV rider, whatever. It's got 4 wheels and goes like.... fast. It goes especially fast when Jurgen happens to be on one!

It was totally amaaaaaaaaaaaazing. Apart from most of the forests fly inhabitants splatting on to my gritted teeth or into my eyes and my lunch trying it's best to get back 'out', the experience was at times fast, furious and a bit frightening... bring it on! Just as fun as stock car racing, only better, cos you get to do more than go around in circles . Ace.

The only thing out of the whole weekend experience that I couldn't get to grips with was climbing. My head for heights is, well, pretty non-existent. Ten points for attempting, ten points for the biggest wimp! Accepting defeat on this event; bottom shuffling down to safety and letting the 'big kids' do their thing, was only fair.

And so I survived. Without a bruise, broken bone or chipped nail! Hallelujah.

I've arrived back home to a multitude of emails; requests, things to do, telephone calls to make, and general chaos. In other words.... normality.

Shatyr has been busy posting the new track on various sites.... been gone 2 days, and I can't keep up with him! The reaction so far has been great. The tracks official title is HEAT. One of our summer tracks that is just so apt for this wonderful summer climate here in Romania.

Priority is to get radio play and publicity in any way, shape or form. Hmmm... well, as long as we keep our clothes on and our dignity's in tact. Of course!

Right, I'm off to get cracking on things, cos this albums not gonna get itself out there.

Posts on progress will follow shortly...

Lulu

Little House On The Prairie?... Not likely!

2008-07-16T23:33:00.000-07:00

The album's taking shape. The tracks are coming to life ... our 'babies' are now able to stand on their own. We've selected several to work on first, I suppose in some ways they're the core of the whole album in as much as they'll set the energy, pace and theme of it.

Considering I'm what you'd describe as techno phobic, I've had to pull myself up by the boot straps and bloody well get used to numb butt cheeks sitting so long by the computer, blisters on my index fingers (yes, I'm one of those who can't type) whilst navigating myself through downloads, mp3's and listening to our progress via the laptop! Yep I know... welcome to the real world.

It seems to me that it's not all that bad. I mean, what was I getting my knickers in a twist about? Just means I've had to down my guitar for the time being, put my dictaphone to early retirement (previously, I recorded all my own vocal ideas by this antiquated method) and dust the 4 track down with regularity as it sits in it's new position as ... that 'thing' stuck in the corner of my music room. It'll be worth a fortune in years to come, as an antique, so I'm gonna cling to it for dear life!

Now that I've become deflowered by all this techno whatsit, I've decided that enough is enough ... just for a few days. I've been quite giddy (doesn't take alot) with my poor brain on overload, trying to grasp how to access and download etc. I need to clear my head, get refreshed, rest and gather some energy for the next onslaught that the album will bring early next week.

The possibilities are :
1. A pleasant meander in the countryside maybe?
2. A Sunday jaunt, with a stop off ... beer? Or even a meal?
3. A trip to the Black Sea possibly?
4. Or simply stay at home with the quilt over my head?

NO! Attention! Fratii Jderi, here I come!

And it ain't gonna be no Little House On The Prairie, kind of experience. You know, the one where cute Laura runs down the meadow clutching a posy of dead flowers, plaids of hair bellowing in the wind, big grinning, gappy toothed smile. Stop it Lu, cos it ain't happening!

Yes, I'll be in the mountain countryside, but it seems like I'll be neck high in mud; getting soaked on the rapids, scaring myself silly on cliff faces (stand aside Stallone, bow down and fear me... yeah right!), and out running bears and wolves that might take a liking to me!

Could be the making of me, as long as I don't break a nail. Then again I'd rather that than break my neck... leg, head, arm!

Bring it on, I say. The question is, do I bring lipstick or lip gloss? Only kidding. Lip gloss of course! Tut!

Lulu
( http://www.fratiijderi.ro/index.html?r )
www.myspace.com/lucozma
www.myspace.com/tempestacrew

Forthcoming album

2008-07-14T23:31:00.000-07:00

After a brief collaboration on their debut album release 'Torential' , Romanian hip-hop artists Tempesta Crew have joined forces with UK artist Lu Cozma and are presently recording their much anticipated first album.

'It's been amazing to hook up with Tempesta. We started exploring our different styles and realised that the sound was too good to be ignored. The whole process from embryonic ideas through to recording has been extremely exciting. We're all very proud of the album', says Lu.

The yet to be titled album merges the distinctive styles of the Crews hip-hop sound with Lu's earthy, dexterous vocals.

Lu later added, 'The energy of the tracks, the melodies and lyrical content are what makes this album interesting, fresh and original. Whats more, we've had no qualms about singing and rapping in both English and Romanian. Music can be used to unify people, why the hell not do it with language!'

Updates on the album will be posted shortly. For more information on Lu Cozma www.myspace.com/lucozma & Tempesta www.myspace.com/tempestacrew