Filter Label

Text & augmentation by K.K.W
On the cover, photographer
Ana Marija Radosavljevic

Filter Label: "The good music label". By K.K.W

Founded in 2007 as a result of what was then, and in a way still is the state of the music industry, its spent the last five years kicking ass in the morning, and taking names in the evening.

Image courtesy of the label

The label has stayed true to their vision and in many ways surpassed it. Releasing great music from artists like Herzel (Herzel&Genoveva), Tripnotic (Phantom EP), and Nikola Kodjabashia (Penelope X feat.Foltin & Goce Stevkovski), Dirtycat and more has brought the label to a distinct level. 

Image courtesy of the label. 

The labels strength is in its choices, belief in itself, the variety of music, the unique sound quality of each. "Leftfield", "Drum&Bass", "Minimal/tech House", "Breakbeat", "Downtempo", "Electro House", and "Hip Hop/R&B", they've got it all.

Operating out of Skopje Macedonia the label has crossed those borders to work with artists and musicians from various parts of the world, to help create some of the best music today. Filter label is one of the progressive aspects of the new music industry in and outside of Macedonia, bringing some of the best in music to those who need, want it, and live for it. If you would like to know more, go to:http://soundcloud.com/filter, http://soundcloud.com/herzel, or:http://soundcloud.com/genoveva-1. "Art is the reason, art is the way"     

Image courtesy of the label. This was the first
release I purchased from the label and one of my faves.

Image courtesy of the label.

Aneta Kacurkova

Image courtesy of Miss Kacurkova.
Digital augmentation, text & layout by K.K.W

Aneta Kacurkova: The voice. By K.K.W

If you open your mind/eyes, listen up, especially through the Internet and what people post to facebook (or whatever social platform your on), there is an abundance of music and voices to go with it. 

However, every so often you find a voice that stands out, and has a feel all its own. Singer/song writer Aneta Kacurkova is certainly one of these voices. Hers is a Jazz/R&B style, with an elegant sultry sound that resonates with her passion. She has been composing since the 2nd grade, and started singing professionally at the age of 15 in a female vocal trio called 'PS'. Stevie Wonder was a huge inspiration for her, "...his voice and energy inspired me to say to myself: yes, music is my path; making music and making people happy is my goal." At the age of 20 she became very much effected by Jazz,  Ella Fitzgerald, Dianne Schuur & Kevin Mahogany. Five years later she began playing the piano and entered a Jazz academy in Macedonia, after she was told: 'you have to play the piano, you have a natural Jazz sound when you play.'    

Aneta Kacurkova. Image courtesy of the artist.

Light and perky with a great up-beat tempo, "I live in a world of happiness" (DNS Production 2010), is a great example of her style. The song radiates a kooky-cool mood like the music of Sonny Rollin's or Rolfe Kent and the great movies of the 1960's & 70's (Alfie, Breakfast at Tiffany's). Tinged with her spiritual outlook, though it never preaches but simply expresses part of herself.


"Walking meditation" has a great soulful quality with a feel of a dim-lit smokey lounge in the "lower east-side" of New York (back when you could smoke in lounges:). The words are powerful and resonate with her deep convictions, while the music and her singing has a slightly dark quality. Somber and yet spirited like graceful nighttime waves, gently reflecting the moonlight, its elegantly hypnotic. 


Aneta Kacurkova is without a doubt one to watch and a rising star. She's currently working on her next album release entitled "Oneness", a collection of spiritual experiences she had in a distinct Jazz style. Its going to be great. Much like her sister Genoveva (a wonderful singer and electronica music whiz), Aneta is an amazing person. If you would like to know more, go to:http://soundcloud.com/search?q%5Bfulltext%5D=Aneta+Kacurkova. "Art is the reason, art is the way"

Aneta Kacurkova.
Image courtesy of the artist. 

Brooklyn Calling

Text & augmentation by K.K.W
On the cover, photographer
Ana Marija Radosavljevic

From dusk, till dawn: Bklyn calling. Photos & text by K.K.W

"Thy night is brisk, with subdued temperature's

flowing behind, a hue quite somber in soul,

though spirited in shade. 

Tinted cobalt with undertones of silenced screams." 

Composite image: Bergen street & ConeyIsland ave.

The Invisible Dog Art Space: 51 Bergen street

ConeyIsland Ave

ConeyIsland Ave

ConeyIsland Ave

ConeyIsland Ave

Flatbush Ave near Grand army plaza

Near Prospect Park

Brighton Beach

East 18th street: Doorway of # 255

East 18th street: Doorway of # 255

Park Slope Sector: Union street.

"We 2,  R 1"

"Art is the reason, art is the way" Cheers!

Yael Acher

Text & augmentation by K.K.W
On the cover, photographer
Ana Marija Radosavljevic

Music Now: Yael ("Kat") Acher. Article & photos By K.K.W

When it comes to contemporary solo flute and compositions, although we have many, there's only one Yael Acher. A native of Tel-Aviv, she graduated with a BA degree in music, and classical flute performance from the Rubin Academy for music and dance in Jerusalem. 

Yael Acher: Composers Concordance festival
2012- part 2, "Marathon" @ Drom

A serious passion for eclecticism within her music, one finds not only elements of twentieth century music, but aspects inspired by Arabic and far eastern cultures. Hers is a wonderful melding of classical & contemporary music, with prepared electronic tracks that add a symphonic depth to her compositions, and when she performs. Progressive electro-acoustic Jazz and latin, stylish free-improvisation resulting in a steady sound, that leaves you feeling alive.     


When you listen to her playing your taken aloft on a wave of sound that jolts the senses, and awakens the mind. Powerful feelings begin to sprout and bloom like flowers towards the light, guided by harmonious/disharmonious sound scape's. Aspects of her musical influences creep out towards you like gentle ocean waves lapping at the shore.


Yael Acher has appeared with various ensembles, DJ's, choirs and modern dance groups. The Esoteric Conference in Tel-Aviv, the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, been there done that. Since the early 90's Acher has been the leader of Junk"Kat" (Formerly "KaT" - industrial). Although she's lived in various parts of the world, she is currently residing in New York City, performing, composing and educating.  


   

Yael Acher @ Drom

If you would like to know more, go to:www.modianomusic.net, or:www.myspace.com/junkkatmodiano. "Art is the reason, art is the way"

Yael Acher @ Drom

Yael Acher @ Drom

Yael Acher @ Drom

Prune Nourry - Holy River

Text & augmentation by K.K.W
On the cover, photographer
Ana Marija Radosavljevic

In a land where spiritualism, the sacred and holy- via Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc, exist, it seems unreal that gender-selection (preference for males over females) is not just a thing of the past, but still avidly engaged in to this day. 

Prune Nourry's exhibition Holy river represents the culmination of a three year project on gender selection, focused on India. It mirrors the Holy daughters exhibition that took place in Paris in 2011. Fusing the image of the sacred cow with that of a young girl, made with clay from the Ganges river (inspired by the design of her earlier Holy daughters), Nourry commissioned a team of artists from Kolkata's potter district to create a giant deity, hoping to bring awareness to the matter of sex selection in Asia. In some strange way the deity seemed to have an effect on those who saw it, the footage @ the event clearly shows this, not to mention the crowd on opening night.  

Prune Nourry

Holy Daughter

Holy Daughter

The piece in the middle consists of 75 hands
extending out of murky water (The Ganges river),
with possibly an equal amount of 'I.V bags'
suspended above.

Preeti Vasudevan. She was invited by the artist
to create a performance piece for the exhibition.

Mitchell Yoshida: He handled the sound effects
for the performance by Vasudevan

Prune Nourry

Holy Daughter

Holy River

The exhibit is on view until May 27th, with an encore performance by Preeti Vasudevan on May 19th @ 6:30 pm. All this @ the Invisible Dog- 51 Bergen street, Brooklyn N.Y. Prune Nourry is a New York based french artist whose work not only crosses lines, but touches on some extremely important social problems, that pushes you to action. If you would like to know more, go to:www.prunenourry.com, or:www.theinvisibledog.org/holy-river/, 

"Art is the reason, art is the way"