Lushy at Wassermusik 08, Berlin, Germany

Yesterday was a little calmer, starting with Coconami (I somehow missed snapping a picture of them, sorry!) who used to be in the Tiki Tiki Bambooos, a Surf band from Munich, they now are a Ukulele duo, with mostly female vocals. This has to remind me of Petty Booka, if just by the sound of two ukes and japanese ladies singing. Maybe a smaller venue would benefit their delicate presentation more, but on the other hand Wassermusik successfully aims at presenting a wide range of music styles.

Lushy – the most contemporary sounding act in the Tiki series of events at least, if not the entire set of Wassermusik events. It’s hard to compare Seattle and Berlin for me. However I can say that there is an artificial element, not unlike in the B-52s for example. Like a yellow plastic Tiki mask at Trader Vic’s, they stuck out of the set of Wassermusik performers by having said cartoonish lounge approach coupled with some electronics. I think this could be a really groovy thing, but probably working best with a dancing party crowd in a small club.

I Belli di Waikiki

Don Tiki at Wassermusik 08

Don Tiki

Don Tiki

I Belli di Waikiki must be one of the busiest acts in europe in the Hula-Rock’n’Roll field, o.k. there aren’t that many, but I heard they play a lot outside their native Italy. I always enjoy the good time music and fun presentation. It’s been a smart move to pick-up the fifties connection of Polynesia and Rock’n’Roll, as so many aging Rockabillys join the Tiki afficionados. I must say that I really dig their style and especially the sound of the steel guitar and the Dearmond/Bigsby Tele – he practically nails my ideal guitar sound with it! They had given some accomplished pin-striper a go on their ukulele and guitar, looks very neat.

Don Tiki – probably the best show this side of Esquivel in Vegas! Unfortunately my phone camera couldn’t capture the fury of the dancers, the drama of the performers or the wealth of customes and make up. It was the biggest crowd at Wassermusik so far – and I like to think they witnessed something to tell their grandchildren about.

Along with seeing and hearing Waitiki and Latin Lovers it was great meeting Virani, Jochen and Tanja Hirschfeld, Forbidden Paradise’ Hai Kai and Michael. It made me really happy to hear that the first part of Armchairtravelling in the World of Tiki DVD will be available later this year. I enjoyed seeing the work in progress on the big screen, especially interested how the pictures work with the music, I had the pleasure to record for it. It’s going to be a definitive must have for Tiki-philes. …once it’s actually available.

Latin Lovers (Berlin)

This band was opening the Tiki weekend at Wassermusik 08. The horn heavy line-up was proof to the theory that many ways lead to Exotica.

The Mayor of Exotica in Sumo dress

He didn’t quite look as big wearing his stage suit. An Exotica flute heavy weight if there ever was one!

Waitiki at Wassermusik 08

Accomplished performances by all musicians, beautiful arrangements and cheerful stage presence – it was a great experience seeing them. Thanks! Oh, and the birdcalls by Lopaka Colon – so great and all done while providing perfect groove in polyrythmic bongo-playing. Several people noted to me that we were listening actually to Augie Colon’s son. Playing again today with Don Tiki.

From Luxuriamusic:

Monday, July 21st from 7 – 10 pm PST
Aloha!!! Strike brings yet another spectacular Exotica special to the Kitsch Niche! 3 hours of luscious, undulating, mysterious music from the Pacific rim. They’ll be lots of favorites along with plenty of rarities, too (like unheard Tiki Room music)!

Be sure to tune in right at 7:00 as Strike has concocted an Exotic cocktail of an intro unlike anything you have ever heard!

And, Strike will be announcing the winner of the Arthur Lyman 9 cd set courtesy of Collector’s Choice Music. Each CD contains 2 amazing Arthur Lyman albums!

There’s still time to enter to win. All you have to do is donate $5 or more anytime between now and 6:00 pm Monday, July 21st. Go to www.luxuriamusic.com for more details. Aloha!!

visitLuxuriamusic.com

News from the best radio station on the planet:

Pledge Drive News
It took a little bit longer than we wanted, but the pledge drive was a success thanks to all of you that made a donation. If you made a donation and haven’t received your premium yet, hold tight for just a little bit longer, as we have a few premiums that haven’t gone out yet.

Though the pledge drive is over, we are still trying to drum up money to pay the bills. So this month we’re holding a raffle to win 9 Arthur Lyman CD’s that were give to us by Collectors Choice Music. Anyone that donates $5 or more between June 23 and July 21 will be immediately entered into the raffle. Everyone that donates $5 or more will receive a Shag designed LuxuriaMusic sticker. For more information on the raffle, go here. Or go to our donations page.

Thank you!!

Luxuriamusic

Programming schedule for Wednesday July 9, 2008.
3-4 PM: Thrifting For Tunes Lee Hazlewood Birthday Special.
4-6 PM: Chuck Kelley Goes Latin
6-7 PM: Atomic Cocktail with Vic Trip.
7-8 PM: Between The Sheets w/ Angel Baby.
8-10 PM: The Ian Whitcomb Show

*all time are Pacific Standard Time.

July 25 – 26, 2008

Enchanted Tiki Luau Blow-Out
An Egyptian Theatre exclusive!

After the success of our Tiki events the past three summers, we’re back again with more exotic ephemera: more fun feature films, diverting oddball shorts, vendors, food, music and more! We’ll be showing old-school island adventure pics Fair Wind to Java, Aloma of The South Seas and Her Jungle Love (all in gorgeously saturated color) will screen along with artist Kevin Kidney’s collection of rare, island-themed TV surprises. Join us in the Egyptian’s Courtyard for a Royal Southern California-style Luau with exotic musical entertainment from King Kukelele and his Friki Tikis and the Polynesian Paradise Dancers. There will also be Tiki vendors and other special surprises in the courtyard on Saturday from 1:00 PM until we shut it down.

read more at Tiki_Weekend_ET

Detailed info from HKW here.

Otto von Stroheim writes about Tiki Oasis 8 musical programming:

Tickets are on sale for Tiki Oasis 8!
Tickets have been on sale for a while
But I wanted to let you know
Hotel rooms are going fast and there are only a few VIP passes left

We very quietly added Robert Drasnin and Waitiki to the schedule recently
One of the best classic Exotica acts and one of the best new Exotica acts on the same bill!!

The Robert Drasnin orchestra features Skip Heller on atmospheric guitar, Alice Berry on wordless vocals (aka Formica Dinette), and Mark Riddle (Tikiyaki Orchestra) on keyboards, as well as members on Waitiki in the backing group.

To get an idea of what the show will be like on Sat check out this video from last year

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHXuIF7qd_k

If you are already booked and are not aware of the room parties, please check them out here:

http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=27862&forum=17&97

Great thorough article on Jet Set Planet Radio Show.
Quote from Rake Magzine:

Higher than Fi
Spinning the sounds of thrift store vinyl, Jet Set Planet sends radio into a new orbit.by John ErvinDecember 12, 2007The European sun shines on James Coburn, his lean frame in a white Mod jacket with red turtleneck. Putting on enormous sunglasses and flashing his classic chops, he sidles out of the palm-tree fringed villa, where he has just spent the night with Monica Vitti, and slips into his silver Ferrari. Bound for another criminal adventure involving diamonds, art, or cold hard cash, he speeds onto a cliff-side road, which just happens to overlook an endless body of crashing blue water.
…

Read all at Higher than Fi | The Rake Magazine

The event takes shape! As posted before, I will keep you updated.

Line Up Wassermusik

Surf
10.7. 19h Leopold Kraus Wellenkapelle; 20.30h The Surfaris
11.7. 19h Messer Chups; 20.30h La Pupuna
12.7.19h Boom Pam; 20.30h Bambi Molesters
13.7. 20.30h Marc Ribot Trio

Seemannslieder
17.7. 19h Juana Molina; 20.30h Eliza Carthy
18.7. 19h Chor der Kulturen der Welt; 20.30h Dori Caymmi
19.7. 19h Fikat al Bahrain; 20.30h Hamid Baroudi
20.07. 14h Family Concert with Fikat al Bahrain/ afterwards Ocean Club

Tiki
24.7. 19h Belli de Waikiki; 20.30h Waitiki
25.7. 20.30h Don Tiki
26.7. 19h Coconami; 20.30h Lushy
27.07 Chillout Kahuna Kawentzmann

www.myspace.com/festival_wassermusik