Razteria

Artist Information

Biography

LATIN ROOTS, REGGAE RIDDIMS, ACTIVIST INTENT & STRONG FEMALE VOCALS

Razteria can be described as a Fusion of early No Doubt and Sade. Her music unites Reggae, passionate Latin grooves and Rock, powerful messages and musical genius. Described as 'musically adventurous' and 'a one of a kind breaking of all rules' (C. Foster, Reggae Update, getthebeat.com), Razteria's songwriting reflects her passion and strong commitment to justice.

MAZ RAZ ALBUM 2013

Razteria's senior album "MAZ RAZ" was released Jan. 19, 2013 at the Rockit Room, San Francisco. The album features an eclectic mixture of originals and covers including 'Where is my mind' by the rock band The Pixies, 'Chorando se Foi' (Lambada) by Bolivian folk group Los Kjarkas and 'There is no End' by the legendary roots-reggae band The Abysinnians. MAZ RAZ, was produced at Asteria Studio (El Sobrante, CA), engineered at Live Oak Studio in Berkeley, CA (Destiny's Child; Tony Toni Tone; Too Short) and mastered at TrakWorx, South SF.

Renée Asteria has opened for international acts such as grammy award winning reggae artist Michael Rose and popular UK/JA lover's rock Lloyd Brown, as well as national touring artists Mystic Roots, Caribbean All-Stars and Taj Weekes & Adowa. In 2008 she performed at The Montreal Jazz Festival as a featured artist of local band The Dub & the Restless. Other noteworthy performances include venues throughout the Americas (Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, USA) and Europe (France, Switzerland). Her music has been licensed by MTV's True Life series and independent films.

2010 Album RazteRia

The album titled RazteRia was released live at the Ashkenaz, Berkeley, CA, Sept. 23rd, 2010. Featuring vocals, music and lyrics by Renée Asteria, vocals by Godelive and musicians Waddell Bell (Wadi-B bass), Lou Neuburger (drums), Joe Bressler (keys, RIDDIMBANK) and Luke Thomas (guitar, Eenik, Los Angeles). Feature tunes include: 'Risk'/'Risk Remix', a Reggae tune promoting a message of safe sex and HIV/AIDS prevention featuring international female rap Artist Raw-G on the remix version, 'Illegal' a Roots-Reggae, Abyssinians-style tune dedicated to the struggle of immigrants, hypnotic '2-Faced' and 'La Baja'.

Prior to 2010

Razteria' multicultural background (US-born, Bolivian-Dutch heritage) and strong commitment to social justice, have had a profound influence on her musical path. Razteria, performing under her name Renée Asteria, has planted musical seeds through out the Americas (Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, USA) and Europe (France, Switzerland).

Debuting in 2005 in San Francisco, she released her debut album 'Renée Asteria', from which 2 tracks 'Curly Black Hair' and 'Oblivion' were licensed by MTV's True Life series.
In 2007, Renée Asteria, while working as a research assistant for the University of Buenos Aires, she met Argentinian producer Matias Martyn and produced her first Reggae-infused, bilingual (Spanish, English) album, 'Faces of Agent Double E'/ 'Caras de Agente Doble E' with tunes 'Vinchuca' and 'Mosquito', about Chagas disease and Dengue fever prevention. 'Vinchuca' has been used to raise awareness about Chagas disease ('Arte, Ciencia y Chagas: miradas posibles, diálogos necesarios'). Both tunes were rereleased on Razteria's 2013 album 'MAZ RAZ'.

Instrumentation

Renee Asteria - Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocalist
Mbutshu Yindja - Lead and Back-up Vocals
Waddell Bell - Bass Guitar
Lou Neuburger - Drums & Percussion
David Eagle - Percussion
Luke THomas - Guitar
Darren Batara - keys
Joe Bressler - keys

Discography

Releases

MAZ RAZ, Asteria Records, 2013 -http://cdbaby.com/cd/razteria3.
Addicted/There is no End (vinyl single), Asteria Records, 2012 (email renee@razteria.com)
Addicted (mp3, single), Asteria Records, 1/21/12, cdbaby.com/razteria2
RazteRia, Asteria Records, 2010, cdbaby.com/cd/reneeasteria
Faces of Agent Double E, Asteria Records, 2007, cdbaby.com/asteria2
Renee Asteria (debut), Asteria Records, 2005 (email renee@razteria.com)

Videos
"ADDICTED" MUSIC VIDEO
http://youtu.be/oA4DsWWX3qM

Radioplay

RSR 1ere (Radio Paradiso, Lausanne, Switzerland), Radio Cité (Geneva), Raspect Radio (Geneva), Frequences Paris Plurielle (Reggae Remedy, Paris), WHUS (Mansfield, CT), WDIY (Allentown, PA), WQNR (Auburn, AL), KVNF (Paonia, CO), WERU (Bar Harbor, ME), KRVM (Eugene, OR), KPCW (Park City, UT), KSLU (New Orleans, LA), KLCC (Eugene, OR), KDNK (Carbondale, CO), WYOU (Williamsburg, VA), KSWI (Atlantic, IA), KPFA (Berkeley, CA), KDRT Roots Hour (Davis, CA), KKUP (Sta Monica, CA), WHUS (Mansfield, CT), KPOO (SF Bay, CA), KPFA 94.1 FM (SF Bay/NorCal, CA), OZCAT Radio (Vallejo, CA), KBOO (Portland Oregon, Rock & Pop FM (Buenos Aires, Argentina), 99.5 Radio Open (Tigre, Argentina), Rasta Shock/Crystal Radio Z 95.8 FM (Berlin, Germany), Women's Radio, World One Radio

Licensing/Compilations

Curly Black Hair & Oblivion - licensed by MTV's True Life (2008).
Illegal - La Onda Bajita's - KPFA FM 30th anniversary artist compilation (2010)
Work It - Evil Bong 3 soundtrack (2011)
Illegal - Independent Songwriting Award (2012)

Official Website

http://razteria.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Band Camp
• Maz Raz (2013 album on Cdbaby)
• Reverbnation
• Razteria (2010 album on cdbaby)
• Faces of Agent Double E (2007 album on Cdbaby)

Audio

• 01 - Vinchuca
  Listen  
• 02 - In You
  Listen  
• 03 llegal
  Listen  
• 04 - Addicted
  Listen  
• 09 - In My Dreams
  Listen  
• Risk (Reggae, RAZTERIA 2010, Asteria Records
  Listen  
• Soul
  Listen  
• 11 - So Irrational
  Listen  
• 13 - Mosquito
  Listen  
• 07 Work It
  Listen  
• 15 - Immaterial
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Illegal

Video

In You Promo 2013 by I Livity Productions.mov

Photo Gallery

Press

• Soulful, rock-solid and recommended – Renee Asteria’s rockin’ new release RazteRia [+ Show ]
  

  Latin roots, reggae riddims, activist intent and strong female vocals coalesce on Renee Asteria’s ro...Latin roots, reggae riddims, activist intent and strong female vocals coalesce on Renee Asteria’s rockin’ new release RazteRia (Asteria Records). Drawing inspiration from all over the world Renee pulls disparate fragments from the air, the seas, the trees and the breeze and puts them to work in the human environment with intuitive intent and elusive ease. Standout tracks include “Work It,” “Soul” and the effervescent “Rain.” Using her heart like a guidance system and her voice as a tuning fork she confronts real life issues on “2 Faced,” “Illegal,” “Soul” and “Risk” (presented in two mixes) and leaves you longing for more with “La Baja.” The result is soulful, rock-solid and recommended.

• With each spin, the recording draws you in deeper .. intimate, rhythmic listening [+ Show ]
  

  Razteria is a marvel of roots, conscious message, alma latina , femenina genuina, and musicality .....Razteria is a marvel of roots, conscious message, alma latina , femenina genuina, and musicality ..
  
  
  
  With each spin, the recording draws you in deeper .. intimate, rhythmic listening …
  
  
  
  Corey Mason
  
  worldoneradio+festival

• Asteria’s vocals are heavenly and infectious... [+ Show ]
  

  Writing and producing her own music is just one of the many unique endeavors that local solo artist ...Writing and producing her own music is just one of the many unique endeavors that local solo artist Renee Asteria is involved with. Accredited with a degree in Public Health, Renee conducts research on community based projects, is learning how to engineer her own music, and is in the beginning stages of developing her own record label, on which she recently released her first solo album Razteria. Renee’s synthesis of Reggae, Latin and Folk music can, in essence, be seen as a reflection of her own cultural divergence of Dutch and Bolivian roots. The idea of fusing activism with art is the force that drives her musical efforts and her ultimate goal is for her music to generate royalties that she’d then like to use as funding for social charities. In the meantime, Asteria is nourishing her musical seeds and hoping that they grow with the release of her new album.
  
  Razteria is an album infused with messages of justice, love and political awareness, maneuvered into brilliant lyrics, layered over uplifting Reggae beats, in which Asteria’s vocals are heavenly and infectious. Originally attracted to Reggae because of its powerful forces and its overall unifying effect on the crowds, Asteria sees it as the best platform for sending out strong messages that she hold close to her heart. Razteria is a musical utopia as seen through the artist’s eyes. With nine full length tracks, Razteria has something for everyone. For more information on Renee Asteria and Asteria records, visit www.asteriarecords.com.
  
  Carla Ramos
  Writer+Blogger+Poet
  lalavalentine.com

• An exciting twist on traditional reggae with tracks radiating activism. [+ Show ]
  

  This past year Latin Reggae sensation Renee Asteria released her album RazteRia; an exciting twist o...This past year Latin Reggae sensation Renee Asteria released her album RazteRia; an exciting twist on traditional reggae with tracks radiating activism. In the album, Asteria explores Reggae, Folk-rock and Latin musical genres to convey powerful messages about social issues ranging from safe sex to illegal immigration. With such important messages, it is a miracle this is reggae you will actually understand!
  
  “Soul” has that traditional reggae vibe, but it feels sweet—like slow jam reggae. Listeners might find it suspiciously easy to imagine the song “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid after hearing this track. If that doesn’t work, imagine yourself daydreaming. You are alone on a beautiful beach (this will help you) being pampered by the most delicate breeze. It carries your worries away as it passes, leaving you completely free to soul search.
  
  “Risk” is a track warning about the risk one takes when having unprotected sex, one of them being the contraction of HIV/AIDS. Asteria warns, with deep whispery vocals, there is “one life to live…one life to give… don’t give it up” by having unprotected sex. She asks “do you really want this, this risk? Do you really need this?” The track has funky bass lines laced with soulful electric guitar solos.
  
  “Illegal” talks about illegal immigration. It opens with a melodic, catchy bass line and transitions into lyrical imagery of what it means to be an illegal immigrant; taking care of other women’s homes and children, dreaming of being reunited with one’s family and never knowing if you will be taken away. Asteria sings “Illegal Immigration is just an illusion.” The track has a traditional reggae beat with raunchy guitar solos (maybe it is just me) accompanied by Asteria's sweet soothing voice.
  
  These are just a few of the topics Asteria explores in her music. All of the songs on the album make some of the most controversial issues like AIDS and illegal immigration alive and allow listeners to analyze their opinions while listening to great, soothing music. If that's not progressive, what is?
  
  By Whitney Lewis

• RAZTERIA R.A.Z. : remise à zéro, nouveau départ pour Renée Asteria Ou bien Razteria, un raz de marée de Renée Asteria ?? … [+ Show ]
  

  RAZTERIA - Revue de Mathieu LEFEVRE Bassiste et musicien extraordinaire, FRANCE R.A.Z. : remis...RAZTERIA - Revue de Mathieu LEFEVRE
  
  Bassiste et musicien extraordinaire, FRANCE
  
  R.A.Z. : remise à zéro, nouveau départ pour Renée Asteria Ou bien Razteria, un raz de marée de Renée Asteria ?? …
  Quoiqu’il en soit, ce nouvel album est nettement orienté reggae à la différence du précédent, Faces of Agent Double E, qui lui, comportait des morceaux rock ainsi qu’une chanson acoustique. L’ennui ne s’installe pas pour autant tant les sonorités présentées ici sont diverses. Soit du reggae roots, uptempo, fusionnel, dancehall ou bien encore mystique. Avec toutes ces différentes ambiances et la manière dont elles sont mixées, cet album peut toucher bien plus qu’un amateur de reggae.
  
  Et puis l’attrait majeur reste tout de même la voix de Renée, une voix chaude, sensuelle, profonde et juste. Un timbre féminin original dans l’univers du reggae. Un autre très bon point, tous les morceaux ici sont des originaux, de vraies compositions. Cela change des riddims mille fois entendus. La musique n’en est que plus fraîche. Ce n’est pas non plus du bla-bla posé sur un riddim, les voix sont travaillées. Point de rastafar I et Selassie I à tout va, ça fait du bien. Oui, les voix. Car il y en a plusieurs au sein d’un même morceaux, avec ces harmonies vocales qui agrémentent les différents titres, voire les font décoller ou bien encore nous font découvrir de nouvelles subtilités. Pour ponctuer ce reggae de différentes sonorités, tantôt la batterie est acoustique, et très bien enregistrée, tantôt elle est programmée. Les guitares et les claviers, ainsi que les différents sons programmés apportent leur touche ici et là, et, mêlés aux mélodies vocales, donnent une vraie idendité aux morceaux.
  
  L’album s’ouvre sur Soul, le genre de chanson qui met en valeur le côté positif, spirituel et guérisseur du reggae. Un titre où les mélodies enjouées invitent à être heureux et à exprimer une joie profonde envers la vie. La sonorité du balafon contribue aussi à ce côté dansant et joyeux. Ecoutez bien Renée, après tout devient possible.
  
  Le morceau suivant, Risk, dynamise encore plus l’ambiance. Ce titre paraît très très solide avec son tempo plutôt enlevé, plus proche d’un reggae non jamaïcain. Un number one je dirai même. Ici le synthé donne vraiment une identité au morceau. A noter le remix dancehall tout aussi intéressant et dynamique, voire plus dynamique que la version avec instruments. Il est très dur de choisir entre ces deux versions. De toutes façons les deux versions s’écoutent sans lasser l’auditeur. C’est un gage de qualité.
  
  Illegal et 2 Faced sont deux très bon morceaux dans un style roots et hypnotique, qui permettent de rentrer dans la trance inhérente au reggae. Autant dire que pour du reggae non jamaïcain, on s’en approche, et c’est très bien. Mais heureusement aussi , l’univers de Renée marque la bonne différence. Illegal est aussi très très solide. Alors que 2 Faced est délicieux avec cette voix sensuelle.
  
  A l’opposé, Rain se présente comme plus fusionnel avec ce mélange de programmations et du skank propre au reggae. Ceci plus les mélodies vocales donnent encore un titre très réussi, où les mélodies restent en tête facilement. La joie qu’éprouve Renée à l’encontre de la pluie, à travers ses paroles et ses mélodies, est totalement contagieuse. alors arrêtons de nous plaindre d’un peu de pluie.
  
  Work it est un morceau très entrainant. Ceci grâce aux lignes de cuivres qui appuient et renforcent la rythmique, et qui ravivent nos oreilles d’une nouvelle sonorité. Le pont est harmonisé d’une façon saisissante. Pourquoi pas encore un number one ? Au milieu de tout ce bon matériel, Forget paraît plus naïf, voire plus faible, car moins accrocheur que les autres chansons. Et pourtant, la voix et la mélodie sont toujours aussi bonnes. L’album se clos sur La Baja, une belle invitation au voyage, avec son côté mystique créé par le croisement des accords de la guitare rythmique, de la guitare acoustique et de la voix envoutante et toujours sensuelle de Renée.
  
  Rien de tel pour nous abandonner dans nos pensées, et se dire que l’on vient d’écouter un très bon album, de la bonne musique, une musique vraie et profonde, loin des pseudo valeurs d’aujourd’hui. C’est un peu court d’ailleurs. On en re demande. Mais il faut mieux 9 morceaux bien travaillés qu’en avoir 15 et en jeter la moitié. Un petit regret tout de même, il n’y a pas de morceaux en espagnol sur cet album. N’en boudons pas pour autant notre plaisir, nous avons là un très bon album, où la musique est très bien jouée, ces musiciens sonnent bien, où les mélodies sont accrocheuses, tantôt joyeuses, tantôt lancinantes, et enfin où les harmonies vocales sont très belles et bien exploitées.
  
  Au niveau des lyrics nous ne sommes pas en reste. Les paroles sont censées et profondes. Renée apporte son message, sa vérité. Ouvrez votre esprit, elle pourraît bien vous convaincre. Tout cela servi, mené et composé par une jeune et jolie jeune fille, ce qui ne gâche rien, au contraire.

• Utterly unique musical experience ... [+ Show ]
  

  Musically adventurous, lyrically innovative and politically activist, Agent Double E (AKA Renee Aste...Musically adventurous, lyrically innovative and politically activist, Agent Double E (AKA Renee Asteria Penaloza) brings her unique approach to reggae to the world on "Faces of Agent Double E" (Asteria). Singing in English and Spanish, with a full-groove band that somehow manages to keep up with her dramatic builds, unusual vocal flourishes and non-typical constructs, her lyrics bring a kind of magical realism to everything from human relationships to the battle between man and mosquito. Titles like "Blue Mystery", "So Irrational", "Break Away", "Open Mind" and "Oblivion" offer just a hint of the free-flowing, high-spirited, extremely engaging and utterly unique musical experience. Recorded in Argentina, with guitars straight out of the Summer of Love, this one may remind you of the first time you heard "Bohemian Rhapsody" or Yma Sumac - a one of the kind breaking of all the rules to the utter delight of the listener. Two cool dubs close.
  
  Review by Chuck Foster
  Reggae Update
  The Beat (getthebeat.com)
  pg. 12 Vol. 26 4, 2007

• One could listen over and over, hearing new elements each time [+ Show ]
  

  When I first heard Renee Asteria's music properly, her voice was accompanied by nothing more than an...When I first heard Renee Asteria's music properly, her voice was accompanied by nothing more than an acoustic guitar and a drum. Acoustic arrangements typically connote to me lazy, unenthusiastic, and ultimately boring versions of songs played better by a full band. But Renee's set was different. Stripped of arrangements, the sheer essence of her songs shone through, her powerful and emotional voice at the forefront. This, I thought, is a musician who knows what she is doing. And so I made my way home, eager to hear what she had done with the arrangements for those songs on her album. To say the least, I wasn't disappointed. The element of Renee's music that I am consistently amazed by is her intuitive ability to seamlessly blend numerous musical styles and cultural sounds. She's primarily influenced by reggae, but elements from around the world seem to naturally find their way into her sound. Take "Life is Crazy", for instance. Some of the guitars are tinged with reggae, some more American folk, the melody wouldn't be out of place in some French dive bar if the lyrics weren't in English, and the finishing guitar solo liberally takes cues from funk-rock. And that's just scratching the surface of this album. One could listen over and over, hearing new elements each time, never quite understanding the full picture that Renee is painting. All this is not to say that Renee is some sort of musical thief. She gracefully allows her musical history to influence her sound without letting it blot out her own style and individuality. Her personality is deeply imprinted into these songs. From the jubilant and bouncy "Mosquito" to the tender "Lullabye" to the yearning and resigned "Smile", we know that this music is 100% Renee. But perhaps the most important aspect of Renee's music is her commitment to humanity. Her message is one of compassion and love - be compassionate to others, be proud of what you can offer the world, and love indiscriminately. Sadly, this message is all but lost in the world of modern popular music, and as such it is all the more important for a voice like Renee's to be heard loud and clear.
  
  Nick Krefting - nkrefting (a) gmail.com

• Global Rhythm Ourstage Selection! [+ Show ]
  

  http://www.globalrhythm.net/OurStageMusicPicks/ December 2007 - Renee Asteria - Mosquito (latin) ...http://www.globalrhythm.net/OurStageMusicPicks/
  December 2007 - Renee Asteria - Mosquito (latin)
  
  Backed by a tight studio band, Renee Asteria delves into an almost psychedelic prog-folk mixture that dials in Latin rock, reggae, tropicalia and other influences.
  
  

• The Many Musical Faces of Agent Double E [+ Show ]
  

  Agent Double E (aka Renee Asteria) was born in America (New Jersey to be exact) and grew up in Franc...Agent Double E (aka Renee Asteria) was born in America (New Jersey to be exact) and grew up in France with her Bolivian father and Dutch mother. Her music is as eclectic as her multi-cultural upbringing. Faces of Agent DOuble E is a fitting album title considering the range of styles and languages utilized throughout the record. Don't be surprised to hear anything from Spanish singing over a reggae groove (no, not reggaeton) to edgy rock to ambient folk soundscapes.
  Key Tracks:
  Vinchuca: "Been listening to this album a lot lately. Hard to decide which one is my favourite song but this could be it. No idea what she's singing about but I love the way she sings it."
  Blue Mystery: "Very nice song, sunny and strange at the same time,I love it!" [rec by gof]
  Smile: "Funny song. I loved it from the instant I heard it. "You left me smiling, and noone - crying"; well, this one left me smiling :-) Nice guitar-licks. That goes for the whole album really :-)"

• A Latin Reggae Paradise [+ Show ]
  

  Renee Asteria's "Faces of Agent Double E" is most accurately described as a latin reggae paradise! L...Renee Asteria's "Faces of Agent Double E" is most accurately described as a latin reggae paradise! Laden with amazing, pitch-perfect, harmony-filled vocals, groovy beats, and memorable lyrics, "Faces of Agent Double E" maintains a refreshing island appeal from beginning to end. "Vinchuca" stands out as musically innovative, and introduces Agent Double E's multi-lingual appeal with skillfully interwoven Spanish lyrics. Furthermore, this record hails a rare degree of amazing instrumentation, namely the delightfully clever lead electric guitar riffs and tight overall band sound. With production defined by unchallenged clarity and quality, this album is sure to claim the CD-slot in the stereo deck of reggae fans and latin music fans for a very long time!

• Music and activism [+ Show ]
  

  Music and activism are two of Renee Asteria's passions. On November 17, the globetrotting singer ...Music and activism are two of Renee Asteria's passions.
  
  On November 17, the globetrotting singer brings those two together at Life is Crazy, a musical and social gathering event to enlighten Brooklynites on social justice issues through guest speakers and lyrics at Galapagos.
  
  "I'm only now being able to see how I can really intrinsically link the two because previously when I'm studying, I'm study, when I'm working, I'm working," said Asteria, the lead singer of Latin rock collective Agent Double E who is currently residing in Queens until she moves to France. "While right now I'm doing music, the perfect way to fuse them together is to create a forum where you can present information to people. At the same time they're going to have their minds opened to different initiatives that go beyond just music".
  
  Those initiatives in particular include the work of the NYC Fair Trade Coalition, which encourages organizations to switch to Fair Trade products, and Pro Mejur and Kiva, which promote microfinance, the practice of providing financial assistance to poor business people. Both Fair Trade and microfinance are initiatives which essentially work to create better quality of life and alleviate poverty in third world countries through consumer choices made abroad.
  
  "It's a great forum to present to people positive initiatives that are happening in the work like Fair Trade and microfinance that people can participate in," said Asteria. "You can sing about something, you're lyrical content can be about that, but you can actually have representations of very specific solutions to certain problems in the world…where actually people can get involved, because a lot of people don't know how to get involved."
  
  The multimedia event will also feature the debut of DVD magazine "Hybrid Lounge," which raises awareness of different cultures and promotes tolerance through music, as well as work y local artists.
  
  Following the guest speakers and presentations, diverse bands will perform until the wee hours of the morning.
  
  One of those on the bill is Asteria's own bnad, Agent Double E, a bilingual fusion of Latin, reggae and rock which addresses a range of issues from disease to having an open mind. Two songs in particular, their signature tracks "Mosquito" and "Vinchuca," address the prevalence of disease, specifically dengue and Chaga's, in poor, rural areas of South America, and the simple means in which it can be prevented.
  
  Many of Asteria's songs come from her own experiences doing research in South America, though their significance can be found for those without such an immediate connection.
  
  "By talking about one disease, you can talk about climate change, poverty, a whole slue of issues," said Asteria. "These are issues that are really pertinent to our world today."
  
  Also on the bill are Strawberry Brown with their blend of Latin, pop and reggae; African artist Majeekul Koleurz, playing a mix of afro-beat, R&B and Hip Hop; and roots reggae and dancehall artists Riddim Nation and Ruff Scott. DJ Ceiba will also be spinning roots music till late.
  
  In a move fitting with the social justice theme of the evening, admission to the event is based on a sliding scale, from $5 to $20.
  
  "Somebody told me that's not a New York thing, that's more of a California thing," said Asteria. "For me, it's so logical. That way, people can pay what they can pay."
  
  The November 17 event will be the first of what Asteria hopes will be several multimedia gatherings throughout the world to address social health and injustice issues through music. The name of the gathering, "Life is Crazy," the artist pulled from her own 2007 album, and found it perfect to describe this new effort.
  
  "What else could better describe an event that's so mixed?" she said.
  
  Life is Crazy: A Social Gathering filled with Music and Discovery, will be November 17 at Galapagos (70 North 6th Street), with presentations from 8 p.m. To 10 p.m., and music from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Admission is on a sliding scale of $5 to $20. For more information, call (718) 782-5188

• Ground-breaking International Beats [+ Show ]
  

  Renee Asteria Brings Ground-breaking International Beats to Danbury Renee Asteria (Agent Double E...Renee Asteria Brings Ground-breaking International Beats to Danbury
  
  Renee Asteria (Agent Double E) made an appearance with Riddim Nation backing her up at Cousin Larry's Cafe on December 7th. The reggae songstress, guitarist and activist put on an upbeat, powerful and tight show with her band that had the crowd dancing all night. The crew laid down reggae grooves with folk, rock and Latin influences. She dances like a hippie, sings with the command of a gospel singer and performs with the conviction of a preacher. Asteria grew up in France and was raised by a Bolivian father and Dutch mother. She has studied and traveled the word and that background shines through in her performance and voice.
  
  The colorful sounds of the band are made even more interesting by the unusual yet clear lyrics that interweave to create entertaining and genuine stories. The sunny live sound is similar to Kate Bush, Lene Lovich, Portishead & Sade but peppered with tropical sounding Latin and reggae beats. Erica from Riddim Nation also sings harmonies that provide a sweet professional compliment. The artist's latest CD, "Faces of Agent Double E" was released and aired live in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 95.5 Rock & Pop FM and Open Air Radio. It was released in New York City on June 9th with a special show at Mopitkins. Playing live as "Agent Double E", Asteria is currently touring California & New York working with local musicians.
  
  Add Renee Asteria as your friend on myspace at Myspace.com/ReneeAsteria or check out her touring schedule at Asteriarecords... See other live touring acts at Cousin Larry's Cafe in Danbury which you can find at Myspace.com/LarrysDanbury.

• TOGETHERNESS DAY [+ Show ]
  

  Renee Asteria-Agent double E, Spahni's Dub Dancers, Darius Rourou / The Majestic Force, Dilem Corne... Renee Asteria-Agent double E, Spahni's Dub Dancers, Darius Rourou / The Majestic Force, Dilem Cornelien, Trip De Roots et bien d'autres artistes seront à la Case-à-chocs, le samedi, 15 decembre 2007 dès 20h00
  
  Depuis l'ouverture de la saison, la Case-à-Chocs n'a pas encore connu une soiree musicale aussi riche et coloree que celle qui s'y annonce le samedi 15 decembre 2007. Encore une fois les Neuchâteloises et Neuchâtelois confirmeront leur esprit de tolerance, qui fait de Neuchâtel un canton multiculturel. Une soiree d'exception, baptisee « Togetherness Day », qui animera la Case-à-chocs de 20h00 à 04h00. Un lieu harmonieux, dans lequel les artistes d'ici et d'ailleurs souhaitent partager des moments d'« intimite » avec un public sympa. Une idee noble d'un membre de l'association Voice of Human Rights – Switzerland, Darius Rurangirwa, Neuchâtelois d'origine rwandaise.
  
  Parmi les têtes d'affiches, l'une des etoiles montantes du rock, reggae et folk, aux rythmes melangeant afro, latino et un peu de tout ce qu'on aime d'elle, Renee Asteria - Agent Double E, viendra en Suisse pour la première fois à la mi-decembre, pour un concert unique ! Après avoir prêche sa conviction, la « force de l'amour », dans quasiment tous les USA et l'Amerique latine, sa strategie est de venir d'abord s'approvisionner en energie neuchâteloise pour pouvoir mieux se lancer à la conquête de l'Europe, avec sa voix veloutee et son dynamisme impressionnant – imaginez Amy Winehouse, Portishead et Sade. Les paroles originales racontent des histoires qui sont à la fois simples et amusantes. La musique et les melodies sont entraînantes: une infusion de sons latins, rythmes reggae et une saveur tropicale qui amènent le soleil et les sons d'Amerique Latine chez nous! Le hasard a bien fait les choses et les organisateurs du «Togetherness Day », une soiree dediee au multiculturalisme, ont pu inviter pour vous cette charmante artiste nee dans le New Jersey (USA), d'une mère neerlandaise et d'un père bolivien, et qui a passe son adolescence en France ! Autant d'origines qui expliquent sa capacite à exprimer sa passion pour le social et pour les multiples peuples et cultures qui l'ont influencee, entre autres à travers ses etudes et voyages autour du monde.
  
  Sur la même scène, on pourra ecouter Spahni's Dub Dancers, compose de musiciens professionnels comme l'Italien Fabio Marchiori au clavier, ou le batteur Daniel Sphani, qui partage son intelligence musicale avec de grandes stars telles que le Canadien Helmut Lipsky, Pippo Pollina ou le Jamaïcain Linton Kwesi Johnson. Plusieurs autres musiciens de qualite rejoindront Darius Rourou / The Majestic Force pour un live rappelant les vives annees du reggae de Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, etc. Plus de dix musiciens distilleront une musique vehiculant un message de paix, d'amour et de tolerance. Du ska au steady, en passant par le roots, dans un style tantôt « dub », tantôt « groove », le retour tant attendu de l'Africain sur les grandes scènes avec vos musiciens preferes, promet une ambiance riche de « good vibes ». Au chant, Sister Yasmine, representante du Senegal pour l'occasion, et bien sûr votre s--ur Cornelia. Pour le griot rwandais, cet evenement est aussi l'occasion de chanter en memoire de la star du reggae africain assassinee à Johannesburg en octobre dernier, The Shot Dead Rasta, late LUCKY DUBE. Et ce n'est pas tout, à part Dilem cornelien, qui n'est plus à presenter car on sait tous que là où il y a du rock, ska punk et manouche-funck-jazz, il y a forcement Dilem… ou presque, bien d'autres groupes viendront egayer la scène. Si la Suisse etait la Jamaïque, Neuchâtel serait certainement Kingston ou Trenchtown ! En plus des huit groupes de reggae que comptait dejà ce canton, Trip de roots vient de voir le jour et merite d'être soutenu. Les riddims jaillissant des « baguettes magiques » de Miss Ashley à la batterie en impressionneront plus d'un, et pourraient même faire des jaloux ! Trip de Roots est une formation complète et prometteuse composee de neuf musiciens, tous neuchâtelois. De quoi ne pas rater leur premier show au « Togetherness Day ».
  
  Afin de permettre au public tardif de participer à la cause, la soiree se terminera en beaute sur des sons mixes par differents « Boys-djs » dans des styles melangeant Electro, Drum'n bass et même Dance hall ou Hip-hop. C'est à la Case-à-chocs, le samedi 15.12.2007.
  
  Portes : 19h00 Concerts : 20h00 Fermeture : 04h00 Preloc : Vinyl, NE
  Renseignements: voiceofhumanrights@yahoo.com - www.case-à-chocs-ch - www.dariusrourou.
  

Setlist

2013

VINCHUCA
ADDICTED
MOSQUITO
IN YOU
THERE IS NO END
LAMBADA
LA BAJA
WHERE IS MY MIND
BAILA NEGRA
JUNTOS
ILLEGAL
FORGET
WORK IT
RISK

Basic Requirements

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