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OtherWorldly

World Music by any other name

OtherWorldly

Western popular music is spreading like kudzu all over the world, and like that devastating if attractive vine, it is obscuring –and in some cases destroying—living things struggling to reach the sun.  For the past 7 years I’ve been shooting video of musicians from just about everywhere– driven in part by knowing how much music is not getting heard via the new platforms by which music is accessed. (An algorithm-based suggestion will only take you so far.) Another motivation is that this music represents other cultures, histories, and consequently different ways that music can affect us. It brings new sounds and new feelings with it, and has the potential to communicate across political borders. I think this is very important these days. And simply, video increases accessibility.

I call what you will see here World Music only because that is the term by which much of it is marketed. But these days world music can mean a Chinese Pipa player working with a classical ensemble, a jazz flautist experimenting with ragas, or a hip hop maestro doing musical social work in Colombia. So let’s not get too caught up about categories. It is all just Music and if I didn’t think it had something to offer, I wouldn’t be showing it to you.

You probably won’t see this stuff on TV or online unless you search hard for it.

Or you can come here.   Your comments are welcome.

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Michal Shapiro

Hello. I'm a musician, writer, painter, producer and videographer. I've been been a professional singer since the age of 11. Between 1995 and 2001 I produced award winning world music compilations for the Ellipsis Arts label, and wrote music … [read more]

OtherWorldly

Western popular music is spreading like kudzu all over the world, and like that devastating if attractive vine, it is obscuring –and in some cases destroying—living things struggling to reach the sun.  For the past 7 years I’ve been shooting video of … [read more]

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