The 2011 Red Bull Music Academy in Madrid has just finished the first of two fortnight-long terms, kicked off by a visit from the Mayor Alberto Ruíz-Gallardón, who said: "I want to thank Red Bull for choosing Madrid, alongside with other cities as New York, Sao Paulo, Rome, Berlin, Toronto, Melbourne, London and Barcelona. Madrid loves music because it loves life. And the Red Bull Music Academy initiative proves it. I also want to thank Matadero Madrid, a space with which we identify as well as with its language: a language of freedom, of creation, of respect and intellectual curiosity, which aims to learn from others, listening to others and sharing with others, and that is exactly what is going to happen thanks to the Red Bull Music Academy."
In a massive warehouse refurbished, aka Matadero Madrid with a Jurassic Park-like village of studios and shared spaces filled with art by emerging Madrid artists, we’ve seen visits from artists such as Brazilian national treasure and tropicalia trailblazer Tom Zé (who told the participants: "The universe needs artists like you more than ever"), and influential producer and engineer Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode, Grizzly Bear, Einstürzende Neubauten). Masked hip hop enigma MF Doom spoke at the Academy last week, and his advice to the participants was that, when making music, to "follow your heart is the number one rule. People might not see your vision, but they'll appreciate it later on."
Red Bull Music Academy
Red Bull Music Academy
Lecture host Jeff 'Chairman' Mao commented on the lecture: "When all’s said and done this Super Villain sounds simply super-thankful that an audience is still here to appreciate him after all these years. A modest “Thanks for listening,” and familiar, concluding, “Follow your heart,” and he’s off to wherever masked men go to chill when it’s lunchtime."
Swiss participant Kackmusickk commented that: "It's been an amazing time, so inspiring to make music with the other participants. The lectures - from Paul Riser from Motown to Addison Groove - it's all been incredible."
Red Bull Music Academy
Red Bull Music Academy
Indeed, there's been plenty going on, from Jay-Z’s amicable engineer Young Guru (who stuck around all week to share studio tips), to house legend Frankie Knuckles.
Red Bull Music Academy
Red Bull Music Academy
Erykah Badu blessed the lecture hall with personal and musical insights, and her set at Red Bull Music Academy's night at Madrid’s impressive Teatro Circo Price amphitheatre (supported by former Academy participants Hudson Mohawke and Jamie Woon) was one of the most professional sets we’ve ever seen. The entire audience was captivated, immediately lifted in mood. It was a symbiotic energy relationship, and it was a pleasure to watch. She steam-rolled through her catalogue of hits with the tactics of a DJ. She played drum machine. She played Whodini and Soulsonic Force covers. She even had a flute player! After jumping in the crowd and having audience members sing the chorus along to “Soldier”, she gave an impromptu soliloquy about “believing in yourself.”
Red Bull Music Academy
Red Bull Music Academy
There’s plenty more good vibes to come, with visits in the next weeks from Wu-Tang mastermind-turned-film-director RZA, electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick, and many more.
Check out the embeddable lecture videos from Young Guru, Erykah Badu, MF Doom and more at- www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures
You can also find loads of content each day on the brand new relaunched homepage www.redbullmusicacademy.com
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