MUSIC CONNECTION - JULY 2009

[Disclaimer: The following is an archive of content that was originally on another website/printed magazine. Originally in the July 2009 issue of MUSIC CONNECTION - see www.musicconnection.com for the original archive.]


"The Mojdeh Project: Boundary-pushing players that appeal to a young crowd weary of the alt-pop scene."

by Rob Putnam

The Mojdeh Project
Elbo Room
Chicago, IL


Material: The Mojdeh Project’s stock in trade is folkcore, although it sometimes verges on avant-garde and channels small measures of Björk and art rock. In short, lyrics are what drive this band. Standouts include “The Gateway,” poetically,the band’s strongest song, the percussion-fronted “Poetry,” and “Life Is,” a song that asserts that life is hard when you’re human.

Musicianship: All members of the trio like to push the boundaries and get fairly experimental in their choice of instruments –– found objects, some of them –– and how they’re mic’d. Mojdeh Stoakley shows versatility by playing bass, guitar and improvised instruments such as a propane tank. Drummer Brian Brennan sometimes plays using his hands and at other times employs a djembe, to interesting effect.

Performance: Stoakley joked and engaged in light banter between songs, which was a sharp contrast to the Mojdeh Project’s typically serious, more contemplative lyrics. During the song “Poetry” she battered a propane tank with drumsticks, making her musical points so strongly that she broke one of the sticks. Her vocals were often throaty and somber. Sakhnovski also tapped a thick spring that lent the song a haunting quality. The band’s 10-song set flowed smoothly and the song order was well chosen.

Summary: This ensemble represents a different kind of sound. Their genre and lyrics will likely appeal to a younger crowd that is perhaps weary of pop or alternative. They’re all competent musicians and the band is working hard to get its name out. These artists have done their homework and are headed in their own direction. Fans of folkcore, or anyone just looking for something new, might do well to check them out.

[see original image archive of the article below]



www.themojdehproject.com
www.lethalpoetry.com

EXTRAnews.NET - April 2009

[Disclaimer: The following is an archive of content that was originally on another website/printed magazine. Originally in the APRIL 2009 issue of EXTRA NEWS - see www.extranews.net for the original archive.]
Opportunity to Make Global Connections
The 2nd Annual Global Activism Expo takes place

by Adriana Gallardo

Chicago Public Radio's, Worldview has transformed a weekly segment on their daily show into one of the largest gatherings of international activism in Chicago.

On April 25, over 100 local Global Activists will come together at the second annual expo hosted at Northeastern Illinois University.

For the last six years, the Global Activism series, which airs every Thursday at noon, has highlighted the exceptional initiative of locals taking on issues outside our borders such as access to medical treatment, women's global education, the development of fair trade markets and after-school programs in developing countries.

Jerome McDonnell, host of Worldview and the expo encourages those who are not involved in global activism to join the expo and discover the individuals behind the projects presented on the show.

"People always tell me that the Global Activists inspire them to think they can make a difference too, anybody who comes will see it's actually people just like them that are overcoming some of the world's greatest challenges," McDonnell said.

The projects featured on Worldview move beyond the targeted relief programs that most are familiar with. Dozens of organizations working in Latin America that have been featured over the years include: medical work with rural communities in Bolivia, hospices and orphanages in Haiti, leprosy clinics in Equator and vocational opportunities for the deaf in Nicaragua.

Aasia Mohammad, U.S. Coordinator for the Chiapas Media Project participated in the first Global Activism expo and found that the gathering allowed her to connect with fellow activist in new ways.

"I am looking forward to coming back. I appreciate the opportunity to request and add friends in the organizing community without the Internet. The Global Activism expo is a colorful way to link our energies for creating a stronger social fabric," Mohammad said.

The expo will feature local food vendors from authentic ethnic restaurants and a performance curated by Lethal Poetry, Inc.

"Working with Chicago Public Radio and Worldview is a blessing - it's rare to work with a media source that so consistently tries to service the community through its programming. This is important to us because Lethal Poetry is a mission-based company," added Mojdeh, president and curator for the local arts and entertainment company.

In the theme of Global Activism, Mojdeh focused the lineup at the expo to include Chicago artist and musicians who are either activists through their music or represent global communities in the city. Some of the featured acts are Guerra Freitas (Angolan music), Son Del Viento (Son Jarocho music), Rebel Root Music (Reggae music) and Ogundamasa (Afro-Cuban music).

McDonnell sees the expo as a rallying point for the Chicago community and an extension of what media can do for people.

"It reminds us of the power of broadcasting to make a contribution to people lives here and around the world," he said.

Discussion groups and presentations by the Global Activist will also be held in the classrooms at Northeastern University.

Adriana Gallardo works as a production assistant for Worldview, which airs on 91.5 fm WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio, Monday through Friday at 12 p.m.; Monday through Thursday at 9 p.m.

Global Activism Expo 2009
Northeastern University: Sports Complex
April 25
Noon to 6 p.m.
chicagopublicradio.org/expo

Editorial
by Adriana Gallardo

[see original image archive of the article below]

www.lethalpoetry.com

VOCALO.ORG LIVE RADIO INTERVIEW - FEB 2009

The following is an archive of the radio interview with Fyodor & Mojdeh of THE MOJDEH PROJECT. The two perform a duet live & Mojdeh performs "E-Motion" live as well. The band has the joy of being interviewed by Vocalo's very own Luis!




www.lethalpoetry.com

UR CHICAGO - August 2008

[Disclaimer: The following is an archive of content that was originally on another website. Originally posted August 2008 - This is an excerpt of a feature in anticipation of Art On Track 2009. - to visit the original post click here. Please be aware that some press/posts do expire.]

Moving Art

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For one night this weekend, the CTA is getting a creative makeover

by Diana Bae



It was an article in the Red Eye that inspired Tristan Hummel to work on a unique location for an art exhibition. The newspaper piece was a story about odd things to do with your money in Chicago. “One of those things was to rent a CTA train to host a party,” says Mojdeh Stoakley, Hummel’s business partner. “He thought, ‘Why not an art exhibition?’”

That idea, which struck a couple years ago, is finally coming to fruition. Stoakley, the 21-year-old CEO of Lethal Poetry, has partnered with Hummel, also 21 and CEO of Salvo, for “Art on Track.” For one night only, an eight-car orange line CTA train will turn into a moving art exhibition -- and Stoakley hopes it will earn a Guinness World Record as the largest mobile art exhibition. There will be five galleries as well as the works of 200 independent artists. Along with the visual arts, theater groups and a puppetry group will be present as the train rolls through the Loop on the elevated tracks. The $5 entrance fee for the event is also the ticket into the “Art on Track” afterparty at the Joynt, as well as a free drink.

For Stoakley and Hummel, who met as students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, “Art on Track” is a way to showcase the city. Rather than having people leave the Windy City, she and Hummel “want Chicago to be the destination for artists to build their careers. The city’s already halfway there,” Stoakley says. But the city still needs a “rise in the independent gallery world and a lot of community participation.” All artists that will show their work on the train are local talents.

The exhibition is also a way to change people’s perspectives of their surroundings. “The idea is to re-appropriate the expectations of how one views art: to challenge the artists into thinking about how to create their art for this environment,” Stoakley says. The train also lets “both the normal art-goers and non-art-goers to have access to work that’s been created.”

For the future, Stoakley says she would love to continue this event: “If we get an incredible response, then we can prove to the City of Chicago and the CTA that a bunch of youth can really get it done.”

”Art on Track” will take place Saturday, Aug. 30 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Entrance to the train is at the Adams and Wabash El platform.

[see original screen shot archive of article below]


www.lethalpoetry.com

The Chicagoist - August 2008

[Disclaimer: The following is an archive of content that was originally on another website. Originally posted August 29, 2008 - This is an excerpt of a feature in anticipation of Art On Track 2009. - to visit the original post click here. Please be aware that some press/posts do expire.]

Ideas in Motion: Art on Track

When local arts advocates Salvo and Lethal Poetry, Inc. found a way to convert an 8-car CTA train into a bonafide arts space, Art on Track was born. After lots of toiling and planning, Salvo and LP are putting the fruits of their labor on display as Art on Track takes to the Orange line tomorrow night from 6pm to 10pm.

If this sounds like your kind of thing, hop on at the Adams and Wabash El platform and spend a little time taking in some of the finest works from the Flat Iron Artist Group, Peter Jones Gallery, The Silver Room Gallery, Colibri Studio/Gallery, and Quenect 4 Gallery. But this isn’t just some rinky-dink peek-a-boo kind of art show: three staff members will be aboard each car, sharing info on the artists / displays and making sure the art stays in place.

The train will circle the Loop for four hours, but the four designated stops on the ride mean you can basically come and go as you please. The event costs $5; pay at the door or buy your tickets online.

[view original screen shot archive below]

Idea Waitress - August 2008

[Disclaimer: The following is an archive of content that was originally on another website. Originally posted August 24, 2008 - This is an excerpt of a feature in anticipation of Art On Track 2009. - to visit the original post click here. Please be aware that some press/posts do expire.]

Art On Track: CTA as visual art gallery August 24, 2008

As every aspiring visual artist knows, creating the work of art is only one part of actually making a living as an artist. Getting the art in front of potential buyers is sometimes the more difficult part. A local Chicago artist collective is taking matter into its own hands in a very bold way: bringing art to the public by chartering an eight-car CTA train for a one-night traveling show on August 30. For the lowly price of $5, patrons will be able to actually touch at least some of the art and view a performance piece involving representation of Chicago’s famous landmarks and history. The presenters are Salvo, which describes itself as a “think tank” of artists, and Lethal Poetry, a Chicago-based arts and entertainment start-up. I love this idea and wish I were going to be in town so I could attend! It’s a creative and very affordable way to show how art can be part of everyday life instead of something one sees only in a museum or an art gallery — settings that some people find intimidating, uncomfortable or otherwise unengaging. Participating galleries include The Flat Iron Artist Group, Peter Jones Gallery, The Silver Room Gallery, Colibri Studio/Gallery and Quenect 4 Gallery, as well as independent Chicago artists. Full details available at Art on Track.

[see original screen shot archive below]