“Axis of Love” at Miami’s North Beach Bandshell
for Songlines Magazine The rain fell on the open-air North Beach Bandshell in Miami, but Houston-based Riyaaz Qawwali ensemble braved the weather. The carpet they sat…
Miami’s Little Havana for Songlines Magazine
The black-and-white image on TV is of a singer scraping a güiro, with a full Cuban ensemble backing him up. A quintessential Havana scene – but…
Review: Orishas Comeback Tour
Filmore Miami Beach, August 20 Concert Review for Songlines Magazine by Maria Bakkalapulo Afro-Cuban hip-hop pioneers, the Orishas, are back on tour after a seven…
Helly Luv: Freedom Fighter Takes on ISIS via Pop Music for MTV Iggy
“Music is My Weapon and I Know I Will Never Be Safe Again.” Story by Maria Bakkalapulo and Niall Macaulay A peshmerga (Kurdish for “those who…
Belle and Sebastian: A Blueprint for Audience-Driven Success – for MTV Iggy
Words by Maria Bakkalapulo For bands seeking success, refusing to do interviews, and sending snaps of friends as your press photos, may not come recommended. But…
The Borneo Jazz Festival Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
This year the Borneo Jazz Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary in one of the most beautiful tropical paradises. Maria Bakkalapulo travelled there and brings us a…
