Last Tuvan throat singing post of the weekend, I promise.
In case you missed last night’s Tuvan throat singing extravaganza at Kaleidoscope, Genghis Blues: the movie which made it all possible, is screening tonight at the Roxie at 7:15pm. Best of all, after the movie Kongar-ol Ondar will be performing!
The Genghis Blues Review last night was totally packed, but it was an awesome time. Kongar-ol Ondar did some traditional songs, but also took us back Tuva future with this folk-rock inspired number:
He also invited local singer and vocal teacher Karina Denike up to, uh, feel his diaphragm.
This is one of those things that I can’t believe is happening right here in our neighborhood.
First of all, have you seen the documentary Genghis Blues? It’s about a blind bluesman from San Francisco named Paul Pena who taught himself how to Tuvan throat sing from scratchy cassettes that he recorded from his radio. His obsession eventually brought him to Tuva where he participated in their annual festival and befriended the best throat singer in the world, Kongar-ol Ondar. It’s really an amazing and moving documentary that you should get on your Netflix queue right away (after checking Lost Weekend first, of course).
Well TONIGHT, Saturday January 22nd, Kaleidoscope will host the Genghis Blues Review featuring Kongar-ol Ondar himself in a rare US appearance. Sadly, Paul Pena is no longer with us, but you might just get the next best thing, our own Mission bluesman Seth Augustus, who took care of Paul and learned the art of throat singing directly from him.
GENGHIS BLUES REVIEW: Rare US appearance by Tuvan throatsinging master, Kongar-ol Ondar, co-star of the Oscar nominated film, Genghis Blues.
Also on hand will be cast members Ralph Leighton, Roko Belic, Lemon DeGeorge & Tony DeCicco as well as musical guest Seth Augustus.
A night of live music, travel stories, and film excerpts with out-takes from Genghis Blues and never-before-screened footage of Kongar-ol Ondar and Paul Pena performing in Japan.
SHOW STARTS AT 9PM — goes until 11pm SATURDAY JANUARY 22nd
If you don’t know about Seth, he’s a mission-based bluesman who incorporates Tuvan throat singing techniques into his songs. It’s pretty much impossible to describe what this sounds like, so you’re just going to have to click this link to see the current world master droping jaws on the Letterman show.
You may have seen the incredible documentary on San Francisco’s late/great Paul Pena, Genghis Blues who was the first American to self-teach himself the Tuvan way and even went on compete in the annual throat singing festival in Tuva. Seth was a great friend and caretaker to Mr. Pena in his later years.
Check out this video I shot of him freaking out the normals at Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley with an old Tuvan classic: “Eki A’Ttar” (Good Horses).
Seth’s new album, “To The Pouring Rain” will be on sale. Pre order tix here.
