A little discovery story from my last night in NY on my recent trip. My gorgeous friend Andrea came along for the ride.
3.2.12 | Brooklyn, NY (Bushwick) | 12:01AM
There we were in the middle of dark and dank warehouses. “Is this the place?” Not wanting to risk being stranded in the middle of nowhere, we ask the cab driver to wait for us a minute while we check if this was the spot. I battled my umbrella and the wind to get to the entrance. I see a fire themed mural on the wall. “This is Brooklyn Fireproof,” I motioned to Andrea. We shake ourselves off and take a photo opportunity with the “fire wall”.
We then pass by the smokers who seem unaware of any soggy weather disturbance, enjoying their drags and outdoor conversation. Inside, is a multitude of shabby-chic patrons working the only two bartenders to the bone. Yes it takes me a minute to get my rum and Coke but I understand that you don’t come to a place like this for service. I wouldn’t describe it as raw or a whole-in-the-wall but it’s close. Unlike other no-frills hip joints I’ve been to, most people who walk in the door aren’t just here to have a quiet drink at the bar with a friend tonight. They want to be seen, work the room and be heard. This includes the very excited fresh 21-year-old who yelled out “I’m 21 bitches!”
As the night goes on more people trickle in. I say hello to a friend close to the DJ booth where Uproot Andy is already manning his post. I recognize Zuzuka’s distinct face posing for the camera behind Andy. “That’s Zuzuka Poderosa.” I say to Andrea. Uproot Andy drops a familiar Latin beat and gets the hips swaying…a warm-up if you will. Girls pour to the dance floor and so the boys follow. Zuzuka holds the mic close to her lips and steps out to greet the crowd with her sultry voice and then BOOM! Portuguese lyrics but far from Bossa Nova. Her body movements tell me she is saying something like “I’m a bad ass chick. You can’t handle this.”
Wearing fishnet stockings, booty shorts and an explosive attitude, she represents her name well- Zuzuka POWER! This Brazilian beauty pulls inspiration from her multicultural background (daughter of an Indonesian father and Brazilian mother) and travels to Asia, the Caribbean and now home base of New York. Her music is a special blend of a little Baile Funk (AKA Funk Carioca), a dash of Moombahthon and a good serving of Global BASS. She calls her concoction ‘Carioca Bass.’ Her project with Sonora (of Texas Global-Cumbia-Bass collective, Peligrosa) called ‘Sonora Remixes: Zuzuka Poderosa’, was critically acclaimed around certain Global Bass communities. Her most recent single release, a collaboration with Dublin-based producer, Orquesta, the ‘Dona Sandra EP’ is a collection of remixes, and was named by NPR as one of the ‘Best Beats of Summer 2011’. (http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_MS17806)
Just as I am busting a sweat while dropping my knees lower on Zuzuka’s command, I look at the time. “2AM ALREADY”. If it was Houston, this party would be shut down but the rules are a little different here in BK. Stay longer? Negative. I know we have to head out for Andrea’s sake. She has a 9AM flight.
We’re told the “L” doesn’t run to these parts at night- not that I was considering that route. Rain, dark warehouses, empty streets…cab please. We find a number for a car service written in chalk on the wall…close enough. It’s a wrap for the night but not for this artist on my play list.
3.8.12 | Houston, TX (Energy Corridor…boo!) | 7:41PM
So SXSW, which happens to be next week, is known for bringing the latest musical hotness to the forefront and looky who has some shows line-up: Zuzuka Poderosaaaaaaa (that’s my Oprah voice). I love it when I feel like I discovered a new artist. I give you permission to take the credit though. Just yesterday, she dropped this dope mix tape featuring some old underground classics and some future favorites from her next ‘Carioca Bass EP’ by Kush Arora. Sheck it out!
http://soundcloud.com/zuzuka-poderosa/zuzukapoderosa-cariocabass
OFFICIAL SXSW SHOWCASE next Friday, March 16th with Kush Arora at 12 AM at Speakeasy Kabaret (412 Congress Ave) with :papercutz, party supplies, etc.
TEXAS TOUR DATES:
WED – 03.14 SXSW – Mint Collective Day Party w/ Kush Arora @ Malverde (400b W. 2nd St.) – ATX
WED – 03.14 SXSW – 4:30 PM – New Gyration Presents Pump! @ The Loft (718 Congress) – ATX
FRI – 03.16 SXSW – 3 PM – Austin Vida Day Party w/ Kush Arora @ Jovita’s (1619 S.1st) – ATX
FRI – 03.16 SXSW – 12 AM – Official Showcase @ Speakeasy Kabaret (412 Congress) – ATX
Sat – 03.17 SXSW – Art Culture Activism @ East 11th St Art Park – ATX
Sat – 03.17 SATX – w/ Ritmo Machine San Antonio @ Limelight – SATX
See you in Austiiiiiiiin! ( ok, I really gotta stop with that)…