Roots and Branches Process Blog

Scraper Bikes are On The Scene!

2009-04-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

Get a preview of the new heat from Baby Champ, the Scraper Bike King "On The Scene" beat by Big Hurt, mix by DJ BASTA.

Dropin officially this summer.

http://www.zshare.net/download/587916507817fb8b/

In the studio with BUMPITYTHUMP

2009-04-17T11:29:00.001-07:00

Bumpitythump is a group that I have been working with for about a year now. These youngsters bring an incredible energy to their music and but on a great live show. We did two different recording sessions, one at their church in West Oakland and the other at KPFA 94.1 FM in Berkeley. Watch out for this group in 2009.

Roots and Branches in the studio

2009-03-26T20:53:00.000-07:00

G.E.M.Z.

Big Hurt

Willie Beamin

We have been spending long hours in the studio working on Roots and Branches Sound System vol. 3, a compilation of exclusive songs from artists who have been involved with Roots and Branches in the past as well as artists who we are connecting with in 2009. The project is starting to gain momentum as more and more songs are completed. The compilation album will be released at our annual summer block party in July where most of the songs will be performed publicly for the first time. Stay tuned for more updates as the projects continues to develop.

Spinnin' disks at Water Lounge

2009-03-26T17:29:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday night I filled in for DJ Wonway at the Water Lounge in North Oakland, right across from the Rockridge BART. Alongside Dion Decibels I set the vibe for the mellow Sunday night crowd at Water. Classy but laid back lounge environment with quality drinks and tasty snacks. Checkout Musiquarium at Water with the crew every Sunday. Listen to Wonway's "Makossa Classics Vol. 1" or Dion Decibels' "P-Funk Tribute Mix" for a taste.

Halloween Scraper Bike Ride

2008-11-12T12:47:00.000-08:00

Second Annual Halloween Scraper Bike Ride. 10/31/08. Organized by Baby Champ. Exclusive tshirts by Oaklandish. Video by BASTA.

DJ BASTA @ Oaklandish Radio Regatta

2008-09-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

Roots and Branches DJ BASTA held down at Oaklandish's Radio Regatta event at Lake Merrit the other day. It was a fun event and got BASTA on with Oaklandish for their community outreach and marketing position. Expect good things for Oaklandish in 2008 and check out BASTA's exclusive t-shirt from Roots and Branches Oakland State of Mind Block Party. For more on Oaklandish www.oaklandish.org

Roots and Branches with Bumpitythump in West Oakland

2008-08-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

Roots and Branches with Bumpitythump in West Oakland

2008-08-11T21:18:00.001-07:00

Bumpitythump has been an important collaborator for Roots and Branches throughout the 2008 season. The energy, talent, and spirit of this group of people have made unmeasurable contributions to Roots and Branches. This past weekend Bumpitythump invited Roots and Branches to provide the sound system for a funderaiser at their center in West Oakland. The showcase of talent from the youth was inspiring. Hula dancing, turf dancing, drumming, and singing. Kids jumping around, cake walk and BBQ. Bumpitythump we are thankful for you.

Roots and Branches Oakland State of Mind Block Party on KPFA 94.1 FM

2008-07-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

KPFA 94.1 FM's Full Circle Radio program came out to Roots and Branches Oakland State of Mind Block Party on 7/19/08 and setup a recording station backstage. Full Circle Radio interviewed performers from the days event, Roots and Branches organizers Nicholas and Bobby as well as folks from the neighborhood. The show is available on KPFA's website to listen online or download at www.kpfa.org/archives.

Thanks to Full Circle Radio and everyone at KPFA 94.1 FM.

ARTS 94124 Street Party

2008-06-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

This past weekend BASTA from Roots and Branches held down the Roots a Branches sound system at Arts 94124, Artsfest 3rd & Fairfax. Roots and Branches provided the sound for San Francisco bands Jazzadelic and Bohemian Knuckle Boogie and featured DJ BASTA on the turntables. Artsfest 3rd & Fairfax featured arts, crafts live screen-printing and a free meal for the Third Street community. San francisco ARTS 94124 is an new non-profit arts space in San Francisco's Bay View district. For more in formation on ARTS 94124 arts94124.wordpress.com

Walls of Hope Opening @ MOCHA w/ Bumpitythump

2008-06-17T17:06:00.001-07:00

BUMPITYTHUMP! BUMPITYTHUMP! BUMPITYTHUMP!

For the opening of the Walls of Hope show at the Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA) on June 14, Roots and Branches got together with the rock-solid Bumpitythump crew from West Oakland. These youngsters embody a powerful cultural force and are grounded in positivity. There was a humble turnout for the opening reception, but that did not lessen the energy of the outstanding performance. The courtyard at MOCHA was left ringing after the barrage of Djembe drum hits and flayling arms/legs from the reception.

Look out for Bumpitythump drummers and Inspirational Movements dancers on stage at Roots and Branches Oakland State of Mind Block Party on July 19, 2008.

Roots and Branches @ Oakland's Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA)

2008-06-09T16:28:00.000-07:00

Roots and Branches sound system will be hosting the opening of the "Walls of Hope" show at the Museum of Children's Art in downtown Oakland at 538 9th ST (btwn. Washington & Clay) . Come checkout the show from 2-4pm on Saturday June 14, Roots and Branches sound system will be in the courtyard and live drumming will be provided by Bumpitythump.

For more information on the Museum of Children's Art mocha.org

RBS @ ArtEsteem

2008-06-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

For the end of May, Roots and Branches provided the sound system for ArtEsteem's "Critical Thought for Social Action" student art, fashion and drumming exhibition, for our second year.

For more information on ArtEsteem ahc-oakland.org

Volunteering @ the Malcolm X Jazz Festival

2008-06-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

In May I volunteered to help setup the Black Dot Stage at the Malcolm X Jazz Festival in East Oakland. I worked with Black Dot artist Kele to setup the stage and sound system. The highlight of the festival wast the Truth Brass Band from New Orleans set on the Blasck Dot stage, a big flatbed truck.

The traditional secondline brass sound from New Orleans brought the heat to Oakland that day.

For more information on the Black Dot blacknewworld.com

RBS @ EOSA

2008-06-06T16:46:00.000-07:00

Also in April, Roots and Branches Provided the sound system for John Jota Leanos' "Mixin" It Up" class' end-of-the-school-year celebration, a collaboration between California College of the Arts students. After school studetns ate and then participated in the "graffiti wall" and an open mic on the Roots and Branches sound system.

Learn more about John Jota Leanos at leanos.net

Roots and Branches @ Emeryville Earth Day Street Party

2008-06-06T16:13:00.000-07:00

For Roots and Branches 2008 outdoor event season we have been working hard building partnerships with other Bay Area artists and organizations through collaboration.

Roots and Branches were invited to host the sound system for the basketball tournament at the Emeryville Earth Day Street Party in April. We organized the Bumpitythump drummers and rapper Gemz to come out and help us bring the soundtrack to the three-on-three hoops and slam dunk contests. Meser painted a 2008 piece on the ambulance.

Check out video on youtube.com or rootsandbranchesoakland.blogspot.com

Roots and Branches Process Blog is Here!

2008-06-06T15:23:00.000-07:00

Already in June, Roots and Branches has been moving forward our work in Oakland during 2008. The season began in March with Roots and Branches founders Nicholas Basta and Robert Nicholson creating a mixed media installation of photo, print, video, sound and design highlighting Roots and Branches work in 2006-2007 at Isebell Percy West Gallery on the Oakland campus of the California College of the Arts.

View more images from the show at rootsandbranches.blogspot.com