Living life in a van. On the road. Cramped. Tired. Off to the next town. The next show. Living life in a van. Where did we just play. I dunno. Where are we off to. I can't remember. Play the show. Get the applause. Take the respect. Disconnect the PA. Pack the van. Again. Did we remember the mics. Yes. Let's go. Where are we going. I forgot.
Life on the road is a journey. Over the last few weeks our Spread The Word Tour has seen us pass through half a dozen states and do dozens of shows, classes, workshops and interviews. We have twisted and contorted the word to do everything it possibly can. From humorous satire of what-it-is-to-be-African to lectures on the Zimbabwean struggle to college audiences. From genre-smashing shows at festivals to uproarious media interviews. We have made the word our companion. It has begrudgingly become our roadie on this tour, carrying our message from one town to another.
We've played to college audiences at Princeton, New Jersey, and then taught classes on African literature to students at Howard University, Washington DC. We've blazed shows for Zimbabwe Independence on April 18th and then rocked outdoor gigs days later. Now we're back in Massachussetts for our last few shows and workshops. But the word has spread. And the reception has been powerful. The word has built new networks and understandings about our struggles in Africa and the struggles here in the US. A US army officer stationed in Iraq came to our show and said it was a 'turning point' making him question why he was involved in the occupation. Zimbabweans in the diaspora have been invigorated by the hope in our message. Senegalese hip hop heads have connected our struggles to theirs. Our word has lead us into the hearts and minds of many. Bombing the masses with radical common sense. One show at a time.
To see live interviews, performances and coverage of the Spread The Word Tour please see:
More live footage available on:
http://www.myspace.com/comradefatsoandchabvondoka
http://www.myspace.com/magambanetwork
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- Matthew 5:16
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Gawad Kalinga