{"id":39023,"date":"2018-04-05T08:58:06","date_gmt":"2018-04-05T12:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=39023"},"modified":"2018-04-05T08:58:11","modified_gmt":"2018-04-05T12:58:11","slug":"on-stage-cifika-offers-a-korean-take-on-electronic-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=39023","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Cifika offers a Korean take on electronic music"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff,<\/strong> Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Cifika<\/p><\/div>\n

There are plenty of interesting music events around the area tonight \u2013 many of which have an international flavor, including a rising star from South Korea (Cifika), a rocker from England (the Kinks\u2019 Dave Davies), Imarhan (an Algerian Tuareg desert rock band), Jinjer (a Ukrainian metal band), and Alfredo Rodri\u0301guez (a singer from Cuba).<\/p>\n

On April 5, area fans will have their first opportunity to hear a live performance by Cifika, an electronic musician\/vocalist from Seoul, South Korea.<\/p>\n

At the beginning of March, Cifika embarked on a five-week tour, which is the largest ever North American tour for a Korean artist. The tour brings her to Philly for a show at Ortlieb\u2019s (847 North Third Street, Philadelphia, 267- 324-3348, www.ticketfly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not only my first North American tour, it is my first tour ever,\u201d said Cifika, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from a yourt stop in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

Cifika is touring in support of her new EP \u201cPrism,\u201d a tasty offering of six songs that display the Korean artist\u2019s electronic music prowess and sparkling songwriting.<\/p>\n

\u201cA few years ago, I was working as an art director in L.A.,\u201d said Cifika, who was born and raised in South Korea and then moved to California.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always loved singing. I wanted to do something that I love \u2013 something that motivates me all the time. I was living in the states and moved back to Seoul.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cifika has the singing ability and the good looks to be a major star in the world of K-Pop (Korean pop music) but that was the opposite of what she was seeking when she returned to her home city in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was never into K-Pop,\u201d said Cifika. \u201cI wanted to create everything myself \u2013 and to control everything myself. I was really into electronic music.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gifted with DIY production skills, and a majestic voice that\u2019s textured as if sung from within a deep cave, Cifika composes music that evokes a futuristic dimension and otherworldly sound. Her music is a unique blend of ethereal sonics and deep beats.<\/p>\n

\u201cI stared making music two years ago. My music is digital and visual. I use a laptop and a monitor speaker. I also bring my own visuals that are synched with the music.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cifika\u2019s first EP two years ago was \u201cIntelligentsia,\u201d a debut that received critical acclaim.<\/p>\n

\u201cI made \u2018Prism in South Korea,\u201d said Cifika. \u201cI started making it right after \u2018Intelligentsia\u2019 was released.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy songwriting depends on what I want to focus on. I have archives of different lyrics. I bring these lyrics and try them out. If they don\u2019t work, I\u2019ll start over with a different drum beat.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the new EP, I wanted a sense of transparency. I wanted the songs to act as a prism so that my audiences can apply the music to themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Signed by Third Culture Kids<\/a>, Cifika deftly blends genres like R&B and low-fi with dark electronic soundscapes. At the same time, she combines lyrics in both English and Korean.<\/p>\n

Cifika\u2019s songs on the new EP reach a balance that at first seems unlikely. Some songs are sad but also have a resilience that allows listeners to emerge from the sadness with a positive vibe. Many are dark and light at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in an Asian family,\u201d said Cifika. \u201cMy parents practiced Buddhism and they always talked about having balance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I want my songs to have juxtaposition of heavy and light, good and bad and light and dark. And, I\u2019ll sing in Korean and English in the same song because I don\u2019t think there is a language barrier in music.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes, I write lyrics and put them on my iPhone. Other times, I use handwriting. And, there are some times when I draw abstract sketches. I do whatever is necessary to record my emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cifika explained the name change from her Korean name Youson Cho to her stage name Cifika.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was looking to create my stage name,\u201d said Cifika. \u201cI saw a street sign in San Jose for Pacifica Avenue. I liked it \u2013 but there were too many Pacifica entries when you did a Google search. So, I took the \u2018Pa\u2019 off and nothing came up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cifika has been handling her maiden tour well.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first, I was really nervous because it was a whole different audience,\u201d said Cifika. \u201cI wasn\u2019t that nervous after a few shows. The fans were open to the music, so I was really encouraged. I feel happy.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn this tour, I play about a 40-minute set. I\u2019m playing all the songs from \u2018Prism\u2019 and some that I\u2019ve put up on SoundCloud. But, I don\u2019t play anything from \u2018Intelligentsia\u2019 anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Cifika \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/APajMr0P85U<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Ortlieb\u2019s, which has Blacksage, Fee Lion, and DJ Kyle Kimball as opening acts, will start at 8 p.m. Admission is free.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at Ortlieb\u2019s are Dear Forbidden, Resilient, Your Dream Coat, and Kelsey Cork and the Swigs<\/u> on April 6 and<\/p>\n

Tetra, The Bad Larrys, and Eyebawl<\/u> on April 7.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>On April 5, Alfredo Rodri\u0301guez will perform in Philadelphia as part of the Annenberg Center\u2019s three-week Cuba Festival, which runs through April 13. The show will take place at the\u00a0 Annenberg Center (3680 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, AnnenbergCenter.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Rodri\u0301guez is touring in support of \u201cThe Little Dream.\u201d
\n\u201cThe Little Dream,\u201d the title track of Cuban pianist and composer\u00a0Alfredo Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s\u00a0fourth studio album (Mack Avenue Records), gently builds into an uplifting statement — one that reflects the hope children hold in building a brighter future, where tiny dreams manifest into grandiose realities.<\/p>\n

\u201cI bring a message of peace and understanding,\u201d said Rodri\u0301guez. \u201cMy goal has been to inspire people.\u201d<\/p>\n

There is no better example of this than Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s own personal journey — from his humble beginnings in Cuba to being discovered by Quincy Jones, ultimately leaving his family behind to immigrate to the United States and pursue his own dream.<\/p>\n

Over the past decade, Rodr\u00edguez has gone from a young local Cuban artist to a globally recognized Grammy\u00ae-nominee with three previous releases on Mack Avenue Records \u2013”Sounds of Space\u201d\u00a0(2011),\u00a0\u201cThe Invasion Parade\u201d\u00a0(2014), and\u00a0\u201cTocororo\u201d\u00a0(2016).<\/p>\n

In a time where governments want to build walls instead of bridges, and uplifting programs like DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) are being rescinded, Rodr\u00edguez understands how important \u201cdreams\u201d are, especially for today\u2019s youth \u2013 and the immigrant children known as \u201cDREAMers\u201d \u2013 for shaping a more unified future.<\/p>\n

According to Rodri\u0301guez , \u201cThe title of my new album,\u00a0\u2018The Little Dream,\u2019\u00a0is my response to our current world climate. The title comes from my fascination with the dream world, which is a beautiful manifestation of our reality.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy greatest dream is one where all humans live happily and in peace. Children are the hope and the answer to creating a world of love, peace, unity and understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Little Dream\u201d\u00a0was recorded in just two days, with a majority of the songs being done impressively in one take.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe album was recorded mostly in Los Angeles,\u201d said Rodri\u0301guez. \u201cAnd, we did some recording in Spain — in Madrid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two musicians who join Rodr\u00edguez on\u00a0The Little Dream\u00a0and helped shape the album\u2019s sound are\u00a0Michael Olivera\u00a0and\u00a0Munir Hossn.<\/p>\n

The album\u2019s producer is jazz legend Quincy Jones.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met Quincy in 2006 when I was playing at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland,\u201d said Rodri\u0301guez, \u201cI was one of 12 pianists selected to play at the festival.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuincy heard me play and said he liked what I was doing and that he\u2019s get in touch with me. I never expected it to happen. One month after I went back to Cuba, I got an email that Quincy wanted me to do something with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

A short while later, Rodri\u0301guez was performing a show in Mexico with his father Alfredito Rodri\u0301guez. After the show, the Cuban musician crossed the border between the U.S. and Mexico in Laredo, Texas.<\/p>\n

He applied for political asylum ands is now an American citizen. Since then, Jones has been his mentor. Rodr\u00edguez never stops learning from his teacher.<\/p>\n

According to Rodriguez, \u201cQuincy always impresses me, and for a young musician, it\u2019s such an incredible opportunity to get to be around a legend. Quincy has affected my life in so many positive ways.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is my mentor, and the most open-minded musician I know. His influence has made me a better person as well as a better musician.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rodri\u0301guez has been playing music since he was a young child.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was always music in our home,\u201d said Rodri\u0301guez. \u201cAnd, my dad brought me to his shows. When I was seven, I started studying classical piano at the Conservatory in Havana.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dad is not a classical musician. He is a popular singer. He did shows \u2013 and he sang on the streets. I listened to American music from the 50s and 60s \u2013 and Cuban music. I started performing with him when I was 13.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeith Jarrett was one of my favorite improv musicians. I was listening to him and Bud Powell and other jazz musicians from the states. Sometimes in the Conservatory, teachers don\u2019t want you to play much popular music.<\/p>\n

\u201cCuban folklore music still has a big influence on me. The first time I heard bata (Cuban drum), I was fascinated. I wanted to translate bata and other drum music to the piano.<\/p>\n

\u201cI developed by listening to music and discovering things by myself. The challenge for me is to learn every day something new.<\/p>\n

\u201cCuban music is difficult. My goal has been to translate it to piano. It\u2019s important that you feel it. In terms of improvising, piano playing became more percussive.<\/p>\n

\u201cI find myself in a different situation. Piano can be very percussive and aggressive. It also can be delicate and mild. Balance is very important \u2013 and not just for music.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to music for me, it\u2019s been very easy. Music had endless possibilities. I like to follow my intuition and just let it go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Alfredo Rodri\u0301guez — https:\/\/youtu.be\/7aNuRnQf_Dc<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Annenberg Center on April 5 will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and $40.<\/p>\n

The Annenberg Center\u2019s Cuba Festival continues with Daym\u00e9 Arocena (April 6), Chucho Vald\u00e9s (April 13), One-Man Show, Sancho: An Act of Remembrance, features Royal Shakespeare Company Actor Paterson Joseph (April 13-14), Daedalus Quartet with Beethoven Cycle of String Quartets (April 13), and \u201cGhost Town to Havana\u201d (April 24).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Dave Davies<\/p><\/div>\n

Havana also comes into the picture concerning Dave Davies\u2019 concert.<\/p>\n

On April 5, the Kinks\u2019 lead guitarist, whose guitar work on the song \u201cYou Really Got Me\u201d was considered as the start of heavy metal, will headline a show at Havana Night Club (105 South Main Street, New Hope, https:\/\/www.havananewhope.com).<\/a><\/p>\n

Video link for Dave Davies — https:\/\/youtu.be\/XCkb60kEuqQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Algeria\u2019s Imarhan, which is touring in support of its new album \u201cTemet,\u201d will perform on April 5 at West Kensington Ministry (2140 North Hancock, Philadelphia,https:\/\/www.ticketfly.com\/event\/1634143-imarhan-philadelphia<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Video link for Imarhan — https:\/\/youtu.be\/p4Fxa3V8BLo?list=PLr1rv7Dl-ouwDNgS7rWOcBPH3_gZw-4hG<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jinjer will be performing on April 5 at the Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011, http:\/\/www.lnphilly.com<\/a>) as part of the \u201cCradle of Filth: Cryptoriana World Tour,\u201d which also features Cradle of Filth and Uncured.<\/p>\n

Video link for Jinjer — https:\/\/youtu.be\/prcAtjEsPXc<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the TLA are James Bay on April 6, Anderson East on April 7, Lawrence Arms on April 8, 5 Seconds of Summer on April 9, and Erik B. and Rakim on April 11.<\/p>\n

Another act playing Philly on April 5 is an All-American act \u2013 a good old boy from the heart of North Carolina.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Kevin Daniel<\/p><\/div>\n

Songwriter, musician, and singer Kevin Daniel, who grew up in Tarboro, North Carolina, will bring his \u201cKevin Daniel — Myself Through You Tour\u201d to The Fire (412 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, 267-671-9298, thefirephilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cMyself Through You\u201d is Daniel\u2019s new EP which was released on March 16 via Creative Entertainment Network\/The Orchard, a division of Sony Music.<\/p>\n

The album is a blend of roots rock riffs, Americana flavor, alternative country, and a touch of blues.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been playing music my whole life,\u201d said Daniel, during a phone interview Tuesday from his home in Brooklyn, New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was five, I was singing songs into a turkey baster that I pretended was a microphone. I started with keyboards when I was five or six \u2013 taking classical piano lessons from an old lady in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was obsessed with jazz when I was six or seven. When I was eight, I was obsessed with playing alto sax. So, she bought me a sax.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth my parents listened to really bad music \u2013 like Jimmy Buffett. Once I got the horn, my parents realized how serious I was.<\/p>\n

\u201cI played in bands throughout high school. I even recorded a 10-song album when I was still in high school. It\u2019s not terrible \u2013 but it\u2019s not good either.<\/p>\n

\u201cSax and singing were my main things until I got to college. I started guitar there and now I can play about 12 instruments. I went to George Washington University on a music scholarship.\u201d<\/p>\n

By\u00a0the time he graduated from George Washington University in 2008, Daniel had already played in various bands of many genres. But it was his move to New York City in 2013, and a sudden and unexpected tragedy, that put Kevin on the path towards his solo career.<\/p>\n

In the winter of 2013, Kevin\u2019s mother and stepfather, adventure-seekers and amateur pilots, had been flying back from their mountain house in western North Carolina when their plane crashed. Tragically, neither survived.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat plane crash has been a big part of my life,\u201d said Daniel. \u201cThey were in a single-prop plane flying from the mountains in the western part of North Carolina to the east coast of the state when it crashed. I got a call while I was hosting a dinner party in New York.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel\u2019s world was forever changed. During his return home to help with family business, and while reliving his parent\u2019s lives through photos and stories he wrote over a dozen songs. The result was his inaugural EP, \u201cFly\u201d in 2015.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recorded \u2018Fly\u2019 about three years ago,\u201d said Daniel. It\u2019s a pretty good record but a little different than what I\u2019m doing now. I just released my new EP, \u2018Myself Through You.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, this is my first real offering based on my music taste. I recorded it at the same studio I did my first one —\u00a0Degraw Sound in Brooklyn. It was produced, engineered, and mixed by Ben Rice (Jack Penate, Silya & The Sailor, Aoife O’Donovan). Ben helped a lot.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith this EP. I had a license to be happy \u2013 with the lyrics and with the music. The songs make you happy. It\u2019s been five years since my parents passed away and I\u2019m a different person.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I tour, I always play with a band. There are three of us. I\u2019m doing every song from the second EP and a couple from \u2018Fly.\u2019 I also do a few songs I haven\u2019t recorded yet \u2013 and two covers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Kevin Daniel \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/Pt2Y1Ud4fYY<\/a><\/p>\n

The show at The Fire will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at The Fire are The SoftSpots and Distant Voices on April 6, Wolf Herder on April 7, and Crooked Coasrt on April 8.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Dangermuffin<\/p><\/div>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) will present Dangermuffin and<\/p>\n

Sparkle Pony<\/a> on April 5; The Melton Brothers with Special Guest Angelee<\/a> on April 6; Waiting For December<\/a>, The Stone Eye, and Pleb Mahogany<\/a> on April 7; and \u201cFresh Faces of The Kennett Flash\u201d — Brand New Crescent Moon, Artificial Happiness, and West Fire<\/a> on April 8.<\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a>) will host Chris Rattie & the New Rebles and Hinton, Bower, Jones on April 7 and Philadelphia Main Line Ukulele Groupo on April 8.<\/p>\n

Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/a>) will present Bluegrass Jam on April 5; Brosef Gordon Levitt, Double Suede and Merit on April 6, and \u201cTRIBUTE NIGHT II\u201d on April 7.<\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) will host Swift Technique on April 5, The Clarks with special guest Stargazer Lily on April 6, Splintered Sunlight with special guests Northeast Corners on November 7, and \u201cGlenn Fest 2018: Walking Dead, Grizz Band and more\u201d on April 8.<\/p>\n

Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0www.burlapandbean.com<\/a>) will present David Wilcox with John Statz on April 6, and Vilebred on April 7.<\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) presents Cry, Cry, Cry on April 6, the Fab Faux on April 7 and David Foster on April 8.<\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>) presents Boat House Row: A Yacht Rock Experience on April 5, Nick Moss Band and Mikey Junior<\/a> on April 6, The Drifters & Cornell Gunter’s Coasters on April 7, Jack Ingram with Travis Meadows on April 8, \u201cInside F1 Racing Ft. Leigh Diffey, David Hobbs & Steve Matchett + Special Guest Mario Andretti on April 10, and Jason Eady and Kyle Swartzwelder on April 11.<\/p>\n

The Grand Opera House (818 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577, www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/a>) will host the Mavericks on April 6 and Jeanne Roberston on April 7.<\/p>\n

Now through April 8, \u201cDirty Dancing \u2014 The Classic Story On Stage\u201d will play The Playhouse on Rodney Square (10th and Market streets, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-888-0200,www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/a>). Ticket prices range from $40-$95.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Drowsy Chaperone\u201d is running now through April 22 at the New Candlelight Dinner Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings (doors 6 p.m.\/show, 8 p.m.) and Sunday afternoons (doors, 1 p.m.\/show, 3 p.m.). Tickets, which include dinner and show, are $63 for adults and $33 for children (ages 4-12).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times There are plenty of interesting music events around the area tonight \u2013 many of which have an international flavor, including a rising star from South Korea (Cifika), a rocker from England (the Kinks\u2019 Dave Davies), Imarhan (an Algerian Tuareg desert rock band), Jinjer (a Ukrainian metal band), and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39025,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[11064,11063,11065,11066,7426,11068,11067],"class_list":["post-39023","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-alfredo-rodriguez","tag-cifika","tag-dangermuffin","tag-dave-davies","tag-featured","tag-jinjer","tag-kevin-daniel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39023","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39023"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39023\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39024,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39023\/revisions\/39024"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/39025"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39023"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39023"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39023"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}