Publish The Quest News

A New Home at Pakare Paye

Jacob Bain — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 07:00:00

Pakare Paye Art Center is inspiring. A place where young artists can develop and hone their skills in music, dance, drama, poetry and storytelling. The work that Zimbabwean legend Oliver Mtukudzi is doing at the center is obvious from the moment you arrive. His selfless giving of time and energy to the students is infectious. It was clear from our first meeting with Oliver in 2011 that our mutual love of music and our ability to help would bring us back together.

I would like to thank all of the people who donated instruments during the past year. These intruments will allow the students at Pakare Paye more practice time and enable them to conduct musical outreach programs into the rural areas around and Harare such as Hatcliffe...

It was so good to connect with Oliver again. Last year we got the full tour of his amazing facility, and this year we were welcomed like old friends. It was an emotional experience full of smiles, laughter and the ever present sound music..

Some of the students at the school, along with Tuku and his lovely wife Daisy, gathered at the entrance to greet us this year, and welcomed with open arms, the instruments that we brought along. It didn't take long before conversing and catching up gave way to an all out jam session. I guess that is what happens when there is a big pile of instruments surrounded by people that love to play them!

Tuku told us that no instruments had been donated to the center since its opening in 2003, and expressed that he was overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of these donations. His dream and vision is the center. His passion is very clearly kids, and helping them to discover their art, their craft, and most importantly their passion...

Tuku is one of the most humble, soft-spoken individuals that I have ever met. The words that he chooses have wisdom within. When he tells a story you can't help but to become immediately inspired. For those of you who were so kind to hand us an instrument... a harmonica, a snare, a guitar... Thank you again. I want you to know that it has gone someplace where it will be used. It has gone someplace that is completely filled with love and passion for learning and for music. These instruments could not have found a better home...

Jacob & Publish the Quest

Return to Hatcliffe

Jacob Bain — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:00:00

Just outside of Harare Zimbabwe there is a township called Hatcliffe. It is a place with a complicated past and an uncertain future... Strong hearts live in Hatcliffe, and we are privileged to call some of the people that we have met there our friends....

Last year was the beginning. Introductions between some of the children and Publish The Quest members were made, and smiles were exchanged. We played music, and had one hell of a dance party! But, naturally, the kids were a bit shy... when it came time to say our goodbyes, nobody knew for certain if we would have the good fortune to meet up again someday..

We saw almost all of the children that we met from last year while in Hatcliffe this year. It felt like we were never apart! Everything picked up right were it left off.. I looked to my right to see Mark drawing pictures with a bunch of the kids, while to my left, Chris was showing William and Takunda how to blow in to his Saxophone...

Soccer balls that were donated by my long time Island friend Sergai, were inflated and games started in every direction! Activities of all kinds take us through the day.

Two of the guitars that were so thoughtfully donated to us by people in our wonderful Seattle community were strummed, lessons on tuning and basic chords were given, and One of the older boys, Eddie, played some of his tunes for us..

He had heard PTQ's first album, The Threads, that was left as a gift last year, and asked me to play the title track for him.. His favorite. When we came to the end of the song, he hummed the flute line back at me and we both cracked up... Some of the kids got a chance to do some filming with the cameras we brought, and look back at photos and discuss which ones were there favorites, and why..

Once the rice and chicken were done being cooked everybody lined up against Rita's house in the shade to sit and eat.. Hugs were exchanged, and the guitars were left at the house as communal instruments.

Long goodbyes were exchanged with the hopes that we will all meet up again.. The van ride back to Harare was quiet. As the giant sun dropped to touch the horizon, my mind raced with the events from the day... so many special moments, so many special smiles..

-Jacob & Publish The Quest

Dirtbaggin' Dubai

Jacob Bain — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 07:00:00

Our trip to Zimbabwe was ambitious this year. Performing at HIFA (Harare International Festival of the Arts) was the reason to be there, and the vehicle to deliver us, but there was so much more that unfolded. For me it started in Dubai with Nasa and Colin, the filmmakers.

Our layover was just 14 hours. The perfect amount of time to actually claim that you've stepped foot into a new place (outside of an airport), but not long enough to require somewhere to sleep. The taxi ride from the airport took us past the world's tallest tower, and through a cityscape that was like none I have ever seen.

Twisted buildings grew from the desert floor, and unnatural, unexplainable-cantilevered balcony's protruded out into spaces above streets.. Modern, magnificent, and strange, all at the same time. After eating some dinner, we walked to the beach to find some sleep that did not entail a really expensive hotel room. The first decent option was some lawn chairs that a hotel had left out, so we made ourselves comfortable... I woke up forty-five minutes or so later to Nasa's gentle smack, alerting me to a rapidly approaching security guard. On we walked. It was mystical to walk along the beach, just on the edge of the city. Overhead, futuristic buildings stood staring. Up ahead on the sands we saw a tent. It seemed like it might hold promise for another power nap or more, so we looked a little closer. As we approached it was made clear that the spot had already been claimed, as two camels slowly raised their heads off of the beach to engage us... Colin snapped a couple photos, and we moved on. Eventually we settled on an empty lifeguard stand, we dozed for a bit.

At some point we left the beach. We ate chicken at a fish and chips place that was open until 4 a.m. After the place closed, some cops kicked us out of the courtyard that we were loitering in. We deliriously made our way back to the airport, convinced that we had lived Dubai to the fullest.

Next stop, Zimbabwe.

-Jacob Bain & Publish The Quest

A Musical Journey in Zimbabwe

Jacob Bain — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 07:00:00

A lot happened while we were in Zimbabwe. I was reminded of what a special treat it is to travel with music as a focus. Music is such a powerful language, connector and vehicle, on and off of the stage. Beyond performing at the HIFA (Harare International Festival of Arts) festival this year, Publish The Quest had the opportunity to embark on a musical journey that affected us all deeply.

Something that has become a large part of our quest is the collection of musical instruments. Generous people pulled their instruments out of closets and drawers and selflessly handed them over to us to take on this adventure. We were overjoyed to leave them where they will be loved and played for a long time...

Showing somebody his or her first guitar chord or how to hold and blow into a trumpet for the first time is special. Sharing songs and ideas about music with new people is one of the most intimate experiences... language barrier or not, music outweighs words. Sharing the stage with somebody to play for an audience is immensely exhilarating. Learning the chords or the rhythm to a new song moments before a performance and then being invited, or more like catapulted, into the present moment, is vivid.

Over the course of the next few months, we will be posting some of our photos, videos, and stories about our recent trip to Zimbabwe. Along with our overseas adventures, we will share what we've been up to this last year in regards to shows, instrument drives, and the music workshops that we have been lucky to be a part of... We are also working to bring you a sneak preview of the documentary that we've been working on called, The Truth About 99 Cents...

Stay tuned!

Thank you for your support!!

-Jacob Bain & Publish The Quest

Seattle Band Publish The Quest to Perform in Portugal and Poland

Johnny Fernandes — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:00:00

Seattle Band Publish The Quest to Perform in Portugal and Poland
Release of New Single to Benefit Arts Education in Africa

Seattle band Publish The Quest will travel to Portugal in November to perform a showcase concert and to release the single Sodade. Recorded with Cape Verdean vocalist Laise Sanches, proceeds from the sale of this song will benefit Arts Education in Africa.

Publish The Quest blends groove music melodies with vocally driven compositions that continually question social issues through story telling. Songwriter Jacob Bain formed the band in 2008 to record The Threads. As a result of that experience, seven passionate people have come together to form a strong bond and a band that is serious about keeping feet moving, bodies shaking and minds engaged. Jacob Bain, Jeffrey De Melle, Mark Oi, Samantha Boshnack, Izaak Mills, Adam Kessler and Chris Poage will be traveling with Johnny Fernandes, founder of Learn Africa, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides resources for Arts Education.

The band has been very active on the national and international scene having performed in Cape Verde in 2010 and in Zimbabwe in 2011 at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA). HIFA is a six day annual festival and workshop program that showcases the very best of local, regional and international arts and culture in a comprehensive festival program of theatre, dance, music, circus, street performance, spoken word and visual arts. The group has just completed a fourteen-day tour of the west coast of the U.S.A.

Publish The Quest is destined to make a difference both at home and abroad. The group’s new album Then
What!? which was released in America in June, features Femi Kuti, Matt Chamberlain, Eyvind Kang and
Radioactive. Strong bonds and like-minded philosophies have made these collaborations possible. Following the performances in Portugal, the band will travel to Poland for three concerts with the sensational Sony recording artist Nneka.

The band has a strong social component, working closely with Learn Africa to further its mission of empowerment through the arts. To date, Publish The Quest has worked with the organization in Cape Verde and Zimbabwe. The trip to Europe is an extension of that. In Portugal, the group will collaborate with local artists to record more songs to benefit music education, “99 cents at a time.”

Fernandes, a dual American and Portuguese citizen, is trying to make Africa more relevant and accessible to his American and Portuguese communities. “Even with the Internet and social networks, Africa is still the Dark Continent, far removed from people's thoughts. The only glimpses we get are usually negative and pitiful. Africa is rich and diverse in music, culture, language and literature, but the gap between reality and perception is still enormous. Through my projects, I want to share the beauty of the continent and its people. Trips like this are hugely valuable in educational and cultural terms and the collaborative nature serves to connect everyone. Put musicians in a room together and beautiful things happen. Throw in some eager students and it turns into magic.”

While in Europe, Publish The Quest is available to work with local civic groups, schools and other institutions to promote cultural understanding, conduct music workshops and to perform concerts. To take advantage of this opportunity, please contact Johnny Fernandes immediately. The group’s current schedule is as follows:

Contact: Johnny Fernandes - johnny @learn-africa.org

7 November Arrival: Portugal
8 November Concert: MusicBox Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
9 November Departure: Poland
10 November Concert: Palladium - Warsaw, Poland.
11 November Concert: Klub Studio - Krakow, Poland.
12 November Concert: Eter - Wroclaw, Poland.
19 November Concert: TBD - Santander, Spain.
21 November Departure: U.S.A.

Unbelievable fortune

Jacob Bain — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:00:00

The sun is warm in the Sierra Nevada's today.. 3 more shows to go, and then back to the Northwest.. Time flies! The tour Van sprung a leak on our way up to Tahoe yesterday, and somehow (once again) the stars shifted, and aligned, in such a way that damage sustained was close to none. A kind faced man named Seig hooked us up at the transmission spot in South Lake.. Unbelievable fortune.
The shows have been good.. Each one different, and each night special. I have been reminded that music keeps me connected to people in a way that nothing else has ever come close to doing. I have often questioned if i would still see old friends, and make so many new ones, without this vehicle. Highly doubtful..

Thank you Skyway, Eugene, Delta of Venus, Santa Barbara, Wisnstons in Ocean beach, The Concrete Project, The Del Monte Speakeasy in Venice, and The Pastime...

One of my favorite Northwest's

Jacob Bain — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:00:00

One of my favorite Northwest's. Pouring rain, interspersed by quick, squinting-bright sun beams. The kind of Autumn Weather that leaves trees naked.. Last time Publish the Quest headed down the coast, is was to do a quartet of shows, mostly in and around San Fran. The old silver van that I bought on Craig's list was left in Placerville as a casualty of the short and bitter sweet tour.. Cliche. A disas-tour that somehow makes a band tighten (in a good way).
A book I once read about the Pacific Crest Trail, referred to the short-lived blasts of powerful sun that the Northwest offers this time of year, as sucker holes. If you are not familiar with this season at the top of the west coast, then you will be tricked into stripping your thermal and Gortex layers as the sun heats your blood, just in time to put everything back on again as the rain slaps you sideways, and soaks your shoes through to your socks.. "Sucker!" The author yells at herself, time and time again.

ZigZag Oregon tonight... The Skyway Bar.

New muisc, new links, and what's coming...

Jacob Bain — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:00:00

Publish The Quest has had a busy year, and we wanted to take the time to catch you up on what we have been up to...
First of all, we have some new music for you!! 2 new songs are now available to download through Itunes and cdbaby..

The first is called THEN WHAT!? it is the title track to our new album, that we are looking to release at the beginning of June, which features Femi Kuti...

The second is called SODADE. Sodade is a Cape Verdean song by origin, made famous around the world by a brilliant artist named Cesaria Evora. We learned, and performed the song in our own style, while participating at the International Festival of Santa Maria, while in West Africa last September.. After returning from that trip, we stepped into a studio, and recorded Sodade with Cape Verdean singer Laise Sanches.
The proceeds from the sale of this song, will be going to a music school in Cape Verde, that we got to spend some time conducting workshops at, while we were there..

Here is the link to Project SALT, the Non-profit that the funding from Sodade will go through.. http://salt.nimekula.org

Here are the links to purchase both of those songs...
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sodade-single/id424776147?uo=4
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/PublishtheQuest

The song THEN WHAT!? in addition to Itunes, will soon be available to purchase on a brand new music site, built by PATAGONIA. (That’s right, Patagonia the outdoor company) Patagonia has been working hard this past year to launch a new site, in a collaboration with Itunes, that you can purchase music through. The proceeds from music purchased on this site will directly benefit our environment. Even Itunes has agreed to give their profits of the sales of these songs to a variety of environmental causes!! Pretty radical!! In preparation for that site, and the fusion of outdoor adventure/travel and music, my good friends Fitz and Becca Cahall did a podcast about Publish The Quest’s music.

Check it out!!
www.dirtbagdiaries.com

Last but not least, Publish The Quest has been invited to perform at HIFA in late April of this year.. (coming right up) HIFA stands for Harare International Festival of the Arts. It is a six day festival that takes place annually in Harare, Zimbabwe. We have been pushing hard to get our funds together to make this trip happen, and honor the fact that we received such a blessed invitation.. We are trying to raise just a bit more cash, to solidify the trip.. We set up a Kickstarter account to do this.. For those of you who are not aware of Kickstarter, it is a fundraising website, that allows Artists (and just about anyone with a good idea) to raise money to do something... Make a CD, a book, a movie, put on a performance, go to Zimbabwe, etc... You set a dollar amount that you are trying to reach, and a time frame to do it in, and then start spreading the word. You can go to the site to learn more about the project, and donate if you feel inspired. There are some rewards for different dollar amounts given as well. (CD’s, T-shirts, PTQ to play at your private party, to name a few) If the dollar amount that you are trying to raise, is not achieved in the time frame given, then all donors get their money sent back to them..

Check out the project!
http://kck.st/e4g0fZ

AFRICA!

Jacob Bain — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 07:00:00

Seattle Band Publish The Quest Headed to Cape Verde Islands in September

Part of Local Effort to Preserve the Country’s Rich Musical Traditions

Seattle band Publish The Quest will be heading to Cape Verde in September to perform at Festival Santa Maria, an international music festival, on the island of Sal. They will also conduct music workshops for local children and collaborate with local musicians. Cape Verde is an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic, off the coast of Senegal. Most of the islands’ inhabitants are descendants of Portuguese settlers and African slaves, and this heritage is reflected in the diverse culture, music, and dance.

Publish The Quest's music is a combination of Blues, Rock, Ska, World Pop of some-kind and something else mixed and then decolonized; dance music melodies and powerful lyrics.. thumping bass, and stout snare shots coupled with sassy horns and some wicked guitar lines. Band members Jacob Bain, Jeffrey DeMelle, Mark Oi, Samantha Boshnack, Izaak Mills, Adam Kessler, and Chris Poage will be traveling with Johnny Fernandes, director of Salt, a effort to preserve the musical traditions of a people whose daily struggle is to put food on the table. Salt is a project of A World Institute for a Sustainable Humanity (A W.I.S.H.), an international non-profit organization registered in Washington state that helps to provide models for solutions to poverty while fostering self-reliance.

Salt was established after Fernandes visited Cape Verde in 2000 where he saw incredible talent being overshadowed by poverty. “How can it be that such gifted musicians do not own any musical instruments?” said Fernandes. “What will happen to their musical traditions that have been passed down for generations?” The project’s mission is to provide practical resources and training as part of a long-term approach to economic empowerment.

In 2005 Fernandes lead a successful trip with Quasi Nada, another Seattle band. On that mission they collected dozens of instruments that allowed the music school to be formally launched. The group will be joined by Mell Dettmer, a music producer and engineer, and Shannon Welles, a photographer that is collaborating with Johnny on a book to raise funds for the project. TACV, the Cape Verdean airline, is assisting with travel, and the municipal government on the island is providing accommodation.

Fernandes has long-term plans as well, for which he requires more support, including funding and awareness as well as the ongoing need for musical instruments. “I want the world to experience with me the beauty and soul of the Cape Verdean people and their music.” Some of Salt’s other initiatives are to build a library, a workshop for luthiers, and a recording studio, and to form a musician exchange between the US and Cape Verde.

This is not Fernandes’ first such project. Born in Zimbabwe, he came to America to get his Bachelor’s degree at Gonzaga University and his Master’s degree in Computer Science at Western Washington University. He worked in the high-tech industry for 15 years before committing most of his time to social issues. His first project, A Wall for Social Consciousness, which he is still very much dedicated to, was established to help orphans of the AIDS epidemic in Zimbabwe.

###

Project Salt : http://salt.nimekula.org

Publish The Quest: http://myspace.com/publishthequest

A Wall for Social Consciousness:http://barefootworkshops.org/projects/awfsc.html

Cape Verde: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Verde

Carpentry for recording...

Jacob Bain — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:00:00

Sooo close, i can smell the end.. By far the longest recording project that I have ever been a part of.. And worth every minute of the carpentry/recording barter that Mell and I have constructed.. A new wall for a new song, a new drain for a new melody, and a new stairwell for a new rough mix..

Late nights into new days, and some birds and frogs churping and croaking into a U67...