Mazunte Evening Jams

stortebeker(75)

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Threespeak - OLD

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2020-02-23 18:24

As I mentioned before, we play a lot of music here at the Mazunte Earthship Build. Usually after lunch, during our siesta, one or another of us picks up a guitar, and either starts strumming a random rhythm, or tries out a song that happens to be passing through their mind. With a little help from their friends, or the all knowing internet, they may play one of the songs that we've listened to during work in the morning. Otherwise, they may just zone out by literally playing around, whichever way sounds pleasing to the ears.

After dinner, our music tends to be a bit different: a lot better sounding, though not any more organized. It usually starts with a few chords, and before you know it we're in the middle of a jam. This may be bluesy, folky, piratey (not surprising, with so many Frenchies around), Andean, Mexican, or something completely different. And as much as certain members are keen on playing and singing entire songs the way they were meant to be played, many others value the joy of improvisation. Needles to say, most of us have been playing for years, performing in bands, or writing and recording music at home.

Steph's band where he plays accordion I've mentioned before in this post. Romaine is a phenomenal guitarist, and harmonica player. Manu got himself a charango a couple years ago, and has gotten the others to practice some Andean folk songs. Julia plays on a number of instruments, but her favorite one is her newly acquired banjo-lele, a ukulele with the body of a banjo.

This is the core of the group. Additionally there are many visitors, volunteers, friends, or strangers who have found their way around many corners to our place, and can do amazing things with our instruments, go crazy on improvised percussion, or have beautiful vocal skills. In any case, it's always a joy to listen, and even more so to be part of the jam, if only by clapping or drumming on a carboy.