Interview with Rebelution in Lyon

“Yeah, that’s definitely lamb…” I told Rory and Wesley as we all took bites into Marley’s mystery meat samosas – trying to end the “what the hell is that?” debate.

I don’t know about you, but I never imagined in a million years that that was how I’d be meeting the boys of Isla Vista’s own Rebelution for the first time. But I also never imagined in another million years (if you’re keeping count, that’s two million years of never imagining) that I’d be meeting them for the first time in Lyon, France – where I’ve been studying abroad since August. What were the odds, right?

In the case that last weekend’s DP-Topia has caused you some form of Natty Light-induced short-term memory loss and you can’t quite figure out why the name “Rebelution” sounds so familiar – I’ll try to refresh your memory in one sentence or less (well not really “less,” unless I write the following sentence without verbs): Rebelution is the “feel good,” roots reggae prodigy that got their start in our very own Isla Vista. Ringing any bells? I hope so, or else the rest of this article and subsequent interview isn’t going to make much sense. (more…)

Forget Swine Flu, It’s the Gypsy Epidemic

I like to think that I had a pretty normal childhood: finger painting, learning how to tie my shoes, setting up my first 401(k), diversifying my investment portfolio. (Normal enough, right? Come on, my mom couldn’t have been the only one who read The New Yorker to me before bed). It wasn’t until I watched Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame for the first time a few days ago that I realized that — maybe, just maybe — I was a little bit deprived as a child.

At first, I was mad that my mom never let me watch The Hunchback of Notre Dame (you bet your bottom dollar that I called her from half-way around the world to voice my complaints about how incomplete my childhood was because of this). But then I realized that it was probably in my best interest that I’d never seen this movie prior to moving to France. Why? Well, most girls my age claim that all Disney movies gave them unrealistic expectations about love (have you guys seen “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”? That Wayne Szalinski is so dreamy). But for me, The Hunchback of Notre Dame would have given me unrealistic expectations about gypsies (yes, you read that correctly).

Think that all gypsies are beautiful Parisian belly dancers who can “see past your disfigured face and unsightly hunchback because you’re beautiful on the inside,” Esmeralda-types? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but think again. Most gypsies I’ve met in my time living in France don’t even have all of their teeth, let alone the ability to see past my hunchback (why can’t we just be friends, gypsies on the metro? Is that so much to ask?) (more…)

Hocus Pocus: Aural Pleasure, Ala Kazam!

Before we start, let’s play a quick game of word association: I say something like “peanut butter,” and you say, “jelly” (though “jelly-time” would’ve also been acceptable). Sounds easy enough, right? So, if I say: “French hip-hop” – what do you say? Probably: “…?” followed by, “Does that even exist?”

And I say, “Hocus Pocus!”

Now you might be wondering where this entry is going now that I’ve gone all abra-cadabra on you, just rest assured I’m not going to pull a rabbit out of my hat or try to find a quarter behind your ear (but your ears might thank me later, so you’re welcome in advanced). Allow me to explain: hailing from Nantes, Hocus Pocus is a well-known French acoustic hip-hop band (with an MC, DJ, 4-piece band, and 3-piece horn section) influenced by the likes of The Roots to A Tribe Called Quest. Since 1995, Hocus Pocus has managed to put a fresh and innovative spin on a seemingly mismatched blend of French and English lyricism, jazz, hip-hop, and soul – peppered with both acoustic and electronic musical elements.

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Maybe Studying, Definitely Abroad

I should probably start this entry off by introducing myself: Hi UCSB, I’m Drea. I’m a third-year history major studying abroad in Lyon, France. I’ve been here since August and let’s just say that it’s been one hell of a vacation. I’m not going to beat around the bush with that because it’s true – sure, I “go” to class. But I don’t like to let “class” get in the way of my travels or joie de vivre (See what I did there? Tried to be cross-cultural by saying “joy of living” in French).

If you’ve already stopped and asked yourself, “But Drea? I’ve heard of Paris, France – but Lyon? That’s crazy speak. Where is that?” To you, I say: I had that exact same question seven months ago. Lyon is the 2nd largest metropolitan in France – the first being Paris. It’s situated in the Rhone Alps (which makes snowboarding, or as I like to call it “shredding the gnar-gnar,” the Alps is a mere 1-hour train ride away), it’s the hometown of modern cinema (thanks to the Lumière Brothers), and it’s the gastronomical capital of France.

What does “gastronomical capital of France” mean exactly? It means that Lyon’s culture and reputation is based largely on food – mouth-watering, taste bud titillating, “I wish it were more socially acceptable to wear sweat pants out to dinner” food. Allow me to start by explaining (while salivating) their assortment of French cheeses: they have hundreds of specialty cheese shops and open-air markets dedicated to just finding the perfect cheese, from Camembert to Roquefort to anything in between.
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