Making history

Written by Joel Blizzard :: Monday, 19 January 2009 22:54

Greetings and One Love!  What can be expected of such a historic time?  It will be whatever each of us takes to heart; it will be what we go home with.  It is indeed, what we make it.  At this time, we can assume the change is happening all around us, out there, and that the process of building a positive cultural experience is trusted to politics and power.  A lot can happen there that can make sweeping changes.  However, it really should stand as a grand inspiration to people and nations to look within.  Wherever any one of us lives, true change has to be achieved in our local communities first, in order for the dream to come true.  The symbolic change we see in Washington is just that - a symbol of what each of us must now instigate in our own neighborhoods.  Ask: What are people growing and eating?  How are conflicts in our communities being resolved?  What can be done to create equity of services amongst public schools between those with less tax base and those with more?  What conclusions do our children come to, when they begin to see an obvious disparity in the distribution of wealth between people of different ethnicity?  Even though the race is over, racism still exists.  It is crucial for us now to see that divisive realities persist for people.  White guilt may be quenched for a moment; the rough places can be made plain, and the crooked places can be made straight.  However, the real work begins when we all take responsibility for our part in the story.

We can interpret the national experience that Obama has brought to us, in many ways.  Again, it means something unique to each one of us, regardless of what the news says it is.  The question remains:  how can we take this powerful good feeling and channel it in the most effective way possible?  Talk to people. In the summer, sit on your porch more.  In this cold winter get out to any of the countless events and see what other people are doing.  Get on the board.  Join that committee.  Write music and perform it.  Get a grant that supports arts education.  Network for change. 

Obama lead a force of a few supremely focused individuals who were decisive, goal oriented, patient, and excellent at communication.  It suggests a kind of calm knowing of self, executing plans with incredible efficiency and moving on to the next, like it ain’t no thang… but a grand inspiration.

On this Martin Luther Kings Jr. day of birth, we stand witness to an intense time in history where the past faces its future and shakes hands.  We are part of this.  You are part of this.  We are thousands of individuals, thousands of intricately woven fibers in a sail on the boat of time, thousands of ones.

In honor of this most significant time, we decided we could let the music flow freely for a day.  Beginning at the moment of inauguration, you will have 24 hours within which to download our recent release "SoulForce".  With the money you would have spent on the cd, go to the local coop and purchase some greens from a local farm.  Or whatever... just put the album on and enjoy it as theme music for these interesting times.

Check back here after the inauguration of Barack Obama to download.

Hip Hop Holidays

Written by Luke Z. Fenchel :: Wednesday, 03 December 2008 22:14

Thousands of one featured in the Ithaca Times.

Haltom fronts the unfathomably great Thousands of One, Ithaca's band of the year. With two albums pressed so far - a 2005 self-titled debut and last year's SoulForce - Thousands of One's afro-hip-hop-funk-soul-groove is so danceable you might miss how profound Haltom's rhymes are.

Read more:

December Tour!

Written by Joel Blizzard :: Wednesday, 03 December 2008 09:17

We have a busy schedule in December as we travel throughout New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and bring it home for a New Years celebration not to be missed at Castaways with our friends The Sim Redmond Band. See dates below!

Dec. 4th @ Westcott Theater in Syracuse

Written by Joel Blizzard :: Tuesday, 25 November 2008 00:23

This Thursday, December 4th we are playing at the newly renovated Wescott Theater located at 524 Westcott Street in Syracuse, opening for the awesome soul funk trio Soulive, who are a great inspiration to us in our musical persuits so this is an auspicious occasion.

Tell your friends! If you know anyone in Syracuse, please let them know!