New LA Outback Didgeridoo Blog Location

Hello world! We've moved!

For those who haven't checked out our new location for our didgeridoo blog be sure to jump on over and have a look. The address for the new LA Outback Didgeridoo Blog is http://blog.laoutback.com and you can now keep up with the latest updates from us there. We decided to host our own blog in Wordpress as it gives us much more control over the look and feel of our posts, plus great tools on the backend.

We've already posted some pretty cool articles including news on our didgeridoo lessons on Skype, an interview with Alex Suarez on didgeridoo and sleep apnea, LA Outback's 15 year anniversary in the didgeridoo community, and much more.

Hope you enjoy the new didgeridoo posts at LA Outback's blog and feel free to leave comments on articles you find interesting. We enjoy getting your feedback.

Tracy Chapman, New Beginning (Paris, December 10, 1998)

Wow! Tracy Chapman playing a Cindi Numina-painted didgeridoo from one of our very first shipments of Australian didges back in 1998. Never saw this video until today and didn't know Tracy had it!

Barry Martin Plays Didgeridoo on Upcoming Alphanaut Album

Mark Alan of LA Outback just finished recording his debut full length album titled "Out of Orbit". Barry Martin came in to play didgeridoo on one song titled "AL 424-15" and this video is of the recording session done in fall 2009.

Find out more about Mark's project at www.planetalphanaut.com
Follow him on Youtobe at www.youtube.com/planetalphanaut

Will Thoren Yeti Didgeridoos

Will Thoren is featured on a didjeridu using his very own technique of playing on instruments he's named Yeti Didgeridoos. The Yeti didj was conceived and researched for over a year by Will, meticulously crafting each instrument so the fundamental drone can be paired with a lower drone in the same key by loosening your lips while playing.

Will demos his key of G Yeti didjeridu in LA Outback's Tiki Hut stage. This didgeridoo was made out of a felled cottonwood branch found near his home.

Check out more clips and info on didgeridoo playing at www.laoutback.com

Michael Jackson Plays Didgeridoo For Jake Brown

When Michael Jackson was here during the summer of 2008 we filmed him teaching professional skateboarder Jake Brown how to play didgeridoo. This clip was from our behind the scenes footage as the MTV camera crews filmed Jake for a reality program.

Visit www.laoutback.com for Michael Jackson CDs and other didgeridoo music

DidgeriDome - Didgeridoo Experience in Joshua Tree California - June 20th and 21st

DidgeriDome
June 20 and 21, 2009

Didgeridoo Experience
Joshua Tree, California

It's true... a weekend didge fest returns to Joshua Tree!

L.A.Outback welcomes you to a sonic experience that weaves the ancient sound of the didgeridoo with the wondrous "out of this world" vibrational acoustics of the Integratron. For those of you unfamiliar with the Integratron you're in for quite a surprise. This dome-shaped structure is the only all-wood acoustically perfect sound chamber in the U.S. And not only does it offer the most enthralling space for playing musical instruments, but the building has a history, mythos, and following in a class of its own.

Take a moment to visit the Integratron's website, and get your tickets early because this event will sell out quickly as it's limited to 200 people.

Join the gathering of beautiful folks, didgeridoo tones, flutes and drums for the summer solstice! Bring your didge, come for the healing, music and relaxation, and camp under the brilliant night sky.

Tyler Spencer's Primal Tones
Saturday night concert + Sunday 1 hour Workshop
Randy "Malibu Healer" Bruck
Didgeridoo healings inside the Integratron
The Integratron Sound Bath
Saturday & Sunday
Jam Sessions in the 'Tron!
Saturday & Sunday
LA Outback
Didgeridoos, Lessons, and Aboriginal Art
Fire performers Saturday night
Open mike Sunday on the outside stage

Where: Situated on 10 acres at 2477 Belfield Boulevard, Landers, CA 92285. There will be on-site camping, but several inns and motels in Joshua Tree are nearby as well.

REGISTRATION IN ADVANCE
IS REQUIRED

Phone: 760-364-3126

Email: Integratron@gmail.com
Website: www.Integratron.com

Saturday & Sunday
with overnight camping $80
Saturday only 2pm-10pm $40
Sunday only 12noon-4pm $20

Isle of Wight DidgHeadRadio Festival: August 7th – 9th

Here's some information about a cool new didj fest for those of you across the pond.

The first Isle of Wight DidgHeadRadio Festival from August 7th –9th, 2009

If you are looking for a festival with a difference this summer then head to the Isle of Wight with Red Funnel for the DidgHeadRadio Festival from 7th –9th August. The quirky music festival is the first of its kind to be held on the Island and will showcase the best contemporary didgeridoo and acoustic music from the UK and abroad.

Set at Calbourne Water Mill in the picturesque countryside of the West Wight, the festival boasts an eclectic musical entertainment program. Over the weekend digi devotees can take part in a wide range of interactive workshops, from learning to play the didgeridoo, samba drum or jaw harp to throat singing and human beatboxing.

The festival is very family friendly with children encouraged to join in the musical fun. Guests also enjoy access to the Water Mill, one of the oldest in the country, where you can explore the grounds, row down the stream, have a go at croquet and petanque and witness the traditional milling process.

Tickets are available online at the Red Funnel website and cost £47.50 for an adult weekend camping ticket and £17.50 for a day ticket, including all postage and admin fees.

Visit the official DidHeadRadio Festival site for more info!

For more information on didgeridoo festivals visit www.laoutback.com

Ondrej Smeykal - Solo Didgeridoo at LA Outback

Didgeridoo genius Ondrej Smeykal came by LA Ouback during his recent tour through the western US. We had a great time hanging with him and promoting both of his shows that LA Outback and Chad Butler put together. Here's a clip of a solo didgeridoo piece Ondrej performed in our Tiki Hut, which is becoming a happening spot to perform didj.



You can find heaps of other great clips featuring Ondrej Smeykal over on Youtube. If you want to pick up a copy of Ondrej's Didgeridoo Solo 1 or 2 stop www.laoutback.com to grab a copy.

Singing Sticks Didgeridoo Music Festival

For anyone reading this blog living in the UK or Europe, here's a didgeridoo Festival we wanted to make you aware of.

Singing Sticks Didgeridoo Music Festival
July 10th, 11th, 12th 2009 in Northamptonshire, England

The Festival will be held at:
The Overstone Scout Camp,
Billing Lane, Overstone, Northampton, NN6 0AF

The venue offers woodland and large flat fields aswell as lots of areas for performances, jams or workshops and there is a large outdoor ampi-theatre with a fire pit for evening performances and get togethers.

Get information at the official website www.singingsticks.co.uk

For more didgeridoo events visit www.laoutback.com

Steve Roach and Hearts of Space Radio

The first time I remember hearing a didgeridoo was in 1988 on a syndicated radio program called "Hearts of Space". The music, by ambient electronic composer Steve Roach, is now a spacemusic classic titled "Dreamtime Return". And while the didgeridoo playing is a bit sparse on this double CD, it certainly struck a sonic chord in me that left a lasting impression.

Hearts of SpaceThese days I've been in communication with both Steve Roach, as well as the producer of "Hearts of Space", Stephen Hill. For those of you unfamiliar with the work of either of these two very talented and engaging fellas, I recommend that you visit their websites and take in what they have to offer.

I'm a long-time subscriber of "Hearts of Space" online where you can listen to over 700 one hour radio programs on demand. There are several shows dedicated to the didgeridoo, and the website is so easy to navigate. When you've got the time, visit www.HoS.com and hear what I mean.

Dreamtime ReturnSteve Roach has been a huge inspiration to me for many years, and "Dreamtime Return" is still one of my muses. It's the music I'm listening to as I write this, 20 years after hearing it for the first time. Steve has over 30 albums with an international fan base. If you have the chance to see him perform live don't miss it. Every show is completely improvised mixing electronic and acoustic instruments with found objects. His website is robust and you can support him directly by purchasing online while you're there. Visit Steve's site at www.SteveRoach.com

Steve Roach and Stephen Hill provided the original inspiration for my interest in the didgeridoo. This music keeps me somewhat grounded and fairly sane. Stephen distills the genre well by calling it "Slow Music for Fast Times". Thank you both so much.

Good vibes,

Barry
LA Outback
www.laoutback.com

Will plays Eddie Ryan Didgeridoo

Ondrej Smeykal - 2 Live Shows in Los Angeles!

Sunday, March 15, 2009
3 PM Workshop, 7 PM Concert
Where: Earth and Sky Lodge
5521 S. Grosvenor Blvd, LA, CA 90066
Phone: 310.306.4960
Venue: www.EarthandSky.info

Thursday, March 19, 2009
8:00 PM Concert
Where: Cornell Winery, 29975 Mulholland Hwy, Cornell, CA 91301
Phone: 310.306.4960
Venue: www.CornellWinery.com


SEATING LIMITED. RESERVE NOW SO YOU DON'T MISS OUT!
Reserve online Click Here or call
L.A.Outback on (818) 985-8359
For more on Ondrej Click Here to visit his website.

L.A.Outback is hosting two shows of uplifting and meditative sounds with didgeridoo wunderkind Ondrej Smeykal. He will also present a workshop around his playing philosophies and techniques at the first of these two dates. Ondrej is a gifted didgeridoo player based from the Czech Republic revered for his unique playing style. This is a rare opportunity to experience Ondrej performing here in southern California.

Both settings are well suited acoustically; one is a yoga studio and the other is an art gallery/wine tasting space. Join us for one or both of his live shows! And don't miss his Workshop on March 15 if you want to be truly inspired, as Ondrej has developed a most unique set of playing techniques and he's willing to share.

Chad Butler is tour managing and he'll be at both gigs as well. Will Thoren is our co-host for the Cornell Winery gig and he'll be opening for Ondrej at that show with his own didge stylings.

William Barton and Will Play Didgeridoo

LA Outback was thrilled to be visited by William Barton last month when he was in Los Angeles performing with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at UCLA's Royce Hall.

William Barton has been honored with the title as one of Australia's finest didgeridoo players of traditional style, and the preeminent didgeridoo player in the classical world. Our good friend Will Thoren arranged for us to meet William here at the house and we're totally appreciative of his efforts to bring us together.



Visit www.laoutback.com for exceptional didgeridoos here in the US

Lapse In Didgeridoo Blog Entries

Dear Didgeridoo Enthusiasts,

So there has been a large gap in blog entries, 4 months to be exact. So much happened the later part of 2008 that it was difficult for me to keep up with maintaining the didgeridoo blog posts. Well back at it and will be scouring the web for didgeridoo related news and events.

Thanks for staying tuned and keep on didjin'

Mark
www.laoutback.com

Didgeridoo Customer Plays at California Symphony

California Symphony
Saturday September 20th
6:30 PM
Todos Santo Plaza
Downtown - Concord, California

This isn't necessarily just a didgeridoo event, but one of our customers is participating and wanted to help support them. Looks like it should be a fun outing so bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the afternoon listening to music including didgeridoo playing.

For more information visit www.californiasymphony.org



For didgeridooo and didgeridoo gear visit www.laoutback.com

LA Outback at Didgeridoo Jam at the Neighborhood Cup in Orange County, California

LA Outback was proud to join in with Karen Greeley to co-host the latest didgeridoo jam at The Neighborhood Cup coffee house in Aliso Viejo, California.

The didjeridu jam session was the third event of a monthly meeting of didj players at every skill level, getting together to play, visit and share pointers on playing the didgeridoo. The session was held on July 26th, 2008 and will hopefully be an ongoing monthly event there as long as The Neighborhood Cup coffee house is willing to have it there.

Karen was kind enough to invite LA Outback down to help out with some beginner players that were going to be attending. Both Barry and I were very excited to participate and see some familiar faces.

We've set up a gallery of his images in Flickr to share with those interested in checking out the afternoon of good coffee and didgeridoo vibes.

Check out the Didgeridoo Jam gallery in Flicker
Visit www.laoutback.com to see our selection of Australian Aboriginal didgeridoos

100,000 Catholics Gather for Youth Event in Sydney

News from the Associated Press for July 15, 2008

Okay, I know this on the surface doesn't appear to have anything to do with didgeridoo, and I'm in no way endorsing the Catholic relegion, but when I read into the article I noticed a quote from Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Rudd addressed the crowd by acknowledged the Aborigines as Australia's original owners and read welcomes to pilgrims in various languages, including Italian, French, Korean, the Philippines' Tagalog and Bahasa Indonesia. This is a continuing extension of good will after his "Sorry Day" speach earlier this year in which he acknowledged the wrong doings of the Australian government in their handling of the countries indigenous people.

Aborigines in traditional clothing and white body paint danced and chanted to the strains of a didgeridoo. I'm trying to find out who the didj player was just out of curiosity so if any one knows pass the word on.

DidgHead Radio Festival - Instow, Devon in the UK

DidgHead Radio Festival 2008

1st - 3rd August 2008
Tapeley Park, Instow, Devon
United Kingdom

Just ran across this didgeridoo festival site online and wanted to make a post about it. For those of you over in the UK or Europe there's still time to pick up your favorite didgeridoo and make the trek.

Here's a brief excerpt from their site:

"The aim of the festival, past and present, is to bring to the public the best of new UK and World didgeridoo music in all its forms.

The festival seeks to display didgeridoo music and didgeridoo playing styles ranging from its origins as a ceremonial instrument in Northern Australia, to its inclusion into almost every musical genre and context."

Looks like they are going to have some pretty cool players this year including Frank Heinkel, Mike Edwards, Kev Howard, Dubravko Lapaine and many more.

Visit the official DidjHead Radio Festival site for more information at www.anticfestivals.co.uk

Didgeridoo Player Ron Crose, From Austin Texas

As a resource for didgeridoo sales here in the US, we always get customers asking how they can connect with other players, or find didgeridoo instructors in their area. I've begin to seek out players online with websites to collect them here on this blog to make it easy for people to one another. Here's my first entry.

Ron Crose from Austin Texas

Ron has earned respect among both the didgeridoo and world music communities. He has a true gift of playing the didj and has a tremendious passion for sharing the traditions of the didjeridu.

He has performed in numerous music festivals, taught at elementary schools, shared the stage or studio with many musicians, and loves to share his knowledge by holding workshops, classes.

He offers group classes, workshops, and private lessons which are offered throughout the year in the Austin, Texas area and are to be announced.

To visit Ron Crose's website click here

Ryka Demonstrates Didgeridoo Animal Sounds

For those of you out there wishing to learn how to create those unique animal sounds on your didgeridoo we just posted this great video on Youtube to give you some ideas. Ryka demonstrates Bookaburra, Dingo, Kangaroo, Crocodile, Boomerang and more. This is should give you some basic ideas that you can apply to your didgeridoo to accent your basic drone. Remember it's all about your own unique ideas and playing style so just have fun and let your mind and mouth create some great new sounds.

Happy didjin'
www.laoutback.com