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Listen to more interviews from the SCPASA Summit

The Southern California Pilipino American Student Alliance (SCPASA) is an umbrella organization for Filipino American college student organizations in the Southern California region, which consist of over thirty active member groups. One of their signature events that SCPASA conducts is the So Cal Summit. A gathering of member organizations to discuss issues effecting their campus and community, as well as conducting workshops to promote educational and cultural empowerment. This year is the second annual So Cal Summit held at the University of California, Riverside, with the theme Multifaceted: Collegiate Filipino-Americans in Multi-Issue Organizing. The theme is about the many different issues that Filipino-American student leaders must face from personal, on campus, and the community at large.

Ed, Big Virg, and Julius of The Backroom Podcast Crew were present at the event to provide social media coverage for the second annual So Cal Summit. The team interviewed people from all aspects of the event; from the host group to the main organizers, as well as workshop participants and presenters.

SCPASA Summit Coverage

Kitchie Nadal, international pop-star, shows her gratitude to the coordinators and staff of FilAmFest 2008 in this episode of Backroom Sessions, vol. 1: Kitchie Nadal. She performs a few hits from her latest album, Love Letters and a few crowd pleaser's from her previous album, Drama Queen. She takes a break to answer questions from her old and new fans of the FilAmFest 2008 staff. Kitchie gets personal when she tells us the inspirations for her music, the hardships of the industry, and how her main inspiration is Jesus Christ.

This session was hosted by Big Virg and Willy G.
An extended thank you to Sand Castle Inn of Imperial Beach for the use of their lovely outdoor venue.

If you like her sound and message please see her website for more information and to purchase her albums at http://www.kitchienadal.net/.

Big Virg, Roca, Kitchie, and Willy G

SDAFF's Blowfish 2008: Interview with Blue Scholars by Big Virg and Jon B

Blowfish's main act Blue Scholars gets the chance to sit down on the Backroom's couch with Big Virg and Jon B post-performance. There's "no rest for the weary" Geologic and Sabzi as they continue touring and promoting their latest album Bayani. We get some insight on their busy life and humor. We even get a surprise guest: Dan of afterschoolspecial.

Jon B grabs an interview with one of the dopest lyricists in hip-hop, Bambu, right before his performance at FilAmFest 2008. If y'all don't know, Bambu has had a long career as both a solo lyricist and as a member of the hip-hop trio the Native Guns (along with Kiwi and DJ Phatrick).

Bambu speaks on FilAmFest in contrast with past festivals in San Diego, especially with respect to the crowd and the vibe. He also discusses his tour and new album, ...exact change..., hints at a future album, Tried People, and talks a little bit about performing live.

Visit Bambu's website at http://bambu.la to learn more as well as purchase his music. All the albums are DOPE.

Kat, Ed and Big Virg provide you with their coverage of Barack Obama's speech at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) 2008 in San Diego, California. The Backroom Podcast Show crew discuss their experiences at NCLR and the thoughts on Obama's speech. To view photos click here. More photos coming soon.

The Backroom Podcast staff and crew would like to take the time out of our busy schedule to thank Dan a.k.a. Dan, Jamie, Todd, Brian, Keane, and Josh the formidable makers of music simply known as afterschoolspecial, (yes one word). On April 3rd the band released their latest CD "Not One for Words" on sale now and also screened the final cut of their first ever video of the title track directed by Charlie Yi. The celebration was held at the infamous Kava Lounge in collaboration with The Dope Show where artists such as N.O.M.A.D., E-Man, and others displayed work inspired by the lyrics of the band.
Another past guest of the Backroom Podcast and friend of the band, Terry Matsuoka, opened the show with a lively albeit under the weather performance. dance crew Rockstep and other performers came through, and the Knee Highs helped to hype up the crowd just before the highlight of the evening as the afterschoolspecial video was played and the band took to the stage for what was to be the most energetic and liveliest show I have ever been lucky enough to be a part of. From start to finish the band never let up and the energy transferred to the crowd. The band rocked the night with a full swing of their collaboration songs with groups like Rhythm and the Method, the knee highs, and others.
Dan's comment on the night may have summed up the entire friendship we have fostered over the short years we have known each other and the band's spirit of collaboration for the San Diego music and art movement. As he passed out thank you gifts to all those who have been with the band since the beginning, Dan simply states, "We grew up together."Yes, we have and there is still plenty more room for us to grow. Keep rockin' mics!

It's a slow day at work today. I've been playing around with the website and will try to rearrange some of the content for better navigation.

After opening on a chilly night outside on Ray Street for Sights and Sounds, XIV took a seat on The Backroom couch. XIV consists of three members: Nathan Sammuels, Kelly Horseman, and Tony Sandoval all who are native to San Diego. XIV started with Sammuels using different electronic sounds working with various styles (drum and bass, trip hop, down tempo, etc). Once Horseman's vocals were added to his instrumentals, Sammuels realized how much more he could do with his music. Sandoval, who already knew Horseman, completed their sound with bass. While still up and coming, they have been performing a lot while striving to keep the local art scene alive. They also discuss their thoughts on the event. For more information about XIV go to xivmusic.net for songs, photos, and upcoming shows. -Katalyst

Walk the Walk presents Sights and Sounds in North Park, San Diego. Amongst the talent and artists there that night was the playwright, Aaron Jafferis, and actor, Joey Auzenne, of a new musical called Kingdom that will take place Feb. 14-22 at the Old Globe Theatre. Jafferis and Auzenne join DueRight and DJ Intern Two and discuss where Jafferis got inspiration to write his play. Jafferis said that the two main characters of the show are inspired by two of his friends that became victims of street life. The hip-hop/rock musical tells a story of their friendships and how they change and develop as well as the people that are surrounded by them. In addition, Jaffaris also talks about his passion for theatre. Auzenne talks about how he landed his role in Kingdom as well as his character in the musical and shares his experience with The Backroom Crew. Although an opera major, he is also a lyricist. He even drops a flow during the interview. Download or listen to the audio to hear the interview in it's entirety. -Katalyst.