WEEK 3  (published May 8 2006 - Scene Magazine)

Soma Rasa just touched down in Brisbane...Jet lagged and a bit sad to leave LA, but there is nothing like returning to breath our fresh air and see a clear Brissy sky.

We stayed at the Hyatt on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood for 11 days.. This Hotel has such a history and is referred to as the riot house even by the people who work there. I can tell you Soma Rasa kept the tradition alive!

Tuesday 3rd of May.

Today is a show day at the Roxy on Sunset Blvd. With Dan the main man at the conference since Sunday, Kina and Bill team up and head to the Musexpo and check out a seminar called Digital Disruption before the rooftop poolside luncheon were it is time to meet and greet. We sound check at 5pm but only get half an hour. We get to run through Say What You Say with Shock and Metaphysical for the first time. The PA sounds tight. We rush to get the projector rigged for visuals before doors open. Just enough time for a burrito at Paquita mas. Back to the Roxy to meet Money and Shock who is sporting a green paisley jacket. We had 5 MC's on stage for "Say What you Say" including the DU crew and our own Mc's Handy and Kina.

Shock G, Money B Kina : Soma Rasa @ The Roxy May 2 2006

Back to the after party at the Riot and Shock G is in the house entertaining to the roomful of party people. We constructed a makeshift vocal booth and were often recording till the sun came up. Metaphysical dropped a mad rhyme over a new Drum and bass track and MC Handy added his usual super fast flavour.. LA, London and Brisbane come together for this one.

Wednesday 4th May

We wake up to Handy in his cockney accent saying me toungs as dry as the floor of a pigeons loft. Dan and Kina head to the conference with great talks on the state of Independent Lables around the world, Dan manages to get in the ear of the iconic Tony Wilson who founded Factory Records (New Order, Happy Mondays). Tonight we went to the Best Of British showcases held at the Key Club, we saw some great bands with stand outs The Infadels and Bassbooser. We had an after party back at the riot house (again !) and invited Bassbooser over at about midnight to do another session with us while we still had the gear set up. With a heap of people in the room everyone had to be quiet when the record button was hit. At about 3am we met a couple of the guys from the London act Brand New Heavies who were on tour and had just done their own show at the Roxy. We charmed them into the studio to add a bass line to the track.

Thursday 5th May

 First real day off for the whole crew and Bree (Soma Rasa VJ) organizes a 25 seater stretch Hummer for a 4 hour tour of LA and Venice Beach. We manage to rope Metaphysical and Studio Dan from Digital Underground along with the Boat People and Troy n Trevlyn into the ride.

 
The Hazard Brothers in the Huma !

Friday 5th May

Our last night in LA and we have our own headline show at The Plush Lounge which is the VIP bar below the Key Club. Before show we have an interview out on Sunset Blvd with musicplustv.com and then into the show. The room came alive with a huge turn out. Something we weren't really expecting. It really felt like a home show for some reason. We hit the stage at full speed Metaphysical was on stage for the whole set, so Impovisation was the key for this one and I think thats when the band is at it's best. Australian and American hands were in the air, bar staff we jumping around and the vibe was massive. Ending the show with Kina on the mic shouting One hand high, two fingers to the skyeverybody say peeeeeeace.

Soma Rasa @ The Plush Lounge (Key Club) LA, May 5 , 2006

 "The Key Club" (Plush Lounge) - Hollywood (LA)

Saturday May 6
Quick interview with backstageaccessmagazine.com at the Riot and pack for our flight home, last goodbyes to all our new and old friends. Get home check email, hello whats this an offer to come back and perform in Las Vegas at a high profile awards night? Cant say no more, will keep you posted.

 
Bill @ The Roxy - May 2nd 2006

Dan @ The Riot on Sunset, May 2006

wes_bill_karl_dan @ The Little Temple, LA May 2006

Kina  Karl : Soma Rasa @ The Roxy, May 2nd 2006