Thursday 9 June 2011

Practivist of the Week - Dan Tsu

Practivism = Pragmatic, proactive, promotable activism.


Dan Tsu
Practivism Questionnaire

How old are you, if you don't mind?

I'm 30 years old, I feel 25 years old, but I see the world like a 12 year old.

What is the main focus of your practivism at this time and how does that manifest?

The focus of my practivism is Lyrix Organix. It's an organic movement that explores the roots of Hip Hop - specifically lyrical music with a positive message - through Spoken Word, Hip Hop, Soul and Folk music. It's about reinvigorating live music, bringing lyricism to the masses. It's about discovering amazing talent and challenging artists. It's about cultivating young creatives, from graffiti artists to film-makers. Above all Lyrix Organix is a place where artists spark and audiences tingle.

The consciousness of the project coarses through Lyrix Organix's veins, manifesting itself in our strong charity partnership with international humanitarian aid organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders, or MSF). The clearest and most ambitious realization of our practivism is the Glastonbury Festival project, where Lyrix Organix has launched a groundbreaking collaboration project with MSF. Together we are hosting two stages to raise awareness of this incredible charity.

What route did you take to get here?

I've been promoting live music for years with various collectives, but I really wanted to launch an independent project that spoke to people's consciousness and opened their minds, musically. I began to realise that promoting was driven by money, which disinterests me. So I decided to focus Lyrix Organix on charity, to communicate positive messages with music and to take money out of the equation. I chose to approach MSF, who have a very grassroots ethos with regards to charity - donations are not squandered on excessive marketing or celebrity events. Instead they are directed to the frontline (where they should be). This has been a beautiful partnership as we have helped to raise MSF's profile to new younger audiences, in new ways, that they wouldn't have been able to achieve otherwise. I feel I'm making a real difference. That's what practivism means to me...




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Click to get involved with Lyrix Organix

Upcoming shows:

Jun 14 - Old Queens Head, Islington
Very special collaboration with world famous beatboxer Shlomo, alongside Joe Driscoll, Dizraeli, Kal Lavelle, Z-Star & Aruba Red. Entitled 'Relay Loop Sessions' it's an experimental, non-stop voyage through beatboxing, Loopstatioms, MC's and acoustic musicians. All profits donated to MSF's appeal for Haiti.

June 22-26 - Glastonbury Festival
Collaboration with MSF including live exhibitions, workshops + music across 2 stages from Ed Sheeran, Shlomo, Toddla T, Example, The Boxettes, Dizraeli, P-Money, True Tiger, Abandoman, Benjamin Francis Leftwich and many, many more!

July 9 - Rich Mix, Bethnal Green
Jehst (spoken word exclusive), Random Impulse, Kaya & Kay Young + DJs + VJs + art/fashion stalls

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