"From Turtle Bay to Broadway: The Power of Art in American Diplomacy"

May 11, 2016 2:21 PM

Ambassador Samantha Power: "So let me just start by noting that I too am a musician. I sing in a band of other UN Ambassadors called 'UN Rocks.' [Laughter.] The Korean Ambassador plays the drums – this is not a joke, it’s real life [Laughter.]; the Thai Ambassador plays the bass; the Serbian and Danish ambassadors play the electric guitars; and the ambassador from Tonga plays the keyboard. And I wanted to take this opportunity to announce that I have some availability for gigs starting around January 20th, 2017. [Laughter.] In case anybody is interested."

See an early UN Rocks performance, sans Amb. Power, around the 1hr 45min mark of this UN Webcast of The Rhythms of One World 2015 International Choral Festival.

posted by jrb223 (13 comments total)

It's like a reunion of an Up With People band.
posted by chillmost at 2:30 PM on May 11, 2016

See also: United Nations
posted by gucci mane at 2:38 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]

Gonna need every ounce of those diplomatic skills to prevent all-out war breaking out, based on my young years spent in garage bands
posted by C.A.S. at 2:47 PM on May 11, 2016 [3 favorites]

I mean it's a better use of time than meaningless Security Council resolutions, so sure, why not?
posted by zachlipton at 2:58 PM on May 11, 2016

I wish to express my deep and grave concerns over the unprovoked vocal actions of Samantha Powers. And on this one and only occasion I will support that Churkin fellow in whatever insults he wishes to toss her way.
posted by Kabanos at 3:07 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]

Also, needs more cowbell. Maybe Marc-André Blanchard can provide it, now that "Canada is back."
posted by Kabanos at 3:10 PM on May 11, 2016

NIGEL: Well there was, there was another group in the UN called the Bomb the Bastards Bunch and we had to rename ourselves.
DAVID: The New Bomb the Bastards Bunch.
NIGEL: The New Bomb the Bastards Bunch and then, uh, they became....
DAVID: The Interventionists, they changed their name back to The Interventionists, and we thought well, we could go back to The Bomb the Bastards Bunch but what's the point?
NIGEL: We became UN Rocks at that point.
posted by RogerB at 3:24 PM on May 11, 2016 [8 favorites]

The New Interventionists really has a ring to it
posted by ethansr at 3:32 PM on May 11, 2016 [5 favorites]

It's surprising how bad they are.
posted by layceepee at 5:30 PM on May 11, 2016

I love Samantha Powers, and I really wanted to like this, but… Maybe a better mix? And more practice?
posted by ob1quixote at 5:52 PM on May 11, 2016

Rock and Roll - not as easy as it looks
posted by C.A.S. at 6:24 PM on May 11, 2016

Funny, we were just talking about the power of art in spreading your civilization.
posted by clawsoon at 6:44 PM on May 11, 2016 [1 favorite]

Who runs the lasers?
posted by clavdivs at 10:05 PM on May 11, 2016