Sunrises and sunsets are simple guarantees for photo-ops. I'd say they're the best models in the world. You know where they'll be, when they'll be there, and they're free. But no matter how consistent they are, you have no idea what is going to happen when they do arrive. How overcast will it be? Mosquitoes, really? And for sunrises, the ever annoying, alarm clock.
These pictures were over two days and countless hits of the snooze button. Can I mention that the definition of sunrise is incredibly broad and covers a ton of time. The first day, the internet said 5:42 sharp. Lies. Sure it was starting to get light outside, but there was a solid hour and thirty minutes of wondering if the sun was going to come up today and if it had taken the day off just to spite me. It was worth the wait. The black and whites were a function of the waiting time the first day. I don't think that it worked here but there is something very special about being able to nail a sunrise/sunset scene in black and white. Eliminating the need for "pretty colors" and simply marveling at the sun's progression below the horizon (yes, the world is flat and the universe revolves around us, meh).
Quick things I learned. Slower shutter speed = more defined sun, and effects on the skyline. There was less of a chance for me-shaky-old-hands to screw up the crisp outlines of the sun creating a definitive golden border behind the clouds. Also, I enjoyed the natural vignettes created by the large amounts of light contrasted with the peripheral darkness. The top picture highlights that very well. Other than cropping and slight rotations, these pictures are as is. Just didn't feel like they needed that much editing, so why not go all natural? Enjoy. Also, we have lightbox working again, so click on the pics for more fun.
In a victory for deluded narcissists everywhere, Lindsay Lohan has won her lawsuit--and her $100 million settlement--against E-Trade for appropriating the name "Lindsay" in its "milkaholic" Super Bowl babies commercial. The lawsuit went all the way to the Supreme Court, where Justice Scalia, in a surprise 9-0 ruling in Lohan's favor, wrote for the court, "Lohan deserves the chance to mock herself; she needs no help from E-Trade." Justice Thomas remained silent on the matter.
Original video below:
100% - Kid Koala
Kid koala is a mixing, ones and twos, dj-ing, graphic noveling, film making, machine of a man. His music articulates power and feeling through a wide array of mashups and independent projects. Montreal born, he's opened for the likes of Radiohead and Bjork in international venues. From project to project, he tries to maintain a level of innovation to keep his mind fresh and creativity flowing. A must listen.
Please check out his site and all of his music.
AS: How did 2009 treat you? Take our readers through the year, on the turn tables, in the comic world, and life in general. Anecdotes are added bonuses.
KK: 2009 was a bit of a blur but a lot of fun. In the middle of winter we started this new night in Montreal called "Music To Draw To... " It was an evening of quiet time records and everyone was invited to bring something to draw, knit, write, sculpt or whatever. My wife Corinne had a little bake shop and where she was able to test her new baking recipes. Everyone got a cup of hot chocolate and a pencil when they arrived. It was so inspiring to see all those people simultaneously working on such creative things. After that we went took the event to New York, Los Angeles and Toronto.
In the summer, a group of our friends decided to get together and shoot a live action version of the Nufonia Must Fall book. So we built a life size robot suit and a small crew of us ran the city shooting the robo-rom-com starring our friends Julie (malorie) and Paul (the robot). Hilarious.
After that we started to prepare for The Slew tour. So I spent a lot of time in the studio cutting custom vinyl records that we would use to recreate the tracks live on stage. We were joined on stage by Myles Heskett and Chris Ross on bass and drums and my friend Dj P-love was there to share scratch duties. It was a crazy rock show with 6 turntables, bass and drums. There were mosh pits at all of the shows. That was a first for me... Definitely a fun way to round out the year.
Corinne and I chased our baby daughter around and watched her grow and crack people up to no end. It was definitely an exciting year.
AS: What should we expect in 2010?
KK: We will be bringing The Slew to the UK and Europe and eventually back to North America. Also, I will be doing a new version of Short Attention Span Theater show with Dj P-love and Lederhosen Lucil in Vancouver as part of the 2010 Winter Olympics Cultural Olympiad. Other than that, I am trying to finish drawing and scoring the new Space Cadet book.
AS: Could you take us through the process for creating a track? Do you find you have an idea of what the end product will be or do you find yourself stumbling upon the tracks?
KK: Often, I'll have an idea of what I'd like to try making in the studio. For Some of My Best Friends ar DJs, I wanted to do a completely hand cut turntable version of Basin Street Blues. Once I decided that, I tried to find solo instruments holding single notes (woodwinds, horns and strings etc.) Then I take those single notes and bend them into other notes by hand and stack them up to make chords. It's kind of like strange lego music that way. I like that twisted sound the turntable. It adds a character that sounds a bit surreal.
AS: Do you find Montreal comes out in your music? If yes, how so? What city do you find is producing the greatest music and dj's.
KK: I think the music I've recorded here has been a product of the Montreal environment for sure. It's got a very supportive community of people with many artists and creative types so it's easy to be inspired by the people here. Also, the weather forces everyone to hide in their studios all winter. When it's winter time I always feel like recording quiet music but when it's summer time I like to bring up the tempo and cut loose a little.
I don't know what city is the best for music but who really cares? The world's kind of all one big city anyway. As long as the people out there are enjoying themselves while they're making and playing their music, I'm all for it!
AS: It seems like a lot of comics and graphic novels now use filler issues to pass the time. What does the industry need to do to promote plot development across new issues or is this sheerly in the readers' hands?
KK: I guess for some people there's this pressure to turn something out every few months. Both in music and books, I'm drawn to doing projects or using techniques that are quite labor/time intensive. To me, it's all about having fun and learning through the process... so I try to stretch that "process time" out as much as I can... in my mind it equals more fun... but by industry standards, I guess it's way too slow. Making records through these techniques is always going to take longer than traditional methods. It's kind of like making animated film or something. The end product may be too esoteric for some audiences but if you look/listen carefully, hopefully you can see/hear all the smiles we had making the stuff along the way.
AS: What artist is currently revolutionizing music? What are they doing to separate themselves from the crowd?
KK: Keyboard Money Mark! I recently visited his studio in Los Angeles. His studio is packed with every instrument, old school audio gadget, noisemaker, and effect imaginable as well as all of the traditional pianos, organs, guitars, drums, vibraphones, you name it! and he promises he's going to use everything on his next album which will sort of be his magnum opus. He was showing me how he is currently using cassettes to deejay... And also how he can flip old telephone test tone equipment to play melodies. That guy can bend a melody and story out of anything. And it all has his signature soul to it. Whether he's singing or playing keyboards or drums or whatever he gets his hands on, he always does it with that Money Mark style. I can't wait to hear what he comes with.
AS: As someone that crosses multiple media to fill their creative itch, what medium are you most drawn to as 1) a creator of art and 2) an observer of art?
KK: I just try to find those zone moments no matter what it is. Sometimes it happens when I'm playing live on stage, Sometimes it's that rush you get when the ideas are flowing at the drawing desk, sometimes it's that lucky accident that happens in the recording studio that surprises you and makes you say "WICKED!!!."
As an observer, I like anything that kind of makes you forget where you are and makes time kind of slow down. Sometimes you can get that reading a book, other times from a film or a perfect song.
AS: Is there anything else you would like to share with the ArtStar community?
KK: The Space Cadet tour/book/soundtrack is on it's way... It's the quiet lullaby-type project I've been working on. For the tour, everyone in the audience will get a pair of headphones and hopefully a beanbag to sit on.
Hello Disco - Ze!
I am Glam - Ze
A feisty chick that's emerging as a vibrant trend setter and innovative musician, Ze! pops in as a force to be reckoned with in 2010. With a synth-pop club sound, the MIA comparisons are limited but her individual touch and boy lusting streams through her songs and art. Take a sec and enjoy our chat with the lovely Ze!
AS: Right now, who do you think is revolutionizing music a)globally and in b) Kuala Lumpur? Why do you think so? What are they doing differently than the rest of the crowd?
Ze!: In Malaysia, I'd say KRU, a boy-band of 3 brothers who've been around for more than 15 years and are still creating changes in the Malaysian industry not only with music but also with movies. Globally, I think artists like Madonna, Kanye West and MIA are revolutionizing not just music but image as well. They're distinctive and I guess you gotta be made of steel and be a little crazy to put yourself out there and make a stand. While everyone else seem to want to follow trends, they don't listen and wait for trends to happen but get out there and create their own.
AS: Could you recap this past year; where you've performed, who you've met, songs you wrote and any effects that the journey has had on your music?
Ze!: This has been a good year! I did the European tour in July and opened for Chicks on Speed and Afrikan Boy, performed at Reebok's Pump Up 20th anniversary party in Berlin, collaborated with many talented producers and got 2 of my songs picked up by MTV. I simply can't complain. Not so much this year, because the journey that has created a lot of change for myself and my music was actually in 2008 where I spent a whole summer in UK and Europe going to the biggest music festivals like Glastonbury, V festival, etc. We don't have these sort of festivals back in KL and I can't quite imagine Malaysians camping out in the mud just to see their favorite bands play. So just being around this energy and experiencing the craziness has helped me grow so much as an artist.
AS: When is your next album release and tour? For both of those, what are you most excited about?
Ze: My album is scheduled for release this January and working on a tour in the summer. As I would tell my friends, it is a complete nightmare getting these things together and I work my butt off but in the end it is worth every tear and sweat! Having the album would be great tool getting my music out there and sharing it with the world; and touring is always an adventure, i love discovering new places and making new friends.
AS: Could you describe your recording experience thus far? Who did you work with: producers, clowns, musicians? Any words of wisdom?
Ze: Being in the studio can be fun and it can be very stressful as well. I studied at SAE so it's good to know the ins and outs of a recording studio as an artist because I know what it's also like to be on the other end of the room pressing the record button. I've been in the studio with producers, musicians, voice-over talents and there's really nothing glamorous about it. But being a part of creating something new is a great feeling, and it's beautiful. Words of wisdom? Always come prepared!
AS: Over the past few months what are some of the road blocks/ difficult times you’ve over come. What did you learn about yourself and the music industry?
Ze!: The past few months have been difficult, because I made the decision to leave the fashion line entirely to my sister now so I can focus full-time on my music. I spent sleepless days and nights thinking and doing research, but mostly I was listening to my instincts. It's been an eye-opener and I wonder why it took me so long to finally do this. I guess, without realizing it, I was doubting myself and I learned that there really is just one person and one thing only that can stop you from getting to your dreams and that is you and you alone. The music industry is tough, as all kinds of show businesses are, which is what makes it so damn irresistable!
AS: Your style really allows you to stand out from the crowd, where do you look for new ideas and inspiration for your threads?
Ze!: Thank you. I don't think I go out of my way to get ideas, I mostly like to browse about at the most random of places and if something catches my eye I’ll get it. And then it's about mixing and matching those things together which is the fun part. But I do like reading or watching something that has nothing to do with music or fashion whatsoever and then put the 2 together to create something new.
AS: What life experience(s) comes through the most in your music? How are you able to manifest it in your music?
Ze!: My love life and my contradicting need to be accepted. I'm a very passionate person and I put all of me into just about everything I do. It's actually a rather dangerous way to live because when you're hurt you're really broken, but when it's good it's really really good. I can't really write what I can't feel. I'm probably most honest when I'm writing music. And instead of it making me feel vulnerable or exposed, it gives me relief like a huge burden taken off my shoulders and that keeps me moving forward.
AS: Is there anything you would like to tell our readers?
Ze!: Thanks for reading and have a kick ass 2010!
Check Ze! on her webpage and myspace.
As always, sample the cuts here but buy now!
AS: As a multimedia artist, what propels between the different forms of painting, drawing, designing and writing? Is it seasonal? Do you find if you have certain emotions, you tend to gravitate towards one media over the other.
JD: It definitely comes and goes like seasons. Sometimes I spend weeks just drawing in my sketchbook. Other times I spend countless hours painting and then painting over that painting and then painting over that one. I think much of what I do is about the process for me. I can be a bit anal-retentive and somewhat specific about things, and I see how this comes out in my art. I don't think that I gravitate toward one particular media based on emotions, but rather inspirations.
Sometimes if I see a great painting, it will inspire me to paint, and then it becomes a bit obsessive (which also comes out in my art -- you can see it in the repetition of the shapes and patterns I often use).
The poems that you see on the site are from my lifetime, so I write a poem about every 3.875 years! I actually think I'm due for one soon...
AS: What media are you into right now? Any new long term projects?
JD: I have been doing some drawing lately, but not a whole lot of anything unfortunately. I just got over a painting binge in which I produced absolutely nothing. So, I'm taking some time away from the canvas in the hope that I can get inspired again. I enjoy drawing more than I do painting because I feel as though I have more control.
I am continuing my sketchbook series and hope to one day do a show of just sketchbooks. I think that would be super fun. In addition, I have my first big show next year so I'm really thinking hard about what I want to create and show.
AS: Who do you think is (are) revolutionizing art? This could be in general or in specific media.
JD: I think the Internet is revolutionizing art. With blogs like booooooom! and sites like 20x200, artists who wouldn't have previously gotten too much exposure are now getting loads of it. It's so easy these days to appear on a small art blog and then get picked up or noticed by more popular websites or shops. I also think that the Internet has helped break the ice in terms of art snobbishness. I tend to see less of that on the Internet and more support and encouragement. It's about sharing and creativity and community and being inspired rather than "good" vs. "bad" art.
AS: Where do you stand with art as a career? Full time? Part time with a random side job? How have you been able to make it over the years? Advice for the starving artist?
JD: Art is very part-time for me. I blog for a living. I run Design Milk and I also write for ShelterPop. In addition, I have a consulting/educational business called BAKERY. I like being able to do all of these things together because I enjoy each one of them. While I think that making art for a living would be amazing, I'm not sure I'd like the pressure. I like making personal art because I want to, not because I have to; I like the freedom.
JD:Yes and no. The actual book pages do not have significance, but the art that is on them comes from what's on the page. Whatever that page makes me feel when I see and feel it, that's what my drawing becomes. I particularly like strange and unusual book pages, such as ones with medical illustrations or topographic maps, or foreign texts with torn yellowed corners. I like to think about who owned these books and how many people may have touched the pages. I hope that by my drawing on them I've given them some new life and a whole new future (rather than being trash!).
AS: Could you run me through the past year? Where you've been, people you met, things you learned about art and about yourself.
JD: Over the past year, I've learned so much about myself. Two of my paintings called "Discovery" and "Understanding" because that is exactly what was happening to me in my life when I painted them. I was beginning to discover myself -- both as a person and an artist. I've had a tough year and I think my art has reflected that. Basically, I haven't done as much in terms of art this year, at least not as much as I wanted to. Throughout the past 12 months, I moved across the country from San Diego, CA to return home to NJ, quit my horrid full-time corporate job to become my own boss, started a consulting business, and dealt with some emotional issues. I also came to many realizations, including my obsessiveness and perfectionism and how it actually makes the my creation of art harder. I have been making an effort to instead use the art to reduce and heal those issues. Art as therapy, I guess.
AS: Going out on a limb here but based on your graphic design portfolio, I would say you're of southern upbringing (much like myself). I find it's interesting that this side of you came out in the most modern form of art. How do you think the electronic canvas was able to facilitate this expression?
I think my quirky illustrations and fun digital art is mostly from my sense of humor. I don't like to think I'm weird, but I like to think that my view of the world is slightly different than others, but in a good way if that makes any sense! All I want is for people to look at them and crack a smile or even just a little smirk. After I started creating these types of prints (mostly to hone my Adobe skills) I realized they were popular so I continued creating new ones. I'm just glad there are goofy people out there just like me!
AS: Is there anything you would like the Art Star fam to know about you or any upcoming shows?
JD: I'm looking forward to the next year -- I think it will be a better one for me and for my art. I will be participating in the second Incredible Print Show at Artstream Studios in December, and I have a show next August at a new gallery called Assemble in Seattle. My portfolio site is jaimederringer.com and you can purchase prints from my Etsy shop.
The Nurses
I just want to preface this post with the announcement that we have finally caught up with the rest of the design world and implemented Lightbox. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, just click the pictures to find out.
Opening up the set was a scraggly bunch that, despite their rough appearance, put together a lovely few tunes. I am going to put them in a sub indie pop category called "melodic merriment." Combining sounds of gentleness and lust to create repetitive caresses on the ear. Digitally, good background music, live a sight to see and rock to.
During the beer they talked about how they alternate going first with The Brunettes and today was their day as the second band. It was neither good nor bad but just was a fact of the road. They headed back and we had another brew and moved inside.
Despite the long journey, their performance did not suffer. I would classify this as "starring at your knee and heel bouncing goodness" where you stare at your knee and heel and can't help but bounce. Catchy songs like "Lolita" filled the air and kept the feet tapping.
To be fair, and we're all about being fair here, I was at the show for The Brunettes. Those swanky New Zealanders are so ZANNY! But TMTS proved to me, they are a stand alone performance. With a true lead man in Scott Reitherman, Secretly Canadian Records has a band that will be riding the touring train for a while.
With high expectations comes supreme delight or disaster.
Supreme delight hit me that fall evening. And I promise you, it wasn't just the accents.
The two ladies rocked the keyboards. The guys rocked the hand-helds. Jonathan Bree and Heather Mansfield combine for quiet explosions of bliss on the mics. Beyond great performances of "Loopy Love" and "Red Rollerskates" the song of the night went to their incredible cover of The Cure's "Lovesong." Upon review, I found the studio version and the live did not touch it. The synth was simple, the vocal effects minimal and the emotion provoked by The Cure was brought out ten fold with Heather's eyes and voice. Amazing.
Thanks for amazing shows and mainly giving me an excuse to play with Lightbox.
So there may or may not be a 7 month gap between the last of the series (of two)... yikes.
I love this months installment. There's no lolly gagging in music reviewing... let's do this:
Suds & Soda: They ain't skinny bitches, they're heroine sheik. Songs like "Style Over Substance" and "England I Can't Like You Anymore" play into their frustrations of pop culture dilemmas. Their synth electro magic plays on their poignant prose to get your head bobbing and wheels turning. Of course they're from across the pond, but their creative juices weren't stifled by the dreary weather:
The King of penguins declared to his people that this curious object from foreign lands was a sign of hope in the never-ending winter that they, and their ancestors, had suffered with such dignity. An ice temple was built to house the bottle of purest green and penguins from far and wide visited the temple to pray and so forth. Believing the code on the peculiar piece of paper held the answers to everything, the King hired the best penguin scholars of all the land to try and decipher it.They will be large and in charge.
You best dance to this:
Cukoo La La - Suds & Soda
Samantha Shelton: Sam, Sam, Sam... Do you know what your voice does to the soul? A classic, teasingly gentle sound that pulls you in so many directions you wish you knew where you started but are glad you ended up with her and an intricate story. It's kind of like that buddy of yours that always had the "most insane night" and even though you were there for the entire night, it's just that much better when they tell the tale the day after. The country rifts and occasional ol' western saloon piano creates questionable intros that work incredibly too well.
You best tap your foot to this:
Runaway - Samantha Shelton
Akwerius: Given, they use simplistic reggae hooks but shucks mister, it's seamless. After listening to a few of his songs, the Matisyahu influence was written on the wall (destiny's child, whaaa?) and it took me a couple of listens to get past the over use of "eyes," "realize," and "horizon," but dang, the intricate guitars and segments of the verses are simply brilliant.
You best think deep to this:
Horizon - Akwerius (Featuring Jazi)
Hayes: Nah, sorry this isn't WHayes, the GaGa hater (she is a joke, couldn't agree more). Unfortunately after about 30 minutes of searching (my max), I couldn't find the actual band site. Come on fellas, you're too good for that! Though they may have similar sound to Lifehouse, they don't have the pansy pop verses and lean more to the Anathallo feel with glimmering Minus the Bear intros. Since I can't find the background to the group...
You best wonder who these guys are to this:
Necktie - Hayes
Emily Arin: A princess of flowers and dandelion dancing. Well, maybe... but another angelic voiced beauty with the singer-songwriter skills above and beyond her touring status. She's rockin and I don't want to get too into here bio b/c she may be floating around Art Star's pages next week with an exclusive interview... just sayin. She's been dancing around Ithaca and the gorges area but is making her way down to Austin in the middle of October for a quick tour. Her band of four or so provide gentle beats and curious words.
You best cozy up and have a glass of wine with your cuddle buddy to this:
Highs and Lows - Emily Arin
Brian Gallarello has taken a concept and branded it into an international success. His line "Brian Famous" uses a simple hair parted mystery man to create an adventurous jack of all trades. For all intents and purposes, they are novelty shirts but the character and life out of the varying icons is comical and genius. Based out of New York, he recently released his second version of BF with a greater focus on the face. Check out the interview below and be sure to check out the site.
Never having seen a picture of you, how much is Brian Famous a physical and/or personality self portrait?
If BrianFamous resembles me at all, it is coincidental. I consider myself to be a pretty good looking guy but BrianFamous is extremely suave. Being that Brianfamous is a 2-dimensional silhouette he can hang-out with 3-dimentional things like Magnum P.I. or 2-dimensional things like Magnum's iconic mustache. However, I think that when you are looking at BrianFamous, he represents a piece of what we all want to be. A characteristic that you probably believe about yourself, but that characteristic may or may not ever manifest itself. He's part of the everyman. The part that gets along with everyone and anything and has a good time while doing it. He's also been linked to beauties such as the Chiquita Banana Lady and the St Pauli Girl, so it's safe to say he is out of my league.
Who do you think is revolutionizing the t-shirt design and graphics industry? How are they doing it and what makes them stand out?
Designers with the ability to print on demand or in short print runs. Being able to produce unique and contemporary ideas that I can associate with the BrianFamous brand in a timely manner is really where the entire t-shirt industry is headed. There is a lot of really great work out there. If you search google on "tiger tee" you'll encounter some really great tigers. To stand out though those tigers need to be paired with a brand name to get the public to trust you. With BrianFamous, it is about his relationship to the tiger, either taking on their stripes or just hanging with the big cat. Either way, it is incorporating the brand idea into the theme of the t-shirt. it's great to have a tiger on your t-shirt, but how is that conveying the image of what you think your brand should represent to the public? It's how the designer answers that question, i think, that ultimately dictates whether that brand will be successful or not.
Could you guide me through the timeline of your brand? When did you have the first BF design and how did it progress from there? What were the biggest obstacles you had to overcome?
I first captured BrianFamous in the summer of 2007. I wanted to find a brand that would be instantly recognizable almost subtle like a small crest or something. I introduced him to a Manga character, a martial arts legend and the world's favorite animated corpse. Two years later and I'm just trying to keep up with him. Now with the large face designs the brand has become bolder.
What have been the greatest challenges for online branding and have you had a success offline?
So far BrianFamous is an online venture. I think the biggest challenge is acting as curator to the life of this brand. As I said before, I think everyone has a piece of BrianFamous and vice versa, but how do you get
people to recognize that? Additionally, how do you get your message to the mass public in a world that is dominated by larger corporate brands and if successful there, still continue to maintain the integrity that it had when it was created? I think that like most art, this is a struggle that is an ongoing process and how you navigate your way through that and the answers that you arrive at are, ultimately, going to determine the final message of your brand, whether intended or not. BrianFamous is a prism of pop culture. Sometimes culture can be ugly and sometimes it can be beautiful. I want to show BrianFamous merging with a wide variety of visual elements so everybody can relate to some piece of his trajectory.
Where do you see the brand going in the next year and the next 5 years?
A boutique serving as a base of operations here in New York. A sort of living catalog serving to capture BrianFamous' jaunts through the world's cultural icons and visual elements. Wherever the brand goes, I'll be there. If Brianfamous travels to galaxies far far away, I have a light saber and a notebook.
Is there anything that you would like to tell our readers about BF or about you personally?
Yes. Embrace the Everyman.
Let it Rain - OK Go
Flashflood - Aesop Rock
Rain - Bishop Allen
It's Going to Rain - Waterboys
So the rains have come, Atlanta is flooding and I've been instructed to gather dry wood to assemble an ark of biblical proportions. All we need is two of everything (I mean everything)... Whatcha got?
I've got two remote controls that work half the time for the same tv.
I've also got two copies of Boondock Saints (hope that will come in handy).
I was an outsider with no way to feel the electricity. The convention was not a place for outsiders to come in and become, for a weekend, “one of the guys.” If you did not have a specific interest, knowledge, and passion for one of the 30 subject matters at Dragon*Con, it was much more difficult to buy into the culture and excitement. After going to many art festivals, concerts, and music gatherings on the whim of “why not go?” I thought it would be simple to flow into the energy. I could not have been more wrong.
Going into Dragon*Con, I thought it would be entirely about the people watching, the fantastic art, and the energy surrounding new releases. Those were important, but more so were the relationships between strangers who have such devoted passion for their specific interests. May it be for Joss Whedon and his “Whedonverse” or the plethora of skeptics, the world inside Dragon*Con nurtures those who nurture and care for it. I, along with my day tripping companion, could not offer anything to stimulate the discussion, add to the jokes, or commiserate with the growth of a culture.
However, this is ok.
If you desire to be a part of the community and contribute it takes effort. Effort, just like taking the time to read music blogs to find new tunes, memorizing NFL depth charts for fantasy league success, and watching crappy reality TV to hold a conversation with your teenage cousin. Time and energy bring you into a community.
As we stepped back into the car to head home, we looked at each other and we both knew what we were about to ask, “Would we do this again?”
Absolutely.
But we knew we needed to read about flinking, participate in LARPs, watch Buffy, and plan out which events were a priority. Until then, we should not expect the return of energy and joy that the Dragon*Con folk have come to expect.
I was struck by the first rendition of Tom Petty’s “Free Falling” by a gentleman in his early 40’s on a side street between two houses. He was genuinely talented but nothing special stuck out with his oversized amp and a backup guitarist that came in sporadically when the moment inspired. It was a nice warm up for the ears. Backyard jams seemingly bringing out the festival feel and openness of the community.
Moving through the crowd, we’re trying to get to the main stage to see the ever-lost-in-the-90’s-band Cowboy Mouth. Known mainly for their song “Jenny Says,” that was all I was hoping to hear. Yes, going to hear one song may be odd but at a free-for-all open air festival, you can get away with it. With raspy vocals after years of touring (1993 was a while ago, ladies and gentlemen), the boys looked tired but did seem to be enjoying themselves and the Red Stripe boosted atmosphere. Unfortunately there was no Jenny to be found and we were left empty eared.
Call it courage. Call it peer pressure. Call it naivety. However you explain it, it takes an unreal amount of confidence to get up during one of the biggest street festivals in the Virginia Highlands of Atlanta and perform a solo… as a 13 year old. Perched on a residential corner of Virginia Avenue, the boy’s 1.5ft amplifier produced just enough volume to grab the attention of those admiring various booth art and bring those passively walking by to a shocking halt.
His family sat on the steps behind him, singing along, cheering, and admiring the gusto of the young rock star. Whispers were passing through the crowd. “He’s got serious balls.” “Would you have done that at his age?” “If he keeps this up, he’s gonna get major play.” The intoxicated cheers increased his confidence and little grins unfolded as he played for the crowd.
Even though I know I’m not going to push myself out of my comfort zone this second, his impromptu performance provided inspiration to many to look for a moment to jump out and forget your inhibitions in front of total strangers.
Cheers, VaHi Summerfest Rock Star.
When I think of this guy: I can't help but think of a quiet tenacity. An unfailing impulse to get things done wrapped inside a simple joy for life.
I have lived with Cody, road tripped to Florida with Cody, camped with Cody, ran 150 member arts organization with Cody, gotten mono from Cody, rocked out with Cody, gotten drunk with Cody, and take full credit for Cody's current relationship (yes the drunken phone call freshman year really might have ruined it. Note to all readers - friends don't let friends drunk dial).
However, the great thing about my experiences with Cody is that they aren't unique.
Many of our readers who know Cody can create a similar list - it is just incredibly difficult to be around Cody Elder and not do something fun.
A college football players turned patron of the arts, Cody is the heart and soul of Art Star.
Simply put, you wouldn't be reading this blog if it wasn't for him.
So today we salute you, good sir.
Hope you have the best of birthdays.
Hell yeah.
Fuck yeah.
Ahhhwwaaaooooooo!
Love,
Art Star
Check out The Best of Cody Elder:
The Music Industry: Trendy Schiznit, Can Your Business Model Work?
Clicking Around With Music: DJ Bam Bam
Clicking Around With Music: Samantha Crain
Clicking Around With Music: Teen Wolf
Clicking Around With Music: Lori Kirk
Clicking Around With Music: Paleface
Megaman, I feel Your Pain
now in theatres: juneau
point and shoot: the sun is bright in my eyes
my olympic heroes part 4: pass the torch
Sunrises and sunsets are simple guarantees for photo-ops. I'd say they're the best models in the world. You know where they'll be, when they'll be there, and they're free. But not matter how consistent they are, you have no idea what is going to happen when they do arrive. How overcast will it be? Mosquitoes, really? And for sunrises, the ever annoying, alarm clock.
These pictures were over two days and countless hits of the snooze button. Can I mention that the definition of sunrise is incredibly broad and covers a ton of time. The first day, the internet said 5:42 sharp. Lies. Sure it was starting to get light outside, but there was a solid hour and thirty minutes of wondering if the sun was going to come up today and if it had taken the day off just to spite me. It was worth the wait. The black and whites were a function of the waiting time the first day. I don't think that it worked here but there is something very special about being able to nail a sunrise/sunset scene in black and white. Eliminating the need for "pretty colors" and simply marveling at the sun's progression below the horizon (yes, the world is flat and the universe revolves around us, meh).
Quick things I learned. Slower shutter speed = more defined sun, and effects on the skyline. There was less of a chance for me-shaky-old-hands to screw up the crisp outlines of the sun creating a definitive golden border behind the clouds. Also, I enjoyed the natural vignettes created by the large amounts of light contrasted with the peripheral darkness. The top picture highlights that very well. Other than cropping and slight rotations, these pictures are as is. Just didn't feel like they needed that much editing, so why not go all natural? Enjoy. Also, we have lightbox working again, so click on the pics for more fun.
As I continue on in my quest of finding the perfect venue, I've moved on to another stronghold in the Atlanta music scene. OK, maybe I'm not searching for a perfect venue, cheapest beer-maybe, but I am looking for who creates the best feel for a band no matter the turnout or music style. The stairs up to the second floor stage is a hallway of posterific madness. A gallery of graphic design crammed into a 23 stair corridor. Glorious. Entering the stage area, a disappointing setup for those arriving late or in the middle of a show because they have to cross in front of the seated crowd in the back to get to perimeter seating. However, the bar is miraculously in the same room as the show (point SOB - sorry DU). After taking a seat with my lovely date in the perimeter seating during the first show, we sat back and watched the Javelins.
Off of Suburban Sprawl, the Javelins are touring machines and made it down to Atlanta en route to SXSW. After touring a while with Anathallo and others, 
they have settled in with their fellow palm pointers for a unique mixture of fun and technical quality. I have a confession. Bands with drummers as primary vocals, really hit me in the right spot. Ergo, something stuck with me about these guys. The vocals were never whiny, but still raspy and in the upper ranges for a passionate and poignant message.
As for the synth/keys, it's different. As I'm listening to the myspace page as a bit of a refresher, there is some repetition that edges on natty. Still, they come together in a natural way. Much like the bands in the last post, these guys could use a little energy and team power (yea, captain planet style).
SXSW will be a great outlet for them. Like I said, they are a touring machine and I think they will bust on the national indie scene in a few months. Best of luck to ya.
Next up... The Hard Lessons.
Smith's curtains, electronically retractable, ripped apart as the first cord hit and from that point, I never wanted it to stop. 
Recently married, Augie (dude at the top of the page) and Korin (dudet pounding the keys), commanded the stage, the crowd and their craft. After their second or third song, they collected the crowd for a classic "quick two clap" for the middle of their refrain. It worked for some of the song but after the plugs were pulled and they went acoustic, everyone tuned in to the chorus and begin to meld into the band. The next song... a rock anthem. Augie requested that everyone come up to the stage and take part in this next one as he dedicated it to us. It was a call to not let rock die and let the world know that The Hard Lessons are going to do their part to keep it alive. Whew. Made me smile.
At about 10:10, the stage manager let the band (oh yea, they've got a new drummer that hasn't learned all the songs-more to come) know that they still had 20 minutes on their set. It caught them by surprise and took two requests plus one they had on the list. Two strong songs and then the closer was a doozy. Finishing with the request that they took on reluctantly because their drummer didn't know it, Augie moved to the drums and their drummer moved by us in the audience. After a confession that he had only performed the song 4 times, it left us curious for the possibilities of flopping on the last song. No chance. I couldn't be more impressed with his ability to step in and nail the song.
Overall the best show I've seen thus far in Atlanta. A must see if you're headed to SXSW. Enjoy the pics and check out the bands!
After taking the extended detour to find the DU on Ponce, I made my way down the stairs and arrived entirely too early. A few websites said 9, I said, shit, I'll be there fashionably late into the first act and get there at 9:30. No dice, show started at 10:45. After getting an ever trendy and cheap but still flavorful (short) PBR, I made my way to the music area and killed time. I tried to strike up conversation with the bartenders, but after meeting a wall of personality, I resorted to checking the merch and getting a feel for the venue. Enjoy the pictures. With a new lens, low light is much more fun!
The first band up, Arms & Sleepers, was a synthesizing machine. Looping drums, pre-recorded vocal rhythms, and a melodica (see above left). As a warm-up band they entranced the audience with a projected back drop that was its own artistic experience through film. Though it may be viewed as gimmicky, the backdrop was staggering in it's mirroring of the music. One song (not named) included a piano being played by strings leading out of the video frame by a mysterious puppeteer. Overall a visually appealing show with multi-talented musicians.
Second up were the men of The Killer & The Martyr. 1960's West coast surfer riffs with well articulated lyrics cruise through almost seemingly 50's style bass playing. What that creates, hard to explain, but extremely tasty. Raw is overused, I'm going to say ... unpasteurized. Oh, it's nutritious but damn, it's grainy.As a performance, they lacked connection with each other besides the occasional smile cracked between the members. The drummers girlfriend snapped pictures on the side with me (I apologize for cutting in front of you, drummer gf, I am an idiot). To get a full feeling of the band check out "Arrows" on their myspace page. Live, it sold me on the band. They're going to be a staple in the regional circuit, I guarantee.
Best of luck to these guys and as always support the band! Go buy their merch and music!
Variety is the spice of pizzas, ice cream, and apparently life. I enjoy all of the above. With the popcuts segments, that is going to be the idea. We're open to the lowest of low country folk and the highest caliber of hard hitting hip hop. All of the songs are only found at Popcuts. It is highly suggested you check all of the artists out on their MySpace pages. Let's Begin!
The Rescues: Two guys, two girls and a hot sound. L.A. natives with a folky hitch in the trunk. Four individually successful multi-talented musicians have teamed up for an incredible compilation of flowing voice. With a gestalt philosophy, they come together with a purpose of bringing out the best in eachother.
My First Earthquake: Three guys, and a chika and more Cali style indie pop. Incredibly similar to NewYoungPonyClub, this quartet pumps cheeky lyrics with a flirty instrumentals. A great band for road trips and the confused.
Young Pflames: From the hip hop capital of the mid-mid-west, Omaha, this emerging artist is rising with style and humor. In "Can't Get Right," he pokes at the use of autotuners and then rocks it hard. His beats are moderate and original but not what makes him shine. Give a listen and you'll understand what's seperating him from the pack in Nebraska and what is moving him into the national spotlight.
Red Light Knights: This was the first song requested via the Art Star:PopCuts Series, great pick CC. A southern rock feel that is full and mature, pairs guitars with vocals occastionally twangy vocals drives home emotion and sensations.
Dean Walker: I love the description: "The Pistols with the angsty melodics of Gen X and 999. Clever stuff, but most of all compellingly, infectiously loud." The angsty feel floats in and out of his songs but finds a way to be often appropriate. If you're frustrated at life, put it on, and the dynamic rhythms will take you away from your world and ease you back, fresh and renewed.
Enjoy and be sure to support the artist at PopCuts.
I had a chance to make it to the opening of the Notorious Art Show 
featuring Craig Henderson and his urban, vibrant, and expressive depictions of Brooklyn and the rappers that emerged from the streets. The art is great. It could be up (and will be!) in modern galleries or in fashion-forward living rooms. I must admit, the pictures above were modified from sub par low light photography and you should really check out Craig's Portfolio for better pictures and information about obtaining prints.
Other than the Notorious series, there is a Obama group, Jazz series, and a cubistic look into African American culture.
The show also included at the show was a photo-realistic painter named Ben Allen. His talent is uncanny to portray the emotion while keeping with photo-esque painting. Below is a picture of Ben explaining his art and the process to an admirer. The openness of the event was incredible. From Henderson to the gallery owner, Mr. Daso, all in the room were open to talking art and easily approachable.
The next few pictures include Craig (the last picture) presenting his work. Enjoy!
Also, a quick plug for an event that opens today (Super Bowl Sunday) at GA. Ltd Gallery. The women of color event will be a great display to start Black History Month in Atlanta and a must see for any art enthusiast. See you there!
