Last summer I took a road trip up north to Allentown and New Tripoli, Pennsylvania for a few weeks to make images at night at the home where I grew up and the farmhouse I came back from Northern California to live in for five years many years later.

The idea for this project began to form after receiving a grant to fund a large format printer on which I proposed to print a limited edition portfolio of night photographs. What set apart his series of night shots, which I'd been doing for about three years at that point, was these would be introducing lighting and enhanced ambiance...Needless to say, at the time, I had no idea what I was going to shoot.

Somehow, in a moment between minutes while laying on a sofa at a friend's house, the idea drifted up of revisiting my past, creating scenarios of vague memories, some of which I assumed would surface or be informed when faced with the present state of the locations...

I'm still not quite sure how "successful" the photos are to the emotional past they were to reflect or conjure up. The process of doing them was worthwhile: production support contributed by my friends that lives in the area made for wonderful adventures and enjoyable shoots....

Meeting the odd man who now lives in the Allentown home, alone, amidst an amazing mess of 10 years of clutter left, he said, from when his father died and he hasn't gotten around to getting rid of it.....

A lovely large family now occupies the farmhouse, having turned sparsely artist furnished rooms that my then husband and I inhabited with our infant daughter into a home befitting children of this century, but for the kitchen, that still bore a resemblance to the memories I had of it.

As far as making "art" within that intention of journey back? Quite honestly, creating images, instead of recognizing them as I more readily and easily can do, may not be my forte, nor will I probably follow further the direction these took me, but....

Revisiting a past that I knew could never possibly exist in the present was a launching pad for new experiences that make new memories creating an intriguing interlocking between the past memories, the present, and the future of how I might think about such matters.

For years, I've made it a tradition to create my own holiday cards. Occasionally, however, the muse of good ideas skips out on me and I trawl through the racks of commercial offerings hoping to be drawn to an image I like with a message I also can live with. Or vice versa. Sometimes it comes together, other times, my Virgo nature kicks in and I skip sending out cards all together rather than settle for something less than "perfect." It almost came to that this year. No inspiration was bubbling up, nor were there any cards on the rack that called to me. One was close, until I saw it was drowning in sparkle. Not a love match. So looking at my bulletin board in my studio the other night, I was drawn to a photo I did long ago during a candle ceremony at my meditation center in LA where I then lived. It became my card that year. For this variation, I added words with Photoshop. My procrastination precluded getting them printed in time and I couldn't deal with my printer to make them myself (don't ask) so I had them made up as 4x6 prints at the local Wolf's Camera, and hunted down those cards with the frame to slip in the picture of your kids or dog/cat and send off to all the aunts and uncles. Five stores later, I found some that looked ok. Horray. Done. Out the door into the mailbox....whew.

Then, two nights ago, I fell in love with a scene I'd been looking at for a few weeks as I drove from my drive-way up to the road. A neighbor with a forested front yard had strung colored lights on a scrawny little pine tree. It was endearing, but I didn't find it special enough to bother dragging the camera out into the night. I've also been rather lethargic during these early darkness times; wanting rather to be in the house, much warmer and cozy. But....wow....it was so appealing as I passed it this time, heading home. The night silent and still, the air soaked with a fine mist created a scene embued with a life of it's own........a mysterious space surrounded by large old trees, this ungraceful little tree wrapped and glowing with light.



I shot it as a sequence of frames set at different shutter times, counting up to over a minute on bulb setting to get the darker areas to show some detail in the shadows, then did some short exposures to get the lights not blown out. Later, layering two of the raw digital frames after doing some fiddling with Photoshop, I carefully brushed in the less exposed string of lights from the second layer which I hid behind the main image. It took some time and small brush sizes to get the darker lit tree exposure to blend in realistically with the original level of light surrounding it.

Now I was faced with having an image I wanted to share, but I mailed outthe other one....what's a girl to do?....At 2am this morning, an e-card design was born in Photoshop....today I was able to share my new night photo with all the rest of my friends online. Yaaaay technology.

Happy Holidays to everyone....Let hope ring out in 2009!

No one sees things exactly the same as another. If you put 10 reasonably creative people with cameras in the same situation I suspect you'll get 10 different photographs. Not only that, but someone else looking at those photographs then interprets what we have seen in their unique way. Pretty cool on one hand, because all we can do is what we do, then put it out there for others to see in it what they will. However, as an artist, we have many options to create a portal or path for an observer to follow into our own special world of visual delights. I find there are times I have a specific intention for a photo, and want to make a particular statement. Sometimes it's more illusive.....an image seems to make it's self intuitively, the outside beckoning me from within; a feeling sparking pure consciousness into being, connecting perfectly into a form in the confines of the camera's window frame. Those are magic times; I think that's what keeps many of us clinging to our cameras as one would a love interest. (that sounds weird, huh?) Anyway, with new technology adding more possibilities to extend our photographic vocabularies and flights of fancy, visual impact becomes more and more available and sometimes overwhelming. If money were no object, I'd probably overdose on lens and software, like a diabetic run amok in a candy store. I should probably be grateful I'm being protected from myself. That said, I found an interesting program that I'm using on a 15 day trial download (thank you photo-god.) It's Silver Efex Pro by NIK Software. It's a filtering program that goes into Photoshop and lets you create very interesting black and white conversions. Since downloading it yesterday, I've been experimenting with how one image can be altered to create an entirely different emotional feel.

Name: Samantha Crain and The Midnight Shivers
Members: Samantha Crain: vocals and guitar; Jacob Edwards: drums; Andrew Tanz: bass and vocals; Stephen Sebastian: electric guitar

Hometown: Shawnee, OK
Label: Ramseur
Label type: Indie
Myspace visits: 130451
Myspace friends: 7051
The past year has been a busy one for Samantha Crain. Releasing "The Confiscation EP" in July, she’s managed to adhere to a rigorous touring schedule and already has her next full-length album, "Songs in the Night," in the bag. All the hard work seems to be paying off—besides being featured in Paste Magazine’s “Best of What’s Next,” Crain landed a spot on the Hotel Café Tour, playing with Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko, and Rachael Yamagata. If you’re not yet acquainted with Samantha’s music, you’re missing out. Crain’s unique vocal presence casts a spell on the listener, and makes for some of the best folk/folk-rock/any-genre-of-music-period you will ever hear. Check out the video and ArtStar's exclusive interview.

name: teen wolf

hometown: Las Vegas, NV

label:  unsigned

label type:  unsigned

myspace visits:  36,233

myspace friends:  1428

my take on teen wolf:

I really wanted to wait until Halloween to do this post but it could not be done.  Teen Wolf is the magic that is remixes of the late 2000's.   He not only DJ's with the pizzazz of other DJ's heard on the Missingtoof and Hypemusic but does it with a few ounces (ok a keg full) of humor.  May it be in the lyrics he highlights or the conversations he has outside of the musical world, he makes a point with his massive neck-warming-in-las-vegas-bandana and with his music. 

He calls for great success for his buds, Stereoheroes, but I say this guy has incredible talent and will be right behind them.  If I were a West Coaster (neither a ride at an amusement park or something to put your drink on) I would see this guy in a heartbeat.  The emerging Girl Talk of the West, he will get the party poppin'. Be sure to check out the Big Bad Wolf mini-mix and exclusive Art Star interview below.

AS:  Name:

TW:  Bryan G. Orellana

AS:  Who would win in a fight between the beatles and the smiths?
TW:  from what i hear... the beatles are bigger than jesus so im going to just ask the question W.W.RINGO.D

AS:  If you were a sticky note what would you be stuck to and what would it say?
TW:  id be a note that says "My Bad"
and id be stuck to a car that just got rear ended

AS:  What is your favorite milkshake flavor?
TW:  Kelis (because apparently it brings me to the yard)

AS:  Favorite Band Live:
TW:  The Strokes

AS:  In the 2008 election, what issue do you feel is the most important?
TW:  i feel that Teen Wolf is the most important issue (but i dont mix music and opinion together with politics)

AS:  What music did your parents expose you to in your youth?
TW:  as a kid it was all Salsa, Merengue, and alot of just random Spanish music

AS:  What was the toughest decision you have had to make as an artist? How did you come to that decision?
TW:  Boxers or Briefs i went for the Boxer Briefs (best of both worlds)

AS:  First Instrument:
TW:  electric guitar

AS:  Favorite Venue to play at:
TW:  The Attic in Downtown Vegas or Any Where in L.A.

AS:  At what moment did you realize you wanted to do live music?
TW:  when people started liking my lyrics beats

AS:  Most embarrassing moment on stage:
TW:  Middle of a Super Hard Set and the speakers blow

AS:  And finally, is there anything else that you would like to share with the Art Star audience?
TW:  Thanks for listening to my music
I love the feed back that i get from you guys
i love you all
say hi dont be shy
-tw
thanks this was fun

help support the dj. artstar does not get any money if you buy their songs or if you visit their link. we just want to make sure these guys stay well fed so they can keep producing greatness. enjoy and be sure to check out the link below:

Oct. 18th

the basics:

name: lori kirk

label: unsigned (pick this one up and put some money in her pocket!)

label type: none

myspace visits: 3084

myspace friends: 319

albums: none but check out the music she has put out on the myspace page.

my take on lori:

this bundle of jubilance and soul is a rare commodity in the music industry. i could compare her to jojo and give her a shallow music comparison or i could compare her to the young, raw, emerging r & b and jazz from across the pond in the uk and give her an accurate description. ok... it's the latter. her hip-hop background and backups make for an incredible one, two combo.

in a post interview chat, she discussed the necessity and her appreciation of art in all forms:

"the arts are what life is all about....its not about being famous or choosing between street art and fine art....its just art for the sake of art"

she's currently bandless but is helping out with productions and doing hooks for boston based hip-hop bands. best of luck lori in that journey.

though she may not have created a platinum album or toured the u.s., she is having an impact in new england. lori has teamed up with local art programs and other organizations to help raise money for arts in the community and in the school system. cavata cloting is a phenomenal line that is due to release in five to seven days (straight from the lori's mouth).

all in all, i'd say this young lady has her act together. not to mention, a great person to work and converse with over gmail chat. my biggest hope is that she does not let her unique and powerful voice go to waste.

Art Star: Name:

LK: Lori Kirk (LK)

AS: Who would win in a fight between the beatles and the smiths?

LK: Beatles- The original British invaders!!!

AS: If you were a sticky note what would you be stuck to and what would it say?

LK: I would be stuck to my wallet and say "Stop spending money you don't have!"

AS: What is your favorite milkshake flavor?

LK: Chocolate or coffee

AS: Favorite Band Live:

LK: Not a band but I saw Janet Jackson a few years back and it was the best live show I've ever seen in my life.

AS: Favorite Band to open up for and/or that has opened for your.

LK: I'd love to open for P!NK

AS: Favorite instrument that you do not currently play

LK: Guitar. I tried and I suck! I'll stick to the keys.

AS: In the 2008 election, what issue do you feel is the most important?

LK: The economy, energy policies & who has the hottest VP

AS: What artist is currently revolutionizing music (other than yourself, of course)?

LK: The White Stripes. They do so much with so little & their music is insane. A band you may not have heard is Benedict Arnold. Like the Roots, they're hip hop soul music with a live band and a killer MC. Check them out!

AS: From what do you draw musical inspiration?

LK: From other musicians and every day experiences. It doesn't take something monumental to inspire me.

AS: What music did your parents expose you to in your youth?

LK: My mom exposed me to the tunes of James Taylor, Carol King & the Carpenters while my dad introduced me to music like Aerosmith, Sly and the Family Stones, The Beatles & Queen. I suppose that really influenced by love of rock & soul music.

AS: What was the toughest decision you have had to make as an artist? How did you come to that decision?

LK: The toughest decision I've had to make as an artist was just to be realistic about where the industry is going. There are thousands of talented people and it seems the industry is pumping out clone after clone. WHY!? As I reached my 20's I realized I wasn't in this to be famous & that I wanted to keep writing and performing for fun more than anything. I don't want someone telling me to write a song because it will appeal to a target audience. I want to write music for me and its just an added bonus if anyone else digs it.

AS: First Instrument:

LK: Voice (if that counts)...then later on piano.

AS: Favorite Venue to play at:

LK: Before leaving my old band, we played at the Paradise Rock Club. The stage was phenomenal and the sound system/guys were ace!

AS: At what moment did you realize you wanted to do live music?

LK: love live music more than recording. Sure, you can add bells and whistles to a track in the studio and redo anything you screw up but the feeling of playing for a live audience is pure energy & I love it. I realized I wanted to do live music from childhood. If there were people who were willing to listen, I'd put on a show.

AS: Most embarrassing moment on stage:

LK: I can't think of one in particular but I've forgotten the words to a couple of songs, dropped my microphone and have almost cracked my head open tripping over cables. Just gotta shake it off and keep going.

AS: And finally, is there anything else that you would like to share with the Art Star audience?

LK: Besides working on new music, I'm starting a clothing line called Cavata Clothing. (www.myspace.com/cavataclothing) A portion of each purchase is being donated to public schools in need of funding to support the arts which includes music education programs. I am so thankful for the music education I received in high school and feel its a tragedy that schools are more concerned with students passing one standardized test rather than focusing on producing more well-rounded individuals. Art and music aren't expendable & no education is complete without them!

in the words of the cavata clothing site:

art is power

\

Last week I posted a comic style photograph "Be Afraid." It kept crossing my mind all week, how never before had I spent any creative time and film/pixels making images or combining them to create a political statement. I'm using the term "political" here in the narrow term, as in national and world politics, such as we are immersed in these days with the economy and presidential elections....I tend toward making images that have more to do with my personal life and interests; political involvement is not on my usual radar, in fact I usually avoid cluttering up my mind and emotions by not watching or listening to the news on a daily basis..I know I'll hear about anything going on that's important. For me, the a constant diet of "news" is like watching the weather reports....so what....look out the window...keep an umbrella in the car...most of the time they just make you worry about weather that doesn't even happen...(don't get me started on this...I can rant.)
Anyway, the other night I was testing how to best work with people in long exposure night scenes. The last 3 years I've mostly shot tableaus without people, so it's easy to just open the shutter to "bulb" setting and hope the wind doesn't pick up too much when trees are involved. A photo I did a few weeks ago showed me I need to learn more exposure tricks to keep people sharp. Using the self-timer and myself as the subject, I set up the shot you see above, and did a number of variations to work out other visual issues.
Late into the night, my newly spawned political junkie mind led me into the comic software once again, and I concocted a variation of what is shown above...basically it was the same, but the box with the words was much more about just the crappy condition of the world, and the blue bubble suggesting the meditator with the freaked out mind "go deeper" wasn't in what I thought was the piece before I fell into bed around 3am.
Something didn't feel right...I had the sense from the previous comic that what I put out into the world played right into the same fears that have put us here in the first place....fear begets fear. As an artist, I had my irony going on, but at bottom, (or as the new worn out phrase goes.."at the end of the day..." ) I was using my creative energy in a way that was, to me, not too karmically cool. So as I drifted fitfully off to sleep that night, I thought about how to keep the truth of "ommmm my gawd" that I/we are dealing with, but take it to a higher/deeper level, to
express a way to raise our consciousness out of the morass, bring light into the darkness rather than let it continue to drag us into the abyss. Maybe this photographic comic solution is too "airy-fairy," but so be it...I lived in LA for a long time. Om Shanti Om. Namaste.

the basics

name: the solos unit

label: none

label type: none

myspace visits: 35508

myspace friends: 1910

albums: electric city

my take:

another emerging band from my old stomping grounds but very different than pf.  these winston-salemites are the epitome of an eclectic group.  compared to groups like the eclectic collective (RIP), their vibes are their own.  below is a live cut from the wonderful venue of rubber soul in winston salem.  high energy hip hop themes with jazz backgrounds explode in songs like on a mission and then twista type rhymes in multiple songs.  their dynamic singing duo, Mr. Mo’Halyn and renaissance, creates an atmosphereesque combo.  however, the jazz background keeps everyone in check and allows them to do their rhythmical poetry in coffeehouses and poetry clubs. 

we were luck enough to have one of the duo help us out with an interview.  be sure to check it out after listening to some tunes.

live at rubber soul

live at bowery poetry club - be sure to check track 15: firewater

AS:  name:

TSU:  Nathan (Mr. Mohalyn) Harris

AS:  if there was a tag-team wrestling match between black thought, richard pryor, and the flaming lips vs john cage and the wu tang clan - who wins? what would decide the bout?

TSU:  Wu-Tang, hands down. Sheer Thuggery!

AS:  did you realize that you now live a stones throw from where most of us spent the last 4 years (davidson, nc)?
TCU:  Yes. You should book us a show at your school!

AS:  i was at an evening muse show last year and saw you guys and you had a couple technical difficulties. has there been a night that everything seemed to just not go your way?

TSU:  We had to play a show in Wilmington, and our drummer got stuck in a snowstorm in Chicago. we played for an hour and a half with no drummer! horrible.

AS:  what is your favorite shake at cook out (burger joint w/ great shake equivalent)?
TSU:  Lactose intolerant

AS:  have you ever been to summit coffee? and if not you should go - it's an institution.
TSU:  I don't drnk coffee either.

AS:  favorite band live:

TSU:  Prince

AS:  favorite instrument that you do not currently play?
TSU:  Drums

AS:  from what do you draw musical inspiration?
TSU:  Life, emotion, relationships, everything breathes and breeds some type of melody or inspiration.

AS:  what was the toughest decision you have had to make as a band? how did you come to that decision?
TSU:  The band decided not to move to new york about two years ago.

AS:  favorite venue to play at:
TSU:  Ziggy's (R.I.P.)

AS:  at what moment did you realize you wanted to do live music
TSU:  I've always wanted to perform, since about 12.

ASU:  most embarrassing moment on stage:
TSU:  Hasn't happened yet, let's pray!

AS:  what are you looking forward to the most about this touring session?
TSU:  Introducing people to music that they didn't know existed

AS:  and finally, what was the most ridiculous question someone has ever asked you and your response?
TSU:  You would be suprised at some of the retarded stuff that people say. I can't even recall something that stands out as more ridiculous than others.

help support the band. artstar does not get any money if you buy their songs or if you visit their link. we just want to make sure these guys stay well fed so they can keep producing greatness. enjoy!

the basics:

name: the big sky project

label: craton

label type: indie

myspace visits: 17839

myspace friends: 1758

albums: the big sky project (one projected for 2009)

my take:

emerging out of the great city of columbus, ohio, the big sky project is a sound for the ages. one would not expect such mature blend from a relatively young band. there is definite evidence in their sound that the allman brothers were indeed their favorite live performers and idols.

brief, flowing guitar interludes in songs like "the bigger man" characterize the soulful classic jamband-esque blues into condensed moments of power. even though the band just celebrated their year anniversary in august (awww), they have meshed into a cohesive collection that will hopefully carry on the tradition of their idols.

reading rainbow summary:

if you're down for bluesy easy listening for car rides and any laid back party, you've found your soundtrack.

Art Star: Names:

The Big Sky Project: Dan Prolago. Matt Hopkins, Sam Manzella

AS: Who would win in a street fight between Bob Dylan and Neil Young?

TBSP: Definitely Neil Young he has to “fight to control the violent side”. There would be blood on the tracks for sure.

AS: If you were a sticky note, what would you be stuck to and what would it say?

TBSP: I would be stuck on this question and it would say “remind me later”.

AS: What is your favorite milkshake flavor?

TBS: Strawberry

AS: Favorite Band Live:

TBSP: The Allman Brothers Band, Government Mule, Ekoostik Hookah, Rat Dog.

AS: Favorite Band to open up for and/or that has opened for your.

TBSP: The Macpodz

AS: Favorite instrument that you do not currently play

TBSP: Steel Drums

AS: In the 2008 election, what issue do you feel is the most important?

TBSP: The Economy

AS: How did your band come up with the name?

TBSP: The original Drummer, John Ohalek, wanted to do something with the Sky during an altered state of consciousness. The Band thought of a few variations until The Big Sky Project was agreed upon. It has reference to some of the bands song lyrics, and to summits, and buildings.

AS: What artist is currently revolutionizing music (other than yourself, of course)?

TBSP: Beck

AS: From what do you draw musical inspiration?

TBSP: Life Experience, women, each other.

AS: What music did your parents expose you to in your youth?

TBSP: The Beatles, country, Pink Floyd, church hymnals, mo-town, Led Zeppelin, and ragtime.

AS: How did the band get together? If too complicated, was there a comical story in the progression of the band?

TBSP: Dan and John were originally in a band called Maplewood and decided to play again. Sam Manzella came over to jam. We wrote a few songs. Our friends liked them so we got a little geared up and decided to start playing out.

AS: What was the toughest decision you have had to make as a band? How did you come to that decision?

TBSP: Getting a new drummer was the hardest decision. We fired John, just kidding. John quit because he was too busy with personal things. So we got a new drummer and had gone through several before we got it together with Matt. The others were not the right match for the band.

AS: First Instrument:

TBSP: Violin

AS: Favorite Venue to play at:

TBSP: Ruby Tuesday

AS: At what moment did you realize you wanted to do live music?

TBSP: When I was fourteen; but I always participated in various forms of live music in school.

AS: Most embarrassing moment on stage:

TBSP: None come to mind.

AS: What are you looking forward to the most about this touring session?

TBSP: Meeting other musicians and having fun playing.

AS: And finally, is there anything else that you would like to share with the Art Star audience?

TBSP: We just recorded 2 Cd’s. One will be for sale on line soon. All of the tracks are available for download through I-tunes, and Sno-cap. At www.thebigskyproject.com and at www.myspace.com/thebigskyproject . Check it out, have fun!!

help support the band. artstar does not get any money if you buy their songs or if you visit their link. we just want to make sure these guys stay well fed so they can keep producing greatness. enjoy!

as much as i would like to just joke on biden for his erroneous call for action for the poor senator to stand, that's not what this is about (though extremely amusing). and, as much as i would like to go passively through this presidential race while my moderately left to extremely left blog counterparts are commenting on the state of affairs of our economy, i must give my two cents worth while still creating original artistic content. 

the capital gains tax will not help our economy.  it may help the national deficit. whoopty friggin' doo.  as businesses who have invested in their business plans and properties finally get a glimpse at a returning market, the profit margin will be limited by the increased taxes and will give little incentive for others to again invest in the housing market.  also, the increased capital gains taxes will decrease the amount that americans can put away into the banks.  as sbb so eloquently described it, if there is no money in the bank, credit will not be given and the economy again is crippled.  mccain who offers a plan of options for the tax payers, does not encourage creating future loop holes for businesses while having a less skewed tax curve that supports economic growth of small and large businesses. 

more to come.  bailouts and nuts.  yes, nuts.  acorn is both nuts and a questionable organization. discuss amongst yourselves. i'm feeling a bit verklempt.

after a long day of filing and other non-consequential activities that you would rather me not bore you with, i had the pleasure of researching, witnessing and interviewing a lovely up and coming group to the north carolina and south-eastern music scene.  while sipping on a cheap riesling and reflecting on my live experience with the combo of paleface and mo, collectively known as paleface, i realized how blessed i am to do this project.  featuring, creating, and getting to know bands that i enjoy and truly appreciate. let me go ahead and thank all the bands that have supported the project and made this possible. let's get to the bio

paleface

singer and guitarist, paleface, joined a lovely drummer known simply as "mo" (monica samalot) to grace the stages for performances that will intrigue even the most versed music listeners. continuously you will ask yourself, "what makes them so unique?" the answer is a great chemistry between drummer and singer-songwriter.  they decided not to mention if there was a romantic connection but let's only guess by the gaze in all of their pictures. 

the music blends the couple in an unexpected way.  in contrast to the mates of state duo, the deep mysterious voice of pf unveils the stories of new york living and the new days to come.  without a doubt the influences of tom waits and bob dylan are present in their music but their sound, with mo's unique backups and personal lyrics intensely tell a biographical journey in a way that i've only heard with their partnership.  the best way to experience their music is by listening. enjoy their widget below.

their next show is october 3rd in chattanooga, tennessee and then at clemson on the 4th.  accoding to the paleface website, there will be a release for the new album in early 2009. 

check out the interview below and enjoy their myspace and website .

the interview:

as: if tom waits and bob dylan engaged in fistacuffs, who would win?  What would decide the bout?

PF: a) neil young. b) the voters of the great state of ohio.

as: did you realize that you now live a stones throw from where most of us spent the last 4 years (davidson, nc)?  How is the transition to the south?
PF: we've been playin alotta shows so i havent noticed that much.except when i want to get a good meal after a certain hour.Oh and theres no subway trains.
Mo: Yes.  We  moved to Concord NC and we feel that it's a central spot cuz there are so many towns to play at in North Carolina and the South East in general.  So we've been really busy touring on a full-time basis...and music lovers down here are giving us a lot of their love and support, which makes it all worth it. 

as: i was at an evening muse show last year and saw you guys and you mentioned the lights and being tired of them.  Do either of you miss the lights?
PF: lifes full of transitions...without it things get pretty stale. People are too scared of change.They get used to shit and its comfortable.even if it sucks they'll fight to stick with it.
Mo:   I miss being able to take the subway or a cab and walk around town in a city that never really sleeps.  Though I miss the city lights, i don't miss the fast pace of life and the expensive cost of living...besides, now we get a star-filled sky.

as: you are now in the heart of nascar country, have you been to the speedway yet?
PF:No but we got stuck on highway 29 coming back from a gig when they let everyone out.we turned the car off  on the highway and just sat there for about 45 minutes watching the carnival  go by.

as: have you ever been to Summit Coffee? And if not you should go - it's an institution.
Mo: Yes, we played a show at The Summit during a 2007 Holiday festival on Main Street...
PF: There was the spot where we hatched the idea for our next record 'The Show Is On The Road', which will be released on Ramseur Records early 2009
 

as: favorite Band Live:
PF: The Avett Brothers, the Moldy Peaches
Mo: ah, and Langhorne Slim!
PF: yes of course my boy Langhorne....

as: favorite instrument that you do not currently play?
PF: piano
Mo: cello
From what do you draw musical inspiration?
PF:anywhere i can get it.Usually doesn't work when you try to copy other artists.You might be able to get a chord or something but its best to stay away from that.
people are a big influence-(their beliefs and actions,conceptions and misconceptions) ,
feelings, emotions, the way shit works and doesn't work,the way everything we've built looks across the skyline.against nature it looks pretty rickety.When your in the midst of it like New York city its very odd-not in a bad way but  its all very pre-fab like.
Mo: Things that happen in live and make me feel happy or sad, good or bad.

as: how did you two meet?
PF: we met in the New York folk scene.There was alotta action just then.Langhorne,Regina,Jeff Lewis,Kimya,Nicole Atkins,Ian Thomas.Mo was playing drums in a band called American Anymen.I was friendly with the lead singer, we used to play together a bit.Great band.
Mo:  I used to go see live shows at NYC's Lower East Side and that's how I became a Paleface fan....Then i got to meet him personally one nite that i was hanging out with a friend and PF gave us a ride to my first Daniel Johnston show.  But we didn't get friendly and start playing music together until 3+ years later...cuz at the time we first met i was partying a lot and PF was over that and staying out of trouble.

as: What was the toughest decision you have had to make as a band?  How did you come to that decision?
PF+Mo: leaving NYC and the band we were playing with.

as: favorite venue to play at:
PF: the bowery ballroom, the evening muse, the spazzatorium galleria
Mo: And we've had a blast playing festivals such as Floyd Fest, Shakori Hills, Pickathon and Bristol Rhythm and Roots!

as: at what moment did you realize you wanted to do live music?
PF: Just kinda fell into it.
Mo:  I graduated from college, then got a job that i didn't like, then i got another job that i didn't like, and another, and another....I was living in the East Village at the time and would go see all my friends play shows and i would be kinda jeallous of the fact that they seemed to love what they did and i didn't love what i did.  Then one nite at a party in Brooklyn i jumped on the house drum kit while it was free, and i even though i had never played them before, i knew that i would become a drummer...and a few months later i was onstage with my first band! 

as: most embarassing moment on stage:
PF:Falling off the stage and spraining my ankle this spring in ohio

as: what are you looking forward to the most about this touring session?
PF: Getting better and better.
Mo: Playing more and more.

as: and finally, what was the most ridiculous question someone has ever asked you and your response?
PF:i try to block that shit out.

tune in next time for a great bluesy, grass roots rock band that you will definitely enjoy.

above picture by crackerfarm

the last point and shoot post was a lot of fun.  we focused on the people of the summer, now let's do a little reflection on the natural things. 

a lot of you liked the music so i'm going to continue that tradition. enjoy a wonderful ella fitzgerald remix!

ella fitzgerald - slap that bass (remix)

these are pictures that wrapped up the summer at the beach and random adventures around north and south carolina (georgia pictures next week).  frome cemeteries to oceans, awesome things are everywhere.  let's begin.

cemeteries:

  it's not a weird fascination, it's more of a family happening.  when i was a youngin' and it was take your son to work day... i was not thrilled.  i ended up in an office in a "memorial garden" (cemetery) and saw funerals.  oh well.  i don't think it messed me up too much.  well, i visited the places i knew so well and took a few pics.  the one on the left, i loved the framing of the memorial tower by the clouds and the somewhat unkempt and weedy brick path around it. 

call me the sentimental patriotic type but in college everytime i heard the national anthem and had the flag waving, i always teared up.  of the thirty or so pictures i took of the flags at the park, the action, background and flowers turned out the best in this one.   also, as i am watching the rutgers vs. unc game i am reminded of the seventh anniversary of 9/11.  a bit of a downer, but i'm glad this post can be somewhat patriotic.

flora:

by far the easiest thing to photograph... flowers.  i guess the hardest part is finding interesting enough flowers to photograph. 

this first photo was from a bored saturday in the neighborhood and an unsuspecting bumblebee.

again, i snuck up on this poor flower and got it good.  did a little bit of contrast work with curves because the colors were a bit washed out.  a simple but classic petal picture.

to the left, well... it's a plastic flower.  i just had to find a place to put the picture of the hummingbird. this guy and its red-throated brethren would hangout outside our window and come by and sip our sweet nectar.  weird fact... if you don't make the hummingbird juice with enough sugar, the poor bird will die because it gets full off of water and is not fully nourished. so don't say you never learn anything on my posts.

the beach:

i love the beach.  i most likely will retire to the beach and enjoy the magnificence that is the tides going in and out.  this first photo is not spectacular and the lighting could definitely be better but i do like the rust on the sides, the lonely, turned over beach chair and the questions of how long has that bucket been under there and why were they left to weather away?  moving on... if you give me a good consistent beach sunrise, you have me hooked.  this first pier picture was taken with minimal exposure and a bit of contrast adjustments to darken the pier.  a great radiance from the sun, the shades of yellow to orange and the flat line of the horizon puts a smile on my face. 

this next one may seem familiar. does it? it's the exact same picture as the first picture that started the article.  again, fun with photoshop but the first picture is fairly believable.  i do like the original, because of the underexposure, it creates an ambiguity of sun or moon. 

ah, and then my favorite.  the colors duke, the colors!  the most intriguing part of the picture is the difference in the sky above pier and below the pier.  great texture in the clouds.  that's about all of i've got. until next time.  take pictures and if you have some favorites, send them my way and we'll have some guest photographer appearances.

he's been a big deal in these parts for a while.  i remember taking my first road trips belting out naked baby pictures and the unauthorized biography.  every song seemed to have that special feel for the right moment.  maybe i was being an overly dramatic mid-teen but benny folds was a story telling machine. 

growing up knowing that i would meet someone like kate(ZSHARE) who always wears the same things, and would move to twin falls with her, was a childhood dream and playful fantasy.  i even wrote a college essay "with imagery" from not the same, so that i could get a good "how i found jesus" story.  i still need to ask forgiveness a couple times for that one. 

any who, of the three amigos, i was the only one to have seen ben folds before he took away his high "five" or since he was doing the jamming solo thing. actually i think other than brick and a couple other songs, i was the only one that listened to him prior to the concert.  does this seem like a familiar theme in the festival (fairies and shout)?  we staked out our front row seats and awaited the baldwin banging and nonsensical lyrics of drugs and bitchy girlfriends. 

the playlist was tossed out just beside us before the show and we caught a glimpse.  he didn't follow it very strictly.  bitches ain't shit was one of his first songs and moved into effington.  however, kate was magical, as she always is.  in this same way, army rocked our socks as it does everywhere.  every ben folds fan knows the  brass interlude created by the division of the audience gives you chills every time.  benny hopped up on the piano and went back to his years in percussion school at university of miami before peacing out.  conducting us as he had done so many times before.  and guess what... i thought about your mommy.

for the finale it was a great buildup.  his classic massive chords and elbow banging.  he gradually steps away from the piano. guy with the tambourine, still going.  bassist still rocking.  is mr. folds staring down the piano?  umm, what's going on.  hits the piano again.  he's staring at the piano again.  he edges his stool slowly away from the playing area and throws the stool over his head.  shaking it feverishly and then catches the beat.  you could see him counting off with the bassist and drummer. climax.  stool hits piano, perfect traumatic chord. shows over. get food and get ready for matisyahu.

previously posted on photomusic by the same author on 3/17/08

during the recovery of a jaeger party, we'll take another look at one of the greatest posthumous successes (probably behind kurt cobain, bradley nowell, and jimi).

nick's Bio

these days nick's music is mostly heard in soundtracks (garden state and serendipity among others). thanks to the world of blogs, he's reemerging as a classic folk rocker.

take a look at nick's bio below. his music intense, his outlook dim, but with every song there is self-actualization around every turn. before this turns into a rogerian commentary on life, check out the song and experience nicholas rodney drake.

enjoy:

nick drake - day is done