Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Movement
It was quite the moment. But I still turned around because I decided to come home and listen to music instead.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Artist Crush: Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Ummmm......did you guys know bout her? Cause I didn't. And she is awesome. And she is playing in a train station. And it's like the 50's. And her shoes, her guitar, her hair, her everything. Her song to sing. And she loves god. She had a musical calling to preach. Seriously? Have we lost our souls? Can we ever get back to there? I don't think so.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Polly's Birthday Breakfast
Today is my Goldfish Polly's birthday. I have had her for a year now! I remember picking her out from the tank with hundreds of other fish. She was hanging out alone in the back and seemed to be scared and not comfortable with the other fish so I chose her. And Gus, but he died and it was better for Polly that way. Sorry Gus. Polly and I have been through a lot together. We were homeless for a while when she lived at her Auntie Bug's house, and she lived through being in the Hurricane Irene while I was gone and nobody was home in the house to feed her for 2 days! She is a survivor and we help each other make things ok. Today Ted (my awesome roommate) and I shared a breakfast in her honor and I wanted to share my beautiful and amazing fish with you. Happy Birthday Polly!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Occupy Wall Street: NYC 10/12/2011
We went straight to the heart of the action today to see what's going on down on Wall Street. Occupy Wall Street is happening. There are people there. They are doing a lot of things. It was cool..........
I don't know. ?
Green Poncho lady in the community kitchen wins. Meditation corner for quiet time. Tarps. Saxophone. Signs. Drums. Red bandana guy......nails it.
Don't know what I'm talking about? Oh, watch this video I made:
I think there is a lot of action and support happening behind the scenes and via internet that I don't understand and wasn't visible at the actual HQ. I am in no way judging the movement or have an educated opinion on the matter. I think anytime there is a person dressed as a nuclear war mime waving a rainbow peace flag with a heart, then something is happening right in the world. You can go to their website for more information. The site is pretty inspiring, people around the world are reacting to this. But there just ain't nothin' like a good ol' fashion drum circle yo..reminds me of home.
(Top image is from adbusters)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Project Lazer Cake Photographs of Rad
"I'm doing a photo shoot for my upcoming EP and I want you to be in it and be an evil alien in striped spandex who chases me through Coney Island on roller skates and shoots lasers at me through your eyes.." I was like, "you had me after the first five words. yes." So we did all of that. And I met the lovely Lisa (my co-striped alien) and Chris (who took this rad photo at Robertas after shoot feast and all the others too) and we all made something together. Of course I will share when it's done and I am allowed to see it, but in the meantime be teased by this little video I made:
It was such a fun day! And check out Lazer Cake's music here.
Also, join Chris here on his "field trip through time..."
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Miss Bartender
I was at work last night. Been grinding it out behind the bar pretty much nonstop since I got back from holiday. Anyway, Tribeca is weird. It wasn't a very busy night, but was super sexy, the lights were perfect, the music, service, etc... This group of banky suity dudes came in and were pretty loud and drunk. At first I was like, "oh, hell no, this blows" but then I just started rolling with it. One of them was having lady troubles and his friends were telling him that he is too nice and letting this girl walk all over him. Then they wanted to ask my opinion. They asked me what my name was and I just said to call me bartender. So then I was Miss Bartender. Apparently, this chick calls him and goes out with him and he likes her a lot, but she says she just wants to be friends. "Miss Bartender, don't you think he's being stupid? (they all had Indian accents by the way)" I went to a few places with these guys. I almost said "dude, this chick will act this way as long as you let her, if she really liked you you would know it and it's stupid to even have this conversation, ditch her." I almost said "I don't care about any of this, you guys are drunk and bothering me and I want you to leave." But in the end I said, "man, you know what feels right in your heart. If you like her and want to spend time with her, it doesn't matter, even if you do get hurt, just be true to your self. And nice guys do not finish last, they just need more patience." His friends didn't get it, but he did. We had a moment. Then we all took a shot of Chardonnay and I told them they were cut off and it was time to go. Then they left.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Just Checking In
It's been a while. I have a lot on my mind and feel like sharing. Have just returned home from some time in Europe. People are having a hard time out there, it felt good to make some connections and hear some other languages and learn some new words and see some beautiful things. Travel is good, it is a necessary way to make the world better. I believe. My cab dropped me off back here in Brooklyn the other day and my building was blocked off by Police tape. The officer at my front door informed me there was a shooting in my building about an hour before I arrived. There was also multiple shootings and people getting murdered all through labor day weekend in my neighborhood. I'm not sure how this news should affect my behavior or how much worst talking about it makes everything. I have always felt safe here and want to continue to do so. You just never know. Shit goes down. People are hurting, people are bored, people are stupid. I don't want to add to the hype or stress of whatever happened, but man, that sucks. It's so sad. I gonna maintain. Love you all, take care of yo selves.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Guitars Visit in NYC
If any of you have been reading this blog here for a while, you know I am a fan and friend of what was a Brooklyn band, but is now an other places band Guitars. They recently came to visit in New York and played a show, which was great, but what's even better is I got to hang with them for a little bit in the East Village apartment they were staying at and record an exclusive performance just to share with all y'all. We sat around for a bit and talked about being homeless, which set a really uplifting tone to rock out on. Wah Wah. But in all seriousness, it was a welcome opportunity to let a little music make us all feel better about some of the things we've been dealing with, hopefully that same healing will pass on to you. It makes the choice of song all the more fitting as well.
Here's Guitars with a very special stripped down performance of their song Guru Bob's Unvarnished Truth:
Guitars are out and about and you just might have a chance to see them play wherever you may be! For more of their music, free downloads (ummm, do that), and music videos (I'm in one!), go to their blog and be glad you did: Guitars.....
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Family Time
I was recently in the small town of Bellevue, Iowa to celebrate my Grandmother's 90th birthday. Her family has been in this town for many generations and it was really humbling and eye opening to meet extended members of my family as well as the friends she has in her life and the strength you create and nourish in a true community. The birthday party was a blast, ham sandwiches, potato chips, and lots of cake. My father and sister sang to her and it is quite the tear jerker, I am honored and touched to share it with you:
You are your family, no escaping that. Keep in touch with them and hold them close.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Show Time!
Last night a great show went down at Lit Lounge. It was a fairly small crew that rolled out, but a lot of love in the room. And the music was great, we were all there to support each other and have a good time. Doom Trumpet, Mythical Legends, Thurlow. Here's a little taste of what you might have missed, or what you saw, or what you played. It depends on who you are I guess.
Doom Trumpet: Valya
I strongly suggest you watch this video all the way through, David is really doing some rad things with layering and he was singing last night in such an unrestrained operatic way. We were all stoked and I was like "whoa." Keep it up man, whatever the note is that's calling you, you are hitting it. Whoa!
Mythical Legends: Mermaid
This is the first recording we have of our new song Mermaid. It's about a Mermaid who falls in love with a sailor then accidentally drowns him. Because it's me I'm like "oh man, I don't like the way it sounds there." But ultimately, this song is one we are very very proud to call our own.
Thurlow: Invisible Eyes
Our new BFF's from Los Angeles by way of Virginia closed the set down beautifully. I was geeking out about a lot of their stuff, especially that old Casio that makes me drool. But they are lovely, this song really spoke to me as well. A true friendship was planted last night. Can't wait to see you guys again!
More of Doom Trumpet here
More Mythical Legends here
More Thurlow here
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Artist Profiles: Joel Fennell as Wizard
A song we began to work on the first time we jammed, here's us playing it:
Lyrics:
Wizard Cat Man. Wizard Cat Man. Do what you can. You're the Wizard Cat Man. I saw you. I saw you. You were over there. You were over there. I saw you. I saw you. You were over there. Over there cause you're the.........
Then we just jammed. With Wizard, the typical interview format is unnecessary. We communicated through sound mostly. If you don't understand, that's ok. It's not what we're saying, it's how we say it.
Check out his band here: The Collected Works of Lenin
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
I Never Knew
She was born Talitha Pol until she married John Paul Getty and then they did a ton of drugs and hung out with rock stars in the 60's. They lived in Morocco and Italy and other places all over the place and basically non stop partied and had a kid and looked amazing all the time. She died of a heroin overdose when she was 30. The same 12 month time that Jimi, Jim, Janice and co all died. So she matters. But she looked like this:
Damn. The 60's. I must have been there in some way.
Monday, May 23, 2011
This thing I am working on (again)
Here's two grey weather pieces with mentions of umbrella's from "This Thing I'm Working On":
14.
These grey mornings, a little misty. Damp, perpetually damp, but never pouring. They remind her of home, which is at times comforting and at times just annoying. She left that blanket of dark clouds and constant drip behind her.....though it is warm and smells of her family. Sweaters and fireplaces, Evergreens and Mountains. Longing for things and people is not the same as missing them. She has never missed anything she’s left or that’s left her, but she pulls at the memories of places and people past, they surface often, requesting recognition, and she nods, after which she pushes them back down. takes only what she needs to keep her going, to make something of use to her, but always for them. little tributes, then tucks the rest away, where she cant see them. for now. Carrying so much around, all these people, thoughts, memories, ideals, places, wonders. Sometimes, she has to keep it all inside and sometimes it has to be down deep. Her parents phone her and she just doesn’t answer. They know they’re there, she brings them wherever she goes. She just needs to sit some out. She still has yet to find an umbrella that actually works, she never even had one back home come to think of it.
22.
This weather is so depressing. Everybody seemed to be saying that. She didn’t notice that though. It seemed like a good time to be outside. Just at this moment. She was walking to the bar. She wasn’t working, she just thought she would go stop by and say hi. To be outside in the grey air that was misting and cooling, dampening the world all over. She took an umbrella this time, but kept moving it away from above her head. it felt like it was blocking out the world and she wanted to see it all. feel it all on her. The mist and the mugginess made her hair curl and rise. she kept it down too, she didn’t care how crazy it looked. Moved the umbrella away. Closes it this time though, wrapping the velcro latch tightly around it. There was no sun to be seen, but the light of the sky was almost too bright for her eyes. The birds sounded out through the rain, echoed calls from some distant jungle it seemed. through the rain it sounds that way. She felt open, she felt so open to all these elements, she let them penetrate and dance around her. Walking on the concrete blocks, she took it all in. there was no protection from this air, this mist, this damp, the dark, the bright. she didn’t want any. Protection that is. Takes it all in. These moments are so freeing.
Share Time! xo
Image: Martin Lewis, Rainy Day in Queens (1931)
Friday, May 13, 2011
Artist Profiles: Crawl Babies
This interview was such a long time coming. It survived multiple disasters. Diseases, almost deaths, evacuations, things like that.
But Artist Profiles is back y'all. And I couldn't be more proud to introduce you to Crawl Babies!
A few moons ago Mythical Legends was doing an open mic and these three guys walked in afterward to play a set. Bug and I thought we would check out a song or two and ended up enjoying it so much we stayed for the whole show. I have kind of been fanning out on them ever since. Phil (guitars, vocals), Clayton (drums) and Jake (guitar) have all known each other and been playing music for a long time, their bond is a true delight to behold indeed.
I kept hoping they would invite me on a summer trip where we would load up our backpacks with canned goods and sodas and hike on rail road tracks and look for dead bodies.
but they didn't.
Hanging out with them in Sunset Park and having a couple beers was pretty cool though. I also would highly recommend you check out their current album Tangles, which I have really been getting into. It's like dreamy summer surf pop, but it cuts deep. Should I dance or kill myself? I don't know..? And the guitars. They do rad things. My favorite song keeps changing (a sign of a good album), right now it's Two Nights in Philadelphia, but it has been Ginger's Gone (I will play lasers on this song. I will.) so I was stoked when they played it for me right there in Clayton's bedroom! Enjoy the show:
Then we sat down and did this. RIP Triceratops'. Seriously? I don't know what that means, but it worries me:
Crawl Babies blog here
Crawl Babies music here
Thanks so much guys! And for my new friend Timmy the silver bird. He lives in my bag and keeps me safe.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Home back Home
I just got back home from being home. It was good. I took my new flipcamera and had a lot of spare time so I made a little movie and I thought I would share it with you! This is a taste of my family life:
It was nice to be with them.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Artist Profiles: Mikal Evans
Please check out Mikal's site here for more of her music and story!
And if you're lucky enough to be in New York Monday, April 11th Mythical Legends has the honor of opening for Mikal Evans at Trash bar in Williamsburg.....whoa!
Friday, March 25, 2011
New Music Friday!
Check out this adorable music video from DC duo Birdlips. I actually saw them play quite some time ago at Union Hall in Brooklyn. I enjoyed the show a lot, but unfortunately, I got so drunk on white wine (who me?) I think I said a bunch of words at them that sounded like one sentence and then woke up the next morning with an awesome tote bag of theirs that I'm still using.... wah wah. I was so pleased though when a friend of mine (who's a real gay blade by the way, old school definition that is, and who also taught me the phrase) sent me this track and video the other day. While I do have a soft spot for couple bands, guys and girls playing together is just a beautiful energy to behold, that is beside the point (or is it?) that this is just a really cool song. It has old school sleepy beach surf all over the place and then some grungey I'm going to drink coffee and look at the rain mumblings and whispers through the vocals, and what a nice little bass line indeed to boot. But I hate trying to categorize new music like that, really, what I'm trying to say is that they should just have babies and travel around in a caravan.
I look forward to whatever else is coming from them, you should too!
Monday, March 21, 2011
This thing I am working on...
I have been completely MIA for a while now. Taking care of myself at home. Going a little crazy, stuck in the house I started working on this thing. Book? Short story? Narcissistic dramatic diary entries? Pure drivel? I don't know. But it's a thing. And I've been working on it. I wanted to share one of the little entries with you, all true, of course:
She walks to her favorite restaurant nearby, after cooking herself dinner, for some wine. Explains to the owner and waiter that she is just going to have a drink and doesn’t want to take up a table. But it is late and they recognize her and they don’t really care about things like that anyway. They take her to a quiet table in the back of the restaurant, the whole place is glowing with candlelight as couples and groups dine and chatter softly around her. She orders a glass of white wine and sits down to write a letter to her Grandma.
Dear Grandma, she always begins.
She tells her about the restaurant and how much she savors these small moments alone. She tells her Grandma about how it comforts her to think that maybe she is also having a quiet glass of wine by herself at this exact same moment so in a way, they are having one together. Though they are both very much alone, which sometimes worries her in regards to her Grandmother, who feels so far away. It is a nice letter, she has gotten much better at writing honestly and naturally instead of in a formal matter so stereotypical of the crap your supposed to write your Grandparents. And her Grandmother can tell, their relationship is growing more intimate and solid through these letters as a result. But without a doubt, no matter what, they always have and forever will discuss the topic of weather. In every single letter past, present, future, the weather, it wins.
This is her last Grandparent. The reality of this sometimes hits her and she wonders what she will be capable of doing when that time comes. She hopes that she will do what she hopes she will do.
A second glass of wine now that the letter is finished. This one goes down quicker as she sits and watches the room around her. All these thoughts, about everything and nothing. She smiles as the waiters float by and by. And then it’s time to go back home.
One morning Catherine woke up and there was a dove perched on her windowsill. It was looking right at her. It stayed for a while there. She felt so protected.
So that's just one of the little scribbles that's come out of me. It feels really good to resurrect some of these memories, not really sure what will come of it all, but I suggest you all give it a try. Anyway, will be back to work and life soon, making more memories to write about next time I'm out for the count......love you all, have a most triumphant time (does that tell you what movie I recently saw?)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Artist Profile: David Smith
But there was still so much important information to be uncovered about David.....so without further ado, I bring you a glimpse into the mind of David Smith in this shocking and controversial interview............
Please do yourself a favor and check out David's work here as well as listen to some Doom Trumpet originals....(ummmmmmm, Space is the Place)!
How Did I Not Know.....
....about Chet Baker?
Dad, you dropped the ball on this one! How dare people who know me well not know to inform me that I just might be into this guy? I was working in the bar last night and this song came on and I was hooked. I woke up this morning and bought three of his albums and they are gorgeous. His playing is like his singing, so soft, light handed, but certainly not weak......and he is sexy.
He did a bunch of drugs, got his teeth knocked out and couldn't play for a while then got dentures and played again. Moved to Europe in his later years then apparently died falling out of a hotel window.
Typical.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Mugen Hoso in NYC
A couple weeks back Bug and I played an open mic at Spike Hill in Brooklyn. Mugen Hoso was the first band to play the open mic and we were like "WTF" "OMG". This two piece group from Japan is electric, their energy together is so tight and while they shred and offer genuine rock n' roll as well as punk and new wave timings, they are overwhelmingly happy and you can just feel their love for playing to an audience and sharing their music. We were instant fans and went to see them last night at Fontana's in the city. We hung out with Igaki (guitar and vocals) and Taro (drums) after the show for a bit and made a little video outside the club. I sound like such a dork, "say some words about love..." (seriously?) and the language barrier is apparent, but more importantly so is their personality which totally comes through and if you don't try to go see them if you're here in New York this week, well, that's a god damn shame. Here's some of what went down:
My video's were uploaded wide screen, so the format is kind of annoying to look at, please watch them in their proper aesthetic if you are so inclined here on YouTube
They will be playing tonight, Sunday 3/6 at Piano's
Friday 3/11 at the Delancey bar
Saturday 3/12 Otto's Shrunken Head
Tuesday 3/15 Lit Lounge
Then they are back to Japan....! Visit their website here for more information and muzak
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
New Music Wednesday with Guitars!
Download the New album here
Check out their blog here for other stuff and more music
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Mr. Miller
- Henry Miller, The Rosy Crucifixion, Plexus
...And it only gets better from there and before there
This is from page 317 in my copy, not even halfway through. Henry Miller is slowly becoming my favorite author, though this is only the third book of his I have read. For all his reputation as a drinking, sex obsessed, filthy mouthed man; I find none of this relevant or even all that apparent in his writing as a whole. He is both in awe of the Universe and the beings who dwell in it and in complete disgust of it at times. I feel the same sentiment. A lonely, quiet observer who connects with his reader to connect with himself to connect with everything. Or nothing? Special inspiration for me at the moment.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Ariel Pink
Ariel Pink. You heard of them (him)? Lo-fi. LA. Dude. likes to star in his own videos. Surprised? The music is kind of epically awesome though. You can hear such a crazy amount of layers...70's disco, 80's new wave pop, like Hall and Oates meets David Bowie and the Bee-Gee's and a little Itali-disco....I don't know. I like it though. Especially when he sings high. The videos make me like him less.... or more? Does he want to be funny? Is he funny? Ah, god, I don't know! I just don't. He is singing with a muppet sometimes? yes? I hope so.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Winter Brooklyn Dead Fish Arthur Russell
the orchestra held the note for almost too long
or not long enough
absorbed in the sound
stray tobacco and
strands of hair around the legs of her bureau
caught her eye
The winter sun brightened,
lit up her room
so suddenly.
it was so bright. so suddenly.
She couldn't stand it.
Fuck you.
And the song ends,
the sun passes.
sweeping to do.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
My Dad. and his Music.
I remember it was quite a few years ago when my father told me he wanted to do a piece of music that would conceptualize a whole day of sound and condense it into an hour or so. At the time I was just like, "oh, cool." And that was that. I lived randomly here and there at my parents house between then and now, before moving to New York, where upon visiting home could still hear the tinkerings of sound coming from his music room. He shared bits and pieces of it as it was coming along and we were all excited when one of the tracks was chosen for a dance movement not too long ago in Seattle. But recently, he sent me an e-mail to let me know that he had put the whole day (hour) up for sale in its entirety and is curious to see if there will be any response. I am too. It is asking a lot of listeners to put aside an hour to listen to one piece of music, especially in the quick to judge, static, and increasingly low expectations of consumers in today's music industry. Each track breathes it's own life, but as a concept album of a whole day, you can only really understand the wind down drugged out feeling of going to work after lunch if you actually have the lunch.....The album (1d1h..one day one hour) playfully weaves real, everyday sounds such as cars honking, alarm clocks, and news reports with a musical soundtrack sometimes electronic and fast paced, or at times slow and jazzy and very..cool. It is a conceptualized "day in the life" of a contemporary office worker explored through sound. From dreaming to waking, then on to the commute, it is just screaming with visuals. A true auditory movie. Now just to get someone to animate this bitch and we've got a true work to behold. I salute you dad, your vision is coming to life. Please take a moment to listen to some samples of the piece and I encourage you to purchase the whole work as it only really translates when experienced from start to end. Check it out on CD Baby here.
I love my daddy.