EchoesLocation

"I and Love and You" - The Avett Brothers
Head over to Silent Uproar and grab The Avett Brothers new single. You won't regret that you did it unless you like bad music.

Congratulations Jason & Amy. Beautiful wedding. So much fun. Thanks for letting me be part of it.

I want to say more but i keep getting distracted...

David O'Kane
Just because I am usually more in line with painting I'm linking David O'Kane's...painting section. It should be noted and obviously seen that he does much more than just that. Spend some time looking at his oft times strangely disturbing imagery and take note of his usage of directional light and how that impacts and creates a drama in the piece. Well done top to bottom.


Brett Amory
Give Brett Amory's website a glance and read this interview...I've only half done both but you would be fooling yourself if you thought I wasn't gonna finish and spend significant time there.

jeremy

I finally had the chance to catch Nina Persson live in the form of A Camp. I've been a fan of hers and The Cardigans since probably 1997 or so. I became more into The Cardigans after Gran Turismo was given to me as a birthday gift by an ex girlfriend in probably 1999. Then the A Camp CD came out on the net in 2001 and I was sold. Years and years of listening to that voice came to fruition live last night at Doug Fir with a really great performance by her and her band. There was a lot of energy and stage presence and just that voice alone could carry a night. I'm really happy that I can check that off my list. If they swing through your town I'd highly recommend giving it a go.

jeremy

This morning I downloaded the new Mos Def album "The Ecstatic". I've been trying to find it for a couple weeks and finally did. I haven't given it a proper listen but believe me I will. His performance of "Quiet Dog..." on Letterman was powerful. The album version mirrors the intensity of the drums in the live show...I'm happy about that. Anyways, I'll burn it to a disk and give it a real listen in the car. I also grabbed the new Phoenix album "Amadeus Mozart". I'm two tracks in and definitely pleased with it at this point. Obviously, track two is 1901 and that song does something to me.

I happened upon the art of Karen Ann Myers through Leslie's facebook. Her work is very "fashionable" and the palette is sugar sweet. The mixing of patterns in the pieces really creates a jarring dynamic that is at both times pleasurable to view and stirring. The percentage of the figures used in the pieces have morose glares even when doing things that would be considered "pleasant". I'll leave thoughts on that to you. Give the pieces a once over. There is also a section for printmaking and mixed media. I'll look at those right now.

jeremy

Bryan Schutmaat
I've been following Bryan Schutmaat's photography for a while. It's nice to get a cool interview that breaksdown some of the obvious and not so obvious influences he has. The interview can be read here. It's a nice read.

jeremy

William M. Van Der Weyde
"In the 1890’s faster films, better lenses, hand cameras, and the availability of commercial developing and printing services not only made it much easier to make photographs, but to make photographs that captured a wider range of events of everyday life. This fueled a huge explosion in photographic practice; first by significantly expanding the number of amateur photographers and then by irrevocably altering and expanding the nature and practices of professional photography. A greatly expanded world of images—very different in concept and in form-suddenly became an inextricable part of the visual world."

If these "Gone Fishing" songs are throwaway tracks then Cool Kids are planning on putting everyone on their heads with the new album. The only complaint I have is the need in mixtape culture for the DJ to yell over all the tracks. It's a little off putting. So it goes. I'll take this as a hold me over 9 times out of 10.

jeremy

I have two complaint about last week and this past weekend...

One is that in the three Avett shows I saw they never played "And It Spread" and two is that it had to end. Having friends from home in automatically put me in a good place. Lyndsey's stay was split up with a couple of stressful work days that were instantly erased when I got to hang with her and hear that laugh that I've become so familiar with and missed so much. I was also afforded the opportunity to meet her 4 month old Winter Rose Manderson. She is a beautiful baby and put a light over the house that could not be blown out. On Wednesday we traveled to Eugene to see the guys. The trip to and fro doubled the actual time spent at the show but it's ok because a good time was had and I got to be there for Winter's first of what will probably be many Avett shows.

On Thursday I got off work early and Lyndsey, Winter and I caught up with Joe Kwon and his lady friend Emily for an afternoon on Hawthorne and a evening dinner with Scott, Seth and the gang. We dined at McMenamin's Edgefield where my girlfriend works so she met up with us and again the good times were paramount. After dinner we headed home soon after we met up in SE at The Slammer with Liz and her roomies for a drink and chat.

Jason Hanna hit the city that same night around midnight. I picked him up from the airport and hit the sack immediately. The next day Lyndsey, Jason, Winter and I went to Junior's for breakfast. Mind you, these two are some of my oldest friends that I still keep contact with. We've had history (along with Seth) at UNCC that will stay on my mind for years and years. So, this time spent is precious and means the world to me. Anyways, after dinner we did some cruising around and checked out the current show at Upper Playground which is a post all its own. Lyndsey's train departed at 2:50 so we dropped her and Winter off and caught up with Seth for some games of pool at Ringler's Pub. We caught a little bit of the soundcheck grabbed some food and headed home.

Brian joined up at the house to watch the Cleveland/Orlando nail biter. After the game we drove down to Crystal to see the show. Due to some mishaps we missed most of Sallie's set but got there in time to make Brian a fan. The show was awesome. We met up with Liz at Bonfire afterwards for a couple drinks and then crashed.

The next day we picked up Seth at the Hotel early and went to Tin Shed for a delicious breakfast and chat. We checked out some vintage shops and picked up some beers from Kennedy School for Seth to travel home with. Dropped him off at the tour bus and hung out with the guys for a little bit. Scott showed off some of the new work he's working on and shared the album art work with us. All I can say is that it is amazing and maybe one of the most labor intensive and skillful covers I've ever seen. After that we headed back home for a little bit of a rest and then headed down town for dinner at Ringler's Pub with my friend Melanie who was in town for the show. My studio mate Will met up with us for the show and this time I caught Sallie which was amazing. The Avett's delivered one of the best performances I've seen by them and then we headed home.

I'm drawing a blank on Breakfast on Sunday but I know it was with Liz and Jason. I took Liz home and then Jason and I went to Alberta and checked out some shops and galleries. We grabbed a beer at Mashtun and then headed home. Liz came back by and we went to Zack's Shack for hotdogs and to watch the game. We played a little ping pong and then again parted ways with Liz. Jason and I then went over to Brian and Jeff's for some different things and then went home and hit the sack. I drove him to the airport at 430am and then went over to Liz's.

Woke up and had coffee with her and Michelle at Floyd's. Headed back home to pack up for a day trip to Oregon City. Ashley's mom's friend has 23 acres out there that she wanted to share with us. We had a delicious barbecue coupled with a walk around their property which was just the perfect way to wrap a beautiful week and weekend. I went over to Liz's and just relaxed until bedtime...

all in all an incredible time was had and I want to thank all those involved in helping me realize AGAIN and AGAIN, how beautiful this life can be.

jeremy

Today Lyndsey is coming to Portland for a few days. She's bringing her child and we are going to Eugene to see The Avett Brothers tomorrow night. This is cool because the first time I came to Portland was to visit Lyndsey and drive to Boring, Oregon to see The Avett Brothers. My time here has come full circle almost and I feel really good about it. I'm still living in the same house, quite a few roommates have shared the walls but I wouldn't trade much of my time here for anything.


Thursday night Jason Hanna gets here for the weekend and we are going to see The Avett Brothers at Crystal Ballroom Friday & Saturday night. It'll be really nice to show Jason around. This trip serves as Best Man's Gift to him. He's getting married in June and I wouldn't be able to throw him a proper Bachelor's Party so coming out here will be just that...sort of. I think he'll love it and in turn I will...

pointless post.

jeremy

Gina Tuzzi
I happened upon this ladies work through Art Business - SF. I haven't done much research on her but I will as soon as Top Model and L O S T goes off.

thanks

jeremy

Jake Gillespie
I rushed over to the Goldsmith Blocks last night from Tender Loving Empire (where I was in a show) to see Jake Gillespie's work. A friend of Liz's knows him from Nebraska and said his show would be worth a damn. It definitely was. The images in the 2009 series really fuck with you. In talking to him that disorientation you feel is his goal. "If I can make you feel like shit when you are viewing these works then I've done my job." He's succeeded. As good as they are I can only stare at them for a few seconds, but I continue to go back. There is a lot of work to view on his site so spend some time.

Ashley Macomber
Lots of content to behold on Ashley Macomber's page. I've been interested in her work since...I don't know when. I know her animal paintings caught my attention a number of times. The use of ribbon and textures are incredible. She seemed to have moved into more portraiture these days which I will not argue with. Her technique and color choices transfer beautifully into the figure and the dark nature of her work is still there.

Going to see Samantha Crain at Mississippi Studios tonight. This'll be both my first time seeing her and this venue. I think it was recently redesigned which means nothing to me...I digress. I'm excited to see her. It's always a pleasure to see what the other Ramseur artists are up to beyond The Avett Brothers & The Everybodyfields. They are really the only two (along with Avett side projects) that I am familiar with. Either way, the show should be good. She's got an amazing voice. Check it out here at her Myspace and try to disagree.

I've been following Dusdin's photostream for sometime. I'm always impressed with the look of the images. I've always leaned towards portrait photography and he does it well. I don't feel like digging deep, just go check them out and see for yourself.

I've been working diligently on a new series entitled "S%@$s and Giggles". It started off as a loose series based around images of friends and just people doing silly shit and/or giggling. Just a fun no deep meaning series of pieces. Some of the pieces have taken a turn but I think they still maintain the look and lighthearted aspect that I initially planned on. I'll post som in progress stuff soon I think.

jeremy

Doubt
Me and Liz caught a 3 dollar viewing of Doubt last night. I really really enjoyed it. There is something about movies that are adapted from stage plays and manage to keep the highly theatrical feel as well as instilling the cinematic aspect. I thought all parties involved did wonderful. Viola Davis earned that supporting actress nomination in a small role that stood head and shoulders above the other great performances. The movie was concise and left the viewer with the same uncertainty at the credits that everyone on screen felt throughout. Though a little slow at times, the story moves well and never abandons the viewer. I highly recommend this movie.

jeremy

Kelli Vance
Came upon an ad for her in Modern Painters Magazine...I think that's which one it was. The image on her homepage was the one featured. I'm glad to see the sinister female theme is carried throughout the paintings. This is some really great stuff.

jeremy

...and so the fits and starts of my journal continues...


Mr. Lif
Tonight I'm going to Holocene to see Mr. Lif. I saw him years ago in NYC supporting Blackalicious and with Aesop Rock so it wasn't entirely a Lif show. Either way I'm super excited to see him. I bought his last album some time ago and have enjoyed it thoroughly. I look forward to seeing those songs relayed live. That's all.

jeremy

Asgar/Gabriel
This work is incredible. I don't feel like writing to much about them. "Word's are overrated anyways". Enjoy this work.

looking back in my journal...I've posted before about this but there is a ton more pieces now...

Andrew Wyeth is incredible. It needs to be stated and known by anyone whoever picks up a paint brush or shoves a mouse for that matter. His choice of pallet the studies, the "incomplete pieces" and finished ones all impressive. My studio mate, Brandon, has the book of Helga, paintings and studies. About 3 years ago The Mint Museum, In Charlotte, had the Helga exhibit and I just remember the feeling of awe I had standing and looking at them. The fact that he chose to use Egg Tempera is confusing at first but so fitting when you look at the layering of colors and the loose water color-esque application for the landscapes. The dry chalky appearance of the figures seems to literally take the "gloss" out of the product and creates a more intimate view of the work.

I really think I've been doing myself a disservice by not attending more shows here. Aside from friends bands I've really been absent from that "scene" in 2009. Shame considering all the awesome inspiring stuff that comes through here.


Last night Brian clued me in to a show at Holocene. We went and checked out White Denim and The Shaky Hands. They were both really great but the opening band in my opinion, being completely foreign to me...aside from it being a singer backed by The Shaky Hands, really caught my attention. I need to find out who that was. My half assed searching this morning yielded no results. Either way, it was nice to be in that atmosphere aside from the drunkard who was dancing and forcing all the other show goers to play and involuntary game of duck duck goose. I was looking at the calendar for Holocene and there are a number of things coming up in the coming weeks and months.

jeremy

Fiona Ackerman
Fiona Ackerman is friends with my good buddy Lyndsey Gantert. I guess they had kids or something around the same time. Not sure, I wasn't listening because I was too busy staring at her beautiful paintings. I'm having a hard time putting my finger on a good way to describe her works. Every time I think of something it falls vastly below how I really feel about this work. It's beautiful and tragic looking. The content is not "funny" but I feel a comic edge, mostly because of the pallet and the exaggerated shapes and patterns. Either way, this is fine, fine work and again I am in awe.

I'm gonna try to up my posting numbers. I've been so casual about it in the past few months. It's kind of weird because I used to live for links and shit like that. Eh...