Bees And Trees

RIP Mike Kelley

2012-02-07T06:15:00.001-08:00

Mike Kelley

It really bums me out that Mike Kelley died. This marks the first time that an artist whose work I truly love and relate to has died. I mean, other artists I like have obviously died, but I relate to Mike Kelley's work a bit differently. He leaves behind a truly phenomenal and inventive body of work.

Keith Vaughn in a show @ soft-spot!

2012-01-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012! The year is off to a good start. I have three pieces in the on-line exhibition, "If You Can't Beat 'em, Jenkem: Revolting Bros" at soft-spot.net. The show also features work by Ben Pederson, Erik Groff, and Giles Hefferan. I'm glad to be showing work with some of the most down guys I've ever met. Big ups to BP and the soft-spot crew for making this happen! By the way, the title of the show allegedly comes from an email I sent to Ben. And if you don't know what jenkem is, don't look it up.

Starcastle, Second-Children of Prog

2011-12-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

“You mean you haven’t heard of Starcastle?”

Bees and Trees homie Bryan Jones said that to me one night with deadpan incredulity when I asked him about the Starcastle album I found in his stacks.

For my money, Starcastle was (is?) a spirited band of good players that suffered from an identity crisis. The band name implies reverence, sovereignty, celestial focus; it indicates faithfulness to the order established by a ruling body or social betters. It sounds real late-70's anyway... with the word "star" and all.

Their eponymous first album (1976) sounds like a Yes cover-band playing Yes songs you’ve never heard before. That's like the best and worst thing I can think to say about Starcastle. Now, if that doesn’t pique your interest, I don’t know what to say to you.

Lots of good Starcastle reading @Schlockmania. Read about the first Starcastle album here.

“Fountains of Light”(1977) and “Citadel”(1978) combine the Yes impersonation with stabs at radio friendliness, mostly by aping the slick, pseudo-prog stylings of Styx.

Read about "Fountains of Light" here.

Read about "Citadel" here.

Click here to check out some live Starcastle via The Luxor Dream blog.

If you ever wanted to hear what Jon Anderson (of Yes) singing for “Audio-Visions” era Kansas might have sounded like, pick up a copy of 1979’s “Real to Reel.” Turns out virtually nobody else wanted to hear that either, so that was it for Starcastle Phase-1, the Classical period. (In fairness, the dude doesn't sound that much like Jon Anderson...)

Whether it was intentional or not, “Real to Reel” cops its title from an obscure 1975 Arthur Lee/Love album called "Reel to Real." This kinda represents another case of Starcastle looking to the rock-n-roll pantheon (the star castle, get it?) for influence.

Some live shows in the mid-eighties didn’t really catch fire. I guess I can see why.

Fans of Classical period ‘Castle won’t wanna miss a weekend alone with “Shine On Brightly,” and “Chronos I.” Both are 2001 CD issues. “Chronos I” features early versions of Starcastle “hits”, plus three other songs previously deemed unfit for release.

“Shine On Brightly” is a live recording of a show in Boston from August 12, 1979. It is also marketed as “Alive in America.” It first appeared in 1999 with the curious title, “Concert Classics, Vol. 5.” Shine on, indeed. Where have I heard that?

In 2007, backed by a cavalcade of keyboard players and percussionists, Starcastle became Studiocastle once more with “Song of Times.” Diehard Terry Luttrell fans may be disappointed that he only appears as lead vocalist on one track. Alas...

Here goes the 2007 version of Starcastle givin' it hell.

The guys in Starcastle certainly had chops, and four albums of original material in five years is a testament to their admirable work ethic. It seems that Starcastle was just always in the shadow of some hot-shot older sibling. The Beaver to Yes’ Wally; the Jan to Marcia’s Styx.

I don’t want to give the impression that I dislike Starcastle, because I like them quite a lot. They’re just right for when I want the sounds of late ‘70’s prog, but am not in the mood to be challenged or to have my mind blown. Starcastle lyrics don’t reference arcane literature or deal with contemporary alienation and dread. The music may sometimes be ponderous, but it isn’t often all that pompous. I like listening to Starcastle at Christmas time in particular. Starcastle music is like Christmas music. It has a specific sound, and sometimes that sound is very appealing to me, more so than the lyrical content or the fact that the music is really not very original.

I don’t have a little brother, but if I did I would want him to be just like Starcastle-- totally in my formidable shadow, but still sort of awesome.

"Christmas Party" by the Snowman Electrical Band. FREE Streaming/Download!!!

2011-12-11T14:09:00.000-08:00

Bees and Trees are proud to present "Christmas Party," the new EP from the Snowman Electrical Band! This recording marks the third time we've worked with the Snowman Electrical Band and the third time was indeed a charm. The chops are tight, displaying the Snowmen as refreshingly on-point and prepared!

There are two Snowman Electrical Band originals, "Christmas Time" and "Heart and Mind," and a handful of Yuletide standards that are given the Snowman Electrical once-over. There's even a remix of BxT- and Snowman Electrical-favorite, the Carpenters!

Making this EP was a blast and we are happy to offer it to you for absolutely FREE streaming and download. You can even print the crazy cover art and make your own Christmas gifts-- or whatever! Enjoy!

Merry Christmas, everybody. From us to you, we love you!
Peace on earth.

Christmas Party by theSnowmanElectricalBand

click here to download the cover art and credits

Sowman Electrical Band "Chrsitmas Party" EP Cover

2011-12-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

Here it is! The super-glitzy cover art for "Christmas Party," the up-coming EP by the Snowman Electrical Band. Bees and Trees did the art work for the EP and we produced it as well. We're pretty psyched! Stay turned on and tuned in...!!

Crazy Christmas Trees

2011-12-11T13:53:00.000-08:00

It is Today

2011-11-25T09:21:00.000-08:00

Happy X Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T11:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. We're thankful for good vibes whenever and however they come. Thanks for everything. Wishing you the beXt!

Snowman Electrical Memories

2011-11-24T11:09:00.000-08:00

Halloween Tricks

2011-10-30T17:00:00.000-07:00

The Snowman Electrical Band was in town over the weekend to learn and record these songs. These Halloween jams are some pretty obscure covers from the 1960s; one by a band of cartoon cats and the other, some adolescent girls of dubious musical ability. 17 hours with the Snowman Electrical Band left nerves raw and phaser pedals ruined. Truly terrifying. Happy Halloween, everybody!

My Girlfriend Is A Witch by theSnowmanElectricalBand

It's Halloween by theSnowmanElectricalBand

Danny Heller Solo Show at George Billis, LA

2011-09-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

For Danny Heller's upcoming solo exhibition at the George Billis Gallery in Los Angeles he will be showing a new body of work focusing on LAX (the Los Angeles International Airport). The personal is ever political.

In depicting LAX Heller's personal affinity for mid-century Modern architecture subtly sneaks into the shared space of post-9/11 anxiety and loss. Airports don't mean what they once did. In choosing LAX as a subject Heller acknowledges his familiar loves (mid-century Modern architecture, Los Angeles), but this work alludes to something that touches all of us. The light and shadows in Heller's work bring a temporal quality to his subjects. Years grind on, endless arrivals and departures. However, in Heller's work LAX stands as a monument to a style and an idealism (and a style of idealism) that we may, or may not, be losing. Heller's gorgeous paintings can serve to remind us that that choice is ours. Our highest ideals might just die harder than our habits of fear and anxiety.

Danny Heller's solo exhibition opens October 15.
Danny Heller's website

Ben Pederson has a new website

2011-08-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

"Sad Sap," mixed media, 20" x 16", 2011

If you've followed the BxT blog for any amount of time, you've likely seen a Ben Pederson video. He makes Post-Pop Surrealist art. Or you could say he makes Post-Minimal Psychedelic Mannerist art. The point is that Pederson's work deals greatly with themes of identity and pop culture and defies easy categorization. Check out his site and see how his gaudy aesthetic (I mean that in the best way possible) translates across different media. I'm consistently impressed by how Pederson is able to make poignant and personal statements in such a day-glo way. No small feat.

BenPederson.com

What the heck is Justin Horne doing?

2011-08-15T14:16:00.001-07:00

I wonder that from time to time. As if to answer, he sent me these amazing photos. I don't know how he does it. It's like NYC is his zen garden. He is a real artist.

In the parking lot

2011-07-18T17:30:00.000-07:00

KV Interview on Paperwhistle

2011-07-05T17:57:00.000-07:00

Brandi Strickland is a really good artist. She runs the Paperwhistle blog. Check out my interview over there. And be sure to check out Brandi's work!

KV interview on Paperwhistle

"Everything has the potential to be fun."

2011-07-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

Bees said that last night. She right. The opening was awesome. Old, old friends and new. Thanks to everyone involved!

"Hit the Skull Light," acrylic on paper, 24in x 19in, 2011

U R Invited

2011-06-23T07:42:00.000-07:00

If you can make it, please do. Art, death, nature, love, neurological disorder, we got it.

Robert Ryman is the O-Dog of Modern painting, (Issues of Black and White).

2011-06-07T09:20:00.001-07:00

According to Roger Ebert's review of "Menace II Society," Allen Hughes said of his film, "If you hate blacks, this movie will make you hate them more." I feel like that about Robert Ryman's paintings: if you already feel threatened by challenging works of art, you will probably really, really dislike Ryman's work.

Personally, I think Robert Ryman is a good painter. And, if you haven't seen "Meance II Society," it's good too.

Confirmed!

2011-05-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

Keith Vaughn solo show at Leo Handmade in Chattanooga, TN. Opens July 1. More info to come...

trashy raggy

2011-05-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

"Show Yr Tits," 2011, mixed media. Here's a little sculpture I didn't spend much time on. The knots in the plywood are the tits to which the title refers, and the scrap of Aerosmith t-shirt is the shirt. My sculpture is as good as a Sarah Lucas sculpture. Just kidding. She's good, (at least she was in the 90's). This isn't art. I was just goofing around.

"we can make each other happy"

2011-05-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

Is "Jump into the Fire" cooler here, or in "Goodfellas?" Is that even a fair question?

a turning point

2011-05-12T06:48:00.000-07:00

Where would the BxT blog be without bros hooking us up with this kind of weird shit?

Valley business

2011-04-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

Druggin'

2011-04-18T12:02:00.001-07:00

Jus' breezin'

2011-04-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

So close

2011-04-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

Walking

2011-04-13T11:57:00.001-07:00

Driving

2011-04-13T11:53:00.001-07:00

"a rare and different tune"

2011-04-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

Sunday night we saw Furthur at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. The show was great. Wharf Rat>Born Cross-Eyed>Dark Star made me happy, and Terrapin Suite to close the show was a real treat. We sat next to a kind homie named Brady who took these pictures. Thanks again, Brady! See you at the next one.

If you've never been to the Fabulous Fox, I highly recommend it. The inside of the place looks like Arabian Nights by way of Jewish mysticism. Very strange and beautiful.

no foolin'

2011-04-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

April Fools Day 1994 was the first and only time I got to see the Grateful Dead. This video is from the first night of the run.

newest

2011-03-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Runts of the litter

2011-03-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

These have an odd ball quality. That happens occasionally and it's usually pretty exciting when it does. Random connections over here become maps over there. Get me?

The Ambulators

2011-03-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

Tuff Shit

2011-03-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

Diarrhea Planet. Nasville loc's that truly came with it. We expected nothing but were impressed.

Kyle Thomas: The mang who would be King.

I guess in Nashville JEFF the Brotherhood is more famous than King Tuff. However, we left during the Bro'hood set because we couldn't see and we felt we'd gotten our five bucks worth (and then some). So when we walked outside there was Kyle Thomas just chilling by himself. After the high caliber of rock this man just threw down I figured he'd be neck deep in ass/high fives. Go figure.

Bees gave Kyle some expletive laced praise for a job well done. Uncharacteristic for her and therefor pretty funny.

new favorite

2011-03-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

RH shreddzzz

2011-03-11T07:18:00.000-08:00

Rudy, right!? Adorable.

CK shredzz

2011-03-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

I was gonna post another video of Cory Kennedy doin' his thang, but that video was shorter and featured a Dr. Dog song for which I was just not in the mood. Do you like Dr. Dog? How 'bout the Brian Jonestown Massacre? That band likes my paintings.

KT shredzz

2011-03-11T06:56:00.000-08:00

I didn't try too hard to find an excellent video. You get the idea though. Don't you?

Fire the boss

2011-03-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

The Devil is in the details, and everywhere else, apparently.

2011-03-02T06:38:00.000-08:00

Below are details of two works in progress.

Style. Baca has it.

2011-02-25T08:26:00.000-08:00

naked ladies are no longer counter-revolutionary

2011-02-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

we found where the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live

2011-02-19T11:24:00.000-08:00

DGAF

2011-02-18T09:19:00.000-08:00

a bunch of stuff just became completely irrelevant

2011-02-17T12:09:00.000-08:00

new attitude

2011-02-16T08:29:00.000-08:00

once and for all

2011-02-16T08:08:00.000-08:00

good ideas are everywhere

2011-02-12T08:26:00.000-08:00

Black metal

2011-02-12T08:18:00.000-08:00

what if you called an ambulance and this showed up?

2011-02-12T08:10:00.000-08:00

about to go get real

2011-02-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

Who's got my flim-flam?

2011-02-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

Ben Pederson does.

Reunited. And you know how that feels...

2011-02-08T07:37:00.000-08:00

When I was 12, I bought this guitar at a pawn shop for 100 bucks. It used to have a Gretsch/Bigsby tailpiece on it which I let some dude talk me into trading for the Ibanez tailpiece that's on it now. Bad move, but I was young. I took the pick guard off of it, but I still have it so no harm done there.

One instrument lead to another and this Univox "Effie" got relegated to a closet in my parent's house where it languished for more than a decade. A month ago I rescued it and took it to the guitar shop to have it cleaned up and set up, which cost 27 dollars. I got it back yesterday and I'm so psyched.

I put the Jaclyn Smith sticker on it when I was 15, a misguided stab at irony. Oh well.

KV original paintings for sale on Big Cartel!

2011-02-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

I have some small (and affordable!) paintings for sale on Big Cartel. They are all brand new and super good. Check 'em out.

Bees X Trees on Big Cartel

spilled bong, broken bong

2011-02-05T06:11:00.000-08:00

getting up the nose of the establishment

2011-02-04T09:02:00.000-08:00

The streets are ours!

2011-02-04T07:44:00.000-08:00

getting deep

2011-02-02T07:11:00.000-08:00

Being prejudiced is never okay

2011-02-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

Erik sent me a copy of Don Felder's autobiography. He played guitar in The Eagles. I'm not an Eagles fan so this was totally random. But, I trust Erik. So, I was reading about The Eagles recording "One of These Nights," and I decided to listen to the album, which I own in spite of not digging The Eagles, but have never once played.

It's better than I thought it would be. There's a cool instrumental on the first side called "Journey of the Sorcerer" (!), and I like "Take it to the Limit." However, the best thing about "One of These Nights" is the embossed cover. It is undeniably bad as hell.

One bitchy group of dudes.

new little joints

2011-01-31T12:22:00.000-08:00

3.5 x 5.5 in.

5.5 x 5.5 in.

4 x 2.5 in.

8 x 6 in.

4.25 x 3 in.

Punk as fukk

2011-01-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe this video has existed for a year and I'm just now seeing it!

My new favorite show is The Munsters.

2011-01-28T12:10:00.000-08:00

I never cared much about this show, but lately it's really been impressing me. The sets and lighting are awesome, and it's funny. The show ran from 1964 to 1966, and I keep wondering if it might possibly have been a response to the Civil Rights Movement happening at the time.

I just watched the episode "Rock-a-Bye Munster." This episode kicks ass for a number of reasons, not least of which is the first appearance and revealed origin of the Munster Mobile. Also, Paul Lynde is a guest star. Bees and I really like Paul Lynde.

But, back to the Munster Mobile. Lily goes to a car lot to get a new ride for Herman, and when she's there she sees a couple of old cars and has them fused together to her specifications to make the Munster Mobile. So, she dreamed up the car! It was her idea!

Somehow, that makes her and the car a lot cooler.

2011-01-28T11:53:00.000-08:00

I thought Ginger Lynn was dead. She's not.

2011-01-28T11:45:00.000-08:00

Sorry, G. No offense.

on my way to lunch

2011-01-27T15:39:00.000-08:00

we were one, we were one

2011-01-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

This lady looks like she's taking LSD.

2011-01-27T08:53:00.000-08:00

9 mile skid on 10 mile ride

2011-01-24T05:25:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Paola in Asheville for all the canvas scraps. I've used them all up.

If you came to the studio it would be a little like this, but better and louder.

2011-01-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

Here go some little paintings in different phases of completion.

Surf's up. This guy knows what's what, you can tell.

I feel like a midget is hanging from my necklace.

2011-01-22T07:48:00.000-08:00

This Guy!

2011-01-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

He chills in the studio with me, puffin' and sayin' FTW. And like most stuff-- it's more neon in real life.

It's a little more neon in real life.

2011-01-19T07:13:00.000-08:00

Snow is a big deal here.

2011-01-18T10:58:00.000-08:00

Hello Goodbye

2010-12-31T15:21:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

Rats

2010-12-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

Our hearts go out to the family, fans and anyone else who is uplifted and inspired by the good Captain’s artwork. We lost a good one.

“I Can’t Sleep (On Christmas Eve)” Video!!!

2010-12-17T05:49:00.001-08:00

Here’s the new video! A million thanks go to the inimitable Ben Pederson for his work on this. RIP TGIF and Merry Christmas!

Old Neighborhood

2010-12-15T05:15:00.000-08:00

We used to be able to see these Christmas lights from our kitchen window. *sigh* The pics are from newyorkshitty.com.

“Christmas is Just Another Day (Without You)” Video!!!

2010-12-06T05:37:00.000-08:00

Here it is! The music video for “Christmas is Just Another Day (Without You)” by the Snowman Electrical Band, from GIVE/LOVE!

The video was directed by Ben Pederson. We feel lucky to have gotten to work with such a uniquely talented artist. Not only was he our first choice, he completely exceeded our expectations of how cool a video for this song might be. So, we are honored to present this to you.

Read more about Ben Pederson and his work here.

A few free copies of GIVE/LOVE are still available. Send us your address and get one.

GIVE/LOVE is Here Now!

2010-12-02T05:45:00.000-08:00

Free copies of GIVE/LOVE ship today!

At a lean and mean 16 minutes, it is the perfect soundtrack for impromptu Christmas parties with your most erudite pals, or when you’re all alone. You’ll feel like mistletoe has been hung on your brain. It’s that good!

Listen to a sample of “I Can't Sleep (On Christmas Eve)” performed by the Snowman Electrical Band, from GIVE/LOVE.

I Can't Sleep (On Christmas Eve) - Snowman Electrical Band

If you haven’t already done so, send us your mailing address and we will send you a copy. For free!

GIVE/LOVE

2010-11-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

GIVE/LOVE is out DEC.2
GIVE/LOVE is out DEC.2
GIVE/LOVE is out DEC.2

Bees and Trees have produced an awesome Christmas album!

GIVE/LOVE is performed by the Snowman Electrical Band and produced by Bees and Trees. We are mailing the CDs out for FREE! Send us your mailing address and you will get a copy of GIVE/LOVE. We will begin shipping the CDs on DEC.2.

A limited number of copies come in full color sleeves. Send your address right away and get one!

For a year we have wanted to put out some kind of Christmas recording. There are so many popular Christmas albums and songs that we like. Working with the Snowman Electrical Band allowed us combine our appreciation of straightforward, un-ironic Christmas tunes with Snowman’s more psychedelic penchant.

We are all very proud of the seven tracks that make up GIVE/LOVE and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Grateful

2010-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

We are thankful for Grateful Dead music from Europe ’72 and May ’77. Actually, we’re grateful for all of it.

Grateful Dead “He’s Gone” Copenhagen 4/17/72

We are thankful for the music of Jay-Z. He is, after all, “rap’s Grateful Dead.” He says so himself. We can buy that.

Jay-Z “Already Home”

We are thankful for our creative and inspiring friends. Thanks for turning us on!

How to make an abstract painting

2010-10-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

"I'm an illustrator/fine artist"

"It's all about repeating, I believe, abstract."

All Power To The People

2010-10-14T15:46:00.001-07:00

Where was the "All Power To The People" graffiti when I lived in Brooklyn? I guess the answer is I should've been making it.

Devendra in Atlanta

2010-10-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

Because we are Rock-N-Roll Renegades we drove to Atlanta, (on a Monday night [!]), to see Devendra Banhart. The show was well worth trip, funky and loose. However, I was surprised at how little the crowd danced around or otherwise expressed enthusiasm for the performance. I haven’t seen this much sitting down since the last time I saw the Allman Bros.

Here’s a good video (shot by someone else) of the show opening “Long Haired Child.”

Treasury Junior - again

2010-10-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

I love writing code. Any kind of code really, but especially fun code that does stuff. And I like it even better when I can learn new things - like how to work with the Etsy API for example.

I made this treasury to celebrate the birth of our little Treasury Junior, my first experiment with the Etsy API. He uttered his first words today - "beta testing". I'm so proud of him.

Nature, Man

2010-10-03T06:11:00.000-07:00

I found this guy hanging out on our front porch. At first, I thought, “Nature can be so cruel. As bugs go, this one looks ridiculous.” The more I thought about it though, the more I felt like stick bugs are the lucky ones. I feel a little like Doogie Howser. Remember that journal he kept on his computer?

Take 2 - Etsy API

2010-09-27T13:57:00.001-07:00

Kate Banazi - Featurette

2010-08-28T09:07:00.000-07:00

We recently purchased this Palm Heart print from Kate Banazi aka alyoisiusspyker and it's so awesome in person that we had to share a bit more of her work here.

Visit her etsy shop alyoisiusspyker
See more works from her portfolio

Phish on Phriday: You Enjoy Myself with Fireworks!

2010-08-06T05:41:00.000-07:00

Last month we went to two Phish shows: 7-2 in Charlotte and 7-3 in Alpharetta. Even though the shows were in different cities they both happened at places called Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, which I take as a creepy sign of the times.

Anyway, I didn’t really try to gets tickets for July 4 (also in Alpharetta), and I wasn’t sweating it. But then, I became consumed by the thought that the July 4th show was going to end with “You Enjoy Myself” with fireworks during the Vocal Jam. I was sure of it, and I was starting to bum out because I was going to miss it. Boy was I psyched when set 2 in Charlotte ended with a really cool YEM, the Vocal Jam of which features bits of “Proud Mary” and “Get Back.” (Charlotte also got the first “Fuck Your Face” since 1987!)

Here’s a video shot by Bees from the lawn during “Get Back.”

So we were stoked on hearing YEM and making our way through the lot minutes later, fireworks! You Enjoy Myself with fireworks! You never know.

The next night in Alpharetta we got hear some stuff I never thought I would hear-- “Destiny Unbound,” “McGrupp,” and “Sanity.” I thought “Slave to the Traffic Light” was righteous, and Bees got to hear “Prince Caspian,” which she really likes.

Harvey

2010-06-15T20:12:00.001-07:00

California Love

2010-05-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

I am honored to be showing some drawings in this three-person show in Oakland, California. The show was curated by Devin Satterfield, who used to run Liminal Gallery and now runs Helloakland. E.T. Groff is an amazing artists as well as co-director of the Basement Gallery in Oakland. Good company, good times. Please check it out if you can.

Poster Children

2010-05-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

16x20 Bees and Trees posters available now in our Etsy shop! Finally! Yes!

I’ll see you at the next Janelle Monae show.

2010-05-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

“Tightrope” from Letterman. This is where it’s at. Wow.

Stuff we can all relate to.

2010-05-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

WAVVES - “So Bored”

Devin the Dude - “Doobie Ashtray”

Everything about this is cool.

2010-05-21T17:39:00.001-07:00

- from nadili on flickr

New Ben Pederson Video(s)

2010-05-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

The ostensible battle in Ben Pederson’s new video appears to be a pretext for dealing with ideas of war, peace, chemical mind expansion and the visual language of dissent. The psychedelic style of the video is also one of its subjects. Like many of Pederson’s other videos it is ironic without being cynical, and funny without being a joke. “Battle” represents an exciting current of thought among artists who take the counter-cultural movements and icons of the past seriously, but are not so interested in nostalgia. Pederson’s work has a place at the very end of a long Romantic tradition. He has a special gift for giving ubiquitous pop culture subjects unexpected contexts and disquieting facets. It all ends up going in the bong.

Pederson and I used to laugh a lot about this place called Lidz. Lidz is a store in some shopping malls that sells hats-- lids, get it? But with a “z.” Lidz! Ben dedicated the video to me, which really flatters me to no end.

DO IT! DO IT!

2010-05-19T14:29:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning up in the studio yesterday and I found a little piece of paper on which I had written this:
“Act first, analyze later. Impulse-- not theory-- makes the great leaps forward.”
--Jerry Rubin

I wish when I was an art student, instead of wading through Lacan, Derrida and Foucault, someone had given me a copy of DO IT! and told me to cut my losses. It’s never too late…

Do It!

Bi-Mon Sci-Fi Con

2010-05-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

I know it will be tough for you to believe, but I wasn't always the super cool, style maven that I am today. In fact, when I was in elementary and middle school I was into comic books in a big way. My tastes were pretty pedestrian: X-Men, Batman, Spiderman, but I was certainly enthusiastic.

Today, Bees and I went to the Fanaticon (!) in downtown Asheville, partly to reconnect with my geeky past, and partly to have something to do on such a nice day. Fanaticon is the first comic book convention I've been to in approximately 20 years. The scene has really grown up (irony intended).

There were Storm Troopers, Ewoks, Batmen, Spidermen, zombies, girls in corsets, and Ghostbusters to beat the band. I really enjoy seeing people who are aggressively into a particular interest or way of life getting a chance to fully be themselves and immerse themselves in their passion without any fear at all of reprisal from the "straights."

Being in the Fanaticon, terms like "nerd" and "geek" kind of lose their meanings, or at least their power. Our purchases amounted to 10 bucks worth of horror comics from the Bronze Age, or the 1970's, for those of you not down with the lingo. We had a blast. A laser blast! Excelsior!

More photos to come!

Phish on Phriday

2010-05-14T13:16:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while since we’ve done a “Phish on Phriday” post, and truth be told, I thought about bailing on the whole idea. However, this morning I saw this and felt it was too good not to share. This is a video of Phish performing the Rolling Stones’ “Loving Cup” on Jimmy Fallon’s show last night. Actually, it’s more like a funny video of a great big Mets fan in sunglasses (?) waving his arms furiously while Phish plays “Loving Cup.” Check him out, watch him go! It made me laugh.

Rolling Stones Week: Phish

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | MySpace Video