Hey friends, I need your help finding a venue/house/alleyway in Portland for an May 5th “Pop Up Artshow”. Unlike a typical “opening night” this will only be for one night and will probably include: friends, snobby beer, cheap beer, music and feature some 120 format photos I took on my travels, as well as (maybe) some Analogue Art. Contact me at seabarnhart@gmail.com with any ideas or if you want to participate.
I am extremely strapped for time but want to make an event that will get some people out. I am also working on updating this site, which takes some money, so I am happy to sell some pieces. All of the money collected will go to cover our site costs, updating the site, removing stupid ads and covering the cost of film.
Below is a gallery of an experimental roll I recently shot. In addition will be some shots from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.
We have had rain for weeks. The kind of tropical downpours that makes for deep wet wells. By Thursday, I was starting to realize that lethargy, country music, whiskey and rain make a mean cocktail. Along with this realization came a band called Graveyard Train.
As the dark clouds finally started to drift out to sea, I got word that Graveyard Train was rolling up from Melbourne to play a couple shows in the Sydney area, including a set at Moonshine in Manly. My interest was peaked in the band by finding the song “Tall Shadows” while trolling the internet, after I heard the band mentioned on the notoriously good Triple-J radio station. I sent the guys a quick email, and Josh and Nick where kind enough to let me pester them with some pre-show questions.
I attempted (poorly) to record their set, but was stuck with a bunch of foreground noise, due to the fact that all my good equipment is sitting in a basement in Portland somewhere. All that could be heard was the sounds of Surfer dudes with bleach blond hair ordering rum and cokes, near my bar centric outpost. So rather than blonds ordering drinks here is a video instead
Despite the typical Northern beaches miniskirt vibe, I was blown away by their set. The tagline for the website describes the band as “Six men play men’s instruments just as men were born to do.” The line could not be more fitting as each member sings and slays their way through the set, at one point breaking into the flying monkey chant from Wizard of Oz.
Somehow, the set reminded me of the 1978 Civil war tribute album “White Mansions” (minus the redneck undertones). As a kid, that random tape that would get tossed into circulation from the overflowing glovebox, on roadies up to Canada. Something about the 6 man harmony’s give them an eery campfire vibe, as if visiting a confederate camp before a battle. The music drew me back to hot summer days on dry grass, sitting outside of our broken car waiting for a tow. Surprisingly, Nick mentioned that Wu-Tang was an influence on the group, and even a little Wu came through. Something about a posse of homies on stage gives that sense of bad ass-ness.
These guys belong in the barn at Pickathon or at a house show, as opposed to a crowded faux pirate bar. They will be playing in Portland in October.
I know it will be rainy, and dark and therefore making it perfect to head out for a night to sip whiskey and stomp your feet.
Whenever Im in Sydney I try to visit the White Rabbit Gallery. By the time I exit through its doors I find myself shocked, inspired and somewhat changed. Ive made six trips, but only have a 50% successful viewing rate. The rest of the time, Linz and I stand outside looking sad at the Gallery Closed sign. We are building pretty good Sad Outside White Rabbit photo gallery.
One of the best things about street art is it is always open. So we trekked through the back alleyways , sketchy parts of Sydney and past Cafes in search of what the streets offered.
Lately, I have been enjoying the pieces done by artist “FUKT”. His/Her style is the best of stencil art; simple, political and on a grand scale. Stencils can often be be too overt politically, if not brow beating, but I like how subtle or obscure these pieces tend to be.We where lucky enough to find a couple “FUKT” throw ups around the Glebe area.
Australia- First world country with third world internet. Its been down all week, making me rethink my addiction of choice. Admittedly, its been a good reason to go outside, if only just to spite the wet weather.
Next week features the man band Graveyard Train, but this is about Bears. I mean the blogs got it in the title so dont be surprised. Plus, Im forced to crank this post out at work, so Im going to have to make it quick.
First up, Boy and Bear. I dont know if this band is doing anything in America. For all I know this song could be totally blown out, but I like it anyway. So here it is.
Lastly, is UK goof ball House-Electro-whatever POMMYs like is called band- 2 Bears. I love how 90′s the video clip is. Exactly, why I want to start filming snowboarding in VHS again.
