Finding Our place with in the Space

When first stepping into the warehouse space its a little cold, kinda lifeless. You walk a little deeper in to the warehouse  to a large cooler door, you can feel a warm energy radiating as you approach. Sliding the back the cooler door back, the lights reflecting of the silver walls inside bring a sudden jolt of stimulation to the senses, but this is just the beginning. As you proceed into the studio you become surround by  vibrant pieces of art work ranging small to large created by Artist Angelbert Metoyer. The studio was once the old cooler for an Budweiser distribution plant in Houston,Texas. Now its home to Angelbert Imagination Studios, where Metoyer spends his time creating the objects that play in his imagination, one of these ideas is a sound installation collaboration Moteyor and the Houston based rapper BLACKIE created. ( us.myspace.com/blackieblackieblackie)  The installation seems right at home in the corner of the space, just waiting to provide its own sound of art to the Space.  On the wall behind the sound installation towers 4 ft tall pieces of plywood with a portrait of Blackie, Metoyer created after filming the rapper using a blow torch. (more information on this piece is below) Quenching his thirst to create Metoyer has transformed doors old from a an abandon hotel into works of Art. The space shows the dynamic range of  Metoyer from simple  drawings to multi layered painted Masterpieces that stretch 12ftx20ft.  The space and the Art work within it speak the universal languages of Science, Math and Spirituality, so that everyone that comes to see the space may understand what Angelbert's Imagination is trying to explain to us. The Imagery draws you in and the message within the Imagery leaves you wanting to hear more from him.  
For us to share with those like sharing themselves with you  ........  (opening reception in early 2013 )

Art by Angelbert Metoyer 
Curated by Jonathan Jackson

Dont try to fall outta sucide doors, its your life, so live yours

As We approach the 1st year of  SPC&I (Still Playing Cowboys and Indians)  the blog is  developing   and growing, so I have to decide to start asking some close friends to write on Art, Style and the culture around us and abroad  So with that being said I would like to welcome Sara Prado to the SPC&I family.  Sara is from Los Angeles, California, one of the most fashion forward cities in America. She has developed her own personal style of Fashion along with the education to back it up.  She has been studying Fashion for the past 6 years at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and has recently launched with her long time friend Megan Aguilar(Visual Merchandiser for American Apparel) a clothing line called Haus Party (www.hausparty.us). Sara also currently works for DimePiece Designs as a Design Assistant. 

Sara will be heading up our Style section writing about tips trends and everything in between for Men and Women.  For her first piece,  We thought that Fall/Winter trends would be a beneficial for our readers.

follow the girls of Haus Party on instagram: @haus_party
 

 Style by Sara Prado

FALL Trends 

  Every year we look at emerging trends in fashion and how to dress for the appropriate season.  In case you’ve been living in a cave the past month, it is FINALLY Fall outside. This being my favorite season in fashion, I find myself often asking where my paycheck went, and hustling just a little more to make ends meet.  Being a woman who appreciates style, I am completely okay with that. 

  However, fashion isn’t just for the ladies. We need gentlemen to step it up too.

If you or your male friend is feeling “fashion-challenged” this season, here are a few trends for everyone to make their own. No matter what your personal style or budget may be.

     TEENAGE DREAM

Varsity and Leather Jackets are both chic and weather proof for fall.  Men and Women cant really go wrong with either, because they can both go with pretty much everything. Plus, you get bonus points ladies if you cape-it on your shoulders.

METALLICA

I haven’t loved this much metallic since my Spice Girls phase back in 94’! This trend may be a little more geared towards the ladies, but I am not opposed to a fashion forward male trying this out either.

  

  GET GRAPHIC

Thanks to Balenciaga, Kenzo and Givenchy F/W 2012, this season graphic statements are back in a huge way. Pair it with a skirt or printed pants if you’re feeling funky.

            

 SUIT UP

 

At the office, or to an event, a suit is very much appropriate this fall. I see you Miu Miu F/W 2012! Ladies, don’t be scared to be chic in a pantsuit while out and about. Warning: Wearing print on print suits are not for the weak of heart.

ART

           Present, 
         Future, 
         & Time Travelers 
         an exhibition of 
         art  by Angelbert Metoyer
         words by 
         Jonathan Jackson    

The new Artwork of Angelbert Metoyer, that are on displayed at the Deborah Colton gallery in Houston,Texas (Novmeber 17, 2012 to Janurary 19, 2013). The exhibition is based around the idea of when We are born into the this living world that We are full of wisdom but can not communicate this wisdom with those around us  because We have not learned to speak yet. So We convey this with our eyes and as we learn to speak, our first years of life are spoken from truthfulness and wisdom, but as We get older We lose sight of our imagination and therefore lose touch with that part of ourselves. But as the circle of life continues, We are reminded by the children around Us. Thus "Time Traveling" to the times in our lives when we spread the seed of wisdom. There is a repeating image of an infant through out the show, giving you this honest and almost wisdom filled stare, that Angelbert speaks of in his Artist Statement. The combination of that imagery and the statement, You look at the stares of a child in little different way.  After going to the opening I had a few questions for the Artist. 

SPC&I: Who are you and what do you do ?

SPC&I: How early in your life did you start making art ?


SPC&I: What medium do you mainly like to use ?


SPC&I: What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?

SPC&I : You recently had a son, was he a little bit of inspiration behind your most recent  show at the Deborah Colten Gallery  ?  

AM: Well I think the work was created for the future.

 I have always waited for him !

SPC&I : What keeps you up at night ? 

AM: Passion for making my dreams real !

SPC&I: Who are some of your favorite Visual Artist right now ?

AM: Everyone on earth.

SPC&I : What about those that are recognized by the art world? And when I am talking about the art world I am speaking of magazines, museums, and critics. 

AM: I like John Paul-Pryor, Jonathan Meese and Hennessey Youngman

Angelbert's work will be on display at the  Deborah Colton gallery 2445 North Boulevard  Houston, TX 77098 (Novmeber 17, 2012 to Janurary 19, 2013).

 

 NeoPopFunkStreet Art show




Last weekend was my favorite annual group show, NeoPopFunkStreet art show, its mix of some of the best Contemporary Artist in Houston and abroad. This year Deth P. Sun whom is one of my favorite artists right now, showed at NeoPop and of course delivered. So its great to see not only one of my favorite artist showing in Houston. But its also great to know that local curators that are not working for a gallery, these local "Guerilla Art curators" ( an Guerilla Art curator is defined as curator that seeks out spaces and is not with one particular gallery making it easier to have shows where ever they please or see fit)   are building that confidence to approach larger more well known artist to be in shows here in Houston.  But the locals didnt any Nationally known artist still the show. Every single one  of the local artist in this show blew me away. Some of the artist that where showing NeoPop, I have interviewed for SPC&I    


Kevin Sechelski (co-curator of NeoPopFunkStreet Art show) 


SPC&I:Who are you ?

KS: Hello World... Im Kevin Sechelski


SPC&I: What do you do ?
KS: Well I'm a full time Real Estate Agent, working artist and Director/Curator/Co-Founder for Neopopstreetfunk.


SPC&I: What medium of art do you most enjoy working with ?


KS: Over the years I've worked with all medium types but as of late mostly painting with acrylics... But I hope to jump back into other types in the near future.  


SPC&I: If you could describe your art in three words what would they be ?

KS: Intense, Narrative, Thought-Provoking


SPC&I: What makes you want to be a Curator?
 KS:It started with Neopopstreetfunk 1... Organizing an event that brings different artists together as one show... But I really never thought of myself as a curator till Neopopstreetfunk 2 when we started not only selecting artists but also hanging and placing the work. 

SPC&I: What made you want to start NeoPopStreetFunk?
KS: Nicky Davis(Co-Founder) and I were wanting to bring a different style of show to the Houston Art Scene.  We were watching these events take place in both the west and east coast but nothing really down here in the third coast yet... So five years ago we set out to try and mix things up and found ourselves with an amazing event with tons of love and support.


SPC&I:Do you think that people use the title " curator "  too loosely now these days ?
KS:There are a lot of people organizing and curating events these days and I see curators that are on different skill levels but I guess Curators can be judged just like artists and it's in the eye of the beholder... I would love to take my Curating to the next level and even maybe do some guest spots.


SPC&I: Do you have any advice for those aspiring future curators out there ?
KS: Always put the show first... It's never about showing friends work... Mix it up and try to successfully merged different styles and themes.... It's your show so have a backbone and remember subpar art can look great hung right and great art can look subpar hung wrong....


SPC&I: If you could Curate an art show for any visual artist living or dead who would it be ?
KS: That's really hard but I would love to do a Barry McGee show...

for more information on the NEOPOPSTREETFUNK art show http://neopopstreetfunk.com/



Photos from the NEOPOPSTREETFUNK 4 Art Show at M2 Gallery in Houston, TX. Copyright: Groovehouse Photography www.flickr.com/people/groovehouse

. 
 

rivets in the RHYTHM & jeans in BLUES

Lucas  Gorham

Why did you start making music ?
 My name is Lucas Gorham and I am the lead singer and songwriter of grandfather child.

Who are your influences in this current  project?
 I started playing music when I was 13 because me and my cousin wanted to start a band. I started on bass guitar.

 What are you listening to right now ?  
 Check out a genre of gospel music called Sacred Steel. Also, a whole lot of R&B music from the 60s-90s seems to influence us. Also a genre of blues called houserockin' blues.

Do you write the lyrics or the music first ?
Both. It really depends on how the song idea reveals itself in the moment.
 
Whats the last thing you ate ?

 A pickle.

http://grandfatherchild.com/






WELL WELL 
We are Johnny on Vocals / Rhythm Guitar, Phil on Lead Guitar, Nick on drums, our project is WellWell.
 Why did you start making music?
Phil: 'It all just happened naturally. None of us were in any bands at the moment and we played in bands together in the past. And we all felt ready to create music together again.'
 Who are your influences in this current project?
Nick: Minus the Bear, Portugal. the Man
Johnny: The Killers, Two Door Cinema Club, Bloc Party, The Beatles, Duran Duran
Phil: Two Door Cinema Club, Empire of the Sun, The Beatles
We all like anything upbeat and positive sounding.
 Do you write the lyrics or the music first?
Johnny: 'Usually the music first. It’s important for us to have a strong foundation to build on."

  What are you listening to right now?
Nick: Portugal. the Man, Two Door Cinema Club, Minus the Bear, MGMT, of Montreal, Phoenix
Johnny: Two Door Cinema Club, Radiohead, Head Automatica, The Killers
Phil: Empire of the Sun, Skrillex, Phoenix, Two Door Cinema Club
 What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?
Phil and Nick: Two Door Cinema Club @ Cactus Music (in store performance).
Johnny: Thursday @ the Full Collapse 10th Anniversary Tour.

Whats the last thing you ate?
Johnny: a Granola bar from the vending machine… haha.
Phil: Humus.
Nick: Hot Pocket!!! 


 Young MAMMALS

How many members are there ?
    4
who are they ?
Jose Sanchez, Cley Miller, Carlos Sanchez, and Ryan Chavez
 who are your influences in this project?
   Each of us are influenced by different artist.  The consistent influences are usually The Pixies, The Walkmen, Deerhoof, and Television. Just to      name few.

 who were your influences in the past music project?
     We have been in the same band for the past 10 years. So the bands we named in the previous question have been pretty consistent.
 How long have you guys all known each other ?
     I have known Jose for 24 years, Cley for about 10 years, and Ryan for 6 years.
Do you write the lyrics or the music first ?
   We usually write the music first and than the lyrics.
 What is everyone listening to right now ?
     Jose is listening to Teenage Fanclub, Cley is listening to the Buzzcocks, Ryan is listening to Tame Impala, and Im listening to T Rex. What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?
   The last show I enjoyed was the Poison Girl anniversary show. Its always a good time when you play at Poison Girl.
 

Yesterday is dead and Today is new

ART
Olvia Hopkins
(Still Playing Cowboys and Indians)How early in your life did you start making art ?
I started making art as long as I can remember. My mom said I would draw pictures on everything from walls to the refrigerator to paper. I started taking art classes and really seriously getting into it when I was seven.
Who are your influences ?
My biggest influences have been my childhood friend, Ann and my elementary school art teacher Mrs.Herrick. Ann told me when we were very young that no matter what happens to keep doing art because she believed in my talent. I always look back on her words when I doubt myself. And Mrs. Herrick most of all nurtured my artistic side from day one. Artistic influences as far as who I admire and look to channel in my own artwork are Raphael, Richard Shmid, and Casey Baugh, and many more.
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
I paint people, especially faces. I am focusing lately more on capturing whatever mood the person has through the expressions on their faces. You can get so much information from just a persons face, it's an opening into their world.
What medium do you mainly use ?
I primarily use oil on canvas now, but my previous works went back and forth with acrylic on panel and oil on panel and pen and ink on paper.

What keeps you up at night ?
I love The Walking Dead. But after I watch it, the lights stay on.. all night.

Andre Bathalon of LNDMRK (Montreal,Canada ) http://vimeo.com/user13082330

How early in your life did you start making art ?
I'm not drawing anymore, but my hunger for art started when I was around 5, Thanks to two things: Cartoons and Toys. Toys companies started creating TV series based on action figure lines, and US television stations inserted toys commercials during Saturday morning cartoons. Their marketing startegy hooked me up, I became a toy addict. I wanted to take my love for toy to another level, so I started drawing the toys I owned, creating new stories, new chartecters, new universes. Toy packagings and comic books fueld my interest for art and creation.

Who are your influences ?
Richard C. Marcej, Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, Chuck Jones, Guy Laliberté,
What exactly is LNDMRK ?
LNDMRK is a creative agency, it first goal is to value and promote artists through creative and innovative projects. We offer solutions to companies who wish to add artistic values to their marketing strategies or to revisit their brand image. LNDMRK also aiming at the beautification of spaces, outside, inside, private or public, via integration of artworks, sculptures, installations or murals.

What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
Food, I love to draw food.

What medium do you mainly use ?
I don't draw or create anymore but must admit that my favorite medium to look at are clay and oil painting. I am always amazed by the level of mastery that artists can reach with a particular medium, I love the feeling of high admiration I sometime gets when I look at an artwork.
What keeps you up at night ?
The search for happiness, global warming, the rich getting richer
INSA IS IN MONTREAL! from LNDMRK on Vimeo.

Brittany Bly 


How early in your life did you start making art ?
 When I was 3, and I lived in Tulsa with 

my parents and my big brother. I had beautiful lemon yellow walls.  But they were missing something. . .I stood on my bed and starting in the middle of the wall at first small and then getting bigger and wider I drew the best spiral! It was grassy green and perfect. My parents hated it and I got in serious trouble but it was worth it.

The first time I went to an art museum was pretty silly too. I was about 8, and a dead serious 8 year old at that. I knew that smart people liked to look at art and think really hard about it. So, I prepared myself for visiting the museum by putting on a simple black dress and pulling my hair back into a demure, high pony tail.  And my shoes had to be serious too, so I chose black flats. When I looked at those paintings that day you would have thought that I was an adult. I studied them with a very pensive and dry expression.
Who are your influences ?
Everyone. Absolutely everyone. I had a brilliant friend that taught me not to ever think you are smarter than someone else's artwork. That's how you let your brain stagnate and let taste set in. Suddenly you're making the same painting over and over or at least everything you make looks like you. If you want to change and you want to grow you should at least try to find something good in everything that everyone makes.

What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
Anything nerdy. Science, math, organized patterns, fractals. Anything Nintendo!

What medium do you mainly use ?
Lately, I've been enjoying handicraft. I like things that you can have fun with and not take too seriously like clothes and jewelry. I like that you can wear them and use them everyday.
 
You coordinate events as well correct, How did you get into that ?
Geez. I've always been a Lisa Simpson style overachiever. I ran the art history club in college and was the editor in chief of the student journal of art and art history. Then I got an amazing job doing programming at the Museum of Fine Arts and ran a gallery after that. I curated and organized a bunch of art shows and lectured at Lawndale and even wrote an art column for the Free Press. Now my life is a lot more simple because I only work for myself doing events and managing a modest e-commerce. I love to see people having a good time and I love the freedom that working for myself has to offer. But I also like my life to be simple. Quality over quantity and less is more (always all the time)!
Do you have events coming up in the Houston Area ?

Yes, several. The Houston Holiday Pop Shop is an Indie Craft Fair, Art, and Music Festival that is taking place at Summer Street Studios November 23rd and 24th. I am very happy with artists, designers, and local businesses that are participating in the event. Lady Lazarus Press, Nano Fiction, and Jag and Nevi will be there. Jason Villegas, Justin Anville, and Michael Rodriguez are exhibiting art work. HTown Streats and Good Dog will be serving yummies and bands will be announced this week.
I am also planning a Dreams Come True dance party with Mike Murland but the date hasn't been set yet.

What keeps you up at night ?

Nothing. Nothing at all. I sleep through all three of my kitties crying at the window to go in and out.
 
www.houstonholidaypopshop.com
www.brittanybly.com

Adrian Landon Brooks (Houston,Texas)
How early in your life did you start making art ?
I started copying Guns N' Roses shirts and Garfield comics when I was about 12.


 Who are your influences ?
I am mostly influenced by music and the things my friends are creating but I have always had a weak spot for Will Oldham,Egon Schiele, and Barry Mcgee.

 
What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?

Animals,religious symbolism, and text. 


What medium do you mainly use ?
 Gouache and pen.

 What keeps you up at night ?
Trying to figure out how I am going to make all this work with so little time. 
http://www.adrianlandonbrooks.com


MUSIC 
Brandon. West. (Houston,Texas) 


(Still Playing Cowboys and Indians )Who are you ?
My name is Brandon West. I am a singer, writer and visual performer.

Why did you start making music ?
Growing up, I was in an environment that was not always emotionally open and there were times where I felt that I couldn't express my feeling, thoughts, desires as some might have been able to do in such an "it is what it is" atmosphere. So having grown up with music always playing and hearing how Smokey Robinson, Anita Baker, Johnnie Taylor, Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones, Lighting Hopkins, on and on and on; hearing how their songs and voices and expressionism caught a hold of the listeners being really struck a chord within me. It was then that I discovered that what I couldn't say, I could write, and when I couldn't speak, I could sing.

Who are your influences in this current  project?
I have been just opening myself up to hearing and reading everything that I can. From Robin to And One, Neruda to Burroughs, Frank Ocean to Iamamiwhoami. Its a little bit pop, a tad industrial, experimental and there is always soul. I can't shake the feeling! Lets call it 'Modern Electronic Soul'! Let's call it open.

Whom have been your influences in past music projects?
Mj, Madonna, Otis Redding, Tina Turner, The Stones, Leadbelly, Daft Punk, Jeans Team, Disco and funk in general have always been teachers of mine.


How do you feel about the growing popularity of Electronic Music ?
I think it is great. We should always be expanding our minds and opening ourselves to new interests and tastes.

Do you write the lyrics or the music first ?
I tend to usually write the lyrics first. I am a poet, a writer before all else.

 What are you listening to right now ?  
T.Rex's The Electric Boogie-1971

What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?
Little Joe Washington. The man just can't be stopped.
Whats the last thing you ate ?
Two tacos with all the fixin's from the Taco Truck in front of Avant Garden. They are so damn good, especially with bourbon.  

band camp  http://brandonwest.bandcamp.com/

 

Music Edition

Showers (Houston,Texas) http://www.facebook.com/ShowersTheBand?ref=ts

 How long have you guys all known each other ?

Nathan: I've known Marshall approximately _______, I met Taylor a couple years ago, but we didn't talk until this band; kind of an unspoken thing.

I met Derek through Marshall when this band was getting going. (ya see here we were all working/hanging out at this taco and snow cone stand every day, when we got to talking about music and realized we didn't like each other or each others taste in music but we figured the best plan of action was to start a band.

We wanted the opportunity to fight and kick people out. You can imagine our bewilderment when that plan was a complete disaster and we ended up moving in together as sort of a co-op. with free love and everything!

After a long period of unisex jumpsuits and calling Marshall, back then as "Mars-hall", father; we went through a lot of groovy group therapy and eventually started a band for the right reason.... To get famous enough that one day we can tell our kids we had a song sampled by Skrilex.

How many members are there ?

Anonymous: We've been a four piece for about a year now & just this week we added a fifth member (Shane Broeker.)


Who are they ?

Marshall: Derek Lynn (Drum & Production), Nathan Allen (Guitar & Vocals), Taylor Drackett (Bass & Vocals), Shane Broeker (Guitar & strange undertones), Marshall F Walker (Vocals & Guitar)

Who are your influences in this project?

Derek: Anyone who keeps a solid backbeat without being too much of a show-off. Off the top of my head - Klaus Dinger, Jason McGerr, Justin Peroff, and Stephen Morris



Do you write the lyrics or the music first ?

Richard "Maury" Povich: Music



 What is everyone listening to right now ?

Taylor: I've been listening to the music from Twin Peaks a lot, also Father John Misty, St. Vincent, and Eleanor Friedberger are on my current rotation.

Shane: Cold roses by Ryan Adams

Nathan: Tomorrow by Built To Spill

Derek: Delta Spirit, The Walkmen, and Drake

Marshall: Roger Sellers new record "Moments"

What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?

Derek: I saw The Darkness a couple of months ago and it was probably the best show I'll see until I see The Darkness again.

Nathan:  Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey circus

Shane: Randomly walking in on Choir of Young Believers in the back of Urban Outfitters this past sxsw

Taylor: Har Mar Superstar and Father John Misty.  I didn't know who FJM was at the time, I went for Har Mar...

Marshall: Roger Sellers.

Check out Showers at Fitzgerald's (Houston,Tx) the will be playing with Balmorhea on October 1st, 2012.  For more information visit the link provided . 

https://www.facebook.com/events/264847243632511/





LIMB (Houston,Texas) www.limblimblimb.com
When I first saw James Templeton aka LIMB, I swallowed a fly. Due to the "OH Face " I was making For this sound to be coming out of Houston at that time was just refreshing. And a few years down the road he's still remains relevant with his music. 



Who are your influences in this project?

  I tried to really block a lot out on this one and start fresh, but probably Flying Lotus/Jim Edwards/Andre Duracell/Talking Heads

How would describe LIMB in 5 words ?

  This question is so embarrassingly difficult to answer. Though, I think the first word that comes to mind is Houston.


How do you feel about the growing popularity of Electronic Music ?

   It is more a growing popularity of accessible music. It's not news that computers have made it easy for anyone to write, record and distribute music they didn't even know they could play (and probably couldn't with out computers or samplers). Software is dense! small and open sourced! If you know where to look, people are giving it away! Electronic music is accessible and that is why it is so popular. I think a lot of the "old" craft is a being lost sure, but new ones are being invented and be so everyday. I just hope history sifts out those who are barely trying.

What are you listening to right now ?

  Adultry Kidding (Fuck Marry Kill)/Meshuggah(koloss)/James Blake (James Blake)/Rustie (Glass Swords)/New Order (Low Life)/Extra Life (dream seeds)   

Who were your influences in the past music project?

   The past project had been a three piece, so it varies a bunch. Can/Faust/Fourtet/Madlib/Battles. It has been a minute, but that is what I can remember.   

What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?

   Josiah Gabriel. Production is so so solid... and there is a song quality that has been rare in electronic music since 2000 (my opinion).
   Extra Life. Thoughtful, meticulous, heavy music is hard to come by these days. These guys hit the nail on the head!

Whats the last thing you ate ?

   Black bean soup my sister made me. Raspberries. 

nEW yORK cITY qUEENS (Houston,Texas) https://www.facebook.com/newyorkcityqueens


How many members are in the band ? 
6 Members
 
Who are they ?
John Stephens - Guitar, Vocals
Daniela Hernandez - Bass, Guitar, Vocals
Kitty Beebe - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
Tom Guth - Guitar
Isaac Chavez-Garza - Drums
Philip Stephens - Drums
 
Who are your influences in this project ? Our influences range from late 1950's, early 1960's pop to modern rock like Arcade Fire, Beach House, The Strokes and Delta Spirit.
 
 Who were your influences in the past music project ?Our influences have essentially always been rooted in early pop and classic rock; The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkle, etc.
 
How long has everyone known each other ?
We've known each other since high school. Me (John), Kitty, and Tom all grew up in the same suburb; Kingwood. Daniela moved to Kingwood in high school after her father took a job in Houston. Isaac moved to Houston in college from Minnesota.
 
What comes first the music or the lyrics ?
The writing process is entirely dependent on the song. Sometimes something as simple as, "She said it's over and I'm leaving but I wanted to stay" will lead to the development of an entire song. Other times, we jam over an instrumental piece for some time before I think about what lyrics might fit.
 
What is everyone listening to right now ? 

What we listen to varies from day to day. Right now, I'm listening to John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band and Frank Ocean - Channel Orange.
 
 Whats the last good show that you went ?
The last show that we all went to and loved was Delta Spirit's at Fitzgerald's a few months ago.
 

Flappers and Philosphers, or something along those lines.

SADDO   (Bucharest, Romania) Street artist/ painter/ illustrator
How early in your life did you start making art ?

I was drawing since I was a kid, I was super inspired and influenced by sci-fi and horror movies, cartoons, and a friend of mine who was older, and was drawing monsters and heroes, comics, etc. But I wasn't really "serious" about it, it was just something I needed to do from time to time, it was fun. Then I went to University, which pretty much took away all the fun in drawing, and after I graduated I had two years when I haven't drawn anything. Then I discovered street art and I almost had to start again from scratch, I was afraid of drawing, but slowly I rediscovered the fun of drawing and painting.

Who are your influences ?

My girlfriend Heliana ( Aitch ), whose works I love, was a huge influence, she almost forced me to try new mediums, when I met her I was only drawing with paint markers on stupid papers, she taught me  that working on different kinds of papers, with ink, watercolors, acrylics, is nice, fun and precious.
Also, another huge influence was my friend Other - I learned from him that it's so beautiful to paint on pieces of found wood and old furniture, and I was also very much impressed by his work ethics and energy, which motivated me to work more.
I really love art in general, so aesthetically my influences are many, and range from street art, pop surrealism, naive art, naturalistic illustrations of plants and animals, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Henri Rousseau, Walton Ford, Bosch, Fernando Botero, Victor Brauner, to young artists like Jon McNair, Other, Aitch, Jean Spezial, Heiko Mueller, Barry McGee, Os Gemeos, Ekta, Zbiok, and many others whose works I love.
Here's a blog with few of my favorite artworks: http://saddo-recommends.tumblr.com/

What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?

I have periods when I like to draw mixes of birds, tribal heads, symbols, abstract shapes, or more thoughtful paintings, meditations on the passing of time, loss, death. And times when I draw zombies. Or times when I like to draw/paint cute cartoonish characters. And times when I mix all of these. It depends on my mood.

What medium do you mainly use ?

It's the same as with my subjects, it really depends on moods, sometimes I like to make fast illustrations with ink on paper, sometimes I like putting a lot of work on paintings made with acrylics on canvas, sometimes I like painting on wood, on walls…I like all of them, ink on paper is much faster, brings an immediate satisfaction, it can be sold cheaper/quicker. Painting on canvas or wood or walls takes more time to develop, and at some point it can become pretty frustrating, but the satisfaction is much bigger in the end.

What keeps you up at night ?

The Sopranos and Oz.

For Images of Saddo Raul's art work visit his Flckr http://www.flickr.com/photos/saddo/



Suntur
 Bangkok Thailand
Illustrator

Bangkok Thailand


How early in your life did you start making art ?

I've been interested in arts since I was very young so I went to an art university. And I started making art pieces since my 3rd university year.

Who are your influences ?
  My cousin. He is very good at drawing and he was my first drawing mentor.


What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?
 Human in different characters as well as simple objects I found in my daily life.


What medium do you mainly use ?
Any plain paper with water color.

What keeps you up at night ?
   Drawing. :)


















 Sarah Welch (houston,texas)

How early in your life did you start making art ?

I started drawing pretty early, but didn't take it seriously til high school. I knew I didn't want to go to the giant shitty public school my neighborhood was zoned for so I found a way out. I managed to get a transfer to a better public high school by enrolling in the school's "fine art academy" which was a kind of proto-magnet program that had course requirements and access to better than government-issued art supplies. Going to that school changed everything. It made me more ambitious about life in general.


                                                                                   Who are your influences

Raymond Pettibon, Christina Ramberg, Kitagawa Utamaro, & Mariah Carey

What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?

I studied textile design for part of college and am still fully obsessed with prints. I love inventing and incorporating pattern into my work. I'm all over drapery, garments, and made-up ambiguous forms that look like drapery and garments. I've actually taken it as far as screen printing images of puffer jackets and rumpled looking shapes as repeat yardage.

What medium do you mainly use ?

I use basic mechanical pencils and 001 ink pens. I do printmaking, especially in the last couple years, I started working with VROOOOOM Press doing screen printed comic books and short run gig posters and whatever. I've worked with screen printing, relief printing, offset, letterpress, and actually, tonight I'm going to start learning about using risograph printing. I just helped move this risograph yesterday, we drove all the way to a church in Killeen to pick it up and then hauled it back to Houston last night. It was way heavy.

What keeps you up at night ?

The future keeps me up at night. I am also scared of cockroaches.




www.sarahwelch.info



Shannon Lynn Grant (Austin,Texas) Photographer

How early in your life did you start making art ?

  I started photography ever since I put my hands on a camera as a little girl, playing with point and shoots, photographing your average objects and people. Once I became a student in high school I took every possible class learning how to develop film manually, photograph it manually, and printing in the darkroom manually; both black & white and color. The process is beautiful. It reveals the true Art and beauty of photography. You would perhaps find me in the photo lab in high school the majority of the time, and I loved being there with no hurry to get out of class. Once I became aware of the Art of photography and the Art of seeing, while building the ability to see beyond seeing, photography eventually became natural for me and I wanted to learn more and more and photograph more and more.  Writing was always my art, mainly poetry, and through the years my photographs started to write the words for me. I stopped writing at a point. I did not consciously decide to, I just stopped. However ironically I am currently writing a very elaborate and lengthy blog entry of my journey back and forth to Los Angeles from December 2011 to May 2012, documenting Occupy LA, revolutionaries, protestors, activists, and the other very odd lives of people who surrounded. The main idea of the experience is to educate and document the current awakening through multiple Arts forming a community of awakened spirits. Stay tuned for the entry at
www.shannonlynngrant.wordpress.com. Eventually I got into digital photography and photographic software programs when I was 18 at the start of college. I hated the idea of digital at first because I felt as if it was destroying the Art, however I learned to understand the many benefits within digital and I have not been in a darkroom since. I would love to again experience the process of projected light, and thankfully someone last week just referred me to someone who has a darkroom, so that very well may be possible in the near future. Photography has everything to do with light in which I remember my high school photo teacher Nicki Stager saying, "I paint with light".  She inspired me to pursue photography as something more than just a personal Art and hobby.


Who are your influences ?

Henry Cartier-Bresson and Aaron Siskind would be my biggest influences. A photojournalist and an abstract artist. Cartier-Bresson is known by his "decisive moment". He would never set up a photograph and he has captured some of the most beautiful and well known photographs through patience and awareness. While creating a photojournalistic series or moment, it is important to capture those moments of time naturally and become almost invisible. 

Aside from photojournalism, I love abstract photography. It is something that I have not spent much time on lately because of other focuses, however it is one of my favorite personal styles. There is so much beauty and design overlooked through our normal everyday lives. The key is seeing the image rather than looking for it, and also having the ability to see that image even when one is not looking for it. Anything can be seen as beautiful; it is all in how you perceive it. Aaron Siskind photographs various textures creating black and white images of objects we would never suspect to be objects of beauty. Becoming aware and seeing beyond what many ignores is a different way of seeing the world. Not only is it possible to create beautiful Art seeing this way but also one becomes more aware of their surroundings even when without a camera.



What's one of your favorite subjects to draw ?

Sometimes you can catch me doodling flowers and mushrooms, hah, I don't draw much, nor do I put passion into it. On the other hand if I were to put effort into drawing I would draw observationally, perhaps people or things in their natural environment. However I could use a camera and the subject could be captured with light onto a sensor (or perhaps film) capturing thousands of pixels of information creating an image that captures a moment in time. I than could put it in photoshop and put a sketch filter on it. Word.

What's one of you favorite subject to photograph?

I typically like interesting people in interesting locations or people who live in odd environments with interesting ideas. Photojournalism and documentation over a period of time or random spontaneous moments is what I mainly focus on and love. I hate posing subjects, and it just doesn't work in journalism. There is more of an impact with unposed images. I want what is real, and I want to capture what society does not typically see or ever see. I also love abstract photography which is one of my personal styles. I'll photograph anything from rust, pealing paint, dripping paint and I have even shot something that seemed to be vomit once. Being aware of my surrounding and seeing the image rather than looking for it has created some of the most interesting and beautiful images. It is important for me to be constantly aware of my surroundings if I want to effectively see the beauty surrounding me, in which the average person usually overlooks or doesn't perceive as anything. All expectations and control of a subject must go out the window. I am also a sucker for graffiti. At one point in my life I could never pass a graffiti wall and not abstractly photograph it. The lines colors and diversity of graffiti creates some real interesting stuff and I also love the Art. Graffiti is what lead me to become aware of the rust, peeling paint, dirt and grim surrounding the walls and ground of buildings and nature, in which that is when I started to shoot grim and create imagery that looked nothing of the sort except for a beautiful design. Music is something else that I also enjoy photographing, because I love music; who doesn't. I shoot anything from live music to band promotions to musicians in their natural environment.

What medium do you mainly use ?

I use digital cameras processing RAW files through Light room or Photoshop camera RAW. I prefer Canon cameras, however I will not turn away a Nikon. I have not photographed using film in almost 5 years because I haven't had access to a darkroom. Also film is pricey and scarce and some brands don't even sell film anymore. It is also just not the same taking film to your local film developing store. I have no control over the process of the final image in which the darkroom is where the Art of photography shines. I would rather shoot digital in that case. Anyway eventually I would have to scan the image or negative to make it digital. Today we can make digital images look like film which is what I often do. I love film grain however sometimes it is not necessary. I typically use more monochromatic colors rather than full color because it reveals more emotion. I mainly use Lightroom and Photoshop and sometimes Illustrator for specific designs. If I am creating a composite obviously I will use Photoshop. Photoshop and Lightroom have become a part of my everyday life, and it is currently the photographers professional workflow to shoot digital. Film is slowly dying and darkrooms are becoming computer labs. Because of the internet it is not necessary for me to print too often, but it depends on what the image is being used for, however if I were to print for personal use or gallery shows I prefer semi-gloss paper at an unique size printed at a professional lab. No 8x10's please. Canvas is cool too.

What keeps you up at night ?

The thought of the many issues in our society and the unhappy, ignorant, and sleeping state of humanity, especially in America, keeps me up at night. I am an empathetic wisdom seeker and I put effort into learning anything and everything to help guide myself and humanity into a higher consciousness, becoming spiritually awake. Through both the conflicts and beauties of survival we all can create Art. Inspiration is key. Art is mainly an expression of the self which is in my opinion important for every single human being to put effort into doing, especially now with the many internal changes we are all experiencing. Everybody has an Art they can express themselves with. If they do not, they have not discovered it yet. I am and will continue to influence more LOVE in this society through Art and inspiration. It's time to wake up. ; )




More info on Shannon Grant www.shannonlynngrant.wordpress.com


Shakey Graves (Austin,Texas)


 How many members are there ?

 Shakey Graves is a solo project, its just me, Alejandro Rose-Garcia.

who are your influences in this project?

Everyone.  This is what music sounds going in my ears and coming out of my mouth….my heroes include the late great Townes Van Zandt, Michael Hurley, Elliott Smith, The Wu-Tang Clan, ABBA, you name it.
Whom have been influences in past music projects? 
Influences are influences past or present.  All the same stuff I already mentioned and some stuff I havent, I love black metal, crazy lo fi shit, horrible screamo music, weepy dude jams...whatever, but I used to want to be in Saetia, Cradle Of Filth, Japanther, Die Emperor Die....I used to play in a shitty awesome screamo band, so, loud crunchy whiny shit that I love..and Usher of course.

 Do you write the lyrics or the music first ?

Usually music, but sometimes words demand melody….there is no math to this.

 What are you listening to right now ?

Crooked Cowboy & The Freshwater Indians which is the best unheard band on earth in my humble opinion, Electrelane, Tim Fite, Those Darlins, Wild Child, Other Lives, Cradle, The Luv’d Ones, M83, The Ventures.

What was the last show you went to that you really enjoyed?

Those Darlins

Whats the last thing you ate ?

A Kool Summer Sammich at Bouldin Creek Café in Austin TX