Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
by Melissa Brooks
How many times have you walked around the bay area and have been asked for money? Enough to make you walk faster, turn a deaf ear and hold your breath? Yeah… me too. Not for Thomas Hawk and a growing number of photographers. You want a couple bucks from him? Let him take your portrait.
After realizing he would avoid people who asked him for money, he decided to change. Hawk’s belief in the goodness of human interaction and desire to celebrate other human beings as human beings motivated him to start the project. Making it a commercial transaction allows him the opportunity to engage with his subjects and makes it a win-win.
What does he do? To make things easier, he keeps $2 reserve money in his wallet. When asked for money, he offers them $2 in exchange for their portrait. While shooting, he talks to them to learn their story. The pictures and story are then posted to the Flickr $2 Portrait Pool.
The $2 Portrait Project has been going on for over two years now, so I asked him a few questions:
How has this project affected your attitude towards people who ask you for money?
Thomas Hawk: I think the biggest thing about this project in terms of my attitude towards people who ask me for money is that I no longer shirk from these people. I used to really go out of my way to avoid these people. Now I will no longer try and avoid them but see the interaction as a positive thing and actually welcome it. There are probably still times that I’ll try somewhat to avoid people asking for money if I’m in a rush or hurry or need to be somewhere or am late. But mostly I view the possibility of an interaction as a good thing.
Have you had any memorable stories while shooting these portraits?
Thomas Hawk: There are so many great stories while shooting. Each portrait carries little tidbits of the interaction. Some are more meaningful than others. I’ve met some real characters. Some that I know were lying to me about things, others who tell me sincere and heartfelt stories of desperation. I’ve been asked for money so someone could make it to a hospice to die. I’ve been told stories about lost children. About being knifed or beaten. About being in jail. About drug abuse. I’ve talked to younger kids and older drunks and lots of people in between. Almost all of them have a story. Some more interesting than others.
Do you have any tips or advice for someone who wants to shoot $2 portraits?
Thomas Hawk: The biggest tip I’d tell people about pursuing a $2 Portrait Project is to relax about it. Don’t feel stressed out about the conversation and confrontation. Almost all of the people who ask will agree to the portrait sitting. I think sometimes people are just afraid to ask another human being to take a portrait. This represents a great opportunity to do just that.
SHAWN by Thomas Hawk read Shawn’s story here
RENEE by Thomas Hawk read Renee’s story here
HARRY by Thomas Hawk read Harry’s story here
RAPHAEL by Jeremy Brooks read Raphael’s story here
BABY ELMO by Troy Holden read Baby Elmo’s story here
David by Erik Wilson – read David’s story here
Walt by Scott Roeben/LVShooter- Read Walt’s story here
Deon by Justin Korn-Read Deon’s story here
To explore more portraits or join the project, visit the $2 Portraits pool on Flickr
Monday, August 30th, 2010
Orbs hit up Bottom of the Hill last night along with Junius and Disastroid. I love Bottom of The Hill in SF because for one it is a really small venue so you are able to get up close and can see the band clearly from practically anywhere in the room.
Along the walls you will see calendar after calendar of past shows, and you can’t help but be amazed when thinking of all the bands that have rolled through within the past ten years. The likes of Cat Power, Metric, Iron & Wine, Queens of the Stone Age to name a few.
The crowd gathered near the front of the stage, faces melted after each set. All in all it was a great show with some great bands and I can’t wait to go to Bottom of the Hill again!
Orbs – Video of Orbs can be found at http://youtube.com/thebayareanative
Junius
Disastroid
Friday, August 20th, 2010
Myspace: http://www.facebook.com/thebutterflybones
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thebutterflybones
Who are some of your influences?
Madonna, Prince, Talking Heads, Deep House, litchy .gif Animations from ’94.
How would you describe your music?
Cut Copy apparently.
How was the band formed?
Joe and I knew each other in sixth grade when we would fight in front of the lockers of louisiana public high school. We met Austin in the basement of the my berkeley co-op and stole him from his other band.
When did you start to play guitar?
I got in a boat wreck in 8th grade in the bayou by my house, and my mom’s friend was a swamp rocker that wanted to teach me some chords while i was bed ridden.
Where have you guys played?
We’ve played at The Fillmore, so many times at the Rickshaw Stop, probably our favorite venue. Just took a rad tour with The Temper Trap from Denver to Seattle, best show from that tour was at The Showbox at The Market.
What are some songs you would recommend?
Awesome blog with afro-caribbean mixtapes:
http://www.whatsinmyipod.blogspot.com/search/label/afro
General blog house, and claude von stroke is spinning at a dirtybird party tonight in SOMA
Describe the music making process.
All three of us are equally versed in live, logic / computer production, so usually one person comes up with something and the other two tear it down and build it back up.
What are your practices generally like?
We all live on the same block, so we’ll get together to produce tracks without any regular schedule. When we want to bring the songs into a live arena, we rent out a practice space and bring drums into the mix.
How has your music evolved over time?
We started out playing shoegaze with laptop elements, and as we became better versed in computer production, leaned more towards that method.
Who are some musicians you admire?
Wish i could crawl on stage in assless chaps like Prince or perfect a synth tone like anyone on DFA.
Music is…
trying to beat your own personal record in gymnastics / the best video game ever.
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
We had a chance to catch up with Upstairs Downstairs, folk rock out of San Francisco!
What’s the origin of the band name? Have you changed the band’s name before?
Literally: Kyle lived in the downstairs flat at this house and I lived in the flat upstairs. It just so happens I also have a hankering for (ok, obsession with) British dramas.
How long have you been all been playing? Self-taught?
Tory: I played piano growing up but quit when I was 11 I think. My dad’s side of the family has a good amount of musicians (concert pianists, opera singers, all kinds of stringed instruments) and he had a rock band…so at 17 I finally asked him to teach me to play the guitar so I could play along to the Misfits. He was hoping more for old folk standards…so I think I learned a bit of both. James: James: 6-7 years, but if you count the amount of time I’ve spent practicing and studying it would be more analogous to 10-12. Self taught and self absorbed.
Kyle: I picked up a guitar when i was 12 and have played ever since…
Tory (speaking for Doug): Doug said he asked his mom if he could play drums when he was 5 or 6. She said no so he played the saxaphone. Clearly she later relented.
Who are your major influences? Any major comparisons to certain bands that your music may receive?
Tory: Well, there are bands I love that made me want to play music, but I can’t say that the music we play directly correlates with theirs. Formative years-wise, what I like to call “Older-brother-sister” music included a pretty wide range — from Black Flag to Erasure, Joy Division, Too $hort –- I was lucky enough to be exposed to so many amazing bands that have stuck with me. I went to college in Seattle so I saw a lot of music -– whether in basements or at the Crocodile –- it was all inspiring. Seriously, every band I saw.
As for who we’ve been compared to, lately we’ve gotten some Yo La Tengo (holy crap!! Rad!) We’ve gotten Rilo Kiley a few times, Lucinda Williams, St. Vincent even. Good company, right?
How long have you all known each other? How did you meet?
Tory: I met Kyle about 6 years ago through mutual friends, and James from Kyle – they have another band together called They Drive by Night. Doug had lived with some friends of mine for a while but I didn’t really officially meet him until we begged him on as our drummer. Really if I had to trace it all back, the skateboarding world is responsible for us all knowing each other. Isaac, who is handling keys these days, is brand new to us and we love him!
Kyle: I lived next door to James in the Sunset and begged him to play guitar with me, then i moved to the Inner Richmond and lived downstairs from Tory, then we all became friends…
When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
We started playing as Upstairs Downstairs in Summer, 2008. I had been playing in another band that was really casual and somehow I wound up playing this house show on my own at the last minute, and it went well. Kyle and James had their own band (They Drive By Night) and Kyle suggested we all should jam together sometime. Along the way there have been some different people playing with us who all contributed a lot: Brad Robertson (who played keys with us last year and taught me a lot about arrangement), Dana Goldberg, Donald Meints and Tamara Waite. My friend Lindsay Irving came on to sing on the album and play some shows too. Her voice is absolutely amazing.
What can you tell me about your instruments? What made you choose the instruments you have now?
Tory: I typically play my Martin OM – it’s Martin’s SmartWood line so it’s made of cherry and reclaimed spruce – so awesome! I chose it based on the recommendations of Derek at Gryphon in Palo Alto – my dad and I are 5 guitars deep with him and he hasn’t let us down once. I also have an 80’s Japanese Strat and a ‘79 Guild dreadnought.
James: I own quite a few guitars plus a few other stringed instruments, but have a Gretsch Hollowbody that I can’t part with. It sounds exactly how a guitar should sound.
Kyle: Jazzmaster through an AC30 = BAD ASS
Tory: Doug rocks a 40-year-old set of Gretsch drums that are lurvley.
Where have you performed? What are your favorite venues in the Bay Area? Anyone I should talk or speak to so that their venue/open mic/project can receive more exposure? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Tory: We’ve played at the Make Out Room, The Knockout, Hotel Utah, the Stork Club in Oakland, the Red Rock in the South Bay, Dolores Park, hmm…house shows…We’re playing El Rio for the first time in a couple weeks and then Amnesia at the end of August. Super excited about both of those!
We’re hoping to get down to Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, LA and then up to the NW this Fall as well.
My favorite venues definitely include the Knockout and Make Out Room. They’re just so comfortable to hang out in and everyone is super nice. I’m also a pretty big fan of Amnesia, the Great American, du Nord and the Hemlock to name a few. Simon Joyner played in my living room the other night which was awesome. And we had the Out of Sight Holiday Show there last Christmas…so I’m now getting pretty stoked on my house as a venue as well…no transportation needed.
As far as talking up some nights – Penny Arcade at the Make Out Room is amazing. It’s put on by Raul Sanchez. DJ Neil Martinson does Smile — also an awesome event.
What albums are you currently listening to and would like to recommend?
Tory: My buddies Nathan and Dusty just released their collaborative album as Coloring. (it’s called “Start Coloring”.) love it. Also, check out another SF band called Social Studies and their new album “Wind up Wooden Heart.” At my office, we’re playing Lovers’ “I am the West” at least once a day! “Everyday Balloons” by A Weather is up there, the new LCD soundsystem, the Moondoggies, Wooden Birds.
James: Love Language, Ariel Pink, some 80s older brother music.
Kyle: the entire Outlaw Con Bandana catalog, Simon Joyner’s new record “Out into the snow” is on constant repeat as well.
Tory: I think Doug is rocking a lot of obscure Jazz at all times. If you need a record recommendation definitely go see him at Grooves. That place is amazing. He works there on Saturdays.
Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers?
Tory: I think we’ve played Til Tuesday and January 12th the most. We don’t have any covers at the moment…I’m kinda looking for one we’d all agree on…I think I want to do “Disorder” by Joy Division or maybe a Mountain Goats or Neutral Milk Hotel song.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Tory: I do most of the initial writing, but then everyone writes their own parts and we work it out together in the end. We also do one of Kyle’s songs “The Revision” and we’re working on one by James as well.
As for main themes, I don’t know. I think a lot of them center around expectations – either internal or external – about situations or relationships or places, and how they do or don’t line up. Some of the songs though are just storytelling about real events – typically ones that happen to other people I know. “Grave” is about one of my close friends who was the sole survivor of a nasty car accident in Mexico. “Bluebird of Loneliness” was actually started by my friend Tim who has a skate-thrash band called Shred Crust now in North Carolina. I just took his title and ran with it. I don’t think he’ll let me work with some of his other opuses like “Blood Sock Puppet” or “Skate Park Six Pack” though.
Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
Tory: Most of the time I’ll write songs while I am either sitting in my bed with a guitar watching West Wing reruns, walking my dogs, or when I’m traveling -– either on the plane, driving or in a hotel room. Honestly, those are the only three times. I should probably try to expand on that. From there I usually work out a rough recording with James and/or Kyle, then type up the words and chords for everyone and then we work it out at practice.
James: Tory will typically bring a new song and I usually will ask her to play it over and over while I try some different guitar melodies. We might make some early arrangement changes, then we will get a rough recording.
Tory: oh yeah, I guess I kinda blocked out the part where James makes me play them over and over…
What are some challenges you may face playing at a new venue and not knowing what the sound will be like?
Tory: well we’ve definitely had some challenges where no one could hear each other or where you can’t hear yourself, but it is what it is and it always works out one way or another.
James: It’s funny because everyone hears something different. We’ve played a show where Kyle and I couldn’t hear my guitar but his sounded really loud. Afterwards a friend said all they could hear was me and that Kyle needed to turn up.
Kyle: you never really get great stage levels any where, i guess if you know the songs you are playing you should be ok
What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
Well, you know that scene from Scarface at the end when he’s face down in a mountain of coke? Well… It’s nothing like that. : ) We try to do at least one day a week, two sometimes. It’s hard to get all 5 of us in one place at the same time. But when we’re there it’s good. Our friends from Anaura share an awesome practice “loft” with us…well, wait I don’t know what it is — a two-story old brick building that now has a couple bands and Kyle and James’ recording space.
James: Practices are generally laid back, with witty one-liners peppered about. We try to have a set time twice a week but that rarely happens as planned.
Kyle: we have fun and enjoy adult beverages.
Tory: yeah, Kyle has plastic water bottles that have pictures of naked boobies on them.
How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
Tory: I hope that it’s gotten less “singer/songwriter + band” and more of a band sound…if that makes any sense at all.
James: It’s still too early to say.
What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Tory: I think arranging songs with five instruments around an acoustic guitar has been difficult here and there…James, Doug, Brad and I did a lot of arrangement work last year…
James: As Tory said earlier, trying to match schedules between everybody can be a little difficult.
What’s the ultimate direction for the band?
Tory: I think just to keep writing new songs and make sure we enjoy playing them one way or another. In the next few months we’re planning to get to Southern California and also up to the Pacific Northwest. Ultimately we’d like to get all around the country.
What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
Tory: Call me. I’ll tell them some things, then I’ll tell them to buy my buddy Brian (from Tartufi) dinner and he can do the rest! But, yeah, let’s see: find one or two other people. Get together consistently for a while no matter what. Get at least 6 or 7 solid songs together and book a show. It’s good to have a goal. There are some awesome nights in SF that are local music and have slots for new bands. Raul Sanchez is my hero in that regard. You don’t need to have some epic long set or a big name.
James: Make sure you find people you can jell with. Having incompatible personalities can kill your project really quick. Practice a ton. Know your songs!
Tory: ewe: jell.
kyle: fucking do it!
Which famous musicians do you admire?
Tory: Wow, so many. Maybelle and June Carter, James Mercer, Neko Case – she has four dogs did you know that? I could go on and on. Simon Joyner played in our living room last week and blew everyone’s minds…but was just the sweetest guy. Also, we recently crossed paths with Andy LeMaster who mixed our album. I’m a huge fan of his projects and have come to really admire his ability to be both such a meticulous and focused person and so pleasant and friendly. I’m jealous.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Tory: Wow, again, so many. My friends Raul Sanchez, Nathan Moomaw, Rachel Lipsitz and Anthony Gordon have been a big deal in getting us going one way or another –- supporting, booking shows, taking photos, telling us to keep going…Thank you Nathan — he put our album on his Gazebo Music label to do digital distribution. Definitely major thanks to all the folks we’ve played with that I mentioned earlier. Neil Martinson who hosts Smile, a night at the Knockout, has been huge in booking us shows and being a positive force. Karma and Mike from AM Magic are awesome and of course get major thanks for sharing Doug with us! Kevin McCracken and Daniel Phifer from Aim Low Kid have always been really encouraging as well. My buddy Kelllie McCool helped me silksceen our CD covers which was no small endeavor. Brett Critchlow and Matt Irving at Juice Design bought one of our songs to use in an Adidas Skateboarding video they made…Man, all of my friends are amazing about coming to our shows and/or helping out in some way. I’m so lucky – seriously, two of my best friends Mary Catherine and Sarah, and my fake aunt and uncle (Greg and Tina) have been to nearly EVERY show we’ve played, even if it’s just me playing a couple songs at the Christmas party.
James: Mark Kapple, Donald Meints, Tamara Waite, Catherine Spurlock, and Tory’s friends.
Tory: Yeah, my friends kill it…just FYI they’re also James’ friends…
Kyle: my mom and dad are cool
What does music mean to you?
Tory: Mainly it means I’m not painting or drawing in my room alone as my creative outlet. It’s good to collaborate with others and use a different part of your brain.
James: It’s a way to get our voices heard.
kyle: it’s fun!
Any last words?
kyle: i like tacos.
tory: kyle hates capitalization. well, in the grammatical sense, not economic.
All photos by Rachel Lipsitz, you may check out her work here http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlepants/ and http://www.littlepants.com/
Check out their music here!
http://www.myspace.com/upstairsdownstairsband
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
We had a chance to catch up with The Famous, from San Francisco, CA! Check out their video and an interview below!
What’s the origin of the band name?
‘The Famous’ is the name of a dry goods store in Central Texas that my family operated in a small town called Marlin. We’re talking from the ‘20s to the early ‘80s.
In our own way, we try to pay homage to life in small towns in America, and also to help folks remember that there was a time before Wal-Mart ran Mom and Pops out of business in agricultural areas across the country.
There have always been strong communities of people working together in our country and we try to tell those stories.
How long have you been all been playing?
The band’s players have all been lifelong musicians. Vic our lead guitarist can play anything, any instrument, he’s outstanding. G.D. our
bassist toured for years in a very successful punk rock band and brings a true pro experience to the band. Our drummer Chris is the backbone. My background is with storytelling.
Who are your major influences? Any major comparisons to certain bands that your music may receive?
Since we are something of a marriage between classic country and punk rock… we are definitely influenced by the likes of Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, X and The Pixies. People say they hear Rev. Horton Heat, Social Distortion, Old ‘97s, Modest Mouse influences… and they’re right.
How long have you all known each other? How did you meet? When did you form your band?
I’m taking the easy way out… we met 7 years ago, but the story is best told here…
“You can pound your fist on my front door / But it’s been too long, I don’t need you anymore.” Laurence Scott sings the opening line of “Better Things,” from the Famous’ 2005 debut Light, Sweet Crude, like he really means it. He might be singing about an old lover, an old friend — heck, even an old car — but the line could just as well be a kiss-off to the staid country and Americana his band seems all too happy to leave behind in a cloud of dust.
Mix that with the exhaust fumes of a 1965 Ford Galaxie — the four-wheeled talisman that led to the formation of the band in 2003 when Victor Barclay (lead guitar, vocals) spotted Scott (lead vocals, acoustic guitar) and his ride outside a Bay Area laundromat and remarked that he owned the very same car — and you get an idea of what the Famous is all about. To put it another way: take the ‘50s-era country of Hank Williams, Sr. and filter it through ‘70s punk rock, ‘80s psychobilly, and ‘90s post-punk. You’ll find yourself staring eye-to-eye with San Francisco’s own “Pixies in a cowboy hat.”
The band’s latest, 2010’s Come Home to Me, finds Scott and Barclay refining Light, Sweet Crude. They’ve perfected their signature
raw-country-meets-post-punk sound while maturing some of the more manic elements that made their debut such a bold statement.
Do you have a record label?
We self release our albums as Leading Brand Records. (the alternative to the alternative)
Where have you performed? What are your favorite venues in the Bay Area?
Bottom of the Hill, Café Du Nord and Thee Parkside have become our true homes in the Bay Area. We play all around Northern California, but those San Francisco clubs are home. We’ve also played festivals in Colorado and NXNE in Toronto.
Coming up on August 27th, The Famous open the show for SF honky tonk stalwart Red Meat’s CD Release Party at Café Du Nord.
What albums are you currently listening to and would like to recommend?
We’ve been listening mostly to bands we’ve played shows with recently including Drag the River, The Toadies who have a brand new album ‘Feeler’ and the NickelSlots, a very cool band we played with at their hometown club, Old Ironsides in Sacramento.
What are your rehearsals generally like?
We rehearse at least once a week and it is usually a five-hour session of working on new songs, a few classic country covers and staying sharp on our songs.
What’s the ultimate direction for the band?
We hope to keep finding audiences and bands who appreciate our approach and want to join in at our shows.
What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
It’s really simple… just have fun.
