Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
Picture by Aaron Blumenshine
It’s always nice to catch up with a local band like Picture Atlantic. Check out Picture Atlantic for the latest news and listen to their latest EP, When Everything is Numbers on their Bandcamp!
What are some things the band enjoys about being from the Bay Area?
The Bay Area is a fun place. It has a lot to offer as a whole. Just being a beautiful and iconic place is enough for me.
What are some things that have inspired the band locally (local art, local music scene, etc.)
For me, its getting to play with friends. Feeling like you have the support of your peers is invaluable. Seeing other local acts do music they care about really stokes the fires.
What albums is the band currently listening to? What do you consider to be influential personally?
I’ve spent a great deal listening to Doves. Something about the last couple of months has made me buy lots of albums. I think I’m in Rasputin every other week. Strangely enough, The Dead Weather has been played a little bit on my ipod. I thought I would hate them, but I was seriously impressed.
From 2006 to 2011, what do you think has changed the most for the band? What are some of the major lessons learned?
So much has changed from the very start to now, that it would almost seem impossible, and maybe even irrelevant to try to figure out what has changed in every facet of the band. At the end of the day though, I always find that continuing to do what you feel is right, and what you love is the best thing you can do for yourself. Don’t get hung up or stalled by the people around you, just keep playing music that you love and take pride in.
What are some of the major themes covered in your newest EP, When Everything is Numbers? Where did the inspiration come to write this EP?
The main idea was really more of a personal one. Being in a band is incredibly hard on so many levels, and sometimes you fool yourself into thinking that if you can just find the right formula or equation, you’ll be successful. Whether that is promoting yourself “the right way” or whether its selling X amount of tickets for a show. It becomes about the numbers, and not the music. That concept plays itself out quite a bit in the EP. I had to stop myself and be reminded that I really can only worry about the music. The rest will fall into place, God willing.
So you guys have generally stuck to the west coast. Any plans for a US tour?
If a kindly old man with thousands of dollars decides to treat us to a huge check, then we’ll head out. Otherwise, for us as a band, there is truly no point in doing a full US tour at this point. The west coast has a lot to offer and we still have work to do here.
Picture by Anna Larina
What are your thoughts on being on a major label vs. staying independent?
Unfortunately, and I think the music industry has done a good job of keeping this low profile, in many cases there is really no difference between Major and Indie. Many Indie labels are run by Major labels, and the structure may be smaller and more quaint but the basic idea is there at the end of the day. As for staying independent in the sense that we are doing it all DIY, I think it just depends on what band you are, and where you are at. Some bands couldn’t manage themselves out of a wet paper bag, and they probably need the help of a label or management group. Some bands can do the DIY thing to great success. I’d say we’re a strange mixture of both.
What are some challenges that the band has had to face?
The band has faced many a challenge. Probably nothing new under the son honestly. Most bands have to deal with the same handful of problems. Staying mentally up, and having morale is always a struggle. No matter what may be going on around you , in terms of positives, your mental landscape paints the physical one.
Do you have a Picture Atlantic song that you are extremely proud of, perhaps one that stands out from the rest?
There are a handful. To choose one, I’d have to say Cassandra Castaway/Clytaemnestra. The lyrics really flow well, and I think they are evocative and paint a good picture. I’m not even sure how I wrote that song to be honest. It really felt like the music and lyrics were beamed to me. Something about an experience like that is special to me.
What are some of the immediate plans for the band, be it CD release shows, video releases, new music, etc etc?
We have a lot going on. We’re really just waiting for the Holidays to end and the new year to warm up. We’ve just released our EP and we’ll be touring on that. At the same time, we’re currently in production of three music videos, which blows my mind if I think about it. Almost every song on the new EP will have a music video. Insanity. We’re also working on another full length album too, and the demos and studio sessions are already sounding really promising. Our blog might not be red hot with gossip, but we’re certainly at a lack for free time.
Thursday, September 16th, 2010
Diana Gameros makes beautiful music. Folk, acoustic music with a latin vibe, I was really pleased to find that latin musicians in the Bay are alive and well! Check Diana out at myspace.com/dianagameros.
How long have you been been playing your instrument?
I started playing a little keyboard that my mom got me at a flea market when I was 5 years-old (I still have it, I keep it as a souvenir). I would make up songs and play traditional tunes by ear. I started taking piano lessons when I was 10. When I was 11 years-old I took a few guitar lessons with Julio, my neighbor, and then just learned on my own. When I was in elementary school I played in almost every event that the school had and in all of the family reunions. I continued playing piano in college but started to play guitar more often. When I was in college I joined the college’s mariachi band (yes! A mariachi band in a Michigan college) where I learned to play vihuela, a rhythm instrument similar to the guitar but much smaller and with five strings.
Who are your major influences? Are there any comparisons you receive?
I won’t name specific people. I listen to a lot of traditional ethnic music from all over the world; I’ve always been fascinated by all the different techniques and rhythms that each culture offers with its music. But I also love dreamy, spacious, minimalist modern music so I like incorporating all these elements in my music as well.
Comparisons….someone once told me I was a latin Feist.
When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music?
I don’t really have a set band. I have to recruit musicians almost every time I have a gig. I usually meet them through other friends who are also musicians.
What can you tell me about your instruments? What made you choose the instruments you have now?
I use a Takamine (electric-acoustic guitar), it’s good for now. The guy from the music store told me the electric components on this guitar were great and when I heard the quality of the sound I was content with it so I bought it! I also have a P-120 Yamaha electric piano that I use only on certain performances.
Raúl Vargas has been playing the cajón and other musical toys (mouth harp, castanets, brushes, shaker, etc) on most of my performances and when the recruiting goes well I have an upright bass player (Kenan O’Brian) and a flutist (Isaac Weiser) who also plays melodica occasionally.
Where have you performed? What are your favorite venues in the Bay Area?
I have performed in all kinds of places…bart stations, parks, galleries, garages, churches, libraries, radio stations, tv stations, cafes, restaurants, houses, streets, buses. Some venues include Amnesia Bar, The Independent, Ti Couz Too, Red Poppy Art House, Bazaar Café, Make Out Room, Vortex Room, La Peña Cultural Center, Univisión 14, KPOO, Dance Mission, L’s Café, Sunrise Café, Blue Macaw, Coda Jazz Club, Hotel Utah, Pirate Cat Radio Café, Hemlocks Tavern, UC Berkeley, SF City Hall,.
I’ve also been part of MAPP (Mission Arts and Performances Project) many times. Check out their website, hthttp://www.sfmapp.com/ everyone should know about this!
My favorite venues are the Red Poppy, Vortex Room and the Make Out Room. I like small cozy places where I can see people’s faces. Verso sin esfuerzo!
Some upcoming shows: I have a live filming session/concert at BAMM TV open to the public on September 9th at 8pm (go to justin tv to view online http://www.bamm.tv/live). October 2nd at SF Public Library/Mission Branch. On October 12th I’ll be performing at the Latin Heritage Celebration at SF City Hall. October 16th at Koshland Park in SF. I also have a regular gig where I play as a soloist at RTP (Roosevelt Tamale Parlor) in the Mission District, every Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9:30pm.
What albums are you currently listening to and would like to recommend?
Patrick Watson’s Wooden Arms; this album has become the soundtrack to my life these days, I play it e-v-e-r-y d-a-y. Brazilica!, a compilation of, well yes, brazilian music. Phllip Glass’ Naqoyqatsi-Life As War and Jürg Frey’s Streichquartett II for times when you need to detox from music with lyrics. Jon Zorn’s station on Pandora…full of surprises.
Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers?
Para papa, Ligerita, Pêut être, are always in my set list. These songs are really fun to play and sing. I do play covers at my regular gig at the restaurant; they’re mainly latin tunes or anything that is in spanish.
What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
I write my own songs and they talk about: pigeons, distance, strangers, introspection, foreign cities, reality, color, clocks, sea, sky, fiction, walls, death, hope, sun, eyes…
Everything in my life is in a constant change so it wouldn’t surprise me if my writing style changes as well.
Could you briefly describe the music-making process?
Live one moment at a time; read books, talk to strangers, look up to the sky, stare at sidewalks, kiss my lover, call the family, quiet my mind, grab a pen and a piece of paper and write about these moments; grab a musical instrument and sing what I’ve written… Voilá! Music is made!
What are some challenges you may face playing at a new venue and not knowing what the sound will be like?
Bad sound. I get pretty sensitive when sound is not the way I like it. It’s hard for me to get into my music if what I’m hearing on the monitors or other speakers is not pleasant to my ear…I guess I’m one of those picky musicians. All my love to all the sound guys, it’s a tough job!
Do you have a set time each week in which you practice?
My rehearsals are very spontaneous. I don’t have a set time because I don’t have a set band. I practice on my own and then get together with musicians a few days before a show.
How has your music evolved since you first began playing music?
I’ts been a while since I first began playing, so my music has changed a lot. I used to be more methodical before and now I think I’m a little less afraid to let music flow and experiment with new things.
What has been your biggest challenge as a musician/band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
Not having a band is a challenge in itself. It’s hard to find people who have time to take on a new project .
What’s the ultimate direction for the band?
No ultimates. For now… as soon as I settle on the right musicians for a band I will start recording an album.
What advice do you have for people who want to form their own bands?
I need those advices myself! 
Which famous musicians do you admire?
In no particular order: Philip Glass, Café Tacvba, Jón Þór Birgisson, Kronos Quartet, Roger Waters, Esperanza Spalding, Sarah Chang among so many others.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
My biggest emotional sponsors: mamá, tía Cata, Claudio.
What does music mean to you?
Composer Philip Glass once said: “Music is a mystery and I leave it at that”. Mexican writer Octavio Paz defined mystery as “…a power or hidden virtue that doesn’t obey us; we don’t know what time or how it will manifest…” I share these views. To me, music is the most beautiful enigma.
*Any last words?
Menos face y más book.
Tuesday, September 14th, 2010
By Ruben Tamayo
I was able to have have a quick interview with singer/songwriter Sean Atkins. For those who don’t know him, he is someone you most definitely should check out.
How long have you been playing? Self-taught?
It’s weird; I started playing guitar when I was around 14, but then I quit that
and played bass in bands. I was always the bass player. As those bands grew apart
and people moved away, I started picking up the acoustic. It’s something that
doesn’t require a group… and I picked it up at a time when I couldn’t rely on
people. I am mostly self taught, I mean, people teach you little tricks along the
way…a lot of people in my family have played, so it’s not fair to say
I’m completely self taught.
Who are your major influences?
My major influences I guess would be whatever I grew up on. I had a lot of
tom petty in my life. I liked his music. I had a big, long nirvana phase…
that’s when i started really getting into music, sort of 90′s rock/grunge… then
i had a long punk phase, which led to emo, then indie, then folk…
pretty natural progression among people my age, I think.
What inspired you to make music?
I think my father and uncle inspired me a lot. They were in bands together
when I was a kid, plus I didn’t own a guitar until my uncle died. His guitars
were kind of lying around, so I picked them up.
Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you ever play any covers?
I will play a cover here and there… mostly for fun, at open mics…
show-wise, i don’t know if there’s a song i play more than any other… it’s pretty
even.. Usually it depends on who is playing… if i don’t have extra singers,
i might stay away from a song… or if there’s no piano, etc…
What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
Well, I’ve gone through some pretty serious things this year… and have just now
been able to sit down and write them out, so yes, i think there will be changes
a lot of my songs have been stories about other people’s interpersonal relationships.
Others are just stories based on events… but not entirely true as they’re written.
How has your music evolved since you first began playing music?
Oh sure, I was in a punk band, then a rock band, then a hardcore band… now this.
And I’ve even taken on a few other projects along the way. I’m getting the bass
ready again; I’ll be playing with a band called ‘glory glory’ this fall.
When we talked you said you didn’t want to sign to a label. Why is that?
it’s not that I wouldn’t sign with a label, I just wouldn’t want to sign to a label
that would attempt to control any aspect of what I’m doing… and it kind of seems
like a lot of labels do that.
What has been your biggest challenge as an artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
I think my biggest challenge as an artist is my self esteem. There are a lot of
insecurities exposed when you have to get in front of people and talk about your
emotions. It can be really difficult. I think I’ve made a lot of progress in the
last two years, just being more comfortable in my own skin.
What’s the ultimate direction for your music?
I don’t know yet. I think I’m still figuring that out. I don’t know if you ever
stop figuring that out.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
I admire tom waits a lot… i mean, A LOT. For very many reasons. Also,
Dave Bazan, Gregory and the Hawk, Rosie Thomas, Bright Eyes… I admire them too.
What do you want your music to accomplish?
I think my music accomplishes what it’s supposed to on a small scale now.
I played a song the other day, just at an open mic with ten or so people… and I
finish, and my own cellist is crying… haha. I mean, that’s gotta count for
something.
What albums are you currently listening to and would like to recommend?
It’s funny that you asked what albums I’m currently listening to, because I was
just involved in this ’15 favorite albums’ thing… and now i’m just revisiting
old nirvana stuff, and saves the day… i’m just the wrong person to ask right now
about what’s new/ up and coming i’ve been in my “old music” bubble..
But if you don’t know the standards, how can you appreciate what’s now?
so listen to: At The Drive-In, Refused, old Bright Eyes, Sunny Day Real Estate,
old Radiohead, Neutral Milk Hotel… and currently: The Antlers, and mewithoutyou
When do you plan to come the Bay Area?
I’ve been thinking about moving to the west coast a lot lately, so maybe soon?
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
I acknowledge everyone who has ever so much as listened, or been a friend.
I don’t acknowledge that one is more important than another, but they’ve all been there
and they are all the most important.
What does music mean to you?
I don’t always know what music means to me. It’s not necessarily something I
can put into words. It’s just there, all around… and perfect for whatever moment.
It defies anyone’s ability to pin it to any kind of definition. It picks you up,
it puts you down, it lets you feel… more than anything it allows you to relate to
any feeling at any time… whether it be a funeral march, or some sweet-like-love
lyric… music can be anything, to anyone. It’s pretty neat.
Any Last Words?
I’ve got more last words than I’ll ever care to say… and none that i’d want
to have read.
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
