Diggin' To China

Owen Pallett- Lewis Takes Off His Shirt

2010-03-09T14:35:00.000-08:00

Owen Pallett (formerly known as Final Fantasy) releases the hyperkinetic video for the single "Lewis Takes off His Shirt: from his masterpiece of an album Heartland. He's been one of my favorite artist for a number of years now and it's great to see the critics and the general public finally catching on to what a brilliant talent he is an what an innovative and charming performer.

Watch more with the violinist composer, lopp maker, genius after the jump. Heartland is sure to make my best of 2010 list if you don't already have it- go get it NOW!

R.I.P. Mark Linkous

2010-03-08T19:30:00.000-08:00

Mark Linkous, the tremendously multi-talented man behind the band Sparklehorse (a personal favorite) has taken his own life, shooting himself in the heart in front of a friends house in Knoxville, TN. He was 47.
His current record label Anti- confirmed that Mark had almost completed a new Sparklehorse album following on the heels of his controversial (and legally entangled) collaboration with Dangermouse and David Lynch , Dark Night Of The Soul, one of Diggin' To China's best of 2009 picks.

I've been writing a lot of obituaries about suicides lately. Folks, look around you, look at you friends , your family, yourself if you need help, get help; if you can help, do help.

Who reads Diggin' To China?

2010-03-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

Clearly we here at Diggin' To China have a lot of readers (THANKS GUYS!!) as the map of today's readers above shows. Leave a comment and let us know where you you're from, say hi, complain about something, send us naughty pictures of yourselves, let us know what you'd like to see more of, Got a hot tip on a great artits, a cool new band, and unsung classic? Let us know!

I like thinking 23% of you out there read this in Atlantis, 23% is a pretty large UNKNOWN continent percentage don't you agree? It's Oscar Sunday expect recap later but right now I'm killing time and cleaning our office and my home before attending a fabulous bash thrown by bon vivant Matthew Kern.

These pie charts are from today's breakdowns, it changes all the time. I tend to be pretty brit centered a lot of the time in my taste and posts. Don't you thinkPie charts are by and large THE superior chart. Ii do, far better than ugh- Bar graphs or heaven forbid a LINE GRAPH! Pie charts rock.

4.48 Psychosis

2010-03-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

Sometime in 2001 looking for new theater works for possible productions iconoclast director Grace Carter was perusing the shelves at Powell's City of Books when she stumbled across the collected works of controversial British theater superstar Sarah Kane (1971-1999) . Randomly opening the book to a page covered in abstracted numbers (those numbers feature in 4.48 Psychosis- Sarah Kane's final play) Grace Carter was mesmerized .
In 2002 Carter directed Sarah Kane's "Phaedra's Love" and now returns to Kane's oeuvre for Kane's controversial swan song, 4.48 Psychosis. Kane wrote the play as a dispatch from the outposts of sanity, depression and hopeless hope. I sat down with Grace Carter to discuss defunkt theater's stunning new performance of 4.48 Psychosis (starring an astounding trio of Christy Bigelow, Joel Harmon, Matthew Kern) and which opened (last night) March 5th 2010 to rave reviews.

It's all augmented with minimalist and yet stunningly appropriate costumes by Drammy award winner Lori Sue Hoffman, Lighting design by Emily Stadulis and sounds by Richard E. Moore with additional music by Ron Mason Gassaway and multimedia projections and video directed by Grace Carter with Portland art-star photographer Holly Andres as cinematographer. It is

truly THE must see performance event in the Pacific Northwest this year.

Check out more info and an exclusive interview with Grace Carter after the jump.

Director Grace Carter surveying rehearsals

Grace Carter on her inspiration:

"pressure to live up to Kane, being true to her vision, her writing style. It's so full, of meaning, and structured so well that there is room for interpretation and freedom, so they constantly evolve and subtle layers, it's exciting and brilliant as an artist it's absolutely a treat."

On fears of performing such controversial material:

"[I] don't know what the reception will be. You can't focus on that. [You] focus making the show as strong and true as possible, if you give a strong, honest and true performance [the] audiences gain. It'll stand on its own and I'm very happy and feel we made a bold statement and it's honest ad true to Sarah Kane's statements.

On the cast :

"Each brought a different facet to the piece. It's the great Chemistry of this trio and we knew that they/we would support each other, looking at how they work together; how connected and safe with each other. Christy Bigelow, when she auditioned she embodied all the layers and the levels with the issues and themes of the show, that span the spectrum in a raw and heartfelt way. Joel is so lovely playing this dysfunctional guardian angel, he's extremely loving and has to play someone who is like the OCD psyche that gets stuck on the ugly truths and needs validation and to be loved constantly. Matthew is so brave how he addresses the doctor and the care giving aspects of her psyche. I really want to give a lot of credit to these actors.

On Mental Health Care and the role of the doctor/lover

"We really wanted to show a fallible human and representation of how she saw their relationship. It's honest and true to Sarah Kane's statements.We tried not to vilify him. He does care for her, just as she is, [he] laughs off her gallows humor, [he's]not afraid of her. As a Doctor he is caught -I care for this person on a human level but on a professional level, I can't."

4.48 Psychosis • By Sarah Kane

5 March through 10 April, 2010

Thursday - Sunday at 8pm

Call 503-481-2960 for ticket reservations

4.48 Psychosis is supported by a grant from RACC and Work for Art

At 4:48 when sanity visits for one hour and twelve minutes I am in my right mind.

defunkt theatre is proud to present Sarah Kane's 4:48 Psychosis, a riveting and unflinching journey into the human mind at its darkest hour. Set in undefined locations, Kane's script contains no stage directions or defined characters - blurring the line between reality and illusion, poetry and dialogue.

Like all of Kane's work, 4:48 Psychosis challenges conventional theatrical constructs and defies easy categorization; as The London Times put it "there's nothing else like it in the language." defunkt theatre company member Grace Carter directs.

At the Back Door Theater • 4319 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR

Pay-what-you-will Thursday & Sunday, $10-15 Friday and Saturday

Reservations are encouraged as space is limited

{ Full disclosure-While in no way biased I am well aquatinted with many members of the defunct theater company, Matthew Kern has been a contributor for Diggin' To China in the past and is a collaborator (and Voice of Becky Pickles) on the popular web series Sylvia!}

I (still) Love You, Fully Sick Rapper (Christiaan Van Vuuren)

2010-03-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

He's back and this time fighting germs!

VAGINA (sofa) for sale

2010-03-05T12:38:00.000-08:00

Alia sent me this AMAZING craig's list add. WOW!

Pink Upholstered Vagina Couch

For Sale - beautiful pink "vagina couch" that I made in art school and no longer have space for. The couch is large: measures 5' 3" long, 3' 3" wide at the middle, and stands 2' 3" tall (and is heavy like a couch). The pics are from my portfolio and are several years old; as a result, the couch has some scuffmarks and stains around the bottom from being moved, but otherwise is in excellent shape. A professional upholsterer helped me build the couch, so it is also functional and durable as a piece of furniture. The couch must be picked up in Mendocino, a 3-hour drive north of SF. I am asking for $600 and a loving home! Call Willow at [deleted] or reply to posting.

Dakota Fanning is a Runaway!

2010-03-04T20:06:00.000-08:00

People are pretty on the fence about The Runaways movie. With Dakota Fanning as lead singer Cherie Currie and Kristen Stewart as lesbian icon Joan Jett (!!!!) it's raised a few eyebrows and fears that it's a Twilight crowd spin-off rocker-lite film. I'm reserving judgement until I see the film though as Stewart has been actually GOOD in films other than the unwatchable bad Twilight series and well we all know Dakota Fanning is the Meryl Streep of kids/teens. She's annoyingly good.

At everything apparently. Listen to her rocker chops as she belts out the Runaways classic "Cherry Bomb "

Check out the teaser trailer after the jump.

WTF!!? Staplerfahrer Klaus

2010-03-03T18:08:00.000-08:00

Check out the adventures of Klaus (in no way related to me) as he spends his first day as a certified Forklift operator in Germany. This is amazing! Gory, gorgeous, and very German.

Thanks Dennis for the tip! Get well soon babe!

Marc Delphine: For Senate and Your Heart

2010-03-02T19:55:00.000-08:00

Marc Delphine made a bit of history today by announcing his candidacy for the United States Senate making him the first openly gay man from the state of Oregon to do so. Open is great descriptor for the 32 year old Libertarian candidate: The only candidate for senate to oppose popular Democrat incumbent Ron Wyden with any experience as an elected official, Delphine is a amiable gentleman and a seeming paradox: a socially liberal thinking, fiscally conservative, openly gay Libertarian who also chairs the Washington State Chapter of the Americans for Prosperity. Which makes Delphine a true product of the American melting pot. I sat down for a lengthy chat with the Portland resident tonight following this morning's somewhat historic candidacy announcement.

We discussed the current fugue of the two-party system, sexual identity, fiscal responsibility, the role of government and the FDA, proving Delphine to a knowledgeable humorous and open candidate who has a lot on his mind.

Read our exclusive interview with (the single and available) Marc Delphine after the jump.

DTC
I think we'd agree the current two party system is not simply flawed but a near failure at this point. But critics of third parties always state that though they agree with your principals and policies , voting for a third party candidate in their words- is a wasted vote. How do work against that polarization?

MARC
I think the two party duopoly (Republicrats & Demoblicans) are doing themselves in. As you may know, I am the coordinator of the TEA Party in Washington County, the Chair of Americans for Prosperity, Washington County and an openly gay man. This contrast could stir a message that "X group doesn't always do Y"The Republican Party has moved so far from its roots (which originated as an anti-slavery, pro-abolitionist party) of limited government/civil rights, that a party like Libertarians is ready to move forward.

DTC
well critics of the Libertarian party state that much like Marxism it's a great idea on paper but one that is formally impossible to implement. How do you change people minds about this binary system

MARC
With that level of thinking, yes. But movements and revolutions occur for a reason and slowly sometimes, and rapidly at others. As Harvey Milk once said, "you gotta give them hope."There is nothing "pie in the sky" about keeping the government to its constitution. Most people, I believe are personally liberal and fiscally conservative. In other words, they want the government to spend the money it forces (and that it does) out of our hands to be spent on programs that are legal and worthy to the whole. Exposure of the back-office, secret deals is happening and people are (hopefully) waking up to that.

DTC
Speaking of Milk, you are the first openly gay candidate for federal office from the state of Oregon. Do you feel any pressure to represent an everyman persona of a large base and how do you balance that with the needs of the gay community.

MARC
Most people (not the squeaky wheels) are socially liberal. They really don't care what people do behind their doors, but they just don't want to see it. And they don't want to be hurt by it. Do what you want to do with you own life and body, just don't harm anyone.My distinction is that government should only keep others from doing harm and/or punish them if they do. I don't believe the role of government is to "do good." Which can be interpreted in so many ways.

DTC
I agree to a point but it seems problematic and a slippery slope between I don't want to see it and this is censored, prohibited and driven away.

MARC
Well, I do agree with transportation and public education, so that would be "doing good." The federal government should stick to its functions of defense (NOT offense) and coining money (something they've handed over to the FED).
And the office I'm seeking is US Senator (federal).
I agree with your last point about censorship.
The federal government should stick to its functions of defense (NOT offense) and coining money (something they've handed over to the FED).It's tough for me to say we should repeal ALL laws regarding sex. Should people be able to have sex in public? There's no real "victim" but I don't necessarily want to see it. Should we censor profanity? I believe censoring is turning the channel.

DTC
Well that area walks a fine line with issues of Separation of Church and state and that line seems to have eroded and been misused a bit in the past two decades. It's the byline of the neoconservative moments Theocratic model

MARC
I concur. I don't know if I could do much about it as a Senator, though. It should be a local issue, in my opinion. I think you and I can agree on this issue, too, Andy.

DTC
Your principals state that you are a proponent of Free Market and critical of antiquated systems like the FDA which no longer have the interests of the American people at heart- what do you propose we replace it with that still safe guards the health of the American people

MARC
I think the market does take care of itself when properly regulated. Notice how I said "properly."

DTC
Noted

MARC
I think back to the AIDS scare that started when I was in grade school. Politically speaking, drugs were given no chance to make the market because they would help gay men. The FDA is not only slow in approving drugs, it's politically charged in allowing drugs to get to market.

DTC
and we lost an entire generation

MARC
But when companies like phen-phen (I think I'm spelling that wrong, says Firefox) come out and hurt the public, we learn, we become more aware of what we put in our bodies (that's not always true, but...) and we have the legal/justice system to defend us.
Good point.Honestly, I don't have the perfect solution to that one.

DTC
Honesty is a good start

MARC
To abolish the FDA when we've been dependent upon it for so long would be damaging, yes.I do believe it should be reformed to allow for drugs (that are shown to be effective in other countries) to be approved.

DTC
You are challenging a fairly popular incumbent democrat (Ron Wyden) . Why? Why now? (softball question sorry I skipped it earlier)

MARC
This is a time I've never before seen in politics (and I'm all of almost 33); the charge of Americans is electric and I'm blessed to be part of it. I personally like Wyden. He's a champion for gay rights (and you can quote me on that because I'll be saying it often) and that is part of the reason for my entry. (I was thinking of running for Governor, first).How much do you think LGBT issues would be covered should there only be a straight (assumed) Republican and Wyden in the race?

DTC
oh we are allotted two sound bites per campaign I thinks its a law lol

MARC
I doubt it ever would come up and we MUST HAVE EQUALITY!!!The government is here to protect our rights, not bestow them and I for one will not stop until we do.

DTC
On the national stage You are critical of former President Bush's abuses of Power (Patriot Act, Department of Homeland Security etc) but also critical of the policies of President Obama in those same regards, care to elaborate?

MARC
It's kind of like the Lord of the Rings. Did you see these movies? If I am given the power to basically have a dictatorship (and I'm not calling Obama a dictator), why would you throw it away? But you must, if you are to be a leader with integrity. The Patriot Act is the single greatest destruction of our constitution EVER. Wire tapping, phone monitoring, library records scanned...If Obama refuses to repeal the act, he's just as guilty...in my opinion.

DTC
He seems unwilling to take a hard stance either way on a lot of issues, which is very disappointing

MARC
Which is exactly why the TEA Party movement is in full swing. While there was racism disguised, I admit, the basis and strong majority of the issue was with the fact we were promised "change" and got more of the same (and quadruple the deficit). I don't hand the blame squarely to Obama (Bush deserves most), but he had an opportunity to stop the bleeding and seemed to make it hemorrhage.

DTC
Do you fear your personal life and sexuality used as a smear campaign against you, we've seen it in the campaigns for Barney Frank, Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Republican (and closet case) Charlie Christ, Port Adams. It seems having a sex life as a gay politico is almost more taboo than being gay

MARC
Don't really care, honestly. I just don't want my mother and brother affected by it. As I've said many times and will continue to, this movement is bigger than me or any candidate.

DTC
so we've discussed a smattering of stances, what about Marc Delphine the man- tell me things about yourself that are not in your traditional Bio, totally up to you. this is easy first date stuff

MARC
OK, sure.
I'm a college & financial planner (I help kids get into college and their parents retire) and I've done that for about 10 years now (wow! it's been that long!); I play tennis (not as much as I'd like) and work out to stay healthy. I ask myself: "is what I'm doing in line with my values?" If so, then I go full force and often make mistakes to learn (yes, I do). But I put myself out there, just like anyone can and I try and make the world a better place.I read to kids on a weekly basis (SMART) and I'm on the local school committee.I like to read non-fiction and watch sports (not much other TV); basically things that are principle-centered.

DTC
Facebook says you are single- any thoughts of trying to date in the public eye as it were

MARC
I'd like to date, really, but nobody that I'm attracted to seems to like me. Just the way it's been for Marc Delphine. Also, I come from a "perceived" conservative ideology (although I am very socially liberal). This helps ease the impression our community has in the eyes of those most visibly opposed to it.

More about Marc Delphine at his official site www.marcforsenate.com

Thank You Lori Sue! WTF!

2010-03-01T21:38:00.000-08:00

My dear friend, celebrated costume designer Lori Sue Hoffman captured this shot on her cell phone the other day and I thought I had to share this immediate- so of course I forgot to post it for like four days.

Stephin Merritt

2010-02-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

So so so so talented.

Take a look with the help of NPR's Project Song inside the creative process of the genius Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields (and The Gothic Archies, The 6ths, Future Bible Hero, not to mention his solo work)

Diggin' To China's picks for the Best films of 2009

2010-02-27T16:47:00.000-08:00

As a film critic and a filmmaker- I see ALOT of films- a few a day- seriously. and spring is the time when Hollywood applauds itself for being so supposedly progressive and successful.
Well it's almost oscar time- where we all will obsess over who wore what, who snubbed who and how/why Avatar (which I admit I enjoyed) won Best Picture (no it does not deserve it, but we all know it's going to happen)

   So here is my personal list of the ten best films of 2009, there are some obvious overlaps but some differences with the Academy's choices, obviously.

In No order really: After the jump!

1.) Where The Wild Things Are (dir. Spike Jonez)

I think this is one of the most finely wrote films about the existential dread and heartbreak of childhood ever made. Truly stunning, original, heartbreaking, wild, and beautiful, like childhood itself. A labour of love that divided audiences but stole the heart of everyone I know. It's a truly exceptional work of art.

2.) Antichrist (dir. Lars Von Trier)

A truly controversial film that divided critics and audiences alike with it's tedium splashed with abhorrent violence and breathtaking beauty, Lars Von Trier rebounds from the slight and comedic Boss of It All with this horrific tale of grief, obsession , pride and madness. One of the few films of 2009 that kept me awake at night thinking. Charlotte Gainsbourg gives the performance of a lifetime.

3.) Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Saphire (dir. Lee Daniels)

Everything that has been said is true. This is THE movie of the year. Stunning performance from every single cast member no matter how small the part. Stunning, horrific, powerful, moving, haunting, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

4.) A Single Man (dir. Tom Ford)

Fashion icon durned film director Tom Ford adapts Christopher Isherwood's gorgeously melancholy novel A Single Man into one of this years-or any years- most moving films about love and grief. Colin Firth gives a career high performance as a grieving english professor in 1963 Los Angeles. Every shot is a work of art, but this is not style over substance. This is the real deal of film making, an instant classic- and criminally overlooked by the Academy.

5.) District 9 (dir. Neil Blomkamp)

   Fast dirty gritty grimy visceral gory- yes- But this was THE political allegory alien film of 2009. Avatar was "pretty" but this is the film that exposes the diseased heart of humanity in no uncertain terms.

6.) Up (dir. Pete Doctor and Bob Peterson)

I dare you not to cry. Up is a masterpiece of Pixar building on the success of such mature films like Ratatouille and WALL-E . Up is an intergenerational action adventure story of of and family that is one of the finest fantasy films ever made.

7.) The Fantastic Mr. Fox (dir. Wes Anderson)

Wes Anderson FINALLY makes an animated film! Adapting Roald Dahl's masterpiece into his own creation- a stylized heist/escape film with classic stop-motion style Anderson finally has crafted a film as clever and moving as The Royal Tenebaums.

8.) Inglourious Basterds (dir. Quentin Tarintino)

Tarintino's love letter to Jewish Women and German Cinema Inglourious Basterds* is a revisionist history, Jewish Revenge fantasy, and a damn good time! Violent and violently witty, tense and divisive it's a brilliant work of post-modernity.

* mispelled as titled.

9). Watchmen (dir. Zach Snyder)

   The slavishly faithful adaptation (until the final reel) of legendary genius/curmudgeon Allan Moore's genre defying/redefining work of literature/graphic novel was met with a curiously cold shoulder by many. It's very existence is impressive. Great performances all around and stylish stunning art direction.

10.) Coraline (dir. Henry Selick)

Laika produced, Henry Selick (finally getting his dues) directed , based on the terrifying young adult novel by Neil Gaiman- combined prowess to create the stop-motion film of 2009!( Can you believe we had SOOO many animated films on this list?) Amazing, scary fun for the whole family. In 3D it was the first to subvert the convention that Avatar would claim so groundbreaking , putting the audience in the film instead of tossing things at the audience. Coraline Jones is a great role model for kids everywhere.

R.I.P. Andrew Koenig and Michael Blosil

2010-02-27T14:04:00.000-08:00

Suicide is often the last resort of long battles with depression. We all know this but it makes a person's death no less tragic. This week we have had two high profile suicides. 1980's child/teen actor Andrew Koenig ("Boner" from Growing Pains), son of Walter Koenig the iconic Mr. Chekov from the original Star Trek took his own life in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada after going missing for nearly three weeks. He was 41.

and tragically just last night:

Michael Blosil, the 18 year old son of Marie Osmond took his own life Friday night. Reports are that Blosil jumped from the roof of his apartment building in Los Angels after a life-long battle with depression.

If you know someone suffering from depression, take them seriously. It's better to be safe than sorry, treat comments of suicide with severe scrutiny, intervene, get them to support services and to a doctor if you can. Having lost a number of friends to suicide myself, not to mention my own life-long battle with depression (it comes with the creative territory I suppose) I urge everyone to love themselves more, and love your friends and family. Our time is ever so brief.

Daniel Radcliffe - performs (MORE) magic for Trevor.

2010-02-27T13:03:00.000-08:00

Daniel "Harry Freakin' Potter" Radcliffe proves again he's worth being your kid's role model once again. Here he talks to MTV about the Trevor Project, who provide crisis counseling for suicidal LGBT Youth, a group near and dear to his heart. Radcliffe, 20, recently took break from shooting the hotly anticipated bittersweet two-part film finale of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to shoot a PSA for the Trevor Project.
I urge you all to donate to the Trevor Project and reach out to the youth in your life. Everyone needs somebody to show support sometime.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Pacific Rim- Chile, Japan, Hawaii

2010-02-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

Tsunami Travel Times Estimate

I want my readers on the Pacific to take this seriously, it's always better to be over cautious than not. A massive 8.8 earthquake struck Chile this morning, largest in a century sending out shockwaves, killing more than 100 people thus far and launching the Tsunami warning sirens on the Easter Islands and Hawaii, if you live on the Pacific coasts where you are and you hear the warnings- evacuate. A large scale evacuation is underway in Hawaii and as this is is all happening Japan has been hit with a 7.3 earthquake. Is nature out of control? It sure feels like it today. So if you can hear the sirens where you are-stop reading this and go !

Be safe everyone.

Earlier this week an iceberg the size of the nation of Luxembourg broke off from the continent of Antarctica. and crashed into the sea... none of this bodes well.

I Love You, Fully Sick Rapper (Christiaan Van Vuuren)

2010-02-25T12:25:00.000-08:00

Awww poor baby has TB and is in Quarantine but check out how he's spending his time... GENIUS!

Get Well soon babe! Genius.

This is my favorite thing in ages!!!

R.I.P. Blanche Norman

2010-02-24T16:27:00.000-08:00

Blanche Norman 1911-2010

Photo taken June 2009

I'm not a big personal blogger- I keep it strictly op-ed and news coverage, occasional a bit of self promotion.

My personal life influences my work certainly, my upcoming film Spark is largely autobiographical. But today was one of those days where I felt compelled. Blanche Norman passed away today. Born Febuary 16th, 1911 , She was 99 years old and my great-grandmother. She was also a mythic character of my childhood. Part- Big Eddie Beale part Minnie Pearl part Rosie the Riveter. She ran the family farm well into into her seventies. She went fishing everyday; herded cattle, turkeys, chickens, guinea fowl; taught me how to collect eggs, shell peas, pecans, all the things I know of provincial farm life that shock and amazing my urbanite friends-yes I can deliver a calf like nobody's business. I spent my childhood jumping on hay bales and wandering through pastures and forests. It's this agrarian landscape that shaped me as an artist as much as any formal training. She had the most amazing garden I've ever seen. I spent all my summers wandering through it, picking flowers and playing in it's fairy tale landscapes. To this day I have a love of flowers and gardening because of her.

   She and I were both big personalities in my family and butted heads more than a few times esspecially over (her son) my grandfather's illness (he died of ALS- Lou Gehrig's Disease) but she was always there to offer me a glass of sweet iced tea and peppermint sticks (which she always kept in a mason jar in her fridge for some reason) to make up.

   I'm constructing my thoughts as I go here bare with me. I'm in my 30s and damn lucky to have had such close long relationship with my extended family. Most are not so lucky. My husband never knew his grandparents, let alone his great grandparents. I knew my great-great grandmother- the women in my family seem indestructible- until they are gone- and it seems they were so briefly here, never enough time. She made me a sock monkey when I was three years old. He sits on the night stand to this day beside my bed. He's there right now. I haven't told him the news yet. I haven't the heart yet.

   I've thought about how hard being ninety-nine must have be- She had buried her parents, her sister, a brother, her husband, both her children, even a grandchild. But she was present for so many wonderful events swell the births of grand children, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. It's the cyclical nature of life -I know. Birth-Death-Rebirth. If you follow a more Judeo-Christian teaching some believe your ancestors look over you, as a sort of guardian angel. I like this idea. I love the idea of her as the angel on my shoulder who encourages me off on adventure, goads me on past my fears, past danger, and protects me. Come On Granny- Lets go!

  I spoke to her on the phone two weeks ago, she was weak and in Georgia- I in Portland, It was right before hospice moved her from the hospital to home. We ended the conversation with a childish faux argument. It's seems so fitting that these were our last words.

"I love you"
"I love you more"
"Nope- I love you more."

Catching up

2010-02-23T19:47:00.000-08:00

Swamped with writing a very complex screenplay as some of you dear readers know, for the film Spark, however I've noticed a lot of music posts lately (hey I have a new record out in March!) so hoping to balance that out a bit better this week. ...

So on that note:

Dick Cheney had a "mild heart attack" this weekend...

Charlie Sheen is in rehab....

Bristol Palin is going to be on a ABC Family TV show about Teen Pregnancy (Pot Kettle Black)

Sylvia will go back into production in late March!!!! in case you missed it check out episode three after the jump.

Diggin' To China to Robert Pattinson: "Take a BATH!"

2010-02-22T16:24:00.000-08:00

Seriously Robert "Edward Cullen" Pattinson, you showed up at the BAFTA's looking like this???? Hollywood and the British film industry's elite were on hand, for (with the exception of Avatar) a night of honoring serious film. I know it's been a while since you were in a "serious" anything other than a hangover but come the fuck on! Fashion desinger-icon-turned brilliant film director Tom Ford (A Single Man is one the top three best films I've seen all year.) was there- WASH YOUR HAIR! Seriously you look like you threw on a suit after a threeway with cheap lube. Gross.

YOU! TOM FORD!

Takashi Murakami- Turning Japanese for the Tate Modern

2010-02-22T10:54:00.000-08:00

Check out this Takashi Murakami instillation from the recent Tate Modern Pop Life exhibit.
Directed by McG and starring Kirsten Dundst...
(is this her dry run for playing Deborah Harry???-thoughts)

Sunday Sounds

2010-02-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

Sunday Sounds: I'm cleaning the house edition featuring: Sonic Youth, Muse, Yoko Ono, Lush and Peaches.

The rest after the jump

A is for Accident - Songs About Lovers

2010-02-20T12:57:00.000-08:00

Next month my band A is for Accident will release our new pseudo- e.p. / minialbum the 8 song set Songs About Lovers. The album is in a way a departure from our debut Selfish and in it's own way a continuation of that cycle , but also closure to it swell. Due to unforeseen unavoidable medical issues A is for Accident seems to have lost co-writer and vocalist Jules Baird (hopefully for only the time being) . "Junipers", one of my favorite tracks from Selfish, featuring the amazing Beth M. Peterson resurfaces here slightly remixed, as does the outtake, very early track "Long Hallways". Speaking of early tracks "Bottom of the Well" has been kicking around in demo form since 2001a bollywood style dance number. A mid-tempo electro re-envisioning of the jazz standard Jacques Brell/ Nina Simone classic "Ne Me Quitte Pas "
"An Ex is an Ex" marks the most striking departure into straight forward rock-n-roll territory for A is for Accident featuring British ska/reggae influenced guitar and brass, but retaining the toxic wit reminiscent of the Magnetic Fields. "Le Fôret Noir" is a franglais rock number with a full orchestral strings and rocking bass lines. "This Is Our Youth" features acoustic guitars tribal percussions and an African choir in a New Order meets Jesus and Mary Chain mashup that embraces A is for Accidents more World Music side to the fullest effect as well as a love of 60's garage rock. The album closes with the plaintive piano ballad "Briars (Language is Inadequate) " a painful pleading song of regret bringing the reflexive references to Selfish to fill closure. I have to admit "Briars" is one of my most private personal songs in a decade and I'm immensely proud of that simple song more some of the more elaborate , orchestrated numbers. I also must credit to my amazing producer team Yves & Ys dans Paris for the constant encouragement to continue making music in the face of obscurity :)

Songs About Lovers by A is for Accident

Hole: no really-kinda sorta back!

2010-02-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

Courtney Love has returned with a revamped version of Hole, the seminal 90's train-wreck rock outfit who released three critically acclaimed albums before succumbing to Courtney's own self destructive black hole. Check out their new track Samantha from their upcoming comeback album Nobody's Daughter.

more treats after the jump

From the Kim Gordon produced Pretty On The Inside

From the fantastic Live Through This

Sunday Sounds

2010-02-14T22:12:00.000-08:00

Sunday Sounds : Live edition featuring: The Smiths, Matmos, Garbage, Rasputina Marianne Faithfull and David Bowie

the rest after the jump-of course.

THINK/FEEL

2010-02-14T13:06:00.000-08:00

Something screwy is going on with my art site THINK/FEEL so please bear with me and the smut will return soon. It's not like it's a heavy traffic site or anything, mostly my online reel/resume. But something weird is happening to the code and formatting.