Cyber graffiti looks phat through the artistry of Crackerfarm. Enjoy!
2.16.2010
The Art of Promotion Crackerfarm Style
This promotional video created by Crackerfarm, AKA Mike Beyer, for the Avett Brothers' slot at The Bonnaroo Festival is art in the form of promotion.
The viewer enters the studio space of painter Scott Avett for a private viewing of his paintings. The paintings move magically forward for closer appreciation. With brush in hand, Scott glides above the floor from a paint bucket to a blank wall space He paints in time to the song "Kick Drum Heart" by the Avett Brothers, creating street-ready hype reading; The Avett Brothers Bonnaroo 2010.
Crackerfarm Channel
2.02.2010
Drink Up Buttercup Does It Right
Drink Up Buttercup Does it Right when it comes to the promotion of their new album Born and Thrown On A Hook, One Awesome Click at a Time
Especially interesting is their concept of releasing each song with one homemade video at a time. Filming at various locations with different setups, we get to hear each song live, raw, acoustic, or electric. Using a grid of picture links on Muxtape site, each shot is coordinated with a new video upload every Tuesday until the grand March 23rd release date.
Each video is creative and friendly, much like the band. Without an outright commercial assault, the Drink Up Buttercup Aesthetic is true to form.
Below: Video Five, "Even Think," filmed in their van!
1.21.2010
The Charismatic VERO @ Rockwood Music Hall
Vero, AKA Veronica Sanchez, is a singer-songwriter whose sultry voice is downright full of feeling. Switching between guitar and ukulele, Vero was backed by an acoustic band of folk/rock supports; Josh Miller’s gorgeous guitar leads, the attentive feisty drummer T, and Wilson Novitzki on bass.
Vero’s songwriting is like an urban Loretta Lynn with a lesbian twist, Spanish spice, and street rap. She delivers her heartfelt stories with passion and authenticity.
Especially effective was a reassuring song to her father about her lifestyle. When she sang the song “Kissed,” it was so sexy I was ready to switch sides. We were treated to an Argentinean folk cover that was emotional and powerful. Fuck English, she made her roots shine! I felt every nuance.
The set ended with an awesome spontaneous rap spar with an audience member. Plant maybe? But when she handed over the mic, they went at it. It was crazy fun and had a perfect ending. A Vero set is a bit of everything. What emerges is a confident performer with a striking physical presence and awesome tats, whose glowing personality is the vehicle of her music.
Chosen word of the night was obsessed! Her fans and friends are obsessed, and I can see why. Thanks to friends David Achelis and his wife Andrea for the great hang and nightcap at Milano's. Special shout out to Carlos and pal!! Nice to meet you!
1.05.2010
Spreading Drink Up Buttercup Around
The first time I saw this amazing band on their first trip to New York, my mission was to spread Drink Up Buttercup around. Mission accomplished!
You'll be able to buy their record debut, Born and Thrown on a Hook, in your local stores and everywhere online come March 23rd. The Video Trailer tells the story from the band's perspective about their recording process.
Drink Up Buttercup // Born and Thrown on a Hook EPK from Drink Up Buttercup on Vimeo.
This is the EPK for Drink Up Buttercup's full-length debut, Born and Thrown on a Hook. The album was recorded in Philadelphia in the summer of 2008 / 2009 and was mixed by Rusty Santos Band: James Harvey, Farzad Houshiarnejad, Ben Money, and Mike Cammarata.
Drink Up Buttercup stopped by Band In Boston Podcast (The Flophouse Sessions) and recorded: Gods and Gentlemen, Lovers Play Dead, Doggy Head, Sosey and Dosey and Young Ladies. Listen or download all here.
12.31.2009
Novice Theory; Inspiring Charge @ Rockwood Music Hall
Geo Wyeth has the ability to inspire listeners and fellow musicians. This was my first chance to see him with a cast of exceptional musicians. What was so obvious was their genuine love for Geo and how much they enjoyed bringing his music vision to fruition.
The fuller-bodied sound of Jazz offshoots added to Geo's expanded lyrical palette beyond the autobiographical to include a tapestry of uniquely urban wit and insight. Last night they played work from the recently released EP Ordinary Death along with one freshly presented newer song. I like chances like that!
The sandwiched crowd at the small venue begged for an encore, and we were treated to an older song played solo on the accordion that was performed back in 08 on the Jools Holland Show in the UK.
It is wonderful to post this and include The Music Slut's take.
Timothy Johnson - flute; Keith Parker - percussion; Daniel Arnow - bass; Brian Newman - trumpet; Tina Richerson - baritone sax; Geo Wyeth - vocals, guitar, piano, squeezebox;
12.29.2009
Music Year End Thoughts
What an awesome journey it has been doing on this site. Although I wish this could be my full-time gig with all my heart. I am still excited about the small part I am playing in moving the music culture forward, one reader at a time. Sometimes it is the smaller blogs that can bring exposure to unknown music. Many people I've written about on these pages have moved beyond novelty and gained more exposure. That makes me happy. Obsession Collection Music welcomes another year doing this blog.
What am I looking forward to this year!
Langhorne Slim becoming a household name!
Drink Up Buttercup Countdown, the upcoming full-length LP Born And Thrown On A Hook, is to be released on Yep Rock Records!!
Peasant's full-length LP Shady Retreat is to be released on Paper Garden Records
Looking forward to the release of the Documentary of Viking Moses: Werewolves Across America by DARYL Pulse Films
Can't get enough of Novice Theory!
12.25.2009
Art and Music Party
Obsession Collection Music played a small part in coordinating a fabulous holiday party back in September. This was a family affair with all attendees invited by my husband, two great adult children, and me (OCM). The art and music crowd shared lots of love into the wee hours at Tre Merli.
I end the year once again, saying how much I enjoy writing this blog and have been fortunate to have met wonderful people that have enriched my life and others.
OCM curated the music line-up. Below are some picture highlights from the party in line-up order.
11.29.2009
Showpaper; DIY Invasion
The Eskalators
Showpaper remains true to its original inception producing a bi-monthly all-age music listing fold-out featuring a visual artist on every cover issue. When a concept is fluid, its evolution has few boundaries. Showpaper is branching out to include art and music benefits that support its printing, guerrilla-style music happenings, and participation in art fairs. Passion can be infectious, and Showpaper is worth spreading.
At the NY Art Book Fair housed at PS1 in early October, Showpaper displayed an array of colorful issues on a small ledge below Leandro Erlich's Swimming Pool art installation. Part of the Showpaper's charm is the dedicated rotation of volunteers manning the unofficial site. I spoke with a young woman who was doing a double shift and enthusiastically telling anyone interested about the Showpaper mission.
Recently Showpaper shared a booth with VendorBar, an exhibitor at The 2009 Editions|Artists' Book Fair showing videos by Flipswitch, Cassettes by Party Labs, and Showpaper editions. Greeting the curious was Joe Ahearn, Showpaper's volunteer impresario. He is constantly finding new ways to bring the Showpaper mission to different audiences. VendorBar, organized by Kirby Gookin and Robin Kahn, had awesome conceptual art editions, including Yoko Ono's Add Color: Imagine Peace -Stenciling Action, Sal Randolf Free money in book form, and printed editions and chewed drawing editions by Larry Miller.
Kirby Gookin and Robin Kahn are both working artists, and VendorBar is their latest curatorial endeavor whose mission is to open up direct lines of communication between artists and the public to make ideas and artwork more accessible.. They represent an older generation with an authentic love of art and an enthusiastic vision to inform. This is rare in adult form and even in the art world. Choosing to share a space with Showpaper proves that the spirit of art can cross generations and go beyond just the selling of products.
Michael Petruzzo, whose music taste I trust, gave me a list of must-see music emphasizing The Eskalators. Showpaper arranged the eighteen pieces to play a set to end the Editions Fair three-day run.
The group assembled at the upstairs entrance with a guitar, toy instruments, violin, array of brass, and a mini megaphone. Their spirited music, full of sing-alongs, great lyrics, and rag-tag fun, was in contrast to any art event's traditional and formal aspects, but what a welcome juxtaposition.
Showpaper Documentary Trailer from Flipswitch on Vimeo.
Flickr Set VendorBar / The Eskalators
11.19.2009
Paper Garden Records @ 3rd Ward Review
Multiverse Playground event was presented by Paper Garden Records @ 3rd Ward in Brooklyn, a member-based design center. Sponsors included: 3rd Ward, Uncensored Interview, Art Battles, Lomography, 1776, The BLDG, Project Fathom.
Paper Garden Records' current roster, Peasant, Emanuel and the Fear, and Darla Farmer, represent a perfect diverse live line-up. I endured Art Battles and Comedy Central's Kurt Metzger before the bands started. It was an "Experience" for me, but both were enthusiastically received by the crowd.
Peasant's slot was to follow the comic, a difficult feat for a guy with a guitar at best. Fortunately, everyone who slowly reentered the backspace and committed to staying soon realized Peasant (Damien DeRose) is not standard singer-songwriter fare. His is a voice to follow. He played some new songs from Shady Retreat to be released in 2010, and one never performed live. We were treated to two older songs from On the Ground. "Your Good" was fabulous without the drums, and Damien said he usually plays "Manners" when an audience is polite. "Hard Times" was appropriate and gave me pause to think about Peasant's ability to weave topical content without being preachy. Peasant is a quiet but reflective voice of his generation. And his voice penetrates in a subtle but lasting way.
Emanuel and the Fear are a great live experience with multi-layers of sophisticated composition and an accomplished orchestra. Emanuel Ayvason, on keys, guitar, and vocals, leads the pit with dynamic zeal and musical prowess. He is a music force with a vision and is willing to fuck with it in a good way. Adding drummer Jeff Gretz's metal magic adds an aggressive contrast to the mix. The sound leaves the listener on edge and shakes things up with untimely structures and raw and in-the-moment vocals without ever losing the sensuous full embodied sound. Aggressive Orchestral Pop!
Darla Farmer makes me smile. They are an ambitious six-piece outfit plowed through a lively, diverse set. Take guitar, bass, and drums, mix some horns and keys and grind it out. Their geeky awesomeness is appealing, blurring art rock, noise, metal, Orleans-style jazz, and screamo with the quirkiest nasal vocals of lead singer Bryce Leonard. We were treated to what seemed like impromptu Devo-style Hip Hop with the best awkward dance moves. It was a rip! Darla Farmer's original sound might be a result of geographical southern roots. Whatever the inspiration, I'm looking forward to more.
At about 1:00 AM, more folks invaded to catch Boy Crisis and Das Racist, and for the young, the night was just starting. I left at 1:30.
Flickr Set is not up to par, but I found the staging area too long with little depth making it difficult for band interaction.
11.11.2009
Langhorne Slim Bell House live review
Langhorne Slim worked up the hometown crowd @ Bell House in Brooklyn. They hung on every word, yelp, utterance, and soulful vocal. The songs from Be Set Free sounded so fresh. The new band lineup spiced up songs with additional keyboard, banjo, and saxophone. They set the house on fire with “Cinderella” and “For a Little While” and brushed us with a warm breeze with slower songs.
The ballads were amazing, and it was so nice when Slim was alone on stage, and the audience was with him all the way. This is not an intimate venue, so it was striking that he could have a conversation between songs.
Slim thanked the audience, who gave it back in spades. It is rare to see love and music working their magic. Langhorne Slim has a relationship with his audience, and it’s a good one.
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