With melodic vocals and an eerie tone in each song, it is almost impossible to miss the quality of spook this duo is trying to covey, and with a name like Deadbeat Villain they are succeeding. Deadbeat Villain is an American indie rock duo from Cleveland, Ohio. They are comprised of Zach McCraith (vocals) and Josh Whiteman (instrumentals). They began recording in the summer of 2013, only with the intention of finishing a single song, which ended up being the band’s first single, “Brainfreeze”. That song sparked a creative fuse that turned into a six song album “Dissolution”. The music features vocals reminiscent of 1960’s style crooning over a three piece indie rock band, competing with a small orchestra performing a classic horror film score. Their unique approach to using the internet as their biggest way to engage fans is brave and it seems to be working. “Dissolution” Deadbeat Villain’s debut album, will be available in April, 2015. Luckily, Clare got to talk with Zach and Josh about their major influences, being a band from a small town, and the age old question: Biggie or Tupac?
Hi guys! Congrats on your debut album this must be huge for you! Your music has such a unique sound and you seem to have several influences, can you tell me where or from whom you draw inspiration from?
I think our influences are more visual than musical. The music and lyrics paint a vivid picture of some kind of setting or environment for the story to take place, which caused us to approach this album more like a soundtrack to a movie as far as songwriting is concerned. A loose chord progression or simple melody is where most songs start, but it’s when we develop a concept of what the song should look like - that’s when the music really takes off and becomes “unique”. A song like Woodin Dr., for example, is a narrative about a little boy being afraid of every shadow, crack, or creak in his house late at night after everyone’s gone to bed. With that kind of picture in mind, eerie organs, anxiously paced drums, and somber string sections almost write themselves.
You guys started in Cleveland, a city that’s not necessarily known for it’s music. Would you say it's more difficult being a band that started in a small town, or was it easier not being influenced by a "music scene"? It seems now a days so many bands, especially in LA, get so homogenized because they're all influenced by each other.
I think it’s easier to get started in a small town because it’s less saturated. Deadbeat Villain didn't really have the luxury of growing up in a single city, which is hard when trying to establish a fan base as a new band. Luckily, we live in a world where location doesn’t matter that much as long as you’re accessible online.
Deadbeat Villain has such a unique sound that no one is really doing right now, which is great! Who do you think is still creating original, one of a kind music today that you look up to?
Bon Iver, Vampire Weekend, and Arcade Fire come to mind right off the bat as being extremely original and inspiring to me over the years. I think a lot is being accomplished as far as innovation in today's music by artists like FKA Twigs, Death Grips, Ariel Pink, Flying Lotus, and Grimes to name a few.
You two have known each other for awhile, even thought this project started about 2 years ago, have you learned anything or been surprised about anything since you've started a band?
The biggest learning curve of this band is how to engage fans without being able to perform. We played a few shows back when we both lived in Ohio and got some great feedback. Now that we live in different cities on opposite sides of the country, the ability to perform and build on a live experience isn’t as practical as it once was. I’m not saying that we’re never playing a live show again, but it’s definitely not as convenient as it used to be. We plan to fill that void with musical and visual content that fans will hopefully appreciate just as much. If all goes according to plan, the Internet will be our stage until we can get to a real stage.
What is your favorite song off your debut album Dissolution?
Josh - One of the songs that hasn’t been released called “What Have You Done?” has my favorite hook on the album.
Zach - My favorite song on the album is probably "Rattle Your Cage". It's definitely the most fun sounding but it has some of the darkest lyrics. I love that the song starts with "I feel like dying and there's no getting out of it" but it's sung in an upbeat fashion.
This might be a loaded question, but what do you want the world to know about Deadbeat Villain?
Our interview with Houston blues-surf rock band, The Learned Astronomer
Tell us the story of how you became a band?
Brad: We’ve all been good friends for a while and we always go to this bar, Molly’s, on Wednesdays. We knew Austin played guitar but we didn’t know that all of us played an instrument that was vital to starting a band. So we decided to jam together one day, and the rest is history.
Why did you decide to write original music instead of being a cover band?
Rich: I don’t think any of us even had being a cover band in mind. The first time we played together it was just some bluesy original stuff, so we just went on from there.
Austin: we didn’t wanna spend the time and energy on covers because we each already had stuff that we had written
Which is each of y'all's favorite songs to perform live?
Z-Boy: B&W
Rich: Bread
Austin: Into Catharsis
Chris: The River
Brad: No Fool
What song do you think gets the best crowd reaction and why?
Chris: Probably Blue and White. It has Z-Boy’s unexpected solo and the crowd always loves that. Also The River because it’s heavily blues influenced and really upbeat.
Do you think your music would sound differently if you lived somewhere other than Houston?
Brad: No, I don’t think our music influences would be any different
What sets you apart from other bands, especially other bands in the Houston area?
Brad: There’s a lot of metal bands around and we don’t play metal. Also, I think each of our unique musical influences bring something different to the table when we start writing. So that makes our sound pretty distinct.
You guys just won Battle of the Bands in your home town, where do you think that title will take you?
Austin: Because we won the University Houston Battle of the Bands we get to play at Frontier Fiesta, which is this huge festival UofH puts on. We are really excited for that because that will be our biggest audience for sure. We hope the Frontier Fiesta show will give us a good momentum going into the Battle of the Bands we are competing in at Fitzgerald’s.
If you could colab with anyone right now who would it be/why?
Chris: We would love to do something with Tame Impala or Mac DeMarco. It would be cool to have Kevin Parker produce something of ours.
Tell us about the meaning behind your name?
Brad: there’s a poem by Walt Whitman called When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer
What's the best part about being a band from the south?
Austin: People down here appreciate the blues aspect of our music. Also, Houston is a really diverse city. There are so many different types of people and venues, it’s really great.
You guys have a very outer space-y vibe going on, where do you stand on the Pluto being a planet or not debate?
Brad: Pluto hasn’t come to any of our shows so we’re gonna say he’s not a planet
~RAPID FIRE ROUND~
-Whiskey or Rum?
A: Is tequila an appropriate answer?
B: Tequila
C: Tequila
R: Tequila
-Spice Girls or Salt N' Peppa
A: Sporty Spice
B: Spice Girls
C: Spice Girls
R: Salt N’ Peppa
-Stones or Beatles?
A: Beatles
B: Beatles
C: Beatles
R: Beatles
-John Travolta or Nicholas Cage?
A: Travolta
B: Travolta
C: Travolta
R: Travolta only because of Pulp Fiction
-Best City in America?
Texas
The Learned Astronomer is Chris, Brad, Austin, Z-Boy, and Rich. To learn more about TLA follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Tumblr
Do you like David Bowie, Wes Anderson, The Killers, and underdog stories? Are you tired of hearing the same lo-fi garage bands making the same songs about pizza and PCP every year? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then The Modern Electric is for you! This Cleveland-based cinematic pop band is bringing a new genre to the masses that no one has heard before. Heavily influenced by film and the feelings it gives them, each song acts as a soundtrack to the most complex feelings that we face daily. I recently sat down with Garret, Matt, Holden, and Mike to talk about their new upcoming album, director-inspired music videos, and, of course, their zodiac signs.
GTG: You guys released your first album in 2009 and this June you’re due to release your second album, Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Just from the title alone, it’s easy to tell that the band is very cinematically inspired. What films inspired the first album? What films is the new album inspired by?
Garret: For the first album we had watched Edward Scissorhands before we wrote “As Sharp As Knives”. We watched a lot of stuff by Wes Anderson recently; I think he covers both albums. My favorite is always Woody Allen. I remember the first time I saw Annie Hall it just changed what I thought about movies.
Holden: Frozen!
Matt: Frozen is the whole next album! It changed our lives!
GTG: On the second album you worked with Mike McCarthy, who is the producer for Spoon. How did he affect the sound of the new material?
Matt: He made us tougher.
Garret: We always focus on things that are beautiful and melodic, and he helped us put a little muscle into that process.
Holden: He added a lot of spontaneity to our recording process. We like to be really detail-oriented and split hairs about everything. Mike was like, “Alright I’m hitting record, do it!” I think that’s part of where the raw toughness comes from.
Garret: There’s this one song where he pushed us to put this really messy part in. We usually try to be clean and perfectionists in a way but he wanted us to do this part where we just go insane. At first we were like, “Okay what is this guy trying to do?” but he hit record and we tried it and it turned out really cool. It’s on the song “Same Old Haunts”.
GTG: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is being released in a very unique way where you release one song from the album a month with an accompanying music video. In a way, it creates a soundtrack to your listeners’ lives where they can relate the song to things that were happening in their life when it came out. In January you released the music video and re-mastered version of “Great Expectations”. What song will you be releasing in February?
Garret: This one is called “When All Else Fails”. It’s a love song and it’s one of the most stripped down songs on the whole album; it’s just my voice and Holden playing an amazing guitar part. We picked to release this one in February because it’s romantic and has sentimental value. We felt it would be a good song to soundtrack Valentine’s Day.
GTG: The music video for “Great Expectations” has a very John Hughes-esque, classic eighties teen movie feel. Are there any directors that are influencing your music video for “When All Else Fails”?
Garret: I watched Say Anything for the first time when we were writing the music video so we kept referring back to it. The song is kind of based around a cassette/demo vibe.
GTG: Would you guys ever release a cassette?
Garrett: I’m into it! I have a pretty gnarly cassette collection so it would be really cool for us to have one.
Matt: It’s just all Toni Braxton…
Garret: No it’s not!
GTG: Have you guys ever released vinyl?
Garret: We haven’t done it yet.
Matt: The plan is to have vinyl for Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
Garret: In 2009 when we were putting out our first album, vinyl wasn’t selling as much. It’s exploded since then so it makes more sense to do it now.
GTG: Do you plan on touring for the new album?
Garret: We’re going to try! We don’t have any plans yet. We’re trying to get our vehicle together right now because the van broke down recently.
Holden: We spend more time in mechanic waiting rooms then we have actually on the road to shows.
GTG: What cities would you most want to hit on tour?
Garret: I like Chicago a lot; I’d love to get back there.
Matt: It seems like we’re most suited for Midwest, blue-collar areas. Maybe that’s just because it’s where we’re from, but I wonder how our sound would be received on the West Coast.
Holden: I want to eventually do a Europe tour.
Matt: Yeah that’s one thing we would really love to do, like play in Germany.
GTG: So no LA plans?
Garret: If we have a way to get out there, we will.
Holden: We’re totally coming there within the next year!
Matt: We have to move past Chicago eventually!
Garret: Yeah, and anybody reading: if you can offer us a place to crash for the night…
GTG: You’ve been to New York for CMJ and you’ve been to Austin to play SXSW. When you’re in different cities do you feel more creative or do you feel like you write better at home?
Garret: For the writing part of it, I definitely feed on the relationships with my closest friends and family, so being apart from them would only bring about songs of wishing I were home. I like going to different cities just to bring our Cleveland brand of music to them.
Matt: We recorded in Texas with Mike McCarthy and since we didn’t have to work and we were just in a cool little hotel, there were no other obligations except playing music. It made it so much easier. There were no distractions. When you’re getting down to business after you’ve written the songs, it’s probably best you’re not around your friends.
GTG: Holden has a solo project and recently released his album Romantic Americana. It’s a lot more acoustic than the music of The Modern Electric. Do any of you have side projects?
Matt: I’m in two. I just play the drums.
GTG: Do your side projects ever bleed into The Modern Electric or do they stay separated?
Mike: No. Right before the first album was recorded, there were a lot of transitions that had to happen. It was probably most difficult for me because I came from a different type of genre and my dad taught me how to play everything. Our sound is very solid and unchanging. It’s not pigeonholed but it’s definitely cinematic pop.
Holden: We all have different hats that we wear in the band and they’re fun. I love playing the guitar and getting to be the arranger in The Modern Electric. I love the dynamic that we have. Our side projects are different outlets where we can just put on a different hat.
GTG: The Modern Electric used to be called Doctor Salt and the Brown Sugar Blues Band. When did you change the name and why did you change it?
Matt: We changed it at our high school rock off. It was a transition because we used to be an instrumental, blues, indie rock band. It was all over the place. Then we started writing lyrics and Garret started singing so we felt it was too different to be under the same umbrella. It just happened to coincide with the rock off and it was an easy way to get the new name out. Garret and I came in third place as a two-piece!
GTG: Where did you come up with the name “The Modern Electric”? How did you decide on it?
Garret: We try and think of a new story every time…
Matt: Wasn’t it in a Popular Mechanics magazine?
Garret: The real story is I had a science fiction book I found in a library. We were looking for a band name at the time and I was like “We will find our band name in this book!” I just put my finger on a bunch of different things and wrote them down and “modern electrics” was one of them. We took out the “s” and added “the”. It was a magazine title, I think. Usually we try and come up with a more interesting story than that.
GTG: Your stage set up is very different from what you will see at most live shows. You have old-fashioned lamps and vintage movie signs with the band name on it. Where did you guys come up with that look?
Mike: Doctor Dog! He had a whole living room, right?
Garret: We had that before Doctor Dog.
Matt: We just knew we didn’t want to be a super neon, special effects band. Our sound is more honest. If you’re trying to pair our music with an aesthetic, we like the idea of a living room where families congregate. I like the familiarity and the wholesome qualities.
Garret: For me, when I watch movies it’s usually at home in my living room, and that’s where I’m sitting when I’m gathering the inspiration for writing music. We’re trying to create a living room experience where you’re seeing a show and hopefully gathering inspiration from what we’re preforming.
GTG: Do you think it’s possible to take that familiarity to stadiums or arena gigs?
Garret: It would be interesting. We’d have to find a way.
Mike: We would just get more lamps!
FUN ROUND
GTG: What are your zodiac signs?
Matt: I’m a cusp between a Scorpio and a Libra.
Holden. I’m a Taurus.
Mike: I’m an Aquarius.
Garret: I am also an Aquarius.
GTG: Who would be your top three dream festival headliners?
Mike: I got mine!
Matt: Yours is going to be a snoozefest. It’s going to be called slumber party.
Mike: Okay, The War on Drugs, Arcade Fire, and Ryan Adams.
Holden. I’ll double that!
Matt: What?!
Holden: No, I won’t double that, that’s a cop out.
Garret: The White Stripes, Smashing Pumpkins, and Thin Lizzy. Thin Lizzy is the headliner and closes it all.
Matt: Mine would be Rilo Kiley, just so I could hang with Jenny Lewis. If I’m going to pick a newer one, maybe Spoon. Then T. Rex if we could bring someone back from the dead.
Holden: All right, I’m picking specific eras. Bob Dylan circa Rolling Thunder Revue, The Band circa The Last Waltz, everybody on stage during The Last Waltz, and John Prine.
GTG: What are your favorite spots in Cleveland?
Matt: Beachland!
Garret: Yeah, I love the Beachland, and Music Saves is right there.
Matt: They also have Blue Arrow Records and Star Pop over there. That area just represents the scene perfectly. It has that gritty Cleveland vibe.
Mike: I think my favorite place is The Happy Dog, just because I love hot dogs.
Holden: I like the Cedar Lee Theatre.
Matt: I like the Cinemateque. It’s one of the last places in the country that uses 35-millimeter film.
GTG: Last question: why is Ohio a good place to be a musician?
Matt: It’s cheap.
Garret: You’re in between Chicago and New York, so if you want to go on tour you can go to either one pretty easily.
Matt: I think you get a good balance of cynicism and optimism here. It’s more real than the scene in Williamsburg or LA because we aren’t trying to emulate anybody here.
Holden: Cleveland’s music scene is very inclusive; you get bands that help other bands. There’s still that competition, like if you’re opening up for another band you want to blow them off the stage, but your still helping each other out and getting on each other’s shows. There’s more of a community. Cleveland has a really strong community.
like The Modern Electric on Facebook , follow them on twitter , follow them on tumblr, and keep up on their new music videos!!
also, get a free Modern Electric mixtape by signing up for their mailing list
their music can be purchased on iTunes and Bandcamp
I had the privilege of asking a few questions to one of my favorite people/artists, I hope you guys enjoy her work and lovely personality as much as I do! - Haz
Self Portrait of Jessica
1.Who is Jessica?
I'm illusive, a dream, an idea, an artist. Someone who never fit the definition of conformity, someone who will not rest, who will not stop talking. Someone who will love you if you love yourself and especially if you can't find the strength to. I'm you, and her and she and it.
2. Give us 3 interesting facts about yourself:
I work at an independent movie theater/art gallery, which features awesome artists bimonthly, as well as projects indie, foreign, or old films onto the big screen. I live in a industrial college town, so working in an organic and creative place really gives me inspiration and perspective.
I sketch or write daily, and encourage everyone to do so, especially people who don't feel they aren't "good" at art. Drawing and painting and writing and sculpting is much like everything else, you need practice to get better. I also believe it's important to get your thoughts or sketches down on paper, you'll never know when it'll come to use.
Music has undeniably played the biggest role in my life. Spending hours in record stores and surrounding myself with irreplaceable, magical stars of music has become one of my favorite things to do. I've started a record collection over the years (as well as acquired my moms timeless records) and have attended amazing concerts and festivals with the people I love dearly. I was actually named after the Allman Brothers song "Jessica", and although my mom denies it, my middle name after Stevie Nick's middle name. I also am ending up spending my life with my boyfriend who is a musician and aspiring producer, Matt (which I somewhat knew would be fate).
Feed Us (colored pencil, ink,water color)
Sorry About Your Loss (ink, marker, Photoshop)
3. What was your first memory with art, how did you get started and progress into your style today?
My mother always had encouraged art and the artistic process. When I was young, would constantly find myself outside playing in mud and with chalk, building little fairy houses. Even applicable to this day, it's been hard for me to make friends, but art has always been a constant for me, something I can rely on. I was accepted into an accelerated art program in middle school which really ignited the light and creativity within me. As far as my style expanding to this monstrosity that's gotten me some recognition and tons of encouragement, I would have to say my high school art teachers really aided me in completely letting go any restraints I had beforehand.
La Lune (oil paint)
4. Your art is very, "out of this world" .. What is your inspiration?
I grew up watching old horror movies, reading books about mythology and witchcraft, being introduced to music by my elders, being outside and fascinated with the world around me. These inspirations stay true to this day; inspiration could hit me like a ton of bricks within an instant, whether the subject matter be minuscule or so powerful I can't barely wait to start sketching.
Sweet Mojave Rain (colored pencil,ink, Photoshop)
5. What mediums do you like to use while creating your art?
When illustrating I almost always use pen and ink, but other than that I experiment with colored pencils and watercolors, sometimes Photoshop. Lately I have been interested in creating pencil sketched portraits, and oil paintings, which tend to be on a more realistic side, different from my spacey illustrations. I believe it's important to expand from the comfort zone you created for yourself as an artist, it's important to grow.
Spider Witch (ink, marker, colored pencil)
6. Your favorite artist is ______ because...
I'd have to say my peers. There is inspiration everywhere when going to college for art, and there is so much talent surrounding you it's hard not to want to pull out a sketchbook and start drawing. There is something so beautiful about budding artists who are creating because of the love in their heart for it, I couldn't be more inspired by them. As far as famous or well known artists go, I would have to say my favorite visual artist would be Jasmine Worth (her instagram is @jasmineworth). Her art is so dark and airy and makes my imagination go wild. As far as a musical artist, I am heavily influenced by the bands Neutral Milk Hotel, Dum Dum Girls, The Strokes, and The Doors to name a few.
Wicked Witch of the West (ink, Photoshop)
7. What would you like to be remembered by?
I suppose I would like to be remembered as someone who wanted to make the world a little better and succeeding in doing so. I have a talent with art and I have a brain with no constraints, it would be a crime not to exploit those two things. I just want to connect with people, have people find a piece of themselves with my artwork, perhaps grow up with it. My overall plan is to become an illustrator for children's books; I want to enforce the idea of self love in children. Could you imagine a whole generation of kids growing up loving/feeling content with themselves? The world would be a magical place to live in.
The Revival (ink, marker)
8. You have a very strong female presence on social media. Any advice you would give to girls your age?
Under no circumstances let anyone dim the light within you, that light inside you is so powerful and could (and will) ignite into something so special. As someone speaking who had lost the light a couple times within my life, it is hard and sometimes almost impossible to gain that back. Stay true to yourself, never let anyone make you feel bad for being you, never stop creating and imagining and dreaming. Remember how powerful you and your words/actions are. You are worthy, you are an artist, you are unstoppable, you are a woman.
To find out more about Jessica please find her through these links:
Our very own Merritt had pleasure of being able to ask Cam Avery (The Growl, Tame Impala) some questions for a project for school, and he was also kind enough to let us to post them on Good Time Girls!
Interview by Merritt Rowley
When did you realize that music is what you wanted to pursue?
I always wanted to pursue music but when I was 20 I started writing and decided it was much more fulfilling to create, whether it be songs or just writing, rather than compete for things in life as a whole.
What is your inspiration for the music you make as The Growl?
It kinda originally came from visual art that my brother introduced me to about 5 years ago, like the divinity and heavy conceptuality of someone like Salvador Dali and the primal expression of someone like Jean Michel Basquiat. I’ve always tried to walk a line I between those two ideals of expression but I can’t help the kinda swampy, delta, grimy blues thing seeping through because that was the music that first grabbed me.
How do you describe The Growl's music?
It’s just love songs or pining songs but like I said it always ends up with some kinda of reflection amalgamating in a more traditional element be it blues or swing or something, it’s always changing, the new record I just finished is a huge sonic departure from the last one.
What do you see in the future for The Growl?
New album to be released in the states, touring…. see what happens after that?? What is the most rewarding part of having play with/playing with so many bands?Spending lots of time with all of my friends and it teaches you a lot about different group dynamics and the creative dynamics within them… but mostly the travels and beers with pals.
How is playing with Tame Impala different than any other band you have played with/currently play in?
Kevin is a very inspiring person to be around, he makes me want to dream bigger and think harder about my own creative outlets, it’s a privilege to be a part of something with the level or conviction and ambition that it has.
Do you ever miss playing in POND?
YESSS!!! erry day!!
What inspires you to keep going even though you are so busy?I’m very lucky to do what I do, I want to make something I’m proud of by the time I croak.
And finally: Mac DeMarco has the song Viceroy about his favorite cigarettes. If you had to write a song about a product you really love, what would it be and why?
haha maybe Bullet Rye whiskey… mmmmmmm. A big thank you to Cam Avery for being so kind and willing to do an interview!
Riley Kmet is a human pile of chaos, garage rock, and liquid eyeliner. She lives in Akron, Ohio and can assure you all that it's way cooler than it seems. She can often be found readjusting her glasses in a mosh-pit or standing on speakers to get a good picture. One day, Riley hopes to become a combination of Hunter S. Thompson, Pooneh Ghana, Penny Lane, and David Bowie. Right now, she's focusing on reminding the world that rock n roll is alive and well if you know where to look.
Sophie
Sophie Jones is from the not so exciting northern English town of Liverpool and no she is not related to The Beatles. She doesn't think of herself as a very "cool" person, although she does pretend to be...she'd much rather her life was like a Petra Colins photoset, but instead she is happy moaning on the Internet and demanding what people hear what she has to say! Sophie is so excited to represent the UK for The Good Time Girls
Ellie
Ellie Gwyneth is a pixie dream girl who often wishes she was in a VW bus in 1974 rather than in the cold, sleepy town of Asheville, North Carolina. She's had a eye for photography from an early age and finds it to be her best outlet. When Ellie isn't snapping pics of her best pals or writing essays on Vladimir Nabokov, she daydreams about boys who dress like David Bowie and the duration of her fading youth.
Melissa
Melissa Nemhara lives near the city of London, and frequents the city to visit galleries and cry at clothes she can't afford. She's a dog person. Melissa can be found watching films on Netflix, without break for many (many) hours. She does her best to have her walks home orchestrated by 90's R&B and she has a book dedicated to jive lingo. Straight from the fridge dad.
Hope you loves this gals as much as I do! Can't wait to see the fun things they do!
Hi everyone!
First off I want to thank everyone who has supported us these past 6 months it’s been overwhelming how much love and support we got! This little project grew so much with your help, so thank you so much! This year we plan to expand even more! We have added 4 new members to our circle of girls who’s bios are can read now in the bio link. We have Ellie from North Carolina, Riley from Ohio, and Sophie and Mel from the UK! Our decision to expand to the UK is so exciting and a little bit scary, but we got two of the best gals we know to do the job well. Along with our new members we got a brand spankin’ new logo designed by our pal Dulce who has designed posters for bands like Cherry Glazerr and Together PANGEA. We’re also anticipating some big interviews in the new year and coverage of the biggest festivals this year (Coachella, Gov Ball, Outsidelands etc). Also keep an eye out for our Merch site we’re setting up! It’s gonna be such an exciting year and I can not wait to see where it will take us and again thank you for your kindness and support!
"I live up in British Columbia Canada really close to Vancouver. I’m in Vancouver a lot going to concerts, hanging with friends, and taking some 33mm pictures. Here are some photos from about week ago were ‘The Zolas’ performed a free show in Zulu Records. It was very intimate with probably only 100 people there. Everyone was able to chat with the band afterwords and get stuff signed, it was a really fun night! I took some b&w 35mm shots to capture the night and I managed to develop a few good ones" - Josh
1. You are an amazing artist and your paintings are out of this world. Your use of color is very unique. Do you have a routine you do before you start a painting? Do you like to plan or do just go with your heart?
Thank you so much!!! I don't really have a set routine, I usually have an idea of what I want to paint then I will go from there. I use my own creative license when choosing a particular color palette, however a lot of my decisions come from little connections along the way during the process of one of my paintings that I find. It's hard to describe it's almost as if at some point the painting just takes on its own personality and finishes itself. I have a starting point, usually a reference image but whatever happens between what I see and what I paint always comes out different than what I had expected, and I like that process, creating something from something else and not knowing what the end result will be.
by Kristine
2. What is your first memory with art?
I always remember as a child drawing but when I really started to remember its impact on my life was when I was kindergarten or 1st grade. I had told my art teacher whom I loved, that I wanted to be an artist. She told me that day to always carry around a sketchbook and I started to do that, however It wasn't until high school that I became more serious about art. Actually it was quite strange I ran into this same teacher at the mall the summer before I left for college and I told her how I was pursuing life as an artist and she was so happy for me, she couldn't believe that I had still wanted to be an artist. I felt bad for her because she was working at the mall and no longer as an art teacher.
3. Who are your favorite artist or works of art and why?
As a painter I have many artists that I adore, the list is endless but some huge artists recently to me have been Gerhard Ritcher and Leif Podhajsky. I chose to highlight these two artists because Ritcher moves paint like he is moving mountains, the maturity of his brush stroke, his strength, and confidence are so evident in his paintings. His scale is quite overwhelming and powerful which is what is pushing me to create bigger pieces. Now Podhjasky is a younger artist who creates mainly digital pieces, which has been used by many artists as album cover artwork including, Tame Impala, Foals, Mount Kimbie etc. He is one of my favorite artists because he is doing what my dream job would be as an album cover artist, but I would like to do what he is doing but with paintings, sculpture, and textiles.
King Krule (top), Blood Orange(bottom) by Kristine
4. A lot of your art is inspired by music and musicians. How do those two go hand in hand for you?
Well experience and emotion is a huge part of what I am trying to convey through my paintings and for me concerts and music has always held that role for me. It's so simple how music inspires me it could be a bass line that envisions a scene in my head or it's a photo of Mario Cuomo going apeshit on the crowd, and its that captured snapshot that inspires me, seeing all the passion and the club lighting painting the faces of the musicians. There is something about that and freezing a moment in time that is so powerful to me.
5. Your favorite musicians are….
I have so many favorite musicians. Currently I've had Wild Onion on repeat through my brain. So right now Twin Peaks but some other of my favorite include MGMT, Tame Impala, Pond, Blood Orange, Grimes, Diiv, The Strokes, King Krule, FleetWood Mac, Cherry Glazerr, Mac Demarco, Girls, really the list is endless but here's a few that really contribute to my playlists.
6. How do you keep yourself inspired?
I keep myself inspired by walking around Downtown Oakland and listening to music, watching music videos, sketching, knitting/crocheting, and finding other artists. I also stay inspired by living life with my friends and keep experiencing different things. It's through experiences that inspire emotion to me and then I want to recreate those feeling to show others.
(by Kristine)
7. Besides amazing works of art, you are a work of art yourself. What would you say your fashion taste is? Do you have any fashion tips you’d like to share with us?
Aww thank you! I would say eclectic vintage. I mainly shop at thrift stores because I like finding things that are completely unique, weird, and from a long time ago. I also like the prices because of my artist budget, considering oil paints are so expensive. I also love to wear different fabrics, my teacher actually brought up to me how my wardrobe is similar to my paintings including my palette. Some tips I have are, DONT be afraid of mixing patterns and fabrics, wear what you want regardless of what anyone says, be daring don't be afraid to wear anything, be confident in your clothes, and own what you wear and how you wear it.
8. What are your guilty pleasures?
I like to think I don't have any guilty pleasures because if it brings you pleasure why should you feel guilty about it. However I do have things in life I do and feel like could be guilty pleasures like my love for crime shows and cookie butter with cocoa swirl (Trader Joes GO BUY IT NOW)
(by Kristine)
9. How does it feel to be going to college for art? Any advice on that?
It's actually very strange because it's a great creative atmosphere but at the same time you start to realize the pressures and expenses of being a "successful" artist. I have met some amazing friends who inspire me as an artist and the things I'm learning, my experiences in Oakland and San Francisco are something I wouldn't trade for the world. I realize now that art school was the only place I could have gone for further education personally for me after high school, I couldn't/wouldn't want to have gone to a regular university. I encourage people who are thinking about further education in art to research it, it's very worth it.
10. If you were to leave one thing to this world that would represent you,what would it be?
I guess I would have to say my backpack. I have so many patches, pins, and keychains from places I've been on it. I basically take it everywhere wether Im camping, going to school, or traveling. This backpack has carried so much in my life literally and metaphorically. Stained with paint I think its a great representation of myself.
(by Kristine)
11. One advice you'd give to people your age would be...
Follow your dreams, as cliche as it is. Just do what you want in life, don't consider anything else just do what would make you happy. That is what I'm doing I'm not trying to become a billionaire I'm just making art because it makes life more bearable for me personally. Just make yourself happy first and spread jah love.
find Kristine at her instagram: @ desiredandwired and tumblr : desiredandwired.tumblr.com
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