viva love photo project

conversations re: Morrissey

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Viva Love Photo Project: Interview No.4

You’ve probably seen Siouxsie racing her little red Scion all over Los Angeles, on her way to various Morrissey/Smiths gatherings. People take pictures of, and with it, on a regular basis and post...

PSSST!  The Viva Love Photo Project Blog is now over here.  And the latest interview with Siouxsie Khan Sabina is now up.

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Viva Love Photo Project:: Jose Maldonado

Truly sweet and truly tender. It was both an honor and a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet up with Jose Maldonado, the Mexican Morrissey, and have a chat re: Moz at his practice space in...

Hey guys!  The latest interview with Jose Maldonado is now up on the new blog.  Check it out (and follow) here:  http://vivalove-photoproject.tumblr.com/

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Nowhere Fast

Hey guys!  I will be moving all of my past, present and future interviews to my new tumblr account.  If you would like to continue following the Viva Love Photo Project, and want it to appear in your tumblr feed, please begin following:  http://vivalove-photoproject.tumblr.com. 

Latest post will be published tomorrow morning, on the new blog.  So, stay tuned!

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The more you ignore her, the closer Rosy Reyes gets.  Diehard Moz fan since ‘87.

It’s true, east L.A. has always had love for Morrissey.

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Two weeks ago, Rosy invited me to her cozy home in Pacoima, CA where she introduced me to her mother and her sizable Morrissey collection.

Name:  Rosy Reyes

Age: 39

Where do you live? Pacoima, CA

How were you first introduced to Morrissey?

R:  Let’s see, it was probably 1987, and it was just a few months after they [Smiths] broke up.  And it was through a neighbor that used to live across the street (some obnoxious kid).  He was my friend’s older brother, so he was already into punk and the punk scene.  He was a Smiths and Morrissey fan, and from him I started getting into it.  He used to come over to my house, and he was one of those kids that used to show off, “Oh, I have this,” and “You don’t have this.”  And he introduced me to Morrissey.  

C:  So, he was already into it.

R:  That was the first time I had ever seen a Morrissey poster, and it was of that huge [Everyday Is Like Sunday] single cover, that cover with his hand over his face.  He had a big one and that was the first time I ever saw [what] Morrissey [looked like].

C:  Do you remember the first song he played for you, or the first one you heard of his?

R:  He’s the one that introduced me, but the first time I ever heard a song was Hand In Glove, [courtesy of] Richard Blade on KROQ (https://www.facebook.com/richardbladepage).  Then, the second one was Bigmouth Strikes Again.  Those were the two first songs I ever heard of the Smiths.

C:  What made you want to keep listening?

R:  Everything:  His style.  His look.  And then after I started getting more into it, I started really listening to the lyrics.  And that’s when it just hit me, “This guy is IT!”

Do you remember the first song you fell in love with?

R:  Honestly, I’d have to say it was Hand In Glove.  And I loved it even more when I had read somewhere, he had said it was his favorite song.

C:  Are you originally from Pacoima?

R:  Yes.  Born here.  Raised in East L.A.  Came back.

C:  Were there other kids, besides your neighbor, after you discovered him and started listening to him, that were [also] listening to him?  Or were you kind of the lone person in that?  How did you hear about other fans?

R:  That whole Jr. High time, I was a loner with it.  But once I got into high school everybody was into it.  It was the time of the whole ‘Rebel’ scene, the hispanic Greaser look.  So, there were a lot of kids like that there.  Everybody was into Morrissey.  Everyday I’d go to school, and someone would be wearing a Morrissey t-shirt.  It was cool.  And that was around [1992]?  …With the whole [Your Arsenal] tour and the first time he played the Hollywood Bowl…

C:  Whoa.

R:  So, all the kids were into it.  And I had friends from Sylmar High and San Fernando High, so, friends over there, too.  Everyone was into Morrissey.

Do you have a favorite lyric or quote that he has said in interviews, or books, or songs?

R:  Oh, that is hard!  I would have to say, right now, [from the song] Come Back To Camden.  The lyric that says, "Here you'll find, despair and I calling to you with what's left of my heart, my heart for evermore.”

C:  Why?

R:  I can’t really explain why, but for some reason I feel Morrissey is opening his heart in that song.

C:  You feel connected.

R:  Yeah.

Do you have a favorite song right now?

R:  It’s been a favorite for awhile, Ammunition.

C:  That’s a good one!  So, let’s talk about the significance he and his music has for you.

R:  Like, what he means to me?  A lot (laughs).  He’s all I know right now.  Ever since I was young.  His lyrics.  I always consider him a best friend that’s not there, physically, but you know he’s there.  He’s always there.

C:  Through the good and the bad.

R:  Bad, good.  He’s there.

C:  I think he’s like that for a lot of people.  For me, definitely.  Especially as a teenager, when I was introduced.  There’s all these feelings of angst and heartbreak.  And it’s still like that sometimes.  Whenever I would listen to his songs, he knew me.

R:  He’s talking to you.

C:  Yeah, he knew what I was going through and he understood.  And he [still] does.

R:  You can’t really say there’s too many artists that make you feel like that.  There really isn’t.

C:  You know, Rose said this in her interview, and I totally agree with it, he feels like someone that I could hang out with.  That understands where I came from.  No matter what sort of upbringing or background.

R:  There’s just that connection.

C:  He has that Of-The-People quality, of the underdog.  Which I definitely identify with.

R:  There’s just so many good things to really say about him.

Do you have a most coveted piece out of your collection?

R:  I have two things:  The Autobiography book, autographed.  I won this from HMV in the UK (http://www.hmv.com/).  It was a contest through Twitter.  But the thing was, it was only for UK fans.  [Lucky for me] I have a friend that stays out there who said he would get it for me.

C:  That’s so cool!

R:  And they told me that [you can enter the contest] as long as you know someone who stays in the UK and can mail it to you.  So my friend, Roberto, sent it out to me.  And this thing right here, you’ll never believe what it is.

C:  Yes, I saw a picture you posted of this recently.  Tell me about it.

R:  This was given to me by a friend a couple of weeks ago.  He was somebody who was close to Morrissey.  He didn’t tell me much, and I don’t know if Moz gave it to him or if he took it, but he gave it to me.  This used to be Morrissey’s cologne/perfume:  Dark Rose [by Czech & Speake Neroli]

C:  Whaaaat?

R:  Yeah.  I looked it up and it’s pretty well known.

C:  Can I smell it?

R:  You can.  I don’t know if you’ve heard about cologne’s he wears, but he likes to wear cologne’s that smell like a church.  It reminds me of the smell from the incense priests swing when they walk down the isle during mass [frankincense].  That’s what he likes, and that’s what it smells like.

C:  It does!  I smell myrrh.  So, your friend gave this to you?

R:  He gave it to me for my birthday and he gave me a lot of other stuff, I’ll show you.

C:  Oh yeah, you just had a birthday.  Happy birthday!  Is this from someone that lives in the UK?  How did they acquire it?

R:  I have to ask him if it was when he was out there in the UK, or if it was when Moz was out here.  It was back in ’92.

C:  So, does Moz still wear that scent?

R:  I don’t think so.  I think he uses another one now.  This one I think is the one he used to wear back in the day.

C:  Which makes it that much cooler.

R:  Yeah.  [He gave it to me and] I was like, “You’re kidding, right?”  and he said, “I’m not bullshitting you, it is.”  I didn’t ask where he got it.

C:  Have you used it at all?

R:  I’ve sprayed it, yeah.  But only a little bit.  I don’t want to [use it all].  It smells mysterious.

C:  (Smelling the cologne)  It has some rose in it.

R:  Yeah, it has some patchouli in it, too.

C:  Dusty.  It smells really good.  And [it makes sense that] he would wear that.  So, the book and the cologne are your two favorites [out of your collection]?

R:  Yeah.

C:  How many times have you seen him play?

R:  Altogether?  It hasn’t been a lot.  (Counting) About 9 times.

C:  Have you traveled far to see him?

R:  I went to one in Rome last year [following the release of World Peace Is None Of Your Business].  That was unexpected.  I was only there for a few days.  But it was so worth it.  I didn’t get a chance to see all of Rome, but I saw a few things.  It’s beautiful.  That’s my dream come true.  I’m obsessed with anything Italian, so being there and seeing him was fantastic.

C:  How was the crowd there?

R:  Older and calmer than out here.  Mozangeles, we’re crazy (laughs).

C:  Yeah (laughs).  That’s on my bucket list: to see him play in another country.

R:  I wish to go back sometime soon.

Have you ever met him?

R:  Yes, I have!  Remember the Virgin Record store in West Hollywood?  It was in 2000 when he did the [DVD] signing there.  By the time I got there they had people rushing…  I didn’t get an autograph, but I did get a handshake and a hug.  It was quick, but I’m satisfied.

And then last year, I met him at The Cat & Fiddle.  It was funny- we didn’t plan it.  It was me, my friend Liz, and her other friend, and her son.  We were just going there for lunch.  It was a Sunday.  And it was funny because my friend Liz was like, “What if he just shows up?  Let’s just go eat there.  Maybe he’ll show up!”

And [I said], “What time is it, Liz?”

“It’s around 3 ‘o clock.”

I notice those little things, like, when he [would normally] eat [lunch or] dinner.  So, I said, “Alright, let’s go.  Maybe he’ll show up.”

So, we go, sit down, get our order.. And not even twenty minutes after guess who walks in?  First, it was Jesse, then it was Damon (his assistant), and then it was Moz in the back.  He walks really straight and very fast.  He walks to the table (he likes to sit at the back table), and Liz’s friend was like, “No fucking way!”  We were facing the entrance with my friend’s back to him.  And we were just like, “No fucking way!  He’s here!”  And his table is right across from ours.  There’s a little partition with a little window.  So, you could see them and they could see us.  My friend is eating a pork chop or something (laughs) and she’s grubbing.  There’ s a moment where Moz is actually looking at us and we catch him glimpsing at my friend eating the meat.  He had a smile on his face (laughs).

C:  (laughs)  He was probably amused or something.

R:  (laughs)  I guess!  So then, Moz and Jesse go to the bathroom and I [decided] to go up to Damon.  I already knew [who he was].  So, I go up to him and introduce myself, and he was [shocked].

“How do you know who I am?”  And I was like, “Oh, from a friend of a friend.”  “Oh, okay.”

And then [I said], “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you and I wanted to ask you if it’s okay if I take a photo or get an autograph or just say ‘hello’ to him?”

And he said, “Well, thank you for coming up to me and letting me know, but right now we’re talking about business, so maybe it’s not a good time.  But maybe another day.”  “Oh, that’s fine.”

And right when I’m saying goodbye to Damon, guess who comes walking up?  Jesse and Moz.  It was, like, in slow motion. (laughs)  Like, in the movies.  Jesse already knows me and so [I said hi to him] and then you see Moz and [I said], “Hello, Steven.”  And I had heard he doesn’t like to be called ‘Steven’ but I was so nervous, it just came out! (laughs).   And then [he said], “Oh, hello,” and did his little bow thing he does.  I didn’t shake his hand or anything, I was just… oh my god.  He was beautiful.

C:  (laughs)

R:  He was glowing.  He was beautiful.

C:  Is he tall?

R:  No, he’s only a few inches taller than me.

C:  I’ve only ever seen him on stage, so I don’t know.  I’m almost 5’8”.  How tall are you?

R:  5’7”

C:  He’s probably around 5’10” or 5’11”

R:  That day he had a nice tan.  He looked husky.  He looked good that day.

C:  What was he wearing?

R:  He was wearing a baby blue v-neck tight sweater, aviator sunglasses and jeans.

C:  What a babe.  I haven’t had a chance to meet him yet.  I don’t know what I would do.  I feel like my mind would go blank.

R:  It does.

C:  I’m sure as soon as you said “Steven” you were [mortified].  My friend Casey [has met him before].  I can’t imagine him meeting [Moz] because he’s such a die-hard fan like you are, and [what that must be like for him]… I honestly don’t know how he kept his composure.  

C:  So, I’d like to talk about your involvement in the [Moz] community.  You seem really involved.  Which is awesome.  How did that start?

R:  Well, ever since high school, back then the thing to do was to be in Party Crews.  Mostly all of those parties were 80’s parties and everyone was into Morrissey.  So, back then I was helping promote and pass out fliers and sometimes designing them (I’m into graphic design.  Ever since high school it’s always been my thing).  So, three years ago I started doing that for all the tribute bands just helping out, plugging their shows and it just grew, and grew, and grew.  Then, I started my blog Mozzerians Around The World (http://mozzeriansatw.tumblr.com/), and from there I have sources and get a lot of information and share with fans.  Even if I get in trouble.  [However,] There are things that I will say and things that I won’t.

C:  Out of all the events, which is your favorite?

R:  The one that’s coming up:  The Smiths/Morrissey Convention (https://www.facebook.com/SmithsMorrisseyConvention?fref=nf)

C:  I’m so excited!  I haven’t been before.  I wanted to go last year, but couldn’t.

R:  Are you going?

C:  I’m going!  I bought my ticket.

R:  You’re going to love it.

C:  What can I expect?

R:  Everything!  Vendors, shirts, CD’s, posters, etc.  They do the karaoke contest and have two bands playing:  This Charming Band (http://www.facebook.com/thischarmingband) and The Sons and Heirs (http://www.facebook.com/thesonsandheirs).  And then they have contests on the main stage, sharing Morrissey tattoos, Moz trivia, etc.  It’s really fun.

C:  And then there’s also Morrisseyoke (http://www.facebook.com/MorrisseyOKE)

R:  Yeah, it’s every first Thursday of the month.  It’s pretty big now.

Well, let’s see some of your items, Rosy!

R:  Do you remember this? (Holds up a fanzine)

R:  This is one of those publications, a fanzine from back in the ‘80s and ‘90s.  Bruce Duff.  It’s his last issue he had, I think.  That’s how I met a lot of fans, before the internet existed, was through [the zines].  They had personals in the back, [people seeking other] fans and pen pals to write to.

C:  (Reading a pen pal ad in the back) “I know I cannot be the only one who feels this way.”

R:  It was this one (A Chance To Shine) and True To You, all these fanzines.  All you do is write letters.

C:  And so, you had pen pals?

R:  I had pen pals from all over.  I had some from Spain, Italy, the UK of course, India…

C:  From this zine?

R:  From this one and different ones:  True To You, Morri’Zine, yeah.

C:  That is so cool.

R:  Are you in contact with some of these people still?

R:  Some, but not really.  We just lost contact.

R:  Did you ever see this?

C:  A lot of this stuff I haven’t seen.

R:  Oh!  Well, this was sent from my friend in the UK.  It’s four issues/versions.  Pink, blue, yellow, and...  It’s like Andy Warhol[ish].  It’s a music and art magazine.

(Rockdelux magazine. Issue #16, October 2014.  Published monthly in Spain. http://www.rockdelux.com/)

R:  (Referring to her collection)  So there’s lots of magazines.  These are from the Kill Uncle tour.  The cemetery [photo].  These are some of my favorite pictures.  

C:  The captions!  “Morrissey contemplates his mortal coil,”  and then this one, “Don’t fear the reaper.” Get out.  He’s wearing a sheer shirt.

R:  I think that’s the Morrissey that everybody…  I’m sure a lot of fans they love the young Moz and Smiths, but this Moz.. that Rockabilly look with Spencer (Corbin), Alain Whyte, Gary (Day) [and Boz Boorer]… I think that’s the Moz everybody loves.

C:  In high school the first time I saw him play was in 1999 [for the ¡Oye Esteban! tour] and he was playing at the Ventura Theatre.  It’s a small beach town, blue collar.  Maybe that’s why he likes to play there?  I don’t know.  Anyway, all of my friends were into ‘80s music and we listened to a lot of Morrissey, Smiths, Depeche Mode…  So, when I saw him live for the first time there were all of these ‘Rebels’ there [present day Greasers], I had no idea.  Aside from my group of friends and people that I knew, I had no idea he was such an influence on the ‘Rebel’ look [and also, what other subcultures were into him and his music], and I love that.

R:  I guess it’s the stuff that he grew up with… Elvis and James Dean.  All those 1950s, 1960s films.  How did you get info [on Morrissey] back then?

C:  It was through my friend Casey and my other friend October.  I didn’t even know about the fanzines at that time… Most of my memorabilia I’ve lost because my family moved a lot and I lived in NY for two years and [stupidly] forgot some of it when I moved back [to CA].  My other stuff was in storage for along time at my grandparents house.  I thought my mom saved it, and she didn’t, unfortunately.  All of my old tapes..  All of it was in a pile that I thought was coming with us [to the new house] at the time.

R:  Also, records.  Did you ever see the orange vinyl one (World Peace Is None Of Your Business)?

C:  No, it’s beautiful.

Picking up and thumbing through Peepholism by Jo Slee:

R:  This is signed by Jo Slee.  I don’t think they sell this anywhere else except online, for a lot of money.

R:  This is from Turkey.  They did a contest with fans to design their own [promotional tour poster] for a Morrissey show in [Istanbul,] Turkey.  And this kid, I wish I could remember his name.  They used it all over the city.  [Found it: Bora Mesut Palas (http://boramesutpalas.com/)].

C:  You have a lot of really good stuff.

R:  Thank you.  There’s more, but it’s in boxes.

C:  Do you ultimately want to frame the posters?

R:  Yeah.  I like to frame the stuff that’s worth a little bit more.  You get free Convention posters, by the way.  I got the Morrissey: 25 Live poster from the company.  I was actually helping promote for the movie, so they gave me this.  I started talking to the guy (I can’t remember his name.  My memory is horrible!), and I asked him if I could help promote for the movie.  He said “Yeah, sure!”  So, they sent me [stuff through] email and a bunch of CD’s for helping promote.

C:  You get hooked up!  But it’s something you’ve been doing for a long time.  And you know people who want to contribute and help.

C:  (Pointing to a beautiful framed silk screened poster) So, what is this?  This is so cool.

R:  Oh, yeah!  I got this last year at the Convention.  Or two years ago.   Mientre Mas Me Ignoras Mas Me Acerco.  And it’s the whole latin Moz fans stuff...

C:  (Looking at Rosy’s books below the poster) So, were you into James Dean before Morrissey?

R:  I’m a bigger James Dean fan than Moz (don’t kill me!).  I can’t believe I just said that.

C:  I mean, it goes along with it, too, you know?

R:  Yeah.

R:  This is a promo poster for a show.  I think it’s a Kevin Cummins picture?  I’m not sure. (http://www.kevincummins.co.uk/)

What do you like most about him and his music?

R:  What I like most about Morrissey is… Wow, there’s so many things.  His passion for his music, for his art and one of the main things I really love about him is, he’s not afraid to speak his mind.  He doesn’t care whether you approve, or if you like it or don’t like it.  He speaks his mind.  He’ll say whatever he needs to say.  However he feels.  I admire that a lot about him.  And the other thing, is I really love animals.   And the way he speaks up for animal rights.  That’s a big deal for me.  I think those are the two main things.  His passion for the stuff he loves and believes in.

--

Rosy, thank ever so much for your hospitality!  You quenched my thirst with fresh lemonade, and my hunger was fed with fresh fruit, and chips with salsa.

I’m beginning to think Ms. Reyes and her mother were MY shepherds that day.

See you tomorrow, at the Convention!

--

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CloverDeanPracticingTroublemaker

Instagram:  @mozzerie_dean13

Blog:  http://mozzeriansatw.tumblr.com/

[vivalovephotoproject]

All Your Moz Goods

Guys!  I’ve made an Instagram account for the project!  While I’ll continue to promote the project interviews on Instagram and tumblr, I’d like to reach out to the extended moz community on Instagram.  I figure, it’s a great way to meet people from around the globe who share a common love for all things Morrissey, and until I can take this project cross country (countries?) physically, let’s see about sharing our experience through social media. So, if you’d like to participate, take a picture of your entire Morrissey collection. I’m talking, like: the posters, the records, the pins, the nail decals, the t-shirts, the candles, the bobble heads, etc. ALL OF YOUR MOZ GOODS!  Post it on Instagram, tag @vivalovephotoproject and I’ll feature one of you a week!  Yes?  YES!

https://instagram.com/vivalovephotoproject/

[vivalovephotoproject]

Meet Rose.  33 years old.  Living in Los Angeles.  Still Ill, but coping quite beautifully with her Morrissey addiction.

Last month, I sat down with Rose Ghavami to (lovingly) discuss her insatiable Morrissey obsession.

Name:  Rose Ghavami

Age:  33 years

Where do you live?  Los Angeles, CA

When was your introduction to Morrissey?  What is your first Morrissey/ Smiths memory?

R:  I had heard How Soon Is Now at a very young age (early junior high), and the song had kind of stuck with me because the song was very distinct and very different to what I was listening to at the time… It wasn’t until a little later in high school when I put two and two together, "Oh, that song from your junior high years is actually from this band." And then at that point I was listening to a lot of different… stuff and it just really fit with my mood and kind of cradled my teen experience. [It] also, helped me find like-minded people... After high school I became OBSESSED [and] it just got progressively worse and worse.

First song you fell in love with?

R:  I think it was Everyday Is Like Sunday… I really listened to the lyrics and the mood and the music… I remember it being kind of a dark time in my life- I was a freshman in college, feeling a little lost and [thought], "Wow, there’s so much more to this band, to this musician than I ever could have possibly imagined."  From that point onward, it [became a], full blown obsession... "I need to know everything about this band and this person called Steven Patrick Morrissey!"

C:  My friend October- she’s not the one that introduced me- but her and I got really into it.  [And] there was this VHS she had of these Smiths music videos...

R:  Yes, [The Smiths:] The Complete Picture.

C:  OH MY GOD (singing).  And that’s when it hit me.  We used to dance around in her house [and sing along to the videos].

R:  (laughs) Yeah.  I think that’s actually a good point you bring up because during that same time I was watching their videos and aesthetically Morrissey (I’m sure) had a huge part in the type of imagery that they would use, [and] it was beautiful… The clips from old British films, TV shows or whatever the case is.  That in itself was also visually grabbing and sensual on a certain level.  It also kind of felt like it was your "secret."

C:  YES.

R:  It almost [felt like] this dirty, bad secret that you had that you were just secretly super proud of but wouldn’t tell too many people because everyone else was kind of like, WHY?

C:  Or they didn’t even know.

R:  They didn’t get it.

C:  Yeah.

R:  I used to always say... "Morrissey is an acquired taste."  The older you get, you start to develop a taste for wine and certain alcohols.  I feel like Morrissey’s kind of like that.

C:  Totally.  And some of the music videos that they had on that VHS, some of them were live performances.  What was it called?

R: Top of the Pops?

C:  Yeah, maybe?  I don’t know [what it was called] but they played and he had that quality... with the dead roses, swinging.  So romantic.

R:  I know.

Do you have a favorite lyric or quote?

R:

My love is as sharp as a needle in your eye

You must be such a fool

To pass me by

-  Seasick, Yet Still Docked

C:  In his autobiography he says "Where, I wonder, can such stylishly fitted jeans be found?"  And it makes me laugh every time.

R:  He is very particular about his own style [and] his bandmates style.  He definitely has an aesthetic that he’s going for and it’s [always] evolving but… very Americana.  Which [is something I] also love because I’m a very nostalgic person.  I love the aesthetic of the 40s and 50s [and] to a certain extent the 60s.  Everything else, not so much.

What is it you like about him and his music?  Why?

R:  When I first became a fan it was really more about the music.  I didn’t know anything about Morrissey.  I didn’t know about the Morrissey/Marr controversy.  It was almost innocent in a way.  I was able to really just enjoy the music, enjoy the lyrics and take [it] for what it [was].  Once I got to know more about who he was, then I started to [think], "Wow, this is a really interesting, intelligent, funny person."  I related to him on a certain level.  I always felt different growing up and the circumstances that I came from. It was very different- working class. So, I felt like on a certain level I understood him even though I grew up in the Valley [and] he grew up in Manchester.  It’s a different thing but there was a certain struggle that I experienced in my childhood that seemed to relate to his.  And I think that’s why I always really loved him.  He always championed the underdog.  And [I thought], "This is someone I would want to be friends with," and he would probably fight with me if someone said something wrong to me.  But the more I got to know about him I don’t know if he would actually engage in a fight (laughs).  Maybe a verbal assault because he’d be brilliant at that, but not actual violence (laughs).  Unless I was eating a steak in front of him, then he might engage. (laughs)

Is there one piece of your collection that is your most coveted?

R:  My first ever shirt which (I regret) I totally cut... up and made it look cute… I think that piece in particular, really, any time I see it, it puts a smile on my face… It takes me back to that time of being really young and innocent, discovering something new for the first time and wearing [it] like a badge of honor… And I also have a book which may be a reissue (I’m not sure, I haven’t done the research) but Morrissey did a James Dean… photo zine [sort] of thing and I have a copy of it.  It’s really cool.  It’s one of the more unique pieces I have.

C:  So it's a picture book?

R:  Yeah, I’ll show you. There’s some stuff he’s written in there as well but there’s some beautiful photographs.

Have you ever met him? I feel like everyone [has one of these stories] (laughs)

R:  Well, here’s the deal:  My ex was good friends with his current guitarist, Jesse, so I became friends with Jesse as well.  There was a point when we were hanging out a lot and I [thought] "… It’s gonna happen any day now, I just feel it!  Jesse knows how much of a fan I am and he’s just gonna [ask me]: ‘Rose, why don’t you just come out and we’ll hang out?’" And I’ll be dressed to the nine’s… I’m still friends with Jesse but it never worked out that way.  

I did have a close brush [though]… Here’s the story:

Interestingly enough I was having a vegan dinner with two of my girlfriends, one of them whom I haven’t seen in a long time so we were deep in conversation.  I kept getting texts and I kept ignoring my phone because I didn’t want to be rude, and [when I] finally… glanced over the text… said "MORRISSEY IS AT THE BAR!"… I thought it was a joke because everybody knows how big of a fan I am, but it was [from] my friend who owns the bar so maybe she’s not fucking around.  This is the same bar my [DJ] night is at.  So, I wrote back… and she [says] "… He’s been here for a half an hour.  You need to come, NOW!"  I literally drop everything and am like, “WE’RE GOING TO FOOTSIE’S, RIGHT NOW!”

C:  He was at Footsies?

R:  He was at Footsies!  Jesse lives in Highland Park so it’s not totally unusual that him and Jesse would be hanging out there. Footsies is not… your typical bar where you might see a lot of people, but it was a New York Dolls night. And so I’m [thinking], "Ok… that makes sense why Morrissey would be there," but also, "Wow, you’re asking for it!"  [Because] Anyone who’s a fan would probably know [who he was].

So… my cousin Sadaf is driving like a mad-woman from Silver Lake to Highland Park to get there.  And then this realization dawns upon me that not only am I wearing a leather jacket but I’m also wearing a Siouxsie and The Banshees t-shirt.  I love Siouxsie to death but her and Morrissey have beef.  So, I’m [thinking], “Ok, I can take the leather jacket off, but I can’t [remove my] Siouxsie shirt… unless I want to walk around without anything, basically."

C:  Topless! (laughs)

R:  Which, I would go topless if that was required of me in order to meet Morrissey, but [I figured] I’ll just do] something with my arms so the shirt’s not as apparent.

So, we drive up to Footsies.  As soon as we get there I see Jessie, Moz, and his bodyguard walking out.

“Shit, they’re leaving!”  My cousin parks the car. “No, they’ll see us,” [I say] “I have to prepare myself.”

She drives away and parks a little further down the street so I could be walking towards them, towards the bar. So, I rip off my jacket, get myself together and then I walk out [of the car] and see Jesse, Moz, and his body guard.  And... I completely shut down.  I walk right in between Jesse and Morrissey and I [seize up].  I couldn’t do it.  And Jesse even turned around because he saw it was me. At this point I knew him [better], and I could tell he [recognized me, but]…  I really couldn’t do it.

I ran into Footsies [and] almost started crying because I was so sad and frustrated that I just… dropped the ball.  Later, Jesse was like, "Yeah, I totally saw Rose.  Why didn’t she say hi?"  And at that point I [thought], “You know what, it’s ok.  I don’t want to be the fan that stalks [Morrissey] on the sidewalk and tries to get a photo with [him]."  I’d rather it be more intimate.  Like, Jesse calls me up “Hey Rose, we’re gonna go have a drink would you like to join us?’ And… that would be perfect because then I’ll make sure i’m not wearing anything that has leather on it and I’ll be prepared.

C:  You said you walked right in between them.  Did you touch him at all?

R:  I think we brushed fabrics but I really wanted to be respectful.  I was so nervous that I was keeping my whole energy and everything really contained.  But, yes, I straight up walked right in between them.

C:  I don’t know what I would do.  I feel like I would just completely shut down...

R:  That’s actually something I think about often. "What would I actually say to this person who’s had such a profound impact on my life?" [And] I don’t know.  Sometimes he’ll pass around the mic to the front row at his concerts and people can say something or express something and it’s usually... "You’ve changed my life.  I love you!"  I would love to say those things as well but I’d want it to be super sharp and witty so I can make an impression on him... I know… I’m Unloveable, but I don’t want to be forgettable.  In a way, I’d want it to be thoughtful but also somehow spontaneous.

C:  Even in an intimate setting, I don’t know what I would do.  Because [I place him] on such a pedestal… how [would] I communicate with this person?

R:  One of my good girlfriends, she’s a fan.  Not a mega fan, but she’s a fan. She was telling me she was driving in West Hollywood:  Windows down. Perfect, sunny California day.  Glasses on and smoking a cigarette.

She’s like, "I’m just gonna pop in this Smiths album I haven’t heard in forever.”

So, she’s listening to it and she’s at a red light.  All of the sudden she looks over sees a blue convertible and Morrissey totally hears her listening to the Smiths, gives her a nod, and then makes his left turn.

That kind of possibility exists living in L.A.. I don’t know if he lives here full time anymore but he’s here so often.  I hear all of the time, "He’s at Amoeba, come now!” “He’s at Cat and Fiddle, come now!”  I have… these people all over L.A. that are always giving me the scoop and [unfortunately] I can never leave work!

What sort of significance does he and his music have for you?

R:  Other than the fact that it’s pleasurable to hear, there’s an intelligence behind the lyrics. So, there’s a respect there as well.  And I also like that the Morrissey and Smiths fans are part of a community.  Even though it’s way more acceptable now to be a fan of his work we’re still part of a niche.  So, for me that’s kind of cool being part of that community.  And whenever I go to any events, like the Smiths convention that happens here annually or various Smiths/Morrissey nights, like Morrisseyoke, it’s just awesome to experience that.  Everybody who’s there is there for the same reason and it’s always super positive, good vibes.  Everyone is supportive of each other because we all get it, you know?  I think that that [has] brought a lot of happiness and joy into my life… When I have my [DJ] nights it’s my way of giving back and paying it forward.  And hopefully [I’m] turning… some new people onto the music.  Occasionally, I’ll get that person [that says], "Wow, I’ve never really listened to them.  Hearing it now makes me feel like… I should get into it."  So, that’s really positive and wonderful.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

R:  Other than that, one of the reasons I really, really love about Morrissey is that he’s somewhat of an enigma.  And that kind of celebrity doesn’t exist as much now in the age of social media.  I think celebrities are almost too accessible now.  Tabloids have always been around but now, way more than before, we have an intimate view into their world through their Instagram and their Twitter [accounts].  They’re the ones that are actually [taking] the photos and putting stuff out there.

So, in a way, I like that Morrissey has always kept his distance from the general public.  He is very intimate and giving to his fans and the audience when he performs [and] in interviews he’s pretty candid, but he always keeps a little bit of himself away from everybody.  I kind of like that because it… allows him to stay, in my mind, on that pedestal.  He’s still untouchable.  It almost feels like a true celebrity in a way… Even before the internet era, there was the era of the ‘super models’.  Those were [the people] that were untouchable: musicians, actors, and actresses.  We’ve lost a little bit of that [quality] and there’s something sacred and beautiful about it.  There’s a quality of respect where you’ve earned it to be where you are.  I appreciate and admire that.

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Thank you for inviting me into your home, Rose!

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Shoplifters: Unite, Follow, and Introduce Yourselves

Hi, I’m Chelsea.

If you’re anything like me, Morrissey - the man and the music - holds a uniquely special place in your heart.

His music had a profound influence on my personal development as a teenager in the 90s, and was someone whose lyrics I found comfort in and could identify with (hello, sixteen clumsy and shy..).  It was the first time music had brought me closer to like-minded people and it made me feel I finally 'belonged' with anyone, anywhere.  Upon receiving our diploma's, said like-minded people dispersed, but that time in my life is one I look back on and think of, fondly.  His words and his music still resonate with me, deeply.  That much will never change.

Older now and armed with a camera, I decided I want to re-meet fellow Moz heads, photograph them and share their stories. People, all from different backgrounds, who share the same admiration and respect for he as I, whose lives he impacted, might just share similar experiences, ideals and qualities…  I’m here to find out and document what (else) unites us all.  Viva love.

First interview coming soon.  Stay tuned!