Justin Tranter - high caliber, multi-faceted talent

With the release of the new EP Aviation, lead-in to Semi Precious Weapons' third studio album coming in April, I had the opportunity to interview frontman Justin Tranter.  Justin crosses over between the Chicago, NY and L.A. tribes along with being part of the population of the capital of Boston's arts community, Berklee College of Music.  Prior to attaining his music degree in three years, he was a student of the Chicago Academy for The Arts.  It is quite an impressive pedigree. It is especially impressive for any glam rocker.  Justin is also a jeweler and is owner of Fetty jewelry company in Brooklyn. 

The conversation started with my three signature questions:

TTOA:  All artists create in more than one medium.  What other arts do you create it?

JT:  All of us in the band create different things. Cole is a great visual artist and DJ. Stevy is an amazing experimental film maker. Dan produces music and makes beats pretty much all day. I write songs for many artists besides SPW as well as make jewelry. 

TTOA: What are you go-to arts to unwind, purge, find inspiration, or mourn.  

JT:  Well, I'm a big fan of binge watching TV shows. But mainly I write songs. I write normally 6 days a week, if not 7. Songs are my favorite thing in the world. 

TTOA: Finally - what is the one art you positively suck at but wish you didn't?

JT: Drawing. I really wish I could draw. And the art of language. I've tried to learn many other languages, and fail every time. 

TTOA: You are part the arts communities in L.A., NY and Chicago but you are also a member of a tribe not talked about much on this blog or in the media in general.  Tell me a little about the Boston arts community. 

JT:  The Boston Arts community is a big ol' college campus, segregated school by school. But the times when bands were making something special enough for it to reach other schools it felt pretty awesome. There was this band Moonraker that was kids from Berklee and BU, and they were so good that the whole city knew them. I remember going to those shows and thinking it was coolest thing I'd ever seen. 

TTOA: Does having an arts education help or hinder in the creation process, specifically having an understanding of music theory especially when working pop, dance electronica and glam rock?  Do you feel that once you have the basic building blocks is it easier to experiment..."the rules are there are no rules"?  Is there a point where academic arts education should stop and artists should just be encouraged to go with their guts?

JT: I think that playing music and writing songs is something that has to come natural to someone. But after the initial spark, learning more about what you are doing and the history of what you are doing can only help you. However the one danger is that a lot of musicians then start making music from an academic point of view, not from an emotional point of view. Which I know I was guilty of for a while. 

TTOA: Recently I did a feature piece for FourCulture on Sutan Amrull and an interview for The Tribes with Rahab.  With both of them I talked about androgyny as a part of their body, mind and spirit.  Tell me about that side of you.

JT: I have just had a very strong feminine side to my personality since as long as I can remember and I have always loved that side of me. I truly believe there is something beautiful about having who you are on the inside be reflected on the outside. 

TTOA: Two other jewelers I have connected with from the tribe are Joshua Titchcosky and Shannon Shiang.  Are you familiar with either of them and/or their work?  

JT: I am not. But I will look them up right now! When it comes to jewelry I'm obsessed with the classics, but there are some modern day designers I worship like Pamela Love. 

TTOA: Fashion plays a big role for you.  Who are your favorite new designers?  If given the opportunity - what house would you like to design for?  Whose runway show would you like to walk for?  

JT: There is a new designer out of New York named Jake Oliver that is blowing my mind. I would love the chance to do some sort of collaboration with him. Obviously anything Karl Lagerfeld is involved in I would happily remove a leg or two to be a part of. And Gareth Pugh is clearly having direct conversations with the goddess that I wouldn't mind eavesdropping on. 

TTOA: Do the arts in general have a responsibility to give a voice to the fight and take their place in political, social and cultural revolutions? Do you feel that people in positions of power/controlled feel threatened by artists? Why?

JT:  I feel like if people are telling their honest story in whatever art form it is, it will have political and social effects on the world. Because the more specific you are as an artist, the more universal your story becomes. Thats at least the path I'm choosing to take, and I hope my story effects people in whatever way it's suppose to. 

The Daily Bruin :: Pianos become street art in Los Angeles as part of installation ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’

The Daily Bruin :: Pianos become street art in Los Angeles as part of installation ‘Play Me, I’m Yours’:

Lexy Atmore

Fourth-year philosophy student Eric Fischer plays the piano that was delivered in front of the steps of Royce Hall on Monday evening. The instrument is one of the 30 pianos that are a part of the Los Angeles-wide art installation “Play Me, I’m Yours,” organized by UCLAalumna and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra project coordinator Sandra Chien.'via Blog this'

Myth Masque's Costumers' Challenge

From Myth Masque's Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/notes/myth-masque/c-o-s-t-u-m-e-r-s-challenge/226738524073226 ):

We've crafted a unique competition to recognize the talent, skill and sheer amount of effort that goes into envisioning and bringing to life elaborate pieces for an event such as MYTH Masque. In fact, we understand that the ensembles of our guests aren't really "costumes," so much as they are fabulous representations of the various facets of themselves... Celebrating that, winners of the Costumers' Challenge will be rewarded as follows:

~ FIRST PLACE costumer will receive a $500 'costume grant' (for your next brilliant creation!), two Imperial Passports for our 2013 Event, as well as a full bio and profile of your amazing work on a special section of theMYTH Masque website and Facebook Page.

~ SECOND PLACE costumer will receive two Imperial Passports to our 2013 Event, along with a profile of your work on the MYTH Masquewebsite and Facebook Page.

~ THIRD PLACE costumer will receive two Aristocratic Passports to our 2013 event, along with a profile of your work on the MYTH Masque website and Facebook Page.

~ FOURTH THROUGH TENTH PLACE costumers will each receive a pair of Chimerical Passports to our 2013 Event.

 All winners will be invited to be a part of our 2013 promotional photoshoots.

. . . . . . . . .

COSTUMERS' CHALLENGE Rules and Guidelines are as follows:

~ Your costume must be shown in its inaugural debut. In other words, eligible costumesmust be new, and may not have been worn to, or photographed at any other costume conventions, events or parties.

~ You are permitted to design a costume and have someone else fabricate it; however, the design must be 100% original.

~ You may opt to have someone else accompany you to model your costume at the Masquerade. The designer and creator of the costume will receive the award and is welcome to distribute the winnings as they see fit.

~ Entries must be registered prior to the June 9th Event via the MYTH Masque website. We will begin to accept submissions in early Spring.

~ In order to maintain accuracy and fairness, all entries will be formally photographed on the evening of the event, in the same environment: the Gilded Dome in the VIBIANA foyer. Logistics for handling this will be ironed out and announced as the event draws closer.

~ Voting (public and open to all who attend MYTH Masque) will begin on June 30th and end on July 30th. Winners will be announced in early August.

Additional details soon to be revealed... More at www.mythmasque.com

Hans Haveron - an artful life

Earlier this year I sat down with Los Angeles artist Hans Haveron.  The goal was to educate myself and subsequently my readers about the man and his art.  What I learned was that this is someone who is deeply passionate, emotional and spiritual.  He is dedicated to his craft and sees all of its results as a Thank You note to the Divine Spirits for blessing him with his talents, family and friends.  

In our recent conversation, Hans reiterated all of this to me while sharing his latest endeavors and filling in some blanks since our talk back in May.  Haveron is pretty relentless for a man who is so chill and laid back.  Even in those rare moments that he disconnects and unwinds from day-to-day stress, he is still in an artistic state.  Hans Haveron creates no art without purpose or message.  From the body art that started with Lucent Dossier which has now progressed to gorgeous sugar skulls for a film feature in 2012 and alluring blue Shiva princesses for another potential film project to live painting exhibits, Haveron feels his way through each new project.  

After taking a few days of downtime at his eighth trip to the Playa this summer for a "burn" that Hans described as mellow, he was back at it, working on pieces for his solo show at C.A.V.E. and doing live installments with John Park.  If that wasn't enough Haveron jetted to Miami just a week before the gallery opening for Basel, touted as the most prestigious art show in the U.S..  Hans teamed up with Fish Tank, LLC to add his own style to the gondola midsection of the groups art car.  He adorned one side with a mermaid and the other with his signature Telescope Goldfish to add to the fish/water theme of the car.

As for his live works with Park, we discussed some of what late-comers miss in the creation process.  I had noticed in some of the time-lapse photo videos I've watched of these installments both Hans and John start out by sketching in Sharpie on the surface they will be painting.  Although much of what is sketched doesn't get painted into the final piece, Hans explained that due to the markers' oil base, some of the sketches will bleed through the paint.  I told him I saw that in the most recent project he had included the children that are the focal point of "Sepia's Secret".  In this drawing one child holds a dagger pointed at an eye on the garment of the other.  I asked if there was any significance, knowing that everything thing in Haveron's work has symbolism and meaning.  Hans said that, again it is the inner child at the root of the creative process.  The dagger symbolizes protection and the "All Seeing Eye" keeping spiritual watch.  

The "Shiva" make-up was used in the filming of the Kickstarter information video for Elijah Sound's "Jesus Christ Superstar" remake project.  Sound is a friend of Haveron's and owner of the 2013 Boutique in L.A. The Kickstarter is to fund a full-length trailer for the JCS project which portends to be a massive endeavor.  The sugar skulls made their first appearance at Insomniac's "Escape From Wonderland-Life After Dusk" Halloween installment in San Bernardino.  Hans says we will be seeing them again.  

There was a great moment of spontaneity in our conversation when I mentioned my complete inability to draw even a decent stick figure.  We followed one of my favorite arts tangents; "what art do you wish you could create in but pretty much suck at?"  Hans said he wishes he were better at electronic music creation.  He said that he has dabbled in it in the past and may not completely suck at it but just needs more time to work it out.  He would love to take a stab at music production some day.  For now though, drawing and painting consumes most of his time so he is fine with just listening to as much music as possible.  

As posted previously, the "Black Diamond" one-man show will have its gala opening this evening in Venice, CA.  Also mentioned in the promotion article, "Caducues" is the central piece of this show and Haveron is incredibly proud of it.  Based on his enthusiasm explaining learning about the early history of the Caduceus symbol that was revealed in Sumerian tablets discovered in 1912, this painting is inspired on every level.  Like myself, Hans is intrigued by the crossovers in most spiritual mythologies.  The Sumerians depict tales of winged creatures that would be identified as angels in Judeo-Christian myth and a human creation story with similarities to those found in the Bible and Torah.  It was not surprising that the Vatican and other religious leaders tried to squelch information regarding the tablets from being released to the public.  Haveron's rendition of this messenger of the gods is stunning in her serenity.  She is a woman of strength but with a countenance of peace and grace.  

Hans Haveron has worked hard to get to this point and is not likely to take a moment off until the bitter end of the afterparty in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Even then, he might allow himself a little downtime but assuredly will be back at it again soon with new projects and revisiting some of his favorite arts haunts.  It will be exciting to see what he comes up with next.

Stop! Look! Learn! Move forward - Cassidy Haley

Photo: Sunshine Rebel Records

 It’s been almost two years since I first interviewed Cassidy Haley.  Since then he and I have both come a long way and learned a lot.  For me it was doing verbal interviews instead of by email.  I now provide myself and my readers results that are more connected and offer a much wider range of motion.

As for Cassidy's life and career lessons?  The attention he initially received in the beginning, set off more of an explosion rather than just sparking his ambition and creativity.  With offers of management, promotion, etc. he immediately saw this huge picture of national tours, album releases and big productions.  However, he learned quickly that it wasn’t that easy.

My first question was, “what have you learned?”

CH: I learned to take my time. I don’t need to be where I want to be right now.  It is better to be me, where I am right now and take small steps.

I’ve learned that, basically, my grand vision of what I want to see happen is my best asset but it is also my worst enemy because sometimes I lose sight of where I am right now. I’m thinking about a huge stadium concert with fifteen back-up dancers and ten costume changes instead of about getting thirty people to my next show.  So now the 'grand vision' is kept more in check."

Cassidy went on and broke the explanation down further.  “To become a great artist you need that grand vision of where you want to go so it’s not a bad thing.  It’s just that you have to be really aware that it can put you in the fantasy of where you want to be which then distracts you from where you are”.  It was very clear already in our conversation that he has adjusted his focus to a sharper point.

From there I went back to our first interview where I was introducing people to the many facets of this incredibly creative person.  Does he still design clothes, draw, or do performance art?

CH:  Right now I’m really honing in on the musical craft.  I’ve set aside the clothing company, the graphic novel,  and am zeroing in on the music.  Of course I couldn’t be satisfied with one facet of music so I am creating three different live performances.  They include all the same songs but each is styled for a different audiences.  The rock & roll band of Cassidy Haley and The Sunshine Rebels remains.  Then there is the new ‘boy band’ The Mixtape Project which caters more to a queer audience with choreography and very pop orientation.  For the acoustic angle there are performances of either just myself solo on guitar or piano or may occasionally include other artists with acoustic instruments. “

Apparently there is a fourth performance option that Haley went on to explain. 

CH:    "There is a solo show with a more theatrical tinge that includes costumes for nightclubs and the underground scene." 

Cassidy doesn’t liked being boxed in by styles or genres.  For him, even though it may be the same story, there are many ways to tell it.  Sometimes it needs to be resculpted to speak a different audience.  Still a thru-line is there in that they are all his songs.

“Smart art” is risky though, especially in the music business’s current state as far as money goes.  Cassidy is yet another musician who has taken advantage of Kickstarter.  This program offers anyone from fan to investor the opportunity to work directly with artists. 

CH:  “It (Kickstarter) allows me to take my own risks and for my fans to take those risks with me." 

Over the last two years I’ve embraced my music career whole-heartedly.  There was so much to be learned and now I have experience to produce an album, promote an album and release an album in a way that will take me a lot farther.  The Fool was a great album but I want to reach a larger audience with The Lovers and I believe I have the tools to accomplish that now.

Good things that came from Round One of Haley’s venture into his music career were the recognition of his music videos by large media outlets such as Logo TV and AfterElton.  Logo had Whiskey In Churches in rotation for many months.  I asked, based on the insanely high quality of the production of those videos, if that notice got him any calls to work as a production designer, set artist, location scout or director.

CH:  Thankfully no.  Those were not areas I wanted to work in.  They did, however, help to grow my fanbase though.

Videos are a critical part of Cassidy’s concept for all of his music.

CH:  “Every video starts with my vision and then I’m fortunate to be able to bring in very talented people who work for practically nothing to produce videos that I’m extremely proud of and that can stand up to any major artists' videos and do it on a shoe-string budget.  I would make music videos all day long if time and money would allow.  Every song I’ve written I have a music video in my head for.  If I could I would make all those videos because I feel that the visual is integral to the story of the song.   The world is multi-media.  It’s not limited.  So I want to tell the story in every way possible and use every sense that I can.”

Based on the fact that Haley has been putting out a steady stream of songs over the past two years, I wanted to know if he thinks he’ll ever run out of inspirations or lose touch with his muses.

CH:  “No.  The biggest inspiration I have is the experience of life.  When I look deeper into smaller independent artists, there is so much going on and new artists coming out every day.  I’m so encouraged by what I am seeing and hearing, really interesting new things.  For me songwriting is a way I manage my emotional state.  I’m so crazy and such a dramatic person.  I’ll never run out of material.  I’ll spend my whole life processing and trying to evolve as a person and be writing songs the whole time.”

Cassidy did two performances over the Labor Day Weekend to promote his Kickstarter project for “The Lovers”.  On September 2, with The Sunshine Rebels, he performed at The Mint.  On September 5^th  he did a theatrical interpretation of the new single “Champagne or Suicide” in San Francisco.  September 12^th is an acoustic show at Bar Lubitsch.

You can learn more about Cassidy at www.cassidyhaley.com, keep track of his upcoming performances at http://cassidyhaley.com/events/event/listUpcoming, and contribute to his Kickstarter at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cassidyhaley/the-lovers .  Listen to the music at http://cassidyhaley1.bandcamp.com/ then buy it at http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/cassidy-haley/id323191139

Cassidy Haley is also connected on all your favorite social networking options:

http://www.facebook.com/cassidymusic

http://twitter.com/#!/cassidyhaley

http://www.youtube.com/user/cassidyhaley

I owe Cassidy a big apology for not getting this posted in time to promote the 9/2 and 9/5 shows.  Life got in the way and then came Irene who knocked out my power for two days.  I hope anyone in the Los Angeles area that is available can make it to the 9/12 performance.  

LA Vs. WAR - September 9-11

Kickstarter project for L.A. vs War



It's been a long time since the U.S. has seen a good protest against the unnecessary violence of war.  The artists of Los Angeles are putting together a massive art exhibition to voice their protest and to call for peace.  Selecting the 10th Anniversary of 9-11 seemed to be timing for anti-war and political artists to assemble this multi-media event to voice their cry for peace throughout the world.

This event will not only consist of the display of fine art but will include music, teach-ins and sponsor the creation of peace murals around Los Angeles.  It is currated by Yo! Peace, Center for the Study of Political Graphics, Political Gridlock and Ad Hoc Art.  It is the hope of the developers to take this show on the road after 9-11 and share the message of peace with the rest of the U.S.


Of course a project such as this can not be done for free.  L.A. Vs War has set up a Kickstarter page.  Their minimum goal is $5000.  There are various award levels for giving that come with thank you gifts such as t-shirs, limited edition prints and "peace books".  Peace is probably the most righteous cause we can support today to please do what you can to help this venture.

Jay Ramirez - a meeting of the Tribes

Pothole Monster

Mention the name Jay Ramirez most places outside of his neighborhood in Chicago, the response you get probably will not refer to the frontman and founder of the mid-west electronica band, Comasoft.  It won't be the same Jay Ramirez who draws “Pothole Monsters” and writes stories that will have your sides splitting with their sarcasm and fantasy.  It most likely won’t even refer to the cube dweller who works at a marketing firm in the Windy City, owns the coolest “toes” cat and lives for the 4th of July because he LOVES fireworks.

However, Chicago Jay is all these things along with being the first direct link I've uncovered between art tribes in different states.  In fact Jay's connection is half a country away in Los Angeles.  He contacted me shortly after I’d interviewed Hans Haveron, a conversation Jay had no previous knowledge of.  He wanted to share with me, as a fan of Adam’s, that he had  learned that his friend, Hans, was linked to Lambert’s newest body art.  When I recovered from the shock of the coincidence, I told Jay we needed to talk.  And so we did.

Since it seemed to be the most logical place to start, we discussed the Haveron/Ramirez connection.  The two met about five years ago when Jay was on a business trip to L.A.  He was invited to a party where Hans was doing airbrush body art as part of the evening's entertainment.  As the night progressed the two got to talking and the friendship started almost immediately.  They stay in touch between Jay's travels to the West Coast where the two always make a point to meet up.  Hans has not visited Chicago as he does not currently have an outlet for his work there.  Jay is always on the look out for people or spaces who can offer places for Hans to display his art or do live installations.

Jay and I went on to discuss Chicago art tribes.  I first 'met' him through the "Chicago Suicide Club"  which was founded by Kevin Malone and Mat Devine.  They started the club mainly as a promotion tool for local events in and around the Wicker Park section of the city.  As the group grew, it also attracted artists themselves.  A website was added which allowed the club to grow beyond Chicago.  Today it has become more of a Facebook presence but the local members do keep up with each other and occasionally get together.  Ramirez says there are many active arts communities in the city.  Events, such as 'art walks' are common along with an aggressive music scene that covers all genres.

Sylvester

Along with working on new music with the latest line-up of Comasoft, Ramirez has come to the realization that his cartooning and his short stories could possibly be worked into a children's or young adult book.  He got to the point of composing an outline, similar to what we're taught in middle school English classes, with categories such as "creatures", "weird things", "stuff that doesn't fit", etc.  

The project has progressed to the point that Jay is now looking for an editor.  Besides someone who can correct his bad grammar and run-on sentences, he needs to click with them.  They need to feel his esthetic while directing the project to either a younger or older audience.  Jay's the first to admit that his sense of humor probably speaks more to the 14-18 group than the 5-12 crowd.  But he can see how the work could be edited for the latter.  

Ramirez really loves working in a 2-D world where he can mix eras, reality and fantasy to come up with things like talking snakes, stick figure aliens and angry squirrels.  One of his inspirations is Dr. Seuss.  Writing also allows for mash-ups that bring all the crazy into this world.  

'comajay'

 As for Jay’s music, Comasoft has just released a new record that they are very proud of.  Former guitarist Dani was replaced with the band's long-time tech Dan.  Currently they have a touring drummer but are looking for a new permanent percussionist.  With new management, Comasoft is working diligently to bring their sound to the East coast, a long time dream.  Once they get a definite booking in New York, they will start planning dates in Boston, New Haven and other cities.

Comasoft
Jay on Facebook
Chicago Suicide Club

Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade - 7/1-2/2011

 

Labyrinth of Jareth Masquerade www.labyrinthmasquerade.com

Company Overview	The LOJ Fantasy Masquerade Ball is a weekend of enchantment. Inspiration and fantasy meld under mask and cloak where nobles dance in the Faerie Court and legends take precious breath. Here is where our dreams are born. . .The Labyrinth The 14th annual LOJ Masquerade Ball will be held on July 1st and 2nd, 2011, and this year, we have a larger realm to explore. The Magnificent Park Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, a fully restored historical venue for two incredible nights of magic and enchantment, welcomes the Masquerade with a bright new grandeur.
Description	The Labyrinth of Jareth is a Masquerade Ball based on Venetian tradition, Fantasy Stories, Celtic faerie and goblin lore, and stories of fantasy and wonder. Lost within the borders of chaos and light, nobles dance among the Fey while goblins wait with hungry eyes in the wings of their court. Some of the most amazing fantasy artists, costumers and special effects crews participate in bringing a diverse host of creatures and mythologies alive each year.
General Information	This Masquerade is one of the few classical events open to ANYONE who has dreamed of a surrealistic fantasy fading into a single night of dance and revelry. Music and visuals heighten your senses as the night shields the Goblin Court and the chambers surrounding it. . . Celebrating our the Labyrinth masquerade and pooling together all that we've learned, the artists of Sypher Studios continue to proudly offer this night to those with the imagination and heart to enjoy it.

Website	http://www.labyrinthmasquerade.com

Dialect Gallery at Lightning In A Bottle

Dialect is a beautiful gallery located on 6th St. in Los Angeles.  They made themselves known to me when they tweeted their appreciation of my interview with Hans Haveron.  Hans has shown at Dialect and holds a special spot in their hearts.

Like Haveron, the gallery packed up their wares and headed into the mountains over Memorial Day Weekend to join the tribal gathering known as Lightning In A Bottle.  Now how, you may ask, can an art gallery provide a proper facility for the works and the staff at an outdoor event?  Well, check out this video to learn the answer.


DIALECT from Howard Kan on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/25252873

downtowndialect.com/​
lightninginabottle.org/​
thedolab.com/​