A Page From The Damien Hirst Playbook...

As the world plunges further into economic despair on a daily basis I think it's only fitting that these types of projects speak to the absurdity of our want for gross consumerism. I imagine their existence as a tide mark, locating the exact last point where the wave broke and started to recede (see recession 2009). Similar to Damien Hirst's over the top Skull In Diamonds, and other such work, this 24K gold plated bike is both stunning and ridiculous. It carries the price tag of $102,418.60 usd (gotta love the .60 cents) and is partially sheathed in 600 Swarovski crystals. Created by Aurumania.

photo's copped from BOOOOOOOM

Live ♫ Review: Telekinesis, Cut Off Your Hands, RA RA RIOT

This last Tuesday night, the 24th of February, my house lady and I decided to make a trip down to the hippest of hip bars, near to our pad, in order to check out the show that was playing there. The Doug Fir, ever a scene filled with hipsters of all shapes and sizes, as well and some of the lamest bartenders around, was hosting a line-up of Telekinesis, Cut Off Your Hands, and Ra Ra Riot.

We showed up in time to catch the last 2 songs of Telekinesis' set and I was disappointed we hadn't gotten there sooner. Sporting a lead-singer-on-Drums-set-up, telekinesis was simple and catchy, effectively engaging the crowd in light banter in-between sets. I really can't say too much on this group - an effect of not hearing much - but I would feel inclined to say go ahead and give them a listen. Oh, and they're from the Seattle area, so keep an eye out. I'm sure they'll be back around Portland soon.

Cut Off Your Hands, on the other.... errr... foot(?) was a band that made me disappointed that I got to the venue in time for their show. Their lead signer was dastardly affected with the very common, and also unfortunate, "Lead Singer" ego persona. His stage performance (and vocals, which we'll get to later) pretty much made me want to help him into a shallow grave. The bass player, the one with pixie haircut, No Age t-shirt, lady jeans, and slippers was constantly bouncing around the stage like, well, like a pixie. All the while he kept a constant and seductive eye on the ladies in the front in an eager attempt to assure them he was playing on their side of the field. I feel that a simple wardrobe change and some knowledge of harmony would provide better results. They had a drummer but he was pretty non-memorable there in the back. I think he may have been kinda fat. Anyway, the only one who impressed me at all was the lead guitar player, who I think had only been with the band for like 4 shows. Not a good sign. Their songs were harsh, unpracticed and the vocals were dismal. If one of you can't sing, adding in 3 others who can't sing is NOT going to help. I feel that the intelligent move for this band is to Cut Off Their Hands, grow long beards, and then shove both into their mouths. Or, if that's not a viable option, perhaps they can just hop the next flight back to New Zealand, their native country.

I was pretty bummed out after Cut Off Your Hands closed their set and in turn, I was pretty skeptical of the upcoming Ra Ra Riot. However, about 12 seconds into their set I was already having a good time. Sporting lead singer Wes Miles, bassist Mathieu Santos, Guitarist Milo bonacci, electric cellist to the gods Alexandra Lawn, and electric violinist Rebecca Zeller, this group hails from Syracuse, NY and I'm glad they made the trip. From their first song it was apparent that they had wonderful stage chemistry and, more importantly, knew what they doing while on the stage. Wes provided beautifully strong tenor vocals, similar to the lead in Vampire Weekend, and was supported by an ensemble of talent who, for the entire set, performed joyously for the crowd. I imagine that these are kids who grew up around music, were taught to appreciate music by their parents, and have only ever dreamed that they would make music once they got older. In other words, Band Geeks. However, if this performance was any indication of where they are going then they are well on their way to a long series of successes. I know they'll be on my play and watch list for years to come. I would strongly suggest that you check them out too.



Anna: Thanks for the tickets. Ra Ra Riot was so very awesome. We thank you and hope that you are well.

The Future...

I have a good friend who drives a Delorean (as you'll see below) and I'm really happy about that. It helps me feel vindicated that not everything I've been promised in the movies is a lie. However, I'm still missing my freaking Hoverboard, the Reebok pump was pretty much a dud, and now what about this little diddy in the video at the bottom? Where the hell is that in my life?

LH note: In no way is the driver in these pictures meant to be portrayed as the owner of the vehicle.

The Skateland of Skatetopia...

This scares me...


88 Acres of Anarchy - Skatetopia from alex mertz on Vimeo.

♫ Review: Kids Soundtrack...

The movie is this way and that, a film troubled with achieving grit and style through some sort of subdued realness. It ends up almost too strong to be taken seriously, even though those lifestyles do exist. While that may be true for the movie, the soundtrack has been, is, and will continue to be grade A material for years to come.

Directed by Lou Barlow, it’s an eclectically moody mix of lo-fi indy ballads and experiments. Touting tracks from diverse artists like noise band Slint and the now infamous Daniel Johnston, the bulk of the work happens to be projected side projects from the Director, Barlow. This was my first taste of bands like Folk Implosion and Sebadoh and it left me wanting more. The hip hop track is pretty strong and happens to be a lesser known group. This was an interesting choice due to the fact that many other more well known hip hop tracks are featured in the movie but got a pass on pressing for the soundtrack.

Throughout recent years this has been a madhouse staple of my music collection (much to bops dismay). It’s easy to put on at pretty much anytime, in any circumstance, and sit back while it digs into your head. I must suggest that you cop this quick and throw it into heavy rotation. If you already know about this but might have let it slip, give it another go. I promise you won’t be disappointed.


1. Casper - Johnston, Daniel
2. Daddy Never Understood - Deluxx Folk Implosion
3. Nothing Gonna Stop – Folk Implosion
4. Jenny's Theme – Folk Implosion
5. Simean Groove – Folk Implosion
6. Casper, the Friendly Ghost - Johnston, Daniel [1
7. Natural One – Folk Implosion
8. Spoiled - Sebadoh
9. Crash – Folk Implosion
10. Wet Stuff – Folk Implosion
11. Mad Fright Night - Hoffman, J/Low Down
12. Raise the Bells – Folk Implosion
13. Good Morning Captain - Slint

Open Collaboration...

This is an open call: I invite you to contribute to the following short story. Your contribution can take on any creative form personal to you, from creative writing to photography, painting or sculpture. It can be mixed media or video production, whatever you feel would be a good representation of you through the continuation of this story. Once received I will continue with the collaboration and aim to bring this experiment to a close. If I get multiple entries I will sort them out and include as many as possible in the creation of a coherent narrative. I may want to ask for your advice/thoughts/ideas so please shoot me your contact info, along with your entry, to msevenj@gmail.com. I look forward to what you might bring to the table.

The Lonely One -

- Yet Untitled -

When she was a young child her father would hum. His throat was then old and the noise would come out as if across gravel. His knee, on the other hand, was soft and sturdy, forever with a gentle bounce. She would sit on it and reach her hand up to touch the gruffness of his beard. Screeching with childish joy in the touch of his face she soon developed the knowledge of every contour, line or bump, slant and oddity, every eyelash, the movement of his every smile.

On a day that felt like the others, it was not. A Thursday is when it happened. He pulled her onto his knee and hummed as he had for the last several months; the same tune. Only this was different. As she reached her hand up she met smooth skin where soft and scratch should be. Now, as she worked to recognize this new face and her hands moved over newly polished marble, she felt a hardness stricken with cold. What was scratchy and soft was now smooth and hard. She felt her hands grow frigid to the touch of his face and she started suddenly to shiver. Then, without knowing why, she began to cry. As if a switch had been hit the humming stopped and now she noticed, evidently, that the gravel too had been raked smooth. With the softness of a feather he hugged her to him, said, “goodbye my love,” set her alone in the chair and then was gone. Her world, never one with much color, turned black.

El Parque!!!

Courtesy of the illustrious Phoenix Craigslist...


$350 room available in 4 bd house 3 miles from tempe (2104 E. El parque dr ) (map)
Reply to: hous-992808034@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2009-01-14, 12:27PM MST


"hey I have a room available in my house in tempe it is available now and I am looking for someone to move in as soon as possible. the house is located at 2104 E. El Parque Dr tempe 85282. it is right off broadway and the 101. its close to ASU MCC and the 202, the 101, and the 60. rent is $350 a month plus utitlities which are internet, water and electricity. there is a $300 security deposit which is refunded when you leave. there is no lease and you dont have to sign anything its just month to month I just ask that you tell me one month before you move out so I have ample time to find a replacement for the room. Im 20 I go to ASU am studying English I want to be a teacher. I am a musician and there are other musicians in the house so if you play music you will love it here but you dont have to.I am also into biking and building bikes as well as I rock climb alot. we are looking for a guy or girl 18-24 who is going to school or working. the house is pretty laid back I do have a dog who is friendly but sorry no more pets. we like to keep the house pretty clean but your room is your room. as for the people in the house now its me Im Giorgio, Levi who is going to school for audio engineering and a guy named matt is moving in soon who is going to the recording conservatory in town. if you are interested please call me at 602 679 2696 or email me." - Giorgio

2104 E. El Parque Dr at broadway and the 101

         ~ El Parque 1, 2 and 3, by Chris Santa Maria










THE POOL HAS RUN DRY, FOR SHAME!!!!

STOP!!! Motion, I'm Sad...

I was bummed I missed Danielle Levitt's visit to Studio Nemo this last Friday. It looks like it was a great turn out...

I also stole this from the Nemo site while I was getting the review of Levitt's visit. Video's good... Song's Ok.

The Horrible Serendipity And The Good Serendipities...

Yeah, as many of you probably know, it’s the name of a horrible movie featuring Kate Beckinsale AND John Cusack. The plot goes like this: they do some crazy nonsensical love stuff that, in the end, teaches them to follow their hearts and in turn their hearts just happen to bring them together. The thing is that the writing is so poor you’re just not able to get around to anything else in the movie. It’s like a cable pull has been set up, pulling on and heightening your sense of hearing while slowly lowering soft fluffy pillows to suffocate your other senses until they're brain-dead from lack of oxygen. I mean it should at least be enjoyable to watch Kate strut around on the movie screen. Shit, look what she did for Underworld, that’s a trilogy now. Anyways, it’s a bad movie. I don’t suggest that you watch it.

The point that I'm getting at is this, until yesterday, that word was ruined for me. Every time I heard it uttered in casual conversation I would be forced into remembrance of one very aloof John Cusack muttering along with the words of an ill produced script. I would immediately try to flash back to Grosse Point Blank or High Fidelity in an attempt to salvage his better characters. This, however, was to no avail. John stayed stuck in one idiotic sequence after another while I secretly grew to despise those who used “serendipity” in everyday conversation. It ruined parties for me. Hell, it ruined days.

Until yesterday. I was taking a look back through my Google Reader at all my starred items from the last two months. You know, just to see where my interests seem to lie. I came across this

From Whatever...

and decided to take a closer look. Having only seen the still image I took a jump through the hyperlink (which is what I think real Hyper Drive is) and landed on this page. http://www.aestheticecho.com/. Lovely. At this point I know this is only a random occurrence where I fumbled onto something that I enjoyed. No, it’s not serendipitous yet, but stay with me.

I was able to find out that this guy was the creator, Rafaël Rozendaal, so of course I went to his web site to find out what else he might have worked on. Here’s the list (of course you should go to his website and check it out from there. If you will, please note the Favicon):

www.AESTHETICECHO.COM (2009)
www.TINYCURSOR.COM (2008)
www.INVISIBLECURSOR.COM (2008)
www.COLDVOID.COM (2008)
www.BURNINGCIGARETTE.COM (2008)
www.KAZIMIRMALEVICH.ORG (2008)
www.LEDUCHAMP.COM (2008)
www.COLORFLIP.COM (2008)
www.POPCORNPAINTING.COM (2008)
www.JELLOTIME.COM (2007)
www.BROKENSELF.COM (2007)
www.MIRRORMOUSE.COM (2007)
www.FLAMINGCURSOR.COM (2007)
www.UNLIKETHEREST.COM (2007)
www.JESUSDROWNING.COM (2007)
www.FUTUREPHYSICS.COM (2007)
www.BIGLONGNOW.COM (2006)
www.VAIAVANTI.COM (2006)
www.ALLICANDOIS.COM (2006)
www.PAPERTOILET.COM (2006)
www.MUCHBETTERTHANTHIS.COM (2006)
www.ONLYNOTHING.COM (2006)
www.PLEASETOUCHME.COM (2005)
www.NOSQUITO.BIZ (2005)
www.ITWILLNEVERBETHESAME.COM (2004)
www.ONAHORSE.COM (2004)
www.FATALTOTHEFLESH.COM (2004)
www.LETMESLEEP.COM (2004)
www.25MINUTESTOGO.COM (2004)
www.THEENDOFREASON.COM (2004)
www.SEETHROUGH.ORG (2003)
www.ONANDOFF.ORG (2003)
www.EVERYTHINGYOUSEEISINTHEPAST.COM (2003)
www.WEWILLATTACK.COM (2002)
www.IAMVERYVERYSORRY.COM (2002)

My favorites are, in no particular order, the door, the kissers, the toilet paper roll and the colored and blocked horizon. However, there seem to be more listed today than yesterday so I haven't seen them all...

I then noticed that he had a “my food” link in the upper right hand corner. Remembering my buddy Ben’s attempt to blog about all of his meals I thought I needed to check it out. Turns out that Rafael Twitters about his food intake, which happen to be a lot of Japanese pub foods.

Okay, so this is where it gets serendipitous all over the place. I just opened a Twitter account AND it turns out that this duder is from Portland Oregon. Furthermore, based on his intake of the Jappers pub food I’m betting he eats at Biwa, which happens to be located on the very block where I live! Serendipitous, serendipity, serendipities. I should buy this kid a Shochu and a pair of gloves (don't see the movie). After all, his work is all right by me.

Yeah, so whatever, it’s a stretch. But something had to save that word. However, truth be known, if you happen to use it in a conversation with me the likeliness of catching a scowl is pretty high.