Saturday, November 20, 2004

SECRET CHIEFS TRIO

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On November 3rd much of the West Coast wandered around in a gloomy haze, pondering the next 4 years under the dark cloud of the George Bush "regime". In San Francisco the cloud hung over the city and dripped with tears of a million people - but there was a small consolation: People came together to reflect and share in a positive, healing musical experience by the Bay area's Secret Chiefs Trio. Lead by the under-appreciated talents of Mr. Bungle guitarist/songwriter, Trey Spruance, and a supporting cast of amazing Bay area musicians - the Chiefs played a chilling middle-eastern flavored set of modern jihad and rock flavored music that could not have been more fitting on this sad day. It had been several years since Spruance brought the live incarnation of his project before the people - and his timing could not have been more appropriate. It was refreshing to see young people of the West embrace the sounds of the East and weave them together to bring a unique and fresh sound that further illustrates the "one world" we live in. A big thank you to Trey for the performance. Live sounds from the show are currently being administered - keep your eyes peeled here for news.

Headliner for the evening were labelmates, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, who layed out a very heavy, theatrical performance not for the faint hearted. Formally known as Idiot Flesh, The Museum's impressive instrumental array includes many homemade devices suggestive of the avant-garde. Having little in common with those who have marred the field, whether mere arty obscurists, jock-like musical gymnasts, or high-brow snoots, SGM certainly have a varied audience and skillfully embrace their role as entertainers. Even though the band boasts heavy-hitters like Carla Kihlstedt (Tin Hat Trio) and Nils Frykdahl of Faun Fables, this is a band that survives and thrives supremely through heavy touring, and in the process has amassed a devoted (to say the least) following.

Check the Web of Mimicry website for more info. on both of these fine bands.

Thursday, November 18, 2004

RETURN OF THE TEN LISTS -music

1. Secret Chiefs Trio - Book of Horizons
2. Charlie Hunter Quintet - Right Now Move
3. Brokeback - Looks at the Bird
4. Estradasphere - Buck Fever
5. Nobukazu Takemura - Various
6. KALX - Berkeley - 90.7fm
7. Mogwai - Come On Die Young
8. Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - Live, Great American Music Hall, Nov 3
9. Secret Chiefs Trio - Live at GAMH, Nov 3
10. Cedric Brooks - Saba

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

HUMPRIDGE TRACK, SOUTHLAND, N.Z.

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In New Zealand trails are called tracks. This confused me at first - I kept thinking everything was going to be a race. Anyhow - this is a shot from the heli of Chris and our guide as they survey the landscape at the summit. This "track" is mostly suspended on wooden bridges and platforms as to preserve the delicate tundra and exotic plantlife on the summit. The Hump Ridge Track - which sits at the southern-most edge of the South Island - was my favorite spot of the whole trip. Incredible views of the South Pacific (including their own Half Moon Bay) and the Fjordlands of Southwest N.Z. I felt like I was on another planet.

MY NEIGHBORS - TUATAPERE, SOUTHLAND

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The rustic accommodations in downtown Tuatapere featured "real live sheep" out my bedroom window. Especially cool as an alarm clock the next morning. "Taaaaahhhhhd".

Monday, November 15, 2004

Click on them photos for BIGGER VIEWING PLEASURE!

RIDING THE FERRY HOME

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Now that I'm a big city dweller - it takes a 40 minute ferry ride and a quick 20 minute road ride to get into some legendary Marin County single track. Not a bad way to go eh? The bonuses: A rewarding pint of quality ale from the Marin County Brewing Company while waiting for the return ferry and stellar views of the city on the voyage home. Damn - I'm really sounding like a travel brochure now...

SHE'S A ROLLER

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This past summer I was fortunate enough to have worked with Specialized Bicycles in Morgan Hill, CA. Earlier that Spring I met a super cool woman from Specialized named Ariadne while shooting some stuff for Nat Lopes and the International Mountain Biking Association at Henry Coe State Park. Ariadne introduced me to Kathy Loebs, who runs the R&D for their women's specific products. After a long summer of shooting contests and rides all over Central California and many hours of After Effects and Final Cut, I now find myself riding a dream of a bike. A big thank you to Nat for making the original meeting happen and multiple thank you's to Kathy, Ariadne, Holly and all the women at Specialized. The people, the company and the bikes are nothing short of fantastic.