Spökraketer
I had one of those first-wave mp3 music blogs right after 9/11/01 as a means to escape from reality for a while. I scoured the internet to share legal mp3s of bands I thought people should know. I studied the lineups of specific bars through the US and Europe and playlists from WFMU and college radio. It was fun blog-breaking a band, or at least being the first to have a go at them. All I really wanted to do, though, was say nice things about bands I thought other people should hear. Now we can just use Bandcamp and sort via all sorts of filters. I came across these albums from Bandcamp, so why not review them?
UFO Över Lappland - Spökraketer
Fuzzy instrumental spacey krautrock made by some Swede blokes. I really dig this album, their second. The band maintains that special feeling that makes you think these guys are magically riffing off each other. I listen via green vinyl, sit back with my feet up and watch slides of astronomy and UFO videos on YouTube. Their pleasant but expansive medium slow to slightly below upbeat rhythm is perfect for floating in space. Kudos to the band buying an image of the Aurora Borealis from a photographer. “Spökraketer” is totally entering my vernacular.
From their bio:
The title Spökraketer (Ghost rockets) refers to unknown flying objects observed in various sightings in northern Sweden during the 1940s. A full explanation to these observations has never been given, but declassified US Air Force documentation quotes the Swedish Air Intelligence Service that “these phenomena are obviously the result of a high technical skill which cannot be credited to any presently known culture on earth.” UFO Över Lappland, indeed!
UFO Över Lappland - ST
This one has more of a grittier sound than their second album, at least according to the vinyl I am playing it on. I’ll have to compare it via streaming if it is the same to my ears. They get bonus points for the title of the first song: Keep On Keepin' On Space Truckin'.
I once posted on instagram if anyone wanted to start a space trucker comic. No one replied. I thought it was a good idea. Am I salty? Kind of.
I have this found photo that reminds me of an unintentional homage to Godard.
"My Hermes handbag!"
Feeling very eclipse-y lately. Who knows how long it will last. Trying to make most of the time, though. Beth and I have been on an Otherworld podcast binge. Highly recommended. Shogun was entertaining. Made me look into the history of the era in which the series was to have took place. Sunny is amazing. Kick ass soundtrack too. Will probably be a future Record Store Day release. Numero Group already, probably, has a release in the same genre. Watched the Pete Rose documentary. He belongs in the Hall of Fame. He’s a jerk, but a hall of famer. Bonds and Clemens too. While we are at it, let’s put Dave Parker in as well. Aside from Parker, all of them I’d never have a beer with.
A few weeks ago I went ATVing in Central NY and slept in a tent with a view of the stars. Saw some shooting stars before dozing off.
Comfort
I, ugh, veered away from my comfortable quiet life that I have been enjoying to attend an art opening this evening. Then I walked about 4 miles. Being in social settings after avoiding them for some time was a bit of a shock to the system. No rest for the weary, I will be making photos on some snowmobile trails tomorrow.
Other activities that I have amped up is listening to my vinyl collection more and trying to learn Spacemen 3 and Suicide songs on Arturia midi keyboards I have. I’d also like to learn early Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails songs before they were into their 90s modes. That’s a Beachy Head album up above. I’d play it on the radio via vinyl but I am too nervous to have the time to queue this up. I wish it was regular black vinyl. Speaking of radio, I’ll have James Bade from the planetarium on the show this Sunday for two full hours. We will be talking about telescopes and other astronomy topics. I’ll also be playing space influenced music. WAYO from 3 to 5pm this Sunday!
Still trying to figure out how to magically make a photo look good in a fisheye lens. And that’s not considering making a small part of the projects I have going on. I’d love to photograph a band or a single person with the fisheye. Maybe I’ll try a few on the trails tomorrow.
Time markers, fashion, and body language. I don’t even like this photo but how the man facing the camera looks up at the woman, how she’s in a defensive position, with her hair pulled to the side and gripping a drink. Photos can lie. Photos can be truthful.
I just wish I worked the scene or made a better snap decision regarding composition. I think I could have gotten a better shot. The fact of the matter is, though, here in Rochester, after that first photograph is taken, the candidness is over.
I’m a sucker for printed t’s on males in particular. It’s a bit easier to candidly use the flash on a male subject than a male subject. Using the flash candidly isn’t necessarily a violent act but it could be construed that way. I’m always mindful. I hope you are too.
“Time is the substance of which I am made. Time is a river which carries me along. But I am time. It's a tiger, tearing me apart; but I am the tiger.”
My next at home drive-in movie will be Godard’s Alphaville.
Fumbling Towards
I have nothing profound, sincere or nice to say. I just have this habit of turning on my computer when I should be going to bed to find photographs that work together, put them in a folder, then forget about them. Here’s one of the contents to one of the folders. I’m not sure what the meaning behind this edit was. It’s probably in some notebook. I should find it.
Without looking, I’m pretty sure I had something started about the fragility of life and how time is both wasted and stolen. I’m sure it makes sense, if I could find the words.
Gorgo
Apparently, if you make reels on Instagram, it helps with getting the 50 followers you need to be able to do a live session. I wonder how long it will take to “organically” grow to 50. Not that I need to go live. Who do I think I am anyways? The video above is a reel of a zine I am now using instead of business cards. I’ll have another zine about specific projects to give out soon.
I’ve made other videos, combining photography and field recordings. It’s going to be a significant part of “Keeping Score.” Everything in this post is amateur hour, testing to see if it was possible (YES), how hard it is (IT IS), and whether or not I think it is a reliable way to immersively tell a story. I like this format over some refined influencer videos. Who do they think they are? Geesh.
I have a baseball one of these coming next week. I also have others that a bit incomplete on their own but together, kind of works. So that too.
My newest obsession is putting an old sci-fi film, project it on a wall and pretend I’m at the drive-in. Popcorn is usually involved. I put Franks Red Hot on my popcorn, instead of butter. And a huge diet soda with lots of ice. Can you guess this monster? Here’s a clue:
Gorgo, is a 1961 film that was, allegedly, a homage to Godzilla. Is Rotten Tomatoes the Pitchfork of movie websites? They only gave it a 39%! I’d give it 5 out 5 stars and two thumbs up at the stay at home drive-in theater. Any readers have a backyard? I have a projector and great taste in fun movies. Also, I have Criterion so you know I can class it up a bit. Double Feature!
I regret not buying this today. All of it; ok, four of those things. I didn’t even bother to check to see how much it all costs. I will now never know where to get water, do cool tricks on a skateboard, have a unicorn framed art hung in the hallway on my floor, and some weird print, I think, to collage over.
Lucky Flea Finds
I love that the Lucky Flea is downtown. It’s a couple minute walk from my apartment, yes. For people watching, it’s amazing. I’ll see some people that look and dress just like the strangers in these photos. I should start asking to make photos of them. A few weeks ago I found a vintage MC5 shirt even though I really do not have the patience to rummage through clothes. This week, I found a few photos for my collection and have already started writing about them.
My favorite vernacular trope is the embrace. If you know me, it comes as no surprise. Some of my favorite photos I’ve made have some sort of embrace between two people. Yes, I already have a zine laid out. Lately, I’ve been listening to some academic podcasts about vernacular photography and have been inspired to think bigger.
When I write fiction about found photos, sometimes I make two stories. One about the subject and one about the photographer. I’m always carrying a little stack go photos to write about. As I do when I look at modern candid photography, the subject and their/its surrounding has to be interesting or the photograph just doesn’t work for me.
This aggression will not stand, man
Being good Rochesterians, we walked over the Corn Hill Arts Festival. We looked at art, felt uncomfortable looking at items in booths with no intention on being anything, and consumed an unhealthy amount of lemonade. The weather was hot and beautiful. It felt like Key West.
After the festival, Beth and I made it home, napped and watched the breaking news of the attempted assassination of a certain former U.S. president. As if I already was living high from not being on Instagram and Facebook, I’m certainly happy I am not on there now. I must say, a measurable amount of extra happiness has been gained from not being on those platforms. What I wish people understood about quitting social media is that I am not trying to be a recluse. The fact that people associate not being on social media as a reclusive act is disturbing. The same people believe in the dogma of blaming social media for society’s ills, which is lazy.
Behind the scenes and underneath the hood, I’ve been working on setting up pages on my website for certain projects I am working on, culling photos and writing essays. I’ve also done some writing creative writing on vernacular photography.
Lightbulbs
When you post on Instagram, you are turning a light bulb on forever. That’s not the reason why I quit instagram, again. But reading about that and how the computing power around AI can affect the environment pretty much seals the deal for me.
I’ve read the articles that talk about how social media is just as bad as smoking. It’s just amazing to me, how in 1994 I was on AOL, making geocities websites and now here we are, holding the planet and our souls together with tape.
I like finding people who look or seem to be down to try to have a conversation and get a photo. This guy didn’t disappoint. I gave him my card. I hope he reaches out. He had some interesting things to say. I want to see the things he talked about that he creates. Usually these conversations involve photography. Although, I am still waiting for someone to tell me about their love for astronomical engineering.
Some more photos from “Keeping Score” (that title will definitely change). While making these photos I saw my first Moms for Liberty hat in the wild. She most certainly didn’t want her photo taken so I didn’t. Have to protect that photo pass with my life. A candid photo would not have done this particular person justice. That’s the problem with this project, I get more results form candids than I do trying to get portraits. That in itself can pose problems. We live in fear someone will misrepresent us on social media. I believe this is an irrational fear but also one that is based from people ALWAYS BEING ONLINE. I want to be as fair as possible on this anthropological journey.
Generally, anyone wearing something space-influenced and has a beer or two always says yes to a photo.
Summer Vacation
Remember those? If the closest thing to a summer vacation, now, is working from home; guess what I did last week? The best part of it was being able to listen to records while working.
Last week ended with some ball games. When the above were taken, I hugged some old friends. I also hung out with Mark Brady. I’m organizing his August’s First Friday at Fattey Beer.
Richard Glaser sat near us so I invited him over. He got the Mark experience and bought a print. Thank you Richard! Mark and I also chatted with Glenn Johnson. No picture of that, sorry. I can confirm his tv voice is the same as his real life voice, if you were wondering. A dog even smiled me.
There’s a curfew in MLK park now. Which stinks, I do enjoy walking through during my evening and night walks.
Tonight, I wasn’t feeling well. Beth suggested seeing the Rochester Philharmonic tonight, to help, at “Parcel 5.” So we did. Which reminds me, Sun Ra Sunday this Sunday in Parcel 5. 9am-ish to 11am-ish Sunday morning. The Lucky Flea will be near by too. I’ll be there Sunday .. the guy blaring Sun Ra.
Also, the RPO … they were amazing and it did help. Think the town should pitch in on more speakers. Helps block out the jerks who rev their engines every single night. I also wish we had more free evening concerts. Or a classical music festival, in Parcel 5. Or any kind of music festival.
Hey, at least we have the RPO and Sun Ra Sundays.
At some point this week, I had a moment of crisis with my own photographs so I looked a few of some I have collected, including these three. The first and third photo … I want to find them now in google maps. The second? How old is Elvis and who is that guy with him?
Chatty Elephants
A few weeks ago, Beth and I visited the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. The elephants and octopus were the main attractions but right before we left, I read that the octopus previously passed away. It was a very hot day, with the humidity, the air felt like it was in the mid to high 90s. There was hardly anyone there so we had a private show of the elephants and their babies. It just was a nice, pure moment that made the stresses of everyday life wash away.
Stressed?
Just kidding. Go to a baseball game. Maybe get an autograph.
Sometimes, the home team wins.
Maybe you reading this is a sign to look at the upcoming forecast and see which day is best for a game.
Pick a day to run the bases afterwards. It’s worth it.
Signs at the ballpark to get a ball could be the move.
If you do get a ball, try to get some autographs.
Get there early to beat the crowds.
These guys will sign anything. Especially for a kid.
For me, being at the ballpark brings back some nostalgia.
I make a lot of photos but also have given many away. I like watching them watch the photo develop in their hands.
Ecosystem
Today is World UFO Day, should be a holiday. Thursday is July 4, Independence Day. Has independence lost its meaning? I don’t know myself. Do UFOs and aliens exist? I, also, do not know myself. I want to believe in both though. I don’t think we should write any of it off. It’s all serious business.
This is DJ El Destructo. He and DJ Dada sometimes DJ at Skylark. And they have a show on WAYO called Rock and Roll Lounge.
Soundtrack for this post:
Bored by Waxahatchee.
I gather this song is about being in some state of flux and emotional stress that comes along with it. Maybe writing the song helped Katie absolve or heal herself from that. I’ve always liked this song since it was released but now it seems more relevant. Funny how songs do that and certain artists do it more for you, me than others.
Another song that is more relevant today than it was when it was first released is The Waves Crash In by Spiritualized.
I’ve been writing a lot (using found photos as prompts) and hope to have a handful of new low run (just 10) zines for the next record fair in August, if they allow me to have a table. Since I print and bind at home, I may only make 10 of each zine. There’s a couple places I tried to sling my zines at but they just ignored me. Maybe I am outside of their age limit or maybe my stuff just sucks. Either way, they left me guessing. It’s too bad, as both places seem to value community and sell similar zines. Maybe I just do not have that social currency.
I’ll also be selling my own prints at very low prices, a little above cost for me. Not to get rid of them. More to see if anyone connects with anything. I’ll be presenting the prints in various nonconformist ways. I want my table to look like something you would find at an estate sale or flea market.
A zine of collages may be in order as well. So yea, UFOs, America, vinyl, photography, zines and collage. That’s what’s happening. That’s what’s always happening in my ecosystem.
The beat
I’m willing to admit I march to the beat of my own drummer. I can’t help but feel my beat is off kilter to mostly everyone I know. I’m definitely speaking with a sense more self awareness than self deprecating myself or demeaning others. I’m starting to come around to be more proud of my beat and own it. I’m an over thinker and feeler but I can live myself as I fall asleep each night. I like this about myself, even when it doesn’t always work out or if I feel extra lonely. Beats the alternatives.
I saw a group of buskers outside of the jazz fest boundaries as they were riffing along to some prerecorded music. As I was watching and enjoying their presence, this drummer had a way about him … you know how you can look into a crowd, pick out one person and just wonder “what are they like? I want to know.” So I motioned if it was ok to make a photo and his yes gesture was different than other yes gestures. I could be projecting. Maybe I am. I just felt right about something in the moment. Either way, thank you to this mysterious drummer.
Earlier in the evening, I was proselytizing in conversations with other photographers that none of this (gear, lenses, shows, material things) matters. Same goes for throwing a photo up on a wall. Is this why we make photos? To acquire gear and to relentlessly try to publicly show what we’ve done? I guess if that is your purpose in your life, it does matter. Until it doesn’t. The rush to make photos and get these new photos and ideas on a wall, as an exhibition, seems a bit silly to me. But what do I know? I march to my own drummer.
What matters to me, as if you want to know, is feeling something while making photographs. Many of my photographs I’ve shown publicly or have had prints sold were made during deep depressions and chaos within my life. When I make a photograph, it isn’t because the person is doing something funny or unique, what clothes they are wearing … it’s how they are moving, or not moving, in the same world I’m inhabiting with them. Usually there’s something I relate to or want to relate to. It could be a sense of movement, perceived happiness, success or just a general perception of being aligned to a similar beat. In an interview last year, I tried explain that it is like an emotional synapse that makes me make a frame. I think that will always be true. It’s also not something unique to me. All of my favorite photographers seem to have made their best work based off of feelings. I admire them the most because it seems like the photographs were made without some grand intention. Instead there’s some sort of emotional and intentional purity involved. I’m not saying this is the best way to make photographs, but for me it is. I’ve learned more from these photographers about photography and life outside from what we experience here than other photographers.
So, that’s what I’ve been thinking about lately. My own purpose and being in this world. And how it interacts with other personalities, personally and professionally.
This particular night, I treated myself to an old fashion to walk around with, watched and worked my way through the crowd a bit, tried to get as close as possible and to feel and share what was happening on this particular stretch of East Ave. with others who seemed to be within my beat.
Kick out the jazz, mothertruckers!
Jazz Fest week here in Rochester is a bunch of Fridays in a row where I can get out work, pregame a gin and tonic, listen to a little Coltrane, then make a trek a block down the road to enjoy some jazz and candid photography. I’m there for the free jazz, sponsored by all of our local corporate besties, and people watching. In an act of juvenile and music disobedience, I walked through the crowd wearing the MC5 shirt that may you get banned from Sunday Pasta at Nana’s.
One thing you will not find here is me regurgitating the typical photographic dogma that at one point in all our lives, or all for some of you, spit out like fools. That’s all boring “fun” but I’m here for the feeling, man. If you want to know more about energy and feeling while photographing (and then editing afterwards, buy me a beer. I’m too old for that other stuff. And I just do not care about that pragmatic stuff anymore. Why else is there is to make music or photographs? It’s certainly not to put on social media to achieve some sort of local fame and ruin the environment at the same time. While it may be ecologically better to have a personal website that very few people read (just like on Instagram!) in terms of the carbon footprint alone (see also: personal health, scams, misinformation, privacy concerns, etc.), everything we seemingly do makes the planet age faster. Anyways, I was feeling the energies from the lady in orange above and the dapper fellas below.
I’m big on public displays of affection as a subject. I have a whole collection of them at festivals, set aside for a zine, or something. Hugging, kissing, dapping, high fives. If live, outside jazz doesn’t make you do that, who are you then? I hate it when I look down a line of chairs and do not see one foot bouncing in agreement to the music.
All in all, I spent most of my first couple days wandering jazz fest, leaning casually to the side with a hand on my waist, watching people react to the music and the people around them.
Eventually, I realize that it actually isn’t Friday and I have to work tomorrow morning. So I walk home, disappointed tomorrow is not Saturday, wishing I couldn’t get it out of my head the carbon footprint of being online, to download my photos and lick my wounds for missing a photo. How I could I not have just held my ground amongst a moving jazz crowd and made the ATM banners stick out of her head like ears?
These photos will not happen again. That’s why I like taking them and seeing what happens.
Classic, Rock
I went for a walk after work yesterday. I love the heat and humidity. It’s soothing. I belong closer to the equator. I brought my camera with me, hoping to catch some outdoor activities. Didn’t see much that was compelling to me. I made it from downtown to Park and Berkeley. I stopped at Magpie for a pint. It was nice and cool inside but I sat outside amongst the much younger regulars. After my pint, I walked back home, dodging motor bikes on the sidewalks and cars in cross walks. From what I am witnessing, that is becoming more common in Rochester. The disease of not caring about others as you ride your vehicle dangerously. This affliction seems to affect city dwellers as well as the suburbanites that make their way into the city.
I call this: “your photography is garbage.”
It really is. I have a huge stash of found photography. It was garbage before I found it. At some point, it will be garbage again. Along with mine. And yours.
I wish Kurt was around to see Nirvana become classic rock. How cool would it have been to see him jamming with Dinosaur Jr., Kurt Vile, Courtney Barnett and scores of others who seem to have that Cobain-esque mind style. Or seeing him on tour with Neil Young. I cannot imagine Kurt sticking around with Krist and Dave. It’s a lot to put on a dead person, but I think the world may have looked a bit different, more positive, now, with Kurt around.
Downtown to Magpie, sip a pint, then make my way back home. This has to happen at least once a week. It’s 4.5 miles. Good enough to shake the workday rust off. I would give this walk a 8/10 stars. Dangerous vehicles dropped it three stars, but the friendly vibe and delicious pilsner at Magpie added a star.
Could be the move
There’s this Tik Tok account called Could be the move. They have a website too; with a couple t-shirts that I’d introduce to my wardrobe. From where I’m sitting, these fellas take everyday activities but spice them up in a positive way.
One I recently thought of:
Go to farmer’s market. Buy a pack of white hots from the local butcher. For relish, go to a farmer’s market and buy some dude’s craft pickles. The ones with spice. A few booths down there’s the stone ground mustard booth. Buy a tub of that. Dress those dogs with relish made from the pickles and blast a squirt of that mustard. Best hot dog ever. Bonus points, find out that the pickle guy mades an award winning craft pilsner. You by a six pack of that too. That could be the move.
I’m still working on it.
It’s Father’s Day weekend. Have your wife DD and drive in the general direction of lake. Stop in a small town to take a few photos. You hear live music so you find out what the ruckus is all about. You find a craft brewing place. You stop and have a pint and listen to some local kill some Dylan covers. Could be the move.
At Crafty Ales and Lagers for a cold one: https://www.drinkcraftyales.com
Been having a rough go of it the past few months. The back’s starting to hurt. Feeling like I’m on a different (not better) wave length than everyone else around me. Worrying a lot. So, I’ve been trying to do a few things different. Amping up some aspects of my life and building up some boundaries in the others. I think it could be the move.
Been reading and rereading a lot lately. Flannery O’Connor. Scott McClanahan. Troy James Weaver. Breece D’J Pancake. Sam Pink. I’m not a book nerd. I like what I like. All these authors beat the shit out me and I feel better for it. Reading their words is like getting a Swedish deep tissue massage for your brain. All sorts of thoughts and memories creep up. I’m writing about weird memories from my past and making a go at my own fiction. No grand ambitions with any of this. Maybe a zine, maybe a blog post. I’m just glad to be inspired. Writing the crazy shit in your head? Could be the move.
There’s a Sun Ra Sunday tomorrow. Paul and Peggi are stopping by. You will be able to find me at Parcel 5. I’ll have a lawn chair and a blanket ready. Will be wearing a black MC5 shirt and will probably bring the polaroid. If you stop by, I’ll be making a photo. The Other Side of the Sun will be blaring. I listen to Space Fling on my way to work a lot. It’s a great walking to work song if you intend on having a good day. After that, a June Tyson compilation. If you happen to come across this post in the future, just e-mail me or check my website (daily, why not?) for the next one. Or if you have some awesome space that would like to host a Sun Ra Sunday, that could be the move.
We landed at Atwater. Some of my favorite Finger Lakes wine. Views good too. https://www.atwatervineyards.com.
Tech pants, a cotton polo, some sparkling wine, sporting the Persols, and doodling your scenery. Could be the move.
Silent Agreements
Silent agreements. Agreeing to disagree. A Gentleman's Quarrel. Could I key the metaphorical car or just … let it be.
You really have to choose who you are going to be in this situation .. McCarthy or Lennon? McCarthy comes out looking like the best in this one. Then years past …. one minute you could be a Beatle then a Replacement. Either way, letting it be may just be … the best choice?
Speaking of the Let It Be song, I think buskers get the covers best. You just cannot do this cover in your bedroom or your parent’s couch.
I have yet to hear anyone other than Paul Westerberg sing a good Unsatisfied.
I guess the moral of the story is letting it be is quite alright while also being unsatisfied. Such is life.
Green, Thumbs
The Monroe County Cornell Cooperative Extension was having a perennial sale so naturally we went. I love photographing flowers. Beth likes to buy them.
I learned a lot about perennials and the staff were really nice. Flower people are a different breed too.
Visiting this made me wish our apartment building had a rooftop, like they advertised when we signed our lease (it wasn’t true … that’s slumlord level of dishonesty). Rooftop flowerbeds would be pretty sweet. I think that idea, though, is pretty advanced for local property owners, developers and managers. If there isn’t a dollar sign involved, who cares about the quality of life of the residents.
We tried renting a community garden plot, which presented its own challenges. Not being in our neighborhood being one of them.
Let’s make rooftop and community gardens more a of thing. Community gardens are punk rock. I want to be like this guy after a long day at work, sitting amongst flowers, but also enjoying a good book and sipping a gin and tonic. So yea, Cornell Cooperative Extension, thanks for the hospitality and being so photogenic.
How to Feel Less Alone
I’m sorry, I don’t have the answers. If someone does, they are most likely lying or they do not understand true loneliness. This is especially true if they have a YouTube channel. Trust no one who can capitalize on your loneliness.
Sometimes, in my own world, there’s comfort in loneliness. You are no longer obligated to pursue people or activities that make you feel unsatisfied (more lonely and sometimes, hurt). Acceptance and comfort ebbs and flows though. Sometimes, the healthy boundaries you put up are broken down.
We are all just sacks of meat and bones on a rock hurtling through space. I really do not think if people realized how insignificant we all are, we would treat each other better. Especially now, with the world moving so fast and everyone wanting to look out for themselves.
I think that’s why there’s a group of people who like to look to the stars. The sacks of meat and bones we inherited the earth with would rather plunder and waste what we could have in each other, the inhabitants of this place we call Earth. It’s comforting knowing that there’s a vastness ready for the lonely dreamers, the people ready to take off into space to add value to humanity (or to just escape it).
At the end of the day, all I can say is be kind to each other and keep looking up. Something or someone is looking back. I’d like to believe that that something or someone is better than what we have here. In the meantime, if you feel inclined or are able, try to take pleasure in the fact that life can be beautiful and enjoyable at times. No one can cure loneliness but together we can make it easier on one another.
Exclusively, Rochester
I’m not much of a tv guy, unless I have a hankering for a baseball game, want to dive into a YouTube rabbit hole or binge some movies on Criterion. When it’s warm, on Friday and Saturday nights and I’m not at a Red Wings baseball game,, I can be found outside starting with a cold brew from Java’s and reading a book, then making my around downtown making photos. I usually have a good time, make some photos, talk to strangers, make new friends, sometimes stopping for a beer at a bar and listen to whatever band is playing.
While at Java’s, Jon Gary saw me and stopped to chat. Jon has a show coming up, you should check it out. Information on is on instagram, which I linked to. Anyways, I invited Jon to walk with me. I’m not much of photo walk guy but Jon’s good company. On my way to Java’s I saw Trillium Health was having their annual White Party at Mercantile on Main, which is across the street from my apartment building. So, I suggested to Jon we walk there to get some shots of people having fun. Jon set up talking nice photos of happy fancy dressed people walking out. I like to be on the fringes hoping for sweet body language and making photos of the valet guys running. Literally everyone we saw inside and outside the event looked amazing.
Anyways, Jon and I were making photos and talking to people. At one point, I was invited in by someone who I believe is on Trillium’s “Executive Leadership Team,” which I declined. I had nothing white on. All in all, a good time until the Mercantile on Main security guard asked us to stop taking photos and then right after some random hot head guy came barreling out of the party telling me if he can’t make me stop making photos, because I was making people uncomfortable, the cops will. He tried threatening me by getting as close as possible. He explained in his tough guy voice that I was taking photos of a “very exclusive event” and was making people feel uncomfortable. I neither backed down or returned the insults. I just said I will not stop respectfully making photos on a public sidewalk and to call the cops. Of course, I asked the tough guy if he was a representative of Trillium but he didn’t answer. The coward couldn’t even have a respectful conversation or look me in the face when he realized Jon and I wouldn’t back down. He pretended to motion to some probably pretend goons inside to come outside with him. The rational part of me just thinks this hot head was an outlier and definitely not typical of the people enjoying the party, a staff member of Trillium or representative of the values of Trillium.
This post isn’t about making photos in public. I get some people act as if they are constitutional scholars but they have a third grade level education when it comes to the constitution and basic human rights. I also understand people do not like having their photos taken. I get all of that and choose who I make photos of and how I make the photos wisely. I’m overly cerebral when it comes to photography.
This post 100% about the Rochester / Western NY attitude towards the haves and the have nots and to the people who live in Rochester. It’s about all these new venues popping up for people who certainly do not live downtown, while rents rise, stores with basic necessities do not exist and opportunities for small businesses to succeed are frowned upon. I’m not against progress, but I am against people coming into my neighborhood and even the apartment building I live in, only to act as if I am ruining their evening by existing and being near their exclusivity. I do wonder who else this tough guy tries to act tough to when he enters downtown, or even in his own neighborhood. I also wonder who he calls the cops on if he felt he could do it to me, some dorky white guy.
At the end of the day, seeing people having fun at an event for a great cause in my neighborhood felt nice. The irony, both Jon and I have shown at a gallery inside Mercantile of Main. All of my photos and some of Jon’s were candid photos of life in Rochester. Other than Mr. Big Shot and “security” it was a fun night and I appreciate people who come downtown, spend their money and are respectful to everyone. But let’s calm down with this exclusive bullshit. Cities are meant to be open, lively and safe. If that version of Rochester bothers you then stay out.
Electric, Muler, City
Altering see Muler in Rochester, Brendan and I drove out to see Muler in Buffalo at a new venue named Electric City. Electric City is an amazing venue. EC and Ashbury Hall make Buffalo my favorite place to see music, especially touring bands. Rochester just cannot compete. If any bands skip either venue in Buffalo, they are missing out. These two venues do not skimp and have a magic to them. The sound at Electric City was just amazing.
I spent the day in Buffalo with Brendan and Wade (above). We all met up in Niagara Falls and went to a music store named Music Matters. No photos of that shop, sorry. It was the owners birthday. I found a Sun Ra album that I didn’t have. The owner also recommended Farflung and a space compilation from the 90s that I could play on Fantastic Voyage. I highly recommend checking out that shop. Worth the drive.
I told Brendan all the “thirst trap” photos I accumulate of him will go in a photo album for his wife, for Christmas. You are welcome Kristin.
Before Muler started, I commented to Brendan, “I hope Tugboat Annie does not mind a destroyed drum set. Sean will destroy that kit.” First song in, Sean broke the set, sending the stage hands into a frenzy, fixing the drum kit as he continued to play. Here you can see some poor stagehand fixing the drum kit mid-song.
I really just wanted to go and watch and listen to the bands. I brought my camera for “just in case.” Both Muler and Tugboat Annie compelled me to jump in front and make crappy photos and grab some video. Body in the Basement is a song off Muler’s new album. I should have gotten the full song but the end … damn. I hope they keep that song on their live repertoire.
I’ve been collecting footage from a bunch of Muler shows over the years. I have this intention of making a short video about the/my history of how I first came across Muler (Joe Tunis didn’t know me but sent me a 45 of Muler when I was a zine called Psychocandy in college). There’s more to the story, but that’s how it started.
Anyways, I’m grateful for this band, the opportunity they gave me with an album cover and the friendship they offered along the way. Grateful for Joe Tunis for sending me that 45 back in 90s.. Grateful for a wife who encourages me to keep the spirit of enjoying music alive because it makes me happy. Grateful for Brendan who goes to shows with me and listens to my wacky ideas.
Listen to Muler.