“Negative Sky”

The title is in quotes because it is the title of a new book.  I went to the book launch party last Saturday night.  It was printed by my friends at Lettre Sauvage.  Click on this to jump to their blog about the book.

 

Rubber Glove on Printing Press

When I arrived at the party one of the first things that caught my eye was the rubber glove on the printing press.  The book “Negative Sky” was printed on an old letterpress.  Edition of 80.  I bought two and am going back for more.  This constitutes a rave review.

 

Genevieve Yue - The Poet

I carry a Canon G9 with an infrared chip now as my take everywhere camera.  I made a Vernacular faux pas when I took a couple of shots of The Poet with my flash turned on.  I was afraid on digital noise.  After The Poet and I talked a little I was able to loosen up and turn the ISO up to 1600 and let go a little. Much better.

 

The Snapshots and the Books

After the party I went home and read all the poems in one sitting.  That’s rare for me but the work drew me in and drew me on.  I got to handle the 8 snapshots The Poet had chosen to write poems about.  Then I could follow the images as they became images printed on the page with ink on a letterpress.  

After talking with The Poet I moved on for wine and kids and dogs on my way to the back yard.  I waited patiently for the band to begin to play.

 

One Half of Opan Gann

Stage left was Keith Trego.  I’ve been following this band for a long time.  One of my goals in life is to sit in with Opal Gann.

 

Both Halves of Opal Gann

After photographing the band with high speed infrared I can now say, “I Like Noise”.

 

 

The Screening

There was a movie screen rigged up in the trees above the party.  A friend of The Poet set up a 16mm projector and screened an experimental print from c. 1989.  It recapitulated elements of L’Âge d’or and 

Nosferateau

 

and then went into riffs on road movies and Elvis and zombies.  It held my attention.

 

Dog of The Poet

The Dog of the Poet trotted freely in the yard.

 

The Hoop, etc.

As I left the party I was so thankful that The Poet suggested I eschew technical proficiency.  How else would I have been able to capture Yma’s toy?

The Joy of Dyslexia

Can’t have a post without a photo.  Here’s “Bill Mensing’s Router”.  You might say it’s a lathe or a planer.  Don’t bother me with that.

  Over the 4th we were talking about the uke, the banjo and a band called Beirut.  I suggested a trip to YouTube to see:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRxgDAC-4kI&feature=related

This is one video out of many.  Then the conversation turned to Balken music and diatonic scales.  When I went home I was pumped up to listen to more Beirut.

   When there is a band I want to listen to I often go to Pandora.  When I want to listen to a certain musician I create a “Station”.  Then when I am playing that station Pandora plays not only that specific musician’s music but other things like it.  In this way I get exposed to sounds similar to the sounds I’m currently digging. Then I get to dig more.  

  This system is limited by the skill of Pandora and my typing skills.  I must type in the correct name of the band or musician.  This time dyslexia kicked in and I typed in Beruit.  Pandora did not correct me.  Suddenly my station began playing roots and dub ragae.  Desmond Decker type stuff. Very nice for music to cook a bachelor dinner to.  If I had not been a little dyslexic I would not have typed in the strange name.  

   I later Googled Beruit.  Nothing.  It kept redirecting me to Beirut.  All I can think of is that Pandora must have thought I was searching for Roots.  As in Roots Ragae.  Maybe that rut at the end of Beirut was enough to signal this strange trip into Roots Ragae.  I’m loving it.  

  I suggest you go to Pandora and create a few new “Stations”.  Don’t worry about spelling.