Band: Stairwell Collapse

The following interview was conducted by the MC7C duo and posted for this page. Do not copy+paste this; direct link to it, instead!





INTERVIEW


Did you grow up in Hampton Roads? If so, what cities? ah yes, the days of little us running the streets of hampton roads haha. I (Rick) grew up in virginia beach and Mike in chesapeake. We have spent a lot of time in Richmond VA which is considered a second home to us.

Describe your music to someone who has never heard it. imagine the sounds of water buffalo in mating season ;) honestly its just rock music, there are a ton of different labels out there for genres these days, some would say we are indie because we do have a more melodic sound. If you havn't heard us, you should check it out and let us know how you would describe it! We do have parts that feel intense but we bring it back with familiar hooks and layered vocals that sound like "the voice of a thousand angels" or so we have been told haha.

What's the writing process for your music? Do the lyrics come first? Does the music come first? Who does what? Well, we usually write a guitar riff and record it, not sure what part it is going to be in a song yet. Since we have previously written all of our songs with just the two of us, we don't have access to live drums so we use a drum sequencer on the computer to write a beat to said guitar riff. We usually play with a few ideas musically, mike will come up with a melody for the part and hums it out over the recording, lyrics usually come later. That is when we decide where the part will go in a song, because we get a good idea of the feel it has. From there we start building around it and months later, a song is born! haha.



Do you have an albums / demos / merch / releases available to purchase? Where can you buy them? Shirts! We do have shirts.. but our self-titled E.P will be added to that list of merch very soon! We have spent the last few months recording our debut E.P and cannot wait to share it with the world :) There isn't a confirmed release date but, we are hoping for the end of this month or the beginning of september. Our merch site is http://www.scmerch.bigcartel.com/ and a little known fact about the elephant shirt..there is a hidden animal on it!

What is your most crazy show story? (Any naked women running around? Drunk bar fights?)

Hmm.. we have yet to see any show nudity or UFC re-enactments but we did have a pretty funny encounter with a drunk guy. Back before we had live members to play full band shows, we used to tour playing an acoustic set of our music. On with the story, we were playing a show at the Norva in Norfolk, VA. Our friend/photographer for the night (who we will refer to as The Dark Knight) had a few too many drinks. So we were playing the last song in our set, and i started to hear an off time tambourine coming from behind us. Then out of the corner of my eye i see The Dark Knight on stage with us wielding a tambourine (we have no idea where he got it from). It was a great moment in our band history, i think the crowd was actually cheering for him at the end of our set haha. He actually hung out with us at the merch table that night and probably signed more shirts than we did ;)



How much do you think hype affects the public perception of what good music is?

I think hype affects people in different ways. Some people blindly follow the trends of popular music while others dislike something just because it is hyped up and there are the people who are indifferent. I think the words hype, mainstream, etc. are bad for the industry because they have an auto-shut off effect on some people. Instead, i suggest we use the word Disney. Example: "Hey that song is Disney!". meaning, the kids will like it. Have I lost you yet? haha, it was a studio thing, a whole different story :)

How would you like to see the local music scene change? (venues, fans, other bands)

Locally the music scene has been ruled by metal/hardcore shows for the past few years, but we have been seeing more and more non-metal bands forming in the area which could lead to less fights and more hugs ;) I guess something we would like to see is more people going to shows, we love meeting new friends!

What's up for the band in 2008? ( a tour, album?) First priority is to release our cd that we have been working on, it is in it's final stages so it shouldn't be long! Then we plan on getting a live band together again so we can tour extensively to promote the new cd :) But we will be writing new material this year as well, so who knows!



What local bands and artists do you recommend? We would have to recommend our friends in Conditions, they put on an amazing show, plus they are super cool dudes. Definitely have to recommend Yearling as well, we recorded our cd with Sid (the singer), and Mike (the drummer) played the live drums on our recordings.

What are your favorite venues to play at? How would you like to see the available venues to change when booking shows? (better sound / lights/ pay/ promotions) The Norva definitely holds a special place in our hearts, the atmosphere is amazing and it even has a hot tub backstage! I feel that the local venues are doing a good job, tons of promotion is definitely key to making a sucessful venue.

How do you market your music to the public? What seems to work best for you for letting people know about your shows? (Myspace/ the paper / word of mouth) As of now we just promote via myspace and word of mouth. Myspace has been a huge help to our band by enabling us to share our music with people around the world. It is also a great tool for booking out of town shows on your own, before it was very difficult unless you had a manager.

What is your current favorite song? I guess i would have to say Oubiette by The Receiving End of Sirens, and i'm going to say the entire Death Cab for Cutie discography for Mike haha.



Last CD bought, downloaded or stole? It's been a while but the last one was Number One Gun, the north pole project. And that was bought... with stolen money! (only kidding)

Quote us your favorite song lyrics. (please include who it is by) "p-p-p-pull up to the bumper babayyy" by Grace Jones vs. Funkstar Deluxe

What came first, the music or the misery? Explain. I actually thought about this for a second and had an answer. Then I decided to google the phrase, so i'll go with "what is We're high fashion, we're last chances" for 500.

What do you think of what MC7C does? How would you make it better? Have you been to any of our events? We have not been to any of your events yet, but maybe this interview will bring us together :D Great job guys, helping keep the music scene alive! We love you all


Links


Stairwell Collapse @ myspace

Band: Morgueasm

Featured Band :

(feature and interview has been compiled by MC7C. don't copy and paste, direct link to this page if you want to share with friends. we know where you sleep and will send Darien to come get you...mwahahahaha)

Samantha Shameless: Vocals and Bad Reputations.
Darien Starr: Programming, Keys, Guitars
Sett: Bass.
Andrew: Live Drums.

About:
(in their own words)

We will probably piss you off and fuck your girlfriend or boyfriend. We can't manage to stay sober or keep a guitarist. We write music in a dark dark hole underneath the city of Richmond. We hate being told what to do. We rock the fuck out to some Three Six Mafia in the hot tub. We don't care what style we are. We don't fit in a scene. We are working hard to get this album finished.

Morgueasm - (noun)

An orgasm that occurs when having sexual relations with a corpse and or a Realdoll(tm). "The initial pleasure of Karen's tightness was tempered by the feeling that I was humping a cadaver and was about to experience my first morgueasm." - Grant Stoddard from Nerve.com article: "I Did it for Science"

Interview:

Describe your music to someone who has never heard it.

Darien: I like to consider Morgueasm "Death Pop". We draw elements from dark, electronic / industrial influences, but growing up on MTV we can't deny that there are some elements of Hollywood Glamour inside us.

Samantha Shameless: We have a completely different sound than anything out right now, and we like to experiment with combining different elements of goth, metal, and pop in a way that most people wouldn't think of doing.

What is your most crazy show story? (Any naked women running around? Drunk bar fights?)

Darien: When I was with my first band (Empty from Washington DC – many years ago) we played at Jaxx. We got about 30 pounds of raw meat from the butcher, and brought it on stage in a baby carriage. It wound up everywhere. I'm surprised Jaxx had us back after that. We had ordered a pig's head as well. We were going to put our singer's penis in the pig head's mouth against his will. He's lucky it didn't show up in time for the show.

Samantha Shameless: Performing a song about an ex bandmate who was front row at the show was pretty crazy.

How would you like to see the local music scene change? (venues, fans, other bands)How do you think we can solve the problems we are having with venues doing little to NO promoting of shows, not paying the bands much, lack of good sound systems, and other issues?

Darien: The music scene all over the country has grown stale. Everyone takes themselves so seriously, that they don't have a good time while they are performing, and the fans can feel that. As far as promoting and venues, personally I don't consider it the venue's responsibility to promote. I believe the band has to do their legwork, play the free shows, until they build up a following – THEN they can think about money. I look at it as a sacrifice that has to be made. Sound systems are serious though. If your club sounds like crap, you shouldn't be booking bands. ALSO I hate not getting a soundcheck. Every club has a different system, and it makes a big difference being able to test it out.

Samantha Shameless: I would like to see the scene change period – as well as the music scene – to not be so closed minded and pretentious.

What's up for the band in 2008? ( a tour, album?)

Darien: We are almost done writing the full album, and we will hope to have that recorded and mastered this year. We will be playing shows in the region, and then hitting up key cities when we are ready. DC, NY, Miami, Philly, etc. Taking our time and trying not to put on half ass shows.

Samantha Shameless: Definitely completing our first album, and being bigger than Jesus.

What local bands and artists do you recommend?

Darien: Local bands and artists… XUBERX from DC impressed me with their high energy show. Of course Bellamorte never fails to impress live. They always have a tight sound. I am sad that we will not get to see In Tenebris again. Myotis, Synthetic Nightmare, Hindu Pez, Angel 99 are all unique local artists working hard at their craft – there is definitely a renaissance coming around.

Samantha Shameless: Killing the Cure, Angel 99, Synthetic Nightmare, Bellamorte, Social Distortion ( I mean Synthetic Division lol ) we'd like to see more local bands. I wish we had more time to see shows but we are working hard on the album.

What are your favorite venues to play at? How would you like to see the available venues to change when booking shows?

Darien: I like venues with hidey hole backrooms. It really helps you get into character. I don't like wandering the crowd during a show. I like to have some of that mystery around us. Alley Katz has a nice layout… Rocks if the weather is nice… I feel like (in Richmond anyways, I can't really speak for the Norfolk / Va Beach area) it is kind of hard for mid size / small bands to get a decent date – a Friday or Saturday. There are several new clubs opening up for larger bands, which is cool because we are getting some of the harder bands back in town, but nothing is really changing with the local bars.

Samantha Shameless: I love the space that Alley Katz offers – also Rocks is nice because it has an outside stage which is great for Spring shows.


Who primarily writes the songs? Is there a certain process or does it come out during practice?

Darien: Morgueasm operates half on process / step by step writing, and half on spontaneity. Usually it starts out with a beat and some synth tracks that I have tucked away on a dusty floppy disk, and Samantha Shameless hears something that she digs. Sett will lay down a bass line, I'll take a stab at guitars (though I'm no guitarist – p.s. Morgueasm is looking for a guitarist! lol) Then, along with our friends and management team, we will collaborate on lyrics, melodies, etc. We are very communal. If you come to a practice session, it is usually full of craziness, jaeger, and shenanigans!

Samantha Shameless: Darien has a lot of songs stored away in his little computer, and sometimes we'll get bored with the songs we're working on and say "hey lets work on a new song" and then I'll find something I like – then Darien and I do it.

How do you market your music to the public? What seems to work best for you for letting people know about your shows?

Darien: We are taking our time with marketing. We are still in the process of writing the album, and we don't want to sell ourselves too early. We rely somewhat on internet marketing, but also good ole' word of mouth. We are all characters, and we like to go out and have a good time and dance, and act a fool. That is a good time to hand out a cd, or let people know we have a show coming up.

Samantha Shameless: The best way I do it, is to hand out cds and flyers to people at clubs – and word of mouth.

Finish these statements with what ever comes to your mind:

"You know you've made it when..."
Darien: Your sipping on a margarita with Dr. Dre.
Samantha Shameless: You don't have to fucking work any more.

"It'll be time to pack up the gear for good when..."
Darien: Ha. Never.
Samantha Shameless: When Darien dies.

"I'll never forget the first time I..."
Darien: Got to ride around in a band's limo. (Monster Magnet / Manson down in New Orleans)
Samantha Shameless: Puked and peed outside of a club in VA Beach.

Let's have some fun with word association. Give me your immediate feelings on the following:
Hampton Roads, VA -
Darien: Traffic?
Samantha Shameless: Ryan Roboto aka Angel 99.

The National Museums –
Darien: I love ancient things.
Samantha Shameless – What the fuck is that?

Richmond –
Darien: Good place to hide from the rest of the world.
Samantha Shameless – Keep talking about me bitches. You're only making me famous.

Independent Music Stores / Businesses / Restaurants –
Darien: Having a tough time. I co-own Curio ( http://www.curiorichmond.com ) so I can relate.
Samantha Shameless – Curio – Duh!

Best Venue –
Darien: I think Rock and Roll Hotel in DC is a cute little place
Samantha Shameless: Alley Katz is a good place to see shows.

Worst Venue –
Darien: I don't want to get us in trouble lol.
Samantha Shameless: I plead the fifth.

Best Kept Secret –
Darien: Tan A Supermarket
Samantha Shameless: Sakura Sunday Brunch.

The RVA Goth Scene –
Darien: Trying to stay alive
Samantha Shameless: Waiting for something new.

Favorite Dive Bar -
Darien: I don't go to Dive Bars.
Samantha Shameless: Wherever I can get a cheap drink.

What's the most played song on your iPod (or an equivalent music playing device) in the past week?

Darien: I don't have time to listen to music outside of the studio. Um… Last song I remember listening to was Fetisha by Orgy.

Samantha Shameless: What's an iPod? But if I did have one, I'd be rocking out to some Rob Zombie.

Who would be in your ultimate music supergroup, your all-star Olympic team of rock?

Darien: Ryan Shuck, Twiggy Ramirez, Myself, Dr. Dre, and Samantha Shameless. Hell yeah.

Samantha Shameless: Darien, because we work so well together, Shikhee from Android Lust, Three Six Mafia, and Christina Aguilera.

What came first, the music or the misery? Explain.

Darien: Definitely the misery. A true artist has to feel suffering before they can really tap into the subconscious powers around them.

Samantha Shameless: The misery. Without misery there would be no art.

Links of Love:

http:www.myspace.com/officialmorgueasm
http://www.morgueasm.com/

Artist- Dennis Gorman

The following feature on the talented Mr. Dennis Gorman was conducted-n-posted by the MC7C duo. Dig what you're reading? Don't copy+paste it elsewhere. Direct link to it!

How long have you been creating?

Well over forty years. (You can get back up off the floor now!) That is hard for me to see on paper. I am a real overnight sensation. Some nights are just a lot longer than others. My night toward fame and fortune is now approaching a half century. I try to do something every day but have only about 3500 drawings and paintings surviving.

What got you started doing art?

Some of my earliest childhood memories originate from trying to draw Sunday Comics with my Dad. Both of my parents were artistic, but my father was also a realist who had just returned from Korea and went to college on the G.I. Bill. He liked making drawings and painting but was beginning a family. As I said earlier, I seem to remember my Dad trying to teach me how to draw by using the Sunday Comics as a reference. This early lesson stuck. He would point to a line on Beetle Bailey or Peanuts with his pencil and have me focus on just that line or segment. He would draw that line and have me do the same. He would direct my attention to the next segment until I had magically reproduced Beetle Bailey. Looking back, I never connected the experiences of Korea with the selection of comics to draw until just now! I was probably three years old at the time, so that was 1958 or so. My mother was also talented. She worked for a photography studio and did colorization of black and white portraits. I used to get into her paints and create Havoc. I knew she would be mad for some reason but she never was mad at me for making "art". My younger brother is an artist as well. He is a painter and a primary reason for me coming from the shadows of anonymity. (Hopefully.)

Describe your work to someone who has never seen it before.

A mixture of Don Martin, R. Crumb, and Ralph Steadman. My art also was greatly influenced by the political art of the 1800s and early 1900s (Thomas Nast comes to mind.). It's a gritty style and very freehand. My watercolors look like something from William Blake or Francis Bacon after an MK Ultra event. If you plan to edit this interview, you could say it looks like editorial cartoons without all that unintelligible writing at the bottom. Some of my material repulses people or disturbs them at a level they often fail to verbalize. I often fail to verbalize my own reaction to something I have done and those are the ones I think people should see.

What do you find visually stimulating right now? Any local artists that we need to keep an eye on?

The smartass kid in me would reply internet porn because I cannot afford live models. The dirty old man in me would reply internet porn because I cannot afford Playboy magazine (Is that still published?). The middle-aged man in me says definitely NOT internet porn because I am still trying to land a Jay Oh Bee and I cannot afford art alone just yet.

I have recently discovered Francis Bacon via the VOOM HD channel which runs some excellent art programming. His post WWII work is just plain spooky as any post-war imagery probably is. My exposure to local artists has been minimal for a variety of reasons. It embarrasses me no names pop to my mind. Due to our environs here, most art is underground unless you are catering to the tourist seaside market. Being my age inhibits blending in with the young artists along with the fact I look like a cop. It's just too hot and humid here to grow long hair and a beard for most of the year.

What other artists or movements inform your work/aesthetics/sensibilities?

I am rather ignorant of movements. I began my own movement about 20 years ago which I have named Past Life Caricatures. Part of that involves drawing what people may have looked like in a past life. It is a glacial movement. I recall how upset the Establishment was when the Pop Art stuff hit the fan. The comic book style paintings and Warhol's satire... I relish change and the effect it has on regular people. I particularly like the effect change has on the controlling or prevalent powers at the point of transition. Artists who come along and shake things up and signal to the world that another point of view is available. Many people have little capacity to handle more than a few different perspectives. I think artists may have the ability or potential to deal with more than a few.

Right now we are dealing with a major change in the creative world. The established hierarchy distains digital art. It threatens them to some degree and I hear things like it is cheating and not real art at all. I bet there was a French Caveman who became ostracized for using vegetable matter to color his wall paintings by the other Cave Artisans. The guy who came up with pencils displaced the charcoal dudes. I am confident Eastman pissed off painters. Technology always introduces new tools and people always find alternative uses for them beyond their original intent. I could not wait for computer tech to catch up to my own visions of how I could employ it. We have it now and its being used to wonderful effect. I have forty years of drawings and photographs to serve as a solid foundation for original and creative digital art. Check that. Original art - plain and simple. The image resulting from your efforts is what should matter. Is it good or not?

As to what affects my sensibilities, well the deluge of material available to someone seeking inspiration is right there ready to spring from a keyboard. MySpace friends linking for example allows me to explore images that interest me in a real flow of consciousness type style which amazes me. (Especially when several hours have passed and you realize its 3am.)

If there were no financial limits whatsoever for you, what constraints would you most like to overstep? Are there other mediums you would explore?

Political Correctness. Gardening/landscaping projects. Home repairs.

If I had the unlimited resources businesses use to purchase beneficial legislation, I would use it to buy enough votes to impeach two really great guys and make sure Nader had at least one day in office as president and make the guy in charge of the FDA swear him in. I would then combine politics and art by tagging the crap out of the White House and have an Andy Jackson-style inauguration party. You would likely find me painting all the bare overpasses in town with a thousand like-minded artists.

Did you grow up in Virginia? (If not, when/why did you move here?)

I am over fifty years old and I often draw cartoons. I do not think many see that as ever having grown up. I take pride and solace in that. I very rarely get paid for those cartoons which prove I am a young rube still. To demonstrate things are relative, my desire to come here was driven by the liberal atmosphere here. I also dig the beach, seafood, and strontium 90. I lived in three different deserts so far and I could not kick sand cold turkey so this place made sense.

Do you do gallery shows?

I would like to do gallery shows again. It has been a long time since my last one. I have a supporter in Italy who has put on several shows in Milan for me and in planning another soon. My brother berates me for not pressing this avenue of promotion. He also has suggested I go bigger in my works. Others close to me have suggested this as well and that may serve as rationale for seeking a show here soon. Are you offering?

What's your favorite piece (at the moment)? Why?

A pencil portrait I did of Richard Nixon in 1970. I recently drew a pen and ink copy of it to practice my hand and eye after working with a lot of multimedia stuff. I needed a return to my strength in the basics. It is also an election year and a flashback to forty years ago when our federal government was nearly as screwed up as it is now. That is a harsh judgment but a fair one. Nixon deserved to be impeached and never pardoned. Clinton perhaps deserved to be served divorce papers but not impeachment. Bush has dissolved most of the Bill of Rights and has run the most inept and corrupt administration we have documentation on. I need to get the fire back to do political stuff again. Bush has just shocked me into inactivity. I am stunned Americans have allowed this to go on for eight years. We have forfeited our place as examples to the world. I doubt a recovery is possible now that the world has seen behind the curtains of our Oz.

The business side of being an artist: how do you market/promote yourself, and does it work? How do you cope?

I really do not have a business side to my art. I suffer the normal Fear many artists have regarding showing material and flogging it. I have done sales jobs in the past and even won awards for the work. But at what cost ? Artists need old-fashioned patrons to free artists for their art. The risk of losing one's soul and dignity is too great. I think what I do is good. Some of it is great and is on par with other famous caricaturists' work. But my needs, my basic needs are being met, food, clothing, shelter, do not depend on sales. It is liberating. It may also be delusional and too safe. Fame brings its own deluge. Crumb has said a lot about this and I chose to avoid that madness at an age when I may not have been able to handle it. I am pretty old now but feel mature enough to face the crowd and its criticisms. Hey, I just like making things. I have 3000 pictures no one has seen. I think in 30 years from now, more will see it than all the years before. Just another guy who made it after he was dead.

Let's have some fun with word association. Give me your immediate feelings on the following (if you've got no discernable feelings, make something up that won't embarrass you in the morning).

Pembroke Area aka Downtown Virginia Beach

oxymoron

The Oceanfront

skin cancer

Granby Street

An oasis from strip malls and interstates

Portfolio Weekly

Issue October 24-30, 2000. They had my picture of me and a plug for a gallery opening on my 45^th birthday.

Independent Music Stores / Businesses / Restaurants

Skinnies – I sold a Jimi Hendrix picture to an employee there one afternoon hunting music. I liked the old Bobbywood place and any of the brewpubs are favorites. McCormack's for fish. Ibeza for snacks. There are several great authentic Italian shops where you can get great things…Bella Italia comes to mind…Azars for middle east food…Naro Theater…

Best Venue for art shows

NorVa…I almost talked their former marketing manager to give me space…when I followed up, he had moved to Vegas already. Great acoustics and air handling system!

Best Kept Secret

Until now, Dennis Gorman.

Pungo

Jet noise – the sound of freedom and devalued property.

Favorite Dive Bar

I tried to purchase a former Baptist church for this very same purpose. Glad they nixed the sale. Turns out they were trying to unload a termite factory yet still wanted control over its end-use.

What's the most played song on your iPod ( or an equivalent music playing device ) in the past week?

"Ribs and Whiskey" by Widespread Panic. Played at excessive volume over JBL monitors powered by a phase linear 400 amp.

What came first, the art or the misery? Explain.

Dennis: The misery had to come first. The birthing process! Imagine the opening differential alone, not to mention hormonal disruptions…then of course the forceps left their mark on my cranium… art is not a misery for me – sales are!

LINKS

OFFICIAL MYSPACE PAGE!

Artist: Tony Bijeaux

::Photographer::
Tony Bijeaux

:AbOut:

Single male
47 Years old
Norfolk native
Photos speak for himself

:Interview:

Are you from Virginia or did you relocate here? Where did you grow up?

Homegrown. I have lived in Norfolk most of my life.



Do you have a particularly favorite (photo/ painting) you have created and why is it your favorite?

Hard to say if I have a favorite shot. But, if I had to choose one I think it would be the portrait of my friend Icy Mike from the band Triple Shot.



What about photography captivated your interest?

I have always been captivated buy a nice photograph. Once I picked up a camera and took it seriously I became driven to capture things the way I see them.



What advice would you give to a person interested in becoming a professional photographer?

I actually dont consider myself a professional. I do get paid a few times a year for my craft, and get lucky and sell a few pieces of art a year. I wish I could figure out a way to make enough to support myself shooting photos. Then I would consider myself a professional.
I love doing portraits and that pays well when you can get it.

Best advice I can give someone wanting to be a pro is shoot weddings if you can get the work. I dont shot them myself. Tried it a couple times and its just not my cup of tea.



Tell us about your experiences getting started as a professional photographer.

Just shoot for the love of it and build from there.



Do you prefer working with digital or film cameras? Why?

I prefer the instant gratifaction of digital, but do love to break out my Large Format film cameras. I have got to finish setting up my dark room this spring and get to making some prints by hand.

Can you tell us about your technical process.(camera type/ photo editing programs)

My favorite digital camera is my Nikon D70s, I also have a Nikon D2X which is larger and heavier to lug around so it stays home most of the time unless I have some serious work to do. As far as editing programs I just shoot RAW to begin with and fiddle around in Photoshop some. I usually try to keep it simple and just adjust sharpness, contrast and lighting there.



Can you tell us about your creative process. How do you come up with ideas for photo shoots and shots?

I just look at the world around me.

What are predominating concerns as an artist, and how do you express them?

Getting my work seen. Where can we as artist show our work is my largest concern. Im sure there are alot of places, but how do you find somewhere to share your work?

What do you want to photograph that you've not yet shot?

More people....



Can you think of a particularly fun client or project that you've had?

I have a friend Levi Little that does some producing and guidance for music artist, that gets me a gig now and then. I havnt had a bad time shooting any of those folks.

What about a really boring project that you did just to pay the rent?

N/A If it doesnt interest me I dont do it. I shoot because I love to, not because I have to.



What are your present works about? How would you describe your work?

I love abstract photography. I am always trying to see things from my warped point of view.

What other interests do you have? (besides photography)

I like the outdoors alot. I do alot of gardening around the house when the weather is nice. Fishing is also very relaxing to me.



What artists have influenced you, and how?

My good friend Neal Chaves has influenced me most. Hes a local guy that has taught me alot about photography, another close friend June Ferrol from Venice who also has some fantastic shots and simular taste in what to shoot. I also like the works of Adams and Weston to name a couple.

What do you think of the current trend of tattooed, alternative nearly (or fully) naked models such as Suicide Girls or various other alterna sites? Do you think it has a negative or positive effect on photography?

Love it. Wish I could get some models for that type of art work.



Any local artists or bands we need to check out?

Triple Shot, 710 Oil and Levi Little to name a couple.

What's the most played song on your iPod (or an equivalent music playing device) in the past week?

Jack Johnsons new cd has been the most played this week.



What came first, the art or the misery? Explain.

The misery came first. I always had an interest in photography but many years of paying child support didnt let me afford it. The children had to come first. Once I became financially able to get some nice equipment I was able to realease my pent up creativity. I have always had a need to create....

Please feel free to let me know how you see the things I have shot.

:Links:

BiJeaux Myspace
Photo.net portfolio
Ovation TV

Artist: Randall Jordan

*Note*
Thanks to all of your continued support for our project. We interview artists, add calendar dates, and help promote the scene in our spare time for FREE. (Which means we don't get paid for this) MC7C is turning 2 this Summer and we'd like to express our appreciation to all the featured artists and readers / supporters. We do this for you because no one else was doing it when we started it. We hope to showcase a lot more bands, artists, DJ's, venues, and inspirational people for the remainder of 2008!
k@t and -Gabe-

Featured Artist:

Randall Jordan

Biography:

My name is Randall Jordan, and I was born and raised in Virginia, and knew from early childhood I wanted to be an artist. I won my first award in high school at a student art show held at Pembroke Mall,...a blue ribbon for a "triple" print of a woodcarving I created depicting an owl swooping in on a hapless victim! From there, my studies branched out to include almost all aspects of art including drawing, painting, sculpture, lithography, pottery, ceramics and silk-screening. I worked for an architect firm after college as a draftsman, a sign company as an artist, a copula silk-screen companies as a technician, a pottery studio as a mold-maker and kiln-repairman, and finally now as a full-time artist, exhibiting in various Art Galleries through-out the greater Tidewater Va. area in juried shows. I offer commission work as well as originals and prints.

My style as an artist is always evolving, sometimes with each new piece. With many of my paintings I attempt to take the viewer to some place they may never have been, inviting them to step right into my picture. If even for just a few moments I enable you to place yourself in my painting, releasing you from the pressures of today's society, I feel my effort was worthwhile. I think there is a spark of an artist present in all of us, just waiting to be let loose. With each new creation I make for you,...perhaps your flame will be lit to inspire you to reach for your own inner artist!


How long have you been creating?

I've been creating my whole life, spanning 52 years now and counting.



What got you started doing art?

Watching my father as a young boy as he transformed black and white photographs into color with a paint brush inspired me from early on. I picked up a pencil and discovered I could draw anything I could see or imagine, and have never turned back since. I made my own potter's wheel and began throwing pots as well as drawing and painting.



Describe your work to someone who has never seen it before.

With every new painting I attempt to take the viewer to some place outside of their regular grueling reality of day to day struggles. The color and brushstrokes are meant to strike a cord laced with bits of excitement,...wonderment,..and appreciation for attention to detail. From the narly giant hollow tubes of the surf in Hawaii, to underwater vistas of giant sea turtles, to the joyous pleasure of children running on the beach, to wild horses running thru marshes, I hope to evoke emotions not regularly experienced on a day-to-day basis. Most of my work is realistic in nature, leaving the guesswork out of the picture for the viewer, leaving only the enjoyment of the aesthetic beauty of the piece.



What do you find visually stimulating right now?

Everything around me all over the natural world is subject to participating in one way or another in a painting. From the natural beauty found in the countrysides, to the dirty alleyways of the inner cities provides plenty of material to express the pleasures and pains of the human-kind.

Any local artists that we need to keep an eye on?

Nichole Wichman, a member of the Art Collective, downtown Portsmouth, is a truly talented oil portrait artist. Barbi Risi, of the Olde Towne Artists(also downtown Portsmouth) is a muti-talented oil and acrylic artist. Scott Miller, a Va. Bch. native is an extremely talented colored pencil realistic artist. All of these artists participate in juried shows around the Tidewater area.



What other artists or movements inform your work/aesthetics/sensibilities?

I look to Renoir for his approach to viewing the natural world with a looser view thru impressionism. His association with Monet, Sisley, and Basille with their light-handed and feathery strokes using lights in a much more heightened sense inspires me constantly with my brushstrokes and use of colors. It's my goal to gradually blend in a looser style of impressionism with my realistic approach.

If there were no financial limits whatsoever for you, what constraints would you most like to overstep?

I would travel overseas and study with some masters in Italy, France, and Spain. I would take plein-aire trips every month, traversing the globe for my subject matter.



Are there other mediums you would explore?

I would love to try sculpture on a large scale, as well as oil painting on a much larger scale. Scratchboard drawings also interest me as well as lithography(which I touched on briefly in college). Silkscreening has also interested me as I have worked in various areas in that field.

Did you grow up in Virginia?

Yes I grew up in Virginia till 18 at which time I moved to the Outer Banks for a couple of years. Then I went back to college for a couple of years at which time I returned to the Outer Banks for 10 years.

Do you do gallery shows?

To date I have been in the Artists Gallery (Norfolk Ave., near the beachfront) in several shows, in the Pembroke 4 art Gallery(beside Pembroke Mall, Va. Bch.), the George Kello Art Gallery (Princess Anne & Columbia, Norfolk). I also have paintings in Charlie's Cafe(18th & Granby St., Norfolk), The Grill(Links Golf Course Restaurant in Hampton), & Olde Towne Ice Cream Cafe(High St., Portsmouth).



What kind of jewelry do you create?

Fine necklaces, earrings, bracelets, anklets, and hair art using fine quality gemstones, bone & wooden beads, & sterling silver, gold, & brass spacers and toggle clasps. I also create fine braided hemp and rounded black leather jewelry using many of the same materials.

What's your favorite piece (at the moment)?

My favorite piece of jewelry is a Jade and Turquoise necklace made with polished turquoise nuggets, jade rectangular tube beads, snowflake obsidian round beads, Russian tourmaline rondelle beads, purple aventurine rondelle beads, sterling silver spacers, and a large, yellow, rectangular yellow turquoise twisted bead as the focal. The length is 21" and connects with a sterling silver toggle clasp.



My favorite painting is a tie between "Pelican's Roost", a 48" x 24" acrylic-on-canvas, and "A Moment In Time", a 34" x 34" acrylic-on-canvas.

The business side of being an artist: how do you market/promote yourself, and does it work?

First I produce art work and build up a body of work. Then I open various sites online and connect to search engines to get myself found. I visit as many art buyer sites, forums, and blogs as possible, networking information and ideas as well as leaving a link to my sites with each visit. I post my art on various social sites, inviting all to attend any art shows I'm participating in. I try to enter all juried art shows(as many as I can afford)around the area, and even occasionally entering magazine events as well. I talk to restaurant owners and business owners entertaining the idea of displaying my art on their walls, providing them with free artwork as well as giving me an outlet for my art to be seen by the public.



How do you cope?

I am a master carpenter, drywaller, tiler, and painter, as well as a custom-fishingrod builder, which I do on the side as much as possible to help me follow my dream of making it on my art alone. I try to utilize all my friend and work contacts to my advantage offering my art as an alternative to the stress of todays society.

Let's have some fun with word association. Give me your immediate feelings on the following:

Art shows-Terrific venues for the public to interact with actual artists and gleam some kinda clue into the art culture as well as let the public enjoy my efforts, possibly taking home a piece that has endeared iteslf to their hearts.

Mohawks-A strip mall fashioned on the head.

Malls and Shopping Centers-Commercial circuses meant to seperate the public from their hard-earned money.

Independent Music Stores / Businesses / Restaurants-Private businesses offering entertainment for the public,...highly recommended.

Best Venue for art shows-Stockley Gardens Art shows, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Art Show, Boardwalk art Show, and any Gallery in Aspen Colorado!

Costume Parties-A great venue for individual creativity as well as e terrific sexual meeting place.

Favorite Dive Bar-Baron's Pub, downtown Portsmouth!


What's the most played song on your iPod (or an equivalent music playing device) in the past week?

The Eagle's whole newest CD.



What came first, the art or the misery?

Art came first(nature) then came Man ruining nature, thus followed misery!

What do you think of what MC7C does?

Any organization that attempts to enlighten the public to the art scene and help to further the acceptance of local culture is a quinessential boon to our society! Kudos!!!!!!!!!!!

How would you make it better?

I would open a large gallery/working studio for artists with cheap rent. backed by various restaurants who we would provide artwork for!

Have you been to any of our events?

Not yet, as I have only just heard of you! Good luck with your ventures and let me know if there is anything I can do to help!

Links

http://www.1fineartist-randalljordan.com

http://koolartoo.etsy.com

http://www.artbreak.com/koolartoo

http://www.myspace.com/rjkoolartoo

http://www.wetcanvas.com

http://www.dickblick.com

MC7C's 2 Year Anniversary, Interview with k@t & Gabe

It is our 2 Year Anniversary!
So to jazz things up, we decided to interview each other so our readers could learn a little more about MC7C's K@t & Gabe. We've grown a lot in the past couple years and interviewed a lot of artists. We appreciate all the words of advice, encouragement, praise, artists, bands, and fans. We are doing this for you and hope that this year will bring MORE change to the local art scene.

k@t interviewing Gabe:

State your full name: Gabriel Edward Perry.


Gabe performing as Hindu Pez @ Steppin Out VB


What was your first thought we meeting me?

My first, honest thought? 'This girl is trouble'. ha ha ha.



Why do you think we started MC7C?

We started it because the promoters in the area at that time were not doing their jobs. I was fed up with playing shows and having 5 people there. I was sick of going to shows and not seeing any cross-over crowd (ie punk kids at the metal show, spooky kids at the folk show, etc) and I felt that, with my knowledge of the music scene and your passion, we could make a really big effort to fix it.


Gabe and k@t at the Blue Plate / Hindu Pez Show

Do you think we've accomplished what we've set out to do with no budget, starting from nothing, and having just our wits?

I think we've done what we've set out to do. The lack of a budget puts a limit on doing certain things, but the end result of our effort is the same. We're here to promote bands and artists, and with the internet, there's not a need for blowing a bunch of cash to do that. Taking 5 minutes out of your day to message 50, 60 70 people about a show coming up doesn't require cash. Sure, some promoters have shirts and stickers and things, but does that promote the bands and artists, or themselves? So yes, having started from nothing but an idea and still having no budget, I think we've done really, really well.


Photo by Last Deviant (featured MC7C artist!)


What did you think about Joan of Art? Success? Anything you would have done differently?

I think Joan of Art was flawless. The girls did an incredible job of promoting themselves. Fuzion did their thing and really came through with the display boards, the food, the whole spread. Everyone was very professional in that sense...making sure things happened and went well. The crowd was an embodiment of what I hope to achieve with any event...it was a mixed crowd of different subcultures, all gathered for one thing : art.


Photo by Twist

What is the most beneficial thing you've gotten out of working on MC7C?

Appreciation for other forms of art and music. The older I get, the more closed-minded I want to become, and being in contact with different bands really helps me stay away from that. I've also gotten a great appreciation for a lot of forms of art (vector art comes to mind) that I either wasn't very familiar with, or didn't care for previously.


Gothic Prom at the Wave (Gabe/k@t M1 from Heretics in the Lab)
Photo: Nudigi


What is the least beneficial thing you've gotten from working on MC7C?

Headaches from people's apathy. With all the work that we've done, as well as other promotions groups, there's still this underlying apathy amongst bands who really aren't interested in either helping themselves or each other. I can't understand how someone could say "no, really, it's cool. I don't want help promoting my band for free". That boggles my mind in a way I can't grasp.
Ultimately it's their choice. I just don't get it.


Photo by k@t

If you have a ton of money right now, what would you do?

...


Favorites:

Local Hot Spot - Phil's Grill!

Best Italian Food - La Bella italia

Best Sushi - Volcano. no discussion.

Venue - I like playing steppin' out. Great sound, nice owners. Great promotion.

Local Band - The Minus Men!

Local Artist - Malice Art!

TV Show - I'm doing less TV and more reading, these days.

Song at the Moment - Alec Empire - ward like it's a pose

Pair of Shoes - I've got a custom pair of Chuck Taylors that k@t got me for Christmas with my name on 'em. Fuckin' pimp.



Finish these statements:

When I am at my most happiest....I don't know how to handle it, sometimes. It's hard for me to process extreme emotions.

When I was little I wanted to grow up and become a...rock-n-roll star. Just like the song 'lunchbox'. Yeah, I said it.


Gabe performing in Heretics in the Lab Budda's Newport News

The local music scene is.....full of potential. Let's make it happen.


photo by k@t

The animal to best capture my personality is.....a raven. Yes, a gothic stereotype, but hear me out. Ravens are curious, playful birds who will do things like roll in the snow because they enjoy it. They're also mischevious and get into things like people's houses and cars. How many animals are that clever?

People refer to you as Gothic, do you think you're categorized as Gothic or don't like labels? What categorizes someone as Gothic? Is it the clothing, music, outlook at life, or something deeper?

You can call me what you want. Gothic, gay, asshole, insane. I'm indifferent to it. A label is a label is a label. I am what I am, I do what I do, I look how I look. I won't give any reason to it. This is what I like to wear and do. Everything else is some horse-shit attempt to justify one's reason for looking "odd".

The goth scene...just like any other scene, has its basis in music. If Bauhaus didn't come along with bands like Alien Sex Fiend, look weird and play raw, dirty music, there would be no goth scene. period.


Photo: Last Deviant

How would you like to see the art scene change or evolve?

I'd like to see more collaborative pieces between artists. Two guys doing a painting, for example. We've got a chunk of artists who make things like dolls and plush creatures and things...it would be cool to see these people collaborate, too. Putting two creative minds together is interesting, and I think the end results are usually very inspiring.

How would you like to see the music scene change or evolve?

I'd like to see venue owners doing their job and promoting their own venue. I think that would help, tremendously. I'd like to see more mixed bills. Why should it be A Metal Show, or A Punk Show, or An Indie Show? Why can't we have a really random, retarted bill of 4 different genres?

What do you want our readers to know about us (MC7C) and to share with them about what we do?

We do our best to tell you guys about upcoming shows, neat art events, and anything else that appears on the art and music radar. Sometimes we miss a show or something, but understand that we're two people with day jobs, and it's not easy to play the balancing game. We love what we do, and we hope that you appreciate what we do on some level. We put a lot of effort into contacting bands about doing interviews for features, we put a lot of thought into putting the features online. We hope you take the time to read each one, and that you get something beneficial out of each one.


Photo: Nudigi


Photo: Daniella

Gabe Interviews k@t:

State your full name:k@t Marsh

What was your first thought we meeting me?

(July 2006) I thought you were some strange musician guy who was way too animated. You were playing with Heretics in the Lab at the Peppermint Beach House wearing electrical tape, headrag, and were super skinny. I remember having a buzz from my vanilla vodka and coke and talking some utter b.s. to you about the local scene. I was hanging out with Deviljoy and Toad mentioned that you were also the noise musician, Hindu Pez. You had befriended me via myspace months before that and I remembered having a few comments shared. So I sent you a message later on that weekend and we started comparing friends and view points.


Photo: DJ Figurehead at The Wave Doom Gloom

Why do you think we started MC7C?

We started it because we were sick of people in the scene complaining and not doing anything about it. There wasn't a local publication covering multiple calendar events, interviewing local artists, and connecting the locals with the artists. We figured we could make it a little better, which was better than nothing.

Do you think we've accomplished what we've set out to do with no budget, starting from nothing, and having just our witts?

I think we've done an outstanding job. We kinda evolved the project into something on a different level. At first I thought we'd just interview some artists, plug some shows, and get the people out to shows...who knew it would be what it is today! We actually created and organized one of the largest non-profit art shows the local area has seen without the backing of high dollar people. The night of Joan of Art last September was very special to me. Through all the stress, organizing, emails, begging, pleading, and loss of sleep, seeing hundreds of people from every age group / genre / background in one place, was overwhelming. I've also made a lot of friends along the way. It's nice going to events and shows and see the progress we've made. Everyone has had a hand in it. Everytime they attend a show, let us know who to feature next, repost a bulletin, or post a MC7C banner on their page...it changes the scene.


Photo: Matt McClure at Illusive Media's Art Show Feb 2007

What did you think about Joan of Art? Success? Anything you would have done differently?

I think it was a success because we needed it to be for the 757 area. The intentions were pure. The artists were stellar. The sponsors were gracious and kind. The attendees were every color, shape, and degree. People were excited to see art. They were sick of nothing going on around town. They were just as excited as the artists and us. It was vital. Plus, having it be an all girl art show with a female DJ (Spookster) made it extra special. Why not show the area what kind of hot and talented women we have right under their noses. I think I would have stressed less and had more fun during the actual show. I don't think I would have done it any differently. Everyone was great and super supportive.

Now to plan our next event.....I want to start looking for a venue to host it.


Photo by Twist


What is the most beneficial thing you've gotten out of working on MC7C?

The sense that regardless of what everyone else is doing, that we've made a difference. We're not hype. We're not here to kiss butt. We're doing what we are doing to help artists and bands connect with fans. It is refreshing to go to a show or event and see a lot of people on our friend's list out there showing their support. Or get an email from a local thanking us for showcasing a band / artist, that it touched them. We do it because no one else is doing it like we are.



What is the least beneficial thing you've gotten from working on MC7C?

We usually don't get many thanks for the hard work we put in. The many hours we dedicate to the project go un-noticed. There are some that are quick to point out our flaws or an error but few to praise us for what we've done. Which I must admit is a downer sometimes. After working our day jobs, the last thing we want to do is log online and read about how a link isn't working. If I was getting paid $10 an hour to work on html coding, I think the project would be perfect, but we are doing this in our spare time. We put our personal time on hold to work on MC7C's calendar, links, features, emails, reviews, events, and website. A thank you from the featured artist or readers is always an added bonus.


Sad Face vs Metal Face @ Tonic's Deviljoy Show

If you have a ton of money right now, what would you do?

I would employ a lot of the struggling artists to work for MC7C so they wouldn't go hungry anymore. I would buy a venue, hire some SANE people to run it, and have shows / events there. It would be clean, safe, and a haven for local artists. I would even have classes available for local kids / artists to learn new techniques and skills. And Gabe and I would have a HUGE wedding, buy a cute place, and adopt a puppy.


Photo: Last Deviant

Favorites:

Local Hot Spot- The New Belmont
Best Italian Food- La Bella Italia
Best Sushi- Volcano
Venue- The Boot / Norva / Steppin Out
Local Band- (As of just today) Someone Else's Music
Local Artist- (As of just today) Last Deviant
TV Show- Pushing Daisies!!!!
Song at the Moment- IAMX-S.H.E.
Pair of Shoes- Patent High Platform Heels

Finish these statements:

When I am at my most happiest....

I have on lots of glitter, showing lots of cleavage, wearing HUGE platform shoes, wearing something vintage, petting a puppy, have Gabe next to me, and have the smell of vanilla cupcakes in the air.


k@t and Devon (MC7C featured artist / friend)

When I was little I wanted to grow up and become a....

My mom said I claimed I wanted to be a Podiatrist, which the teacher in school said that was the technical term for Zoologist.(Stupid Teacher!!!!- I'll never live that down....) But I wanted to help animals. I realized that meant helping sick animals which made me sad....so I changed it to hairdresser. I got my Cosmetology license in 2000!

The local music scene is.....

A work in progress.


Jen, Brook, k@t (MC7C Featured Artists and Ladies of Joan of Art)

The animal to best capture my personality is.....

ummm....a snow leopard jaguar.

Do you think you're categorized as a certain genre or don't like labels? What categorizes someone as a certain label? s it the clothing, music, outlook at life, or something deeper?

I am not sure what people see me as. Some think I'm Gothic, some Punk, and one guy thought I was a drag queen (which made my whole night!!!). Put in the words of Bruce McCraw," You're just k@t"! I think categories are for people that don't know how to understand certain looks that people have. In general, we all fall victim to labeling each other because that is how we are raised. Just because you have a mohawk or listen to a band doesn't mean your personality is neatly outlined into a "punkrocker" category. Haven't we evolved beyond labels? It's kinda like our scene, haven't we evolved into wanting better?

How would you like to see the art scene change or evolve?

I would love to see people helping each other more. It should be less about hype and popularity and MORE about what we can do (as a whole) to help one another to get shows, book shows, sponsor events, share art, and have a good scene. The first step is communication. The second is stop whining and start doing what you can do to help one another.

What do you want our readers to know about us (MC7C) and to share with them about what we do?

I'd like them to know that one of the reasons I started doing MC7C was to instill hope within myself to keep going. When MC7C was established in August 2006, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome on top of my Fibromyalgia diagnosis. I was very ill and was unable to get out of the house much. Working on MC7C was something I could do from home and something that kept my spirits up on my worst feeling days. Gradually, as the project started gaining momentum, I started feeling better. I think that giving back to others, despite your disabilities or obstacles, brings you into a higher state of mind and place in life. It,not only, gives you a purpose to keep going but also the continuance of hope within others.

I also met Gabe through the project. After working with him for some time, we became good friends and figured out we were attracted to one another. We got engaged in November 2007 and hope to nail down a wedding date in the near future. I've also been blessed to meeting many wonderful friends and fans through MC7C. Without them, there would not be MC7C, they are what makes the local art scene a community. Thanks to all of you for your support! We appreciate it greatly.


Hosting the Renewal Art Show in March 2008 -Sidney Martin /k@t / Gabe
Photo: DJ Figurehead


K@t and Bruce in C-ville Hindu Pez Show at the Outback Lounge


Last Deviant and k@t Oct 2007
Photo: Projekt Photo


k@t and Gabe at Heretics in the Lab Show

Thanks-
k@t and -Gabe-