Artist: Paula Burgoon

The following feature was conducted and produced by the MC7C duo. PLEASE, do not copy+paste this into your page. Direct link to it!

And now, Paula Burgoon.


:INTERVIEW:



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

I am not from Virginia. I am actually a Navy wife. I grew up in the Twin Cities - went to college in Madison, WI. I have also lived in MI, FL, OK, MS, and CA. Norfolk is the best so far, however. But deep down inside I believe I have never lived in my hometown. I think I belong in Amsterdam or in NYC.



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

TOUGH question. I fall in love with many of my photos, hence my blog name, Crushaholic. And, just as quickly as I fall in love, I also quickly get bored. Only the best of the best remain my favorite over time. I suppose I have a list of 25 or so that are in that easily category - maybe even more. This particular shot of the birds half a block from Times Square is my current favorite shot. It was a quick-thinking snap but those birds really caught my eye. I adore the Stomp sign and tall buildings. Even in New York City the birds hang out in large groups. Technically, the precision and sharpness of my latest lens purchase blow me away in this shot. I believe this one will span the test of time in my book...

What about photography captivated your interest?

I have spent much of my adult life living in the shadow of my very successful husband. Following him from duty station to duty station, putting up with his unpredictable schedule, and spending YEARS of my married life alone as he is deployed forced me to put my own dreams and aspirations aside in the beginning. But as he felt glory in his work (he is an F/A-18 pilot) I felt invisible in the background. It was harder and harder to find happiness in every day life compared with a man who was living his dream. That dichotomy became unbearable. Photography was something I could do for myself. But I had to tear it out of myself. I originally started with photography quite a while back while in my early 20's but never knew what on Earth to shoot. The idea of it was fantastic but I was completely paralyzed and afraid to experiment. Film, developing, money were always an issue. When my son was born, I became the classic 'Mom With a Camera'. It really opened the door for me to practice. I always had a model and could spend hours experimenting and playing with my digital images. What started as something fun and something I seemed to have an 'eye' for quickly grew into obsession. I knew I was getting somewhere fabulous when I decided to start shooting things that did not have a model in them. That is where my true art lies. How do I now explain what I love about photography? I love to look at the very same thing as everyone else with my naked eye and yet see it in a completely different and magical way through my lens. I guess you could say that at the root of my art --- I love to make something out of nothing. But if nothing else, I love being very, very good at something. It is wonderful to be proud of my creations. Even if I am not saving the world from terrorists I am enhancing our world with beauty.

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

Figure out what kind of photographer do you want to be. A technical and business-oriented photographer? or an artist? or the gray area in between? The advice for each is very different. I find most of the photographers I know fall into the technical and business oriented side. I truly cannot speak for what it takes to be a technical and business-oriented photographer. I can offer advice if your driving force is to create beautiful art and you would like to work your way toward the gray area in between:

Master your craft. With the availability of digital cameras these days, it seems EVERYONE fancies themselves a photographer. It takes more than a handle on the technical aspects to create a truly remarkable photograph.
Don't buy a camera with the intention of earning the money back to justify the expense. This is a pitfall I see many people make. Admit that this is not a cheap hobby but one worth investing in. Do it because you love it.
Learn your camera inside and out. Don't be afraid of it. But expect that it will take a long time to be comfortable and that is okay.
Learn everything you can - reading books, online classes, practice, practice, practice.
Once you have it, guard your talent. People will eat you up if you let them. Everyone wants something for free.
Experiment. Try new and crazy ideas.
Start small and let it grow. It takes a lot of work - a lot of practice - a lot of dedication - to make your work stand out from the crowd.
Dig deep. Learn about who you are and what you love.
Never emulate someone elses style. Find your own.
Learn what makes a photograph technically correct. Once you know that, get out of the box.
View lots and lots of other photographs and determine what about it makes it interesting and successful.
Share your work. Being an artist without an audience is very lonely.
Don't be afraid to be different.
Follow your heart.

Quite frankly what I would rather do is teach clients to see the difference between mundane technical work and beautiful artistic work. If only more people appreciated it.

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

I just did it. I jumped in and did it. I am not sure that was the right way. I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself at the beginning and I have faced some heartache over the years. Taking photos of other people was a very scary step that I had to overcome. I still get nervous every time. But I follow my heart and to me that is vital. My goal is not to become rich or to create a lifestyle-sustaining business. My goal is to find who I am through my art and make some money so I can keep expanding my horizons. Hopefully the world will find what I have to share interesting. It is a scary path and one that is quite different than the average business oriented photographer. Only I can find the right answers for ME.

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

I use digital digital digital. I love digital. It totally meshes with my off-the-cuff reactionary and experimental style of photography. I love to respond to what I see, take the image back to my computer and apply whatever effects I find necessary to make the image really POP. I have played with Holgas in the past and I adore the look they have. But ultimately I am a geeky computer digital girl. Manipulating my digital work to emulate the bits and pieces I have seen is ultimately my goal.

Don't believe anyone who suggests digital is cheaper. I have spent amazing amounts of cash on computers, displays, software, hard drives, memory, etc. The beauty of digital is that there are no dollars ticking with each snap of the shutter. Guilt-free experimentation and immediate feedback. If I didn't have digital I don't believe I would have the guts to snap photos behind me while I ride a bike on vacation.

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

Technical perfection is NOT the key to my photography. It is merely a piece of the bigger puzzle. With that in mind I happen to shoot with some of the industry's top of the line equipment. I use the Nikon D3 and wide angle lenses most of the time. My most recent purchase was the Nikon 14-24mm 2.8 lens. It is phenomenal. However, what I loved the most about one of my previous wide angle lenses was its technical IMPERFECTIONS. I also love using lensbabies. I prefer to use natural light when I am on location although I have created a studio space in my home where I dabble with lighting and backdrops. I shoot in RAW as it is incredibly forgiving. Attempting to nail the exposure straight out of the camera is vital but when the scene is unfolding quickly it is not always possible. One of the most important things I have done is create a workflow of actions in photoshop to handle my images. I try to maintain a certain continuity to them. I process each image one by one to achieve my 'look' but I tend to do the same thing to every photo. I believe that you MUST be a computer geek to be a successful digital photographer. Digital just doesn't cut it straight out of the camera and quite frankly, half the fun is doing 'cool stuff' in photoshop for me. Often I take my technically-perfect photo and manipulate it to look as though it was taken with an old beat up plastic camera!

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

My favorite work is travel and city photography. I go into my zone. My best ideas usually pop into my head and I am executing them seconds later. I am a very spontaneous person. I tend to respond to what I see versus planning in advance. I do have certain locations I like to go as I know they will be a sure thing for lighting for portrait shoots. But when I am shooting for myself I love to wander around and just snap at whatever catches my eye. I am always on the look out for fabulous light or interesting color. For me this is a wonderful way to keep my technical edge razor sharp. On the streets the light is forever changing. You have to act fast to get the right image. It is excellent practice for learning to quickly nail your exposure each time.

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

Over the years, THE most important thing in my work is breaking out of the group. Pushing the limits and pushing myself to get better and better. Whether I am taking photos of clients or taking photos for myself my goal is to make my photos ME - make them recognizable. Something about ME goes into everything I do. I think I was the last person to realize I had achieved this. In fact, I found myself stunned to hear that I was successful in creating a style.

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

I dream of travel/street work - For year and years I had dreamed of going to Paris and to NYC. I have seen both of those cities in the past 4 months. But I did not get enough. I am ready to go back! I now dream of going everywhere! More cities! More places! I am strongly pushing for my husband's next set of orders to be in Germany. With that I plan to travel all over Europe on the weekends. You never know - maybe after three years in Europe I will do something similar in Asia.....

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

Of course, anything that involves street work is my favorite but so far I haven't found a way to market it. ;-) In terms of paying jobs, I did commercial photos for a client who sews vintage aprons named Sassy Smox. This is actually one of the few concept projects I have ever done and it was a blast! I loved the freedom to be creative. The models (the client and her family) were perfect and we had a great time creating the 'desperate housewife' shots.

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

I haven't had any 'boring' projects as I am very particular about what type of work I will accept. With that in mind, just about anything that involves posing happy families is totally outside my personal taste..... Product photography is pretty boring, also.



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

Most of my images have a sense of 'time and place'. They also feel a little dreamy. I snap shots of unexpected beauty and gorgeous light. I adore taking the photo that everyone else walked passed. Because of my introverted-nature and off-the-cuff style I tend to seek deeper significance in my images AFTER they have been taken. It is almost as though my subconscious has a plan while out snapping which it has to share later with the rest of me! I love to sit and study them on the screen after the fact and tie them together based on my personal experiences. Most of my work revolves around my experience in the world - seeking out my own creative spirit. However, my current project deals with smoke and mirrors - the false front that I see so many people hide behind.

What other interests do you have? (besides photography)

I tend to only focus on a couple of things at a time. And, I am the mom of a 'spirited' 6 year old which is rather amazing and exhausting. And, as I mentioned I am a navy wife so I am often a single parent. Between photography and parenting and home-owning, most of my attention is taken. However, I love to run, bike, travel, decorate, read.

What artists have influenced you, and how?

Henri Carter-Bresson and David Hockney are the biggest names I can put with my influence. Henri's brilliance in adding the human touch is always going through my head as I shoot. And, Hockey's composites blow me away. I am a book hound and I own lots of books on photography, graphic design, and crafts. My ultimate favorite book so far is called Elements of Photography by Angela Faris Belt and features quite a number of stunningly AMAZING photographers. She is one of the very few authors who is writing on that wonderful gray area between technical and artistic photography. I adore her influence and the artists she has chosen to feature. It makes me so happy I can almost cry. In the end, I admit that the daily inspiration I get from thousands of nameless artists on flickr are ultimately my biggest influence. Scanning through the images in 'Explore' and finding which ones pop out at me has pushed me to create better and better work, myself.





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?

I honestly had to google it to know what it was. Much of what I saw from a photographic point of view was fascinating and beautiful although I am 35 so that makes me 15 years past the age this is geared toward. I love the look of grunge and tattoos in photographs and I have seen it done beautifully in the past by other artists. I would suggest this site doesn't have a positive OR negative effect on PHOTOGRAPHY as a whole. It just IS. I would be more concerned about the effect is has on young girls than photography. It is very hard to grow up as a confident woman in our society and I believe that expanding what is considered beautiful is fabulous. However, a few of the over-sexed up photos remind me that many women only feel they are beautiful if they are being sexual. There is a fine line between artistic and trashy, edgy and feeding voyeurism. By putting a name and philosophy about the girls I feel it cheapens the overall feel of the site - as if it is a store and I get to buy one of them. I find that distasteful. And, while I do not believe it is *wrong* to cross this line, I feel it sums up empty American consumerism. It saddens me. I only hope the girls are doing it for the right reasons and that their experience as a model is truly feeding their spirit.



Any local artists or bands we need to check out?

One of the most talented photographers I have met, Rich-Joseph Facun (http://facun.com), actually took a well-known photo of my son. After meeting him I googled him and discovered his work that is not affiliated with the Virginian-Pilot. It is stunning. However, he recently relocated to Dubai!
Another VERY talented photographer I have met moonlights as a furniture salesman at EQ3 in MacArthur. Paul Jeffreys PaulJeffreysphoto.com
I have a friend who has just started making hand-crafted clay jewelry. Her work is bold and beautiful. I adore it. I actually did some photos for her.



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

I will admit I have been sitting in silence more often than not. I have had a lot going on lately - angst in the household - and I just feel I need peace so I may relax. I have even been turning my iPod in my car off!!!! which is unheard of, in my opinion. But the song going through my head the most lately has been 'Let Go' by FrouFrou.



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

OH the misery!! for sure! I swear I have had so much angst built up inside that is trying to be heard and be understood and shared and needs to get out! Years ago I used to sit on my couch almost CRYING not knowing how to get my angst out! Only in the past months do I truly feel like I have my look and style where I want it. But I am always growing and changing and learning. I realize I have a LOT to learn and I am only now daring to venture into new territory. I am sure what I will be producing years down the line will feel ultimately like what I was meant to create and what I am doing now is just dabbling until the real inspiration comes!



What do you think of what MC7C does? How would you make it better? Have you been to any of our events?

I think MC7C is fantastic! What a wonderful service to the art community. Norfolk has a lot of growing to do in this department and I am thankful for MC7C for leading the way!

LINKS

Paula Burgoon online

Band: Mild Davis

I'm rather stoked to introduce to you an act that many of you may never heard of, but probably will in the future. Mild Davis.

Don't copy+paste this feature! Direct link to it! Give us credit for our work!

:INTERVIEW:

Did you grow up in Hampton Roads? If so, what cities?

1. yup. i grew up in Newport News . When I graduated from Warwick in 98, I moved to Chapel Hill to go to school at UNC and have been down here for ten years, working for an indie record label for past five years. I loved it there and I've still got lots of friends and family in the area. I still get back up that way a few times a year to get my fix of VA.

Describe your music to someone who has never heard it.

2. my music is meant to be fun and to mesh together bits and pieces of all the different kinds of music i love. I listen to lots of indie rock, dance musc, downtempo and hip hop and i like to include elements from all of those into my songs. i think the mixing of textures gives my music a unique feel. putting together elements of live production andsequenced tracks is my attempt to push the boundaries of what can be called hip hop. i'm also lucky enough to have a wealth of talented musicians as friends and working with them offers me a chance to dabble in new genres and new soundscapes.

But there is always that undercurrent of Mild Davis in all the tracks. I like my drums crisp, my samples well chopped, my bass slow and low and my keys light and fluffy.

What's the writing process for your music? Do the lyrics come first? Does the music come first? Who does what?

3.the writing process differs with every track. I do lots of remixes for bands and mc's and i always try to strip out what i think are the best parts of the song and build the rest from scratch. When it comes to original songs, i tend to find a sample or a melody that works as a foundation and then i build the drums to suit the feel of the track. In collaborations with other artists, I like to work in tandum to build a song that reflects both of our personalities. i think you can tell when artists are into each other's music and are able to come together to build something new and vibrant.

Do you have an albums / demos / merch / releases available to purchase? Where can you buy them?

4. i'm in the finishing stages of wrapping up my first proper LP that will be titled, COTTON CANDY CLOUDS AND LEMONDROP LIGHTNING. it will be 12 original tracks and will feature guest appearances from Astronautalis, Josh Nowlan of the band Cities, Juan Huevos, Gut Lightning, MC Gouki from Tokyo and a handful of other guest musicians. the record will be a co-release between my crew, Extensive Enterprise , and Brooklyn-based label, Black Box Mixtapes. There are a handful of Mild Davis remixes on iTunes, including tracks i've done for The Aples in Stereo, North Elementary, The Holy Sons and Cities. Also i have one release available on iTunes called SQUARE WON. it's a mixtape that i made in 2005 and features original remixes of tracks by pharoah monche, little brother, the pharcyde, aesop rock and several others.

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

5. as a studio producer, i've just recently decided to take the mild davis show on the road. i'm in the works of putting together a live set of all new, original material. it will feature me doing my thing with an akai mpd32, a keyboard, at technic 1200 and a mixer, a few loop pedals and a laptop. if all goes well, it should end up being an experience like seeing a bastard mix of dj shadow and girl talk. i'll be banging out drums and stabs on the mpd, scratching on the 1200 and looping sounds to build tracks. you can expect lots of layers, dope beats and samples that will get the crowd shaking their ass.

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

6. lets face it, hype is the name of the game. people look to blogs, radio stations and magazines as trendsetters. the right image and degree of hype can be the difference in a project that goes national or never leaves home. honestly, i think the artists that achieve that degree of fame so quickly miss out on the experience of building their name in an organic way through hard work and making contacts. it's been my experience that artists who are conscious of their image and work to craft it in a specific way are the ones who tend to last the longest and have the most promising careers. we would all love to have a great review in pitchfork or get spun on KEXP, but i don't think that is the key to success.

getting caught up in the hype machine may help you get noticed, but if you don't have an original sound and a style that fans can relate to, it won't matter a bit. music fans are smart and they can smell a phony a mile away. i can name a thousand bands and artists that have enjoyed the full glow of indie hype but ended up as flashes in the pan. your 15 minutes don't last as long as they used to. i think that the rise of mixtapes and eps have helped artists bridge the gap between albums and, in some cases, even boosted their profile in the interim. think lil wayne or clipse. those cats are masters of hype.

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

7. i'm pretty spoiled to live in Chapel Hill which has a long thriving music scene. we're lucky enought to have a handful of great venues that cater to all levels of artists. the cat's cradle is about an 800 cap and brings big name acts to town. in addition, we have the Local 506, which brings in great mid-level bands and the nightlight which showcases small, but great shows in a used book/record store. so, despite if you are into popular artists or obscure bands, you can always find a show to suit your fancy. we also have a great local music scene. you can't throw a rock in chapel hill and not hit someone who is in a band. we have everything from indie rock to hip hop and all stops in between. what makes it even better is that the bands mix and match for live shows.

it's not uncommon to see an mc opening for a metal band or some other quirky mix of sounds. the local scene is a big part of why i live here. i'm lucky, and i know it.

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

8. like i said, i have COTTON CANDY CLOUDS & LEMONDROP LIGHTNING coming out early next year and i'm getting ready to start playing live. other than that, i'm really excited to be in the opening phases of getting our crew up and running. we're called extensive enterprises (www.extensiveent.net) and the group consists of juan huevos (www.myspace.com/juanhuevos) and production duo gut lightning (www.myspace.com/gutlightning). we're almost done with the website and we'll be providing the fans with tons of free music and mixtapes. the idea is to help each other get the word out about our music and help build the local hip hop scene in chapel hill.

What local bands and artists do you recommend?

9. local music! we are super lucky to have a wealth of great bands in the area. right now, here are my current faves.

JUAN HUEVOS - this guys is a fucking rock star. he's an mc whose has been at it for over a decade and just keeps getting better. he rides that line between the worlds of indie hip hop and indie rock. his shows are a who's who of the local music scene and he always packs it out. he's got the flow and the swagger of a big name rapper, but balances that with songs that everyone can relate to about girl problems, hangovers, mondays and all the trappings of daily life. but he makes it sound fresh.

COLOSSUS - if you're a fan of having your face melted, check these dudes out. they play metal, remniscent of iron maiden, and come correct with three guitars up front. most bands are lucky to have one guitar player that can shred. these guys have three. plus, they couldn't be nicer guys. in a perfect world, these guys would play every night. thankfully for my hearing, they don't.

KERBLOKI - these guys are a staple of the chapel hill music scene, and for good reason. they feature two mc's, mike and jb, and live bass and guitar. it's like these guys invented the party. every show is a damn barnstormer. i dare you not to have a good time when these guys play live. i've known them for years and the first remix i ever did was for their song, "paradise." on top of that, they just finished their new lp which was produced by local legend brian paulson who has done records with beck and slint. i can't name another band that sounds like these guys, and that is hard to say these days. so fresh!

GUT LIGHTNING - ok, i know two of these are part of the EE crew, but there is a reason i work with these guys. because they're dope. gut lightning is a duo of t.jerk and fader. they mix vintage samples and scratching and make instrumental hip hop that makes me so jealous i can't stand it. every time these guys do a new track, it stays in my cd player for at least a week. as solo artists, they both could stand strong on their own, but when the get together and activate like the wonder twins, you better watch out because they're about as good as it gets. plus, fader may be the only person i've ever met that has as much affinity for the movie 'the goonies' as i do. classic shit!

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)

10. i hate to pick favorites, but the local 506 would have to be my choice. thank god for that place. so many bands i love would pass right by chapel hill if it weren't for the 506. glenn that runs the place is an amazing wealth of music knowledge and does a great job of booking all kinds of acts to come play. plus shows are relatively cheap there and they always have ice cold pbr! they just revamped the soundsystem and it sounds great. overall, it's just a classic rock club. unfortunately, those are getting harder and harder to come by lately. like i said earlier, we really do have a venue for everyone in this town. they all have their pros and cons, but i'd be proud to frequent any of them.

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)

11. marketing in the digital age is a whole new ballgame. the internet has opened a whole new realm of ways for bands to spread their music and reach fans all around the world.

i know people shit on myspace, but it's been an amazingly useful resource and it's free. building email lists, via fanbase.com, is also a great way to keep your fans in the loop with live show updates, new music and news. radio and local press are also a great, if traditional, ways to spread the word too. instead of focusing on the stuffy daily paper, it's a great idea to seek out smaller zines, college papers and other media outlets. also, even most big radio stations will have an hour a week dedicated to live music. people do tune in there to check out what's going on around town and to find out about new artists. plus, getting in good with a handful of dedicated and motivated bloggers is a great way to get out there too. offer them exclusive tracks for download or tour announcements and it becomes a win/win situation. i just always aim to be creative and try to remember that it's all about the fans. treat them right and they do the same for you.

What is your current favorite song?

12. 'these are the best days of your life' by astronautalis. if you don't know this dude, crawl out of the cave, shave your beard, and buy his new record. it may change your life. this song is off an ep that he put out a couple of years back and i just rediscovered this track and can't stop listening. and, he'll be at the local 506 on 10/29 with kerbloki and juan huevos. i told you that place is awesome. but, seriously, go make astrounautalis your friend (www.myspace.com/astronautalis). you can thank me later.

Last CD bought, downloaded or stole?

13. i'm not going to lie. i download like blackbeard. but, if i give it more than a few spins, i'll pony up the cash and go buy it. i actually just picked up 'tha carter iii' from weezy. i figure i'm helping him buy another bentley or just contributing to the 'make it rain' fund.

Quote us your favorite song lyrics. (please include who it is by)

14. 'spit yo game, talk yo shit, grab yo gat, call yo clique' by biggie. need i say more? i didn't think so.

What came first, the music or the misery? Explain

15. misery? no way. i love music. always have. i don't create from a sad place. the last thing i want to do when i'm in a bad mood is make music. i go in the studio to make songs that i like and hope other people would like. i take pride in how far i've come from my early work and hearing that progression just makes me want to make more music.

music makes me happy, makes me think about the world and makes me excited to hear what's next. it's almost an addiciton. add to that the fact that some of my favorite musicians are my best friends and that makes my attachment to music that much stronger. misery? nah. i'll leave that for the mopey folk singers. it's kind of their thing any way, right?

What do you think of what MC7C does? How would you make it better? Have you been to any of our events?

16. i think you guys do a great job of helping to expose new music to fans. we all love a site where you can go and find out about some new sounds that you would otherwise never have heard about. i just wish there were more sites like this, honestly. thanks for taking your time to help musicians like myself get a little shine.

:WEBLINKS:

Mild Davis @ myspace

Extensive Enterprises

Band: The Sort

The following feature on The Sort was conducted by the MC7C crew for this page. Don't be a prick and copy+paste it elsewhere. Direct-link to it!

Now. Onward!



:BIO:

Richmond, Va rock band The Sort formed early in 2006, starting as an intimate musical exchange of ideas between guitarist Clark Fraley and vocalist Lauralam Thomas, both formerly of Richmond's lovable "Atari-rock" band, Rockbot (project of Jack's Mannequin bassist, Jon Sullivan). Songs began to fall together as effortlessly as teenagers in love, and the two created a string of demo tracks in Clark's home studio. It wasn't long before the itch to share these songs with every smoky bar in the world struck the pair, and the search for an eager rhythm section began. It didn't take long to recruit bassist Jon Bone (ex Lazycain), and drummer Briant Murphy (ex Sau, The Tori). By late spring, the foursome had begun to play shows in and around the area. The group completed its lineup in Fall 2006 with the addition of second guitarist Steve Burner, also formerly of Rockbot.

The Sort's sound is both melodic and brutal. Razor sharp guitars take turns with urgent, exacting lyrics to keep the songs just intense enough to raise your blood pressure a bit without sending you into a full on rock seizure. Vocally, Lauralam's grasp of the joys of both control and abandon sail the rock ship home. She can employ Belinda Carlisle-meets-a-Theramin-like vibrato or play it straight ala Anna Waronker of That Dog.

The Sort's live show demonstrates the height of the band's energy, without jeopardizing the subtle idiosycrasies of their songcraft. Crushing drums make love to driving bass while guitars squeal merrily and Lauralam shakes her head around as if she is the only one in the room. "Being on stage singing these songs that we wrote is really a life-affirming experience for me", Lauralam says, "I don't like to speak much between songs because public speaking is really a terrifying thing, but the songs kind of have little lives of their own, and the energy from them really takes over any fear I might have of performing them. When the music starts, I kind of become it, and am no longer thinking about what the audience might be thinking of me." The band is excited to play just about anywhere and are happily making their local rounds, playing at almost every allowable venue in Richmond, including Alleykatz and The Canal Club, and venturing up I-95 to play at old favorites such as popular DC rock dive, The Velvet Lounge. A tour is planned for late April/early May which will take them as far north as NYC and as far West as Dayton, Ohio.

In the Summer of 2006, The Sort was approached and asked to be the subject of a HDTV show episode in a series featuring local bands. This series was sponsored by and released through Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in December 2006. It has aired several times each month on PBS since its premiere. The episode includes live show footage, practice footage, and studio footage, as well as group and individual interviews.

The Sort self-released their debut full length album, "Resentment, Despair, and Other Amusements", in April of 2008. "We did most of the recording and all of the production ourselves", Lauralam states, "It was no easy task, so when I tore open the box to see the final product, I nearly cried with joy."

:INTERVIEW:

Did you grow up in Hampton Roads? If so, what cities?

JON: I was born and raised on the banks of the Lafayette in Norfolk. Laura and Steve are both Richmond natives and Clark is from Lynchburg. Briant grew up in the northeast outside of a little town called Boston. We all met and currently reside in Richmond.

Describe your music to someone who has never heard it.

JON:Hmm, never an easy one so I will break it down into components.

Vocals with a strong pop sensibility, lots of hooks. Words and melodies that stick with you. The guitars range from metallic and riffy to textural and saturated, setting each other up andharmonizing effortlessly. Two words for you, son: guitar solos. A heavy handed rhythm section anchors it all while maintaining the groove and delivering the goods. I think we have a pretty big sound overall.

What's the writing process for your music? Do the lyrics come first? Does the music come first? Who does what?

JON: Clark will demo some ideas on the Mac with guitar and these over the top sounding programmed drums. He lays down the basic idea and filters it through Laura. Laura gives a nod to the tunes that strike her and we take them and start to flesh them out. Sometimes there are vocal lines written when the music is starting take shape, sometimes they come later. Once the process is complete we usually have to play a song live a few times before it really unfolds like it should.

Do you have an albums / demos / merch / releases available to purchase? Where can you buy them?

LAURALAM: Our new full length album is called "Resentment, Despair, and Other Amusements" and you can buy it at cdbaby.com, itunes, or amazon.com. T- shirts are coming very soon!

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

LAURALAM: Luckily, we haven't anything too terribly trashy transpire, although we did play a local redneck bar at the request of some friends and a couple of rather large redneck men kept harassing me and the other band members' girlfriends while we were playing. I can take it all it stride, but it must have been a sight to see us playing with the rest of the band looking like they were ready to kill someone.

JON:Aw man, we're all lovers not fighters. I would much rather have the naked women running around than dudes trying to kill each other. I probably saw enough violence in the parkinglot of the Kings Head after hardcore shows as a kid to last me a lifetime.

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

LAURALAM: It is both fortunate and unfortunate that "hype" affects the listener's perception. On one hand, it's nice to see many deserving bands who went unrecognized for long period of time finally get the recognition they deserve. On the flipside, many major labels are selling the same cookie cutter crap, and music becomes nothing more than a product and a trend. It's depressing.

JON:The digital age has brought so many new forms of marketing, we are being force fed media from everywhere. Thankfully there are always smart kids who are sharp enough to cut through all of the BS. You have to hope that people will see past the 700^th Panic at the Disco ad or whatever and seek out sites like yours or Pitchfork or something.

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

JON: More sites and labels that support local music is absolutely the key. Oh, and more people need to come see our band.

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

LAURALAM: Well, we've already toured some this year following the release of our album, so we'll probably just be playing many out-of-town weekend shows. We're shooting a video in a few days, and writing a lot of new material.

JON: New material!

What local bands and artists do you recommend?

LAURALAM: My personal favorites are Ki:Theory, One Friend, and Eons.

JON: Keep in mind these are all RVA bands. Dead Goats, Mermaid Skeletons, RPG and anything with our friend Mikey Bryant in it. Denali is back (sort of), keep an eye out for them as well.

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)

JON: We play downtown alot at a place called Wonderland. Its a great room, cool staff and good crowds, but the location kills us. Shockoe Bottom is worse than the VB Oceanfront in the summer. It's literally a police state every weekend. I can't wait to play the National here, its run by the NorVa people and is the best looking room in the area. Better pay is always good, and maybe revision of our state laws in regards to alcohol and licensing. There are clubs thriving in DC that couldn't survive Virginia's archaic laws and regulations.

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)

LAURALAM: I do use myspace to market and get the word out about shows; however, with the overload of (mostly bad) bands on myspace, the great majority of people won't take the time to listen. I try to keep our page attractive, professional, and up-to-date. I offer free downloads and little contests for free cds. People love free stuff! Still, if you only market on myspace, you're isolating a huge portion of the music-loving population. We are currently played on several radio stations around town and up and down the east coast, have had write ups in local and regional magazines, have played acoustic radio sets, and were even featured in our very own documentary put out by VCU and shown on PBS every few weeks.

What is your current favorite song?

LAURALAM: According to my itunes, the song I play the most is Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek.

JON: Blood and Thunder by Mastodon. Writing a concept record about a whale is awesome, and its so well mixed.

Last CD bought, downloaded or stole?

LAURALAM: Portishead –"Third"

JON: Beach House – "Devotion" TwoBaltimore kids with a definite 4AD vibe.

Quote us your favorite song lyrics. (please include who it is by)

JON:"Now I stand here waiting" from Blue Monday by New Order. The line by itself doesn't make much sense but in context it's clever. Bernard Sumner sings it and then does exactly that, he waits.

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

LAURALAM: The sex?

JON: All the musicians I know are a little off, if you know what I mean. I know that playing live definitely helps me exercise a few demons, but is music the chicken or the egg?

What do you think of what MC7C does? How would you make it better? Have you been to any of our events?

JON: Its imperative that we have sites like yours as part of local communities. Keep spreading the word and getting links out there, the more readers the better the arts will do. We haven caught an event yet because of that 90 mile stretch of I-64but we would love to be part of something in the near future. Cheers!

:LINKS:

The Sort @ Myspace

Film Maker: Trevor Wright

The following feature on Mr. Trevor Wright was conducted by the MC7C crew and formatted for this page. Don't copy+paste this elsewhere! Direct link to it!



INTERVIEW

Why film compared to all other mediums of expression?

I've always loved film and can never remember a time when I haven't felt a connection with it. I never wanted to do anything else but be in film in some capacity.

Did you start in film or did you merge into film?

I actually started in Journalism. In high school I wrote for The Virginian Pilot, doing stories on teens and the community. For a long time I thought I would end up as a reporter because I had no idea in hell how I was ever going
to start a film career.
However, the reporter career was cut short when I dropped out of college. Some people just aren't college material and I was definitely one of them.
I then got an intern position working at New Dominion Pictures for about a year doing post production work. But that job wasn't paying the bills so I started working at Stihl making power tools. With the money I made doing that I
was able to talk my way into an online screenwriting course through UCLA called The Professional Program.

Do you have a favorite film you created and why is it your
favorite?

My favorite film, ironically, is the one that has yet to be produced. It's called SICK PUPPIES and it's a horror/comedy about a transsexual serial killer stalking a retired serial killer. Even though it's never been made, it was the script
that got me recognized and finally got the ball rolling on my screenwriting opportunities. So I'm very proud of that.

What about film captivated your interest?

I really don't know exactly what about it I love so much. I
just know I don't want to do anything but film.



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

Take some classes, get a screenwriting program and never give up. There will be a lot of rejection before you finally get any kind of acceptance, but once you do it's the best feeling in the world.
Also, the most important thing to know is that if you want to make money -- do something else! Sure, the money is there once you go Hollywood but more than likely you'll start in the indies first -- and in the independent world almost
everyone from writers to actors to directors have other jobs to pay the bills.

Tell us about your experiences getting started as a professional screenwriter?

Once I completed the UCLA program I got a call from a producer in Hollywood who had read one of the scripts I had written and thought he could sell it to one of the big studios for an obscene amount of money. Needless to say, that never panned out and afterwards I stopped writing for about four years. That was probably the worst thing I could have done. I was at the lowest point in my life where I thought that being a writer would never ever happen. Looking back on
that time I can't remember much. It's as if I was dead to the world. Then one day I started writing again and just never stopped.

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

From what I hear, digital is so much easier to work with. But
personally, everything looks better on film.



Can you tell us about your technical process (writing
programs, etc.)

I'm currently using a screenwriting program called FINAL DRAFT. This is not the only one on the market, but if you want to be a screenwriter you need to have one. No one will read your stuff otherwise. Having WORD or some other program just doesn't look the same, especially if you're unsure of the correct format.
And format is everything.
I can't tell you how many scripts people have given to me, that I wanted to stop reading on page 1 because it was so poorly formatted.
A writing program runs around $200 give or take, but is the best investment a screenwriter can make.

Can you tell us about your creative process?

I think of an idea, write it down then usually just start writing the script. I'm not an outline type of person. I make notes as I go. Also, I make sure to have plenty of Skittles, Pringles and cream soda on hand.

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

I have concerns about whether I'm wasting my time writing a story that may be similar to something else coming out that I may not know about. So I try to throw enough weirdness into my script, so that even if my story is something that's been
done before, the execution and characters will be unique.

What screenwriter made you want to become one yourself?

I'm a big fan of writers like Richard Matheson, David Goyer and even Rob Zombie (probably because I'm still holding out hope that one day he'll make a good movie -- but you can't deny his passion)
I know there are many others but I can't think of anyone at the moment.

What's your favorite film?

ED WOOD and the excellent documentary AMERICAN MOVIE.

What is the worst film you've ever watched?

There are so many to choose from! I work predominately in the horror genre so there is no shortage of crap floating around out there.
Off the top of my head: FEAR.COM, BATMAN AND ROBIN, anything
by M. Night Shyamalan, the list goes on...



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

I still want to film my movie SICK PUPPIES. But as far as genre goes ... I would love to do a remake of something just because I don't think most people understand how to make a successful remake. The trick is NOT to remake the great movies (Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, etc.) The trick
is to remake the films that were crap to begin with.
A director and writer I admire, Alan Rowe Kelly, is doing a remake of a little 70's flick called DON'T LOOK IN THE BASEMENT, which was an awful film originally. But since everyone knows that, the only place he can go with his remake is up. He is free to add his own unique spin to it. If you can't make something your own then why bother.

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

I had a lot of fun writing SANTA'S LIST 2, the sequel to a little short that Screamkings Productions produced last Christmas.
There wasn't a whole lot to the first one and not a lot of time to do it in (entire project from production to post was around 7 days). Some thieves break into a house and the guy who owns the place dresses up like Santa and picks them off
one by one. The sequel is bigger and better. More kills. More gore. More
laughs. And an interesting story with some cool characters.

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

I pay the rent from the money I earn working in a factory so I've had the luxury of writing pretty much what I want to write.
There have been assignments I've been given which I've been less than enthusiastic about, but I try to see each one as a new challenge. If I'm not interested in a particular story from the start, then I make it so I am.
If I'm having a good time with what I write then I'm hoping my audience will to.

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

Presently, almost all of my works would be classified as horror. But I feel that I have a style that is all my own. I try to add humor to my characters, a compelling story and dialogue that sounds natural. I also like for things to remain grounded in some sort of reality even if the circumstances the characters find themselves in border on supernatural.

What other interests do you have?

I'm an avid reader, I like spending time with my wife, and I'm starting to enjoy traveling a lot more than I used to.

What artists have influenced you and how?

I'm influenced by various directors, writers, producers. I actually think the people who influence me the most are the people on the indie scene who I actually know. They have undeniable passion which in turn gets me even more excited
about the work I do.

Do you have any local artists or bands that we should
check out?

Sadly, no. I really hate to admit that too. This is one area that I really need to explore. There is a lot of great music out there in Hampton Roads, now I need to find it.



What advice would you give other artists just starting
out?

To never quit. I know that sounds cliche but it's the truth.
Dreams are never easy to come by, that's why they're called dreams. But like they always say, "the cream rises to the top" and if you've got the talent and desire to succeed, then that's exactly what will happen.

What's the most played song on your iPod in the past
week?

I just got a new iPod. I'm still setting it up. I know that's a cop out answer, but better that than having to admit that my iPod is filled up with Kenny Loggins.

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

The art definitely! I don't see how you can agonize over something until you can define what it is that you're agonizing over.

What do you think of what MC7C does? How would you make
it better? Have you been to any of our events?

I think what MC7C does is awesome! I love that there is a site that focuses on talent from our area -- and there's a hell of a lot of it! -- from musicians to artists to film makers and everyone in between. Hampton Roads has a lot to
offer! I would like to see MC7C profile more film makers in the area. I've never been to any MC7C events but I have a feeling I will be in the very near future.

SCULPTURE teaser


Links

Trevor Wright's myspace page
The Green Monster
Sculpture

Artist: sarah askew / robotheartart

Featured Artist of the Week
Sarah Askew / RobotHeartArt

Background
------------

Chesapeake artist Sarah Askew also known as RobotHeartArt is as talented as you get for someone at the ripe old age of twenty years old. Her work is primarily paint on canvas or various materials. Her subject matter ranges from animals to rock stars. When she's not doing art, her day job is working in the fish, bird, reptile, and small animal area in PetSmart. Sarah's other hobbies include hanging out with her boyfriend, playing with her two ferrets, and enjoying her new female leopard geckos.

Interview
-----------

How long have you been creating?

Oh man, I don't even know! Ever since I was very young I've always been into art. Finger Painting 101. In about the second grade I was voted most likely to be an art teacher when I grew up. It's funny because that's what I'm in college for right now!

How would you describe your work?

That's a hard one. Perhaps, funky paint-by-numbers? I've always been inspired by bold line and color..a mechanical feel. Roy Lichtenstein is one of my heros.

What are you motivations for creating?

A desire for beauty. And, of course, to express myself.

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

I love Michael Scott Younger III! His style inspires me.

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

Well, Roy Lichtenstien. That whole comic book "machine-made" look. I love it.

Do you think that the notion of an artist's "style" is fabricated to boost sales and marketability? Are artists then forced to limit their body of work to specific content or media in an effort to facilitate easy recognization?

I'm not sure about this. I can see sometimes how maybe some artists would feel like they have to keep using what sold in the past. But, I am always seeing how artists are evolving in their styles!

What were your favorite cartoons as a kid??

As a kid?? I STILL have favorite cartoons! I suppose as a kid my favorites would have to be shows like "Ren and Stimpy", "Cow and Chicken"..Hah, I guess shows that had lots of cartoon butts in them? My favorite cartoon at the moment is "The Venture Brothers". Amazing.

What do you imagine is the role of your work in the lives of those who see it? What evidence do you see of your work achieving the goals you have for it?

I guess I've never thought about this! I think my goal is simple..the most basic goal of art..for someone to see my work and go "Wow! Awesome!". You know? It's not until recently that I've been putting my artwork out there for the world to see.

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

I would love to get a bit into photography! A nice Canon SLR. Also, I would love to have tons of nice oil paint.

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

I was born in Virginia Beach and lived there my first year of life. I've lived the other 19 years in Chesapeake.

Do you do gallery shows?

Not yet! I would love to though. It wasn't until recently that I've been putting my work out in the open.

What materials do you use to make a piece? Any particular brands in paints or brushes?

Recently, I've been really into painting on wood. As far as paints and supplies, it usually ends up being whatever is the most cost effective. (College student and all...)

Tell us how you start a piece. Do you sketch? Do you wing it? Then what? How do you make a piece?

Usually I'll use a reference photo for my work. I'm a big math person, so I end up making really detailed graphs for everything. I sketch after that. Then paint, with about the tiniest brushes you can buy.

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

I've been way to shy in the past! It wasn't until this year that I've really had a passion to get out there and start selling! I never even publicly sold a piece of my art until about 3 months ago!

Links
Deviant Art Page
Myspace Page