Its hot, were packed in like cattle. Corrals keeping us in line, sweat is dripping from my brow down the bridge of my nose and further down my face. It took 9 hours, 2 rest stops, 3 bags of chips, 2 sodas, 8 bottles of water, a handful of cashews, 1 awesome playlist and 1 hour of straight laughter to get here. Still waiting. The car is parked the sun is bearing down with the midday heat and suddenly everything starts moving. This polo field fills with movement and life. People slowly moving forward shirts tied around their heads, cut-off pants, mini fans, parasols and lots of skin. Suddenly the lines break and we move through security as they check our bags, our pockets and our hair at times. Then you're in, part of an exclusive crowd that grows each year. Welcome to the inner fields of Coachella.
The music festival that puts all others to shame. Not only is the lineup philosophized minutes after that years festival ends but the growing chatter is deafening and the hopeful people waiting eagerly for bands to sign on for the fest, and crazily craving the tickets to go on sale. Its a frenzy of madness and indulgence and musical release that so many look forward to each year. It can turn into a madhouse selling out within two weeks. Every year so many make the trek there without even knowing how they will make it out. The stage is set, the lineup posted, and the crowds are already moving.
This year already has the making to be a crazy desert party. With the likes of deadmau5, passion pit, wale, bassnectar, beach house, camera obscura, John Waters???!!, sia, dead weather, mgmt, infected mushroom, sly and the family stone, the glitch mob, jay-z?, the gorillaz and THOM YORKE.
Its going to be a wild year, the ride up there, the camping in the field, the music, the money, the drinks and the debauchery. Madness ensues in 82 days.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Its not Fair
"Change does not roll in on wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle."
Martin Luther King Jr.
These words strike deep and make me think every time that I read them. How can they be applied to the current social landscape of the United States, and even the world.
Although today is a far cry from the days of lynchings, sit-ins, marches and protests we still have the air of complacency hanging over our heads as deathly as a makeshift gallows that have stolen so many of our brethren. It is easy to be content with our current situation, our schools are integrated, our social fabric is such that all colors and creeds work side by side.
"Today they say that we are free, only to be chained in poverty..." Robert Nesta Marley
This is not enough. There are still struggles there is still fights to be fought. There are still battles to be waged. There are gender roles that need to be equalized, sexual orientation that needs to be equalized, there is poverty that needs to be eliminated and there is compassion that needs to be spread. These are battles that need to be fought.
Martin Luther King Jr. Said once "A man that won't die for something is not fit to live."
These times are the times that his words still ring true. Change does not come easy but comes after much struggle and hardship. More so than ever we need these words to be a guiding beacon for a better future.
With so many people voting for Obama we voted for change and a symbolic change has happened. A new leader arrived and yet people all across America are still destitute and hopeless in the outlook of this new decade that is upon us. They cry, wail and look for anyone to blame. Is this the way?
If Martin Luther King Jr. could see today what would be his response to our current political/social landscape?
Would he cozy up on a the couch, grab a beer and watch television knowing that his children and grandchildren can now go school with all the other kids? Would he sit back and complain that Obama is not doing enough? Would he sit on a rocking chair and tell the neighborhood children about his struggles and champion moments.
The answer is NO.
Martin Luther King jr. would not stop now and would not stop ever. There is never a a time where we must give up. We now have a nation in crisis, a world in need. The struggles in Haiti, Darfur, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Tibet, and the list goes on. Most of all the struggle where YOU live. It could be anywhere in the world, and wherever you are there are poor. There are hungry, there is economic crisis, there is social injustice.
Solomon Burke said it best, "if one us are chained then none of us are free."
So instead of simply saying thank you for the good that Martin Luther King jr. has done get up today and everyday from this moment on and be a champion for human rights, for all rights. You can lend your hand or support to causes and struggles all over the world. Instead of being complacent, or instead of waiting on the President lets take our own future into our own hands. We each have that power to make a better tomorrow. Plant a seed of hope into the earth that yields hope and progress in return.
In memory of Martin Luther King Jr. January 15th 1929-April 4th 1968
"Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride your back unless your back is bent."
Martin Luther King Jr.
These words strike deep and make me think every time that I read them. How can they be applied to the current social landscape of the United States, and even the world.
Although today is a far cry from the days of lynchings, sit-ins, marches and protests we still have the air of complacency hanging over our heads as deathly as a makeshift gallows that have stolen so many of our brethren. It is easy to be content with our current situation, our schools are integrated, our social fabric is such that all colors and creeds work side by side.
"Today they say that we are free, only to be chained in poverty..." Robert Nesta Marley
This is not enough. There are still struggles there is still fights to be fought. There are still battles to be waged. There are gender roles that need to be equalized, sexual orientation that needs to be equalized, there is poverty that needs to be eliminated and there is compassion that needs to be spread. These are battles that need to be fought.
Martin Luther King Jr. Said once "A man that won't die for something is not fit to live."
These times are the times that his words still ring true. Change does not come easy but comes after much struggle and hardship. More so than ever we need these words to be a guiding beacon for a better future.
With so many people voting for Obama we voted for change and a symbolic change has happened. A new leader arrived and yet people all across America are still destitute and hopeless in the outlook of this new decade that is upon us. They cry, wail and look for anyone to blame. Is this the way?
If Martin Luther King Jr. could see today what would be his response to our current political/social landscape?
Would he cozy up on a the couch, grab a beer and watch television knowing that his children and grandchildren can now go school with all the other kids? Would he sit back and complain that Obama is not doing enough? Would he sit on a rocking chair and tell the neighborhood children about his struggles and champion moments.
The answer is NO.
Martin Luther King jr. would not stop now and would not stop ever. There is never a a time where we must give up. We now have a nation in crisis, a world in need. The struggles in Haiti, Darfur, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Tibet, and the list goes on. Most of all the struggle where YOU live. It could be anywhere in the world, and wherever you are there are poor. There are hungry, there is economic crisis, there is social injustice.
Solomon Burke said it best, "if one us are chained then none of us are free."
So instead of simply saying thank you for the good that Martin Luther King jr. has done get up today and everyday from this moment on and be a champion for human rights, for all rights. You can lend your hand or support to causes and struggles all over the world. Instead of being complacent, or instead of waiting on the President lets take our own future into our own hands. We each have that power to make a better tomorrow. Plant a seed of hope into the earth that yields hope and progress in return.
In memory of Martin Luther King Jr. January 15th 1929-April 4th 1968
"Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride your back unless your back is bent."
Friday, January 8, 2010
Children Playing
Walking home from school together with her, he runs off to the side of a house and tears a yellow rose from the bushes and runs back to her, placing it in her hair.
Two children playing outside in a wooden cottage just about their size. With real wood shutters, door with lock, kitchen set in corner and a small patio. The little boy playing house with the little girl. He pretends to go to work outside the house making bricks and building walls, gathering pecans and grapes and climbing trees. She works with him plays in the mud making mud pies and throwing mud in his face. He gets upset and hides, she goes to look for him and when she finds him they scuffle and then end up playing a game of tag. Running through the yard around trees and around bushes. He falls and scrapes his knee she goes over to him and helps him clean his scrape and they sit together looking tenderly into each others eyes.
Their parents call them inside its time to go they hug and say goodbye. They will see each other again but neither of them know when.
The mornings are hard, waking suddenly from an alarm that shakes him awake. Hitting snooze at least 3 times before he finally pulls the covers from his body and gets dressed and ready. He places his hand on hers and kisses her forehead gently as he leaves the bedroom. Getting coffee, getting the car keys putting on the winter garb and rushing out the door to a iced over windshield and cold car interior. He starts the car, turns the heater on full blast as he scrapes the windshield of all the ice that has accrued. Sitting alone silent in the early morning hours he waits for the car to warm so he can speed of to work. Getting to work he settles into his cubicle and starts his work day.
Getting up she is playing house, get some water, clean the kitchen, cook some food. Organize the shelves, dusting, make the beds, make sure the children are off to school on time. She sips a cup of coffee and sits to the computer and checks her email. We used to play house when we were younger and now its real and we don't act any different.
We both go off and do our own things. During these times of separation they sing to themselves the beautiful words of a poet, "How soon will I be seeing you? How soon? I wish I really knew. When will I be hearing words I want to hear? Pretty little love words whispered in my ear.....". When we are together we play and chase each other, sometimes hurting the others feelings and other times just hurting. Taking turns taking care of each other. Smiling and crying with each other as days and events pass. Still the same children having to face the pains of the world. Standing together hand in hand as the world crumbles around them, skies burning, wars igniting all around them, disease and fear spreading internationally. Having only each other to lean on, they look out into the face of darkness and go calmly into the night. After all there is no fear in children playing.
They take time to remember who they are and why they play and that you are never too old to play. Every once in a while they will catch a glimpse of that past, that child, that spirit, that soul they still recognize from their childhood. They sit and stare deeply into each others eyes. They could easily forget what really matters being away from each other for too long. These times when they sit in thunderous silence and the the background seems to fade to black, hand in hand sitting near each other. Just being.
Sometimes when he is coming home from work during the warm days of spring and summer, he drives around searching for homes with rose bushes, he finds an empty yard with a rose bush by the door. Parks the car leaves the ignition running and takes his house keys and cuts a rose from the bush, running back to the car and driving home quickly. Walking in the door he sneaks up behind her and puts a yellow rose in her hair.
Two children playing outside in a wooden cottage just about their size. With real wood shutters, door with lock, kitchen set in corner and a small patio. The little boy playing house with the little girl. He pretends to go to work outside the house making bricks and building walls, gathering pecans and grapes and climbing trees. She works with him plays in the mud making mud pies and throwing mud in his face. He gets upset and hides, she goes to look for him and when she finds him they scuffle and then end up playing a game of tag. Running through the yard around trees and around bushes. He falls and scrapes his knee she goes over to him and helps him clean his scrape and they sit together looking tenderly into each others eyes.
Their parents call them inside its time to go they hug and say goodbye. They will see each other again but neither of them know when.
The mornings are hard, waking suddenly from an alarm that shakes him awake. Hitting snooze at least 3 times before he finally pulls the covers from his body and gets dressed and ready. He places his hand on hers and kisses her forehead gently as he leaves the bedroom. Getting coffee, getting the car keys putting on the winter garb and rushing out the door to a iced over windshield and cold car interior. He starts the car, turns the heater on full blast as he scrapes the windshield of all the ice that has accrued. Sitting alone silent in the early morning hours he waits for the car to warm so he can speed of to work. Getting to work he settles into his cubicle and starts his work day.
Getting up she is playing house, get some water, clean the kitchen, cook some food. Organize the shelves, dusting, make the beds, make sure the children are off to school on time. She sips a cup of coffee and sits to the computer and checks her email. We used to play house when we were younger and now its real and we don't act any different.
We both go off and do our own things. During these times of separation they sing to themselves the beautiful words of a poet, "How soon will I be seeing you? How soon? I wish I really knew. When will I be hearing words I want to hear? Pretty little love words whispered in my ear.....". When we are together we play and chase each other, sometimes hurting the others feelings and other times just hurting. Taking turns taking care of each other. Smiling and crying with each other as days and events pass. Still the same children having to face the pains of the world. Standing together hand in hand as the world crumbles around them, skies burning, wars igniting all around them, disease and fear spreading internationally. Having only each other to lean on, they look out into the face of darkness and go calmly into the night. After all there is no fear in children playing.
They take time to remember who they are and why they play and that you are never too old to play. Every once in a while they will catch a glimpse of that past, that child, that spirit, that soul they still recognize from their childhood. They sit and stare deeply into each others eyes. They could easily forget what really matters being away from each other for too long. These times when they sit in thunderous silence and the the background seems to fade to black, hand in hand sitting near each other. Just being.
Sometimes when he is coming home from work during the warm days of spring and summer, he drives around searching for homes with rose bushes, he finds an empty yard with a rose bush by the door. Parks the car leaves the ignition running and takes his house keys and cuts a rose from the bush, running back to the car and driving home quickly. Walking in the door he sneaks up behind her and puts a yellow rose in her hair.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Midst Of Demeter's Depression
When Hades kidnapped Persephone from Demeter it caused Demeter to be depressed in the months that she was away. This period would be known as Winter.
In the midst of Demeter's depression the days fell short and the nights grew long and cold. The life giving star had retreated further away from home, and light and warmth became scant. This solstice carried with it icy breath and frozen hearts. No fire could tame the winds of ice, and no man could stop the crystalline water from falling. Early morning hours most unforgivable and the joints of my own hands tremble and become stiff. This dim lit season carry unkind temperatures and with it something more. In the midst of this solstice shortening of days, elongating of nights we find ourselves hibernating, holing up in our homes, waiting for the light to emerge so we can escape our dark and bitterly cold dens. In this time there is none to keep us company but ourselves. Faced with introspection and deep thought we look at our place in life and our place in the world. When the light creeps from around that bend do we rise as new or do return to exhausted ideologies and failed starts. As the dawn awakes and crosses the horizon I choose not to fall into previous pitfalls and move forward with the dusk to my back.
In the midst of Demeter's depression the days fell short and the nights grew long and cold. The life giving star had retreated further away from home, and light and warmth became scant. This solstice carried with it icy breath and frozen hearts. No fire could tame the winds of ice, and no man could stop the crystalline water from falling. Early morning hours most unforgivable and the joints of my own hands tremble and become stiff. This dim lit season carry unkind temperatures and with it something more. In the midst of this solstice shortening of days, elongating of nights we find ourselves hibernating, holing up in our homes, waiting for the light to emerge so we can escape our dark and bitterly cold dens. In this time there is none to keep us company but ourselves. Faced with introspection and deep thought we look at our place in life and our place in the world. When the light creeps from around that bend do we rise as new or do return to exhausted ideologies and failed starts. As the dawn awakes and crosses the horizon I choose not to fall into previous pitfalls and move forward with the dusk to my back.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Last Storm
Waking up to that glowing reflection of light shining back off of the ground. Blanket of snow covering every object and making the mornings bright and cold. Its been a strange road here, with inclement weather at every turn. The storms were all metaphorical and all served their purpose. There were twists and turns, winds blowing, snow falling, and drought for days. It was a year of lessons. A year filled with questions that would come knocking on our doors, that refused to lessen their intensity until that door was answered. A year of growth, sometimes almost painful growth that forced us to look long and hard at ourselves in the mirror. There were uncertainties and times where seeing the road out was almost impossible with the flurries obstructing the view. Standing in the cold biting weather as extremities came dangerously close to submitting to the icy grips of death, we saw the storms come and go. When the storms cleared and the debris was removed from the roads we found ourselves intact with scars and memories of what pains we had endured, yet stronger and a little enlightened. It took this last layer of snow to realize everything all at once that had happened. This year was one that came and went within a blink of an eye. With every second passed it was one more chance to take a step in the direction that is needed to make ourselves happy. Did this year teach you humility, mindfulness, patience, and diligence? Did this year teach you to wake up every morning grateful for the chance to make decisions that will enrich your life? I know I walk out into a new dawn with eyes open, aware and care paid attention to where my footsteps land. I will make it to the the promised land, my dreams be realized, my desires fulfilled, my life be lived.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
In the Studio With Cellar And Gustav
Last time I spoke, I spoke on the up and coming artists out of the desert southwest, Cellar and Gustav. I got a chance to sit down with them this last week and speak a little about their plans. They were welcoming and very cool and calm during the whole interview process, like they had been doing this for years. Naturally comfortable I suppose so I dove right into the questions. Here they are in all honesty.
Ok first off just a little background, tell us a little about who you are and where you are from?
Gustav-
Well, we're both from Las Cruces, NM - born and raised. i guess in a lot of ways that's kind of shaped who we are musically and as people in general. James and I grew up together, and we've always been really tight - he's more of a brother to me than anything. We spent a lot of time in college partying and getting into trouble. I remember a time when it was just the two of us in a small apartment and we got tired of having to come out of our rooms so we moved our beds into the living room and set up shop there, kept the refrigerator full of beer and stumbled out of bed everyday, basically just being rowdy and drunk. Then we had a brief stint where we both quit school and drove off to Vegas and then Cali (Palmdale) just because we felt like getting away, California was nice but we didn't find what we needed there. Honestly, I have no idea what we were thinking, but in the end it turned out to be good for both of us. We learned some things and eventually I finished school and we did what we had to do. I guess when you're that young you're allowed to be a couple of stupid fucks.
Cellar-
(Laughs to himself throughout the Gustav's account of the past)
Yeah he has everything just about right. Late nights, partying and drinking way too much. Its amazing that we made it through half the stuff we did. However I took a little detour on my way back to finishing school. I enlisted in the Air Force, I spent some time in Guam, spent some time in South Korea at the DMZ, and lastly I was in Iraq for a little while. Getting to see all that I saw has definitely helped to shape who I am today. I served for a little under 6 years before I was medically retired. I am finishing up school now and working on music.
What made you get into the music business?
Gustav-
For me, I had always wanted to be a singer. I mean, I sing along to practically everything I own and I have always had fun playing with my voice. Besides that, I just love music, I mean really love it. Music just sets the tones and mood for everything in life. There are songs I listen to that take me back to specific times in my life and gives me the full experience of where I was, what I was doing, who was with me, and just how I felt. Its incredibly important to me and so I have always wanted to be part of the creative process and music and singing were just such good outlets for me. I write all my lyrics, and a lot of it was really taken and inspired from a lot of my earlier blogs and poems from when I first moved out to L.A. When i had first gotten out there, it was a really hard time for me, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and I had so much to say. I mean the experiences you have in L.A. stick with you, its not some place where you go and forget the things you did, and saw. It isn't one of those places where you sit idly by and let your life play out before you and when you look back and reminisce you can't really remember what exactly it is that you did. So a lot of my lyrics reflect that and kind of hearken back to this time that is really such a huge part of me.
Cellar-
I have always been involved in music in one form or another. In high school I was the drummer in a few bands. Playing punk shows at houses and out all over Las Cruces, just trying to find some real music to hold onto and have fun with. When I was stationed overseas I was constantly getting together with other musicians and jamming. I didn't start writing my own music until i was stationed in Ohio. It was my foray into what music you hear today. I bought my first music program and midi controller and that was the start of J Cellar. From there I started working on more and more music. I had one of my songs played at a show here in Las Cruces while I was still in Ohio. It turns out my cousin who was producing some music for a few people here really thought people should hear my song so he took it to this crazy live show where a bunch of experimental electronica, trip-hop, down-tempo, and hip-hop groups were playing and played it live there. According to him people really took to it.
How would you best describe the style of music you play/sing?
Gustav-
I think we've been saying that it's post-modern/down-tempo/trip-hop. whatever that means (laughs). Honestly I don't know, it's really just a mixture of styles and influences. Portishead, Mazzy Star, CocoRosie, David Sylvian, Flunk, Halou - those are big influences for us and so i guess it's really this amalgamation of craziness. I think its best to describe us as something different and something that people haven't heard before.
Cellar-
I like chill out down-tempo. I try a lot of things, some of them work, some don't.
Why do people need to hear your music?
Gustav- I think people should hear our music because it's a unique style, and we've definitely got something to say. not just with our lyrics, but with the music that Cellar writes. He really puts a lot of thought and emotion behind it, so the music by itself really has a lot behind it on its own. That, and we need to get paid, son!
Cellar- I think people need to hear our music to open their minds to everything that is out there. I like to write music that hits you emotionally and mentally. It might not hit everyone the same, but some might feel what we are trying to say musically, and lyrically Gustav's lyrics have a lot of passion and soul behind them.
What inspires you?
Gustav-
Hmm......honestly, and this is going to sound EXTREMELY trite and cliche, but pain and heartache are HUGE inspirations for me. Besides that, life in general, you know? The paths that we all choose to take. You never know where you might end up, and although that's scary, it's exciting too.
Cellar- Everything inspires me.
When can we expect the first full length album to come out?
Gustav-
Jesus..............we're hoping to get it out by February. I mean, that's the plan, but we've been saying that for a while now. Seriously though - soon!
Cellar-
Hopefully February, if not February then later 2010.
When can fans expect to see you play live?
Gustav-
We're planning on throwing album release parties at a couple venues in the Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and El Paso when we finally do release the album, so that's when.
Cellar-
It wont be until after the full length is released.
Would you rather do house shows or bars/clubs?
Gustav-
I don't know. i think i would personally rather do clubs because you can get really creative with lighting and things, but house shows would be great to for the intimacy.
Cellar-
Anything and everything. For our style of music it is important that we have the right type of atmosphere and vibe.
What kind of music are you listening to right now?
Gustav-
Right now, I have Paloma Faith, Lady GaGa, David Bowie, and Blonde Redhead on constant rotation.
Cellar-M83, Explosions in the sky, Jesu,Enigma, Sleepercar, Son Volt.
Where can regular folks expect to find you on a Friday night at midnight?
Gustav-
Right now.......at home probably. I don't get out much lately, and i guess that's a good thing. But seriously, i love hanging at home. It always changing, I can be out and all over town for a month and then nothing but hiding out working on music for a few months.
Cellar-
Same, I am home most of the time. Once in a while I can be found at the few bars around town enjoying a nice cold beer.
If a fan sees you out what kind of drink should they buy you?
Gustav-
Club soda please.
Cellar-
Anything but piss beer. Unless its the wood.(Coors light)
Last question, what would be the perfect show experience?
Gustav-
Thousands of paying, adoring fans (laughs).
Cellar- He would love that. I would like a dimly light place, with people enjoying a few drinks, and getting inspired by our music. Small enough for people to make requests.
Hey well I would like to thank you guys for taking some time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with me. I appreciate your time and best of luck. We will be looking forward to the full length and the first live show.
Cellar and Gustav-
Thanks!
Once again that was Cellar and Gustav. Right now we are awaiting with baited breath the release of their first full length album. They do have some music all over the internet for you to hear and enjoy. Please show your support by visiting them at one of many pages that you can find them below. You can also find their music at amazon.com and in the Itunes store, search for Cellar and Gustav.
http://www.emusic.com/artist/Cellar-Gustav-MP3-Download/12238692.html
http://www.reverbnation.com/cellargustav
http://home.napster.com/ns/music/artist.html?artist_id=12787000
http://apps.bebo.com/my-band/artist/cellargustav
Ok first off just a little background, tell us a little about who you are and where you are from?
Gustav-
Well, we're both from Las Cruces, NM - born and raised. i guess in a lot of ways that's kind of shaped who we are musically and as people in general. James and I grew up together, and we've always been really tight - he's more of a brother to me than anything. We spent a lot of time in college partying and getting into trouble. I remember a time when it was just the two of us in a small apartment and we got tired of having to come out of our rooms so we moved our beds into the living room and set up shop there, kept the refrigerator full of beer and stumbled out of bed everyday, basically just being rowdy and drunk. Then we had a brief stint where we both quit school and drove off to Vegas and then Cali (Palmdale) just because we felt like getting away, California was nice but we didn't find what we needed there. Honestly, I have no idea what we were thinking, but in the end it turned out to be good for both of us. We learned some things and eventually I finished school and we did what we had to do. I guess when you're that young you're allowed to be a couple of stupid fucks.
Cellar-
(Laughs to himself throughout the Gustav's account of the past)
Yeah he has everything just about right. Late nights, partying and drinking way too much. Its amazing that we made it through half the stuff we did. However I took a little detour on my way back to finishing school. I enlisted in the Air Force, I spent some time in Guam, spent some time in South Korea at the DMZ, and lastly I was in Iraq for a little while. Getting to see all that I saw has definitely helped to shape who I am today. I served for a little under 6 years before I was medically retired. I am finishing up school now and working on music.
What made you get into the music business?
Gustav-
For me, I had always wanted to be a singer. I mean, I sing along to practically everything I own and I have always had fun playing with my voice. Besides that, I just love music, I mean really love it. Music just sets the tones and mood for everything in life. There are songs I listen to that take me back to specific times in my life and gives me the full experience of where I was, what I was doing, who was with me, and just how I felt. Its incredibly important to me and so I have always wanted to be part of the creative process and music and singing were just such good outlets for me. I write all my lyrics, and a lot of it was really taken and inspired from a lot of my earlier blogs and poems from when I first moved out to L.A. When i had first gotten out there, it was a really hard time for me, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and I had so much to say. I mean the experiences you have in L.A. stick with you, its not some place where you go and forget the things you did, and saw. It isn't one of those places where you sit idly by and let your life play out before you and when you look back and reminisce you can't really remember what exactly it is that you did. So a lot of my lyrics reflect that and kind of hearken back to this time that is really such a huge part of me.
Cellar-
I have always been involved in music in one form or another. In high school I was the drummer in a few bands. Playing punk shows at houses and out all over Las Cruces, just trying to find some real music to hold onto and have fun with. When I was stationed overseas I was constantly getting together with other musicians and jamming. I didn't start writing my own music until i was stationed in Ohio. It was my foray into what music you hear today. I bought my first music program and midi controller and that was the start of J Cellar. From there I started working on more and more music. I had one of my songs played at a show here in Las Cruces while I was still in Ohio. It turns out my cousin who was producing some music for a few people here really thought people should hear my song so he took it to this crazy live show where a bunch of experimental electronica, trip-hop, down-tempo, and hip-hop groups were playing and played it live there. According to him people really took to it.
How would you best describe the style of music you play/sing?
Gustav-
I think we've been saying that it's post-modern/down-tempo/trip-hop. whatever that means (laughs). Honestly I don't know, it's really just a mixture of styles and influences. Portishead, Mazzy Star, CocoRosie, David Sylvian, Flunk, Halou - those are big influences for us and so i guess it's really this amalgamation of craziness. I think its best to describe us as something different and something that people haven't heard before.
Cellar-
I like chill out down-tempo. I try a lot of things, some of them work, some don't.
Why do people need to hear your music?
Gustav- I think people should hear our music because it's a unique style, and we've definitely got something to say. not just with our lyrics, but with the music that Cellar writes. He really puts a lot of thought and emotion behind it, so the music by itself really has a lot behind it on its own. That, and we need to get paid, son!
Cellar- I think people need to hear our music to open their minds to everything that is out there. I like to write music that hits you emotionally and mentally. It might not hit everyone the same, but some might feel what we are trying to say musically, and lyrically Gustav's lyrics have a lot of passion and soul behind them.
What inspires you?
Gustav-
Hmm......honestly, and this is going to sound EXTREMELY trite and cliche, but pain and heartache are HUGE inspirations for me. Besides that, life in general, you know? The paths that we all choose to take. You never know where you might end up, and although that's scary, it's exciting too.
Cellar- Everything inspires me.
When can we expect the first full length album to come out?
Gustav-
Jesus..............we're hoping to get it out by February. I mean, that's the plan, but we've been saying that for a while now. Seriously though - soon!
Cellar-
Hopefully February, if not February then later 2010.
When can fans expect to see you play live?
Gustav-
We're planning on throwing album release parties at a couple venues in the Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and El Paso when we finally do release the album, so that's when.
Cellar-
It wont be until after the full length is released.
Would you rather do house shows or bars/clubs?
Gustav-
I don't know. i think i would personally rather do clubs because you can get really creative with lighting and things, but house shows would be great to for the intimacy.
Cellar-
Anything and everything. For our style of music it is important that we have the right type of atmosphere and vibe.
What kind of music are you listening to right now?
Gustav-
Right now, I have Paloma Faith, Lady GaGa, David Bowie, and Blonde Redhead on constant rotation.
Cellar-M83, Explosions in the sky, Jesu,Enigma, Sleepercar, Son Volt.
Where can regular folks expect to find you on a Friday night at midnight?
Gustav-
Right now.......at home probably. I don't get out much lately, and i guess that's a good thing. But seriously, i love hanging at home. It always changing, I can be out and all over town for a month and then nothing but hiding out working on music for a few months.
Cellar-
Same, I am home most of the time. Once in a while I can be found at the few bars around town enjoying a nice cold beer.
If a fan sees you out what kind of drink should they buy you?
Gustav-
Club soda please.
Cellar-
Anything but piss beer. Unless its the wood.(Coors light)
Last question, what would be the perfect show experience?
Gustav-
Thousands of paying, adoring fans (laughs).
Cellar- He would love that. I would like a dimly light place, with people enjoying a few drinks, and getting inspired by our music. Small enough for people to make requests.
Hey well I would like to thank you guys for taking some time out of your busy schedule to sit down and talk with me. I appreciate your time and best of luck. We will be looking forward to the full length and the first live show.
Cellar and Gustav-
Thanks!
Once again that was Cellar and Gustav. Right now we are awaiting with baited breath the release of their first full length album. They do have some music all over the internet for you to hear and enjoy. Please show your support by visiting them at one of many pages that you can find them below. You can also find their music at amazon.com and in the Itunes store, search for Cellar and Gustav.
http://www.emusic.com/artist/Cellar-Gustav-MP3-Download/12238692.html
http://www.reverbnation.com/cellargustav
http://home.napster.com/ns/music/artist.html?artist_id=12787000
http://apps.bebo.com/my-band/artist/cellargustav
Monday, December 21, 2009
Cellar and Gustav
Its eleven o'clock an hour away from midnight. Darkness coats the skies and the air is still warm outside. We run up the hill laughing, get to the door and playfully ring the doorbell. Inside its quiet, no one is in the entry room. We walk a little bit further inside and hear the sound of music coming from the garage. Open the door and a warm reception as always from the two individuals that comprise Cellar and Gustav. Cellar is at the soundboard mixing, editing and going over previous recordings. Gustav is at the microphone waiting to start recording again. Cigarette smoke creeps out of the garage door slowly, the drum kit is unmanned. They both have cheap beer right in front of them, with headphones on, working diligently. Beer bottles litter the floor and cigarettes fill the bottles. I get the sense that they have been here for a few days, working, thinking, recording, mulling over written melodies and vocals to be recorded. The drums look weathered and beat, the two look inebriated but focused. They have been working apparently for weeks on their EP Sometimes It Bleeds. The music is ethereal, you can hear the emotion in the lyrics and the vocals breathing truths in labyrinths and metaphor. This is the start.
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