CHPB KICK OFF JAM

July 22nd, 2010

The Crodile

Seattle, Wa

You’ve heard of the “after party”, but this year Seattle festivals have adopted the new tradition of holding “launch” or “Kick Off” parties.  “Before the party’s the Kick Off Party.“  It’s like R. Kelly in reverse.  The “Re-remix to Ignition“.  When your festival already contains the term “Party” in its title, it can feel a little unnecessary or excessive.  I wish that I could honestly say that it didn’t feel that way at the actual event, but I can’t.  [Correction: in all fairness, this was technically a kick of "jam" not "party".  Our apologize for anyone that was dying to correct me before I was able to apologize.]

Just like the Sasquatch Festival‘s “Launch Party” equivalent, The Capitol Hill Block Party‘s “Kick Off Jam” was held at the somewhat-recently reopened historic local club, The Crocodile.  Sasquatch‘s event featured performances by Surfer Blood, Atlas Sound, and local hip hop duo, Fresh Espresso.  I believe it was sponsored by E-Surance.  This event was headlined by Holy Fuck Holy F! with OBITZ and Unnatural Helpers opening.  We were contacted by DICKIES workwear about being VIP-listed for the show.  It was still a free event, otherwise, as long as you RSVP‘d on the site of their co-sponsor, FILTER Magazine. (more…)

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Back in March, we posted a review about the Spike Jonze-created short film, “I’m Here“.  The project, which is provided for free of charge on it’s own specially designed website, focuses on the love connection between a pair of robots, inhabiting some alternate version of Los Angeles.  Of course, there are underlying elements in the film which are much deeper than that.  The complexities of love, self-worth, social hierarchies, risk, trust, and even life itself are all explored throughout its half hour running time.

After reviewing the film we got a few comments, all relating to the soundtrack which accompanied the piece.  For those who haven’t read that last article about the project, the following excerpt should bring you a little more up to speed on the subject. (more…)

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Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers

Chateau Ste Michelle Winery

Woodinville, Wa

June 19th, 2010

“Steve Martin Banjo Tour,” were sweeter words ever put together?  Turns out, some things might be better in my “Wild & Crazy” Imagination.” Last month, I was lucky enough to get tickets to see the legendary comedian/banjoist perform with North Carolina‘s Steep Canyon Rangers; part of the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery’s annual summer concert series. I was thrilled at the opportunity. But –now– I kinda feel like a “jerk.” I was, unfortunately, just a little let down by the whole Steve Martin banjo experience… and, now I am putting it out there for the whole world to see.  The following is my totally neurotic review of the whole experience.

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When KIDS was released in 1995, there was a lot of “controversy” behind it’s explicit content involving teens, drugs, and violence.  I remember all of the hype clearly; I was 16 at the time.  The film’s writer, Harmony Korine was 22, however, he was only about 19 when he wrote it [wikipedia claims "18" Korine has guessed "20"].  I watched KIDS and thought that it was a solid film, but it didn’t change my fucking life like the nightly news had claimed that it would.  Then again, I think that any lack of shock value for me may actually be a testament to the reality that had been infused within it.  While KIDS jump started the careers of first time actors like Rosario Dawson and Chloe Sevigney, Korine didn’t quite live up to the “promise” that many had expected for him.  That’s not to say that he didn’t continue to produce amazing pieces of work or to move forward in his career, it’s just that he never seemed harnessed into the limitations and ideas that had been placed on him by others.  One way to put it would be that the “promise” that the golden boy had placed on him wasn’t a promise that he had actually ever “made” himself.  In ways, his story is Pecker-esque and, as quickly as upper class socialites might take in a troubled youth for their own self-righteous ego boost, they will toss his ass out and turn their backs on him once he lives up to his inherent nature by intentionally smashing their Fabergé eggs, getting their daughters drunk, and stealing their cars. (more…)

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Early last month, multi-Oscar-nominated actor, Edward Norton was invited to the Northwest as part of the 2010 Seattle International Film Festival.  Beginning on June 3rd, with American History X, and ending on the 5th, with Spike Lee‘s 25th Hour, SIFF helped to celebrate the actor’s illustrious career by screening some of his most successful work.  Norton was on hand to provide short personal introductions to each of the films, but the most substantial portion of the tribute took place on June 4th at the Egyptian Theatre and included the festival honoring him with their trademark Golden Space Needle award.  The festivities at the Egyptian also featured a live interview with the actor and a screening of his latest project, Leaves of Grass.  I was there for the events and, for an artist who’s managed to build a career off of his ability to shift characters effortlessly, often within the same role, I can safely say that Norton only exposed one of his faces that night. (more…)

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The Coleman 2-person had turned into an EZ-Bake and I woke up cooking again.  My face felt like sand had been dumped in to shrink it and I had a crazy bump on the middle knuckle on my right hand.  No big deal… but Kim was convinced that it was some sort of bug bite that needed to be tended to, so I let her whip out her little first-aid kit and try to sanitize it or whatever she wanted to do.  I was in this same campground 12 years ago, high on acid, and eating marinated chicken out of the same silver cooking bowl as a Rottweiler, so I’m clearly not as concerned about shit like Purel and antiseptics.  I had a positive outlook about the final day and a really simple game plan: “Enjoy Myself.”  No more drama.  No more bullshit.  I felt like I was adjusted to the format and the pacing of everything by this point and the lineup for the day was solid.  Tonight would be the WEEN set and I was so happy drinking my coffee and thinking about it, that I hadn’t even noticed when Kim squeezed some crazy 1/2 inch stinger out of my knuckle. (more…)

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