Exploring the photography of James Van Der Zee

I've been exploring the amazing photography of James Van Der Zee which are haunting as much as they are beautiful. I hope to encompass this sort of grace and duality in my photographic work, be it still or moving.

Listening to Orange Juice's "Tides Keep Changing" - A personal review

Upon listening to the music of the band of some musician friends, I felt compelled enough to review their new independent album below:

Orange Juice's album, Tides Keep Changing

The independent release of the Floridian based band, Orange Juice's Tides Keep Changing can be described in many ways. There are many feelings and styles which this album provokes, ranging from Reggae, Funk, Alternative Rock and Soul. Orange Juice's influence from Red Hot Chili Peppers is also strikingly apparent but not to be confused with a cheap or simple imitation of the latter. They may be likened unto the reggae-rock band, 311 as well. Regardless of their influence or similarities to other bands, they are distinct. One word to describe this album within the context of each individual song is harmony. The band lacks dissonance with reinforcement of harmonic and melodic sounds from Kyle Roeser's rhythmic drumming, Alex Casement's guitar chords and Hunter Robinson's light yet soulful voice along with his subtle guitar bass lines. The band's back up vocals and secondary vocals by Kyle Roeser in particular, are subtle interjections that are treatises when they arrive. Although at first listen, the band may seem as nothing more than a jam band with pleasing or complimentary tunes but after repeated visits, the album reveals deeper content and complexity, particularly within its lyrics. Songs like "New Road" or "Somedays" carry lyric content to which everyone or most people can relate to, basically a universal quality. Even songs such as "Broke Local Foolish Goon," despite the song's title, resonates with simple yet notable lyrics which emit soulful honesty. "Don't Waste Your Worries" and "Fly" are conscious and reflective tracks which can be taken as subtly soothing and uplifting. "151" and "Music Makes You Move" are songs that set the tone for the band's jam style along the lines of reggae-rock. Then songs such as "Killing Time," "What Keeps the Love Alive," "Rewind" and "Confusion" let the harmonious guitar chords, melodies and bass lines dictate the song as the vocals and drums follow. In the song, "Somedays," the band's vocal mutuality is expressed with a resonating chorus line. You sense the band's continual growth with a consistent sound especially if their mixtape, The Feeling is given a listen. Also knowing the short period of time (over a span of about 3 months) and conditions (in-house studio) in which these tracks were made, their talent is exemplary to say the least. I personally think the band's potential is clear with their current material and they are definitely on the right track to highly reputable works.

Films on "Your Indie Film"

My films, L'artiste: Un Portrait and For the Love of Movies are currently on yourindiefilm.com, as an online film festival submission.

More inspiration... via sound and picture and music

Music is definitely inspiration for my visual work and this song and video (an interestingly composed narrative juxtaposed with the music) is a manifestation of this:

Inspiration, art and the avant-garde film, 2011...

I am particularly excited for the new year. There are many personal and collaborative projects I am looking forward to being a part of. Currently, I am diligently writing a feature film, most likely my debut feature directorial work. My next short subject will most likely be experimental. Although, my film, L'artiste: Un Portrait was conducted in the experimental approach, more specifically my next short film will be an exploration of the Avant-garde cinema under which I am being mentored by experimental filmmaker and professor, Chris Harris. Meanwhile I come across inspirations and ideas. This video, which I hope is not deleted from youtube anytime soon, is of the talented Brazilian singer and actor, Seu Jorge, whom I've had the privilege of a brief meeting with at his concert in Orlando earlier this year.



Seu's songs render such lyricism, beauty, culture and authenticity that it is incredible, and this is evident in this video segment and is one of the many inspirations I gain from fellow artists such as Seu. The monologue he puts forth about "Negro drama" (Black drama) is particularly resonating regardless of it being a Brazilian tale told in Portuguese, it is indeed universal. In relation to my upcoming work, I will encapsulate much of this type of context within particular imagery and dialogue or sounds.

Photographs, art nouveau, cinema, in other words - A new Film...

I'm in a process of developing my official feature film debut. I made a feature film back in 2008 but I'd call that my feature film experiment but a good experiment. I'll be ready for this new film in some months to come, maybe another year.... Cinema and Art continue to inspire me and cause my vision to alter and transform but we'll see. The picture above by Ansel Adams, inspires and describes a lot about my film.

Producing "Young Mortals"

My newest project which I am producing is the Bruno Bros.' feature film, Young Mortals, a dark comedy about a young man finding a means to stay afloat after he loses his job. The film is currently in pre-production and is planned for completion in 2011. More info here: Young Mortals