Live Music

Being a new parent and home owner I end up missing (and don't have the time for) a lot of music shows. Domestication has it's benefits, but it comes with a price.

Fortunately, I made this show. The last night Dave Johnson played at the Java Hut he deviated from playing with his band to using his electric guitar to lay warm ambient layers of sound mesmerizing everyone in the audience. People listening were hooked enough that when he would stop a "song" the room just didn't feel right. In a matter of minutes, Dave had brought back a feeling, that had been previously pioneered by the Tangerine Dream during the 1970's, and gave it to those consumed in conversation and listening.

The Java Hut had a knack for musically mining the town of Worcester and hauling gems onto its stage on a consist basis. This night Dave played for my first exhibit at the Hut called 3. Dave and his wife are the elements in the group called Against The Green.

Follow the johnsons to Oregon

Go here to follow Dave and Penny from Grafton, MA to Oregon.

I've really enjoyed working with them on the photo series, and I can't wait to see their blog develop as they live out their lives farming their west-coast mountain side.

Drink in hand (7/9)

Walking into Dave's living room any given day, you'd expect to see him playing guitar or listening to music. This visit, however, I saw he had 10-20 empty bottles and 5 large jugs filled with beer. He made the home-brew beer himself and showed me the hops + spices and the large containers he used in the process.

I sat down as he handed me a strange tool used to place the caps on the beer bottles. After securing the caps to the bottles, I walked away with my own 6-pack from his personal collection. I remember drinking the first 5 beers over a few days and saving the last bottle for months and months so I could always have some home-brew in the fridge.

Dave's favorite beer is Fraoch Heather Ale or Ipswich IPA.

Guitar (5/9)

We went back to Dave and Penny's place after the library. Dave picks up the guitar and starts playing a new song he's written thanks to the influence of Aaron Sprinkle. The strumming and odd tuning sound like something you'd hear around a bonfire just before downing a gooey smore.

Check out Dave's myspace to hear some of Dave's songs based on guitar. He has also written done and performed some ambient work at my 2 exhibits. Nothing will compare to hearing him spontaneously turn air into a colorful mood.

The last guitarist Dave heard on vinyl is Steve Howe.

Behind the bookshelf (3/9)

We walked into the Grafton Library through an entrance I hadn't used before. It was a lot closer to the second floor -- the floor with old used books for sale. Penny, Dave and I walked through two aisles then started searching independently. As Dave pulled out a book I looked through the gap left behind and told him to hold his pose.

Later on I asked him what he's been reading.

Dave said, "

I'm currently reading the foxfire book #1, one straw revolution, and ecclesiastes.

My favorite books are the silmarillion, till we have faces, out of the silent planet, perelandra, and that hideous strength.

".

Empty home (2/9)

Dave pointed this place out while we were on our way to the Grafton Library. It either burned down or was abandoned. Fortunately, the cop on that road passed us after we left the shoot.

The Johnsons are leaving town (1/9)

I had the honor of spending time with the Johnsons last Saturday. They are my artsy buddies from the central mass area. Dave is on the left, Penny's in the back and I'm on the right. Without them, I wouldn't have known about these musicians:

- Glen Hansard + Marketa Irglova's and their movie ONCE.
- Elliot Smith.
- Paul McCartney's solo work.
- Sigur Ros.
- Camera Obscura.
- Joe Renzoni.
- Bright Eyes.

There are several other bands+musicians+poets+amazing people (i.e. Chris Altman, Tim Scott, Eric & Hilary L'Esperance, Chrissy, Brian, Raven) they've connected me to and they'll all have special places in my life thanks to Dave and Penny.

The campfires, the sage, the open mikes, the music shows, the galleries, the home brew, the parties, the weird videos, the cookouts, the camping, and all the other good times were all because of you. These next few posts are from one of the last few times I'll be with them while they are in the area. : (

These two are really into listening and making music. Along the right side of this page you'll see 3 of Dave's songs. Buy 'em if you like 'em!

In a boat room.

I spent a couple hours visiting Worcester's Vernon St. Motel in a place used for functions, Wednesday night open mike's, and critiques for songwriters. The place is made from the hull of a mahogany boat with little circular lights all along the walls. I asked my friends Dave and Penny to look at each other during these shots.