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Week 11 Articles: |
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| Jax Deluca: Gothic Philosophy |
| 1/28 by laura |
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I feel like maybe I have hit the jackpot. Stumbling across a multi-faceted artist like Jax Deluca is not something that happens often, especially late on a weekend night. This little lady creates sounds for her films and film for her sounds, photographs in her spare time and send original artwork out with every CD that she sells, She must have heard the same hard work speech growing up that we got.
Her myspace page is a bit deceiving, because you have to look past the home page and take in her images, read her blogs and peruse her musical influences to get a grasp on her convictions. The music itself is pure sound effects and experimental noise formed for certain venues out of specific inspiration and with a select box of instruments. It may seem out of place at first listen but pairs nicely with her unusual vision for film content.
Within a two plus minute film produced for Squeaky Wheel, Jax had successfully developed one hell of a creepy and romantic super 8 flick equipped with philosophical ramblings. It begins with ghost imagery that haunts the screen and flickers wildly enough to entice the audience into studying the movements. Static clouds the picture and contributes to the subliminal sounds while also acting as a transition element. Phrases emerge in the sequence, defining Jax's thoughts on living, and as a clever forethought, were configured the same as dictionary definitions.
Jax has adapted to using Buffalo as her back drop; it's architecture and aged appearance mesh well with her goth sensibility. I feel that it is worthy to mention that she has an impressive amount of artistic collaborations under her belt, discrediting the shy artist stereotype. She is unapologetically unabashed with her work - having once express-mailed 10,000 maggots from Michigan for her Beyond/In Western New York project to be used in conjunction with captured live spiders, animal bones and assorted rotting flesh. Jax Deluca is amazingly versatile and unable to be confined to one medium, her vision is too vast.
Her collaboration with Chris Barr -
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| Vera Lena In Plain English |
| 1/29 by laura |
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I have to precede my writing with the disclaimer that I have never seen Vera Lena play live, which should discredit this very article. But, I can assure you that they have been roaming around my head for some time. Vera Lena has a definite purpose in Buffalo's music scene and a very strong influence on the electronic niche.
These guys have an indifferent and disconnected vibe that keeps them from becoming too big for their britches. The songs are the best of a cinematic and atmospheric blending. They play in their minds and we are lucky enough to tune into their channel. They are so light and melodic that I had trouble picturing them playing a dingy venue such as Merlin's. The keyboards are as subtle as chimes in a rock band, but heavy enough to pull weight and make it an even match with the guitars. The drums are tricky. Unlike most musical legends, the drums do not act as solid ground, they are soft, adding density and rich texture.
In an irrational minute, I considered keeping them to myself. I tried to justify by believing that electronic ambience appealed to such a small crowd. But Vera Lena deserved better, they deserve to be handed off on street corners, passed on to strangers. I am considering this article my good deed of the day - the moment you log onto their website, you'll fall into a relaxed trance.
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| Main Street's Ghost Town |
| 1/30 by matt |
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If Hell had a gallery in Buffalo, then the Ghost Town would be its home. I first read about it in another wonderful online magazine and my interest was immediately sparked. If you are a fan of the odd, bizarre and even perverse, then I would highly suggest visiting this fine establishment. Obviously not for the little ones, Ghost Town welcomes visitors with open, flesh eaten, arms, neck biting kisses and maybe even a smack on the ass.
I visited the gallery a couple weeks ago and was greeted by one of the four shop owners, Beth Hintermeier. She was quite nice but that didn't ease my fears of what might around the next corner. Although the space is fairly tight, it was filled with paintings, sculptures, jewelry and mixed-media works. Many of the works were abstract and gothic, ranging from photos of aged baby doll heads, to a lamp made from a spine, accompanied by doll-head embossed lampshade. The usual crowd favorite, Devil Elvis, was displayed proudly in the front window. Many of the paintings floated on the theme of voodoo or psychedelic tribal spirits. All of which reinforced the feeling that we would leave with a curse on our heads. The Ghost Town reminded me of just that, a ghost town. These were the remnants of a forgotten town, memories of a life that once was.
We had a chance to speak with Beth, since we were inquiring about a photo on the wall. She was able to enlighten us about the "life" of the gallery as well as the three other artists that help maintain the gallery's spirit. Mikael Nicklas, Beth Hintermeier, Sean Kulak, and Derek Hendrickson all have some form of artistic vision, whether it is through painting and sculpture, or through tattoos and photography. The end result is a collage of fright, death, unknown spirit, and subtle beauty.
This Friday, the gallery will be celebrating it's second opening in six months, with new works themed "Dead of Winter". The four resident artists will be presenting some of their finest creations in order to shock and awe new comers. Obviously, you wont need to bring your bifocals or cardigan sweaters, but perhaps some shit kickers and that leather jacket your wife won't let you wear.
Friday, Feb. 1st and Saturday, Feb. 2nd, from 7pm - Midnight
Ghost Town Gallery
3216 Main Street
Buffalo, NY
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| Madd As Hell |
| 1/31 by laura |
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Madd tattoos is void of any fancy awning or polished porch, but what they're lacking in yuppie aesthetic, they make up for in talent. The place is a heaven-sent throwback to the times of hand painted signs and DIY fixtures. Friday, the Madd team is hosting a gallery opening featuring Sean Madden and Greg Sobczak.
The space is a former apartment with the doors now torn from the hinges, but the walls left intact in order to allow each featured artist his own room. Mark Madden, Robb Deep and a few other local creators will have their work scattered through out the rest of the gallery. The group of artist exhibiting have no relation to each other except for chance meetings on MySpace and fliers that the Madd Tattoo group diligently handed out in and around the city. "Most everything we do is word of mouth," stated Greg Sobczak.
As for the title, Love, Loss, Betrayal and Perseverance, it has little to do with the opening itself, except that it happens to be within the same month as the heart and chocolate clad, Valentine's Day. Do not show up at the opening expecting red roses and a kiss on the cheek, you're more likely to get a swift kick in the ass. These artists gravitate towards usually unapproachable subject matter and name their paintings with titles such as "Satan's Anus", which is by far, my favorite.
And for those looking to wet your whistle, the impromtu bar only serves non-alcoholic beverages. Raffles will be held for prints, Mad Tat2 merchandise and jewelry. Fritz the Cat, from Poor Boys will head the music vibe for the night before the party heads across the street at 10:30 PM sharp, for the Ten Cent Howl CD release party at Goodbar.
Love, Loss, Betrayal and Perseverance
Madd Tat2
115 Elmwood Avenue
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| Cleveland: Damn Derelicts |
| 2/1 by laura |
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Cleveland is dubbed the second Buffalo, often tagged with adjectives such as gray, cold, jobless, yuppie and plummeting economically. Even our friends who live in C-town are for the most part unaware of its meatier sections.
We were in Cleveland for business, but more than ever, I relentlessly pointed fingers and asked questions of my hosts and their friends. More than once, I was scolded for not having been to Bela Dubby - only the nations best coffeehouse that also happens to be a bar. I should have explained that I have a hard time choosing between PBR and a House blend.
Bela Dubby is decked out with local art and funky couches and while some hipsters are hanging out in the cub district, the beatnik crowd stays seated right here for weekend shows. This Saturday night, The Tired Eyes open for NYC's Chris Bell. Bell's Myspace page proudly declares that his equipment includes, "a banjo, 40-year-old half broken down PA system, a beat up 15 watt amp, and a 2.5 foot tall robot used as a tip cup." Maybe not everyone's type of music, but most could find amusement in that.
Where? 13321 Madison Avenue
You can visit until midnight!
How much? Cheep coffee, cheap booze, light bites (not Light Bright, though we do wish they had those too.)
Slightly up the road, an art gallery by the name of The Pop Shop Gallery & Studio, claims a corner of Madison Ave. The Pop Shop is a contemporary art gallery that has been open for almost three years, so they're still young and excited about visitors. The space has exhibited work from many up and coming regional artists whose work is more contemporary and less traditional. Work that has been well thought out, and attempts to push progressive ideas and mediums. It is a family friendly space, but do not expect to see vases and landscapes. The last opening was a throw back to vibrant vintage artwork that was recreated and hung on the walls in nearly overlapping fashion.
Where? 17020 Madison Avenue
You can visit until 9 PM
How much? Free!
Get that hair cut! You have to look slick for where we are headed next, and we have the perfect pit stop. Deluxe Barbershop is a bit out of the way, but it's Saturday and there is time to spare. This unique 50's style barbershop is operated by a greaser whose been in the business for 13 years. He specializes in high 'n' tights, pompadours, flat-tops and duck tails. The man still shaves his customers with a straight razor, and cuts some of the nicest shaped chops we've seen around town. He works atop a black and white checkered floor, the counters are turquoise, the barber chairs are genuine leather with hand painted illustrations and the walls are concealed with Shack Shakers' and hot rod posters.
Where can I fix my lopsided mohawk? 30588 Lorain Road
You can visit until 6 PM
How much? ALL haircuts are $12
Possibly the biggest regret of my Cleveland trip was my inability to eat at Melt Bar & Grilled - we were informed that there was standing room only and therefore needed to make a return trip. Melt is famous for its inventive grilled cheese, punk rock playlist and Rockabilly crowd.
What makes a grilled cheese sandwich so appealing? The restaurant offers a choice of thirteen cheeses, twenty some variations on the theme of grilled cheese piled onto thick slabs of dense bread, all of which arrive on gallery worthy platters alongside of hand cut fries and and mounds of sweet-and-peppery homemade coleslaw. One critic stated, "From silken Brie on a crusty baguette to shiny Velveeta between slices of bouncy "balloon" bread, there's just something about the combo of cheese plus bread that cuts across time, culture, and possibly even species. It's one of the most elemental comfort foods on the planet." Did we mention that for dessert, genius owner, Matt Fish, considers fried Twinkies a must.
Uh, where is it already? 14718 Detroit Avenue
You can visit until midnight!
How much? Shit man, you're just eating grilled cheese!
My hosts had me in the mood for some anchors and wankers, so my after dinner recommendation is The Mission Boutique. This little shop s a hybrid between professional stripper costumes (Matt's section) and garb from Shrine, Lip Service and Lucky 13 (my section). Do not be deterred by their online site, the store itself is chock full of style and a surprising range of sizes, considering they market to a small crowd. The girls working the front (counter!) were more than happy to indulge my desire to try on most everything in the store. No complaints, even when I told them I wanted to touch, but would not purchase, the platinum anchor necklace in the case.
Where? 14625 Madison Avenue
You can visit until 9 PM
Last stop of the night is Now That's Class. The venue claims to be owned by scumbags who feature underground acts, cult movies and DJ's who don't suck. They have $1.50 cans of PBR every night and in Cleveland, you're still allowed to smoke on the patios. This Saturday, Shaun A-Hole will DJ a mix of hardcore, punk, metal and 70's hard rock, throwing in a bit of idiocy where he feels fit.
Where? 11213 Detroit Avenue at W112th
You can visit until 2 AM!
How much? $1.50 cans of Pabst. Are we dreaming? We must be dreaming.
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