Monday, July 30, 2007
picturebox
the dudes who published my book, picturebox, have a spiffy new website which also features an interview with yers truly. you may peep it at www.pictureboxinc.com
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
pitchfork fest
festivals always confuse me. i kind of don't get why you'd want to sit in the hot sun and dust and see bands in broad daylight that are better suited to tiny rooms and colorful lites. i also cannot stand port-a-potties. that said, we were able to snag artist passes and poo in peace. for the first time since maybe lollapalooza 1993, however, i spent more time communing with the kids rather than huddled 'round the beer tent in the back. the reason for this was i manned a booth for my publisher, picturebox.
me and my handlebars had a grand time and made lots of new friends. i barely got away to see any music, but somehow i didn't mind. the (somewhat surprising) highlite for me was catching brightblack morning light play everybody daylight. i caught about ten seconds of steve shelley tearing it up on the drums during the daydream nation set and the moving yoko encore featuring thurston moore and thousands of lighters waving in protest to the war and um, that's about it. i will say this, the festival did a fine job of hosting quality vendors - dang near every independent label was represented, lots of fine handmade crafts, and a collection of the best poster art in recent memory. that said, i am surprised more people didn't bring money. it was so sad to see people flip out over my book and not have the money to buy it (at a discounted price even). at least i know they weren't blowing their money on henna tattoos or something ridiculous like that. anyway, thanks to everybody who stopped by to say 'sup and hopefully i'll see you again soon.
me and my handlebars had a grand time and made lots of new friends. i barely got away to see any music, but somehow i didn't mind. the (somewhat surprising) highlite for me was catching brightblack morning light play everybody daylight. i caught about ten seconds of steve shelley tearing it up on the drums during the daydream nation set and the moving yoko encore featuring thurston moore and thousands of lighters waving in protest to the war and um, that's about it. i will say this, the festival did a fine job of hosting quality vendors - dang near every independent label was represented, lots of fine handmade crafts, and a collection of the best poster art in recent memory. that said, i am surprised more people didn't bring money. it was so sad to see people flip out over my book and not have the money to buy it (at a discounted price even). at least i know they weren't blowing their money on henna tattoos or something ridiculous like that. anyway, thanks to everybody who stopped by to say 'sup and hopefully i'll see you again soon.
Friday, July 06, 2007
more reviews
as the reviews come trickling in, there are two specific kinds that really floor me: those from friends who i have toured with and those from girls in france. i will give you an example of each.
1. this one comes from steven sather scott of the rock band irving. he called the other day and really slathered on the compliments, but then i stumbled upon this on the amazon site (it's all sic): "i've never written one of these things before but felt compelled to after receiving Ashod Simonians "real fun". the photos Ashod was able to capture are at least as interesting as the many famous and even more forgotten subjects of this cross section of independent musicians on the road. i've had the pleasure of being with Ashod on the road over the last few years, and his pictures bring to life all of the stories, all of the memories, just like they happend yesterday. the reason is, he was there too! he's not just some hired hand to take photos of bands that think they're cool. he has played on stage, and sold merch to no one, and to thousands, and driven the late shift through west texas. Ashod has been paid in beer too! if someone wants to know what it feels like to go on tour... this book is it. all through the glossy eyes of a glorious polaroid!!"
2. and then this! (also sic): "I just wanted to say that I've received your book yesterday and man, this is amazing! The photos are so alive, so funny and beautiful. Even if I don't know all of these people it makes me really wish that I had!
It is also so touching to see some of my favorite musicians just messing around and enjoying themselves (i'm thinking of Elliott and Grandady for example); Plus, for someone like me who've never been to the United States but who's read Kerouac and Agee and is obsessed with music, this is a very, very precious document· I wish one day I'll enjoy myself as much and have some Real Fun! What you've done is just beautiful. It's for unpretentious, spontaneous and passionate things of this kind that I care about living. The music is also amazing, I've been listening to the cd over and over again since yesterday. thank you, cheers from Pelissanne! (France)"
magazine reviews are so booooring next to this stuff. please don't hesitate to keep the words rolling in - aside from the obvious ego-pepping, it really is nice to hear what your experiences are like. i never would've made the kerouac connection, but how rad is that???
should any of you be in chicago next weekend, i will be slinging and signing books out of a little booth at the pitchfork music festival. let's hang out! xo. ashod.
1. this one comes from steven sather scott of the rock band irving. he called the other day and really slathered on the compliments, but then i stumbled upon this on the amazon site (it's all sic): "i've never written one of these things before but felt compelled to after receiving Ashod Simonians "real fun". the photos Ashod was able to capture are at least as interesting as the many famous and even more forgotten subjects of this cross section of independent musicians on the road. i've had the pleasure of being with Ashod on the road over the last few years, and his pictures bring to life all of the stories, all of the memories, just like they happend yesterday. the reason is, he was there too! he's not just some hired hand to take photos of bands that think they're cool. he has played on stage, and sold merch to no one, and to thousands, and driven the late shift through west texas. Ashod has been paid in beer too! if someone wants to know what it feels like to go on tour... this book is it. all through the glossy eyes of a glorious polaroid!!"
2. and then this! (also sic): "I just wanted to say that I've received your book yesterday and man, this is amazing! The photos are so alive, so funny and beautiful. Even if I don't know all of these people it makes me really wish that I had!
It is also so touching to see some of my favorite musicians just messing around and enjoying themselves (i'm thinking of Elliott and Grandady for example); Plus, for someone like me who've never been to the United States but who's read Kerouac and Agee and is obsessed with music, this is a very, very precious document· I wish one day I'll enjoy myself as much and have some Real Fun! What you've done is just beautiful. It's for unpretentious, spontaneous and passionate things of this kind that I care about living. The music is also amazing, I've been listening to the cd over and over again since yesterday. thank you, cheers from Pelissanne! (France)"
magazine reviews are so booooring next to this stuff. please don't hesitate to keep the words rolling in - aside from the obvious ego-pepping, it really is nice to hear what your experiences are like. i never would've made the kerouac connection, but how rad is that???
should any of you be in chicago next weekend, i will be slinging and signing books out of a little booth at the pitchfork music festival. let's hang out! xo. ashod.
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