My lovely girlfriend, Audrey just spent the last couple weeks making some kick-ass new jewelry and she’ll be selling it at the Philebrity-sponsored Hancock Street Fair! Come out have a look, be you Philly-oriented.
Technorati Tags: audreysmith, Philly, diy, povertyjetset, design, magdalenus, parties, philebrity, crafting
I’m sitting in front of a cool little coffee shop in Echo Park called Chango where me and my old Telluride-come-LA pal Thrax (aka rapper Apoc) and his freaky and slightly crazy friend from Alaska, Jeff (click the link to listen to his songs about cats) are checkin’ emails and rapping about how no one in LA has an unprotected wireless network. Even the coffee shops have passwords. Hmm.
Anyways, yesterday in the big city was pretty fun. I met up with the Grizzlies at the airport and drove them straight up to the Indie 103.1 studios for a recording session for radio. The fellas are bleary-eyed and totally zoned out from a long night, post-New-York-sold-out-Bowery Ballroom-party-cross-continent-flight-jetlag-uncaffeinated-weariness, but they break out their instruments, tune up for a few minutes, set up the mics and jam out four renditions of songs from their new album that has the DJ shaking his head in awe. I’m hoping to get a bootleg.
We spend half an hour ripping off the building’s wireless trying to Priceline a hotel so they can shit, shower and shave and somehow luck upon the Hollywood EconoLodge right across the street from Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd.
I bid farewell (until their show tonight at Spaceland)… and met up with Thrax and Jeff and went on a bit of a bender of cheap Mexican food, cerveza and hipster dive-bars of Echo Park until the wee hours.
Today… well, more on that tomorrow. Back to the ongoing discussion going on next to me about how great it is that women wear dresses all year ’round in LA and how Jeff has a friend who’s a body-mod artist who had his nipple removed recently. Uh, yeah.
Technorati Tags: grizzlybear, magdalenus, losangeles, music, adventure, echopark, indie1031, travel, povertyjetset
Well, amigos, I made it across country in just shy of 63 hours. Beat that, sucka. I’m in Los Angeles, chillin’ on the beach with a coconut drink in hand.
No, not really. I actually feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. I knackered.
Only thing to report from yesterday’s drive: Phoenix sucks. I had never been, so I made a little detour to check it out. What a mistake. As a friend of mine said, “It’s like L.A. but without the cool stuff.” Yeah. And 105′F weather at the end of September. And 16-lane highways with bumper-to-bumper traffic for 20 miles. Oh wait, L.A. does have that…
I also happened to find out during this grueling Phoenix traffic episode that the van doesn’t have working air conditioning. Yikes.
Well, I’m off to pick up the band. They called me last night at 4am Eastern to tell me they were staying up all night after their show at Bowery Ballroom because their flight was at 8am. Uh. Okay, boys. Whatever you say.
Technorati Tags: adventure, magdalenus, travel, driving, povertyjetset, grizzlybear, airconditioning
Nearing the end of Day Two of the long drive to Los Angeles. Getting a little hairy out here in Amarillo, Texas. I’m sitting at an IHOP. Haven’t been to one of these in a long time. Probably near a decade. Say, they’re not all bad. Clean. Well lit. Decent watery coffee.
*argh* My brain’s a little fuzzy. You’ll have to bear with me.
I just finished listening to a recorded reading of Douglas Coupland’s new novel, “J-Pod”. Wow. It’s amazing. I highly recommend it; a lovely, Coupland-esque portrait of our modern world in all it’s dystopian glory on the brink of the apocalypse. He even throws himself into his own novel to act like some kind of shamanistic capitalist destruction shaman. Brilliant. Twisted.
The one strangely ironic thing… this was a book on tape… was the guy who read the novel. Clearly a master. No doubt about that. However, I think the guys other job is being the voice of the dreaded Voice Mail Robot. You know the one. The machine who asks you questions so that the phone seems more “human”. Says he’s going to listen to your answers and find you the right solutions. Well, that robot guy always says, “okay” in this particularly annoying, reassuring kind of way that only a robot can. And in the reading of “J-Pods” he does says it a million times. Very distracting. Yet appropriate.
(I was just interrupted by my 17-year-old IHOP waitress who asked me kinda sheepishly, “What ya doin’? Homework or somethin’?”
“I’m blogging.”
“Wha?”
“Blogging.”
“Oh. What’s that? You’re not from Amarillo, are you?”
I showed her the above post. She smiled and walked away, somewhat befuddled. I’m struck once again at the VAST differences in culture from middle America to the crazy urban life most of my friends and I live… but that’s a post for when I have more time… gotta hit the road again… a lot more driving to be done tonight.)
Technorati Tags: magdalenus, douglascoupland, jpod, povertyjetset, books, amarillo, IHOP
In a strange, yet pleasantly interesting turn of events, I find myself doing a quick drive from New York to Los Angeles in a posh, leather seated, late-90s model conversion van (aka, a shaggin’ wagon). This all came about because of a MySpace bulletin from one of my new favorite bands, pleading for someone to get them out of a tight jam. In three logistical days time, I went from being merely Grizzly Bear’s fan to driving their empty tour van to Los Angeles for them to start their national tour with TV on the Radio.
Right now, I blog from my parked van in front of the Blue Springs Cafe in Highland, Illinois. Unfortunately, I had all these grand plans (I’ve got lots of time to think), to post funny photos from the “fly-over states” — and believe me, I have a bunch already — but I forgot my damn cable to upload photos from my camera to computer. Alas. You’ll have to wait in suspense.
Technorati Tags: adventure, driving, grizzlybear, magdalenus, music, povertyjetset
Damon McMahon (Astralwerks) is on a radio promotion tour with Tomorrow’s Friend this week and tomorrow, Saturday Sept. 23rd, they’ll be playing a live show at Johnny Brenda’s in Philly. Should be an awesomely psychedelic night! Come on out if you be locally-located.
Technorati Tags: music, fishtown, tomorrowsfriend, parties, damonmcmahon, johnnybrendas, povertyjetset, Philly
My buddy and blog contributor Ms. Milk and her Minty Breath is finally, finally famous. She’s wanted it all her life. She’s been waiting for the day. And now… she has this:
Technorati Tags: blogging, povertyjetset, art
Well, seems like the Secret Island Party wasn’t that bad after all. I mean, I never thought it was bad, I guess it just turned out different than my mind’s eye picture of it. And we all know having high expectations is a killer.
Philebrity flattered us this morning by calling it “the best party we’ve ever been to.” Wow! Thanks, guys. I’m feeling like there will be a 2nd Annual Secret Island Party next year, after all.
Technorati Tags: povertyjetset, adventure, magdalenus, secretislandparty
Appears those wacky kids over at VICE are trying their hand at off-beat travel guides (or something to that effect). If you’re in Philly tonight, go check out a preview of their new DVD with the Philebrity gang. Unfortunately, I am indisposed, but would have loved to get the low-down on what is surely to be a Vice-r-ific good time.
Technorati Tags: nomad, travel, film, vicemagazine, philebrity, media, vagabonding, povertyjetset, magdalenus, adventure
The end-of-summer celebration, the Secret Island Party… happened. We had a big bonfire on the beach, lots of craziness and crazies (including some guy dressed up as Jason and running around with a chain saw!?). The good news is no one got hurt, other than some serious brain cell damage and some nasty sunburn.
Personally, I would advise all you people out there who want to throw a next-to-no-budget party in an exotic wilderness location that requires some kind of extensive water transportation, gear set-up and drunk people safety patrol… uh, maybe you shouldn’t. Or at least ask me how next year’s is going to be much, much different. Maybe the next Secret Island Party is going to be at someone’s house and we’ll all just wear leis and drink rum, wear grass skirts and listen to cheesy Hawaiian music. As the late, great George Harrison put it, “the farther one travels, the less one really knows.”
Technorati Tags: psychedelic, magdalenus, secretislandparty, island, povertyjetset
My favorite watering hole, sometime employer and best new music venue in Philadelphia, Johnny Brenda’s opened with a bang last night. Bardo Pond, Jack Rose, Meg Baird (of Espers) and the blistering hot band, The War on Drugs played to an insanely packed house. It’s the dawn of a new era in Philly, friends. Yes! [Click here to see my rather blurry photo set.]
Technorati Tags: bardopond, jackrose, johnnybrendas, magdalenus, megbaird, music, parties, Philly, povertyjetset, fishtown, thewarondrugs
When my friend, filmmaker and artist Marc Brodzik, got ahold of nearly 1000 unused head shots of the actor Jeff Wolfe, he asked a dozen or more Philly artist friends to deface poor Jeff. I got to do a couple of them while hanging out shootin’ the shit with Marc the other week. Go have a look! The project is having its first public appearance now at The Abbaye on North 3rd Street in Northern Liberties. Stay tuned for the digital version of the project! Coming Soon!
See a photo set of the show here.
Technorati Tags: Philly, concept, povertyjetset, magdalenus, art, creative, experiment, NorthernLiberties
BoingBoing today writes a post about a “hipster church” in Seattle called Mars Hill (pointing to a longer article in Salon). Pretty interesting stuff.
I’ve been going to what some might call a “hipster church” here in Philadelphia called Circle of Hope. But that tag really bugs me. Sure, 90% of the kids at my church have tattoos. A bunch of them huddle outside services to smoke cigarettes. Everyone’s got tasseled hair. There are lots of beards. Half of us are in bands. Most of us live in an artsy ghetto.
But what makes us intensely different than the church explored in this Salon article, is that we are anything but fundamentalists. I admire those guys for trying to be different, to try and “sell” Jesus to down-and-out hipsters. But it seems like (at least according to the article) that they are way into the Fire & Brimstone spiel. FEAR.
The thing I love about the Circle of Hope is that it is populated by people who have rejected the mainstream version of American Protestantism and have begun to re-invent what it means to be an active body of believers. We are in the process of deconstructing an oppressive and destructive world view that was enforced upon many of us and has dominated the American political discourse for 50 years, and are building something new in its place. In some ways our views reflect an old-school throwback to who Jesus really was… a prophet walking around the country side with a band of hippies in tow, preaching love and peace and inner contentment, a philosophy that led directly to the downfall of the great empire and its stranglehold on his people.
That’s what we want to do. The people at Circle are working hard towards digging into our local neighborhood (one of the poorest, murder stricken urban areas in the country). We’re putting our actions before our words, in many ways. We’re not out to “save” anyone. We try to make an increasingly confusing and complex world more sane. An unlivable world more humane. We answer God’s call to love our neighbors. We’re radicals.
Yet many of us are angry. Angry at a conservative, ignorant America. Angry at how a church that preaches peace and love can BE just the opposite. Angry that society has only been able to make life more difficult and complicated, not easier and simplified. But we’re changing ourselves. Because the first way anyone can change the world for the better is to change oneself.
But while we work to deconstruct many of those dangerous, near-sighted teachings that have plagued us, we haven’t lost hope that once dismantled, divinity will guide us to constructing a new, healthy paradigm.
Technorati Tags: salon, church, circleofhope, boingboing, religion, Philly, marshill, magdalenus, povertyjetset, christianity, philosophy
A couple of my Flickr photos just got picked up for use by a new company called Schmap. They’re tapping Creative Commons-licensed images for their free downloadable travel guide software. I’m pretty psyched to see someone creating a killer web-based app for travel. I wish they’d work on a Mac, though! Soon. Public launch set for March 22. 2007? We’ll see. From their site:
Every Schmap Guide comes with dynamic maps, useful links, playable tours, top picks, plus photos and reviews for hundreds of sights and attractions, hotels, restaurants, bars, parks, theaters, galleries, museums…
Technorati Tags: travel, web2.0, magdalenus, tools, povertyjetset, creativecommons, schmap
Oh my goodness, these boys are so on top of their game. This new album is incredible. I bought the elder “Horn of Plenty” the other day, and was pretty pyched about it. But, “Yellow House”. Oh man. They’ve really outdone themselves. If they don’t hit it big, I’ll be amazed.
The album is dynamic and sublimely textured. I’m totally in love with “Knife” and all its heady Beach Boys overtones. Pure love.
One of the things that these guys are doing so well, and what I think is really the future of any 21st Century artist’s career is interracting with their audience. Check their entertaining blog (they’re in the middle of switching servers right now, so have patience if it doesn’t come up), and friend ‘em up on MySpace.
All this, AND, they’re about to go on tour with TV on the Radio. I bought my tickets for the Philly date the moment I read about the show!
Technorati Tags: povertyjetset, psychedelic, grizzlybear, music, magdalenus
Hope all you Philly peeps are going to make it out to the great event of the weekend… TONIGHT! at the International House, presented by the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, a screening of Jaromil Jire’s 1970 classic Valerie and Her Week of Wonders with a new live soundtrack by my friends:
Greg Weeks (Espers, Grass), Margaret Wienk (Fern Knight, Eyesores, String Builder), Brooke Sietinsons (Espers, Grass), Helena Espvall (Espers), Mary Lattimore (The Bitchin’ Harp Babes), Tara Burke (Fursaxa), Jesse Sparhawk (Timesbold, Jaggery), Orion Rigel Dommisse, Jessica Weeks (Grass), Charles Cohen
Stay tuned for a DVD of the Making Of… as well as the final soundtrack. It’s amazing!
Technorati Tags: povertyjetset, music, magdalenus, mashup, film, art, experiment, espers, phillyfringe
I’m getting very excited about the Secret Island Party… yaaaarrrrr.
It’s gonna be the hottest party of the century! 
Joey’s even having an essay contest to win a free invite over at Philebrity! (I’d bet $100 in gold bullion that Lord Whimsy wins!)
Be there or be square! Win an invite at Philebrity, join the contest. Or, if you’re really just dying for it, you’re way cool, you’re ready to hang with a bunch of tweaked out pirates on an island, email me a list of your favorite “alternative entertainments” and I’ll send you directions and info — mark [at] thepovertyjetset.com
Technorati Tags: magdalenus, pirates, povertyjetset, secretislandparty, parties
I’m going to try and wrap up full days of film watching into one post. I do this because I spent the last two days in a dark theater (or projection booth) and thereby didn’t have time to sit and write. Oh yeah, also, last night I went to a pretty hectic party, thrown by a big corporate sponsor of the festival, that had a totally open bar all night. After carousing for a few hours there, I was hardly in the right state of mind to sit down and blog.
Two days, eight films, four celebrity handshakes, three meals, seventeen cups of coffee, five free beers and one teary moment…
And one more day to go.
My favorite film of Saturday was Little Children, the new feature from the director of In the Bedroom Todd Field and starring Kate Winslet. A bunch of my buddies saw it before me and gave it mixed reviews, but the film is amazing. It’s beautiful, passionate and dangerous. The story floats through a summer of confusion for the characters who are tied together by some ill in life, but are unable or unwilling to confront.
Other films I saw on Saturday were Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (twice, because I projected it… ugh!) and Severence, neither of which blew my mind, and being that my mind is exhausted, I won’t write about. Ask me if you’d like to hear about either.
Today, after listening to Penelope Cruz, Forrest Withaker, Laura Linney and others speak about acting at a panel discussion in Elks Park, I projected Catch a Fire, an amazing film about the struggle against apartheid and The US vs. John Lennon, a pretty straight-forward look at the political activism of the iconic musician.
But the best film of the festival so far, and one that will surely get a lot of attention when it gets released here was Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others). It’s the tale of an East German playwright who gets on the bad side of the communist government’s Stasi police while trying to abide by the system. The amazing film details some of the harsh realities of a culture of surveillance, but has an interesting twist that makes the whole story become deeply textured by the characters. I will be sure to see this film again.
One more day of films. Stay tuned.
Technorati Tags: film, filmfestival, povertyjetset, telluride, telluridefilmfestival, magdalenus
I’m sitting in my condo, it’s after midnight and I’m exhausted. The festival is in full swing, beginning with the Opening Night Feed. It’s been non-stop film immersion. Here’s a goofy shot of me and Werner Herzog, chillin’ out (I couldn’t resist).
I actually had the opportunity to hang out with Werner for about a half and hour, talking about everything from Grizzly Man (his fabulous film from last year) to adventures in Antarctica. He recommended that I see the film Ghosts of Cite Soleil, which I did (one should never turn down a recommendation from a master). It was amazing. Vibrant and gritty, the documentary film traces the lives of gangster “chiefs” in the slums of Haiti during the upheaval in 2004. Really amazing work. The camera is always moving, giving the film amazing energy from start to finish, never shying away from the graphic violence of the streets.
The film I helped to project earlier in the evening was The Italian. It’s a beautiful Russian film following the fictional story of a young orphan boy in search of his mother. Fabulous work, it’s sure to gain notoriety this year among critics. It, too, shows some of the harshness of life in post-Soviet Russia but maintaining utmost dignity and humanity in it’s characters.
For more photos of the festival, check out my Flickr photo set here.
Technorati Tags: wernerherzog, povertyjetset, theitalian, blogging, filmfestival, telluride, ghostsofcitesoleil, grizzlyman, magdalenus
With the Telluride Film Festival about to launch this evening, energy is running high. Lots of anticipation about the films being screened this weekend (the line-up was just announced yesterday afternoon), many of which are making their North American debut. Penelope Cruz is the tributee and Walter Murch is the guest of honor. Some of the films I will be seeing this weekend at my theater (many of which I will be projecting)… Fur, Little Children, Severance, Ghosts of Cite Soleil, Bable, Venus and many more. See the full line-up here.
While working and prepping my booth and doing odd jobs for the festival, I’ve been having a ton of conversations with fellow filmmakers and their ilk. Festivals are awesome places to meet film-buff Poverty Jet Setters… lots of people rolling into town to work for a couple weeks or days, watch films, make friends, have a little adventure.
One of the big issues other staff members and I have been discussing again and again is the future of film and media distribution, which I think is bright. Here’s a great WIRED News article about Netflix’s new distribution ambition. They write:
Netflix is pursuing a similar model, and in just a few years it has distributed as many exclusives as Miramax did in its first 15 years of existence. “Last year we acquired four new titles from Sundance, and this year we’re working on about 12 deals,” says Ted Sarandos, chief content officer of Netflix. “Eventually we’ll be coming to Sundance and saying, ‘We can buy everything.’ There’s a deal for every film.”
Technorati Tags: distribution, filmfestival, telluride, povertyjetset, telluridefilmfestival, film, netflix
