fotoworks

Come get a drink at Beech Street Parlor /////412 NE BEECH\\\\\. I’ll be spinnin’ from 9pm-1am

Chicago, The Windy City from which I came. The thing about driving to Illinois from Ohio is Indiana. Its this really wonderfully stark landscape that builds up to Chicago, a magnificent skyline of architecture gone wild. I love and hate it. But a lot of rural Illinois is the same. Stark as shit until you see modern windmills that make everything seem interesting and space-like. We had a chance to stop at Andrya’s Aunt and Grandmothers house. They were very entertaining. We got out blood pressure checked. Thankfully the road hasn’t ruined our bodies yet……We arrived at Lincoln Hall, a new venue to me. Its very nice and polished. I made plans to meet up with my grandma and uncle for dinner. I haven’t seen her in almost a year. We sat at dinner in Lincoln Hall where you can watch the performance in the other room. I had been afraid her hearing would blow if she actually saw the performance. But she kept staring at the screen until she finally asked to be taken into the main room to see the performance. Mind you my grandma is 85 years old. I’m going to assume this is her first rock show. Through the entire show she kept hitting her chest saying she could feel it there. It was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had with her. She was more then excited. The show was amazing. The venue was filled and fog seeped into everything. The more dates we have the tighter all the bands are sounding. Its exciting. After the show we decided to stay at my grandmas retirement center. It was a lot of fun. As we drove off the next day to the next city we stopped at Portillos. My favorite place to eat. On the menu today: An Italian Beef sandwich. Fucking brilliant!

RAD THRILL JOCKEY FRIENDS

Biggest Bed ever. Thanks Elmhurst retirement center!

When Kayne sings about Lake Shore Drive this is what he’s talking about. One of my favorite drives.

Downtown Chicago at night

Sarah and Andryas grandmother checkin sarah out

Why can’t Portland make this sandwich. Portillos please move to Portland. Thank you.

I spent a lot of time in Cincinatti in my late teenage years. Its sort of an industrial wasteland, but that is precisely what I love it. I mean they do after all have the only two lane White Castle drive up layout that I have ever seen. And its busier then the Popeyes on MLK and Ainsworth at midnight. Tonight we played the Contemporary Arts Center specifically because Zola Jesus requested the venue as it was designed by Zaha Hadid ( contemporary Iraqi-British architect ), who is one of Nika Danilova’s favorite architects. I have to say this is one of the most stunning buildings I have ever seen. The black criss cross stair case was so beautiful and well lit that I kept finding myself lost just starring at it. We were able to run around and look at the show ” Is This Thing On” which had a wide array of video installations some more sculptural. One thing I was determined not to forget to experience was Cincinatti’s food staple: Chilli. We happened to be right down the block from Skyline Chilli. Most notibley famous for Spaghetti Chilli with cheese. Its so weird and amazing. A must try.

DAY TWO LEAVING NEW YORK

I found an ease being in New York. I had forgotten how many people I actually knew who lived there. Some ex portlanders, some ex chicagoians, all amazing people and artists. I felt at home when I started running into people on the street. Thats when I knew I could live here and be fine. I’d never really be alone.This time around one of my favorite experiences was going to Canal st to find a mac charger on the DL. Asking material hustlers for an apple product such as this was like asking for cocaine but worse. I’m pretty sure I could have gotten cocaine over any mac product. Shipping an extra one from Portland turned out to be easier. Packing my bags at my friend Jens house was easier since the tv was on and Whitney’s funeral was on re-run. Oh BeBe Winans do you really miss the “crazy Whitney?” Isn’t that why all of this happened to her??? Anyway….. One thing my friend Lauren reminded me about in touring is musicians are genius tetris players. Your ability to pack a van is almost like a badge of honor. Andrya Ambro in Talk Normal is a genius tetris player. The van is always perfect. Also, one of the great thing about new york is it never ceases to have rad taggers. they make me laugh everytime. New York it was a pleasure hanging out.

http://www.wweek.com/portland/blogs-1-1-1-4-72.html