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I Didn't Know What I Was Doing Had A Name: An Interview With Decayed Richmond
Begun about a year ago, Decayed Richmond is a website dedicated to visual explorations of the abandoned history and architecture that can be found in the neglected corners of Richmond’s urban landscape. Having spent a significant amount of time exploring these forgotten urban spaces and documenting the fascinating and sometimes beautiful phenomena that they’ve found there, the anonymous crew of intrepid explorers behind Decayed Richmond have spent the last several months attempting to assemble a documentary that depicts the hidden, or simply ignored, spaces within this city, in which nature is constantly at work on its own urban reclamation project.
DAILY FIX: Pho King Training Montage
For the last two years, Richmond's favorite Vietnamese restaurant, Mekong, has hosted the Pho King Super Bowl Challenge.
DAILY FIX: Isaiah & Hovey - Smoke Signals
There is not much I can say about Isaiah & Hovey - not because I have not had the opportunity to familiarize myself with their work, but because in the onslaught of brief but rave reviews, and passing recommendations I've been given by respected members of the RVA Hip Hop scene, I've been hard pressed to find the time to do so. Today was my first taste of what I hope to be a long relationship with their releases.
DAILY FIX: BornUnique - U or ME
Bad News Born is at it again with his most recent audio-visual homage to the streets, "U or ME". Representing NOVA, this twisted irish MC is also a Noizemakers alumni with deep ties here in RVA.
DAILY FIX: Tearjerker - Rare 2 & More
I found this gem of a band from a friend of mine who lives outside of Toronto, Canada. Their Vimeo page has six videos and I spent about fifteen minutes watching each one. I feel their music is appropriate for a-day-like-today in RVA. The style is ambiant and simple, but for me, its minimalisum says so much with sonically so little. Visually reminiscent of a Jason Reitman film (Juno, Up In The Air), I found their mixture of b-roll footage and melancholy modes soothing. I hope you enjoy Tearjerker as much as I do. Links can be found at the bottom of the page.
Rare 2
Rare 2 from Tearjerker on Vimeo.
RVATV: New DayByDay Video
These two RVA guys, Dave Stewart and Will Carsola, took their act to LA almost 4 years ago, once they secured some work with Fuel TV producing skits for a show called Stupidface. The guys quickly got noticed and they secured a management agency that got their videos into the hands of Will Ferrell's Funny or Die Network. Since then, they have done 2 seasons with Ferrell's HBO show Funny or Die. The two have been writing and starring in Nick Swardson's Pretend Time on Comedy Central for 2 seasons as well.
This video is part of a series called Pumpkin and Bubby. Here are some other videos in the series:
Pumpkin and Bubby Discover Nature
Pumpkin and Bubby Yell at Bitches
Clem's Video Premiere @ The Byrd
WHO: Richmond Skateboarding
WHAT: Clem's Video
WHEN: Friday, December 30th 2011, 5PM
WHERE: Byrd Theater
ADMISSION: Free
RVA TV: Last Friday - Stanley Rayfield
Last Friday we stopped by Glave Kocen Gallery and talked to painter and Richmond native Stanley Rayfield about his show "The Girls Next Door." Stan's painting, entitled “Dad," placed second in competition at the National Portrait Gallery in 2009. This is his first solo show since then, and features 25 breathtaking new portraits.
DAILY FIX: Strange Bedfellows Episode 2
Here's the latest episode of Strange Bedfellows, a brand new comedy webseries from a crew of Richmond comedy veterans. It's directed by Johnny Hugel and stars John Reaves, Nathan Plummer, and David Marie-Garland. In Strange Bedfellows, John, David, and Nathan all share a loft apartment, and John's greatest obsession is the desire to create a late night talk show based out of said loft. The new episode features Shera St. Clair, playing an actress who is scheduled as a guest on the apartment-based talk show. She's also a former girlfriend of John's, and it doesn't seem that John is all that over her yet. This new episode comes to us from Funny Or Die, where Strange Bedfellows is now hosted. Pretty cool, huh? Check it out.
DAILY FIX: Opposite The Satellite - Synopsis
Opposite The Satellite is one of the lesser known Richmond rock bands. As often occurs, OTS is also one of the more promising groups I've heard in the last year. Joseph Bloomquest (Vocals/Guitar), Andrew Bloomquest (Guitar), Mitchell Ball (Bass) and Keith Best (Drums) make up this angsty quartet whose list of influences include Ansel Adams, Fiona Apple, Tennessee Williams and Tool. Less apparent is the underlying empathic nature of OTS. Beyond the music, they've been known to envelope themselves in charitable causes to raise awareness and money for those in need. To stay updated on all the good emanating from Opposite The Satellite, it's best to follow them on FACEBOOK for regular updates and interesting interactions.
Opposite The Satellite: Synopsis
Directed by Nick Baker
THE CHEATS MOVEMENT Presents: Photosynthesizers At Silent Music Revival
My man Bar Codez hit me up and asked me to swing by the Firehouse Theatre on Sunday November 13 to film some of Photosynthesizers playing the Silent Music Revival. I had no idea what the Silent Music Revival was all about but I was treated to a very cool and unique night in RVA. Silent Music Revival is the screening of a silent film while a live band plays to the movie. Last Sunday, the film was The Uncomfortable Man (1948) with music by the aforementioned Photosynthesizers, who I’ve already called my favorite band in RVA. The event was hosted by Jameson Price (who I’m currently begging to profile for The Cheats Movement). The next Silent Music Revival is on Sunday, December 18 at Gallery 5. The films are The Insects' Christmas (1913) & The Frozen North (1922), with music by The Snowy Owls. If you have not seen this event, check it out.
SATURDAY: Singularium at the Byrd Theatre!
Singularium, a sci-fi anti-romantic dramedy written and directed by local filmmaker Joey Tran and produced by Shawn Hambright, will be showcased at the Byrd Theatre this Saturday.
During the final years of the contracting Universe, a guy goes to meet up with his on-again, off-again ex-girlfriend one last time in their now dilapidated old house, but gets trapped in the ensuing collapse and has to escape from the mysterious appearance of a growing army of her dopplegangers.
Also, showing are two other Tran/Hambright short films, Santo Diablo (2009) and TREEzilla (2011). This should be a great afternoon of local independent film, so make sure you check it out.
WHAT: Singularium World Premiere!
WHERE: Byrd Theatre, 2908 West Cary Street (Carytown)
WHEN: Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, 2PM
ADMISSION: $2
DAILY FIX: BornUnique - BoilerRoom
This seasoned DMV rap veteran has been killing it for well over a decade. Initially making a name for himself as the stand out artist in the ensamble Virginia cast that was The Noizemakers, Born was always an inspiration for emcees like myself. After rumors of record contracts and a short stint in the belly of the beast, Bad News Born is back in the streets and about to release two albums that I'm convinced will reestablish him as one of the best and well rounded artists in central VA to ever step up to the microphone. Thats downright bad-news for all these flash happy, high fashion emcee perpetrators all up in the rap game.
At the moment, I have no info on the two projects that BornUnique is about to drop. But I can promise when they are released, RVA Magazine will have that covered. In the mean time, follow Born on Facebook to stay updated on any and all good and bad news pertaining to BornUnique.
This video is called BoilerRoom. Enjoy!
MONDAY: Found Vs Found At Gallery 5
Found Magazine, created by Davy Rothbart and Jason Bitner, began publishing in 2001. The Found Footage Festival, created by Joe Pickett, Nick Preuher, and Geoff Haas, was first held in 2004. The two groups specialize in different formats, but document much the same thing--strange, unexplained, often amusing and always entertaining objects of uncertain origin that have randomly been discovered by the creators and other contributors. Found Magazine, which has issued 10 issues, as well as four books and two audio compilations, in its 10-year history, collects randomly discovered documents, from love letters to homework assignments. The Found Footage Festival, which has released six DVD collections in as many years, collects old job training videos, random television tapings, and home movies. Now the two groups have joined forces for a tour, during which the two groups will go toe to toe to determine once and for all whether found notes or found videos will reign supreme. Regardless of who comes out the winner, the real winners will clearly be the audience, who will be delighted by two hours of music, comedy, and blood. There will be two showings of this fantastic multimedia event, at 7 and 9 PM, and proceeds will go to benefit excellent local organization Books On Wheels. So come one, come all, to this night of randomly discovered hilarity.
WHAT: Found Vs. Found In Richmond!
WHO: Found Magazine vs. Found Footage Festival
WHERE: Gallery 5, 200 W. Marshall St.
WHEN: Monday October 7; two showings: 7 PM & 9 PM
ADMISSION: $11. Purchase tickets for 7 PM showing HERE and 9 PM showing HERE
Check out the official video trailer for the tour after the jump!
DAILY FIX: Keep Wall Street Occupied
Here's a friendly suggestion about how to both deal with unwanted junk mail and engage in quiet protest against the out-of-control banks that are dragging down our economy. Everyone should also consider closing your accounts at bigger banks and moving your money to smaller local banks and credit unions. Bank Transfer Day is this Saturday. Give it some thought.
MOVIE REVIEW: Dragonslayer
Dragonslayer (2011)
dir. Tristan Patterson
Don't think of the 80s fantasy movie--this is something quite different. Director Tristan Patterson created this subtle documentary by periodically dropping in on pro skater Josh "Skreech" Sandoval over the course of a year or so. Skreech's life is not the glamorous one that many people associate with the professional world of extreme sports--the contests he competes in over the course of this film are nothing like the polished, commercial spectacle of the X-Games. Instead, these events are held at rundown skate parks and even some secluded areas that look like they were created for some other usage entirely, then abandoned. At one point, after winning third place in a contest, Skreech is presented with a new skateboard deck that has cash and gift certificates taped to it. This moment is among many that illustrate the difference between the skate culture that you see in video games, magazines, and on ESPN, and the one that Skreech and many other skaters are part of.
DAILY FIX: American Juggalo
In celebration of the fact that the notorious Insane Clown Posse are playing at The National on Monday (yes, that's really happening), we'd like to present for your education and entertainment a 23-minute documentary called American Juggalo. This short film, directed by Sean Dunne, is an unbiased, unfiltered look at Juggalo culture, filmed at the most recent Gathering Of The Juggalos and released to the internet last month. This film is not safe for work, to say the least--expect nudity, foul language, and lots of drugs--but it will keep your attention, even if you're not a Juggalo yourself. Watch it this weekend to get hyped for the show on Monday, or maybe just to kill your boredom for a half-hour on Saturday afternoon. We promise you will not regret it.
DAILY FIX: Carnival Of 5 Fires Kickoff Event
This film, shot and edited by Todd Raviotta of Natural Science Productions, attempts to capture everything that happened at the kickoff event for the fifth annual Carnival Of 5 Fires on Friday, October 7 in just under 5 minutes. It's a bit of a sensory overload, but it does manage to include music, art, dancing in the streets, and plenty of fire. The Party Liberation Front were on hand that night, and this video lives up to their usual standards, documenting a party that was obviously off the hook. Soundtracked by PLF DJ Mr. Jennings' "Crunk In The Air" mix of Phil Collins's "In The Air Tonight," this video is a lot of fun to watch, and it'll probably take at least a dozen viewings for you to catch even most of what's in it.
DAILY FIX: Guy On A Buffalo, parts 1-4
We discovered this youtube gem on Friday, and spent the rest of the afternoon laughing at it, forwarding the links to our friends, and generally getting a lot less work done than we probably should have. Over the weekend, it got forwarded all around facebook, so you may have seen it by now. Even if you have, though, you should probably watch it again, because it's just as funny the 23rd time as it is the first. "Guy On A Buffalo" is a series of short videos adapted by The Possum Posse from the 1978 film Buffalo Rider, and as goofy as the original movie no doubt is, there's no way it's nearly as funny as these videos, with their seemingly-impromptu narration and insanely catchy theme song. You really should watch them all. The first one is presented above for your viewing pleasure, and the second through fourth episodes can be found after the jump. Enjoy!
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