Posts Tagged “justin currie”

uncomfortably-slow

Click on the link above to listen

Newton Faulkner singing “Uncomfortably Slow” from his most recent album, Handbuilt by Robots.

I have become a blogging fool since I started writing almost daily posts in Snowmass last week.  It seem like I have a lot to say about everything.  Should I keep my mouth closed (err rather my fingers away from the keyboard) and just stick to art & clay?  Or are ya’ll okay with me discussing everything that I find interesting?  Ultimately it all affects my life and art in the long run.

Today, I had to share my new favorite singer/songwriter, Newton Faulkner, who hails from the UK.  I can hardly believe he’s just 23 years old (he was born the year after I graduated from H.S. - yikes)!  This song is my favorite song - it gives me goose bumps every time I listen to it.  Sometimes, I find my own music, but this one was introduced to me by my husband a few weeks ago as is most of my music.  Thanks Ron - you’re the best, even though you make fun of me since I can never remember the lyrics properly.

At first, I didn’t like the album and thought he was an imitation of Justin Currie, former lead singer of Del Amitri, who we had recently seen in concert.  But, then I started listening to the lyrics and realized that they’re totally different.

My favorite verse from the song is:

So don’t take my photograph
Cos I don’t wanna know how it looks
To feel like this

My other favorite song off the album is U.F.O. - you have to love his sense of humor!  I think that’s what I liked about Justin Currie too.  Many of his songs can be depressing - but in concert, he was a riot and very self deprecating & matter of fact.

As luck would have it, Newton is playing in Boulder (just a 45 minute drive from Denver), Friday night at the Fox Theater but unfortunately I won’t be able to go.  I’ll be en route to DIA transporting my daughter and sister-inlaw so that they can catch a flight to San Antonio, TX to visit my in-laws for the week.  OMG - I’m going to be childless for a week; what am I going to do?  Oh, don’t worry, I have plans and they involve studio time.  ; )

That’s funny - didn’t I just tell everyone how much I disliked concerts?  It’s only the big venues; I really like intimate venues where you can actually see the performers facial features.

I had something else to say, but can’t remember what it is now.  I got side tracked when I decided to put this album on my iPod so that I can listen to something new in the studio.  Yep - I’m heading out there right now after I finish typing this post.  It’s been a long long time.

So, how is this related to art?  I need to listen to something when I work, not just for the noise, but because there’s something about the music that inspires me.  That has to translate to something creative when I’m working.  Music enters ear canal, is processed, puts a smile on my face or makes me think, and then that energy is transfered through my fingers to my work.  Synergy.  Pretty cool, huh?

Have a great Wednesday,

~Cynthia

Last Thursday, I spent most of the day at the church where the guild holds its sales photographing work to use in future show advertisements and on their website. Our sale runs Thursday - Saturday for obvious reasons and the church apparently gives the guild favorable rental terms. It doesn’t hurt that it’s huge and that there are numerous rooms at our disposal. Some might consider it sacrilege, but we did our photographing in a small intimate annex chapel with the set up above - notice the cross behind the photo tent. It worked so well, I think I’m going to abandon photographing outside with my ghetto setup. The room was completely dark except for the lighting on the tent. We were able to get some great shots this way.

Platter by guild member, Kathleen Laurie, photographed in our set up

Meanwhile, during the marathon photo session, a few swear words escaped our lips - and we all laughed nervously while asking for forgiveness.

I’m feeling the urge to do a little glaze testing. Last night, I dusted off my copies of Mastering Cone 6 Glazes by Hesselberth & Roy as well as my copy of The Ceramic Spectrum by Robin Hopper. I’m feeling pretty relaxed now that the sale is over and I really do need to expand my glaze palette.

My in-laws are flying up today for a few days. They didn’t want to miss my daughter’s performance at the Shakespeare Festival on Friday and then we’ll spend Mother’s day together as a family.

Tonight, my husband and I are going on a rare date. We”re going to see Justin Currie, former lead singer of Del Amitri at the Toad Tavern. I’m not normally a live music fan, but this will be in an intimite venue - so I won’t feel so claustrophobic since there shouldn’t be any large crowds to speak of.

Happy Wednesday,

~Cynthia

Tags: colorado potter's guild, justin currie, kathleen laurie, photographing ceramics