Left to Imagine with Porya Hatami

Name: Porya Hatami

City: Sanandaj, Iran

Date: July 29, 2012

1. Tell us a little about your music. What would you describe it as?

I make experimental music and I'm aiming to explore the relationship between enviromental and electronic sound with the concept of my tracks !

2. Have you ever played any live shows? If so, where were some? If no, where would you want to play?

No, not yet, anywhere that people enjoy my music

(Good idea!) 

3. What's the stupidest thing you've ever done?

"Nothing" ! I spend many years doing nothing 

4. What are some of your favorite sounds to work with?

For me any sound can be used as a source for making music, but lately I'm obsessed with the sound of broken electronic devices 

5. What is the worst song you've ever heard?

it's hard to pick one, there are lots of "worst song ever" out there 

(There really are!)

6. Quick! A tiger is running at you with full force! All you have near you is a rope, a magnifying glass, and a litre of fruit punch! What are you going to do!?

Running ! But he'll kill me anyway .

(Such positivity!)

7. Have you ever done any arts and craft projects and/or are you a handy man?

No !

(ok.)

Photo by Porya Hatami

8. Take a picture of something beautiful.

(seen left)

9. If you had a robot, what would it do, and what would you name it?

Cleaning, cooking, everything, i'm super lazy ! Can't decide on the name !

(Maybe you can get a robot to generate names for you, too!)

10. What makes you laugh?

Lots of things, I'm a happy person . 

(Rock Solid!)

 Eevee asks: I like your music a lot! Do you ever listen to your own music, just because you like it?

Hello Eevee, I like my music but I don't listen to it that much.

11. What do you have coming up that people should know about? 

Right now, I'm working on three albums for 2013. One is for Rural Colours and one is for new label called Inner Ocean, the other one is almost ready but I'm not sure about the label yet . I'm also contributing to Somehow Recordings Fogbound and Flaming Pines new project, and of course still involved in my collaboration project with Darren Harper . 

A man of few words. His music is definitely something you don't want to miss! Check out Porya on Facebook and hear some of the pieces he's recorded! :D

www.facebook.com/porya.hatami

Running with Hakobune

Name: Takahiro Yorifuji
City: originally from Hyogo,
          currently in Tokyo
Date: 7/29/12

1.Do you ever try to create specific
settings through your music? 

Not specifically. However, I like that 
people feel or imagine something 
when they listen to my music.
 
 

2. What are some things you do to prepare yourself for a recording session? 

Guitar and pedals. I usually make music in the morning.
 
3. What is your favorite meal to cook? 

Curry
 
4. What do you do for fun in your city?

I like going to shows where I get to meet 
a lot of friends.There is a decent scene 
for music under the experimental music
umbrella in Tokyo. I also make noise music, 
and perform at shows sometimes.
 

I liked biking when I used to live in Kyoto,
but Tokyo isn't as bike-friendly of a city
compared to Kyoto.
 
5. How do you feel about the transit system where you live?

I wouldn't complain about the trains and subways here in Tokyo,
however, I would prefer biking.
 
6. What is your favorite color?

Blue.
 
7. What are some of your favorite artists?

Too many to mention! I lately listen to slowcore and harsh noise as
well as drone and ambient.
 
8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose, and why? 

Scandinavia. I've always to wanted to live there.
 
9. Do you have any secret talents that not many
people know about?

I can go down stairs really fast. 

 (Wow~!!)

 
 10. What is the coolest thing you have in
 your living room?

I would say my Takamine acoustic guitar.
Sorry, there is nothing really interesting in my living room..
(That's interesting enough!)
  

Eevee asks: "Do you have any pets? "
I have a 18 year old dog in my home town. 
I would get a cat if I could.

11. What projects do you have coming out soon,
 that people should keep an eye out for?

I will be releasing CDs from Rural Colours, 
Nomadic Kids Republic,and Murmur Records.
 

Tapes from Chemical Tapes, Fabrica Records, 
Phage Tapes, Sacred Phrases, Dark Era Tapes, and Abgurd.
 

Vinyls from Install and Greenup Industries.

(Busy man!)

Check out Takahiro's work as Hakobune! It's really quite beautiful!
 

 hakobunemusic.jp

 
 

Barefoot with Wil Bolton

Photography by Richard Outram

Name: Wil Bolton
City: Liverpool, UK
Date: 24 July 2012


1.Name your top 3 favorite drinks:
Bloody Mary, Hoegaarden, English Breakfast Tea.

 




2. I hear you travel the world a lot! (Lucky bum!) Where have been the best places to visit? What made them memorable?
The best place I ever visited was the Byeongsan Seowon, a Joseon dynasty Confucian academy in Andong, South Korea. It's made up of several buildings, but the Mandaeru pavilion just blew me away - walking barefoot in this large open and suspended wooden structure on a clear sunny day with the green mountains framing the architecture was a truly peaceful and transcendent experience.

Byeongsan Seowon, a Joseon dynasty Confucian academy in Andong, South Korea

3. What other arts have you tried your hand at?
In addition to music, I also make sound art installations for exhibitions, and photography and video. I also did some abstract expressionist-type painting when I was younger.

4. Which artist have you had the most fun working with?
I've enjoyed many collaborations, but the most fun project recently has been my work with Phil Edwards (who also records as PJE). We go by the name Ashlar and our debut CD has just come out on Time Released Sound. We live fairly nearby and meet up for drinks every couple of months. After a few pints, we go back to my  

http://www.last.fm/music/Ashlar

  studio and jam some drone ambient stuff, and 
  it's been a lot of fun to collaborate the old-school way
  instead of sending each other files. It takes me back
  to when I began making music with 4 track cassette
  recorders although we now use a laptop to record,
  it's a more live, spontaneous way of creating than 
  much laptop music, using guitars, analogue synths
  and lots of pedals and loopers, and celebrating the little mistake that come about from playing live and a little drunk.



 5. What is your least favorite chore to take care of in your house?
Cleaning the bathroom.
 

6. Do you watch TV at all?
If so, what shows do you enjoy watching?
If not, why?!
Yes. Favourites are Family Guy and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
 

7. What do you feel like your spirit animal would be?
Koala.
(Yep! I can totally see that!)

 
8. What is the worst piece of clothing you own?
Probably a pair of fake Crocs.

9. What are the 3 most beautiful things you can think of ?
Rothko paintings, autumn leaves, the sound of rain.

 
10. If you had the choice of any other job, which job would you choose, and why?
I'd probably be an art critic - I tried it for a while and really enjoyed it, writing reviews of contemporary art exhibitions. Found it impossible to make a living at, but I miss doing it.

 
Eevee Asks: "I like taking naps to "Chimes for a Wall Drawing" !
Where did you learn how to make such nice musics, Mister?"
Well thanks for the kind words Eevee! I had some music lessons as a kid (guitar, piano, flute) but I'm pretty much self-taught - just years of experimentation and playing around with melodies, processes and textures.
 

 11. What projects do you have coming up that we should look out for?
I'm about to head off to Korea for a month-long artist residency at the Incheon Art Platform, during which I'll be working on an a new multi-channel sound installation to be exhibited at the Liverpool Biennial. Also in August, I have a new CD album entitled 'Amber Studies' coming out on the Rural Colours label. It's based around field recordings from Krakow, Poland, blended with guitar and synth drones. And then another album entitled 'Bokeh', due out this autumn on Home Normal.

Please take the time to check out Wil Bolton's work! It's really not something you want to miss!

www.wilbolton.co.uk 

Everything's Coming Up Vzraabgdtre!

Name: Vzraabgdtre

City: Ottawa

Date: 19/07/12

1. What does Vzraabgdtre mean? 

Vzraabgdtre is the name that I give to the darkness in me, and that which manifests within my audio works. There are times when it almost seems that Vzraabgdtre is a whole other person, trapped within the same shell.

2. What kinds of metal are you currently listening to the most of? 

Primarily doom, funeral doom and drone, including 40 Watt Sun, Isole, Ereb Altor, Nortt, Sunn O))), and Lamented Souls, just to name a few.

3. What's the longest length your hair has ever been?

As long as it is now. Before 6 years ago, I would shave my head several times weekly.

4. What are 3 things you would ask a ghost if you were to encounter one?

4.1 Do you like being dead?

4.2 Are you free of your pain?

4.3 How do you feel about those who are still alive?

Pyramid Head from Silent Hill 2

5. I know you've played the Silent Hill series. Which one is your favorite?

I'd have to go with 2, on the basis that it has a very grainy, raw-ness to the atmosphere that just i don't really feel in the other ones I've played

6. What's your favorite kind of pizza?

Anything with lots of meat and cheese

7. How do you prepare for a recording session? 

Well, for one, I find that sobriety doesn't mix well with creativity or desire to experiment, so I like to remove as much as practical. After that, being in a proper mood is always a plus. I find the darker the mood I'm in when i create something, the more satisfied I am with it in the end.

8. Who was your childhood hero?

Any video game character I named after myself.

 If that doesn't count, then nothing can, as I never felt I had one.

9. Create some visual art!

It's been a long time since i've drawn anything half serious. Since it can be a photo edit though, here you go:

This is Vzraabgdtre's photo edit!

10. Which element of nature do you  feel the strongest attachment with?
 I'd go with lead.

It's dark, heavy and poisonous,

which is how i like my music

 

 








Eevee asks: "What are the best munchies??"  
 (best munchies... sun chips)

11. What do you have coming up everyone should know about?

My 5th album entitled V is only days from release. Special editions are being made and even printed (for the first time in the history of this project), however only in limited numbers. On that note as well, there has been a double disc, in-print-only compilation designed recently as well.

Check out Vzraabgdtre at bandcamp right away!

www.vzraabgdtre.bandcamp.com

A Twisted Perspective on Things

Name : Aditya Sharma /
         Twisted Perspective
City : Roorkee, Uttarakhand,
          India 
Date: July 23, 2012
 

1. What is your favorite way of creating music?

My fav. way is by Using Lots of Open Pads and Soundscapes with Field Recordings.....

 

David Rocco

2. If you coould pick any outfit to look and feel your best in, what would it look like?
I would Like to have a Look like a common Italian man...
Like David Rocco .. haha
He looks Good! 

3. Is there anything you're afraid of?
Afraid of.... Ummm... Loneliness perhaps.... of the day when I have to Leave my family..... That'd be real bad :(
 (Dawww Momma's Boy <3. That's sweet.)


4. Who is your favorite cartoon character?
Ah! Bugs Bunny for sure!

5. What is your favorite vegetable? What makes it better than the rest?
Fav. vegetable..... Ladyfinger(Okra).

 6. When you create soundscapes, what feeling do you wish to bring to your audience?

Creating Soundscapes is a really typical task sometimes.... I want usually to bring out the best of the mood from the listener.... I actually 'Dream' of different and unusual places many times.... Mostly in nature.... in a forest... and some chord pad is being played through my ear..... The same effect I want to create.... to let audience merge into themselves.... :) Love..... even it is in dark state... 

7.What is the first thing you think of when you hear/read the word "Radiance" ?
 The word Radiance creates a view before me in which there is a early morning time And the leaves are being Lighted up before the unborn Sun.... Much Like you can see in the 2nd Last Shot in the Video "Another Quiet Morning" By The Eternal Twilight..... Its Beauty....

Puri

 8. What did you have for dinner last night? Is this a regularly occurring dish in your household? 
Last night I had 
Puri with Aloo Tamatar
Its quite regular...

9. Imagine it's 20 years in the future. Where are you? How has your audience changed since 2012?

I will hope myself to find in a better place.... Free from fake politics.... war.... hatred.... A lush 

Aloo Tamatar

 of nature is everywhere....
 green lands.... Rivers and
 all! Also a Better
 architecture.... hehe (That
 sounds really nice! I hope it
 turns out like that, too!)





 10. What are some things you do on your days off? 
 I do not actually have any day off. I just take some days and go to my Home... To relax... away from Internet or facebook... music creation and my 3D Career.
 

Eevee Asks: "India is such a neat looking place! I hear they have many types of felines. Have you ever personally met a tiger?

If yes, were you scared?

If no, would you ever try to cuddle one if the opportunity came around?"

Hello Eevee!!! Yeah, I met a tiger once..... But in the zoo... But i couldn't Touch it. Lol I was a kid. 

Crysis 4

11.What can we expect to see from you in the near future?

More Music... Better Friendship and Collaborations... Also Some Super Games Like Crysis 4!!



 

 Follow the links below to hear some of Twisted Perspective's work!

 aditya.bandcamp.com

 soundcloud.com/Twistedperspective

Tumblr.com/twistedperspective

 http://www.last.fm/music/Twisted+Perspective

Acrylic Forensics with Mackenzie Donegan

Name: Mackenzie Donegan
City: Ottawa, Ontario
Date: 20/07/2012


1. What subject matter do you enjoy painting the most?

When it comes to painting I enjoy pushing paint beyond it's physical limits. I've been investigating a self created painting style 'Acrylic Forensics' for approximately 8 years now.

It is artwork based on abstraction that stimulates a thought process, through an application process. The physical and visual play of the medium creates abstract forms, which I find inspire multiple associations for viewers.  I have always been curious about extending the medium of paint beyond the rectangle so to speak.  Acrylic Forensics act as a fusion between painting and sculpture, which were two categories of art that in the beginning were meant to oppose each other. 

2. In what ways can art benefit people? 
Art can be therapeutic for people.  I believe that everyone should try investigating a creative outlet of some kind. They may be surprised by the outcome.


3. Which games do you enjoy most? 

 I  enjoy board games and card games, Fluxx is my favorite card game and Scrabble is my favorite board game.

4. What are a few "staples" that you regularly purchase when you go grocery shopping?
I'm pretty boring when it come to what I eat.  I generally 'eat like a caveman' so here's a couple things I always buy: bananas, tomatoes, spinach and green peppers. 

(I always thought cavemen ate dinosaurs)

 5. Which artist(s) from the past would you like to meet, and what would you ask them?
There are so many I want to meet and would have wanted to meet it's hard to narrow it down.
Wim Delvoye, Jeff Koons Sculpture, Rube Goldberg, Meret Oppenheim, Antony Gormley, John Baldessari, Jim Dine, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Aldous Huxley, Anais Nin, Norman Rockwell, Ad Reinhardt, Salvador Dalí, Roger Dean, Lynda Benglis, Marcel Duchamp, Cindy Sherman, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Gerhard Richter, Banksy, Gerhard Richter and David Lynch of course.
Some of these are authors and film directors but I find their work just as inspiring as some of the fine artists I've mentioned. I would want to know what inspired or inspires them, what they are passionate about? What their favorite medium and or style of art, writing or creating is? Why did they embark on the creative paths they have chosen? So many questions I would ask.

6. Tell us what has been your favorite outing this year, thus far.
I would say my favorite outing was the Canada Day festivities I participated in.  My partner and I were away all weekend.  My aunt had a BBQ swimming party complete with a full band in their Oasis of a backyard.  Seriously, this place has palm trees and a tiki hut.  After the party we drove to Hawkesbury Ontario, way out into nowhere land to a large property owned by my partner's uncle.  We had another BBQ and constructed a bon fire over 30 feet in height.  I'll show you photos some time. ( I stole one from the interwebz >:D ) We had to notify the fire dept. not to drop a helicopter of water on us. 

 7. Create the most disgusting dessert you can think of.  

Warthog penis pie! I actually came up with quite a few but this one sounded pretty disgusting.
(*Beurk* You are very right!)(... Side Note: Never google that...)


 8. In your opinion, what is the most fun media/technique to use in painting? How do you do it?
I'll explain to you 'Acrylic Forensics' for this question as it is my very favorite technique. I use acrylic paint that is first applied in a multiplicity of colourful layers which cover the entire surface of a selected object etc. This now layered object is sliced into and stretched back, revealing layered skins of paint. This process is just the beginning of manipulating the visual with these forensic incisions. This now physical and visual play of the medium creates abstract forms, which inspire multiple associations. Wonder and mystery of these objects is not just part of the final image for me, but part of the making process. My ultimate outcome is to continue creating imagery that overwhelms the viewer's visual stimulation as well as control paint to its fullest potentials exploring physical and visual properties.

9. What do you think about homemade online video tutorials?  
I feel that they can be a good thing.  You can take from them what you will as long as you understand that they are a foundation for which you can explore and grow from.  Expanding on a thought, idea or method is the best way to learn.


 10. If you could meet any 3 people (dead or alive) who would you choose? Why? What would you ask them?  (I know this question is similar to question # 5, but there is a difference between meeting artists from the past and meeting any 3 people who have ever existed!)
I would definitely want to meet Jim Morrison. The doors have always been my favorite band.  I love Jim's poetic, dark lyrics and I am curious of his mysterious demise.  I find his means for expressing himself to be unique and inspiring.  I would ask him how he really died, if he could do it all over again would he take so many drugs and drink so much alcohol and if he would sign every single piece of memorabilia I own. 
 
Secondly, I have made it a life long dream to meet David Lynch.  He is my favorite director of all time. He intrigues me beyond belief with the way his films portray states of lucid dreaming as reality in a sort of alternate universe sort of fashion so to speak.  I would ask him if I could be in one of his films, if he has anymore plans to experiment with music (he has been doing so recently) who his favorite actor to work with was and if he would come to my house for supper.

Lastly I would say Gerhard Richter.  He is one of my favorite artists. He has some signature work for sure but the man is extremely versatile with his style.  I would want to know what his favorite style to work with is.  What inspires him and what he likes to do when he's not art making.     

  Eevee Asks: "How do you keep your face so silky smooth looking?"

Tell Eevee that I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and use a mild Aveeno facial cleanser.  To assist my pores in breathing, I don't wear foundation.  I hope that helps her out some.


11. What shows or projects do you have coming up
I'm currently working on paintings and drawings in styles other than acrylic forensics at the moment.  A lot of realism type of work right now with painting and doodle based ink drawings.  I'm hoping to start displaying in some small venues in the fall.  Right now I'm just focusing on getting a brand new website in order and exploring new art forms.

If you'd like to find out more about Mackenzie and her art, check out her website, below!



http://theinfinitecanvas.com

Cogs and Corsets with Robin Dostaler

Name: Robin Dostaler
City: Ottawa
Date: July 17th, 2012

1. How long does it take you(on average) to create a piece?
It depends on what I am making. Most jewellery pieces, an hour. Paintings and corsets, 15 to 25 hrs respectively.

  

2. Where do you go to sell your products?
Anime conventions, Comic conventions and local one day markets. I also supply a shop in Almonte with jewellery, JB Arts.


3. How many cats do you have? Name 1 thing about each of their attitudes that sets them apart from each other.Five! Five kitty cats! Ah! Ah! Aaaah!
Crimson - He seems cantankerous but in reality he is just chatty and wants attention.
Cyan - Dare devil kitty. She always flops down really close to the edge of the couch or bed and sends people running thinking that she will go over the side.
Zoltar - Is it food time?! I think it is food time. *eats...3 minutes later* Is it food time???!!
Pushkin - He knows damn well he is freaking adorable.
Miette - Must play all the time!! All. the. time. It's 4am, perfect time to play fetch!

4. If you HAD to sing one song at karaoke, which song would you most likely sing?
If they had Social Distortion, something by them. If not, Johnny Cash. If they didn't have either, the Trololo song and if they didn't have any of those songs, I'd eat the karaoke machine.


5. What is one thing you like when it comes to retail customer service?
The conversations I have with clients. They can get downright hilarious and everyone ends up laughing.


6. Which of your pieces did you enjoy creating the most?
Probably Mr. Monocle, my Steampunk Bird Mascot.

7. What is the craziest outfit you've ever worn?
The one that got the most attention was a dress made of saran wrap. I wore a string bikini underneath and I wore this in the dead of winter. Very warm! No, it really was. :)


8. What are some of your favorite smells?
Amber, Egyptian Musk and Japanese Cherry Blossom.
 


9. If you were to branch out your business into including something new, what would it be?
Oh my stars, what wouldn't it be?!! Ha! I'd love to get into shoes or making furniture.


10. Do you like cartoons? If so, what are some of your favorites and why?
YES!!! Anime counts as 'cartoons' right? The cartoons today are nowhere near as cool as they were when I was a kid so I turned to anime.
Eevee Asks: "You sure  like you like us kitties a lot! Does your kitties help with the chores at all? Does they helps you make the art stuffs?" 

  Hi Eevee!! Miette tries to help when I sweep by attaching herself to the bristly part of the broom and letting me sweep her across the floor.
Zoltar will let me swish him across the floor if the broom is not around.
Pushkin puts things away for me (read: hides jewellery and jewellery supplies)
The other two cheer the rest of the kitties on. They will all try to help when I am working with wire and trying to wrap something. They chase the wire, I mean,
keep it in check for me. It can get unruly, you know!

11. What do you have coming up that we should all know about?
Hopefully the Punk Ottawa Fleamarket and definitely the Ottawa Geek Market. www.facebook.com/OttawaGeekMarket

Now, Look at what Robin has done!!! (See Below)

shamelessfashion.com