This track is a collaboration. While in Argentina for study abroad I befriended a man whose 15 year old son plays the quena. One day both came to a mutual friend’s house in Buenos Aires and I recorded some short samples of him playing a tune that is popular in the father’s home region of Jujuy Northern Argentina.
After returning to the U.S. I worked with the homie Clarke Reid. We played around with the sample and Clarke added some nasty keyboard and bass to the track.
It was truly a pleasure to be able to collaborate on a global level with such cool musicians.
First off, we just want to acknowledge and thank everybody for all the positive vibes, feedback, and support so far! Much love! – P. & V.
Landscape.
Graphite on paper.
Landscape is a triptych I created for my drawing class at UCSD in early 2010. This was my last major drawing project in college. The first photo below shows the layout of the whole piece, followed by photos of each individual panel, followed by a series of detail shots.
Bikes on bikes on bikes.
These bikes are based on a collection of photos I took while walking around UCSD’s campus. The overall form of the piece developed organically as I drew, depending on the shapes and angles of the bikes and how they fit together.
I wrote Jade Eyes after attending a Pretty Lights concert at the Showbox Sodo in Seattle on November 19th, 2010. I wrote most of the lyrics that same night after getting home around 3 A.M.
Acapella Version
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us/ One mind we design our own island/ Or so I thought as I thrust my paw on her/ Didn’t think that I could do her such dishonor/ Back away and I nod my head/ These pretty lights can really play and they’re rocking it/ And these kids eat it up like Lox and spread/ As the clock is lost and we forget our beds/ The jade eyes stay with me and I see her/ Kissing on the dude who arrived in the beamer/ Guess I had weak pop tonight Elisa Steamer/ The jade just caught the light and all disappears/ But she stays florescent cold as December in this northern state that’s the greyest in the hemisphere/ Just like lemmings I follow the trap/ Wonder if she gets off on withholding that vag because
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
Contradiction many been up her blouse/ But my fingers are some splinters she can do without/ This week’s been weak grime and grout/ Games every day every way tagged out/ But I’m glad for the no’s the strep and the colds/ The effect of the soul/ Is it’s left invincible/ Try me all you want these jade eyes still haunt me/ Thought if I got her I’d find some sense of belonging/ After the show all filed out to rides home/ Chose to feign fatigue said peace to the folks/ Got home restless with the image in my mind/ Of her curves her shirt and her perfect jade eyes/ And I dealt with it the only way I know how/ With the guitar and drums turned up way too loud/And as all else slept and tired of the bass/ In it’s beautiful hum I found a place
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes
These jade eyes are straight lies that bind us
These jade eyes (x2)
Reflection and Response
-P
P.S. Whoever can tell me who Elissa Steamer is without going on wikipedia gets a new song sent to their email! Send answers to the.lifetsyle.rr@gmail.com.
This was an early song made after returning from Argentina in July 2010. Whitney Killian is featured on the studio version that was recorded in my bedroom in Seattle. Whitney recorded the vocals on a newly purchased microphone on her first try. I knew it was going to be the one so I celebrated, and the sound of my scream can be heard in the background right after the first chorus.
The acoustic version was done in Vicken and Megan’s apartment in Brooklyn almost exactly a year later. Megan rocks the chorus. It’s always cool to hear how different vocalists make the same song seem so different.
He’s Your Guy
He’s so fly/ He could be your guy
He’s so fly/ He could be your guy
He’s so fly/ He could be your guy
He’s so fly/ Let me tell you why
Fuck the secretary I Don Drape that shit/ Savory grilled Argentine flank steak rich/ Senior citizen back pain playing bridge/ Disgusting I make your face straight cringe/ Your fate is on the table as it’s paint faintly chips/ Run or die son and you better decide quick/ We’re crazy over here so wild our side is/ Kick it with immigrant labor who came here to support 9 kids/
He’s so fly/ He could be your guy
He’s so fly/ He could be your guy
He’s so fly/ He could be your guy
He’s so fly/ Let me tell you why
That’s the power that’s behind lines I spit/ Hard to catch like a line drive hard hit/ Or a serve from Federer better words you should write/ Beginning of the end Pac met Suge Knight/ If I could fight I’d send a molly of wallops to all you molly coddling shit talkers cause all of us problems/ Do a favor get your ass sent to the gulag for being an alcoholic/ and enemy of mine is an enemy of Stalins/
UNTITLED is a two part project I created for a drawing class in 2009. For the fam and friends that attended The People’s Art Show at the UC San Diego Cross Cultural Center in early 2010, you may recognize these. The People’s Art Show showcased many dope pieces from the UCSD Art Collective visual artists – shout out to everyone whose work was on display and to all of the Art Collective family!
The Villa comes from my study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina during 2010. In Argentina “villa,” or “villa miseria,” describes temporary housing areas found throughout urban areas. One day someone who worked in the apartment building I lived in invited me to dinner at his house in the outskirts of the city. He lives in Villa Caraza, south of the center and he plays in a band. During my visit I recorded an instrumental performed by a young keyboard player.
As a friend gave me a ride home back to the city we discussed life in Villa Caraza during and after the military dictatorship that ruled over Argentina from 1976-1983. I wrote the lyrics for The Villa the night after and chopped the piano player’s sample into the song. The sample in the middle is from Manu Chau. Whoever can guess what song it is on a comment gets a shout out on Twitter plus a bonus mini ep from me!
The Villa
The following is an acoustic version.
The Villa
I’ve never been to a place like this where the house is nice if it’s made of bricks
I’ve never talked to people like this who fondly remember that dictatorship
I’ve never been to a place like this where the house is nice if it’s made of bricks
I’ve never talked to people like this who fondly remember that dictatorship
Fondly remember years when/ People were behind bars that now offer drugs to their children/Psychos and they’re all on the loose/ There’s vice in the street when it used to be taboo/ Used to leave their cars unlocked/ Now there isn’t a single car left anywhere on the block/ Sure they tell me there were thousands tortured/ Now everybody is tormented by disorder/ Something we can’t understand where I’m from/ Dictatorship’s the antithesis to America/ But this isn’t quite Myrtle Beach/ I mean these places been told what do since they were colonies/ now it dawns on me/ The futility/ Of passing judgment on other societies/ Cuz life in the villa just keeps worse/ It’s hot out here these people hunger and thirst/They rumble and burst/ Quick to rob and usurp/ While we blog and research/ These places rot in the dirt/ And some of these people seem happy as hell gave me pollo a la parrilla and cared for me well.
I’ve never been to a place like this where the house is nice if it’s made of bricks
I’ve never talked to people like this who fondly remember that dictatorship
I’ve never been to a place like this where the house is nice if it’s made of bricks
I’ve never talked to people like this who fondly remember that dictatorship
The following is a short video of some of the musicians involved in the making of the Villa. The younger person is the one who plays the piano in the clip. They’re playing Chamamé, music that comes from Northeastern Argentina.
Growing up together, our friendship always involved collaboration, creativity, and consciousness.
This relationship continues to inspire us to reflect on and respond to our realities.
We believe that communication and connection drive active engagement with one’s environment. We’re looking for the LIFESTYLE to become a venue for dialogue and artistic exchange, with the idea that such activity promotes personal and social activism.
the LIFESTYLE has 5 main elements:
Music
Art
Photography
the Collective
Influences
Although music and visual art are our primary forms of expression, the LIFESTYLE’s value of collaboration involves including your thoughts and contributions as part of the Collective. Hit us with your comments, insight, and creative expressions; we look forward to speaking with you.
the LIFESTYLE 