Once again, thank you all for the consistent support for Shake This Maze: The Album from day one!! Like we outlined for the fifty 1st Edition units, the following map now shows the whereabouts of the “Gold Banner” 2nd Edition units thus far…
We’ve only got 2 available copies left in the States, and a handful left for globaldistribution from P based out of Spain.
If interested in supporting this project and getting a hold of one of the remaining copies, find purchaseinfohere. This is the final pressing for Shake This Maze, new projects are now on the DOCKS, so stay dialed in!!
This week we’re PROUD to present our next Reflection and Response Feature artist – Casey Wong. A student of the world, beatmaker, wordsmith, martial artist, and educator, Casey powerfully and creatively challenges social injustices through his various forms of craft, expression, and action. A genuine and inspiring person to all those around him, Casey guides us through an insightful Reflection and Response interview, followed by a presentation of his music..
While you can expose your own reflections, only you can know the whole story, feel me? Only you know the true colors, the font, the images, the ideas in their wholeness.
Leading off with some basics, where are you from? And where are you at?
CW: Home has always been where my family’s at, so since my parents passed away, home has been elusive. I grew up in San Bernardino and Colton, but since no one I know really lives out there anymore, they really aren’t places that feel like home or places I go back to now. I have an older brother who lives in San Diego and a younger sister who lives in the Bay Area, and I feel the most at home when I’m with them. Berkeley and Oakland have a special place in my heart because I spent so many years out there living, going to school, and working, so I definitely got to shout out Oakland and Berkeley when I acknowledge where I’m from. Another area where I feel at home is this little California beach town outside Los Angeles called Playa del Rey. It was rare, but every once in a while our Mom used to take us to see her adopted Mother (we used to call her “Aunt Garth” because she didn’t like Grandma) and it was always a good time. We reconnected with her in recent years and it’s always great going to visit. So most of the time when people ask me where I’m from, due to all the above, I just say “California.” Right now I’m living in Brooklyn, NY, and it’s great, fa sho! I got to know some special people out here, but I’m def ready to head back to California!
What does Reflection and Response mean to you?
CW: Reflection is kind of a heavy word… the first thing that comes to my mind is the legendary project Reflection Eternal by Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek. They do an incredible job elucidating that word, “reflection.” That track “Memories Live,” you feel me?
But on the philosophical tip… I believe that reflection should pre-empt any serious action that you take. A serious move for the most part requires premeditated contemplation in order to be effective. Reflection is a manifestation of your dreams, desires, worries, and critical thinking, amongst the other processes reeling through your head. Reflection is also very personal. While you can expose your own reflections, only you can know the whole story, feel me? Only you know the true colors, the font, the images, the ideas in their wholeness. What we tell others is really just an outline of the entirety of our reflection, a piece of the whole project which came to unfold during our very personal meditation on self, our placement and relationship to others and ideas in the world. There are some masters who have managed to craft their reflections into the physical world in some remarkable ways. Right now I think of James Baldwin, Nelson Mandela, Nas, Chimamanda Adichie, Bruce Lee, Nina Simone, Emory Douglas, I could go on . . .
While some would attach response to reflection, I don’t think every response is a result of reflection, but that doesn’t invalidate such a response or the meaning that such a response can have. Take for instance a race riot. A race riot is usually a spontaneous response to a dehumanizing action related to race made up of accumulated anger and frustration, without reflection. However, that race riot can serve as a powerful response, though destructive, which hopefully can inspire reflection to change the unjust circumstances which caused that race riot. When a response is tied to a reflection, the response often takes on a character which is more complete and cohesive, although that is not always the case. It should not be a surprise that a response to a reflection often comes out in the form of art or a project which pays more serious attention to the details and different dimensions, however that response is articulated . . .
How do your beats “Sound of the Beast,” “Thug Life,” “Meant to Love You Baby 2.0,” and “Feel That Music (Trust In Me Remix)” fit in with that definition?
CW: The beats I’m posting here are responses to my own reflections upon injustice, music, reflection itself, and of course love. “Sound of the Beast” is a brief interlude expressing my own response to my reflections on the New Jim Crow, the police state, the use of force, both physical and symbolic, against particularly people of color and poor people. In the track I pay homage and respond to a piece that all you heads should recognize by KRS-One. “Thug Life” is a piece I made while working at a local middle school in Oakland, CA. I worked with an MC there, and a lot of that beat is inspired by our conversations. More specifically, the beat is my response to my reflection on a brief excerpt by 2pac which appears at the beginning of the track. “Meant to Love you Baby 2.0” is on the love tip. The track is on and about a relationship, about the words, the feelings, and the passion. “Feel That Music (Trust In Me Remix)” is a quick and dirty, reflective conversation I had with a track by Slakah the Beatchild (I don’t even think I could call it a remix). I was feeling the beat, which I barely altered, and I just infused some familiar voices that captured the story going on in my head when I heard the track. Enjoy!
What else have you been working on recently? What are you looking to work on next?
CW: In the beatmaking game, I recently expanded my collection of tools, and I’m looking forward to seeing how these new tools help me to evolve as an artist. I am hoping to acquire more high quality recording equipment to allow me to expand into the realm of producer. Also working on up-ing my DJ skills to inform my craft!
Who or what inspires you?
CW: I am inspired by the passionate change-makers of the world. I am inspired by those self-aware dedicated men and women who see social inequality and make it a point to confront it in collaborative, creative, honest, and powerful ways. Probably the most notable inspirations in my life right now are Dr. Pedro Noguera, Martha Diaz, James Baldwin, Malcolm X, and Bruce Lee. My Mom of course continues to be an inspiration to me in the way she dedicated her life to confronting injustice, something which she worked hard to instill in me from a young age, and my Dad for the compassion he lived by, day by day, until the day he passed away. As an artist, Nas definitely has been a big inspiration in moving me to understand the world with a critical eye.
Is there anything else you would like the Collective to know?
CW: The secret not so secret moniker I go by is Phakamani (pronounced pa-ga-ma-nee). It’s an isiZulu name I acquired while studying isiZulu at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzberg), South Africa from my Professors there, BabuTsangase and Mam’Nonhlanhla. The name was created during Apartheid, and the closest translation to English is “Everyone stand up.” That’s me.
While beatmaking is a form of expression I’m very passionate about, I also live my life as a martial artist. Recently in seeking to progress my self-cultivation as a martial artist I have been studying Wing Chun for the past year with Sifu Henry Moy. The Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee continues to be a guide in my learning to honestly express myself as a martial artist.
Also I can’t end this interview without expressing my passion for teaching children (and for making their education more meaningful, fun, safe, and equitable), especially through the arts, particularly music. The youth are the truth!
Shout out to…?
CW: I have to give a shout out to my sister who is another passionate educator in the family, utilizing dance, the arts, and her amazing linguistic talents to grow the youth! Shout out to my humble brother constructing the future as an engineer, always keeping your eye out for how you can help others! Shout out to Ms. Mercy Agyepong, constantly checking me, and inspiring me with the wisdom you hold, and for your remarkable ways of distilling knowledge with a raw perspicacious flavor that the world needs to keep in touch with, can’t wait to call you Dr. Agyepong! Of course shout out to my boy Vicken, living life by the truth, you’re a beast for continuing to strive to open the world through your empathy and love of the arts. Shout out to Emmanuel for inspiring youth through the love and that film thing. Shout out to Martha Diaz for your faith and passion for equity and justice, helping to develop me and open the door of opportunity for me anytime and whenever you can, I could go on!
First of all, we are GRATEFUL for the support with Shake This Maze Second Edition!! We still have copies left but many of you have helped build this project into a successful reality. Soon we will be posting a behind-the-scenes VIDEO of V’s Craft in the making of the albums by hand in Brooklyn.
The soundtrack of the piece will include some remixes of Shake This Maze tracks.
The first one is called He’s So Jade and contains elements from He’s Your Guy and Jade Eyes.
An important idea of the album comes from the title track:
“Shake this maze to the core with these chords and verses/ Mix genres like cops, johns, whores, and virgins/ Turn the source of hurting into a sense of pride/ Find the gold on the shipwrecks of life.”
Music for me has been a main source of Reflection and Response, and the tracks on this album are just that: Reflections on everyday experience. This release is an ultimate Response.
– Peter Muller
WELCOME to the release of the 2nd edition of Peter Muller’s debut album, Shake This Maze. Original music, independently produced and recorded. Original album artwork, individually handcrafted. 50 hand numbered units.
We wanted to release a 2nd edition of Shake This Maze as a continuation of our collaborative project. The gold banner cover design gives new character to the same musical content as the original edition.
The re-crafting of the album has been a dope experience, and in the upcoming weeks we’ll be releasing some “Making Of…” documentation of the process in various forms of media. Stay dialed in!
**The Golden Ticket**Each album comes with a few goods in the inside left pocket, behind the tracklist. We’ve included: 1) A “the LIFESTYLE” or “Reflection and Response” sticker, 2) A “Peter Muller” logo flyer, and 3) A “the LIFESTYLE: Reflection and Response” banner photo. One of the 50 units includes TheGolden Ticket – a banner photo with NO blue pigment!! If the banner photo in your collection of goods has a color-less sky, hit us up!! A custom handwritten parchment scroll of lyrics from your favorite track off the album will come your way..
Check our narratives about the creative process from the original release a couple months ago:
The Music:
Shake This Maze is a project that started sometime around 2009 in Buenos Aires when I decided to get back into writing more personal lyrics. During this time I had the good fortune to be able to work with talented musicians both inside and outside of the city of Buenos Aires. Conversations about life in Buenos Aires can be heard on “The Villa,” which was recorded in Villa Carraza, a low-income area outside of the city. While in Argentina I also work with a woman with an amazing voice whose version of “The City,” brought out such soulful tones in the track.
After moving back to Seattle to finish school at the University of Washington I formed a group called 55thandBrooklyn, and tracks such as “Past That,” “Wake Up,” “He’s Your Guy,” and “The Christmas Song,” were part of the live set of 55th later performed live around Seattle at venues such as Fourno’s, Lucid, and Waid’s in early 2011. After graduation in March 2011, I got a job at Duke’s Chowder house, a Seattle seafood chain restaurant. The members of 55th had gone their separate ways and I focused on solo lyrics accompanied by acoustic guitar. Experiences from Seattle during this period crafted through this type arrangement can be heard on “This job,” “Making Spaces,” and “Jade Eyes.” Final recording of these later tracks was done in two different apartment studios in Madrid, Spain.
The final two tracks of the album were projects begun years before I even left for college. “Livin on the West Coast” comes from the P.Muller and Sneaky V days of 2002-2006 when V and I first started messing with composition and arranging music with Garage Band in Berkeley. In “Spark This Shit Flaming” I used a beat from Seattle that samples me playing drums from my parents basement in 2003.Then in Spain I wrote the lyrics and recorded and mastered the track.
I started out using Logic Express 8 in Argentina and finished up with Ableton Suite 8. I have used the same Apogee one interface and MXL V88 mic for 3 years.
While the tracks mostly come from me, this project is 100% collaboration between V and I. If it weren’t for his idea to start this project, there’d be no album. If it weren’t for his craftsmanship, the tracks would have no presentation.
-P.
The Artwork:
The making ofthe album artwork was a handcrafted process involving 6 stages and multiple mediums. We started by ordering 50 blank recycled chipboard album covers and some CD sleeves from the good folks over at Stumptown Printers, and Shake This Maze was soon on its way…
1. Cover Art, Part 1: Acrylic paint stencil
I started the cover art by cutting a stencil of the “PM” logo that I had created for Peter about a month ago. An old-school classic stencil made from the basics: a manila folder and an exacto blade. Using red acrylic paint and a brush, I hand stenciled this first layer on the units.
2. Cover Art, Part 2: India ink stencil
Next, I cut another stencil of the lettering I drew up for the album title, Shake This Maze. Using india ink and a brush, I centered this second layer over the red “PM” backdrop.
3. Back Cover
For the back cover (not pictured) I hand-wrote some credits with a Pigma Micron #8 pen..
4. Tracklist
Moving on to the tracklists, I used a Pigma Brush pen to write the song titles. I also marked each unit with a 1/50, 2/50….49/50, 50/50.. on the right inside cover. It would be dope to see where all of these end up, so hit us up with the whereabouts.. we might have to set up a map to keep track!
5. CD Labels
I printed the “PM” logo and the “Shake This Maze” lettering on Brown Kraft CD Labels, which we then threw on each CD..
6. Assembly
Finally, using a hot glue gun, I folded and assembled each case. Look for more goods in the inside left pocket too!!
This was a dope collaborative project to work on, and it’s amazing how each album case turns out to be unique in some way – whether it’s slightly different placement of the cover lettering stencils, or the individually numbered inside pocket…they all have their own vibe and character! I think this handcrafted approach is the only fitting way to showcase Peter’s original, honest, and raw creative talent. Reflection and Response.
V.
In order to purchase the album:
–Directly from Peter in Madrid at upcoming shows, album release parties, open mics, other events, or contact P at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com
–Directly from Vicken in the New York City area or contact V at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com
–Online store for orders not in Madrid or New York City…
Shake This MazeUSA:
Shake This MazeEuropa:
–8€ for European orders and $10 for orders in the United States. All other currencies accepted.
This is the end of the beginning. Our first collaborative product, and it’s been a raw and inspiring experience expanding our craft with you. Thank you all for the love and support!! We’re looking forward to building off this project as we move forward!
El Grillo Jujeño is a leader. Born in Jujuy, Argentina and moving to Buenos Aires 10 years ago, he turned his experience of “desarraigo,” (uprootedness) associated with changing his location into a response that led to the creation of various social and artistic Collectives focused on the migrant experience throughout Argentina. He is also a folk artist himself, a lawyer, and a entertainment industry entrepreneur. A true craftsperson whose activities prove the power of Response.
Para empezar con algunos puntos básicas, de dónde vienes? Dónde estás?
Leading off with some basics, where are you from? And where are you at?
GJ: Nací en el norte de Argentina, en la Provincia de JUJUY, la misma se caracteriza por tener a parte de su territorio considerado “Patrimonio cultural, paisajistico e historico de la Humanidad”, hablo de la Quebrada de Humahuaca. También allí, en ese caprichoso y magnífico paisaje se encuentra el famoso “Cerro de los 7 colores” entre otras bellezas naturales, por lo que desde ya los invito a visitar esa maravillosa región.
Recuerdo una frase que dice:
“JUJUY le han puesto de nombre
Debe ser cosa de Dios,
En el idioma del cielo
Así se llama al amor.”
Me encuentro a más de 1700km de mi ciudad natal, en la ciudad de Buenos Aires o mas conocida como “la city porteña”, lugar donde se hace mas palpable “el crisol de razas” que poblaron a este pais. Es la ciudad “mas europeizada” dicen algunos. Esta mega ciudad, tierra donde muchos la consideran lugar de oportunidades, donde al transitar sus calles uno comprende porque “el tango” nace aquí.
Les comento algo que a lo mejor les parezca extraño, pero que también es verdad: dentro de ese crisol de razas que hacen a la actual poblacion argentina, también se encuentra la “RAÍZ AMERICANA”.
Esta ciudad fue receptora no solo de la migración europea, sino tambien de la migración interna del pais, por lo que les aconsejo (si es que tienen intenciones de conocer Bs As), hacer un recorrido cultural a traves de las “PEÑAS FOLKLORICAS”, fiestas donde se interpreta, baila y canta MUSICA FOLKLORICA ARGENTINA y también latinoamericana. Descubrirán una Argentina autóctona, americana y regional. Todo eso debido a la enorme extensión del territorio que se extiende desde Ushuaia hasta La Quiaca.
Así es, Argentina es muy rica en historia. Y estamos hablando de historia identitaria y originaria de esta tierra sudamericana, por lo que los invito nuevamente a venir y conocerla.
GJ: I was born in northern Argentina, in Jujuy Province, characterized by having part of its territory considered a Wrold Hertiage of “Cultural, scenic and historic” value. I talk of the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Also here, in this moody and magnificent scenery is the famous “Mountain of 7 Colors” including more natural beauty, and now I invite you to visit this wonderful region.
I remember a saying that goes:
“They gave it the name JUJUY
It should be a thing of God,
In the language of heaven
This is called love. ”
I am more than 1700km from my home town, in the city of Buenos Aires, better known as “The Port City”, a place where the idea of “the melting pot” that settled in this country becomes palpable. Some say the city is “more Europeanized,”. This mega city, the land many consider a place of opportunity, where to walk it’s streets, one understands why “Tango” was born here.
I will tell you something that maybe seems strange but that is also true: in this melting pot of races that make the current population of Argentina there is also the “AMERICAN ROOT”.
This city was the recipient not only of European migration, but also of internal migration of Argentines, so I advise you (if you intend to travel to Buenos Aires), make a cultural journey through the “folkloric” parties where people perform plays, dance and sing ARGENTINE FOLK MUSIC and Latin American folk as well. One will discover a different sides of Argentina: native, American, and regional. This complexity is because of the vast expanse of territory stretching from Ushuaia to La Quiaca.
Indeed, Argentina is rich in history. And we’re talking about historical identity and the origins of this South American land, so I again invite you to come and get to know it.
Que quiere decir Reflection and Response para ti?
What does Reflection and Response mean to you?
GJ: Lo asimilo con hacerse una pregunta o cuestionamiento, o CRISIS!!!!!!!!
Analizar el problema y buscar probables soluciones. Desde hace años me cuestioné lo siguiente: Todos tenemos nuestros sueños y metas personales, pero también tenemos sueños que implican a la sociedad en su conjunto, y si no lo pensamos asi, deberiamos empezar a entenderlo, creo yo. Pensar en el otro.
Aristoteles habló del hombre como “ser social”. Personalmente, considero que todos debemos aportar nuestro granito de arena al medio que nos rodea.
En estos 10 años que viví en BS AS conocí incontables provincianos de todo el país que sufren el “desarraigo” pero mantienen sus costumbres, cultura y tradiciones en la medida de sus posibilidades. La difusión de esas actividades generalmente no llegan a los medios masivos de comunicación .
Esos provincianos son considerados para los porteños como intrusos y por otro lado, para los provincianos que residen en sus provincias, estos desarraigados son porteños.
GJ: I think of Reflection as the idea of presenting a question, challenge, or CRISIS!!!
Analyze the problem and find possible solutions.
For years I questioned the following:
We all have our dreams and goals, but we also have dreams that involve society as a whole, and if we do not think like this, it’s something we should begin to understand. To think of the other.
Aristotle spoke of man as a “social being”. Personally, I think we should all do our bit for our environment.
In these 10 years I have lived in Buenos Aires I met countless migrants throughout the country who suffer “rootlessness” but retain their customs, culture and traditions as much as possible. The spread of these activities generally does not reach the mass media.
These migrants are considered intruders by those born in the city. On the other hand these same transplanted migrants are considered “rootless,” for the provincials who reside in their home provinces.
Que más estás haciendo actualmente? Que proyectos estás pensando trabajar próximamente? Como se encuentran esos proyectos con tu idea de Reflection and Response?
GJ: What else have you been working on recently? What are you looking to work on next? How do these projects fit in with your ideas on Reflection and Response?
Es por esto que decidí solidarizarme y aportar mi granito de arena a este mundo difundiendo lo hacen los provincianos y sobre todo los jujeños en BS AS, personas solidarias, trabajadoras, reunidas en centros de residentes o como “solitarios heroes”, (QUIJOTES DE LA CULTURA) que difunden sus tadiciones, cultura, música, comidas… TIPICAS ARGENTINAS!!!!!!!
YO YA NO SOY UN QUIJOTE SOLITARIO gracias a TODOS los que se animan a soñar con un mundo mejor y todos los que nos acompañan en nuestros emprendimientos.
Creo que es importante que las nuevas generaciones conozcan su pasado y puedan valorar la importancia que tiene el sentido de la IDENTIDAD.
CAMINATA DE LAS QUENAS
Es por eso que pensamos en la magia de los niños de Jujuy y me convertí en uno de los 4 organizadores del proyecto “CAMINATA DE LAS QUENAS”, Proyecto cultural, educativo, identitario, musical que se realiza todos los años en los meses de Julio en BS AS y en agosto en JUJUY. (IMPORTANTE: Este año es el Bicentenario del Exodo Jujeño)
GJ: Thus I decided to express my solidarity and contribute my bit to this world spreading the work of migrants, especially those from Jujuy, living in Buenos Aires: caring people, workers, residents gathered in centers or “lone heroes” (QUIJOTES OF CULTURE) who spread and promote thier traditions, culture, music, food … TYPICAL ARGENTINA!!!
I AM NO LONGER A SINGLE QUIXOTE thanks to ALL who dare to dream of a better world and all who join us in our endeavors.
I think it is important that new generations know their past and that this knowledge can help them appreciate the importance of a sense of identity.
WALK OF QUENAS
This is why we believe in the magic of children in Jujuy and I became one of the four organizers of the “WALK OF QUENAS” This project focuses on culture, education, identity, and music and is performed every year in July in Buenos Airs and in August in Jujuy. (IMPORTANT: This year is the bicentennial of Jujuy Exodus)
Shake This Maze, 2nd edition. A couple months ago, we released the “First 50” units of Peter’s debut album, independently recorded, with back-to-the-basics handcrafted artwork. The second edition features another set of 50 individually numbered albums, with a new gold-anchored cover design.
We wanted to release a 2nd edition of Shake This Maze as a continuation of our collaborative project. Vicken takes the feel of the collaboration to a different level with the gold banner, which gives new character to the same musical content as the original edition.
This is the end of the beginning. Our first collaborative product, and it’s been a raw experience expanding our craft with you. Thank you all for the love and support!! We’re looking forward to building off this project as we move forward!
Stay tuned for the upcoming release of Shake This Maze, 2nd edition!!
Vivian Garcia has a wealth of experience as an artist. She has graced stages on multiple continents and draws from influences that are so varied yet performs each with grace and skill. A gifted vocalist who recently began accompanying herself on the guitar, Vivan has been involved with musicians and scenes located on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and has connected with a global network of talented people. We are extremely proud and excited to host her feature. Peep the dialogue below and check out her original track “Cold Bed,” and a link to her sound cloud following her words.
Leading off with some basics, where are you from? And where are you at?
VG: I am from Chicago, Illinois and a child of Cuban immigrants. I was raised on the north side of the city and glad of it as it is the most diverse part. Growing up I had friends who were Armenian, Turkish, Jamaican,Haitian, Philipino, Jordanian, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban, Romanian,Indian, Pakistani, Assyrian…the list goes on. I did not realize then how influential the contact of these cultures would be in my music and my overall formation as a human being. I would not have it any other way.
I currently live in Madrid, Spain. I have been here since the fall of 2010 working on an M.A. Spanish and Latin American literature. I dreamed of living in Spain since I was 18. I tried as an undergrad to enter a study abroad program but was not accepted. In 2002, I tried once more, this time to a M.A. Program and was again not granted acceptance. In 2005, I left a post as an administrator for an alternative school system in Chicago to FINALLY come live in Spain. I studied Flamenco guitar for 3 months in Granada ( still my FAVORITE Spanish city) and from that point on vowed to return as often as possible. In 2009 I returned to Granada to again take Flamenco guitar lessons at the Carmen de Las Cuevas school and in 2010 was FINALLY granted admission to a Master´s program at Saint Louis University in Madrid.
I spend my time between my two muses, literature and music as well as the two cities Chicago and Madrid. I go home over the summers and Christmas to play shows and visit with family so it is not uncommon for my friends on FB to wonder which city I am residing in at any given moment.
What does Reflection and Response mean to you?
VG: I believe that art, in any of its mediums is not a passive endeavor. While some forms are created in solitary moments, painting for example, it is still a synthesis of the artists experiences with life, friends, family etc. and that same work then resonates in many different ways with viewers depending on their frame of mind and frame of reference, which even if silent, results in a dialogue. Music, well, on the one hand it is solitary in the moments of learning to play one’s instrument, but after that it can be a very communal and fluid experience. My time in Madrid has made me EXTREMELY grateful to have the ability to play and sing because it has allowed me to participate in spontaneous jam sessions in the plazas and parks here with people from all over the world just passing through. We have not always had a common spoken language, but the idiom of music has allowed for profound exchanges to transpire and suddenly, it is not just the people playing or singing involved, it is a whole circle of “spectators” who are now ACTIVELY participating in and helping to create the art in that moment.
I am a big fan of breaking down those rigid definitions of passive audience and active artist and so anytime there is a way to bring everyone into the fold it is a beautiful thing. I would say though, that transitioning from live performance to recording has been tough for me in the sense that I am not physically part of the instantaneous response to the art. It is a nice feeling though when people say they have been listening to a particular song on their own time in their own space and able to articulate how that theme resonates with them so I guess the reflection and response part comes in then 🙂
How do your current artistic endeavors fit in with that definition?
VG: I am in a huge stage of transition in ALL aspects of my life. At times it can be really challenging to know who I am or where I am because of living in two different countries, cultures, groups of friends. The common denominator has been my music. I have performed cover songs form most of my musical career. I am not ashamed of that-in fact I love interpreting great songs a new way. Now, because I have just recently started to create new music and actually record it and THEN actually share it, my friends and family in Chicago and elsewhere have the opportunity to comment on what I have been creating here in Madrid. The feedback has been lovely, if at times overwhelming. It has though engendered a new dialogue…musicians I have collaborated with in the past back home are hearing the stuff I play here and want to make plans to create when I get home for the summer. I am hoping it is not too grandiose of a plan to try to get some trans continental stuff going and have musicians from both locations working together on the same pieces. I am not technologically savvy so we will see if I can get to that point.
What else have you been working on recently? What are you looking to work on next?
VG: I still perform covers when asked to play longer shows but in connection with the last question, I am really excited about the work I have been doing with Peter Muller. Really, it has come as a pleasant but wonderful surprise how two people from totally different backgrounds and generations..I am not a grandma but.ok lets just say I grew up in the 80´s , anyway it´s great that we can just click and make things happen. I come in with a chord or two or one line of verse and suddenly there is a whole song. We jokingly call a side project the “dregs” because after we are finished recording whatever it is we are working on for the day there is some kind of awesome spontaneous instrumental number that just surfaces. I would like to see in the months to come where we can go with this.
Who or what inspires you?
VG: In general the people who inspire me are everyday folks who even with extenuating or stressful circumstances find it in their person to be kind and giving to others. Truly, I am a believer that people flourish and become their best selves when shown support, and kindness and nurturing. There is a quote which I feel best embodies this notion:“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”- Leo F. Buscaglia
On a musical level, man, there is no dearth of people who inspire but if I have to be true to myself, it is seeing women, young or from previous generations who sing and play their own music. I listened to lots of Billie (Holliday) and Ella (Fitzgerald) as a young woman but truly grew to appreciate Nina Simone as I got older and realized just how amazing she was as a composer and performer. Currently, I am really digging on Esperanza Spaulding, Lianne la Havas, Nneka, Asa, and let me not forget Tracy Chapman. I think listening to her and seeing her in concert a few times in college made me want to pick up the guitar and play. And in the world of Spanish music….I love Bebe and Amparanoia.
Shout out to…?
VG: Well, I definitely have to thank my sister Laura Garcia who may not always agree with the path I have chosen but has always supported it. The Q4 collective in Chicago and Multi Kulti for allowing me to play so many great shows. For sure all the musicians in Pilsen in Chicago…amazing amazing talent in ONE neighborhood. I have been lucky enough to be accompanied by some wonderful son jarocho groups 🙂 And in Madrid…well shout out to the Triskel open mic regulars. I can´t believe how many uber talented people come to share their music in one crowded basement! Last but not least Domenichi Morris and Ricardo Chavez, my awesomely talented musical partners in crime these past few years in Chicago!
Shake This Maze is a project that started sometime around 2009 in Buenos Aires when I decided to get back into writing more personal lyrics. During this time I had the good fortune to be able to work with talented musicians both inside and outside of the city of Buenos Aires. Conversations about life in Buenos Aires can be heard on “The Villa,” which was recorded in Villa Carraza, a low-income area outside of the city. While in Argentina I also work with a woman with an amazing voice whose version of “The City,” brought out such soulful tones in the track.
After moving back to Seattle to finish school at the University of Washington I formed a group called 55thandBrooklyn, and tracks such as “Past That,” “Wake Up,” “He’s Your Guy,” and “The Christmas Song,” were part of the live set of 55th later performed live around Seattle at venues such as Fourno’s, Lucid, and Waid’s in early 2011. After graduation in March 2011, I got a job at Duke’s Chowder house, a Seattle seafood chain restaurant. The members of 55th had gone their separate ways and I focused on solo lyrics accompanied by acoustic guitar. Experiences from Seattle during this period crafted through this type arrangement can be heard on “This job,” “Making Spaces,” and “Jade Eyes.” Final recording of these later tracks was done in two different apartment studios in Madrid, Spain.
The final two tracks of the album were projects begun years before I even left for college. “Livin on the West Coast” comes from the P.Muller and Sneaky V days of 2002-2006 when V and I first started messing with composition and arranging music with Garage Band in Berkeley. In “Spark This Shit Flaming” I used a beat from Seattle that samples me playing drums from my parents basement in 2003.Then in Spain I wrote the lyrics and recorded and mastered the track.
I started out using Logic Express 8 in Argentina and finished up with Ableton Suite 8. I have used the same Apogee one interface and MXL V88 mic for 3 years.
While the tracks mostly come from me, this project is 100% collaboration between V and I. If it weren’t for his idea to start this project, there’d be no album. If it weren’t for his craftsmanship, the tracks would have no presentation.
In order to purchase the album:
-Directly from Peter in Madrid at upcoming shows, album release parties, open mics, other shows or contact at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com
-Directly from Vicken in the New York City area or contact V at the.lifestyle.rr@gmail.com
-For orders not in Madrid or New York City…
Shake This Maze USA:
Shake This Maze Europa:
-8€ for European orders and $10 for orders in the United States. All other currencies are accepted.
An important idea of the album comes from the title track: “Shake this maze to the core with these chords and verses/Mix genres like cops, johns, whores, and virgins/Turn the source of hurting into a sense of pride/ Find the gold on the shipwrecks of life.” Music for me has been a main source of Reflection and Response, and the tracks on this album are just that: Reflections on everyday experience. This release is an ultimate Response.
The making ofthe album artwork was a handcrafted process involving 6 stages and multiple mediums. We started by ordering 50 blank recycled chipboard album covers and some CD sleeves from the good folks over at Stumptown Printers, and Shake This Maze was soon on its way…
1. Cover Art, Part 1: Acrylic paint stencil
I started the cover art by cutting a stencil of the “PM” logo that I had created for Peter about a month ago. An old-school classic stencil made from the basics: a manila folder and an exacto blade. Using red acrylic paint and a brush, I hand stenciled this first layer on the units.
2. Cover Art, Part 2: India ink stencil
Next, I cut another stencil of the lettering I drew up for the album title, Shake This Maze. Using india ink and a brush, I centered this second layer over the red “PM” backdrop.
3. Back Cover
For the back cover (not pictured) I hand-wrote some credits with a Pigma Micron #8 pen..
4. Tracklist
Moving on to the tracklists, I used a Pigma Brush pen to write the song titles. I also marked each unit with a 1/50, 2/50….49/50, 50/50.. on the right inside cover. It would be dope to see where all of these end up, so hit us up with the whereabouts.. we might have to set up a map to keep track!
5. CD Labels
I printed the “PM” logo and the “Shake This Maze” lettering on Brown Kraft CD Labels, which we then threw on each CD..
6. Assembly
Finally, using a hot glue gun, I folded and assembled each case. Look for more goods in the inside left pocket too!!
This was a dope collaborative project to work on, and it’s amazing how each album case turns out to be unique in some way – whether it’s slightly different placement of the cover lettering stencils, or the individually numbered inside pocket…they all have their own vibe and character! I think this handcrafted approach is the only fitting way to showcase Peter’s original, honest, and raw creative talent. Reflection and Response.
the LIFESTYLE 