Today in Denton

Blogger Update: Luxe-Stitch

2011-05-21T12:25:00.003-05:00

Former Dentonite and current best friend, Candace Duncan has been building her online world to enormous heights. She has been working hard on her online vintage shop and she offers up great recipes, awesome craft ideas and so much more. Please check her blog out if you have not already... Luxe-Stitch. She is doing a give-away for a beautiful homemade, up-cycled flower hair pin. Check out Love Elycia for more information!

Your Friend Neighborhood Dentonista

2011-05-21T12:09:00.002-05:00

I'm sure you've read (and loved) her blog, Best of Denton. She's witty, shares great thoughts/places to go and LOVES Denton! I had the opportunity to send her some questions to get to know a little more about YFNDentonista, and without further adieu... here it is.

Q: How long have you been in Denton? What part of the North did you come from?

A: I’ve been in Denton for absolute yonks - ever since college. I hail from the New York, actually, which makes me the yankiest sort of Yankee. (http://bestofdenton.blogspot.com/2008/09/weldons-saddle-shop-and-western-wear.html)

Q: Tell us about YOU! We want to know who our Friendly Neighborhood Dentonista is!

A: Oh see, I work in IT in my real life, and I know the Internet never forgets. So, even though I think Your Friendly Neighborhood Dentonista is entirely uncontroversial – really I think of myself as a positive booster! – I DO prefer to retain my anonymity.

That probably dates me as a Gen Xer.

And I am.

Q: Out of every place you've eaten in Denton, which place do you frequent most?

A: This is a 3-way tie between Hannah’s, The Green House, and Andaman Thai – three places where I can get reliably delicious, gluten free, chef-cooked food.

Q: Are you in to any local music? If so, please share.

A: I feel like an apostate saying this, but I’m not. I know! I did love Ten Hands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Hands_(band)) , and I loved it when The Reverend Horton Heat (http://www.reverendhortonheat.com/) was playing here regularly, but I leave current local bands up to my significant other (referred to as the SO on my blog and tweets). He is a significant music geek. (http://bestofdenton.blogspot.com/2008/09/plans-for-grapefest.html). So, when I asked him, he said:

a. Slobberbone

b. Brent Best

c. Pinebox Serenade

d. The Slow Burners

e. Record Hop

And he prefers to see them at Dan’s Silver Leaf. This last 35 Conferette blew his hair back, too, and made him very, very happy. He predicts BIG things for this event.

Q: How long have you been doing the Best of Denton blog?

A: You know, I had to check. My first post, about the Denton Freecycle Community was July of 2008. http://bestofdenton.blogspot.com/2008/07/denton-freecycle-community.html

Q: What is next on the blog list for Best of Denton?

A: I have been pitifully lax with the blog lately, because Twitter is just so easy and immediate, but I think more field trips (http://bestofdenton.blogspot.com/search/label/_Field%20Trip) are up next. Denton’s proximity to DFW (http://bestofdenton.blogspot.com/2008/12/dfw-airport.html), its excellent location in Texas, and its central location in the US, make it a great place to travel from, and I’ve had some trips.

In fact, I was recently back in my old stomping grounds, of Long Island, and I’d like to write about that.

More locally, I’d like to write about the other side of University Drive (http://bestofdenton.blogspot.com/2008/10/seedy-end-of-university-drive.html) and take a tour, and pictures of, our local places of worship. We visit them as places of architectural interest when we travel, but we never look in our own back yard, and we have some interesting churches and a mosque!

Artist Update: Brett Rees

2011-05-21T11:57:00.005-05:00

Another Artist update from former Denton artist (currently attending Graduate School at the University of Wisconsin in Madison) Brett Rees.

Fair Warning. Digital Print, drawing, painting, acrylic.

Self Portrait with Fear. Digital print, print, monoprint, acrylic.

Self Portrait. Acrylic, gouache, drawing.

Realization of Immensity. Acrylic, watercolor, drawing.

Transitions. Digital print, watercolor, monoprint, acrylic, drawing.

Artist Update: Taylor McClure

2011-05-21T11:41:00.003-05:00

For your viewing pleasure, please enjoy some of the newest work from local Denton artistTaylor McClure.

Early Voting Starts Monday!

2011-05-01T15:26:00.003-05:00

Monday May 2 starts the early voting for Denton County City & School Elections. My friend Kevin Roden is running for City Council for District 1. All I can say is, if you live in District 1 - or in Denton in general - you want Kevin Roden working with you. His admiration and enthusiasm for Denton is astounding and inspiring. Please check out his campaign website here & go vote tomorrow!

Taylor McClure Q & A

2010-09-18T18:43:00.008-05:00

In April I shared some of local artist Taylor McClure's work. Now I have the opportunity to cut a slice out of his mind in this healthy question & answer portion. Taylor is a nice bearded gentleman of Pan-Ector Industries, a screen printing company located in Denton. For more of his new work check out his flickr. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Q: How long have you been an active artist?

A: I've been filling sketchbooks with marks since I was coordinated enough to hold a crayon. I would basically keep visual diaries, and the drawings would reflect things I had recently seen or done. I grew up in a family of non-artists, so I wasn't exposed to much creative stimulation outside of cartoons and video games. Through middle and high school, I starting getting more technical with fine-line felt pens, making comics mostly. I felt too rigid and overwhelmed using 'professional' mediums until I actually took formal training in college. As far as being active as a career artist, I'd say about a year.

Q: What is your preferred medium to use?

A: When I'm just drawing as a means of killing time, I use a Cretacolor lead holder. In my practice, it's the easiest way to get ideas out on a larger scale at a rapid rate. When I'm illustrating or painting, I prefer watercolor and ink. I'm really fond of my bake (bah-kay) brushes for illustrating larger pieces. Traditionally they're used for inking carved blocks in ukiyo-e printmaking, but I love the way they handle watercolor and ink. It's like a miniature mop made of boar's bristles. Outside of drawing, I carve relief prints from either MDF or linoleum. Cutting images in relief is a tiring process, and it's important that your mind be in tune with your hands. If you lose focus, you can cut yourself pretty badly. Fortunately, all of my mishaps have been solved by a bandage.

Q: What goals do you have for yourself as an artist?

A: My main goal right now is perseverance. I recently finished school, and for a lot of people that means dropping the ball on their craft for a while. It was honestly really difficult for me to keep my head up after graduating. Thinking holistically about how to survive as an artist is a pretty daunting thing. Fortunately I snapped out of it and have gotten back into workhorse mode. As far as personal goals for the future, I would like for my efforts to foot the bill on travel expenses. I want to make friends all over the world so we can hang out and draw funny faces together. Once I've aged, I'd like to share what I've gathered by teaching studio art at the college level.

Q: Do you have any favorite local artists around Denton?

A: Yes! Denton's full of them. Nevada Hill, Letty Gomez, Hank St. John, Alex Despain, Brett Rees, Adam Palmer, Lauren Hirsch, Andrew Savage, Kristinejoy Malari, Matt Panuska; I could keep going, but I think ten's a solid number. Unfortunately half of that list has recently moved away, but before long we'll all be gone. Denton has a lot to share!

Q: Where does your inspiration come from?

A: Everything I do or have done makes its way back into my illustrations. It's kind of like dreaming, when things you've experienced present themselves in a random, rearranged sequence of events. It sounds like a cop-out, but inspiration is everywhere. I'm also inspired by my friends that really give a damn about what they do. When you work alongside people with that special sort of focus, you can't help but share juju. Collaboration is raw nutrition in an artistically balanced diet. Sorry if that was too campy.

Q: Is your work currently displayed anywhere?

A: Outside of hanging on the walls of friend's houses, not at the moment. Most of my efforts concerning the gallery world are in collaboration with Denton's own Meme Gallery. Our goal is to give local artists a platform to show their work in an alternative space outside of the academic paradigm. We all wear different hats for each showing, but I've illustrated a majority of the posters for the openings. In a sense, my work is being displayed in that way.

Q: Will your work be displayed anywhere in the near future?

A: I'm really looking forward to my first solo show coming up in mid October at Burger & Friends. Everything shown will be work I've made since graduation, so I'm curious as to how people will receive it. I imagine the reception will be something like a snake shedding its skin only to discover it was a butterfly after all.

Also, join Taylor & other local artists at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios next Friday September 24 for Meme Gallery's presentation of Fields Harrington.

Pearl Street Studios

2010-07-03T14:13:00.005-05:00

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Kelly Upshaw to get to know more about his latest venture, Pearl Street Studios. His band, The Hope Trust, just finished recording their second album Light Can't Escape in Upshaw's home studio. According to the Dallas Observer, the release of this album promises to be one of the best of the second half of 2010.

Upshaw is also putting the finishing touches on the EP for up and comer Clay Thrash. I personally cannot wait to have that CD in my car. Check out Clay's myspace link for acoustic previews of what is to come on his album being released by Pearl Street Studios.

If you are in Denton tonight, you should check out Upshaw playing at Dan's Silverleaf!

Q: What does Pearl Street Studios have to offer musicians in Denton? (or outside of Denton for that matter)

A: It offers a commercial quality recording environment at a reasonable rate. It's really been a work in progress over the last year and a half. I've had my recording set-up for the last five years. I mostly started out demoing out my own songs and got more interested in recording the more I did it. The first real record I made was The Hope Trust's Incurable Want. That was my set-up in a house, just trying to make a decent first record. Then as we got ready to make our forthcoming album, I found a house we acoustically treated the rooms, and ended up creating a pretty cool space. Since then I've taken on a few projects in the down time of working on my record. Luckily, it's been projects that I have been really glad to be a part of; mostly projects I've sought out. So, all that to say, it's a comfortable creative space and my aim with it is to work on records that I think are interesting, and do what I can to help the artist realize the fullest potential of their idea.

Q: You are currently working with Andy Young (Lift to Experience) on his solo album, how is that going? When do you foresee that one being completed?

A: It's actually finished now. It was fun for the most park, interesting on the whole. Andy had a really distinct vision for what he wanted it to sound like, and it was fun to get in the mind set of someone else's vision, and just try to make it sound good. It was also cool to get to play bass on.

Q: Your band The Hope Trust just finished recording in your studio. How did that go? What are the next steps before it is released?

A: It's been a long process, and sometimes a challenging one, to be honest. But I think we're all really proud of what we created. I think we really made a forward shift with pursuing new sounds, and creating more dense musical moments than are on our first album. And, thats not a sleight to The Incurable Want, its more an encouraging sign of growing creatively in a collective sense. So, we are going to mix and master it, and hope to have it in some hands in September.

Q: Who else have you worked with at Pearl Street Studios? Do you have any new projects coming up?

A: Prior to being here in our current space, Pearl Street Studios actually existed in a house on Pearl St. (we just kept the name), and there I had recorded a record with my friend Wes Crawford, a missionary interestingly. Also, I helped Doug Burr demo some material from On Promenade, and helped him track some vocals for The Lonelies record that never got released. It was a good record, too.

As of now Im gearing up for the release of the new Hope Trust record. I just finished a record with Clay Thrash, with who I have been working with for the last year. Just trying to get things wrapped up.

Q: For all the music nerds out there, what kind of equipment are you working with?

A: I run Protools on a Mac G5. I have 4 Channels of API mic pres, and 4 additional channels of Unviersal Audio pres. I use an Apogee Rossetta 8oo for the conversion, from Analog to Digital.

Q: What makes your recording studio different from the countless in home studios around town?

A: I think having great preamps and conversation going into Digital is probably one thing that most home studios don't have. I've also acoustically treated a tacking and central room, threw up a little paint, and made it a pretty comfortable creative place.

The School House

2010-06-26T08:08:00.003-05:00

Everyone's been there or at least heard of it- Spooky Folk recorded their debut album there - AND they booked NX35 Day Party Shows during the Conferette. So, what exactly is the story behind this House...of School? Besides sick house shows (no PUN intended..) the people behind the School House are very interesting and keeping their stride to present great local music to the happy hearts and ears of Denton. Please enjoy the following interview from the School House operators themselves. And be sure to come out TONIGHT to the FREE SHOW! Its at the SYC House.

Q: Who does what at the Schoolhouse?

A: The Schoolhouse is collectively run by Charlie Hunter, Rachel Watts and John Jurado. There are no assigned jobs. Everybody does everything .

Q: Who are some of the bands you've recorded? Do you do full-lengths or EPs or singles? What is the deal with recording at the SchoolHouse?

A: The only band we've recorded at the Schoolhouse is Spooky Folk, for their exclusive track on the Schoolhouse Compilation Volume 1. The Schoolhouse doubles as the home base for I Love Math Records, which put out Spooky Folk's debut album. We had started to record that album at the house with Ryan Thomas Becker and Judson Valdez at the board, but the recordings were shelved. Maybe they'll surface again one day. In the near future, we will be releasing material from The Warm Ones (formerly Parata) and Manned Missiles, but we are always on the lookout for new material.

Q: Where can people find music you produce at the SH?

A: We always have CDs for sale at the house, out of our cars, and online at www.ilovemathrecords.com. All our releases are also stocked at Recycled Books.

Q: What are some upcoming shows?

A: Saturday June 26^th will be the final show at the house. We're still finalizing the lineup, but so far we've confirmed The Virgin Wolves, Jessie Frye, Manned Missiles, RTB2, Spooky Folk and New Science Projects. We'll be adding to that list and announcing the full lineup soon. The Virgin Wolves will be releasing their new EP, “V”, that night. Also, keep your eyes peeled for a special performance from one of our favorite bands that moved to Budapest about a year ago.

Q: Who are some artists in Denton you'd like to work with?

A: When we first decided to start The Schoolhouse, we sat down and made a list of every band that we could think of that we wanted to book and have been lucky enough to have worked with almost all of them. Off the top of my head, the only ones that we haven't gotten to book are Florene, Glen Farris, Sleepwhale and Sarah Jaffe.

Q: After the big move, what are your plans? Are you moving in together again or are you all splitting up?

A: John is getting his own place so he can stay up late and do math without bothering anyone. Rachel and Charlie are getting another house and will see if it feels like an appropriate place to continue the tradition. We're going to use this time to start booking “The Schoolhouse Presents” shows at venues around town. We've been offered a Monday night residency for the month of July at Art 6, so that should be a lot of fun. There's almost never anything to do on a Monday night except hit the bars, so hopefully this will be a welcome alternative to that.

Q: How long has the SH been up and running?

A: Our first show was on July 30^th, 2009 and doubled as a birthday party for our good friend, Lacey Richins. Since then, we've tried to throw a show every three weeks. We were temporarily shut down for the winter months, due to a “friendly suggestion” from some folks at the Denton PD that stopped by one afternoon. Also, we co-booked some day parties during NX35 this year, with Scott Hawthorne of The Annex House.

Denton's Sweetheart: Sarah Jaffe

2010-06-09T11:23:00.006-05:00

Sarah Jaffe: lady, musician, and an all around badass. She really needs no explanation. Please enjoy the following Q&A, and check out more information on her website. Also, scroll down this blog to see her performance a couple weeks ago at Recycled Books in Denton.

Q: How does it feel to have your first full length album released?

A: It feels like a huge weight lifted. It is also equal parts terrifying and exciting. I'm so proud of it though, and everyone that played on it. For awhile I honestly thought it would never see daylight..but I've got good people around me. So, i'm grateful and honored for its debut.

Q: You're about to go back out on tour through the end of the month. Would you trade that to go anywhere else in the entire world?

A: No. not at all. I mean, there are so many places I would like to see in my lifetime. But I think the action of actually getting to do what I love, playing music and traveling...it is key for me. This is what I want for my life. To continue to move, wherever it may be, and write and learn, and play music. ..whether its in Madrid or Abilene.

Q: What do you do in your down time in between touring and living life as a Dentonite?

A: When I get back in town, I usually will go home to my family for a bit..a little bit south of Dallas. Sleep a lot in what was once my bedroom. Do lots of laundry. Take an absurd amount of naps. Watch bad cable television. In Denton I'll usually spend time bartending, or zoning out on the internet at Banter.

Q: How long have you been involved in music?

A: Well...I mean music has been a deep adoration for as far back as my memory allows to recall..but my Mom bought me my first guitar from a garage sale in our neighborhood when I was 9. I fell in love instantly. Started learning by myself. I had my first show when I was 17 at Club Dada. An Open Mic night. From then on, I remember everything pretty vividly.

Q: I know we both have lived in Lufkin at one point in time. How does it feel when no one ever knows where Lufkin is?

A: Honestly when someone asks where I'm from, Ill just say South Dallas. Cause technically I was born in Lufkin and have almost NO recollection of it, except going back there later on in life. Lufkin....interesting. It is exciting to know that you lived there..such a rare happening to find someone that knows of such a strange, tiny place.

Q: Top 5 favorite places to eat in Denton?

A: THAI OCHA

BANTER

KOKILA (Indian food place on Ave. C)

Cupboard

Fuzzy's

Q: What have you been listening to lately? Have you heard any new hot music on the road?

A: Well...I am not ashamed to say that I am an avid listener of top 40 radio..so there that. BUT im aware of how bad most of it is...so bad that its genius in its own right. THAT being said, I also listen to a ton of classics.

ALWAYS obsessed with Harry Nilsson. Patti Smith. Currently..listening to a lot of electronic..Friendly Fires, Passion Pit, theres a great band called Tanlines a friend of mine introduced me to that I LOVE. My taste is , for the most part , all over the place.

Current Tour Dates with Lou Barlow:

6/10/10 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah

6/11/10 - Tucson, AZ - Plush

6/12/10 - Sante Fe, NM - Cowgirl Hall of Fame

6/14/10 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk

6/15/10 - Dallas, TX - The Loft

6/16/10 - Norman, OK - Opolis

6/17/10 - Kansas City, MO - Record bar

6/18/10 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge

6/19/10 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Urban Lounge

6/21/10 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern

6/22/10 - Vancouver, BC - Media Club

6/23/10 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge

6/25/10 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord

6/26/10 - Los Angeles, CA - Bootleg Theatre

6/29/10 - Santa Monica, CA - Apple Store

A Positive Message for our Youth: Mr. Matthew Superman Ransdell, Jr.

2010-06-09T10:19:00.003-05:00

Matthew Ransdell has an important message he would like to share with our youth, and it is a message you should be interested in. Recently I was talking to a customer at Dillard's who is a child psychologist at a middle school and he was telling me how impressionable these children are and how many of these kids get involved in the wrong things. Thinking back, I can definitely remember some kids I knew who were involved in gangs, crimes, and other radical things someone at such a young age shouldn't even know about. If we had someone like Matthew come talk to us, I think things might have changed for the better. Middle school kids want to be in High School and they look up to older people, especially public figures like Matthew Ransdell.

Matthew is doing something great, and I hope you enjoy the following video and Q&A.

Q: Why do you want to be a motivational speaker?

A: Every single person on this planet has the ability to change the life of somebody else, whether it be for the better, or for the worse. We all have to power to pursuade, motivate, encourage, different actions out of the people we talk to. It wasn't until I was 17years old at a youth leadership camp run by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD, that I realized I wanted to somehow get involved with the youth. The camp focused around being young leaders, and the choices we make and how they can not only affect others, but ultimately how we even as young people had the ability to change the world. And watching the speakers was almost like watching stand up comedians, except with an actual message that made you want to get out of your seat and get active by the end of their gig. Right after hearing the closing speaker at camp I knew, I wanted to be that guy, I wanted to make the youth feel the way I felt at that moment. I began working with the youth on a small scale, with groups of 10-20, and one day I was told that my words were changing the lives of young people. And then in the blink of an eye I went from groups of 10, to audiences of 1,000. The truth is that young people need someone to listen too, if they are the key to our future, what kind of example are we building for them? What type of encouragement? In a world like today's with the youth involved in drugs, gangs, sex, etc., the work I do is not just about filling a time slot in an assembly or making kids laugh, it's about life or death.

Q: Are you interested in talking to different groups, or are you intrigued by the impressionable minds of our youth?

A: I feel that at any age you can be changed or inspired to make some sort of difference in your own life and in the world. Whether that be with a 6th grader who has an amazing idea for a fundraiser, or a 70 year old grandfather who has decided to make a change. Speaking to me has no barrier nor limitation. It can go from 1 on 1's to huge audiences from all ages and cultures. I like to believe that my message is universal. I definitely edit and write new speeches depending on who I am speaking too, but if I was called to do a business's motivational seminar, something "up in the air" like, I would love the opportunity and I believe I have something that they can benefit from also. I've definitely begun my career focusing on the youth, and I never want to leave speaking to schools, but I'm not opposed to speaking to different audiences.

Q: What message are you trying to convey? Are there many messages?

A: There are so different stories, or quotes, statistics, or "mini-messages" you could say used in my speaking, but I suppose that they all fall under one message. The overall summary or theme that I work with deals with Dreams And Choices. Everything in this life is a choice. Even before deciding to follow your dream you have to be brave enough to let yourself dream. And that boils down to choices. You have to choose happiness, choose success, choose the type of life you want to live before you can live it. If you go through life without a dream of something better, without a goal set in mind, you can easily get drawn into some pretty negative things that can ultimately take you down some dark and at times unerasable paths. But if you choose to dream, you can make the choice to change your world, and surround yourself with positive surroundings, the type of surroundings that build a steady foundation for you to chase your dreams on, the type of surroundings that change your world for the better and fill you with motivation and inspiration. And if all of these great things can come from just being strong enough to choose them in order to create a better "YOU" or a better tomorrow, then what's stopping you from making those choices? Be above the negative influences, be strong enough to make the choice to dream.

Q: What do you currently do? School? Work?

A: I am currently a 21 year old student at the University of North Texas. I am actually a Theatre Major and also a member of the North Texas Mens Soccer Team. I am beginning to explore the world of the "audition" and getting work in things such as movie voiceovers and commercials, but when not involved with speaking or acting, just like any other college kid, I've gotta pay the bills! So I do have a part-time job waiting tables at On The Border.

If you are interested in more information on Matthew, please check out his Facebook Page. Also, to see another video of his giving a speech to kids at Bird Middle School, check out his youtube page.

Sarah Jaffe at Recycled Books

2010-05-19T08:49:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Sarah Jaffe (accompanied by the great Robert Gomez) played an in-store set at Denton's favorite book store, Recycled Books. It was amazing. Here are some low-quality videos I took! Enjoy!

Vulnerable

Clementine

Cloak of Deception - aka - Black Hoax Lie

Time Bandits

2010-05-18T18:13:00.005-05:00

Today I went in to one of my favorite vintage shops in Denton, Time Bandits! If you have not been in, you should definitely check it out. From vintage vinyls to sassy crochet mini dresses, Time Bandits is a great stop for a retro shopping adventure. Owner Lisa McCullough was kind enough to let me take some photos and a video of the shop for my blog, and she answered some questions below the video. She is planning a buying trip very soon, so be on the look out for new goods at Time Bandits!

Check them out online or in person at 308 E. Oak St in Denton, Texas.

Q: How long has Time Bandits been open in Denton?

A: Time Bandits opened it’s doors November 9^th 2007. We moved from our location on the square in August of ’09 and re-opened in September 2009

Q: Was there a previous location prior to your moving to Denton?

A: The internet. We actually started out on Ebay, back when we were residing in California. We sold under a different name then (I didn’t come up with Time Bandits till we were on our way to moving to Texas), offering the same shopping experience: A One Stop Shop for Vintage & Vinyl! (and occasionally music gear;)

Q: What kind of selection would one find when walking in the doors at Time Bandits?

A: Selling On Ebay really trained us to have a discernable eye. I try my best to keep up with the ever evolving/revolving fashion circuit..which can be challenging for the fact that there are literally thousands of fashion blogs, online magazines, etc., with brave souls pushing the boundaries. I generally stick with what I consider the classics from all eras, occasionally stocking items with more of an edge appeal. Items that I typically try to keep on hand at all times include: mini dresses, rompers/jumpsuits, high waistlines, lace & ruffles, fitted jackets, and when I can find them, paper thin t-shirts. However, when it comes to accessories, I go for extreme! I really try to keep my clientele in mind, and it makes my day when I hear a customer say they’ve received compliments on an item they purchased here!

Q: How do you like the business for vintage items in Denton?

A: It can be tough. Being that Denton is a college town, there is certainly a demand for it, but college is expensive, and kids are usually broke. There is a lot of work that goes into this business. I spend a lot of time hunting for, cleaning, mending, altering and reconstructing the vintage. As for the vinyl, we clean and listen to every record to check for skips, then research and price them accordingly. It is a true labor of love. Which is why I think it is important for vintage dealers in Denton to stick together. Since we will have no two items alike, it eliminates any competition. I have become quite close with the ladies at Circa 77, and we refer customers to each other regularly.

Q: What kind of vinyl do you typically sell?

A: As you know, Denton is a music town so we try to stock a variety. In addition to some local releases, we sell a lot of the classics like Beatles, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Ramones, things like that. But what’s really exciting is finding and selling the more obscure stuff! Chatting it up with the customers who know they’ve just found a gem. Those gems are a hard find for us too, even more so since we moved off the square, we don’t get too many people looking to sell their vinyl to us anymore. So I’m just gonna put it out there that we BUY and SELL, if you’re looking to unload some wax, we are always interested in looking at what you’ve got!, especially stuff in the post-punk, psych, garage, krautrock, industrial and avant-garde genres.

Local Artist: Taylor McClure

2010-04-30T11:35:00.005-05:00

"I want people to feel mixed emotions when looking at the shit I produce. I'm not trying to shock anyone or sway anyone's views to align with my own, but I am trying to make them question what represents beauty in our homogenized cultural paradigm. When I sit down to combine disparate imagery, the bottom line is aesthetics. The conceptual story line is secondary and frankly disregarded until I feel the image is resolved. Color palettes and line weights are what truly move me and by effect inspire me to contribute in the age old dialogue of composition.

My work is really about the subtleties in life transposed into jarring juxtapositions. Facial expressions, body language, and general demeanor are given form. These fleeting moments are wrapped within and around one another into a circuit that mimics a collective thought process. Similar to dreaming, every element within my work has been personally seen or experienced. My mission statement as an artist is to create a realm of familiarity that can be understood by all without the reliance of any written language. "

Drop + Give me 50. Mixed Media, 2009.

Cards. Mixed Media, 2009.

Lemonhead.

Men's Adventure. Screenprint, 2009.

For more of Taylor's work, check out his flickr. And stay tuned for new work coming at the end of May.

Local Photog: Zack Huggins

2010-04-30T11:00:00.004-05:00

Fact: Zack Huggins takes great photos. Fact: If you need photography work done, you should call him first. Fact: I don't know how to preface this Q & A. Please enjoy the discussions with and works of Zack Huggins. To view more of his work click here.

Q: Do you currently have a business which you operate out of for freelance photography?

A: Not a business really, it's just me. I operate more through word of mouth. I shoot weddings and pretty much all of the business I get from that is people recommending me that I've worked with before. I need to get a website together and advertise, but I've been slow to get that ball rolling. I do shoot some sports with this little company in Flower Mound, but it's basically me freelancing for them, I'm not technically their employee.

Q: Where are you currently employed/ how does that relate with what you'd like to do with photography?

A: Up until recently I was the staff photographer for a company that contracts with some sports teams and colleges, and I did all the product photography for their websites, but their business has kind of dried up. It's questionable if they'll come back. Before that I worked at a photolab, which was a pretty sweet gig for someone who loved to use film. Right now I've just got a humdrum dayjob to pay bills in between weddings and video projects.

Q: What do you ultimately want to do with photography?

A: My dream job is to work as a stills photographer on movie sets, although I'm kind of skirting around doing video too. I love photography and video both, and I'd like to incorporate them together.

And I want to have a collection of work that I can look back on, have a well-documented life. Originally that's why I started taking pictures, to capture the everyday stuff between my friends and I, to have a record that I could look back on later and recall the little things that slip away with time.

I've always had a love of film too, so I constantly look for where the two intersect, movies seem like life and life seems like a movie.

Q: Why photography? A degree in Radio Television and Film would usually lead to a different genre of producing art, such as filmography, right? Why did you choose photography?

A: I'd dabbled in photography a bit in high school, and even when I was a kid, I was blowing through rolls of 110 film with my little Kodak like they were delicious gummy bears in some gummy bear eating contest. But during my final semester of schoolin' was when it really hit me hard. I'd just gotten a nice camera, had it less than 4 months. I was working on our final projects in our film production classes, and I took the camera along on set. Getting the behind the scenes shots was hands-down my favorite part of the whole thing, and that's when I decided I'd rather pursue that. I got more satisfaction from photography; it incorporated what I loved about film-making: visual storytelling. Filmography and photography can be very similar. And photography is all about editing. It's what you choose to leave in the frame. Anything I ever learned about composition I either picked up from my production classes or just from watching movies. I think that's a lot of why I so rarely take any photos in portrait orientation. Horizontals are what I'm comfortable with, it's how I tend to compose.

Q: Do you do current freelance work? What are your latest projects with that?

A: Weddings make up a lot of my freelance stuff. Some photographers don't care for weddings, but I love em. They're (usually) a happy occasion, and I enjoy the positive atmosphere. You just get shots of people looking happy, on what is one of the happiest days of their lives. Shooting fish in a barrel. And I'm a bit of a sap anyways, all that romance makes me smile.

My other projects at the moment involve video. I'm collaborating with Jon Heath on a few things, including a possible mini-documentary on the PanEctor boys, some live band performances, and a wrestling match. The wrestling match was awesome. I've never been exposed to so much sweating and cursing in one day. I could almost feel my facial hair growing, just being around all that manliness.

Q: Do you enjoy taking candid photos or set photos? Why either way?

A: Oh candids, hands down. And part of that is because I'm not too good at telling people what to do. I'd rather lurk and wait for them to do it. Faking a smile is acting, and acting is hard. Not everyone can fake a smile or a laugh convincingly, I know I can't.

I do like to do some staged photography, but it's usually stuff where being stiff and unnatural can be played off as an intentional choice. I'd love to do a series of purposefully awful Owen Mills-style portraits. Or extra-awkward senior portraits. Maybe I can get the PanEctor boys to lay in a field of blue bonnets wearing matching khakis and button-up shirts...

Q: Out of all of the photos you have taken, do you have a favorite? Which one and why?

A: http://burlapzack.deviantart.com/art/Dad-32677531 It's gotta be this one of my dad. He's a bit of an elusive creature. Not many people get to know him, he's a unique blend of ornery and mysterious. In this picture I managed to catch some of the mischief that he's got in him. A lot of who I am comes from him. I've got that Huggins' blood in me.

Q: Where do you get your inspiration as a photographer?

A: Movies, for one. Particularly the Coen brothers, though I have a laundry list of directors whose movies have influenced my photography. When I was growing up, we had one of those massive Deathstar satellite dishes in our backyard, and my dad would record movies every day. He built up a massive VHS collection, 2000 tapes strong, with an average 5 movies per tape. It was meticulously catalogued so just about any movie I wanted to see could be found in that mountain of tapes. So yeah, I watched a lot of movies as a kid. I think that's why I went into film school in the first place.

I also get inspiration from the work of other photographers, many of them online. It would take forever to name them all and I'm bound to forget a few, but anyone reading this can feel free to email me and I'll give you a bulleted list of photographers certain to delight the eyes.

Everyday life inspires me, spending time with my friends; they're all such lovely people and maybe if I take their picture, I can share a small sample of their awesomeness with the world.

Books!!

2010-04-27T14:40:00.004-05:00

Candace & I went to Friends of the Family off of Fulton and University today, and I found some goodies! I am very excited about the beginning level French book I bought. Since I dedicated 4 years in High School to learning French I thought it might be a good project.

Luxe-Stitch by Candace Duncan

2010-04-27T13:26:00.006-05:00

Candace Duncan, local artist and craft fanatic, has something new to unleash. Luxe-Stitch will be a brand (and hopefully soon to be boutique) that introduces up-cycled vintage finds with a modern twist. Candace graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelors in Fibers in 2008 and has used her background in art to create a name for herself. Luxe-Stitch will soon be available online through etsy and its own website by way of Candace's new headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. Set move date is mid-August.

Some of the best thrifting experiences I've had has been with Candace. She has an eye for what is unique and what has potential. Although that might sound like something easy that everyone can do, believe me- it is a talent. Candace is hands down one of the most inspirational people in my life, so please check out her work and keep an eye out for the future of Luxe-Stitch.

Q: How long have you been thrifting in the DFW area?

A: I guess since i was a kid, my mom would drag me to garage sales and thrift town in North Richland Hills and i would always be so embarrassed that i would see friends from school. In high school i would drive to Arlington to find little boys wester shirts and hunt other treasures so this has been a long time habit.

Q: Are there any places outside DFW you frequent when visiting?

A: I'm not the most well traveled lady but I know all the hot spots in DFW; some of my best thrifts have been found in Irving, Arlington and Down Town Fort Worth Areas.

Q: What are some of your favorite thrift finds?

A: Currently i am enamored with glass night light lambs from the 1940's, recently coming across two amazing ones. I have gotten them into working order and updated them with modern shades. I also enjoy finding vintage swim suits and anything made by the women's labor union.

Q: Explain "up-cylcing"

A: For me up cycling means taking something used and re purposing it for something else or giving it a face lift to continue its use in our daily lives.

Q: Why do you think it is important to find goods at thrift?

A: I like the idea of a said object having many lives with many people, someone else once loved this same object much as i do now and hopeful someday another person will be able to re create it and use it too. We waste so much and its nice to use things that have are already in existence.

Q: Have you scoped out any good shops in Madison?

A: I have a list of addresses written down and as soon as we get unpacked and settled i plan on making them some of my first stops.

Q: You've used Etsy to sell some of your work - have you had any luck with that?

A: I don't think i invested enough time in Etsy during my first go around but i think LUXE STITCH will have some amazing things to sell on etsy some time around September so check back!

Q: What are good marketing techniques you would suggest to people trying to sell homemade goods online?

A: I think reaching out to friends and people you know that blog, have shops of their own online and collaborating with others can really get your name out there. And having great products always helps too!

Three vintage flower planters. Technically one is a Pyrex tea cup, but it works perfectly as a planter as well. A favorite of Candace's are succulent plants.

Vintage Pyrex tea cup / planter.

This mirror is ridiculously heavy for its size. The frame has been repainted by Candace.

Yellow carnival glass candy dish and lamp with modern shade. Vintage table was repainted by Candace.

Vintage frame / fabric turned in to a necklace holder.

Vintage Avon flower necklace.

Favorite finds: Owls & Alfredo. Candace and I found Aflredo about 3 years ago on an adventure in Arlington. The owls were found long ago and repainted by Candace.

Carnival glass candy dish, milk glass bowl, and green glass pitcher. Inside milk glass bowl are three vintage kitchen towels.

The beautiful milk glass bowl. Candace's grandmothers bowl from the 1940's.

McKenzie Smith

2010-04-26T10:02:00.003-05:00

McKenzie Smith is a multifaceted musician who has spent a great deal of time touring and working on different projects with prominent musicians in the industry. He is currently touring with Midlake for the release of their new album, The Courage of Others. If you have not checked out that album I suggest you pick it up on iTunes or where ever you buy music.

Q: According to the website, you're currently touring with Midlake until July. What happens after July with Midlake?

A: We take a break in August and do a little bit of vacationing and maybe do some work on the next album. Then, more touring through the fall and into January!

Q: What other projects have you been working on aside from Midlake?

A: Well, last year I was able to do a few things that I was really happy to be a part of. I worked with Annie Clark (St. Vincent) on her last album called "actor" which I think is a really incredible record. Plus Annie is just an amazing person and musician and I'm just really thrilled I got to work with her on that record. I also got to work with Regina Spektor quite a bit recently which was a lot of fun. I met her when I played on her last record and she asked me to go on the road with her which was a great experience. Regina is such a talented person and playing with her allowed me the opportunity to play radio city music hall, which is something ill never forget. I also played on John Grants new record called "Queen of Denmark" which I hope everyone buys. Its a great album and Mojo magazine in the UK just gave it album of the month and a 5 star review. They don't give those out very often. Very happy for John.... I'm always working on something on the side and play with my other band the Fieros when I can, produce other projects when time allows, and try and be involved with musicians and friends that are good people and fun to work with.

Q: If you're not in the studio recording or out on tour, what do you do in your free time?

A: My girlfriend and I spend as much time together as we can when I'm home. We love taking our dogs Diesel and Rocco to the dog park in Denton. Its as good for their health as it is for ours. I also love doing projects around the house and am always thinking of ways to improve the space I live in. I secretly want to be an interior decorator.

Q: How do you like being on the road?

A: I love traveling and getting to do what I do for a living. I'm truly blessed and I sometimes still can't believe any of this ever happened. With that said, it can still be hard traveling all the time and being away from your own bed and all your friends, family, and loved ones all the time. But I'd say the positives outweigh the negatives by a long mile.

Q: How many tours have you done with Midlake?

A: I don't know! A lot... We have been gone most of the year so far and aren't really done touring this record until next january. Last album we toured for a year and a half. Plus a few tours on the first album. We've done a lot of shows...

Q: What does your future look like as a musician?

A: Who knows! I've been extremely fortunate up to this point. I hope I just get to keep playing music with people I enjoy being around and if I'm really lucky never have to go back to having a day job. I'd like to think midlake still has a long career ahead of us but you never know. We will just keep it going and ill keep doing things on the side when I'm able to and if music can't keep me afloat maybe ill start up my interior design firm!

Jeremy Buller

2010-04-26T09:52:00.003-05:00

Photo by Carmen Holt

Have you seen the ThinkDenton or Sarah Jaffe websites? Or maybe you've seen the local sensation The Hope Trust at Hailey's lately? Someway somehow you have to know more about Jeremy Buller, one of the most creative and talented individuals I know in Denton. Enjoy this little Q & A with Mr. Buller, and keep posted for my Q & A with McKenzie Smith.

Q: You are involved in a lot of different music projects right now; who exactly are you working for and how do you make time for so many things? and you have been on tour for how long this year? (sorry thats kind of a long one)

A: It's true that I've gotten to play with a lot of people, but they don't all demand so much of my time - Comrade, for example, hasn't done anything as a band in the last year and a half. Bosque Brown has been my main gig for a little over five years, and I consider myself lucky to be involved with The Hope Trust, John Grant, OK Sweetheart, and a few other acts around town on the occasion that they need someone to fill in for a regular band member.

Touring opportunities have just come up in the last ten months or so... I guess I've been on the road about six or seven weeks this year. I'll leave again in May to spend six weeks out with John Grant opening for Midlake, and I think there'll be some other trips over the summer and through the fall as well...

Q: On top of having your hands in different music projects, you are also doing web design, right? What projects have you done so far, and how do you enjoy that in comparison to your music?

A: I'm starting to, yes... I've done Sarah Jaffe's site, and launched ThinkDenton with Kevin Roden... and I'm currently working on Bosque Brown's and on a couple of other things as well. I love doing the web thing - in large part because it grants me the freedom to travel, since I can work from the road. I've also been very interested in the design thing for a while, so I'm now trying to grow... whatever it is that makes people design good stuff. I've got a good group of web development / design friends to learn from, anyway, which helps.

Q: In addition to a busy work life, what else do you balance in there? School? Work?

A: 'Balance' is not something I've been able to do very well, actually... part time gigs on campus and at a bar are easy enough to juggle, but school has proven more of a challenge. Luckily, though, I only have a few hours left... we'll see how many more years it takes me to get through them...

Q: What local bands are you looking forward to seeing in the near future?

A: Robert Gomez and Andy Young both have new songs that I'm in love with and can't wait to hear more of... and I've been meaning to catch Caleb Ian Campbell live. This Old House is one of my favorite local acts, and I always look forward to seeing them again.

On that note, I have heard two of Andy Young's new songs and I am also excited of what more is to come.

Musician Monday! Jeremy Buller & Mckenzie Smith

2010-04-26T09:48:00.002-05:00

Two very talented people today. Jeremy Buller from the Hope Trust and McKenzie Smith from Midlake are both friends of mine who I think are very talented individuals. Not to mention they own two of my favorite Denton Pups! Please enjoy the two posts to come and have a great Monday!

Michael Little of Pan-Ector Industries

2010-04-15T18:31:00.008-05:00

Recently I was able to get some valuable e-mails in with one of the brain's behind Pan-Ector, Michael Little. For those of you who have not yet heard, Pan-Ector Industries is a screen printing business located in the heart of Denton. They will work with you on any kind of screen printing job you need done, and on top of that they are all amazingly talented, hard-working guys.

Photo by Zack Huggins

Q: Who founded Pan-Ector Industries? And how many people currently contribute to the company (specifically, names and titles)?

A: Pan-Ector was founded by myself, Taylor McClure, Nick Webber, and Yovanny Canales this past August, when I graduated. Nick being a Com Design student and the rest of us Printmakers. Drew Elam is pretty much a partner, though we will officially (on paper) bring him in after he graduates with the others in May. We're also fortunate enough to have very supportive and helpful friends who have helped out with all sorts of randomness that has contributed to us getting along more smoothly.

As I have the most time to devote and have the most screen-printing experience, I'm the Super Partner, and have been running the majority of things since inception. I didn't make that title. We have it registered as a General Partnership and had to have one person that would take most of the liability upon themselves.

The others have specific roles they consistently fill, like Nick does most of the type, branding, and heavier file building, as his Com Design background makes that easy for him, but ultimately we all do what needs to be done at some point.

Q: What is a typical day at the Pan-Ector house/workshop?

A: Until everyone is done with school, I'm not sure there will be a typical day for us. We also have other part time jobs to work that allow us to do this, but ultimately, sometimes get in the way. Everyone looks forward to having a chance to align our schedules to each other.

Q: What kind of work do you typically get? And, how is business in Denton?

A: We started off with band shirts and school organizations. We've done some non-profit work and stuff for an assortment of businesses too. Lately we printed for NX35 and have been doing a lot of stuff for and with Spune Productions, which have both been great for us. We printed the Modern till Midnight event this past Saturday as well, which we owe to Spune.

I'm not too sure we could be doing so well if it weren't for the strength of the community here in Denton. We really owe a lot to our friends and people like Chris Flemmons (NX35) and Lance Yocum (Spune).

Q: What does the future look like for Pan-Ector? Any plans on expansion?

A: If things continue to grow as they have been in the past season, we plan to be courting specific clients more so, and just working to offer a continually growing level of quality. We really want to do more poster work too, as sadly, we feel it is too absent these days.

Hopefully, we can find a bigger workspace too.

Q: How is the Meme Gallery related to Pan-Ector Industries? What currently is displayed in the gallery?

A: The Meme Gallery is related to Pan Ector only insofar as the people involved in both, and that we make shirts for the displaying artist's to sell. We do this because we want the artist to make some money, as not everyone that comes out to the openings has the money to buy the art.

As I mentioned earlier, we feel that our continuing growth is due to the nature of Denton, and I find it a great way to reciprocate some to the community while doing something we have all wanted to do at some point anyway. The gallery is great because with the vacuum of non-University art spaces, it has quickly become self sustaining, though due in large part to Shep's efforts and experience.

Right now we are in transition from the prior show, to the upcoming show with Brett Rees. The opening is this Friday and we're pretty excited about it.

Q: What makes Pan-Ector Industries stand out from other screen printing businesses around town?

A: We've talked about this a lot, being so new. One of the biggest differences is that we do live screen-printing for events, and thus have a stronger tie to the community I would say. Aside from that, we are all artists and thus have a stronger tie to the art and music scene. This allows us to offer a more comfortable business interaction for like-minded people, for us to be more involved in the conception of their ideas if need be, and clients can come by and see the production of their order. This ends with us knowing they are satisfied, and that they have a better understanding of how the process works. Also, I think most printers don't have as many pictures of cats on their phones as we do.

Photo by Zack Huggins

Photo by Zack Huggins (I want a Free Taylor shirt)

So let me be the first to recommend to you and tell you about Pan-Ector. If you don't know, know ya know! And come to Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios tonight for the opening of LA MEME Gallery!!

Upcoming Event Calendar

2010-04-14T11:01:00.004-05:00

Some cool things going on in Denton I recommend you check out;

1. Tomorrow afternoon tune in to KXT 91.7 to hear The Hope Trust's in studio interview, and be sure to catch the KXT Members-Only Event Thursday April 15 at the Loft in Dallas. They will be playing with another one of my Denton fav's, RTB2. Doors are at 7:00.

2. Friday April 16 you should be at Rubber Gloves to see the LA MEME Gallery Opening. Feature artist is Denton's amazingly talented Brett Rees. Ian Bang's will be DJ'ing all night long, and doors are at 9:00. $3 21+/$5 under.

3. Saturday April 17 Spooky Folk is playing with Smile Smile, Caleb Ian Campbell, and Sam Robertson at Dan's Silverleaf. Doors are at 9:00 and it is $8.

4. Sunday April 18 my Ft. Worth fav's, The Cut Off, are playing one of their last shows at 711 Bernard St's Backyard Bash. There is a $5 cover that will be donated to the TEA Fund, and there will be hot dogs, veggie dogs, beer, and all the music you can handle for a Sunday night house show party (can we abbreviate that to SNHSP?) Also playing the SNHSP will be Spooky Folk, RTB2, Boxcar Bandits, and Cody Lyson. Starts at 7:00.

5. Monday April 19 my favorite twitter feed, Why Denton Suck's, is hosting the Denton Grand Local Pizza Battle. Contenders are: Crooked Crust, Hot Box Pizza, J & J's, T. J.'s Wings & Things, Fera's Pizza and Pasta. Free pizza & drunk idiots on your typical boring Monday night in Denton. Why the hell not.

6. Friday April 23- 25 Denton Arts & Jazz Festival 2010 will be going on. It is a free event in the Quakertown Park. Friday headlining act is Chick Coreo Trio, Saturday is Jimmie Vaughn with Lou Ann Barton, and Sunday is Brave Combo. This is always one of my favorite things to do every year.

7. Friday April 30 the Denton Contemporary Art Walk will take place. Burgers & Friends will host Katie Kader's work from 6:00-9:00. Panhandle House Studio Backroom will host works from 7:00-10:00 from the following artists: Kat De Froy, Carylnn Field, Natalie Kahn, Lisa Kruger, Emily Robertson, Sarah Westrup, and Sarah Zapata. MEME Gallery will host Brett Rees's work from 8:00-11:00, and there will be a performance by Abacus.

Twitter

2010-04-14T00:17:00.003-05:00

hey, follow us on twitter! stay tuned for more great topics! feel free to e-mail or facebook me with you suggestions. ( :

Kevin Roden

2010-04-11T21:01:00.003-05:00

Kevin Roden has been inspiring others to think and discuss invigorating topics since he has been an undergraduate student living in Bruce Hall. According to his interview with My Denton Music, he would buy pizzas and invite the "lobby lizzards" (kids who hung out in the lobby without much else to do, but whom always had opinions) to discuss topics such as philosophy, religion, and the meaning of life. Currently, Roden is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Dallas, and is the Director of Student Life for the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science at the University of North Texas. He is also the host of Denton's famous Drink & Think where Dentonites gather, have a drink, and discuss intriguing topics. Such topics include "What does it mean to be in Denton?", the existence of God, and during the Fall 2008 Presidential Election they did a series debating candidates.

I have been lucky enough to attend a couple of these Drink And Thinks at the Roden house, and let me tell you that if you have not taken advantage of having such opportunities as debating politics with Mayor Burroughs or discussing pressing and controversial topics with your peers, that is something you need to do. And this is something that is available in Denton! How amazing is that. Every time I have been invited in to the Roden house, i secretly enter my Denton dream house. Besides the beautiful interior and exteriors of the house, there is always a clean and fresh atmosphere, a generous amount of refreshments, and more than enough seating. Roden has also hosted a series of CD listening parties and live music inside his home. I recently saw Seryn and Matthew Gray in Kevin's living room, and heard the new Midlake album before (most) anybody else!

Q: Your house on Texas St is lovely, and you know I know this. What is the story behind the house? (How long have you been there? Did you remodel?)

A: We found the house for sale in 2005 when we were looking for a historic home in Denton to purchase. Because of that, it looked atrocious - 30 year old shag carpet, dark faux wood paneling throughout, styrofoam ceilings, ugly aluminum siding, and a kitchen fit for frat boys. Despite my wife's opposition, I saw some potential in the old thing and we started dreaming about what could be. After losing our pants over a contractor who stiffed us and after living for a couple months with one toilet as the source of running water, we finally made it happen. We remodeled the heck out of it, but all with an eye to preserving the Arts and Crafts era feel the house once had.

The history of the house is remarkable - built in 1913, it has a long history of housing students, professors, cotton buyers, and early Texas feminists. On that last point, my favorite and perhaps the most prominent owner is Anna Burgoon. She moved to Denton after losing her husband while still pregnant with her 10th child. She quickly became involved in the influential Denton Women's Shakespeare Club where she frequently hosted events and out of town visitors at the house, chaired committees, got women registered to vote, started parks, and made way for the first library in Denton. Though I obviously don't know her, she reminds me a lot of my wife and I think I have a crush on her. She was in the house for close to 30 years and we feel a kinship to her vision for hospitality, intellectual stimulation, and civic duty.

In one lecture on "Americanism versus other Isms" recorded by the Denton Record Chronicle in 1946, Anna said this: "The security of America lies in its citizenry, in whose minds and hearts is ingrained a true love and understanding of the ideals and principles upon which the nation is founded; and awakening to the duties of citizenship and a willingness to perform the sacrifices to uphold these ideals. Americianism work is largely educational, and usually divided into three phases – work with the youth, the adult and the community."

How can I not love her?

Q: What does your future look like after your Doctorate?

A: I think I'll finally get a bit more sleep at that point. My roots are growing deeper in this town by the year, so I can't imagine having much of an urge to uproot in search of a professor gig somewhere else. But at the same time, I've been exploring the idea of integrating the intellectual disciplines into local culture, rather than the path of most philosophy professors who deal with issues and topics that have absolutely no connection to real life. Socrates brought philosophy back to the human questions - today most philosophers have left the human in search of the absurd and abstract. Socrates impact was felt to the point of pissing off most of Athens. Today's philosophers only piss each other off and the rest of us continue on with life while rightfully ignoring them. I think Socrates was on the right track. He philosophized with the people in Athens, so I just might stick to the people in Denton - that's ultimately the motivation behind things like Drink and Think.

Q: Do you think about a career in local politics? If so, what?

A: I think I have a desire to serve in any way I can to make Denton a better place. That can be done in many ways, inside or outside of city hall. The best thing to come to Denton in a while was the recent success of NX35, and that was done by average citizens with a vision to do something great.

Regarding entering politics, the more I learn about what that would take, the more I'm humbled by the immensity of the task. There's so much nitty gritty and nuance and details that go into the many facets of city governance. I would have a lot of learning to do before I would even be effective in that role

Q: On the Drink and Think website, the bottom says "Rosie Lou in '52" - what are your plans for teaching your daughter about local politics and interests?

A: Rosie was born the same day that Hillary Clinton conceded defeat to Barack Obama for the Democratic primary - we were watching her concession speech while my wife was going through contractions. We joked that with the loss of Hillary, Rosemary might just be the first woman president! There's an element of joking to that, but we are serious about making sure she grows up with every opportunity to become whatever she wants to be - whether that's President, a CEO, a musician, or a waitress.

What we want her to see is her mommy and daddy engaging their culture in a meaningful way. People ask why we host events at our house when we have a baby there. My answer is - it's precisely because I have a child that gives me more motivation to do these things. Too many kids watch their parents come home from work and engage only sports and reality shows. We want her growing up thinking that normal life is about hosting debates and house shows and encouraging great conversation with great people.

Whether or not she actually gets into politics, who knows? She was there when we had an election night party in 2008. She's met our governor, one of our senators, and hosted the mayor and other council members at her house. She watching MSNBC with me and her mom every morning when she awakes. So the seeds are sown...

Q: What is your opinion about the Wal-Mart/Sams Club being built on University? Do you think the openings will help the lack of jobs in our community?

A: It's a cheap and easy way to bring in some property tax revenue and a bunch of meaningless job opportunities. Keep that crap away from Central Denton and let the box stores live together in their own world on the Loop. Denton can do better and it should - we should hold out for better developers and smarter ideas. Too many former football players-turned developers are creating the future look of Denton and that should stop - they lack an aesthetic sense that befits our town. Look a bit East on University and you will see about what that area will look like in 20 years. I'm not sure why we don't learn from our own history.

As for jobs in town - Denton is a goldmine for great companies, but we need to do a better job selling ourselves. Stop by Midway Mart and you might find a cashier reading Melville. Go to a local bar and you might get your Shiner served by someone who has shared a stage with Nora Jones. Next time you get your Pad Thai served at Chopsticks, ask your server about their latest philosophical insight or their recent charitable initiative. Denton is filled with incredibly creative and talented college grads whose love for this town keeps them here despite the lack of jobs to harness their abilities. And chances are they'll work for a bit less than their Dallas counterparts in order to stay in this town.

Q: What are your predictions for the future economy in Denton?

A: I have faith in some of the key leaders in our town to make good decisions about our future in this regard. Getting the DCTA line in, taking a look at the development of the Downtown as they are, and investing in our cultural and historical resources all serve to attract both investment and a young, energetic workforce - so there are signs we are heading in the right direction. But times are still turbulent and our current council will have some tough decisions to make to keep us in a good financial position. The biggest thing we can do is to begin a focused attempt at luring great companies to Denton who provide meaningful jobs with good pay and benefits. Retail and restaurants won't keep the most talented from moving away.

LA MEME Gallery Opening

2010-04-07T20:28:00.004-05:00

Friday April 16, 2010

Enjoy the art of Brett Rees

at LA MEME GALLERY

411 E Sycamore Denton, TX

2010-04-02T20:19:00.001-05:00

If you like what you are reading, you should become our fan on the good ol' Facebook ;)

I appreciate it.

Arts & Crafts with Mel

2010-03-25T16:40:00.003-05:00

breakfast.

Although this blog is meant to capture great things happening in the Denton community, I wanted to show case a former Dentonite's work. Melissa Stovall lived in Denton until May of 2008 when she set her destination to Portland, Oregon. Growing up in the Fort Worth area, Melissa attended the Art Institute of Dallas for Fashion Design, and also the University of North Texas.

S. S. Merde & Whale

feltronics

feltronics stereo

To check out more of Melissa's work visit her flickr, or check her out on Facebook. She is currently accepting custom work projects, so let her know what you want made out of felt!

Local Artist: Brett Rees

2010-03-25T15:50:00.006-05:00

the raising of le lechuza - water color, marker, and acrylic.

One of the most amazing things about living in Denton is the fact that you are surrounded by artists everywhere. No matter the genre, medium, or presence, that is a nice and inspiring feeling to be a part of. One of my favorite local artists is my good friend, Brett Rees. He grew up in a small town in East Texas, and has been living in Denton for some time now. Rees graduated from the University of North Texas in 2008 with his degree in Print Making and a minor in Marketing. Throughout his artistic career, Rees has taken on several different mediums including photography, web design, print making, and painting. Currently he is working as a print maker/artist, among other things, at a fine art giclee printing company in the Design District in Dallas and will be attending the University of Wisconsin for Graduate School.

owl station online - digital print

caldron conjuring - water color and marker

Q & A with the Artist:

Q: How long have you been an active artist?

Since I was able to hold a crayon. My Mom saved some rad shit from when I was in kindergarten. Oddly enough, I'm still painting the same stuff. Just better.

Q: What is your preferred medium to use?

Lo-fi printmaking techniques (silkscreening-relief cut), digital printing, watercolor and prisma markers are amazing!

Q: What goals do you have for yourself as an artist?

Make a living doing nothing but art. That would be living the dream for me.

Q: Do you have any favorite local artists around Denton?

The cats involved in the MeMe Gallery; all great artists.

Q: I know that your work has been in several exhibitions and live performances, do you have any upcoming events?

Yes, just broke down my first ever solo show, that took place at Conduit Gallery in Dallas, and am now preparing for a show to take place at MeMe Gallery in the near future.

Q: Do you prefer live performance or exhibitions?

Which one can I get more hammered at? That's the one I prefer.

Q: What are your plans for after Graduate School?

Be a FUCKING artist

The Flaming Lips

2010-03-14T16:16:00.005-05:00

for more click here

No Go, Snow

2010-02-23T15:46:00.004-06:00

According to weather.com for the past week or so, it was telling everyone that today in Denton it would snow. And what do we have here? No snow. Instead, everywhere else in Texas got snow, including the East Texas and Houston areas. Denton is snowed out. Please and thank you.

How many more days until Summer?

Stuffed Bell Peppers

2010-02-22T19:05:00.004-06:00

This is a fun recipe to make and it is really simple. I added a healthy amount of creole seasoning, because I am a big fan of spicy foods.. but you can do without if you're not as big a fan.

Recipe:

5 large bell peppers

1 1/2 cups cooked rice

1 lb shrimp

1 lbs chicken

1 garlic clove, chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped

salt

pepper

creole seasoning

1. Pre-heat over to 350, cook rice

2. Chop onion and garlic, put them in pan with some butter on medium heat

3. Add chicken to onion and garlic, and season appropriately

4. Add shrimp

5. Add rice, check seasoning

6. Stuff peppers and for 25 minutes at 350.

I served my peppers with King's Hawaiin Bread, fresh cantaloupe, and strawberries.

NX35 Official Line Up:

2010-02-19T19:34:00.004-06:00

NX35 Music Conferette announced the official line up for the events happening the weekend of March 11-14.

On top of this line up, the Flaming Lips are playing a free show with Denton's sweethearts, Midlake, taking place at the North Texas Fairgrounds behind Kroger on Carroll. It will start at 6pm and end around 9:30. Although the show is free, wristbands and day passes get preference.

If you haven't gotten your wristband yet, you need to now! Go to the NX35 website for more information.

By the way, I've put *** by bands I highly recommend seeing. enjoy!

Andy's Bar

Thursday:

History at our Disposal

The Great Tyrant (Ft. Worth)

New Science Projects

Nervous Curtains (Dallas)

The Timeline Post

Friday:

Sleep Whale

Ola Podrida