Benefit Concert for Tammy’s Tigers
Sunday October 1st from 6:00 to 10:00 PM
Located at the Beef-O-Brady’s at 7040 Land O Lakes Blvd – Land O Lakes, FL
Singer Sandy Atkinson: Her True Love of Music
September 25, 2011 By 1 Comment
I recently had the great honor of catching up with the very talented Sandy Atkinson over freshly made sangria and tapas at a hip basement bar in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.
The singer encompasses many musical genres such as blues, rock, soul, folk and even jazz, making her hard to categorize but delightful to listen to. Atkinson’s smoky and sultry vocals captivate the soul. Beautifully dynamic, this amazing singer offers something for every type, no matter their style.
Atkinson, originally from the Appalachian foothills in South Carolina, also known as The Piedmont, began singing back when she was only five-years-old. She started out at school and church events. Raised with a strong gospel influence, Atkinson participated in tent singings. At fourteen, her mother presented her with a guitar, and it wasn’t long after that Atkinson began songwriting. From that moment, the young singer’s love of music escalated.
In 1988, Atkinson performed a song, along with some of her friends, at a local festival. The head of the venue, also a club owner, heard her voice and asked if she could play at his club on a Friday night. For years to follow, Atkinson did indeed perform at the club and at the festival, thus gaining the highly esteemed reputation of a songwriter and gifted blues singer.
Wanting to explore the option of singing as a career, Atkinson decided to spend a summer in Maine, near Portland. The gig, held at a resort called Camp Ellis, was a great way of allowing Atkinson to expand upon her musical abilities.
Then, in 1994, the singer moved to Florida and it was at this juncture that her life changed. Atkinson fell in love with the “Sunshine State” after visitng her sister. The warm climate also proved to be quite inviting. Many great musicians in Florida began recognizing Atkinson’s great musical talents and encouraged her to further her career.
In 1995, Atkinson released her first CD, which was self-titled. The CD featured ten original songs and was performed with Little Juke and 1 Nite Stand, a band which Atkinson put together and named. Little Juke performed as the lead guitarist. The CD received outstanding reviews from critics, and earned airtime on many radio stations around the nation, Australia and Europe.
Four years later, Atkinson’s second CD came out. It also got much praise and played on blues shows all over the world. Why Baby Why was produced by Tampa Bay’s Blues Godfather, Rock Bottom. Rock achieved great popularity as a bluesman, especially in Europe. He was also a tremendous help to Atkinson over the years, mentoring her with her musical career. “I learned about the business from him. He was always there to help others. Rock believed it was important to give something back, like with a charity,” stated Atkinson. In 2001, Rock died of a heart attack. On Sept. 25th, Atkinson will play in Rock’s honor at Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa, marking the 10 year anniversary of his death.
Atkinson’s third CD, Million Dollar Baby, emerged in 2001 and featured guitarist Tomcat Blake; it had twelve more original songs on it.
In 2005, From There to Here was released, which included a compilation of Atkinson’s songs from her first three CD’s along with five new selections. There would be twenty-two songs in total.
Atkinson’s fifth CD debuted in 2010, featuring a collection of her studio sessions and a live recording from a show at The Palladium Theatre in St. Petersburg. This CD was the first to be recorded with Atkinson’s band, The True Loves, named after her first true love- music.
There is no doubt that Atkinson has come far since her early days singing at church events and small town festivals. In addition to her CDs, Atkinson served as the committee chairperson for the Suncoast Blues Society’s “Blues in the School” program, which Rock Bottom was initially asked to be head of. Rock booked the first session, but sadly passed away before he was able to participate. Atkinson took over for Rock and acted as chairperson from 2001-2005 in order to develop the project. Atkinson was excited to tell me about some of her experiences while on this very special committee. “I went to this fourth grade class in Clearwater. I showed the kids how the guitar works and talked about who Rock {Bottom} was. I played a song by Rock, too. I also sang, “Hound Dog” to them, by Big Mama Thornton. I let them all touch the guitar. I tried to think ahead of time what could I write for a group of kids about the blues; something thye could relate to at that age and still be entertaining. I came up with ‘I Lost My Homework’,” Atkinson chuckled. The singer still occasionally visits schools and does sessions. The Suncoast Blues Society established a scholarship fund in Rock’s name for children that want to study music. The schlolarship is awarded annually.
This fall, on October 9th, Atkinson will be performing at a benefit concert to raise awareness for Autism. The event will take place at The Beach Theatre in St. Pete Beach. Atkinson and her band, The True Loves will be performing along with a line-up of other amazing Tampa Bay musicians. Tom Bell, Gale Trippsmith, Ronny Elliott, and the Black Honkeys will all take stage that Sunday from 1-6 pm. Bobby Collins will be heading the event. Collins is an advocate for Autism, and took over for Wendy Wrucha, a former speech pathologist who worked at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. Wrucha died unexpectedly when she contracted menigitis in March of this year. The speech pathologist helped Autistic children and was an avid supporter for finding a cure. She worked hard at raising funds and even ran in the 2010 NYC marathon, where she personally was able to bring in $2600 in sponsorship. Bobby Collins, a friend of Wrucha’s, along with a few others, took over for her after her passing. Collins heads the local Autism chapter now, and is very excited for his October concert. Because of Collins and his friends, Autism Speaks in the Tampa Bay area proudly lives on. The concert will be sponsored by TBT (Tampa Bay Times) and will be hosted by Marvelous Marvin; it would have certainly made Wrucha proud. For more information, please go to www.wendyswarriors.org and AutismSpeaks.org. Tickets for the concert are $7.00.
Atkinson plays some pretty amazing venues, that’s for sure. “I love performing at Tobacco Road in Miami, as well as Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa, the National Women in Blues Fest in North Carolina, Dunedin Wines and Brew, the Naples Jazz Fest and Ribfest here in St. Petersburg,” Atkinson stated. In addition to performing in the U.S., the singer has traveled to Norway, where she enjoying performing at the Muddy Waters Blues Fest in Oslo. And if she had a choice of where she would love to one day perform, the answer was an easy one for Atkinson. “The Chicago Blues Fest would be amazing,” the singer said smiling.
Atkinson is not necessarily considered to be a traditional blues singer. With musical influenes ranging from Etta James and Elvis to Janis Joplin and Big Mama Thornton, Atkinson has complexity. She doesn’t fit into a classic mold, and that is a good thing. Her voice is raw, intriguing and magical. I get a strong Joplin vibe from Atkinson, which makes sense considering she listened to the famous singer’s albums many times over when younger. “When I was a kid, I would take a radio into my bedroom. I listened to many different singers and types of music; it was never just one kind of genre,” explained Atkinson.
The singer also contributes her great love of music variety to her parents, especially her mother. “She was an influence to me and a huge Elvis fan,” confided Atkinson.
There is plenty of heart and soul in Atkinson’s music. “For me, words and music come together. It’s a feeling I get. Mood defies the style; it’s what I feel at the moment,” states the singer. “One time I went to Key West with my sister. While there I saw a bumper sticker which read, ‘A woman’s place is in control.” Atkinson took a sip from her glass of sangria and laughed. For the bluesy singer and songwriter, the moment does indeed defy her music. Passionate, soulful and strong is what describes Atkinson best. In fact, the singer showcases her personality with her very own t-shirt and tank top logo: “When the blues reach down and try to steal your soul, it takes a bitch to rock and roll.” Clever and humorously written, these are words to live by especially in the music world.
With so many other strong and talented female singers out there in the industry, if given the opportunity to meet one of them, who would Atkinson choose? “I would love to meet Bonnie Raitt. I hear very good things about her and who she is as a person,” explained the singer.
For Atkinson, life is pretty darn good. Getting to perform on stage and being able to entertain audiences is a dream come true. Yet, the singer still can wish for more. “In music, I would love to be known one day as a writer. Songwriting is such an important contribution.
With her caring and passionate soul, Atkinson decided to write a song about the BP oil spill disaster. “To me that was an outrageous, irresponsible incident,” stated the singer. “I wrote the song, ‘Greed and Lust,’ also known as ‘The Gulf is Crying.’” The song was featured on Atkinson’s last CD, and is also on a site with songs from other artists sponsored by Blues Revue Magazine. For more information go to http://bluesrevue.com/2010/blues-for-the-gulf-compilation-available/.
Atkinson is currently working on a Christmas CD, along with a compilation album, which will feature the “best of’s.” Duke Robelard, who has won many awards in his career, including being nominated for the Grammys, is recording one of her songs, along with a female artist he is promoting. In addition, Atkinson has started a children’s book titled, “I Lost My Homework,” stemming form her days educating children on the blues.
And perhaps a few of those fourth graders may one day wish to follow in Atkinson’s footsteps. For those who aspire to be musicians, the singer has some helpful advice. “Take groups of CD’s, all different kinds, and listen to various songs. Pick about ten different ones that you like. Dynamics are important; learn to stretch your voice. Also, work with other musicians and learn from them. In addition, try an open mike as this gives great opportunity for feedback, which allows for growth. And don’t get discouraged, as with this kind of economy there are more bands than gigs. People always want to be entertained and hear music. I say, if it’s part of your soul, feed it,” Atkinson spoke proudly.
The wonderfully skilled singer and songwriter has worked hard over the years and knows just what it takes to be successful. Yet, for Atkinson, music is not just a job; it’s a way of life and who she is as an individual. “Music is fun and it is my refuge,” confided Atkinson. “It will always be my first true love, no matter what happens.”
For more information on Sandy Atkinson, please visit her website at:
sandyatkinson.net
-or-
Atkinson’s CD’s are available for purchase at:
Reverb Nation at reverbnation.com
iTunes
Amazon.com
Daddy Kool Records at daddykool.com
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
September 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, then something that will really interest you is the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge. This is located on Pelican Island, east of Sebastian, Florida in the Indian River Lagoon near the western coast of Orchid Island. This wildlife refuge has grown into a monument that encompasses the National Wildlife Refuge System’s historic past. Being the first National Wildlife Refuge in the United Stated, it created this system and is a very special place.
This refuge was created in order to protect endangered birds like egrets from being hunted to extinction by those searching for their plumes. The idea of extinction is not something we think about in our everyday lives while making dinner, playing Party poker or going to work. However, it is a very important issue which is why wildlife reserves like this are so valuable to the world we live in today.
President Roosevelt gave the order on March 14th 1903 to establish the site after mid-19th century increased American settlement had been threatening the population of the bird species. At that time, it was fashionable for ladies to wear the birds’ plumes in their hats and they were becoming extremely valuable.
Over the years, locals have had to fight to protect Pelican island. In the 1960s there were many attempts to sell the area surrounding it to developers, however people banded together to convince the authorities that the surrounding wetlands and islands were part of the refuge. Then in 1963, the Secretary of the Interior made Pelican Island a National Historic Landmark due to it being the first federal area that was designated specifically for the protection of wildlife.
The year 1968 saw Florida expand the area so that it included around 5000 acres of mangrove islands and other areas. Pelican Island then became the smallest wilderness area in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Today, it is not recommended that visitors come onto the island as the area must still be protected, but you can view the abundant wildlife from various boat tours and kayaking or canoeing experiences.
Actress Cindy Morgan: Dancing Gophers, Computer Graphics, and Everything in Between
September 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Her sexy poolside strut made men of all ages swoon. She knew how to make computers and Sci-Fi seem sexy.
Actress Cindy Morgan, who portrayed Lacey Underall in the classic 1980 comedy, Caddyshack, and starred as dual characters, Lora/Yori in the original Tron, is still just as radiant today as she ever was.
Yet, Morgan is so much more than just a pretty face. I recently had the extreme honor of catching up with the actress and found her to be an absolute delight to talk with. Confident, down-to-earth, intelligent and beautifully genuine describe Morgan well.
Born in the great town of Chicago, Illinois to Polish and German parents, Morgan was just the girl-next-door. She attended Catholic school and eventually went on to college, becoming the first in her family to do so. While at Northern Illinois University, Morgan studied communications. During her collegiate years, she played records on the radio. And when a local station wanted Morgan to report the news for them, a change had to be made. Originally born as Cynthia Ann Cichorski, the Midwestern coed took on the name Cindy Morgan. Morgan was inspiration from the tale of Morgan le Fay, who was King Arthur’s half sister; a book she read as a child.
Post graduation, Morgan took on a job reporting the weather for a local television station, but also kept her hand in radio by working the graveyard shift at a rock station. She later began working at auto shows, which brought Morgan coast-to-coast. It was then that she decided to move out to Los Angeles, and in 1978, became the Irish Spring girl. With her fresh-faced look, it was easy to see why Morgan was cast for such a job. While the blonde beauty spent time doing television advertisements, she also studied acting. It wasn’t long after that Morgan landed her first big screen role in one of the funniest movies of all time.
First time director, Harold Ramis, began working on a comedy called Caddyshack. The film featured many big name actors and was inspired by writer Brian Doyle-Murray and his memories of working as a caddy back in Winnetka, Illinois. Bill and John Murray, in addition to Ramis, were also caddies back in the day and were able to bring forth their stories to the making of the movie. The comedy and its colorful characters were based on real-life golfers and caddies through the eyes of Ramis and the Murray brothers.
Ramis decided to film Caddyshack on a golf course in Davie, Florida even though the story was to be set in the Midwest. The South Florida course was picked as it did not have any palm trees and was far away from California.
From gopher puppets to unscripted dialogue, there was quite a bit of insanity on the set of Caddyshack, as Morgan recalls.
The film starred actors Chevy Chase and Bill Murray, as well as stand-up comedian, Rodney Dangerfield. With an all-star cast, one could only assume that a young actress in her first big film would be a bit nervous. According to Morgan, she distanced herself from the actors before the movie was even set to be filmed. “I just stopped watching their work so that I wouldn’t be intimidated,” confided the actress. By refusing to watch Chase and Murray, in particular, Morgan didn’t feel as flustered walking into filming that first day. She merely introduced herself to the men, made friends and began working.
From day one on the set of Caddyshack, there was a whole lot of crazy. Ramis was inexperienced as a director and it sometimes showed. {Bill} Murray was on production just six days, and all of his lines went unscripted. For the climatic golf course explosions which appeared at the end of the film, things didn’t go quite as predicted. The massive fire balls were not approved by the country club owners because they feared the golf course would be badly damaged. Movie producers were eventually able to convince the club owners to attend an off-site meeting, and it was then that the Caddyshack crew set off the explosions. In addition, the golf course was near the Ft. Lauderdale Airport, and after the explosives went off, an incoming pilot reported what he believed to be a crashed plane. Little did he know that it was one of the most famous scenes of Caddyshack coming together.
The silliness in front of the cameras also existed behind the cameras as well. The cast of Caddyshack partied throughout the wee hours of the morning, only for them to wake up a few hours later to film. Some members of the crew drove around in golf carts late at night on the course. That is, until the keys were taken away from them. However, that hardly stopped the crazy antics. The cast and crew soon learned how to hotwire the carts.
Morgan’s first time being filmed for Caddyshack was a bit of a challenge. The famous pool scene with the diving board was daunting, especially since Morgan is legally blind without glasses and contacts. Hardly a swimmer, forget a diver, Morgan feared the worst. “One month before filming I had to take all kinds of lessons, including swimming. I couldn’t have my contact lens in for the scene, and so I had to literally climb the ladder blind. I walked out on the board and saw nothing,” recalled the actress.
Her second scene wasn’t any easier. “I had to film the nude scene. I had never done anything like that before. I was in Catholic school and was the Irish Spring girl! I was suddenly told that a Playboy photographer would be coming out to do a shoot of the scene. I was furious, so I contacted my agent and he said, “Honey, you’re not a doe-eyed girl from the Midwest, handle it.” Morgan remembered that many people were standing in the room during the scene, making it even more uncomfortable. “I stopped the filming and cleared the set,” stated the actress. With her contract on the line, and the possibility of not ever being able to work again, the strong-minded Morgan fought for her right as a woman in the film industry in 1979. “They ended up sending in the photographer, but no shoot was done. I’m from Chicago, and let’s just say my broadcasting background came in handy. I stood my ground and I’m hard-headed. No one was going to win that battle. That was the day Lacey became Lacey.”
When I spoke with Morgan I asked her what her favorite scene was in the movie. Without any hesitation she stated it was the infamous piano scene opposite Chevy Chase. According to the actress, many scenes in Caddyshack were improvised and unscripted. The piano scene was no exception, which was set at the house of Ty Webb, Chase’s character. “Harold Ramis told me to sit down at the piano next to Chevy. He said, ‘Sing me a love song.’ Next thing I know, I look over and see the cameras are on and rolling. I thought, ‘Oh my God, they’re shooting this!’,” exclaimed Morgan. Needless to say, the piano scene was never set to be in the movie at all and everything involved was improvised, from the singing to the tequila. It was also at this point in the film that Morgan and Chase were butting heads. The two had had a fight just prior to the scene. The atmosphere was indeed tense. “I was mad at him {Chase}. He was challenging me, even while the cameras were rolling, and pressing buttons,” recalled Morgan. Filming the massage scene in Ty’s bedroom was not the least bit relaxing for the actress. “We filmed in the middle of a Florida summer. It was really hot; my make-up kept running because I was sweating so bad. Chevy just kept trying to make me mad. He spilled all that oil on my back on purpose; it wasn’t in the script. When I blurted out suddenly, ‘You’re crazy,’ that was genuine.” For Morgan, her relationship with Chase was “love-hate.” When things between the two were good, well, they were really good. Chase helped Morgan on the set at times and was a friend. “I loved all my scenes with Chevy. He is a comic genuis,” fondly stated Morgan. But when things were bad, well, let’s just say the actress had to watch her back… literally.
After Caddyshack, Morgan got the role of Dr. Lora Baines/Yori in the original Tron, which was released in 1982. Actor Jeff Bridges portrayed Kevin Flynn in the film. Dr. Baines was the computer programmer or “User” of Yori, who was part of the digital world. Tron was a Disney film and one of the first of its kind with state-of-the-art computer graphics and special effects. Its amazing visuals and talented cast made it a box office success. It became a cult favorite and later turned into a massive franchise. Tron achieved movie making history, as it was the first computer generated film. Acting in this type of movie wasn’t always easy. There were a couple of times that Morgan had difficulty visualizing objects or settings that weren’t actually there, but said she got through it all with the help of her amazing colleagues. “I worked with great actors. The reality of it all was in each other’s eyes,” explained Morgan. In 2010, TRON: Legacy was released, and to many fans great dismay, Morgan was not in the returning cast. Therefore, an online campaign, Yori Lives!, was started up by these very same fans in order to bring Morgan’s character, Yori, back to life once again. It has proven quite successful and Morgan cannot thank her supporters enough. And because of the campaign, Morgan makes appearances all over the U.S. at various conferences and expos signing autographs and doing “meet and greets” for her Tron followers. Morgan is greatly humbled by this and tells me it is a tremendous honor to be so loved.
In addition to both films, Caddyshack and Tron, Morgan has appeared on numerous television shows over the years. She has starred on Chips, The Fall Guy, The Love Boat and Matlock, just to name a few. Jane Wyman, aka Angela Channing, was Morgan’s co-star on the popular 1980 series, Falcon Crest. Morgan greatly enjoyed working with Wyman and has some very special memories of her. When asked if Morgan had a favorite television show she acted on, she quickly answered with Bring ‘Em Back Alive. The adventure series, which appeared on television back in the early 80s, starred Morgan and her co-stars Bruce Boxleitner and Ron O’Neal. “I loved that show. I did my best work with Bring ‘Em Back Alive,” fondly stated the actress.
Morgan has done more than just acting. In 1995, she was the associate producer for three television movies: Out There, Dead Weekend, and Amanda and the Alien.
In 2003, Morgan supplied her voice for the Tron 2.0 PC game, and in 2006 she was the voice of Emily S. Preston in Night Traveler, a multimedia adventure series.
Today, the very talented and motivated Morgan is working on a book about her experiences in acting, specifically while on the set of Caddyshack. A definite must-read for the movie’s fans, much like myself. And until the book is released, be sure to check your television guide for Bio Channel’s Caddyshack: The Inside Story. The documentary features some of the cast and their experiences on the set. Filming secrets are exposed and many humorous stories are recounted. Morgan is interviewed in the documentary, sharing her own personal memories of the movie. Once Morgan’s book is published, she plans to go back into radio. When not writing or traveling to conferences, Morgan spends time at her home in Florida.
She is also passionate about charity events, such as ones which support the U.S. military. Morgan’s father fought in WWII. In 2006, she headed the Caddyshack Reunion Golf Tournament at the Willow Crest Golf Club in her home state of Illinois. The tournament reunited some of the original Caddyshack cast along with other various celebrities. It was done for a good cause as it raised funds and awareness to benefit the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, an organization to help families of the National Guard and reservists on active duty.
One thing in particular that I picked up on while talking to Morgan was that she has a very kind and genuine nature. The loyal actress adores all of her fans and supporters. She attends conferences and expos across the nation to sign autographs, take pictures and talk. Whether those waiting in line to meet Morgan are followers of her character, Yori from Tron, or those who knew and loved her as Lacey Underall in Caddyshack, she is there for each and every one of them. In addition to her meet and greets, Morgan also enjoys chatting with her fans via social media sites, such as Facebook.
Personally, I’m a Caddyshack fan. I most likely have seen the movie nearly a hundred times. I must admit, when younger, I wanted to be like Lacey. She was sexy, confident and had great style. She was always, without a doubt, one of my favorite characters in the film. I asked Morgan how she feels when she watches herself in the classic comedy. “It was really hard for me to watch in the beginning. I was very critical of myself, saying things like, ‘I wish I had done that line differently.’ It’s easier to watch now though. I was very lucky to have been a part of that movie.”
Although Morgan may no longer enjoy skinny skiing or going to bullfights on acid, there is a part of her that still embodies Lacey. And, even if the actress did not reprise her beloved role in TRON: Legacy, Yori does still live on. Morgan’s positive attitude and fearless nature keeps the characters of her past, strong within her soul.
A big thanks goes out to Ms. Cindy Morgan for taking the time to do this wonderful interview with me for The Expressionist Magazine. It was an honor to have such an opportunity.
***For more information on the actress, please visit her website at www.Cindy-Morgan.com
Busch Gardens – Howl – O -Scream 2011
September 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
What: Howl- O- Scream 2011: The Dark Side of the Gardens
Where: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
When: Every Thursday- Sunday starting September 29th to October 29th
Price: Tickets start at $77.99 each
For more information visit: Howl-O-Scream’s Official Website
Interview with Sunshine and Bullets
September 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Interviewed and Written by Rose Gear
Sunshine and Bullets… who are they? Simply put, they are one of the coolest bands of all time; a rock fanatic’s dream. Sunshine and Bullets brings a new sound to rock music that’s itching to be heard. They are made up of three powerful performers: Rich Keane, the singer and guitarist, Amanda Hamers, singer and bassist, and the drummer Kyle Wolfman. I had the amazing opportunity to talk to these National Recording Artists on what they love, how their album’s going, and the general life of Sunshine and Bullets.
Expressionist Magazine: How did Sunshine and Bullets get together and decide to make music?
Amanda: We all knew each other through different bands and different projects and it was something new to try.
Expressionist Magazine: How did you decide on the name Sunshine and Bullets?
Rich: We were all going through names. Then suddenly I shot out “bullets of sunshine.” Amanda goes, why don’t we change it around since it sounds like “bullet for my sunshine.” Then that was that, it became Sunshine and Bullets.
Expressionist Magazine: Do you guys have an inspiration or someone you look up to in music?
Rich: Yeah, for guitar players it would be Jimi Hendrix, Mike Einziger from Incubus, and Joe Perry from Aerosmith. For vocalists it would be Brandon Boyed from Incubus and Pete Loeffler from Chevelle.
Kyle: Morgan Rose, Jose Pasillas the drummer for Incubus, and anybody who makes me move.
Amanda: For a bass player it would be Emma Anzai from Sick Puppies, and singer Gwen Stefani.
Expressionist Magazine: How does it feel for your first album to come out?
Kyle: It’s exciting! Pretty tough in the works, but it’s definitely a learning experience. I mean, we were actually in the studio and fans enjoy our work. It took a lot to complete, but it is a good feeling and it spreads like fire!
Expressionist Magazine: What’s the first album Fight for Andromeda about?
Rich: It’s not random. It’s like a theme. CD titles equal code names, kind of like Nine Inch Nails. We thought we should code name ours too. We hired some guy to record us and he took our money. We ended up recording in a better studio, but unfortunately the hard drive died that contained all of our music. We had to retake all the music. It was a heartbreaker incident, but there was a lot of passion and emotion in the album, which lead to the code name for the title.
Expressionist Magazine: What is your favorite song from the album?
Rich: “When We Fall”
Amanda: “Style,” because it’s fun to play!
Kyle: “If You Only Knew”
Expressionist Magazine: In general how does the whole process of making a song go?
Kyle: It depends on the mood. We start with lyric ideas and melodic ideas then go from there. Vocals and melodies are first, then drums.
Expressionist Magazine: If you had to choose, what is the most favorite place you have played so far?
Keith: CW Network’s The Daily Buzz on television.
Amanda: The State Theater. I had a connection with the theater before I was in the band.
Rich: The State Theater. They hire real professionals. I also like Corkees because they have the best sounding bar.
Expressionist Magazine: Do you guys plan on doing this for the rest of your life?
Rich: We would love to! It has to be the right person to hear our stuff and give it the old English try, and to take the risk! We’re willing to go forth.
Expressionist Magazine: Do you guys work while being in a band?
Rich: Yeah, full time jobs.
Expressionist Magazine: If you could go on tour with any band in the world, who would you choose?
Rich: System of a Down, Perfect Circle, and Metallica
Amanda: Foo Fighters!
Kyle: Carnival, from Australia. They are incredible live!
Expressionist Magazine: Do you guys have a favorite rock magazine?
Amanda: Used to be Rolling Stone…
Rich: Used to be Rolling Stone, too…
Kyle: Drum Magazine.
Expressionist Magazine: What is your band’s favorite place to hang out?
Amanda: A venue called Corkees. We hang out there before and after the show. Fun place to hang out! It has really good hot wings, too!
Expressionist Magazine: You have awesome style, Amanda! Where do you shop?
Amanda: I am blessed to have two sisters and a mother. I shop from their closet!
Expressionist Magazine: What’s the most memorable moment your band has had together?
Rich: The first show; it started it all.
Amanda: On live television; we were on the CW Network’s The Daily Buzz!
Kyle: When we go out, hang out, it’s always an adventure.
If you want to learn more about Sunshine and Bullets, check out their website below:
http://www.sunshineandbullets.com/
Ted Mikulski: Artist for the New Millenium
September 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
At age twenty-five, I am proud to say that I am a product of the digital generation. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise defined my childhood as easily as Nintendo games and the Walt Disney Corporation. With mass-produced commercialism and computerization at the helm of our cultural and personal development, it seems that everything has been done and is ready to move over for the next “big thing.” Twenty-seven year-old abstract artist Ted Mikulski acknowledges this and embraces it, as both a challenge and an opportunity to upgrade visual art while still holding on to the aesthetics of yesteryears.
Me: It’s great to have you back on The Expressionist…I read on your blog that you recently went to Europe. What sort of impact did such an experience have on you artistically?
TM: My fiancée and I went to…Greece, Italy, Iceland, Ireland, and England. It was something I never experienced before; you draw tremendous inspiration from old-world masters…There wasn’t much contemporary work but so many old-world works. Since I teach art I know these works [from textbooks], so being able to see it was phenomenal. There are subtle nuances that you don’t catch.
I think it reiterates the fact that art should be something of time and historical value. The quality of my work has to be tip-top and continue to explore different avenues. I was in a natural history museum in Dublin, for example. Old-world building, with preserved animals and skeletons…so I started thinking of sculptures with fabricated bones…that kind of inspiration you can’t get anywhere else.
Me: What did you bring back with you philosophically to use for your own pieces?
TM: I think philosophically I was blown away by these, especially Italy. I was blown away by Renaissance artists, even old works from Greece and Rome. The whole point of Rome was to be remembered and that’s why contemporary artists do what we do; we want to live on. We’re in a creative field based on the fact that we can be remembered. It’s about the longevity of your creation…it’s reinforced why I do what I do and continues to keep me motivated.
Me: From what I saw on your blog, street art in Iceland is quite creative and insightful. How does it compare to American expression?
TM: Iceland was beautiful…I’m a big street art fan; I was [blown] away by the fact that Europe has a much longer artistic history, and America’s a very young country. I think the appreciation for art is there. They don’t mind having public art, they don’t clean it up…we give graffiti art it’s legal laws but it’s not really accomplishing anything…If we had any aesthetic towards street art I think it would thrive here in the States.
Me: Did you draw any graffiti?
TM: I continued a project called Tweets for Life. I’ll find interesting quotes from people and it’ll coincide with people in real environment. I type them and print them up on sticky paper so I can stick them in random places. I did that in Greece, Italy, in grocery stores…on shopping carts.
Me: There are a lot of video game icons and cartoon characters in what you call, “Potpourri,” or “Random Works of Awesomeness.” As a member of the current generation, I really liked these works and loved seeing these characters presented in such a creative and personal way. What sort of significance do these works have on your overall art? Do you feel they’re deeply relevant or are they simply just fun to draw?
TM: There’s so much behind them, it’s the memories from when you were a kid. It’s interesting, all these capitalists making money has become personal, lifelong memories for us. I think being…27, and growing up in the early 90s and late 80s, I think for my generation these are the heights of capitalism, for these icons to be burned in our brains. All that stuff, not only is it funny to me cause it brings back memories, but also an ability to inspire from it. I love abstraction; [it] can also be humorous. I love humor and I love comedy.
Me: Bearing these pieces in mind, do you feel that technology is detrimental to visual art?
TM: That’s a really good question. I think technology has been great for visual art. Artists choose not to embrace it properly, [but] as artists we’ve been using new technology. Now we have bits from new media…I can look up great pieces of art anytime, from anywhere. Disconnect comes when people get distracted by it. When they could be looking at art they’re looking at videos of cats playing the piano…It’s a great way for artists to be seen like never before, but you have to be careful with what you’re doing online to have it matter.
Me: Do you think the Internet could move art forward, or is it setting it back?
TM: It could absolutely move it forward! Revolutions happen through YouTube and Blitz. I think to ignore that as an artist is very silly. The world we used to live in, you know, hang out in studio, work really hard, and then someone in a suit comes in and says, “You’re the next big thing.” It’s not like that anymore; you need to be out there marketing yourself.
Me: People have to sell themselves.
TM: You have to be your own personal cheerleader. Recession weeds out what artists will and won’t be here. Doing art once in a while is one thing; for those who want to be full-time it’s harder than ever.
Me: Many of your pieces have a 3-dimensional quality to them. Is this method of painting inspired by our generation’s demand for media to literally pop! or is this more from your architectural background?
TM: Great question; I think it might be a combination of both. I think, for me…this generation demands more than ever. They can go to museums and be bored by technical art. [They] demand higher standards; dimension has to be there. I’m producing sculptured works and 3-D works; for me it’s more grabbing and more expressing. The “paint” has been done billions of times in history and it’s time to be exploring different materials and…be completely expressive.
Me: Of all the forms of art most Americans don’t understand, I feel as though abstract art has the worst reputation. Most feel it is someone simply throwing random paint on a canvas and saying, “Here, now pay me.” How would you describe your abstract work to someone with this opinion?
TM: I think that’s understandable. A lot of it has to do with money. We have really simple art in the modern era from the 50s and 60s where people would paint a square in the middle of the paper and now they’re worth $10 million. I think it offends people in a lot of ways. I think…if money wasn’t involved, they wouldn’t get so offended.
[But] I think it’s the most pure form of art. If you’re going to paint still-life, you’re just re-representing what’s out there. Abstraction is ultimate; there are no preconceptions of what you’re seeing, you’re inventing it, creating it, starting it.
Me: I personally love that abstraction shows the raw emotion behind a subject rather than just the subject itself.
TM: For a lot of people that’s hard to except, that art is just emotion. The subject is the canvas, color, movement, it’s not deciphering a person or a car or a tree. Most people have a difficult time doing that and it involves education and conversation. They won’t spend time looking or thinking. Abstraction’s still fairly young; it’s still 70 to 80 yrs. It may be a matter of time before abstraction is up there.
Me: Do you think it will be?
TM: I hope so. I’m a huge supporter of it obviously. I think a lot of artists gravitate towards it; it’s freeing media, and some people do buy it.
Me: Do you give yourself any rules with your abstract work? Many of your pieces, though wild, are pretty comprehensive compared to other works. How do you decide what to channel and what tools to use in the wake of such a loose form?
TM: In many ways, I have concept of color and feeling and what the basic premise of the piece is. When I first started I went with how I felt, and if it came out good I was happy. I’ve been doing it for years and [now] I have a better idea of how things will work. It’s become more of a scientific process, then the emotions come through. That’s when you really get free and start working on it…with abstraction you combine so much paint, action, movement; it takes a part of you with it. I think most artists feel that way.
Me: I like the car you have posted on your website. What drove you (author’s note: pun intended) to paint your car?
TM: (laughs) I got bored with cars always being a same idea. [A] huge part of American society, all solid colors. It doesn’t seem natural to me; I just decided I would start drawing on my car. Of course people were warning me against it, you know: resale value will go down, insurance will go up, [I would] be getting pulled over every five seconds. But then I thought, why worry about it? If I did, I wouldn’t have [become] an artist in the first place! So I stripped the clear coat, a friend at a body shop helped me…I drew it with paint pens, then covered it with another clear coat…It gets attention everywhere, definitely a conversation piece. People going about their daily lives, doing the same thing over and over, then they see my car and it’s a break from all the [monotony]. When routine is broken by a few seconds of art, it can be pretty powerful.
Me: Cars are a vital part of our world; they help us go about our daily lives and become a part of us personally. Why, do you think, more people don’t personalize their vehicles?
TM: Well it’s time-consuming; mine took over 180 hours. People get scared to make cars individual; they’re an expensive investment. It lacks a certain flair and human ability. They’re all manufactured, we know what they all look like; there’s no surprises. It makes life pretty mundane. Putting art on a car seems such a great thing, to have a rolling piece of art can be a powerful thing. I do drive it all the time.
Me: So when can you paint my car?
TM: (laughs) I want to paint another car. I’ve had a few close offers for motorcycles. I do by hand with paint pens, so it takes time and effort. It also takes the right person to want to commit to it.
Me: Do you paint on other kinds of products?
TM: I draw on everything. We live in manufactured worl; nothing has that personal touch, nothing is hand-made or really special. I add art to whatever I can and do it in some way that’s really meaningful. Everyone’s determined to keep things pristine and factory-fresh. I think people are afraid.
Me: What do you see on the horizon of your artistic future?
TM: I think there’s a lot going on. I have a solo show in NYC next year, an amazing accomplishment. For me, my work will continue in complexity and if quality doesn’t continue to go up, they should stop. Quality should be a staple, you want to have quality in what you make. I’m just going to continue in longevity…trying to one-up myself. Whether or not I can afford it, it doesn’t matter, art deserves to evolve.
Me: Do you have anything you’d like to share with artists and would-be consumers?
TM: I think art deserves to be seen and it deserves to be appreciated. I want to expose my art to as many people as possible. I think for art lovers and admirers…if you love my work that’s great, but continue to seek out other artists. It should be up there with music and film and be important in everyone’s lives. Artists are some of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met…I think, to have a following, is a nice touch to all the hard work. People think artists want to do it for themselves but they…deserve the recognition for all their efforts.
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