Monday, February 27, 2012

new work by Jesse Lortz, opening Thursday March 8th, 6-8 pm

Cairo is very VERY pleased to announce the art opening for Jesse Lortz's new series of Original Drawings and Hand watercolor painted screen prints from selected works.

























Jesse Lortz is 33 and lives in Seattle, Washington with his son, Oscar. He has been drawing since he was a boy, and learned by tracing Garfield from the Sunday funny pages. He likes campfires, Richard Brautigan books, pork chops, classical music, Oriental rugs, driving, splitting wood, the wind, being naked, being warm when it is cold, writing songs, quiet, pistachios, listening to frogs and crickets, folklore, and the moon and stars. 

About this project:

These drawings are assignments given by Pamela Davis. They are his first drawings using watercolor.


Be sure to check in with Jesse's blog & if you'd like to find out more about Jesse, we recently interviewed him prior to the show he just performed as Case Studies here at Cairo.  


See you on March 8th from 6-8 pm!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

new NECKLACES, new artists

new necklaces by Lummi tribe artist David Teel

 new necklaces from worn path and more...

so many... 

new terrarium necklaces


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Band Practice: Half Gift!

Yet another reason to love the Chophouse: Half Gift are BACK. After a year's hiatus from playing shows, they are back on the bandwagon as a three piece: Drummer Jessica (formerly of Eel Eater), guitarist James (of Footwork), and bassist Sam Pease. The band has been practicing nonstop--and has totally revamped their sound. Once snowpocalypse-induced cabin fever got the best of me a few weeks ago, I trekked to the Chophouse and discovered what a Half Gift band practice really looks like: 
God's Eyes
Drum Kit= Step Ladder? 
Drum Kit \ne \!\, Step Ladder.
Half (re)Gift 

So what is the last song they would listen to before the end of the world 2012? 
Jessica--"Killing In The Name Of" by Rage Against the Machine
James--"My Ship Is Coming In" by The Walker Brothers
Sam--"Decades" by Joy Division

ALSO...are playing their [second] DEBUT at CAIRO this Saturday Feb 25th, with DREAMSALON, and The Feeling of Love. HELL YES I'LL SEE YOU THERE.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Friday, February 17, 2012

Catching up with Jesse Lortz of Case Studies


We chatted a bit with Jesse Lortz about life, working vs. creating, and what he and Steve Jobs have in common. Come see Jesse play as Case Studies Friday Feb. 17th with Perpetual Ritual, and Baby Guns at Cairo....show starts at 8 pm!





Is there significance to the name case studies?

I was really into it and first and now I am kind of bored with it. The songs are all about self examination, and problem solving, so it made sense to call it "case studies" since that is essentially what they are. There is also whole interactive performance aspect of it that got put on the back burner, and maybe eventually that will come to fruition. I think I need to change it though.

Towards the light, or towards the dark?

both. I dont really choose them. Since the songs are me trying to figure things out about myself and the dynamics of my relationships with others they have tended towards the darker side of things for better or worse. I am in a pretty wonderful place now though, so the new songs are a little lighter. 

Where did you grow up?  do you feel like that setting had an impact on the music you create?

I grew up in Maple Valley, a rural town outside of Seattle. I have been around music since I was a kid, as a way to get away from my parents. I dont even want to try and dissect the geographic side of it!

Was there a specific moment you knew being an artist is what would define you?

I dont know that I would define myself as an artist necessarily. I do find it nearly impossible to function effectively in everyday life. Paying bills, working a steady job towards another persons vision, eating regular meals, etc. It just seems like there are more important things to do with my time. But we all do.

Is there a particular song that influenced you growing up, something that you continually connect with over time?

I have been revisiting the Alabama catalog. I grew up listening to KMPS, the local country station, and KBSG oldies. I have been reconnecting with songs of my childhood that I never really appreciated the impact of. Pilgrim Chapter 33, Fire Lake. Basically forlorn tavern music.

People may know you best through your music (case studies, the dutchess and the duke), but i've seen an incredible amount of artwork created by you, from drawings, to t-shirt designs, to posters, and even the diorama you created for the cover of your latest album. do you find it difficult to give your energy to so many mediums?  do you feel a pressure to focus on one thing or another at specific times? 

I am still trying to figure out what my medium is. When D/D was happening, it was a full time thing, and the visual part of me kind of withered. Now, with the waning interest towards my music, I have more time to focus on the other stuff, thankfully.




You are also a dad, and a guy with bills to pay, do you have a "day job", and do you feel like that work is a "means to an end", or does it play a more integrated role in your life as an artist?

I have a job and it totally just a way for me to barely pay my bills. If I didnt have Oscar in my life I would be completely ok not having a job. It doesnt really cost much to just survive.

Having just finished the biography of steve jobs, he talks about psychedelic drugs having influenced his worldview and process, to the point that he notes that there are parts of his creative self that people who have never done drugs, just won't understand, or "get" about him.... do you feel any connection to that?  

Absolutely.

Your last album was on sacred bones, they have such a crazy, and interesting roster, how did that album come about?

Caleb and Keegan are friends of mine and wanted to do the record. That label is fantastic and I think it is great that they are able to put out so many diverse records.

What's the best show you've ever played?

Probably the last time I played at Cairo. Looking forward to doing it again.


Video from said show:



Jesse also recently played our sister space Topaz, in Tucson Arizona. You can download a mix made for that show featuring Case Studies HERE. See you at the show!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Band Practice: FOOTWORK + JBVM

I have another reason to like The Chophouse practice space... Footwork + JBVM: the most current generation of Cairo favorite band Footwork. 
Footwork's current addition of lead vocalist/performance guru of Seattle's former Wet Paint DMM, Jamey Braden Von Mooter, is bringing a new twist to Footwork's established sound. 
I got to crash their practice last week to take a photo and ask a question. 

This is what they look like: 
(FTWK + JBVM)
(JBVM + TW) 
 (MP + JS)

And this is the last song they would listen to before the end of the world on Dec 21, 2012:
James-- "My Ship is Coming In" by The Walker Brothers
Jamey-- "Stop It" by Pylon AND "Push It" by Static X
Pelly-- "6 Underground" by Sneaker Pimps
Taylor-- "You Will Never Never Never Know Me" by Das Oath


Footwork + JBMV are making their Seattle DEBUT at CAIRO this Saturday, Feb 18th, with Seattle babes STICKERS, and Portland bands PSYCHIC FELINE and FORMICA MAN. You DO NOT want to miss this show. See you then!

**thanks to Pelly for editing photo #1!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Killer Valentines: Baby Guns

Valentine's Day is oh-so-soon. Need some appropriate attire for the occasion? Want to smell great but don't have the right perfume? Want company? Well stop by Cairo this weekend for all things "valentine"--red, pink, lace, velvet, perfumes, friends, lovers...?


Neil & Erin of Baby Guns decided to start early... here are the pair in getups that are hot off the rack! You can find all their duds and MORE at Cairo this weekend.






OH! COME SEE BABY GUNS AT CAIRO with CASE STUDIES and PERPETUAL RITUAL on Feb. 17TH! Click here for deets!

Next Silkscreen Workshop is Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 7 pm



Make your own t-shirts, posters and more! $45 gets you this great workshop, teaching you the basics of silkscreening shirts and posters + 1 month's worth of 7 day a week access to our studio to create your very own goodies. Stop by or email alchemy.of.time (at) gmail.com to reserve a spot!

Band Practice at the Chop House: with STEPHANIE

Chophouse Rehearsal Studios on Capitol Hill is a favorite space among local bands to practice their music. And why wouldn't it be? Conveniently across the street a myriad of bars and coffee shops, it boasts grafittied bathrooms, beer and pizza residue all over the walls, and absolutely no ventilation. Sounds like a winner!
The best part about the Chophouse is the awesome bands that use the space. For example, Cairo Records band STEPHANIE holds their practices at the local spot. Here's what it looks like when you barge in: 
 Ian misbehaves. 
 Ian behaves.
 They create a sixth member. 
They put liquids near electronics. 

On my way out, I asked each band member what song he would want to hear last before the apocalypse. Some of these answers to not surprise me... 
Robert--Ernesto Lecuona "Crisantemo"
Matt--Brian Eno "An Ending"
Andrew--Sister Nancy "Bam Bam" 
Ian--Ciara "Promise" 
Wil--Eiffel 65 "Blue" 

Hey gentlemen of Stephanie, stay wonderful. 

Friday, February 3, 2012

if you're ever in the desert, check out our sister space TOPAZ, tucson, AZ

Topaz, their first event is Feb. 11th & 12th, with a number of Seattle artists