"Guess What!" I Interviewed artist C.M. RUIZ!

This Thursday, May 10th, marks the date of Cairo's newest art show, featuring work by C.M. Ruiz! 

The artist's work is ubiquitous in the Seattle music scene, featured primarily on show posters and album covers, and in Capitol Hill's Arabica Lounge. C.M. is also one half of CMRTYZ, a local production company with Ty Ziskis that "loves to throw parties, hold art exhibitions, produce clothing, and put out records of our friends bands"(2012). 

"Fungi Girl", a zine exclusive to Cairo for the month of May, is C.M.'s most recent exploration into the concept of psychedelia, illustrating one girl's adventure through a surreal world after taking hallucinogenic mushrooms. Coinciding with the Fungi Girl zine release are original works of art will be on display and for sale for the month of May. 

C.M. recently stopped into Cairo for a chat, a cup of coffee, and an in-depth tutorial on navigating the Mushroom Necklace website. Check out our photos and interview below, and make sure to stop by on Thursday, May 10th for the release party! 

Photos: 

 CMR

CMR SHY

Sneak Peek of 'Fungi Girl' zine art

The Interview: 

What is your full name?

Carlos Michael Ruiz Bautista Dominguez Soto

Tell me about the new Fungi Girl zine.

Well, I've been working on my diary journal comic, which is really simplistic and straight forward. I've been thinking about illustrating one that was really complex and detailed. I thought it would be cool to have an art show around it too, that was a mix of Xerox and illustration. The concept of Fungi Girl was inspired a lot by Mushroom Necklace, Legend of Zelda, Fungi Girls the band, Brian Standeford, Devon Varmega, 1960's pop psychedelia, and early 90's druggie psychedelia.  I've pulled from a lot of different influences while creating the zine, so the beginning of the process is kind of different from the most recent work. 

How would you describe your personal artistic style?

Sort of like "bad thrash metal" kind of art, but with a lot more design theory to it. I feel like so much art design is so precise. Especially how you're taught in school: there is too much thought put into it. So if something is a little too polished in my art, I just like to rattle it.

What are some your favorite pieces that you have published? 

I really like the Fungi Girls LP and the Deep Sht 7-inch covers I did. Also, this Jay Reatard/ Thee Oh Sees show poster I did for The Crocodile. 

When did you first start designing posters?

In 2006, after I moved to Seattle. I moved to Seattle because I bought a Catheters record, so I went to a lot of Tall Birds shows because The Catheters were broken up by that time.  I used to go to their all ages shows and I would just offer to make posters. The first poster I ever did was an Unnatural Helpers, Tall Birds, and The Ax show at The Funhouse. 

How did you get started drawing? 

We used to go to church several times a week when I was a kid and I would draw to pass the time. In high school I drew all the time because I was really into comic books and Marvel trading cards. I used to come home from school and watch the History Channel and draw for hours. You'd think I would be better at it by now.

Tell me about your tattoos.

I have a cat that I got for 20 dollars in Chattanooga, commemorating my first visit to the south, which was a grand old time. Then I got "DUDE" stick and poked by Rocky Banks when I was living in New York last summer. Then she tattooed a beetle on my other arm during SXSW this summer. 

What keeps you in Seattle?

The weather. I like everything here…I like the people and the scene a lot. 

Where are your favorite places to hang out in Seattle?

I like to go to 3 girls bakery in the market, Bimbo's on a slow night when my friends are working, The Streamline Bar in Queen Anne, The Smoke Shoppe in Ballard, and The Funhouse.

What are your plans for the summer?

I got no plans. 

Where is your favorite place to do karaoke, and what are your favorite songs to sing?

I really like ggnzla karaoke at The Cha Cha. I usually sing Roy Orbison's 'You Got It' or Bruce Springsteen's 'Hungry Heart' or John Lennon's 'The Ballad of John and Yoko'.

What are you listening to right now?

Blasted Canyons. Shit, they're so good. My favorite local bands right now are Ponytime and Redbook. The Feelies are my rainy day record. 

What are you working on for the future? 

An installation for the NEPO House 5k Don't Run, something for the summer exhibition called 'The Record' at The Henry art gallery, my sine, and individual projects for Totokaelo. 

C.M. also recently won our annual T-shirt design contest! Pick up a shirt on Thursday, sold exclusively at Cairo. 

Getting Funburned with CLGIV

How many different ways can I say his name?
My interview and photo shoot with CLGIV spanned about 3 ½ hours. In this time, I learned more than a few captivating tidbits about the musician: Leo once licked a puddle in 2nd grade, had (has?) a pet bee, has a custom design of Blackbird shoes named after him, and apparently has an alternate ego named “Svetlana Sexycat”.
Might I also add that when we met, he was very sunburned… quite a commodity in this dreary summer of ours.
Our interview, which was held outside, allowed Charles to conduct several costume changes--his glasses were replaced with shades and his jacket was removed 4 times during it's course: how fashion forward.
Charles Leo Gebhart IV, who is formerly of Unnatural Helpers and currently a solo musician, plans to spend his summer recording with Gold Leaves, ("I am so excited about that. I met this guy and told him how much I love his music, and he asked me to come play and record with him. So awesome.") Grant Olsen of Arthur & Yu's new project. Leo is currently on GGNZLA records (alongside Unnatural Helpers) so stay posted to see updated show dates and music releases.
(4 ways!)



See for yourself how just stylish this flaxen man can be.

"Svetlana Sexycat"

Wearing a Daniel J Mitchell original T.

Featuring Cairo original crystals and Blackbird original CLGIV shoes.

"This photo represents what I am doing right now. I am getting my photo taken by a giant camera. I am the girl in the picture."


And the interview...
Where did you grow up?
On Mercer Island.
What was your first concert?
I saw Skip Leader, The Red Aunts, Gas Huffer, Fits of Depression at The King Cat Theater in in 7th grade. It was one week before I saw Green Day for the Epitaph Records Punk’o’Rama.
How about one of your most cringeworthy memories?
I punched Michael St. Pierre in the stomach when he was climbing in between two trees on the first day of kindergarten. I still feel guilty about it.
What were you listening to as a kid?
I remember our family’s first CD, it was the Cirque du Soleil soundtrack, after we saw them perform for the 1990 Goodwill Games. My first cassette was “The Simpsons Sing the Blues”. Also “Deep Breakfast” by Ray Lynch when I was 10 years old… I still remember the tune.
Musically, do you have a favorite labelmate?
Yeah, Johnny O’Donnell. His record Hellbodies is still my favorite one. He is such a prolific songwriter. Also, I think Trent is the most amazing composer. He has a natural gift. It’s been a great experience knowing him.
Do you have a favorite Seattle venue?
My two favorite shows that I’ve ever played were at Cairo and the Jewelbox at the Rendez-Vous. They are good venues with an awesome audience, and both had a great spirit around the show. I loved the show at Cairo because there is no specific structure or framework to the space, so there is little distraction for the performer—they can be more involved with the audience.
Tell me a weird tour story, please.
Most notable was probably in 2003—I went on tour with the Catheters and our transmission in the van broke down in outside Indio, CA. Eight years later I was on tour with Missoula Oblongata and our van broke down. Our transmission died. In Indio, CA! We were stuck there for a week while we were waiting for the part. Very strange.
What is your staple article of clothing?
I really like polo shirts. I like a good collar. Most people would probably say my hair. I’m also really into my new polarized prescription sunglasses. (That explains the costume changes!)
What sandwich best describes your personality?
Today I had a salmon sandwich from Le Fournil on Eastlake. It was amazing. So I’m gonna go with that.
Thoughts on Sonic Boom closing and the death of record stores?
Aren’t we the problem? We can get everything for free on the internet these days. I feel as though people purchase merch at a show as a token of remembrance, not because they need the music. They can find it online.
Who in the world would you invite to dinner?
My grandfather CLG Jr. He died before I was born. Everyone I’ve spoken to said he was a phenomenal, considerate person. I would have loved to meet him.
Do you have an idol?
Well, I have an inspiration. Jonathan Richman—both musically and psychologically. I guess there’s no right word for it. He is a very self-aware musician. I remember first hearing his album and thinking, “I want to do music that sounds like this”.
Got any summer plans?
Yeah. I’m learning how to ride a motorcycle this weekend. I never learned and I always wanted to.
What would you do as a member of the opposite sex for a week?
Oh, I guess I’d do push-ups.

Ha, cool.

Hey! You can see this man in the flesh! Charles Leo is playing Seattle Weekly's REVERB Music Fest in October. See you then, friends.
Liv