Montreal Street Art – Summer 2015

While on a leisurely summer bicycle ride in Montreal, I pedaled east on the Lachine Canal super bike path through Verdun, Old Montreal, up St. Lawrence Boulevard into Chinatown and continued to the Plateau and Mile End hoods.  Along the way, I stopped to photograph the numerous graffiti street artworks that caught my eye.  Some were tucked away in doorways and back alleys, sprayed through protective grates or painted over wood.  Others were displayed on block-long murals. As I rode up and down Montreal's narrow one-way streets, I noticed the unique styles of graffiti in each neighborhood, differing from some simple and minimalistic to very elaborate and detailed.  Here are just a few of my fave works.  They are all "chef-d'oeuvres" in my mind’s eye!  I hope you enjoy the art as much as I did photographing it.

All Copyrights © remain vested with their respective artist. 

Duotang (Vava Vol and Xavier DeMusin (Bisson) Live at the Pyramid Club, NYC, 1983

These timeless live shots of Duotang were taken as we opened for the sultry chanteuse Yvel Champagn at the Pyramid Club in 1983.  Beautifully photographed by Jacques Perron, they evoke images of a minimalistic electronic underground show in a stark nightclub that could have taken place any time anywhere.

Thank you to Jacques Perron for capturing the moment, Erik Cimon for unearthing these gems and of course to my Duotang musical partner, Xavier DeMusin.

If anyone has a professional video, photos or a live sound recording of this 1983 Duotang show, kindly contact me at vavaland@live.ca Thanks.

Photos copyright © Jacques Perron 1983.  All rights reserved.

Esplendor Geométrico - 30 Years Plus

'In the words of New York producer Adam X: “When I think of the word ‘industrial’… I think machines, gears, factories with tall smoke stacks, Esplendor Geometrico means exactly that to me. Hard minimal rhythmic machine music that grinds like a huge device, cutting metal girders for large buildings. Though most would quote bands like Throbbing Gristle, Einstürzende Neubauten, and Coil as being the truest form of industrial, the music of Esplendor by far best describes the word industrial when actually applied to music”. (Ref: The Legend of Esplendor Geometrico)'

'Esplendor Geométrico (Geometric Splendor) is a Spanish industrial outfit formed in the early eighties by Arturo Lanz,  Gabriel Riaza and Juan Carlos Sastre. Saverio Evangelista joined - the only remaining member Arturo Lanz – in 1990. (Ref: Discogs)'

'Esplendor Geométrico's NADOR was originally published only in CD by the label of Dirk Ivens (Daft Records 1995).  Nine tracks recorded between 1988-1989 now remastered (2014).  Fans of Esplendor Geométrico have been waiting eagerly for this reissue of NADOR, a collection of unreleased tracks and alternative takes recorded during one of the best creative moments of the duo: the years of Sheikh Aljama and Arispejal Astisaró albums, an especially interesting period where the unique and characteristic rhytmic-industrial EG style, developed along the eighties, turns more minimalistic, schematic, cold and rough, with sporadic influences of arabic musics and rhythms. The minimalist structure of the tracks offers a strikingly modern approach. (Ref: Bandcamp profile)'

https://esplendorgeometrico.bandcamp.com/

Other links:

http://www.discogs.com/artist/540243-Arturo-Lanz

http://secretthirteen.org/interview-with-esplendor-geometrico/

http://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2011/10/the-legend-of-esplendor-geometrico

All copyrights to music, photos and text remain vested with their respective owners.

My Recent Music Releases - Spring 2015

Have a listen to my recent music releases here on Soundcloud.  Feel free to leave a comment, "like" and share with your friends.  Thanks for your continuing support!

 

 

 

https://soundcloud.com/vava-vol/we-are-ashes

 

https://soundcloud.com/vava-vol/iridium

 

https://soundcloud.com/vava-vol/reality-cheque

 

https://soundcloud.com/vava-vol/diluendo

Roxy Music - The Thrill Of It All - Disc 2

Part of a 4-CD compilation box set, “Roxy Music – The Thrill of it All (2)” is a visual history of the band’s 1979-1982 promo music vids, British TOTP and German TV appearances and clips from their Frejus, France 1982 live show. 

“I was more serious before I joined the band.” – Andy Mackay

“Secretly, I wanted to look like Jimi Hendrix but I could never quite pull it off.” – Bryan Ferry

Slick dance moves, shiny suits, skinny ties, high heeled boots, 70s quiffs and coifs, subtle makeup and nail polish all formed part of art rock band Roxy Music’s trademark look during this period.  Throughout the well-filmed promo and live music videos of “Roxy Music – The Thrill of It All (2)”, there are close-ups of the sharp-suited, lanky, handsome Ferry crooning his love songs (sometimes singing a verse or two in French) and the suave, duck-walking Andy McKay wailing away on his saxophone, oboe and other horn instruments.  Not to forget Graham Simpson on bass, Phil Manzanera on guitar, Paul Thompson on drums and percussion and Eddie Jobson on synth and violin (Eno had left the band by then), this full spectrum of instruments gave Roxy their inimitable and unique sound.  The set décors were characteristic of the late 70s/early 80s and the close-ups of the musicians playing their instruments were exquisite.  It was a real pleasure viewing these vintage videos and is a note-to-self why I am still enamored by Roxy Music.  I have a new-found appreciation for their incredible legacy. 

Kreativephasen Berlin's "Untitled Short Set VII Featuring Tracks From MidnightRadio

Have a listen to Kreativephasen’s latest release “Untitled Short Set VII" Featuring Tracks From MidnightRadio”.  From the Intro to the Outro, “Untitled” is a seamless mix of some of the best music by MRC’s artists.  Enjoy!

https://midnightradio-compilation.bandcamp.com/album/untitled-short-set-vii-by-kreativephasen-featuring-tracks-from-midnightradio