Music Art Culture Representation

June 2020 Vol. 2, Issue 6.

Richard Lovrich Well Respected, Well Traveled, Remarkable Life 3 Next Act - Work Your Passion

Seton Hawkins One of the driving forces behind NY’s Jass at Lincoln Center 14 talks jazz, genre, and online learning in the Capital Region Duo Parnas Cecily Parnas and Madalyn Parnas Möller are an international 18 sensation in classical music. Their roots are local. www.radioradiox.com

June 2020 Page 3 Music Art Culture Revolution Journey in the Mind’s Eye Behind the lens, behind the artboard, Art Director and rennaisance man Richard Lovrich seeks to capture new horizons.

Richard Lovrich What you see is what you get, and designer Richard Lovrich shapes what you see.

Page 3

Duo Parnas Photo provided. Madalyn and Cicely bring a Richard Lovrich designed the Times Union Center logo. deep history to the space between staa lines. radioradiox.com Xperience blog. the light at the end of their tunnel Page 3 By Dick Beach RRX: We are speaking with is New Jersey. How did you get Richard Lovrich, who has been from New York to New Jersey? in the Capital Region for many a Lovrich: I did grow up in ichard Lovrich is a 1st year. Has been an art director at the Bronx. Catholic school in the generation American. a number of organizations, and Bronx. We were at the Spuyten Observations A NYC native who has has currently got his shingle out Duyvil, where the two rivers meet and Ramblings...... 26 R worked for Newsweek, had his because that’s the right thing to at the top of Manhattan Island. own firm in NYC, came to Alba- do. Richard, thank you very much It wasn’t a big stretch for a young ny full time in 1996 at the Times for spending some time. family like my parents, who were Union, led the creative makeover Lovrich: Hey, Richard. looking for a better place, to go of Proctor‘s and associated enti- RRX: You list as being from down the block and across the ties to today, where he is the Cre- New York, New York, and gradu- bridge, and hit Fort Lee, which ative Director of a cause near and ating high school out of Fort Lee. was as lazy an attempt to being in dear to his lungs. This is just a As most of us know, New York- bit - the rest will be online at the ers are depressed mostly because Continued on Page 4... Page 4 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution

Continued from Page 3. School of Art. I was working at week?” I said, “Well, I was at pho- can find of you showing up here Newsweek magazine at the time tographer Jill Krementz’s home, in beautiful Albany, New York is the suburbs as you can possibly at night and on the weekends as a the townhouse, and I was watch- ‘96. make. photo courier ing television with Kurt Vonne- Lovrich: Yes, that would be RRX: So, you graduate high RRX: In passing, you say ‘oh gut.” Three people said, “What?” right. school. What was it, whether it well, I was doing stuff for News- I said, yeah. We were watching a RRX: Drawing for the Times was from school or just some- week’. Seriously? How did that game show. I think it was Jeopar- Union, which is where we met. thing organically that you did, happen? dy. We were watching Jeopardy, Lovrich: That’s right. that led you to the Parsons School Lovrich: It was pretty spe- and he had a little dog in his lap. RRX: You were there for, of Design? cial. My cousin, not very distant, He was just petting a little dog. what, 11 years? Lovrich: Well, some illus- Dobrillia—we’re Croatian, so; she Why wouldn’t Kurt Vonnegut sit Lovrich: ‘96 to 2006, tration and drawing in grammar was born there, in Croatia; my with a dog in his lap? Years lat- basically. school. If you lived in the Bronx parents were born there. I’m first er, when I had my photo studio, RRX: I, of course, know the at that time, our area was a very generation American. My cous- I was working for Citibank and work you did because I was there. Irish neighborhood. Irish meant in worked there and my brother I was a photographer. So, I took Was that something you found one of two basic categories. It was was the chief of communications those jobs on, and they contacted that was ultimately a fulfilling cop, fireman, building super, fat of Newsweek. He ran the teletype me and said, “We have this op- type of circumstance because you padre on one side. Then, we were department. Jill Krementz, who’s portunity. Gerald Ford’s coming, got to do some interesting design near Fordham University, so the one of our photographers, and I and we’d like you to take portraits for the company kind of thing? other side was newspaper writ- would visit Jill and sit with Kurt of him with some of our execu- Lovrich: Before we jump er and author. So, what I did is in Vonnegut, and watch television. tives .”I found out later the person there, I’ll put my work in New between, I spent a few months, Someone said, “Did anything was FBI, actually. York City in a nutshell. I did work half a semester, at the Ridgewood interesting happen to you this RRX: The first record that I for drug companies, and banks,

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41 112th Street, Troy (518) 235-4141 June 2020 Page 5 Music Art Culture Revolution and occasional forays into other... RRX: Hearst has headquar- American store of any kind to I photographed Andy Warhol for ters in the city, and I have to open up after the wall came down Architectural Digest magazine. imagine that there were people in Russia. perience RRX: He was a fascinating you knew there, which may have RRX: And that would have character. been how you ended up here? been? Monthly Lovrich: For me, which made Lovrich: No, none of that. Lovrich: That was the GUM, him ultimately very fascinating, RRX: Really? G-U-M. The store was Botany he was more fascinated than fas- Lovrich: None of that. I was 500 International Man. It was Art Fredette Publisher cinating. In other words, he was living here. I was a single fa- for men’s clothing. Well, my good completely enthralled by my 4 x 5 ther, eventually, living in New friend Richard Stoddard was an Liam Sweeny camera. We had the most won- York City in Tribeca, in a beau- artist at the Times Union. When Editor-In-Chief derful time. He shared some of tiful loft in Tribeca. Whole floor, I would visit Lynne here, I would Creative Director the same childlike... you know, a it was really beautiful. With my go to the Times Union at night Kit Haynes lot of the famous men that I pho- two daughters. In time, I gave up and they would let me use one of Associate Editor tographed, they shared in having the loft in Tribeca and I moved their computers, which was much a childlike demeanor. Malcolm here, and I was commuting. I was faster than my computer. In Dick Beach Forbes, Andy Warhol, Brian Eno. working in Moscow. I had de- trade, I would work with different Staff Geek Like being with a wonderful adult signed the— artists there and help them to in- and a wonderful child at the same RRX: That’s a hell of a crease their Photoshop skills. time. I really enjoyed them. Very commute. Actually, in my driving back Contributors sincere people, and deeply inter- Lovrich: Yeah. I had de- and forth to New York twice a Rob Smittix ested in everything. signed the opening for the first week at least, I fell asleep once and woke up in a field on the side Josh Reedy Richard Lovrich. of the highway. Try to think of all Photo provided. Amy Modesti the places there are between here and New York City where you Stephanie Bartik can just glide off the road into Fred Aseel a grassy field. So, I considered myself extremely lucky. The car Sassy Auburn wasn’t damaged, I wasn’t hurt. I Jeff Spauling said, that’s it. I’m gonna look for a job locally upstate. Jetta Intelisano The Times Union had an open- ing. It took many months, the Melody Morris vetting process was... I was still doing some work for Botany. Ac- tually, I was doing some work for Contact the United States at that time, for 35D Saratoga Avenue, Secretary of Commerce Brown Waterford, NY 12188 actually, connected to my work (518) 326-1673 in Russia. That’s the only work I allowed myself to do because my [email protected] projects took many months and Published by Imperial took me far afield. Broadcasting in conjunction Luckily, I got the job. with RadioradioX.com. I was an oddball at the Times Union because I easily floated Continued on Page 28... Page 6 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution

that, as it ages, it looks even bet- ter. That’s why we enjoy using it at Yamaguchie. The Yamaguchie Splash RRX: When I look at wood burning or carving, it’s amazing what people can do with vari- ations of depth. But I’m a col- or person – love colors. Does it have to be a trade-off when you’re wood – that you get depth at the expense of color? And if so, how do you compensate for it in your work? YC: Well wood naturally does not have color, but if you oil up your finger joints and apply some know-how, it can be painted, and you can use tons of techniques to pull whatever you need from the material if you’re willing to spend the time. So I would say the trade off, or limits, depends on the art- ist working with it. Compensation just requires time and know-how. I prefer to do color highlights where it’s needed. I call it the Yamaguch- Photo provided. ie Splash, so it retains the wood Yamar Carter at the Empire State Concourse look, but you also get that pop of color... With Yamaguchie, artist Yamar Carter brings new life and purpose RRX: You find things that the from the piles of the used and the rejected. world has tossed aside, and you make them into the future prizes of someone’s collection. That’s an buy a new one? Sure is. But some just a hot pen burning wood. But amazing power. When you’re out people can take the discarded I imagine you see it much dif- By Liam Sweeny there on the hunt for medium, and, through an expression of ferently. Because I’ve seen your are you looking to find a piece raw talent, give it value it never drawings too, so you have that that fills the creative need at the It can be said that we will nev- had. This is Yamar Carter, or as comparison in your head. What time, or are you looking for the er renew the beauty of the world many have come to know him, can you pull out of wood that you piece that inspires the creative until we can recognize the beau- Yamaguchie. can’t with other media? need? Or is it both? ty and purpose of even what we I sit with Yamar, socially dis- YC: The beauty of wood is it YC: Honestly I would say throw away. And it’s the creative tanced, and we discuss all the has a characteristic of an ele- both. Sometimes I find just what innovators among us who, day in hidden levels of Super Mario gant, timeless feel. It has a heft I was looking for, or find some- and day out, determine that one Brothers. to it and a durability that can thing I can truly bring life to in a man’s trash is their treasure. Is RRX: If I’m not doing it, I be passed on from generation to later project. this the one who fixes everyone’s might say that woodworking isn’t generation. Also, one of the cool- RRX: You find the old and lawnmower so they don’t have to really different than drawing, it’s est thing about that material is June 2020 Page 7 Music Art Culture Revolution discarded and bring new life into YC: Since we are transforma- it. And if it seems random to me tive and always trying to push ARTCENTRIC or anyone else, I’m sure it’s not. the envelope, me and my busi- You’re going to give a dresser ness partner Rashad, a.k.a. my MARKETPLACE character; so does that scuff on lil’ brother, kept testing differ- Retro Furniture the bottom. Do you ever incor- ent style of masks. At first, I was porate the imperfections, human just doing 3d printed masks. Vintage Candy Brands caused ones, into your creative Then my lil bro seen the demand Nostalgic Toys process? Or do you smooth that coming when masks became a Sun Unique Gifts all out? requirement in New York state, Thurs - Fri Sat 2 - 6:30pm 10 - 4pm 10 - 3pm Appointments available. YC: It depends. If the imper- and Governor Cuomo came to the 266 River Street, Downtown Troy, NY (518) 691-0007 fection looks really dope, or if it store and donated for two masks, takes away from the functionality which attracted Spectrum news. of the dresser. Also, I kind of ran- The 3D printing took six hours domly decide as I go along if, and to complete one mask, so I start- what I will restore, or leave to the ed experimenting. My partner wind unless a customer has spe- ripped apart a foam mask and 3d cific designs in mind. printed mask that I created and RRX: A lot of your work is in- married them together, and this spired by cartoons, video games is how we have the model we have – a lot of fun stuff, but also a little now. But we continue to make bit “digital age.” And given the changes, so who knows what the materials you use, there must be masks will look like later. some interesting contrasts and RRX: This is where you an- juxtapositions. Is it just you com- swer the question I didn’t ask. bining two of your passions, or Any choice monologues, shout are you saying something more outs, household tips and help- with your choice of subjects on ful hints are welcome. Educate, the media you choose? enlighten, emote – the floor is YC: What I am always saying yours. in my mind is ‘think outside the YC: Big shout out to friends, box.’ Do not put a limit on your family, and Yamaguchie support- ideas. Try different things, learn ers - we literally would not be different things. That’s how Ya- here without your constant love. maguchie keeps growing, cause We have no advertisement nor- we never stop learning, applying mally, so it was everyone’s word new equipment and techniques. of mouth that unlocked doors. RRX: I found out about Ya- So yes, we love all of you as well. maguchie because you’re mak- Search us on Facebook. Website ing masks. And of course, every- coming soon, look out for www. one is making them, but no one’s yamaguchie.com making the ones you are. They’re Last thing, if you have dreams amazing. And I see a lot of peo- and anyone says it’s impossible, ple trying to be creative with do the research, take the time, their masks, but yours are works and go for it. Find out for your- of art, and they’re functional. I’ll self be in control of your own just shut up and let you talk about destiny!!! this. What do you say? Page 8 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution Things Arent So Bad for Bad Mothers

With a record in the wings, Bad Mothers isn’t letting their mu- sical offerings or spirit be quarantined.

By Rob Smittix

It wasn’t until February 11th 2017 that I came to know your band. My band Smittix, Sly Fox and the Hustlers, Mark Slavin and Bad Mothers did a show at The Hangar on the Hudson in Troy. I was hearing a lot of good things about you guys from peo- Photo by Kory Alexander ple on the local scene and with Bad Mothers. the exception of the little bit I to refine our sound. It’s more Industry. That’s actually where heard online I didn’t know much like we’re continuing to explore we all met, but the last of us grad- RRX: I have been a fan as about Bad Mothers. Then you the energy that we all feel for the uated in 2017. I guess I can say I stated before and I have been took the stage and I’ll always re- band. In some ways we’ve stayed we were lucky enough to gradu- spinning your music on my radio member Matt Dalton (vocals/gui- the same. We’re the same group ate before all these closings due show often. Now obviously that is tar) commanding the audience of friends with the same drive to the coronavirus happened. On not the highlight of your musical to come here, I’ve got something and same energy. There’s a cer- that note I do want to take the career but what have been some to tell ya; I’m paraphrasing, but tain mood that we all sink into opportunity to wish a very genuin of your biggest milestones thus it was very close to that and the when we’re working on or play- congratulations to all of the 2020 far? crowd just instantly swarmed the ing Bad Mothers tunes and we’ve graduates regardless of where MD: You’re being too modest, stage. I was impressed and I’ve been continuing to explore what you went or what you studied. but if I had to think of other high- been a fan ever since. Today I am can come out of that space. Not to My brother graduated this year lights, I’d probably have to say speaking with Bad Mothers front- say nothing has changed. We’ve so I’ve heard through him some opening for Quiet Riot at Alive man Matt Dalton about the good been writing new music and fo- of the woes experienced due to at 5. We also have gone down to ol’ days (a few months ago when cusing on our plan for the rest of the less than traditional senior Summer NAMM in Nashville the we had shows) and about the now this year/next year. year. Nonetheless it is still a very last couple years for our partner- and later. RRX: So I am aware that real and very significant achieve- ship with Eventide which has led RRX: How do you feel the some or all of you have attended ment and you all should be proud to some cool opportunities. Some band as a whole has evolved since St. Rose. of yourselves so congratulations of the showcases we got to play our first encounter in 2017? MD: Yeah that’s true, we again, and good luck on the next down there had us playing with MD: We’re always continuing all attended St. Rose for Music chapter of your lives. people like Doug Wimbish, and June 2020 Page 9 Music Art Culture Revolution

Larry Mitchell which was really our backlog that we’ve been grad- believe in to grow and accomplish that Almost Never Dead’s sole special for us. But honestly I feel ually releasing over the course new things. The cool thing is it purpose is to help out other art- like our biggest achievements are of the lock-down. And on top of isn’t genre specific and neither ists. In a way everything we do around the corner. that we filmed and tracked an was that show. We had rappers, goes through Almost Never Dead. RRX: With the quarantine additional full live performance hardcore punk, and indie rock Our releases, our promotion, our happening and all of our shows during the lock-down, while fol- bands all on the same bill and the behind the scenes work - it’s all being cancelled what have you lowing quarantine guidelines. crowd showed up for all of it. It Almost Never Dead. We’re always been doing to keep active in the RRX: What was the last show really was a full venue of people working in tandem with a vari- virtual music scene? you played and did you have to there just to support the notion of ety of people on just about every- MD: Yeah the quarantine hit cancel many shows? supporting each other. thing we do. And boy oh boy are us in a particularly frustrating MD: The last show we played In regards to cancelled shows there future plans. Yes, unfor- way. We’ve been planning the was the Almost Never Dead label I guess we were lucky. We didn’t tunately they had to be put on recording of our next record for launch party, which was awe- have too many shows booked be- an unforeseeable hold, but we’ve quite some time and finally had some. It really was. To give a brief cause we’ve been prepping for the been planning for this release time booked in the studio for the overview of Almost Never Dead; new record. Which again had to and what we’ll be doing with it end of March. As you can imag- it’s a collective of talented lo- be cancelled and rescheduled. So and the band for quite a while ine that had to be cancelled which cal creatives who are using their although a pretty heavy cancella- now. The new record is coming was a huge bummer, but I’m hap- knowledge of the industry and tion, that was really our only one. and once it’s here we’ll finally be py to say we’ve rescheduled and collaborative efforts and resourc- RRX: Recently I interviewed making some moves that we’ve new tracks will be in production es to lift up other artists who they Brian Chiappinelli (B-Chaps) been working towards for some shortly. Outside of that we were believe in. We all have various founder of Almost Never Dead time. lucky enough to have an entire skill sets and we’re all working (record label), he spoke highly RRX: Lastly, what’s in the fu- unreleased live performance in together to help people who we of Bad Mothers. What have you ture for Bad Mothers? done with the label so far and MD: New music is on the hori- are there any future plans or is zon. A new music video is com- everything just trying to wait out ing. A new full live performance the stay-at-home order? video is on its way and will be MD: Yeah Brian Chiappinelli available for your listening plea- is the man. He’s the head hon- sure on May 30th so check out cho of Almost Never Dead and the Facebook, Spotify, etc.. Most that dude works hard. We’re very importantly we can’t wait to see lucky to have him as our drum- you all again in person when this mer so naturally there’s some is all over. Till then stay safe, and overlap there other than that fact stay tuned.

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RRX: You just moved to Troy, and with your husband, Chris- toph, your publishing company CLASH Books has a new home. So now you’ve come to a new en- vironment, with its own history, its own scene; what do you think CLASH can do for the area, and what do you think the area can do for it? LC: We looked for a long time to find the right fit for us. We wanted a place with some sort of an art scene & a youthful pres- ence. A place with new life but not with exorbitant rent prices. We found that perfect sweet spot in Troy. I truly believe that in about 5 years this place is gon- na be one of the places to be in upstate New York, as more and Photo provided. Kim Vodicka, signing her latest release from CLASH, “The Elvis Machine”. more artists cannot afford to live in Brooklyn or Manhattan, or CLASH Books has moved to Troy, and publisher Leza Cantoral has a simply are sick of the crowded- ness and the gentrification that is global reach in indie lit. Ask author Kim Vodicka. destroying so many local neigh- borhood businesses. Troy is still raw & rough around the edges, By Liam Sweeny a word that readily comes to this is much different than that of but you can see when you walk writer’s mind for the relationship. writers, publishers, and retailers. through the center of town that it Maybe yin-yang? Lovers? Each CLASH Books has all the re- is growing. I like that it is small. I riting is the evil twin borrows from the other, and each bellion of any punk band I’ve love that small town feel. But it is of music. Well, maybe feeds into the other. But the world heard yet demands shelf space in not too small that you feel claus- Wnot evil, but there isn’t of musicians, bands, and venues the posh studies of high society. trophobic, and if you do, Albany June 2020 Page 13 Music Art Culture Revolution is right there for anything you we must read it and share it, could possibly need. that’s when we publish it. We are I really wanted to find a place both passionate readers who read with plenty of venues to choose in all genres. It makes us curious from for readings and events. and jaded at the same time. So Troy has that. I wanted a place if something gets us excited, you that was somewhat NYC adjacent, know it’s gonna be good. It’ not and it is close enough for us to gonna be something you can find be able to do events in the city as with a big five press or even with well. We also want to do a CLASH another indie literary press. Con here in 2022. We want to RRX: I love Matthew Revert show off this beautiful town and as a cover designer. I bought his bring people to it. We want to be art book, Try Not to Think Bad involved with the colleges, bring- Thoughts, which you published. ing literature to them. We have I feel like it typifies the vibe that already done a reading event at CLASH puts out, and not just The College of Saint Rose in Al- because of the cover art he does. bany, which was great fun and But we can’t ignore the power of mutually inspiring. covers in general. What kind of (518) 490-2058 RRX: CLASH Books might marriage should exist between be considered by some to be a art and verse? 2400 Doubleday Avenue “niche” publisher, but that’s hard LC: Matthew Revert is an in- to define that given all of the ternational treasure. I love his Ballston Spa, NY writers you’ve put in print. Not to aesthetic. We have built a great mention that the larger CLASH relationship. His covers vary de- team is global. If CLASH does fill pending on who he is working a niche, who’s that niche buy- for. With Tragedy Queens: Sto- er? Who would seek out CLASH ries Inspired by Lana Del Rey Books if they only knew? & Sylvia Plath, that is when the LC: We publish books that real CLASH aesthetic was born. are high quality but perhaps too I wanted a pop art vibe and that transgressive or experimental or has kinda been the vibe ever genre hybrid for a larger press to since. feel justified in taking a finan- We work with some other cov- cial risk for. The books we pub- er artists as well, such as Joel lish live on the genre borders and Amat Güell. He’s based in Spain, often blur them and flip them on near Barcelona. He is the art- their heads. I think what sets us ist who actually designed the apart from a lot of indie lit small CLASH Books logo. I trust his and mid-sized presses is that we vision and try not to mess with are not averse to genre fiction. it for the most part. He has a We do not think something has powerful aesthetic instinct. He to be either or. That meme—why did an incredible job designing not both? That’s us. We look for Kim Vodicka’s cover. I relayed the exciting voices in any genre. If themes and aesthetics she wanted the voice excites us and the sto- to him and he came up with this ry is good, if there is a sense of rhythm, a sense of urgency that Continued on Page 22... Page 14 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution By Chamber, by Orchestra With a rich musical history in their blood, Duo Parnas have taken the world stage by bow.

By Liam Sweeny

lassical performance is unlike any other. Many of the music we showcase Chere surfs waves of watts and the angst that scratches at the bonds of polite society, classical is often depicted as the pinnacle of said society. But you need only scratch the veneer of its movements and measures to see that classical composition is a tsunami that dredges the depths of human experience. Madalyn Parnas Möller and Cicely Parnas make up Duo Parnas, and with their violin and cello, respectively, they’ve been a tidal force all their own, traveling the world, per- forming in some of the most stunning places imaginable. And yes, they know how to get to Carnegie Hall. I sit down with the Duo, and we talk through instruments. (l to r) RRX: One thing that I’ve noticed about Madalyn classical composition, and it was something Parnas Möller, Photo by Dario Acosta that I saw in particular in a video of a perfor- Cicely Parnas Photography/ mance, is that you aren’t just playing a piece by a composer; you’re opening a window into that composer’s era. Very different than, say, time. The classical composers who we view RRX: You play on a 1715 Alessandro the history of a rock song. Can the music sur- as remote, artistic demigods were, in reali- Gagliano violin and 1712 Giovanni Grancino vive apart from its history in your opinion? If ty, imperfect human beings just like us who cello. I know that this transcends the value of so, what changes? struggled to navigate their time in history, the pieces; these instruments have a gene- MPM: Yes, it can! This music has the their cultural context, and their personal cir- alogy, of owners, the songs they’ve played, power to move and inspire you whether cumstances. As a result, if you believe in the why they played those songs and the world you’re a professional or you’ve never heard a timelessness of the human experience, their that they were living in. Do you ever feel their violin before. Plus, as cliché as it sounds, it’s music is honest to their reality and, therefore, “weight” in that regard? important to remember that Mozart and Bee- very relevant to our own. As long as we are MPM: Such an interesting question! thoven used to be the pop music of a different willing to listen, their voices will still speak. While I often daydream about who might June 2020 Page 15 Music Art Culture Revolution have played my violin in past playing two instruments, the in- centuries, no, I don’t experience strument, and what you use to much “weight” when it comes to play the instrument. Do you view considering its genealogy. How- the violin/cello and their bows as ever, this is most likely because two instruments joining forces? I don’t know its full history and CP: I had never thought of it because, if I did, it might be too like that! I think I tend to think much to bear; if you told me that of the bow and the instrument as my violin had been used in the one, as my goal is to make them orchestra that premiered Beetho- both just a physical extension of ven’s 5th Symphony or was held myself. And when we play togeth- in the hands of Paganini, then I er, my goal is to make the two might never have the guts to hold voices sound like one. it again myself! RRX: You are soloists; you RRX: Your grandfather is perform recitals, and in world-re- legendary cellist Leslie Parnas. nown orchestras. It would seem We’ve interviewed a few peo- to me like the mindset that goes ple who’ve had very well-known into each would be different, but parents, like Dweezil Zappa and music is so transcendent, that Murali Coryell. Inevitably the maybe it’s a singular passion that question is asked about filling big drives all performance. But are shoes. With classical, there’s such there differences that you “prep” a volume of work to learn, I can your minds for when it’s just you imagine. Is it a lot to live up to? before a big crowd? Photo by Michael Polito Photography. MPM: Yes, it can be a crush- CP: Definitely. There’s a lot of ing weight to live under, espe- psychology that goes into per- lesson of humility by playing in rehearsal. cially when you are young and forming, much like in sports. You orchestras. When you perform RRX: Composition is some- don’t have full agency over your have one shot to do the best job as a soloist and a chamber mu- thing I love, though utter novice own life yet. In many ways, you’ve ever done, and I’ve found sician, you strive to play well be- I am. But the reality of composi- real or imagined, it seems un- that the best way to prepare is cause you are invested in your- tion, from me on my multi-track clear whether the merit of your to have a calm, centered mind. I self; when you play in orchestra, to you, is the difference between achievements belong to “the per- use a lot of breathing, meditation, you strive to play well because a good idea and a finished novel. son” or yourself. On the other and visualization techniques be- you are invested in everyone else. Can you take us through an aver- hand, fifteen years of experience fore going on stage. I tend to be a It can be difficult to relinquish age night of composition? What and soul-searching later, I can lot calmer when I’m performing your individual artistic freedom are the standard beverages, what say it is one of the greatest gifts with other people, though! when you take your seat in the are the tools of the trade? Any rit- that I’ve been given – to have this RRX: Being a part of, say, a orchestra, especially when you uals or superstitions? family member whose passion for 60-piece orchestra boggles my expend so much daily effort on CP: Right now I’m learning excellence and singular devotion mind, the sheer organization that developing your own musical how to compose even when I’m to the craft has inspired and ele- has to happen. And, really, a tes- voice. But the truth is, when else not in my ideal mental state. I vated my senses in ways that are tament to the power of collective are you going to flex your musical used to write only if inspiration truly powerful. effort, playing maybe one small teamwork muscles? I don’t think struck, but I think a true skill is RRX: Madalyn, you play the melodic line to perfect time as a there is anything more unifying learning how to pull inspiration violin, and Cicely, you play the whole universe of music is ex- than hearing the low rumble of a from everywhere at any time. But cello. Something I’d always ad- ploding around you. What is a life whole orchestra tapping their feet I never do it on an empty stom- mired about instruments like lesson that you’ve learned from in collective encouragement and ach, that’s for sure! I just end up those, and I would include drums an orchestra? applause of the guy who played making melodies to the words, in this, is that you are really MPM: I have learned the a great clarinet solo during “I’m so hungry.” Radio Soul X Over the years I moving forward. This is Let’s have some fun! have heard the phrase the only way. Log in and shake your “Keep moving forward” On June 1st, ass to some of the best used numerous times. RadioradioX.com will music you have ever It always made sense be adding a second heard, RadioSoulX on to me that we should station to our platform. RadioradioX.com never settle, never Ladies and Gentlemen, backslide and never I present RadioSoulX! look back. So much so This stream will feature Art Fredette that I use the phrase as an incredible rotation my Facebook tagline. of Soul, R&B, Motown, Publisher So, in the spirit of Stax, Funk, Disco, Jazz, moving forward, I have Reggae and Blues from an announcement to the 50’s until now! make. We look forward We have all recently to this expansion been in a holding and having another pattern. I will not argue stream of music that the merit of the current is so much more than situation or discuss “Regular” radio. reasons but I will keep Page 18 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution Discovering the Blues Expression Getting a Jazz education in the 518 has gotten much easier, thanks to Jazz at Lincoln Center and Seton Hawkins. developments the way you would Louis had been doing. And when at all times. By Liam Sweeny a genre like rock or blues. The Wynton himself was coming up. RRX: Music comes with its idea of earlier styles getting redis- So with that in mind, what jazz at preconceptions. Jazz comes with covered, that’s happened in jazz Lincoln Center has said is that all the preconception that somehow many times. Wonderful examples jazz is modern. And this idea, I it’s an “elite” or “sophisticate” eton Hawkins is thr Man- of that are the early New Orle- think, reflects the notion that the music. But looking at the histo- ager of Public Programs ans and early Chicagoan styles genres you hear throughout any ry of jazz, it seems like an odd Sand Education Resources that got a revival in the 1940s, decade are making choices about preconception. Do you think that at Jazz at Lincoln Center. He also and again in the 1970s tacked on what to emphasize and what to notions of the class of a listener- leads the organization‘d Swing to the ragtime revival that hap- de-emphasize, and it makes this ship have anything to do with the University. pened as a result of movies like unique sound and strains that are actual listenership? RRX: Within our readership, The Sting. We see the music of ties to this grand lineage. And so SH: No, I think you will find there’s a real fondness for rock, Louis Armstrong being rediscov- I feel that the music is constant- incredible listeners, people with and most of us are fully aware of ered by generations after gener- ly having this rebirth cycle – new incredible ears, and tastes, and the blues roots, figures like Rob- ations, something Wynton (Mar- musicians coming in, encounter- souls in any genre you check out. ert Johnson and Howling Wolf salis) has also spoken about, of ing classics and coming up with What I think jazz has to offer is a being rediscovered and reinter- reassessing and relearning what their own unique interpretations beautiful balance of things. Jazz’s preted time and again. How is jazz history like this, and how Jazz at Lincoln Center. is it different? Where do we see Photo provided. jazz today, outside of its natural genre? SH: So what you’re speaking about here is a deep interconnec- tion of something we would call blues expression. It’s the outcome and the product of styles of music that came to the new world from Africa, notably northwest Africa, and created this unique tonality we would call blues expression. So, relating it to what you just said on rock and blues, what I think jazz’s role there is a cousin, a lot of these styles are emerging out of these unique sounds that developed in the New World in the nineteenth century; jazz is one of them. So within that, you can understand jazz’s history and June 2020 Page 19 Music Art Culture Revolution roots, particularly during the Jazz – the way he’ll shade a note, the Holiday will reconstruct a mel- lineage says about the present. Age and the Swing era, points to way he’ll phrase a particular me- ody, and rephrase a melody, is Jazz is saying that you learn that, music that valued dancing. Oth- lodic line. The way he might take something you could devote your and you learn those conventions, er styles of jazz de-emphasized an original melody and recon- life to listening to, and still be learn those rules, so that you will that, but at all times, I think the struct it as he’s singing it, or as learning new things from what understand where you will go rhythmic revolution that accom- he’s playing it on his trumpet. it is she comes up with. I think next. Now, if that’s breaking the panied jazz is something anybody Moments like his recording of there’s a whole range of artists rules, great. If that’s remolding can be enjoying, and I also think “Stardust,” for instance. The way like that. the rules, that’s great too. If it’s the notion of improvisation, the he performs it is immediately RRX: I bought a CD from working within them, but find- notion of spontaneous creation engaging, but there’s this depth Wynton Marsalis, Black Codes, ing a new avenue or path within that accompanies jazz is some- them, that great as well. But jazz thing where you can enjoy it on a looks at the past not as something purely visceral level – you can sit that you mimic it or imitate it, but and think about the melodic and that you learn from it and that harmonic constructs, and it will you expound upon it. Jazz is built meet you where you’re at, which under the ideas of things like is something I’ve always loved blues expression, this melding of about it. But I don’t think at any major and minor, happy and sad. point we would ever have to think It’s built off of a rhythmic founda- of it as an ‘elite’ music; I think tion of swing, a very flexible and it’s something anybody can en- inclusive group dynamic, and it’s joy, and I think that’s true with a built off of improvisation, the cel- wide range of popular music. You ebration of the individual voice. can dance to it, you can nod your I think that’s a crucial thing to head to it, or you can dive into understand, because to balance where it’s coming from. And any improvisation, the celebration of of those paths can reward you. the individual, your own voice RRX: Jazz has a power over of your own self, against swing, the emotional landscape. In my which is a group-focused dy- opinion, it can be more satisfying namic, is a very difficult thing, than other forms of music, but Photo provided. and the best jazz artists master more nuanced. It makes you feel Louis Armstrong. it. And it teaches us a lot about by first making you think, where- how you can function in a family, as other genres may be more of emotional resonance that he’s and just the first song was so a community, a society. Under- “what-you-see-is-what-you-get.” building and generating in the beautifully chaotic that it in- standing this vast complicated Can you think of an artist or jazz way he’s singing the melody and stantly invigorated me. And it’s network we’re in – work within subgenre that this might apply the way he’s phrasing it rhythmi- not just Wynton; John Coltrane, that, but also assert who you are to? cally as well. It’s something where Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, as an individual. SH: I think the pinnacle of you’ll never be able to listen to it Duke Ellington – all powerful RRX: Wynton Marsalis is the that would be a figure like Lou- enough times. So I think that’s a people with something to say. If Managing and Artistic Director is Armstrong. So you listen to great example of where you can rock says to rebel, what does jazz of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New Louis, in honestly any era of his listen on a surface level, and get say? And how does it say it? York. I’ve seen him perform up career, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s… something out of it, but with each SH: Jazz says a bunch of here at Troy Music Hall, but I’ve you’re going to immediately hear sort of return to it, you go deep- things. One of the things that jazz never gotten down there. Can something that is engaging, and er and deeper and deeper. And says is that, to understand where you give us a walk-through? The fun, and enjoyable. And then if I mention Louis Armstrong, but you are in the present day, you layout of the Center, or just the you listen deeper, new elements a whole bevy of the pantheon of have to understand how the past groove of the overall program? will emerge in your listening artists do that. The way Billie led to this moment – what the Continued on Page 20... Page 20 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution

Continued from Page 19. of multilayered celebration of the district. What they do are mul- might work, depending on what art form. One thing people might tiple terms of classes for their the safest options are in terms of What’s one thing regular attend- not know is that our club, Dizzy’s, members, who are predominate- public health. We’ve been real- ees might not know about it? has done a really wonderful job ly retirees or people with flexible ly happy and fortunate to part- SH: So jazz at Lincoln Center over the years between its main work schedules during the week. ner with them; in fact, they’re was the first sort of large institu- evening sets at 7:30 and 9:30, And it’s a wide range of classes the first group we’ve been able to tion built with the idea of pro- celebrating national and interna- that they offer. So we work with do a partnership like that. We’re moting and advocating for jazz tional artists, against a late set them each year to make sure looking to do more work in that specifically. So if people come to where artists are brought in for that one of them is a jazz class. vein, because it’s really been an visit us in New York City, the fa- an almost week-long residency At this point, we’ve completed incredible thing to see. How that cility that they would come to was to build a theme or concept, and three years of classes with them. expands right now, it’s tough to completed in 2004. In it, there’s that piece is so crucial for bands So the very first one, we did an say. Depending on how the next two concert halls. One’s called to gel and form identities. It’s overview class, a “Jazz 101” class, year shapes out will obviously in- Rose Theater, modeled after La something I really love. And then which is basically a survey-style form what choices we make. But Scala in Milan, and the other one the other thing, when the season class. The second year, we fo- in terms of HILL, we love work- called the Appel Room, modeled gets underway again, is that we cused on Duke Ellington, and the ing with them. So anytime they after a Greek-styled amphithe- tend to webcast a wide range of third year, which we completed want us up in Delmar teaching, ater. We also have our jazz club, our shows to try to highlight what this past fall, was on Louis Arm- we’re there. Dizzy’s Club, a beautiful venue. we’re doing to a global audience. strong. We’re working right now And then we have the Irene Dia- RRX: You lecture on jazz at a on a game-plan for the fourth mond Education Center, which is program in Delmar called Hu- year, which will be on Billie Hol- where we do classes for everyone manities in Lifelong Learning iday. And right now, the discus- ranging from infants with their (HILL) which is under the direc- sion is on how the logistics of that caregivers all the way through tion of Jazz at Lincoln Center. life learners. And the idea behind Can you tell us a bit about the that is to create a vibrant eco- program? Does this program look system for this music, where we to expand elsewhere in the Cap- can be training up new audienc- ital District, or has online learn- es, new listeners – we could be ing made physical expansion training up new musicians. We moot? can be offering professional op- SH: The group that we work portunities to young professional with (Humanities Institute for jazz musicians who are looking Life Learners); that program is to establish their work. And our really remarkable. So yes, that’s concert season is built around a group that operates in Delmar that notion of establishing a sort through the Bethlehem school

$3 Off for Orders Over $20 June 2020 Page 21 Music Art Culture Revolution Page 22 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution

Continued from Page 15. about four years (2015-18), which catch up to them. In some ways, a self-help book so much as a mu- were my first living in Memphis. I’m still catching up to them. tual exorcism that hopefully will incredible design of a twisted doll The poems appear, for the most That said, it became clear to feel cleansing and empowering, box set. part, in the order in which they me early on that I was writing despite its confrontations with We like to work with cover were written. Admittedly, I didn’t mostly lachrymose diatribes— deep and powerful darknesses. artists who are real artists. Who know where the project was go- broken, angsty, girly sounds— For men, anything sexual in the have their own intuition about a ing when I started it. Once I saw about being a woman in the Bible book is a bait-and-switch—hope- cover design. We work together to where it seemed to want to go— Belt south. The material is deeply fully they’ll learn their lesson. arrive at something we can all be about five or so poems in—I had a personal and in large part based My muses have mostly been de- happy with. better idea of what the next piece on real-life interactions/experi- mons, and that’s at the heart of RRX: Now of course, this in- should look/feel like, and I al- ences I’ve had here in Memphis. every poem here. At the same terview is really a publisher/au- lowed one to lead to the next. I’m I started to recognize the book time, I needed the book to end thor combo, so maybe I should a writer who doesn’t necessari- as potentially resonating with with hope, which is why the last call on Kim Vodicka, whose lat- ly start with a vision or concept people, women in particular, piece is a love poem I wrote for est offering, The Elvis Machine, or anything like that. I like to let especially with regards to ro- a woman—my best friend, actu- recently landed on my door- things decide what they want to mance and the pursuit of finding ally. If there’s one thing that has step. Kim, can you give us a tour be and trust I’ll get to know them a partner—the seemingly omni- made me feel hopeful in this sea through the Machine, and what and follow their flow. The whole present pressure to find “the one” of toxic Elvises and systemic mi- your vision was when you were process of writing this book was and the obsessive/self-loathing/ sogyny, it’s the power of girl-on- putting it together? very intuitive and evolved natu- addictive patterns that can oc- girl intimacy, especially platonic KV: The Elvis Machine started rally with my life throughout that cur as a result. My retrospective intimacy. with a handful of pieces and de- time. It often felt like the poems vision for the book is that it’s a veloped slowly over the course of knew more than me, and I had to book for women/femmes. It’s not

Page 24 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution Reminiscing and Forecasting with Al Kash

From hemisphere to hemisphere, drummer Al Kash has played the drums endlessly... and may still have the record to prove it.

By Rob Smittix

l Kash is one of the Cap- much of what you have done mu- ital Region’s iconic mu- sically but nobody knows it like Asicians but as you may you do. For the folks that don’t know, he didn’t get his start here. know who you are can you give Today Al was kind enough to take us a little summary of your music time out of his quarantine to chat career? with us about his career path AK: Where do you want me to and what he’s got cooking on the start? (laughs). We left NY when burners. I was 14 by ship to Australia that RRX: So how you been? was in 64’ and I turned 15 on the AK: Well, starting to lose it a boat. One of my first friends over bit there was playing guitar in the RRX: That was me almost apartment next to where we just this entire time. Now each day moved and he said why don’t you I try to accomplish at last one play bass? I said, yeah okay, and thing. I went to the music store. I don’t AK: I’ve been doing one or know why but I understood it. two drum practices in my room We both went to audition for a every day, which has been real- band; the singer’s girlfriend was ly great. I’m going back to stuff... the drummer but they had split You know, you practice music and up. So there was already a drum there’s a lot of stuff you just ig- set sitting around. I sat down nore because you don’t use it. So and just started playing and I I’ve been practicing African stuff thought, oh I like this better than and working on different tech- bass. So I ended up taking over niques I’ve ignored over the last the monthly payments on what few decades. this guy bought the drums for. RRX: So definitely keeping That’s how I started drumming. yourself busy with the music. It’s RRX: And so glad you did. driving me insane and I’m sure it My brother and drummer Jay is you too, that you just can’t jam received lessons from you many with anyone. years ago and we even had a cou-

Photo by Janet Kash. AK: Oh my god yeah. ple of chances to share the stage Al Kash. RRX: Now I’m familiar with with you, certainly a highlight June 2020 Page 25 Music Art Culture Revolution in Smittix’s career. But besides RRX: Awww. So my broth- us (laughs), you have had many er told me a rumor I’ve heard for amazing years as a professional years. He told me that you broke musician, any wow moments you some kind of record for playing could share? drums for like 3 days straight or AK: In my early career in Aus- something? tralia, you could do three gigs in AK: Oh, yeah. That 67’ or a 24 hour period. They had these 68’. The band I was in The Down rules, the bars and pubs had ses- Home Group. In Perth at the time sions. The clubs would be open another band had held the Guin- at night time, like 10pm-3am or ness Book of World Records for something like that. So you could non-stop playing by Guinness end up doing an early, early ses- rules; which allows you 5 minutes sion at a bar, a dinner session at per hour break or you can accu- another bar and a nightclub spot mulate your breaks and play 6 all within that day. So I grew up hours and have a half hour off. So in that sort of climate. anyway it was a friend’s band that There was a band called Tully, played at this club we used to play part of the house band in Syd- and they just did it as a mark and ney for Hair and the drummer played for 52 hours. Then I don’t was from Perth. I had sort of a know, it was three to six months e are a boutique, full-service media agency mini-conversation/lesson with later the band that I was in said focused on helping small- and medium-sized him. He was one of these phe- let’s see if we can break their re- businesses grow in the ever-changing and nomenal people that I admire. cord. So we set it all up and we increasingly competitive information age. Tully was inspiration plus ya started Friday night and ended We ooer a complimentary strategic plan to every know? Another Australian band sometime Sunday but we played client program. We find solutions for businesses I was a part of in 1970 was Black for 60 and 1/2 hours. through a proprietary S.W.O.T.S. analysis process Feather and we had Bon Scott on RRX: I couldn’t even imagine, and develop a holistic plan that takes all timbales and recorder. I like to take a break after three aspects of your business into consideration. RRX: That’s nuts just to have songs at band practice. a name like Bon Scott work with AK: At one point when I was you. up there after God knows how AK: Bon would come out to many hours, I looked out and I Call us today to schedule your some of the gigs and he was a thought I was looking at glass en- complimentary consultation. drummer also. I would say “play closing my part of the stage. Just a few songs if you feel like it”. He my brain hallucinating on me. saratogaspringsdigital.com would drum. It was original mu- RRX: Understandably so. [email protected] sic, it was tough to invite people AK: So that’s been document- on stage. ed, I don’t think anyone was silly RRX: Right. enough to try and beat that. AK: Then it was 73’, I was RRX: No way! So when this back on the West Coast in Perth whole thing is over, what’s the and the band I was in, we opened first thing you want to do? up for The Stones, out in the AK: Whelp, I’m involved in Cricket Ground, which was great. one, two, three CD’s we’re trying There’s a live tape of that on You- to wrap up at this moment. Some Tube but without sound. Continued on Page 30... Page 26 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution Observations and Ramblings from a Cranky Old Guy

by Jeff Spaulding The Great Depression many songs about this war, it’s that we may not have brought up. (1929-1933) hard to pick one, but this I feel is You may have tragic person- “Brother Can You Spare a Di- the true anti ‘Nam tune. al moments in your life we know elcome back, hope me”-Bing Crosby The Kennedy Assassination nothing about that are just as you’ve well, hope ev- Unfortunately, this song hits (1963) powerful and painful. Weryone is safe. TOO close when you compare it “Abraham, Martin & Some of them may revolve As I write this (May 13), New to the 2020 situation. The words, John”-Dion around what we are dealing with York State is nearing the end the tone, the mood, desperation Who would think a street wise right now. of New York State On PAUSE, oozes from this recording. doo wop singing heroin addicted But music, movies, films, and the initial steps of attempt- World War II (1939-1945) Italian could become so contem- books, they can be used to heal, ing to get the state back to nor- “Der Fuehrer’s Face”-Spike porary and soul burning? to strengthen, to bond. mal, or rather the new normal, Jones & His City Slickers It took five years after Dallas, Your feelings are our feelings. approaches. This is a wonderful example but the Wanderer did it. Your emotions are our Don’t freak, this is not another of how comedy and satire can be Watergate (1972-1974) emotions. COVID thing, BUT, the pandemic used as a cure for unthinkable “Watergate Blues”-Tom T. Hall Rather than keeping them hid- is the basis of this article. moments in our lives. I am a big fan of “The Old Sto- den, use them to create, to soothe Throughout America, espe- There is always one douchebag ryteller,” and this is no exception. yourself, family and friends. cially in the 20th Century and among your friends who make This song came out before the For me, I write, I perform, I onward, tragic events, or mo- fun of unspeakable acts. That resignation but sets up events to act as an asshole. mentous events, have created douchebag, for example, makes that time perfectly. It’s a buffer but it helps. some of the most memorable, if inappropriate jokes about certain September 11 (2001) Let’s hope next issue, we can not personal, works of art, that celebrities who pass. Two songs taken from both move past all this a little bit represents feelings and emotions For me, when I think of that sides of the horrible events of that more. deep in the soul. person, I feel like having a Sau- Tuesday, one of shock and sad- Keep the faith my friends. The pandemic will be no sage Sandwich… ness, one of shock and anger, and Be hearing you. different. To my friends, that person is both are from country artists. You just KNOW there will be a me. “Where Were You When the TV mini-series on this. You may not admit it, but in- World Stopped Turning?”-Alan WHO will play Governor Cuo- side you’re peeing your pants Jackson (2001) mo? Dr. Fauci? President Trump? when you hear their poor taste While the studio version is Rather than looking at the joke. just as powerful, this, done live wide range of media to tell the The Vietnam War (1955-1975) on television shortly after the coronavirus story, I want to focus “Give Peace a Chance”-The attacks, takes your breath away, on music, we ARE a music publi- Plastic Ono Band tears come to me today when I cation remember? In this case, the song is a hear it. I made a list of “tragic events” FEELING against the war as op- “America Will Survive”-Hank from the start of the last century, posed to the words, those four Williams Jr. (2001) and searched for a list of songs words are so simple but also so Bocephus wisely took a signa- that reflected said event, interest- powerful. The video of this per- ture song and added the anger ing what I found. formance actually brings out the America and the world were feel- Not ALL of these songs were emotion against the violence of ing back then. hits, but they all had an impact. Vietnam. There are endless other events Let’s review, shall we? And in truth, there are SO in history you have lived through June 2020 Page 27 Music Art Culture Revolution Page 28 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution

have a little more money. creative director. Well, everyone Richard Lovrich, (Cntd.) The implication was oh, you misinterpreted that into thinking Continued from Page 5. minutes.” can have more money, but you that I had gotten another job. I I knew the logo would live. I won’t even be as fluid as you have was really redefining myself as a from floor to floor ‘cause I had didn’t know that the Times Union been, up until this point. Now creative director. I’m not the cre- deep respect for and had al- Center would be around for as that we know that you’re all over ative director of the collaborative ready been in the news business. long as it has been, but I certainly the place and doing work all over, any longer; I’m just the creative I didn’t need to be schooled in knew it was gonna be around for we want you to really just stay director, so. That was the only journalistic ethics or anything. five years or so. I wanted to make in your department. It became a change I made. I was both appreciated and sure it was right. middle management kind of foot- I’ve been doing volunteer despised for my ability to move Again, with Tom Prosser up- ball thing, and I don’t do well in work for the Alpha-1 Foundation, from floor to floor. stairs and Jeff downstairs. It was that environment. So, I moved whether it’s emceeing an event RRX: One of the last what I a great team. They contributed to on. That was it. in Croatia, or hosting an event in would call branding pieces that it. They really did. It was almost RRX: Things being what they New York City for investors. I was you produced prior to leaving more the discussions that we had. are, you now have your shingle very lucky that lightning struck is still used on the Times Union Basically, they had my back in out. You’ve got your shingle and and I was able to do a very mod- Center. being as detail-oriented as I was I’m sure— est one day a week piece on actu- Lovrich: It was that logo. about getting it right. It was won- Lovrich: More precisely, this ally—mostly through Zoom—I’m That’s true, yeah. derful. So, I created a mini-agen- is what happened. After hav- the host of a podcast for Alphas RRX: An opportunity came cy within. ing been laid off, I realized well, and for physicians, and it’s some- up. RRX: A big deal. I don’t like being dormant. So, thing that’s very dear to my heart. Lovrich: That was wonder- Lovrich: So in time, Rich, I I changed my identity online RRX: I want to strike on that. ful because it was an opportuni- found that I didn’t see any proj- from being Proctors to being just As public as you are about what ty... There were a few things that ects like that coming down the happened simultaneously. I was pike anymore. I was being paid given that opportunity. You might well. I was being insured real- imagine after ten years there, I ly well. There was certainly very immediately was snapped back little work pressure on me. It was into my dealing with corporate easy to do. It wasn’t super fulfill- executives as my direct client ing, honestly. role from New York City. So, it So, I had spoken casually to was a pleasure to work with, first, some friends. One of the friends brand people who make every- whose mutual friend was Philip body happy with tests, and with Morris called me and said Philip models, and with pitches. More might be looking for an art di- than a newsroom itself, that’s rector for Proctors. I was like oh, kind of my milieu. That kind what is this? We met at Professor of creative world. I enjoyed it Java’s, and that was it. tremendously. I missed the news business, I tried to introduce a client Rich, like you were tearing the model into that unionized work- very teeth out of my head. But on place because it’s the only way the other side, I wasn’t missing to get things done. If someone much. I went to management and comes to your desk and says, “I they were very, very nice. They need this in ten minutes,” if you had been treating me well. They can only think with your union were treating me well. I told them hat on, you basically say, “Fuck what I needed, and they turned you. You’re not gonna get it in ten around and said well, you can June 2020 Page 29 Music Art Culture Revolution you do with Alpha-1, what peo- other irritants. Without Alpha-1 let’s say, it affects older people honored to win. I won their mar- ple don’t know is they don’t know antitrypsin, your body turns its more, right? keting award which isn’t given what it is. So that we can doc- defenses on itself, bottom line. Now, I’m unusual. I have oth- every year; really a tremendous ument it correctly and put it in So, instead of fighting the nic- er comorbidities and maybe a honor. That meant a lot to me. the—because we want this in otine build-up in your lungs, unique expression of disorder, I’ve won AP awards and I’ve won print properly. Describe to us the Alpha-1 antitrypsin actually but I had problems breathing as a Hearst Eagle Award. There was what Alpha-1 is, knowing full well starts to eat away at the structure an infant. That is not typical for something special about that that you are more than intimately that holds your lungs in place and Alphas, but it is my diagnosis. For award. in touch with it. keeps them aloft. me, being diagnosed was...let’s RRX: I’m gonna conclude the Lovrich: Well, Alpha-1 anti- If you think of a children’s put it this way. Richard, it was a interview part of this with a thing trypsin, I’m deficient in. Alpha-1 playground, the monkey bars, it joy for me to be diagnosed. It was that I do that sometimes roils antitrypsin deficiency. But Al- eats away at that architecture, a joy to know what I have. people and sometimes they just pha-1 antitrypsin is one of the leaving the lungs unsupported. So, yeah. Immediately upon go, ooh. I always close these with body’s most important anti-in- It’s the non-smoking way to end being diagnosed, I am not neces- a single question. What do you flammatory agents. It is inherit- up being emphysema-ed, right? sarily the biggest joiner of things want to tell the world? What do ed; we know that. It’s an inher- RRX: Oh joy. in the world, to be perfectly hon- you want people to know? Again, ited disorder. But it is also an Lovrich: It is everything that est. But I realized to get my hands we are not political, we’re not auto-immune disorder. you might imagine. For most around this disorder that I was this, we’re not that. But what is it Because of the misfolding of people, they have no symptoms going to have to hit the road. if everyone on the planet were to this protein, the Alpha-1 antitryp- until later in life, giving people After each event, I would read it or hear it, what would you sin runs around the entire hu- the misapprehension that it’s only donate my photography to the like to tell the world as the last man body and it fends off damage a disorder that is for old people, Foundation. Then, that led into statement about you? from, let’s say cigarette smoke, while it’s more accurate to say, winning their marketing award Lovrich: I don’t think I one year, which I was extremely should say anything differently than I say to Alphas, and that is do what you can whenever you can with what little energy you have left. Everyone has a super power, and they should employ it, and let it out and share it with the world. There’s a lot of other things I can say, but I think find- ing personal fulfillment is per- haps one of the greatest goals for any person. It’s difficult in that it is so very easy. You just have to let it out and share. That’s it. What you can whenever you can to the best of your ability. RRX: Thus endeth the inter- view. Thank you. Page 30 June 2020 Music Art Culture Revolution Al Kash (Cntd.) Continued from Page 25. EAT IN TAKE OUT DELIVERY of the performance stuff needs to guitar with distortion and see be done but mostly mixing and people bouncing around. getting together and saying yeah RRX: Anything else been on that sounds great let’s do it. All your mind? that’s on hold. AK: I visited Australia this RRX: It’s like your hands are past August, I got to play with a tied. lot of friends. One of them is a AK: Yeah and this would be book publisher/musician guy. Nu- an answer to just sitting home merous bands I played in are fea- on your ass. This would be great tured in a new book coming out if Playing with Fire’s CD came called Way Out West. It’s Perth’s out or... Nite Train’s CD is almost music scene from the 60’s and ready to be released. Leopard So- 70’s. That should be out any week. ciety that whole CD is mixed in My calendar was booked un- the art department. All that stuff til September now everything is 49 3rd Street Troy NY 12180 would be my preference right cancelled. Some places said we’re now but it would be just incredi- shifting those dates till 2021. I (518) 326-0630 ble walk onto a stage with anyone am hoping in the next few weeks at this point and say what song do we have some openings and you want to play? something positive will transpire. RRX: I know. You know, a lot of people are doing these live streams, where they are perform- ing from their houses. AK: I actually have a differ- ent take on that. I’m not really that interested in seeing some- one gather around with an acous- tic guitar standing in their liv- ing room and singing; with all do respect. I wanna hear electric

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