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WRITERS William Archambeault Lyn Archer Kevin Barrios Jules Bentley Yvette Del Rio Terra Durrio Bill Heintz Raphael Helfand Maeve Holler Christina Igoe Ben Miotke Jean Morphy Alynda Segarra Ian Willson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Paris Achenbach "KINDNESS IS A CHOICE, ONE THAT MUST BE Zach Brien Jared Landry Lenore Seal MADE OVER AND OVER, IN SMALL WAYS AND Casey Shaw Brandt Vicknair BIG ONES, IN PRIVATE AND IN PUBLIC. IT’S A ILLUSTRATORS Victoria Allen Happy Burbeck CHOICE THAT REQUIRES SACRIFICE." P. 50 Ben Claassen III Kiernan Dunn Melissa Guion Katie O'Connor Ben Passmore Growing up, I wasn’t a huge fan of going this mission by carving it into a tree. the man still got what he wanted—it Kallie Tifeaux to synagogue. My forced attire was stiff But lightning struck the tree and just didn’t look like the thing he first SNAIL MAIL and uncomfortable, the services always blew it up. He grew up to be a wealthy envisioned. In this season of blind P.O. Box 2215 crawled along like a slow drip, and the man and—supposedly one-upping consumption and desire, it might be Gretna, LA 70054 worship sounded especially mindless himself after the tree-lightning worth thinking about how our own egos to a rebellious young whippersnapper thing—commissioned a towering might be getting in the way of what’s LETTER TO THE EDITOR: [email protected] like myself. God was like, so great, he building made of stone, in which his really important to our survival, both was the greatest great that ever greated, name was engraved across the front in as individuals and as a collective. I hope cover photo of HiGH don’t ever question or forget it. Amen. huge letters. That’ll stand forever, he you find in this issue (and really all at Euclid Records It was all pretty hard to swallow. I was certainly thought. But as it goes with issues of ANTIGRAVITY) many stories by Adrienne Battistella either crawling out of my skin with the poor schmucks in these fables, an of compassion and giving, whether photo this page of agonizing boredom or dead asleep. Yet earthquake struck, leveling the building it’s the lovable louts in HiGH coming Renee DeVille performing for the somehow, despite my near-catatonic (and the man’s name) to rubble, foiling together through thick and thin, Puerto Mr. Pole America Competition state, one of the rabbi’s stories slipped his wishes yet again. So he gave up Rican musicians helping their fellow at Awakenings Pole Fitness by Lyn Archer through and resonates with me even and decided to become a retired elder, artists hit by Hurricane Maria, or in today. I’d like to share it with you now, teaching children about the Torah the raw remembrance of the unbound dear readers, as we draw one hell of a and other Jewish lore and lessons. life of our friend Shiloh. It’s our central year to a close. It’s an old Jewish tale, And wouldn’t you know, his students mission here at AG HQ to preserve whose origin I haven’t been able to (and their students, and so on) carried these stories as best we can. We might locate (despite asking half the Diaspora those teachings—along with the man’s lose this particular publication to a @antigravitymag for a reference), so I’ll have to embellish name—far past his own lifetime. fire, massive data loss, or just the slow, it a little here. unyielding grind of time itself, but One reason I like this story so much hopefully the ideas (and a few stories) It goes something like this: There is that not only does it succinctly will survive. That’s the idea, anyway. was a man who wanted his name to illustrate the folly and short-sighted Happy Holidays. —Dan Fox live on forever, so he started out on nature of a person’s ego, but in the end, 4 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 5 STAR HUSTLER by CHRISTINA IGOE @iamastrology

The planet Saturn is named after the Greek God Cronus. Cronus came to power by overthrowing his father; he stayed in power by eating all of his offspring after learning they would eventually do the same to him. In our charts, Saturn is exactly like this mythology: it will do everything in its ability to stay on the course it wants for you. Ultimately, the roles of Saturn expect order. Saturn expects empowerment, ownership, and responsibility. Of course, these themes are broad and land in different people’s laps very differently. Generations of people all had a common idea of what exactly it meant to be responsible, and have complained about how the younger generations feel too individual in their feats. As Saturn influences and moves the tides socially, we undo some of the hard rules that were set before us to create our best, most responsible selves. The people who hold tight to rules might be upset that they were bound by these things that someone new doesn’t respect; but Saturn wants to unbind, for the betterment of order. On the 21st of this month, Saturn enters Capricorn. It was last in this placement from 1988 to 1991, and before that 1959 to 1962. This is its most comfortable and structurally sound placement because Saturn rules Capricorn naturally. Saturn will be in Capricorn until December of 2020. On a global level, we can expect: order in our systems, lots of hardwon change, and wakeup calls in spaces that are crumbling and unhealthy because they haven’t been prioritized. On a more personal level, this is a good time to get your ducks in a row, your bearings before moving on. Going is a satisfying road to self-discovery. as they say. If there are goals you want to reach, what do you need to do to get there? into the new year, your main resolution Physical health becomes a huge focus, This is a time to look at your life pragmatically and see what steps you need to take to should be finding joy and lightness in the and it is critical to approach yours fully get to where you want to be. Money is a part of it, health is a part of it, ownership is a reality of being a human. during this period. Going into the new part of it. You can wish on all the stars and consult all the horoscopes; but a lot of the year, see a doctor for a physical and time, first steps need to be physical, actual steps in bettering our lives. CANCER routine blood work. Ask about that weird thing you’ve been freaking out It is unique and exciting that the sun and Saturn move from Sagittarius to Capricorn There are plenty of signs that crumble about for years. within a day of each other. Our ideas and motivations will shift so fully in the days under the pressure of Saturn. Cancer, surrounding the winter solstice that it’s a good time for a lot of conversation and you may overreact, dramatically reenact, VIRGO meditation around how we feel liberated but motivated, how we feel like moving with and share every feeling you have ever purpose, and how we know our worth in what we make and how we live. had, but you are not weak. Saturn energy Saturn is moving from making an checks in with your sign regularly, uncomfortable square to your sign to a because your opposition sign, Capricorn, pleasant trine on the 21st of this month, is ruled by it. You are no stranger to taking away some of the pressure that ARIES When Saturn enters Capricorn on the regular check-ins with self-worth, has been smushing you off and on for 21st, there will be a very pronounced cleaning house, and creating healthier three years. When we see ourselves In the beginning of this month, the sun, direction in your life that will last for boundaries. While the opposition of through a trine, we believe in ourselves, Venus, and Saturn are all still working at least the next two years. This change Saturn will bring these exercises into and we feel more able. Virgo, the on propping you up to feel motivation might happen overnight or gradually, a more life-altering placement in your homework of this transit is to find the and direction in your identity, love life, but it is very important that you create chart, this opposition will be less jarring creative outlet that truly makes you and purpose. The new moon on the 18th space for this breakthrough. With a to your sign than every other sign in feel whole. Do you make things for is an especially potent day to realize strong Saturn influence we want to the zodiac. Still, this transit defines a function or beauty? Is it worthwhile if your power and ability as you shape and understand worth; and sometimes lot about your lifetime, Cancer. You can it’s not physically functional or clear shift everything you touch. When Saturn things we felt completely incapable of be aware of what makes you feel best to everyone? Of course it is, but Saturn enters Capricorn on the 21st, followed are exactly what we end up doing when and not do it, because you don’t find the will test your allegiance to your craft in by the sun the next day and Venus a few Saturn shows up. Going into the new time to care for yourself while you’re the coming years, creating confidence days later, you can expect some hard year, when you feel afraid, make an busy making every other life around you through production and work. When shifts in your life concerning lessons you approach. You don’t need to run up to effortless. A good rule for this transit is you make things for yourself, you can’t have yet to learn. If you understand your your fear and fight it. Just check it out, to start in spaces where the impact is do them wrong. This is something to worth, but you are not honoring it, the and see what you can do to believe in low on your personal life and then work consider strongly as this transit sets in stars are here to show you through tough yourself more. your way inward. Maybe you don’t have and expects you to think about things love. Aries, you are the ram; we see you. time to do that thing you promised those like legacy and monetizing a creative You cannot control everything, and you GEMINI strangers, and you need to take a day for outlet. If you have been waiting to get especially cannot control Saturn. Do not yourself. You have two-and-a-half years rich in your pursuits, this is a good miss lessons because you think you’ve Messages you are forced to learn are not to get through a life transformation; time to get the ball rolling. If you already learned them. Going into the exactly your favorite. When the planets small steps can completely change the need a mental vacation from your life, new year, consider the messages you are align to teach you something, to ask that landscape in that time. Going into the making things will be the exact sunny hearing over and over again: you can run you consider and absorb these lessons— new year, declutter one closet in your spot that you need. Going into the new forever, but it’s time to stop hiding. especially in spaces that you really don’t house. year, invest in yourself. No one will want to learn—it doesn’t feel great. Since ever be better than you at creating your TAURUS 2014, Saturn has been in opposition LEO environment or work. to your sign, reminding you in often Have you heard of these people who are upsetting and overwhelming ways about The trine of Saturn to your sign has LIBRA terrified of heights, so they jump out of responsibility and the space you hold been breathing down your neck for the a plane? This is exactly the opposite of in the world. There are periods in the last two-and-a-half years in Sagittarius Finding home is different for every your logic. You are comfortable being last three years when you probably felt and will move this month on the 21st. person. Some people are born into aware of what makes you feel vulnerable that nothing you did actually mattered. You may feel an exceptional weight families that cultivate a fearless mover. and staying at a respectful distance. Saturn forces you to see worth, and lifted after years of relentless trials. Some people are born into families So, Taurus, what would it look like if teaches without mercy: if you come out As this change happens, Saturn moves where they merely survive, and move you thought about what scared you— on the other end with new purpose and into your house of work, daily living, out to find the world for themselves. and faced it? You don’t need to jump direction, you have won. If you come out and health. Saturn wants to bring order This month, on the 21st, Saturn asks out of a proverbial plane, but you feel bloody and battered, when Saturn moves to these spaces, so don’t be surprised that you face home completely. It so many more rewards chasing your into your house of rebirth on the 21st, if there are changes in structure, is time to think about the woman vulnerability, especially in relationships. you can expect a shift in perspective. workflow, or your job all together in the or women who raised you, to take a Sometimes it’s hard to understand just coming months. Routines are good to healthy look at which parts of your how far we have come until we can look establish with this energy, and having actions and reactions are in tandem illustrations KALLIE TIFEAUX at our path from a clearing. Take some an idea of what practices you would with these matriarchs. In your current time at the end of this month to get like to make a part of your daily life home, are you happy with the health

6 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 of the space? Does it feel organized in AQUARIUS a way that works for you? Do you feel healthy in the neighborhood you live When Saturn moves into Capricorn in? A dictionary definition of home is on the 21st, it begins a multi-year “a place of origin.” Libra, where did you transit to your 12th house, the house come from? Did your true birth happen of boundless possibility. Saturn is the recently, after finding true love? Were planet of order. What does it mean, in you born when you moved into the your life, to organize your ideas about house your parents bought? Is home spirituality, religion, and endings? on wheels? There is massive value in Do you have a positive relationship this message, because when we know with letting go? Saturn will, at times, where we come from, we understand flatten anything just to reconstruct better where we want to go. Going into a more sound structure. Aquarius, the new year, talk with people about this is a time to dedicate real energy owning property. to understanding the limitlessness of your own experience and transcend SCORPIO your daily worries to understand your universal meaning. This process When Saturn is in our second house of could take you in many directions, so worth, we create systems to thrive in. it is important to float on top, not get These systems are hard fought when we stuck in any undercurrent, and come don’t fully believe in ourselves. While back to your own journey as much as your sign is self-assured in certain possible. Going into the new year, find ways, your depth of knowledge in the spaces where you feel the most human experience will always create YOU CAN WISH ON ALL THE STARS AND spiritually connected. For the last three vulnerability in your own experience. years you have learned a lot of lessons Saturn pressures the spaces in your life CONSULT ALL THE HOROSCOPES; BUT about community and what it means where you have to tell the world around A LOT OF THE TIME, FIRST STEPS NEED to cowork. It is worthwhile to consider you, “Yes, I do matter. Yes, my time your colleagues. When you shared does matter, and it is worth x amount TO BE PHYSICAL, ACTUAL STEPS IN ideas, did you feel supported and held of dollars per hour. Yes, my values are up? Who in your community stepped these.” To do so with unwavering stamina BETTERING OUR LIVES. up to remind you of who you are? and dedication at all hours of every day is impossible. This month on the 21st, PISCES Saturn will ease its pressure from the tangled, Saturn will cut. On the 21st of Your sign has a hard time qualifying focus of value into asserting your voice. this month, Saturn leaves your sign, feelings immediately. Is it worth it to As Saturn moves from your house of After years of really finding out who you and will not return for 30 years. Saturn feel vulnerable if the payout is true public self to your house of community are, what matters to you, and how much transits in your sign are specifically understanding of yourself? As the on the 21st of this month, it is highly your time, energy, and presence are tough because order and exactness sun and Saturn move from your 12th recommended that you gather your worth, we are waiting for you to tell us. is not how you live your best life. It is house of emotion into your first house closest and most trusted cohorts and During this transit you may feel a strong an unbelievably worthwhile exercise of identity on the 21st and 22nd, the share. Share wealth, information, fears, urge to teach, or to learn. Information to consider the lessons you learned shift that will happen to everyone will and ideas. It is important that you shed gathering is pivotal to coming out on the in multiple ways over the last couple be most potent for your sign. The sun your old skin, and in those soft spaces, other end of this Saturn transit feeling years. In what direction has the world in your sign is a yearly occurrence absorb the love and admiration of your like you have unlocked an achievement. pointed you? When have you had to when we all take stock of what we have chosen family. When we feel like we Going into the new year, you know slow down and be gentle? You have a and where we have been. We make have been trying bravely to put our yourself. Tell us who you are. tendency to want to see the bright side resolutions and we start to build a face out front for three years in a row, of everything; but in some lessons, new year. Saturn comes around once it is appropriate to have a huge party SAGITTARIUS there is only darkness. Going into the every 30 years and it rules your sign. with your closest friends to release the new year, honor the spaces where you This shift in the planets may bring up pressure. In this party, it will become The last two-and-a-half years have have lost. Let them be your motivation big transformations that happened in clear what you want to expand your been dedicated to redefining your for a new lifetime. your life in 2008, and it will definitely energy into, and who you want to take worth. As a Sagittarius, it is easy for show you exactly where you need to be. with you. It is easier to experience you to celebrate beauty and faith; it CAPRICORN Going into the new year, it is important purpose when you personify it. It is easier is easy to honor and respect people to grant energy and attention to the to maintain your work when you realize around you and the people who came It is an exceptionally worthwhile feelings you have held closely over the the impact it has on your community. before you. You love the world. Saturn feat to consider the importance of last couple years, and not bury yourself Going into the new year, it is important wants you to understand your space deep emotion. It is important to in projects. Work will feel better than to know who you can trust with all of in it exactly. Saturn wants you to know adventure, try new things, feel joy and ever, but it’s important to balance. your ideas. Push for relationships that are your roots—and where your roots are hope and positivity in your love life. mutual and healthy.

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DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 9 quite bright and citrusy; a mystery Taqueria Sanchez salsa that came packaged in with the (under the overpass across from tacos—I honestly don’t know what it Home Depot on Earhart) REALITY BITES was—worked exceedingly well with Perfectly serviceable tacos, but by YVETTE REGRETS [email protected] the shredded chicken. The carnitas don’t bother. See below for why... (pulled pork) actually tasted slow cooked and had an undeniably Bourbon Kitchen Cruise smoky flavor. My favorite overall (the other one under the overpass TACO TRUCKS were the chicharron. I’m admittedly across from Home Depot on Earhart) a big fan of fried pork, so it isn’t OK, so there are two taco trucks You already know that I love tacos and food trucks, but it’s time to talk surprising that I loved these; they under the overpass by Home Depot. about taco trucks, which are legit my favorite places in town to get Mexican were simultaneously crispy and One is Taqueria Sanchez, and the food. I honestly eat at a taco truck at least once a week because they’re pleasingly chewy. The locale is less other is the rather intriguingly cheap, tasty, and convenient. All of the tacos we’ll be discussing here are of than ideal, but only because there’s named Bourbon Kitchen Cruise. the classic cilantro/onion/lime variety, which—of course—is the way tacos literally no shade whatsoever on There are pictures of Mardi Gras should be. I’m identifying these partially by where they park, but due to this block of Broad, so be prepared beads and masks all over it, so I’m the transient nature of food trucks, be warned that they may move around. to wait around in the sun for a assuming that it used to be a food Also, just so you know, my Spanish is completely abysmal and I managed to while. And I do mean quite a while, truck of an altogether different successfully place an order at each of these trucks; so don’t be afraid if your because this is definitely the slowest genre, but who knows? Feel free to language skills are lacking. service of all the taco trucks—my bypass Taqueria Sanchez and make order took about a half hour on both a beeline for Bourbon, because it is of my most recent visits. But it’s also so much better. I was delighted to really close to the courthouse, so discover that their tacos were made you may as well pick some up next using handmade corn tortillas. And time you have jury duty, a traffic not only handmade, but excellent: ticket to contest, or if you just find thick and soft, they taste very yourself on Broad with some time much like maize, but aren’t at all to kill. 8/10 Superfreaks dry. What is this magic?! There are also a few bottles of a ridiculously Taqueria La Delicia delicious and mysterious creamy (under the overpass by Lowe’s on green sauce set up on the folding Elysian Fields) table next to the truck. I’m not First things first: they grill their positive what’s in it, but it tastes onions! I absolutely wasn’t like roasted tomatillos, maybe?

ALL OF THE TACOS WE’LL BE DISCUSSING HERE ARE OF THE CLASSIC CILANTRO/ONION/LIME VARIETY, WHICH—OF COURSE—IS THE WAY TACOS SHOULD BE.

expecting it, and I wasn’t sure that That mystery sauce is really GOOD. I’d like it when I unpacked my tacos, I mean, everything I’ve tried from but it completely differentiates this here has been excellent: the chicken spot from all the other places that I was tangy, the al pastor was sweet, ate at during this investigation. The and the carne asada hit right at al pastor was the clear winner—the that perfect spot before being guajillo and pineapple flavored burned. You know what I mean. pork was pleasingly sweet, and was Like, it tiptoed up to the edge of perfectly complimented by the being overdone and then was all, grilled onions. If I’d been served “Nah, just kidding. Here I am, just these tacos at a proper restaurant, perfect.” These tacos are simply I would have been impressed. I excellent. This truck is also parked Taqueria La Coyota #1 because they were so flimsy (they definitely didn’t expect that level of in my favorite location: it’s under (empty lot on N. Claiborne right on don’t consistently double up on complexity from a food truck with an overpass, so it’s super shady, the St. Bernard Parish line) tortillas here). This was the least an eternally flat tire (I’m actually and they have a couple plastic card There’s a huge sign that proclaims pleasant of all of the locales for me, kind of confused about the flat tire tables set up with folding chairs, “BEEF TACOS” on the side of the but mainly because I got hassled a because I’ve driven by when the so you could theoretically settle in truck—like, it’s really big. So I went whole bunch while waiting for my food truck isn’t there, and like, how and dine right there. When I say I ahead and ordered “beef tacos,” order. The tacos were pretty good, do they move it?). Did you know eat at a taco truck once a week, this which could really mean anything though. 7/10 BEEF TACOS that pork al pastor is cooked on is the one I’m talking about. 10/10 from steak to ground beef, right? a rotisserie spit shawarma style? Incongruous Graphics Well, it turned out to be a very Taqueria Los Poblanos The grilling method was brought good carne asada: the beef was (next to the Family Dollar on S. to Mexico by Lebanese immigrants thinly sliced and perfectly grilled, Broad at Canal) in the early 1900s. Isn’t that cool? seemingly seasoned with only lime, This truck used to serve pupusas OK, history lesson over—let’s talk salt, and pepper. I definitely enjoyed back when they parked on Elysian chicken. Their tacos de pollo were these tacos, but felt somewhat let Fields and N. Claiborne (they tasty enough, but I wasn’t overly down that the tortillas fell apart also used to have a taco stand in impressed with them. The buche roughly three quarters of the way in Chalmette), but I think they must (pork stomach) was likewise fine, have changed ownership, which but I’ll always pick the al pastor is hella disappointing to me as a here. Bonus: this location is very pupusa superfreak. Oh well, let’s easy to park at, which is always a illustrations BEN CLAASSEN III talk tacos. The tacos de pollo were plus. 9/10 Grilled Onions

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DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 11 12 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 13 also helping to support my growing 7. Ochsner Physical Therapy & midsection. It’s a great piece for The SI Loc Belt helping plus size moms deal with the This one is a two-parter. I’m super WRITING FOR TWO complicated emotions that can come grateful to have been evaluated by by ERIN HALL [email protected] with pregnancy body changes. two talented therapists at Ochsner to identify the mystery cause of my sudden 5. Tums onset pelvic pain around week 28. The Fun story: I hate Tums. My mom gave first of them recommended the SI Loc me one when I was nine years old and Belt, which has been pretty much the END OF THE ROAD 3. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth had a stomach ache. I told her it was only reason I’ve been able to walk for the My sister-in-law gave me this book, the worst thing I’d ever tasted and last three months. The second therapist Chances are that as you read this and of all the ones I’ve read in I immediately threw up. Now, I was helped with further adjustments and column, I am holding my newborn child. preparation for delivery, it’s still the probably gonna throw up anyway—I also had recently attended a workshop As I sit here composing it, our due date most precious to me. The first half clearly had a virus—but I blamed the about physical therapy and its role is less than three weeks away and we’re is composed of real women’s natural Tums... for like 20 years. My husband in birthing; she was able to tell me all becoming keenly aware that a season of birth stories and it showcases the had never been able to get me to about the shape of my pelvic outlet and our lives is rapidly coming to an end. good, bad, and ugly of unmedicated take one, for any reason, during the which positions are likely to be the most childbirth. The back half goes into decade we’d been together. But then productive and comfortable during The last nine-plus months have been extensive detail about the actual I got pregnant. And I got heartburn. labor. So thank you, Lisette and Jenny— filled with a plethora of powerful— mechanical processes of labor and So. Much. Heartburn. Constant, low- you saved my crotch! sometimes conflicting—emotions. Some how best to work with your body to grade, annoying acid reflux. In the last days it feels like just yesterday we were achieve a safe, drug-free delivery. 20 weeks, I have pretty much single- 8. Childbirth Classes celebrating our wedding and excitedly I know a lot of people think childbirth planning our European honeymoon classes are a waste of time and money, (which, of course, never happened). but I couldn’t disagree more. Even Other days I feel like I’ve been pregnant though my husband and I are educated, for approximately 84 years. well-read people, we have a blind spot for this stuff because we’ve never done We are still filling our days and nights it before and nobody really close to us with preparations for the impending has either. We did a six-week course arrival, and I’ve had to make peace with Kim Davis, a local doula, and it with the fact that everything probably was immensely helpful. It forced us won’t be perfect and “ready” when to get into the habit of practicing for our child arrives. I could blame this labor and talking about how we want to on my husband’s chronic issues with handle situations if they arise. It helped timeliness and organization, but I think us to feel informed and empowered, the universe is just trying to reinforce and gave us a forum to talk openly with to my rigid Capricorn brain that this other parents-to-be about both our is only the beginning of all the things fears and our excitement. I can’t control about being a parent. The baby has a safe place to sleep, some 9. Ochsner Baptist Perkin diapers, at least a few pieces of clothing Alternative Birth Center to wear, and nourishment on demand We have been very grateful to the staff (see: me). So we’ll be fine. at Ochsner Baptist for their support and encouragement throughout my KEYS TO SURVIVAL pregnancy. The midwives on staff at the ABC are some of the kindest and This month, I’d like to indulge in a most involved healthcare providers I’ve little premature nostalgia. While we’re ever had. The whole vibe of the office is not out of the woods yet (make sure to welcoming and warm. Even when things pick up our January 2018 issue to read had the potential to get scary, we didn’t the tale of how the actual birth went worry with them by our side. We’re super down) I’m at a place where I can look lucky to have this resource in our city. If back fondly at the things that sustained you’re interested in low-intervention, me throughout this pregnancy. No natural childbirth and prenatal care, I two pregnancies are the same—even couldn’t recommend them more highly. subsequent ones for the same woman— so these things may be of literally zero 10. That Man of Mine use to you, but here are my top ten This one feels like it could go without survival tools for pregnancy: I’VE HAD TO MAKE PEACE WITH THE saying, but I’ll say it anyway. Having FACT THAT EVERYTHING PROBABLY a supportive, engaged partner can 1. Swimming truly transform a pregnant woman’s You’ll hear this refrain pretty regularly WON’T BE PERFECT AND “READY” experience. My husband, from the from your prenatal providers, but it’s WHEN OUR CHILD ARRIVES start, has been eager to help in any way true. If you’ve got access to a pool, USE he could. He’s encouraged me to stay IT. Being able to stay active without active. He’s helped me continue eating having to do high impact cardio was a a balanced diet (but also hasn’t shamed massive help in preventing too much Ina May is known as the mother handedly crushed two whole bottles of me for the occasional indulgence). He weight gain for me. of modern midwifery and she’s Tums. They are the greatest thing on regularly asks what, if anything, he can admittedly a total hippie, but I’m planet Earth and we should canonize do to help me when I’m in discomfort or 2. Leachco Snoogle Pillow here for it. This book gave me the Jim Howe for inventing them. pain. He’s put together baby furniture This pillow is everything. Upon the confidence I needed to embark on a even when he’s exhausted from a long recommendation of many friends, we purposeful journey towards a natural 6. The Bailey Institute of work week. He’s attended childbirth got it really early on in my pregnancy, delivery without fear. Muscular Therapy classes, breastfeeding classes, and so I thankfully never got to the point I’ve always been a sucker for a good newborn care classes. He is committed of having sleepless nights that needed 4. Belevation Support Brief massage. This is a very no-frills spot to his role as my labor coach. He’s fixing. It’s a giant c-shaped monstrosity This one has served a dual purpose. located in an office building in Old practicing his swaddling technique and that will take up most of your bed—we Earlier in my pregnancy when I felt Metairie—no spa robes here, folks! reading books about being a father. He refer to it as the “Great Wall”—but it will like I wasn’t showing at all, wearing They offer a monthly membership for talks to Babe Babelington every day and support your growing belly, stabilize your this support brief under my clothing just $60. I’ve been going in for monthly is just as excited as I am to meet our little back, and allow you to actually rest in rounded out my nearly-nonexistent hour-long massages for the last four one. The other nine items I listed have between those 77 visits to the bathroom. bump and helped me to feel more months and I can tell you it’s the best been luxuriously nice to have during this like a mom-to-be. As my pregnancy money I’ve ever spent. Jobeth and pregnancy; but in the end, the thing I illustration VICTORIA ALLEN progressed, it continued to make my Elaine have been keeping me from needed the most was him. And he didn’t clothes look more flattering while quite literally falling apart. let me down.

14 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 PLACE YOUR BETS systemic pretty fast, so it might already be too late by the time you notice signs Before I sign off, let’s play a fun game. of unease. There are tons of old wives’ tales about DIRT NERD how you can determine a baby’s sex by IAN WILLSON [email protected] Downy mildew is not a big fan of based on things that happen during the extreme heat, which is good for us, pregnancy. Since we’re not finding out but it is a huge fan of moisture, which the sex in advance, it’s been fun for us to is extremely not good for us. We tally up the “boy” points and “girl” points SAVE THE BASIL cannot change the weather, but we to see how they bear out in reality! can discourage excess moisture by watering basil plants at the soil line. Sweet vs. Salty Cravings You want to grow basil. If you’ve never make Genovese basil varieties that can That is to say, get drip irrigation or get The theory goes that a boy makes you grown anything in your life, you want withstand this all-consuming monster, on your knees and water only the soil crave salty and a girl makes you crave to grow basil. And tomatoes. You want but the clock is ticking. One piece of surrounding the plant when your basil sweets. This one is a toss-up, because big fat tomatoes and delicious sweet, good news? You can still eat downy is looking thirsty. Do not get water on I leaned salty at first (pickled beets large leaf Italian basil. Time was, you’d mildew-infested basil. It tastes fine and the plant leaves if you can help it at specifically), but became a total sugar be totally doomed with the fat tomatoes won’t turn you into a zombie or even all. Basil doesn’t like wet feet, downy monster in the third trimester. TIE either way; but basil, that was an herb make you fart (depending on what you mildew or no. Also, water a little bit you could get down with. Put a basil eat it with). less than you’d like to, and make sure Morning Sickness plant in a pot and feel damn good about that you have some lovely soil that has Apparently carrying a girl is supposed your bright and shiny food-growing There’s a little bit more good news. fantastic drainage. to make you hug the toilet more often future, because that baby is popping off! Though your classic pesto basil, Italian than if you’re carrying a boy. I didn’t basil, sweet basil, Genovese basil— Speaking of soil, if you watched your throw up once. BOY To start, let’s get one thing out of the whatever you want to call it basil—is basil plants go down hard last season, way. It is presently December, and in imminent danger, some of the odds are there is still some downy “Beauty” ostensibly a little bit cold outside. Basil quirkier varieties of basil have a strong mildew hanging out in your dirt, and This one relates mostly to things like is a heat-loving plant that starts to taste resistance to downy mildew. All your you’d be wise to switch the soil out hair thickness and complexion; and the a little funny and shoots off flowers at citrusy basils, and to a slightly lesser if you’re going to give basil another theory is that if you’re carrying a girl, the first sign of sweater weather. It’s best extent Thai basil, can take the wet gross go. There are many strains of downy she steals your beauty and you’ll end up to grow basil in the spring and summer. heat, as it were. Supposedly lettuce leaf mildew that are attracted to many losing hair and suffering from acne etc. Time was. These days, not so much. basil is fairly immune too, which should different vegetables, but fortunately I’ve had significantly less oil in my skin be great news, because it tastes just like each strain is only into the plant that and loose hair in my brush for the last There is an epidemic sweeping the nine months. BOY nation presently. Basil is in a proper crisis. I’m not kidding; I’m not Weight Gain exaggerating. A disease we’d thought It’s said that if you gain all your weight long gone from this land, from sea to in your belly, you’re carrying a boy. shining sea, has returned by way of Those who gain weight all over are said Florida and is wreaking havoc along the to be carrying a girl. Thankfully I’ve eastern seaboard and creeping westward not gotten real puffy, so all of my 25-ish as well. No, it is not Florida Man. It is pounds seem to have gone straight to downy mildew. And it’s really bad. the bump. BOY Downy mildew is thought to have been Carrying High or Low reintroduced to the new world vis-a- Boys are said to be lowriders, while vis some shipment from somewhere in girls hang up closer to the ribs. I don’t Africa to Florida in 2007. And though think I’m particularly obvious in it remained relatively contained for a either direction, but having seen what while, it has been actively decimating “carrying low” can really look like, I the commercial basil industry since think I’m probably on the higher side. 2015. It looks and acts like fungus, but GIRL is technically an algae. It thrives in warmth and especially humidity, which Heart Rate is why, since its escape from Florida, we SERIOUSLY, SWEET BASIL A baby’s heart rate changes a ton feel its wrath more forcefully here in throughout gestation, but it’s said that the deep south than those in northern MIGHT NOT BE A THING IN girls typically have higher rates. Up climes do; though make no mistake, until very recently (when apparently their pesto-making prowess is not A FEW MORE YEARS. the heart rate fluctuates even more due nearly what it used to be. to increased brain development) Babe Babelington was always in the 150s. So what does downy mildew look like? your familiar normie basil; but I tried it’s into. Thus, this year you can plant GIRL If you’ve tried to grow basil over the to grow it last year and it definitely squash where you planted basil last last few years, you probably already got downy mildewed the heck up. So, I year, and the squash will not succumb Chinese Gender Chart know. It starts off fairly unassuming: a don’t know, believe the hype, or don’t. to that particular malady. This is a nifty little chart that magics up few yellowing leaves on the outskirts of a guess by taking into account your age the plant that you will probably blame Still want to give traditional basil Spacing your basil out will also help and the month of the baby’s conception. yourself for. Did you overwater? Under- growing a shot? Great. Do it. The great immensely. Generally, I think the more A lot of people swear by this one! GIRL water? Probably, but that’s not why the news? Maybe the best news I’ve got for veggies you can pack into a space the basil looks a little off. A week later, the you here today? If you fail miserably, better; but with basil, in its present Body Hair yellow is everywhere, and the spots that it’s almost definitely not your fault, perilous state, it is not so. Give them The theory here is that carrying a used to be yellow are turning brown. You this time. Here’s how to maybe save room to breathe. This will create a less boy gives you a testosterone boost look at the underside of one of these sad your basil from being eaten alive by humid micro-climate for the algae, that may see you growing body hair leaves and notice brown specks dotting Earth algae so it can be eaten alive which travel by wind from plant to faster and thicker. I was able to go 5 the thing throughout. You’ve got downy instead by Earth humans. plant, so the farther they must travel to months without an eyebrow wax, which mildew, and it’s pretty much too late for infect, the less likely they are to do so. genuinely freaked me out and made me you to do anything about it. But don’t be The first best thing you can do is start wonder if maybe there wasn’t a little too hard on yourself: it was always going picking any iffy looking parts of your That is all you can do, and you should extra estrogen floating around in there. to be too late. basil plants as soon as they start looking do all that you can, elsewise you may be GIRL off. Any yellowing leaves, or worse, kicking yourself a few years down the Seriously, sweet basil might not be a blackening leaves, should be removed road, when sweet basil literally doesn’t FINAL TALLY: BOY: 3 GIRL: 4 TIE: 1 thing in a few more years. Scientists immediately. Do not simply pick the exist anymore. You’ll wish you’d made and growers are hard at work trying to leaf off, cut off the stem that that leaf that monster batch of your mama’s Check back in January to see if those is connected to. You must try hard to delicious homegrown pesto and stuck old wives are full of it or not! illustration MELISSA GUION remove all the poison if at all possible. it in the freezer back in those halcyon Unfortunately, downy mildew gets summer months of ‘18.

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 15 Expressionism in Japan. Rather than off dignitaries’ marble busts. Zealots gesturing victoriously with paint—as did burning books in a pile. Lewd graffiti the postwar Americans—artists in Japan scratched into urns. Gargoyles’ scowls LIGHT WORK jumped through walls of paper, threw corroded by caustic urban rains. Wall words and photos LYN ARCHER the whole paint can. drawings on newly opened caves, dissolved by the humidity of modern Facing him on his lap, I tell the man that man’s breath. Hundreds of analogous my favorite class is Contemporary Art in snapshots: a tourist with their A WORK OF ART China. I recite the slides I remember. A hand out, civilization’s great towers man paints his body to match the wall foreshortened into paperweights. Should we go back in now? I watch him a cliff every year for four years. I was in he stands against, lettered with a huge Paintings: slashed in museums, stare out over Bourbon. If it’s... very school for five. red “no” (不) symbol. A man meditates mildewed in attics, buried in rubble, important to you. He grinds out his in the center of a ring of dynamite stolen in the night. Bronzes of women cigarette butt against the heel of his The week I began stripping, after charges and records his unwavering in public squares, their hands, lips, and dress shoe and tucks the pack into his an end-all fight with a boyfriend, I’d heartbeat as they detonate. A man saves breasts rubbed bright by the touches of breast pocket; half size “beedies” with been crashing with an acquaintance. all of his mother’s empty packaging passersby. Art History 310: Iconoclasm. an explicit, black-edged warning label She’d confessed to me she wanted to which she’d hoarded over decades, The entire semester was devoted to across the front: a picture of a man with audition at a strip club, but wanted sorts and arranges it in typological whether, and how, destroying art was an a chain around his heel, but instead of a someone to come with her. We bought arrondissements on the gallery floor. art itself. Art was not discrete objects, ball, a man-size cigarette. shiny faux patent-leather Pleasers and None of these works of art seem to authored by history’s various boy’s practiced walking around on the carpet, move the man. I change lanes. clubs, catalogued into “movements.” It’s been said you can’t sell something shimmying into the mirror. The day of It could be any act, deliberate or not, that you wouldn’t yourself buy, that the audition, though, she’d had a change What did you like best about growing the marks if left, visible or not, done the seller must believe in the value of of heart. I went in alone and was hired up in China? I play with the lanyard by anyone, named or not, at any time, what they sell or no one else will. Yet the week classes started. She’d had a boy around his neck, his conference known or not. Through violence, art every weekend, within the price range staying with us, first on the the sofa, then laminate clipped to it. I grew up in the made itself alive. of a used car lot, I sell empty rooms to strangers, filling them up with words. I’d written the final forIconoclasm on We’d spent the first hour talking about the portraits of Storyville prostitutes, art, and return to the subject now. 89 glass plate negatives from the 1910s, found inside a sofa. The plates were He tells me that he grew up in China, sold at auction to street photographer and has come to New Orleans for Lee Friedlander, who reprinted them “meetings.” To me you are a work of art, all full frame, including damage to the he says, placing his hands on my hips. plates’ perimeters. A woman in striped Thank you. What’s your favorite work stockings, raising a glass. A woman of art? He labors to think. Painting. I sunning herself on an ironing board. laugh. I mean, your favorite piece of art. A woman in an open window, a brass Like a certain sculpture or a painting. bed frame in the dark behind. Many of the women’s faces had been scratched Van Gogh. I like the colors. Starry Night on out. In popular culture, the images a coffee cup. Starry Night on a sundress. had proliferated—usually terribly— Starry Night on a greeting card. Starry into books, films, performances, Night on the side of a bus. Starry Night photographs, paintings. I inventoried on a shower curtain. I like Van Gogh too. I these transmutations, thumbing guess that’s what stars looked like to him. through Pretty Baby while sunning He drank so much absinthe. He smiles. I myself on my roof, moving on to tell him I’m an art student. Louis Malle’s film version, then onto documentaries on famous red light In my head I scan through the hazy districts: sex workers, musing on how endnotes of my college papers, having one can supposedly “sell their body” and studied art history a decade ago. From yet, somehow, still have it at the close of my sophomore year onward, I’d worked the day. I’d had to ask for an extension: I every Thursday and Friday night wanted the paper to be exhaustive. and every Sunday afternoon in a tiny club that shared a wall with an auto The champagne room door slides open— upholstery shop. I’d danced under the the waitress, unannounced, perforating name “Absinthe” alongside girls who’d our tableaux vivant, reflected in the called themselves Anaïs, Colette, June. THE BLUESTOCKING TEEN, STRIPPING glass. A woman reclines beside a man The bluestocking teen, stripping her dissolving into a sofa. You have—I shh way through school, en route to la vie HER WAY THROUGH SCHOOL, EN ROUTE her—he’s asleep—she retreats into a bohème: we worked the trope until we whisper—ten minutes left. wore it thin. TO LA VIE BOHÈME: WE WORKED THE TROPE UNTIL WE WORE IT THIN. I drift. I am walking through a museum The prerequisite to any philosophy with my father. Yves Klein occupies the class was formal logic, hours of dry- entire top floor, the man who’d claimed erase markers squeaking out cascades her bed. The academic year underway, country. I was a trouble boy. I ask him to have invented a color. His models, of unintelligible glyphs, so I’d never he’d changed course, pursuing me. She how. We left school, played in the fields, dipped in his antediluvian blue, pressed taken any of his classes: my colleagues and I had fought about it and never stole apples. Fighting, too. Pride glints their bodies onto vast swathes of paper. pointed their professor out to me. reconciled. For the following school year on his face. What was the best fight you I don’t ‘get’ contemporary art, he says He occupied the stage’s left corner, and into the summer, he’d urged me to ever got into? He touches his forehead. as we pass a red convertible, smashed propping his sneakers up on the tip rail quit stripping, resenting the secondhand I got hit in the head, with a rock. I touch flat, mounted on the wall.Art should be beside his empty pint. What department smoke in my hair, interrogating me on the same spot on his forehead. Ouch. sculpture... painting. The crowd outside are you in? He leaned towards me. the contents of the lost hours between What about the other boy? Melancholy the museum, awash in noon light. Every time you guess wrong, you give 2 a.m. last call and 4 a.m., when I’d pour emerges, the aftermath of a weekend Crossing the square, his eyes follow me a dollar. If you guess right I’ll take myself into his bed. I said it’s my job. of clients and late-night liquor crawls. the trajectory of a girl in a sundress. my top off. He smirked: If ? Starting He said school is his job. We fought I hit him, too. I rub his temples, the rest So quintessentially French. That outfit. with the hard sciences, he worked his constantly, escalating into physicality of me still. I feel him start to fall asleep. See, that’s how a woman should dress. I way through the soft ones, then into when he pulled his iPod out of his A limb at a time, I release myself as he snapped back that a woman should be the humanities. I giggled, flashing my pocket, overhand pitching it at my head, melds into the sofa. however she’d like to. Can’t a man look teeth. Give up? The syllable fogged breaking my bedroom window. Weeks at nice things? the nonexistent glass between us. Art. later, he approached me in the library, Contemporary Art in China had filled a Makes sense. I recalled my father telling looking over my shoulder into my book. graduation requirement; my favorite I touch the man’s forehead to wake him. me that sending a child to a liberal arts What is that, finger painting? I stared class was unconstrained by time or Do you want to extend? He sighs. If it’s… college was like driving a Mercedes off into the massive hardcover. Abstract place. Protesters knocking the noses very important to you.

16 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 17 (at most) 100,000 or so visitors every economic pressures. The post-Katrina three years were a more significant displacement of New Orleans natives percentage of the overall tourism in and the corresponding influx of coastal the city, it’s unclear how these cultural creative professionals is something PROSPECT’STHE LOWDOWN ON NEW ORLEANS’ HIGH FOLLY ART AFFAIR consumers would really improve the towards which Prospect has been lives of the people living here. particularly insensitive. by HOLLY DEVON illustration KATIE O’CONNOR From the organizers’ perspective, In 2014, as the housing crisis reached though, the biennial’s contribution new heights, Prospect.3’s featured For aspiring artists of the Fine Art November to rave reviews from artnet is as much cultural as it is economic. display was Tavares Strachan’s 100 subset, being chosen by the massive News and The New York Times, it is The Prospect New Orleans website foot sign in pink neon which floated international exhibitions known as clear that the triennial is thriving. It declares its mission as one which the words “You Belong Here” on the biennials is how you know you’ve seems worth asking, however, whether promotes “cultural tourism” and Mississippi. Strachan, who made his made it. Having your work featured after ten years in operation, Prospect creates “projects that resonate deeply reputation as a wild card conceptual in such an exhibition can attract the has been as good to New Orleans as with the City’s unique history, culture, artist in 2013 when he shipped five attention of elite art connoisseurs New Orleans has been to Prospect. people, and institutions.” “At the tons of ice from the North Pole to his and collectors—an opportunity heart of Prospect,” they claim, “is the installation at the Venice Biennale as that carries with it the potential to On the economic impact section of connection that it enables between a testament to the threat of climate alter the course of an artistic career. their website, a detailed financial report ‘high art’ and the larger cultural change, was inspired to create the piece Since the 1990s, a veritable jet set of of Prospect.1 calculates that the show landscape of the city.” Though Prospect after he “discovered that New Orleans, creative professionals has descended brought in $23.2 million of consumer New Orleans may be well-intentioned, like most places, is very complex.” His each year upon one of the capitals spending to the city. Prospect.3 broke all it’s hard not to take offense to the stated purpose in creating the piece was of international art to hobnob and previous attendance records, surpassing claim that they are filling some kind of to explore the “anxiety of belonging” identify up-and-coming artists. Prospect.1’s attendance by over 10,000 cultural deficit by bringing “high art” in New Orleans. That it failed to occur From Berlin to São Paulo, Moscow visitors. Even without a more recent to the city of New Orleans. “High art” to the curators that a Yale art school to Shanghai, cities chosen to host report it is clear that Prospect is is a term which has historically been graduate from the Bahamas living in biennials are pinnacles of global continuing to bring some revenue into used to differentiate the art consumed Brooklyn was unqualified to make culture, as glamorous and cosmopolitan the city. However, in the decade which by cultivated elites from the more that kind of “exploration” indicated a as the exhibitions themselves. But if the startling disregard of the issues facing optimal environment for a biennial is New Orleanians in real time. an urban space on the cutting edge of modernity, then what in the name of Prospect.4 is making a fresh attempt to Peggy Guggenheim is such a top-notch connect with the city. Artistic Director international cultural event doing in Trevor Schoonmaker has clearly made New Orleans, Louisiana? an effort to give New Orleans a central role in his curation. In his Artistic In the early aughts, there was a Director’s Statement he pays tribute growing feeling among American art to the “hybrid nature of New Orleans” professionals that the United States stemming from the city’s history as was lagging behind in the biennial an international trade hub, which game. The Whitney Biennial in New he credits for the creation of unique York operates on a scale comparable to cultural exports like jazz. While his those held in Sidney or São Paulo, but analysis may not be particularly original, its history of political faux pas—from he still seems sincere in his desire to the 1987 show so lacking in diversity present an exhibition which resonates it inspired the famous Guerilla Girl with New Orleans. “Because Prospect protests, to the recent controversy is so young,” Schoonmaker told artnet over Dana Schutz’s painting of Emmett News, “there is a need for it to feel Till—has earned it a reputation as a rooted here—to not only try and lure the biennial everyone loves to hate. When international art world to New Orleans, curator and self-described “Nolaphile” but to still get the local community, Dan Cameron, who had previously the regional art goers, to want to buy in served as artistic director and organizer and embrace it as their own. We want for biennials in Istanbul and Taipei, to be getting to communities that don’t made his first post-Katrina visit to always go and see art.” the city, he saw an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Organizing IF PROSPECT NEW ORLEANS CAN FIND A In addition to local artists ranging a large scale biennial in New Orleans WAY TO TREAT THE CITY AS AN ACTIVE from Quintron and Miss Pussycat would bolster our country’s artistic PARTICIPANT INSTEAD OF AN EXOTIC to Louis Armstrong (it would seem reputation abroad as well as bring BACKDROP, THE SHOW HAS A CHANCE TO Satchmo took up collaging in his later much-needed tourist dollars to the city. BRING A GENUINELY FRESH PERSPECTIVE TO years), some of the international Using the exhibitions to draw tourist artists included took up local themes. dollars to host cities is a tradition THE INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL CIRCUIT. Rotterdam and New York-based artists as old as biennials themselves. The Edgar Cleijne and Ellen Gallagher world’s first biennial, the Venice moved into a houseboat on the swamp Bienniale, was conceived in 1895 by has passed since the report’s initial accessible “low art” of the masses. for a few weeks to collect images Venetian city officials as a scheme to calculations, skyrocketing real estate “High art” may have gone through a for their Contemporary Art Center revive their flagging tourism economy. prices, displacement from short term lot of changes since these terms were installation “Highway Gothic.” The It was generally agreed that in rentals, and the failure of minimum first created, but participation in series, printed on blue cyanotype film, establishing Prospect New Orleans, the wage jobs in the tourism sector to cover contemporary international art culture concerns animals and people dislocated international art world would be doing the rising costs of living in post-Katrina is still generally limited to those with by the construction of Interstate 10. its part for the recovery effort. New Orleans has drastically shifted considerable means. the conversation around tourism. This It seems unlikely, though, that these While Dan Cameron’s ambitions for March, NOLA.com reported that as of While representatives of the displaced Louisianans, theoretically Prospect.1 may have been a bit high— 2016, when over 10 million visitors came organization have spoken loudly the artists’ subjects, would see the debut show put the organization to the city and spent $7.4 billion, the and often about their commitment themselves reflected in the art alone. almost a million dollars in debt in city has finally broken the pre-Katrina to using art as a platform for larger The blue images of overpasses and pale spite of its critical acclaim—Prospects record for visitors. Then again, once conversations about social justice crawfish silhouettes are appealing, 2 and 3 scaled back and shifted to a hotels, Airbnb, and special purpose and economic disparity, these but enigmatic. Like most conceptual triennial schedule. And after Franklin entities like the Convention Center conversations tend to be more visual artists, Gallagher and Cleijne Sirmans’ widely-acclaimed curation have all taken their cut, the little that is theoretical than concrete, and the rely heavily on obtuse descriptions to of Prospect.3, Prospect New Orleans left of tourist revenue doesn’t go very organization has yet to address how a convey their meaning. How exactly secured a place on artnet News’ top far towards improving the day-to-day temporary influx of wealthy creatives from the visuals could we know 20 international biennials. With its standard of living for New Orleanians should respectfully interact with a that “merging the opposite ends of fourth installment opening this past with the most need. Even if Prospect’s local population dealing with severe traditional and digital imaging, Cleijne

18 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 looks at the effects of our anthropocene genius, but a community coming New Orleans themes tends to get lost in Basel, a legendary three-part art show in the crossing points of nature and together to sustain themselves and the shuffle. Each piece by Prospect.4’s which oversees billions of dollars in culture,” or that Gallagher “brings celebrate being alive. You can’t take 73 international artists is self- contemporary art sales every year, together non-representational formal a second line outside of the context contained; the curators would have had calculates the total take for auctions concerns and charged figuration” to of its neighborhood, let alone state to work harder to find a non-rhetorical and private art sales worldwide as explore a “tension sustained between or country, without diminishing its way to put them in conversation with $56.6 billion. Here in New Orleans, minimalist abstraction and image- power. It takes both creativity and each other. Rather than just displaying one of the most devoted patrons based narratives”? community to deal with the strange and Chief Darryl Montana’s suits in the of the contemporary art scene is numerous challenges of living here, not Old Mint, they could have compared millionaire developer Sean Cummings, One way to look at the disconnect to mention commitment. New Orleans the social impact of a contemporary who recently staged an exclusive P.S. between international art and New art reflects that, and not just in its more art “intervention” and that of a (Prospect Satellite) event in which Orleans culture is in terms of a traditional forms. All kinds of New painstakingly crafted Indian suit, he unveiled a Banksy graffiti mural language barrier. While top-tier artists Orleanians put their time and energy which is paid for out-of-pocket by a that he “discovered” on one of his are chosen from a wide array of nations towards the creative work which makes community low on resources, who will development sites before “installing and ethnicities, they have all agreed on living here worth the hardship, whether then spend thousands of off-the-clock the artifact” at the Cummings a language of abstraction, which gives or not they get money and recognition hours to keep a hundred-year-old International House Hotel. their work equal relevance when it is in return. tradition alive for future generations. shown in Moscow, London, or Havana. Or they could’ve tried asking Monique With the ruling class as gatekeepers, That the contemporary art Prospect.4 There are some phenomenal New Verdin—a Prospect.4 local artist whose it’s hard to imagine anyone intent on favors expresses itself in ways that Orleans artists included in Prospect.4 stirring photography goes hand-in- undermining the power structure are almost completely inaccessible to who could serve as a bridge between hand with her unflinching opposition becoming successful, and this is bound anyone who isn’t familiar with their the two worlds. Michel Varisco is a to the oil industry—what she thinks to compromise global art. New Orleans vocabulary makes it hard to see how it New Orleans-born artist whose work of Tavares Strachan using fossil fuels is one of the few cultural centers in the could reach a wider audience. can be described in abstract terms, to haul five tons of Arctic ice to his art country that genuinely prioritizes free but is rooted in her native landscape. show on the other end of the planet. If expression over money and prestige. If Prospect New Orleans really wanted Her Prospect.4 installation of metal Prospect New Orleans can find a way It takes integrity to put so much of to engage the city in a meaningful prayer wheels along the Lafitte to treat the city as an active participant yourself into work whose only real conversation, it would first have to Greenway, “Turning: Prayer Wheels instead of an exotic backdrop, the payoff is community support and notice that New Orleans artists don’t for the Mississippi,” is conceptually show has a chance to bring a genuinely personal satisfaction. That so much of necessarily speak that language, imaginative, but doesn’t rely on a fresh perspective to the international New Orleans culture operates within its or agree with the biennial on what wordy description to explain itself. biennial circuit. own value system makes it subversive constitutes art and culture. Art Inside the wheels are images of the to the global capitalist model. Even Directors like Franklin Sirmans and Mississippi as it has evolved over Compared to mass incarceration, when it isn’t overtly political, our Trevor Schoonmaker pay lip service time: from its ancient form, to the crumbling infrastructure, and the vision of culture as a collective creation to unique local traditions like second arrival of Europeans, to the present abuses of real estate developers, demonstrates art to be something lines, but they don’t recognize them day destruction by petrochemical Prospect New Orleans may not seem more expansive than the four white as part of a cultural system which companies, the piece bears like much of a threat to the city. But walls of a gallery can hold. If, after a completely contradicts the values unmistakable witness to the river’s the global monoculture represented decade of proselytizing “high art” to of the avant garde. When life is as troubling transformation. by the international art world is fed the provincials, Prospect still hasn’t precarious as it is here, art for art’s by the same billionaires responsible understood that, it is probably time sake stops making sense. Second lines However, the nuance local artists bring for worldwide economic disparities someone set them straight. aren’t about posterity or individual to a Prospect show centered around and environmental degradation. Art

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 19 PUERTO RICO ESTÁ EN TI SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AFTER HURRICANE MARIA WITH PRIMA

by ALYNDA SEGARRA illustrations HAPPY BURBECK

Hurricane Maria struck the island of Puerto Rico on September 20th. Since artists all collaborating. There was Puerto Rico or related to a Puerto then, countless lives have been changed forever and at least 500 people have also an awesome Spanish language Rican who has not felt the weight of died. As a Nuyorican (New Yorker born of Puerto Rican descent) I have hip-hop scene, with great producers this phenomenon. The first month read the news with tears in my eyes. I felt rage and grief for the island of my and MCs that rapped about life and was so surreal, not being able to parents, my ancestors, my people. When I went back out on the road with my politics in P.R. I was pretty inspired communicate with loved ones, and band, Hurray for the Riff Raff, I felt pressured to answer questions I honestly by both these scenes. being glued to our phones looking at did not have the answers to. Throughout my musical career, I stumbled into representing two places I deeply care about but I am not from: New Orleans disaster pics and imagining the worst. and Puerto Rico. These two places made me who I am, but I am their adopted Who are some of the Puerto daughter. So it has been important for me to learn to listen to folks who know Rican artists you look up to? How was the area you are from and not speak on topics I do not fully understand. So with that, I am excited to I have always admired salseros affected? What are some of the share the story and work of Raquel Berrios of the group Buscabulla. Raquel from the Island: Ismael Rivera, experiences of your family and has started an organization called PRIMA (Puerto Rican Independent Roberto Roena, Marvin Santiago, friends? Musicians and Artists)—and who but New Orleans folks can better recognize to name a few. The Salsa era is my The place where I grew up lost so the importance of independent art and music in regards to disaster recovery? favorite in Latin music history many beautiful trees; and to this I could write forever about the similarities I see between the culture and with its coolness and charismatic, day my dad still has no power. histories of Puerto Rico and New Orleans, but I’d rather let Raquel tell her quirky singers. Also Yarimir Cabán Someone told him it could still be story. I’m sure you will find similarities, and I hope you will contribute to MIMA—one of the first girls I saw a month and a half before power is PRIMA and support the artists of Puerto Rico. doing pretty dope original music restored. Everyone describes the on the Island (and an incredibly storm as being the most terrifying talented vocalist and musician). thing they have ever experienced. I’ve lived through crazy hurricanes, First off, please let the readers expectations. People responded When did you start playing music? but friends back home kept saying know about yourself and your and in 2014 the opportunity arose I messed with my dad’s guitar since it had no comparison to previous group Buscabulla, which is to produce our first EP with Dev I was a teen. But it was after 30 that hurricanes. The amount of damage honestly one of my favorite Hynes of Blood Orange. That EP I learned piano and got serious has been pretty unfathomable and bands, ever since I found your was later released by Kitsuné and about writing my own songs. the after-effects have left everyone music through the documentary the momentum has been building tired and depressed. Daily life is Mala Mala years ago. ever since. Our second EP, which we What is the independent music incredibly challenging on so many Buscabulla is the Spanish language produced entirely by ourselves, was scene like on the Island? levels. The already weak economy experimental pop project made self-released in early 2017. It’s small, communal, and very DIY. has been severely hit and things are up by myself and my partner Luis It’s very different from the U.S. very uncertain. Alfredo del Valle. We were both Where are you from in Puerto Rico? independent scene. Many styles born and raised in Puerto Rico but I am from Trujillo Alto, like a 15 coexist in the same spaces because I know you and Luis live in have been based in New York City minute drive from San Juan. Born of its scale; it’s not dominated by NYC; how has the experience for almost a decade. My background and raised. one style of music. It’s electronic, been to be far away while this is in design, and when I met Luis reggae, singer-songwriter, psych, crisis is unfolding? back in 2011 I was collecting What are some of your punk rock, and salsa all mished We felt so helpless when this thing records, DJing, and making weird earliest memories of an artist mashed together. hit. It was not easy to get a ticket demos on my laptop. Luis is a multi- community on the island? and fly home, especially us who instrumentalist and producer and When I was a teenager and in my Please tell us what your have a three-year-old girl. But we had played in bands back in P.R. early 20s, I used to hang out in raves experience has been like since also felt very motivated to find since his early teens. We instantly and clubs in San Juan. There was a Maria hit. ways of helping from a distance, connected musically and started pretty cool independent electronic Maria just messed things up big volunteering time with supplies, making tracks without any real scene, with producers, DJs, and time. I cannot imagine anyone from playing a ton of benefit shows, and

20 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 even starting a fund for independent dedicated to supporting Puerto musicians on the Island. Rican artists in all disciplines for decades. Before Hurricane Maria, the Island was already dealing How can folks help the artists of with issues like the debt crisis, Puerto Rico? rapidly dwindling availability Friends can donate directly through of doctors, and the defunding primafund.org. Because we are of universities. Please tell us partnering with Pregones, the what your perspective of life on donations are 100% tax deductible. the Island was like leading up to The PRIMA fund will provide this disaster. $500 emergency micro grants to Well, all those things are true, but individual independent musicians there was also a lot of optimism based on the Island, with additional too. Small businesses kept popping grants extended to supporters up despite the challenges of of this vital cultural ecosystem: government inefficiency and a DJs, illustrators, graphic and web younger generation was starting designers, sound engineers, music to look at alternative ways of photographers and videographers, creating new economies. People writers, and independent show were starting to understand how producers, who are an integral part important it was to support local of this community. business and farmers and to really work hard and not give in to the What are different organizations temptation of leaving P.R. for better you trust? opportunities. I trust small Island-based organizations that have been doing From your perspectives, how amazing work for the past few years has the distribution of aid been even before the storm hit. Casa handled on the Island? Does it Pueblo is an amazing organization: differ by region? their commitment to Adjuntas Both the P.R. government and U.S. [a municipality in Puerto Rico] government sucked with immediate and their people has been very aid distribution. It’s all you ever "IT IS VERY URGENT inspirational and it shows. I also saw in the news: community after trust Taller Salud in Loiza, and G8 community interviewed and saying in Caño Martin Peña to name a few. how they had seen no government TO KEEP A WHOLE officials in their areas or any aid in What role do you feel art has in weeks. It’s been an organizational GENERATION OF MUSICAL the legacy and also the future of nightmare; they just couldn’t get Puerto Rico? their act together. I think it has CULTURE FROM BEING Our artistic expression has always been pretty inefficient throughout been at the crux of Puerto Rican the entire Island. The most efficient WASHED AWAY." life and identity. My hope for aid distribution has come from the future is that through art we small grass roots efforts from inside can hone in on our truest, most and outside of the Island. righteous collective selves and rise above the tedium of everyday What is your opinion of how the struggles, reaching towards administration has responded to depth journalism. These stories Puerto Rican musicians and artists spiritual fulfillment and a vibrant this crisis? have kept the world informed of are leaving the Island because and exemplary society which we can It feels like they could do more, our situation and has attracted the situation is tremendously all be proud to call our own. be more sensitive to a tragic additional aid and relief efforts. difficult. Many have lost their situation, and quit playing politics gigs, equipment, studios, homes, What is your hope for the future with people’s lives. But the same You have a platform being a and income. The independent of the Island? is true for the government in P.R.. popular musician with a social musician’s way of life was already My hope is that we can harness the If anything, this whole experience media presence. How has that difficult; and after the disaster they talents of millions of Puerto Ricans highlights the need for self- experience been for you since can hardly stay afloat. living abroad, to come back to the reliance and the need to build the hurricane? Island and apply the knowledge sustainable, self-sufficient systems I immediately felt a sense of deep Can you tell us about PRIMA? they’ve amassed toward building a where Puerto Ricans can have responsibility and the need to PRIMA is a musician-led fund to Puerto Rico that inspires the world. real ownership regardless of the use our platforms to inform fans help sustain the independent music participation of the state. and friends of relief efforts, share community in P.R. after Hurricane For more information or to donate to critical news, and announce benefit Maria. PRIMA came about when PRIMA, go to primafund.org. You can Has the mainstream media been shows and charities. There was songwriter Ani Cordero and I were also check out Pregones Puerto Rican sharing accurate information suddenly no space for anything else desperate to help after the storm Traveling Theater at pregonesprtt. about the crisis and the quality in our social networks. Everything ravaged Puerto Rico. In the weeks org; Casa Pueblo at casapueblo.org; of life afterwards? else seemed very shallow. Times following the hurricane, news began and Taller Salud at tallersalud.com. Yes, I think so. The mainstream like these make you realize the trickling in that our friends in the For more info on Buscabulla, check media coverage has been essential power that you have of helping music community were struggling. out buscabulla.com in telling the truth of what has people through your followers It is very urgent to keep a whole been going on in P.R. The local and that just using it for pure self- generation of musical culture from newspaper and some networks on promotion seems like an incredible being washed away. We reached the Island have very strong political waste of data. out to our network of musicians ties with the government and there and friends, brainstorming on was a lot of information that was How have independent artists the best approach, and found an being covered up. I have been very and musicians been affected by eager partner in the Bronx-based surprised with the work of CBS, Hurricane Maria? non-profit Pregones Puerto Rican Huffington Post, etc. and their in- After Hurricane Maria, many Traveling Theater, which has been

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 21 INSTEAD OF USING FORCE, TIGERSWAN USED SOCIAL MEDIA AND FEDERAL FUSION CENTERS TO INFILTRATE CAMPS, PINPOINT PROTESTERS AS TARGETS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND ADVOCATE FOR HIGHER BAILS ONCE PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED.

Dakota on two occasions,’” Blache said. The kicker in all of this is that TigerSwan The company is appealing the decision. did not have a license to operate in the state of North Dakota. As firmly Last September, Democracy Now! embedded as it was in the civic fibers captured footage of private security of that place, TigerSwan had not been guards releasing attack dogs on Dakota given permission to work there by that Access protesters. “Ma’am your dog state’s Board of Private Security—and just bit this protester,” journalist Amy was therefore operating illegally. When Goodman says to a dog handler just TigerSwan finally applied to work in before the situation escalates and the the state, the board took issue with the dogs attack further. “The dog has blood failure of its founder and chairman, in its nose and its mouth!” she says, James Reese, to disclose his criminal “Why are you letting your dog go after history. Reese, an Army Delta Force the protesters? It’s covered in blood,” veteran who held high level positions at she yells. Blackwater, was arrested for assaulting a woman in 2015 and had a restraining While TigerSwan was not responsible order filed against him in 2012. This for the dogs (an Ohio-based kennel is summer, shortly after the leaks were under investigation for the attacks), published, the North Dakota Private TigerSwan was hired by Energy Investigation and Security Board filed Transfer Partners shortly afterward suit against TigerSwan and Reese. to corral security efforts among at And in October, four Pennsylvania least seven different private security residents filed a lawsuit in federal companies along the pipeline. What court against TigerSwan and Energy ensued was less bloody but more Transfer Partners for surveillance and insidious. In an internal intelligence information gathering abuses. update last October, the company wrote about how it would deal with This summer, when it came to light protesters: “The use of force or that TigerSwan was applying for a death of a protester will result in the permit to work in Louisiana, it felt at immediate halt of DAPL operations, first like just another wallop of industry BIG BROTHER for BIG OIL which will likely permanently halt that one is accustomed to here. But what the TigerSwan saga means for the DAPL operations.” Instead of using still, the prospect of that kind of force, TigerSwan used social media influence by a petrochemical company and federal Fusion Centers to infiltrate in a petrochemical state, where law BAYOU BRIDGE PIPELINE camps, pinpoint protesters as targets enforcement already incarcerates by JEAN MORPHY illustrations KIERNAN DUNN for law enforcement, and advocate for more people than anywhere else on the higher bails once people were arrested. planet, is terrifying. One TigerSwan TigerSwan, LLC—the same private promised investors that construction report from February of this year reads: security firm that targeted protesters on Bayou Bridge would start by That strategy came to light in more than at Standing Rock—has set its sights on December and that oil would flow by 100 internal TigerSwan documents While we can expect to see the Louisiana, and the only technicality the summer of 2018, indicating that leaked to The Intercept and Grist, which continued spread of the anti-DAPL standing in its way is a small state office the company believes its final permit, offer a rare look at how a $51 billion diaspora… aggressive intelligence in Baton Rouge. The firm is Energy the Section 408 from the Corps of pipeline corporation manipulated preparation of the battlefield Transfer Partners’ hired gun; and in Engineers, is imminent. a democratic process using a hired and active coordination between Standing Rock, it used military-style security force. One leaked TigerSwan intelligence and security elements surveillance tactics that weaponized In Louisiana, fusion between oil and “intelligence update” recounts a are now a proven method of law enforcement and the court system government is just business as usual. meeting between the company and the defeating pipeline insurgencies. to suppress protests and advance So it was a shock when in June, the North Dakota Bureau of Investigation the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Louisiana State Board of Private “regarding video and still photo In the grand scheme of this eroding TigerSwan, last valued at $35 million, Security Examiners denied TigerSwan’s evidence collected for prosecution.” state, the impact of TigerSwan’s is a private security company with license to operate in the state. When The document says TigerSwan would license denial seems exceptionally operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. asked about TigerSwan’s pending “continue building Person of Interest small. But there are indications that It has already been hired by Energy license application, the director of the (POI) folders and coordination with [law TigerSwan has already been operating Transfer Partners to work in North board, Fabian Blache, told me, “Their enforcement] intelligence.” in South Louisiana. Earlier this year, Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, license application is not pending. a seemingly unremarkable public and Pennsylvania to monitor pipeline It’s denied.” He cited the company’s The leaks demonstrate how Energy comment during a Bayou Bridge projects in those states. As the Bayou illegal operation and licensing issues Transfer Partners, through its hearing in Napoleonville turned out Bridge pipeline nears construction in North Dakota. In addition, Blache contracted security partner, morphed to have a TigerSwan connection. A here, activists are taking note. said the company essentially lied on into a militarized surveillance unit silver-haired man in a suit took the mic its application about their legal issues embedded in a ring of government law during the public commentary period While TigerSwan’s permit has been in North Dakota. The application asks enforcement. One TigerSwan situation and introduced himself as a 34-year denied, the Louisiana Department of whether the company has ever had report from September 12 documents veteran of the military. “I have spent Environmental Quality already issued “any work credential suspended... or the placement of a company liaison most of my life on the edges of the one major permit for the Bayou Bridge otherwise restricted by any state or inside of a law enforcement Joint universe where bad things occur,” he Pipeline. The final permit standing authorizing agency at any time.” Operations Center. Another shows said. He asked, “What do China, Russia, between Energy Transfer Partners an email from a Cass County Sheriff’s Saudi Arabia, and the United States and the pipeline is still pending and “Having been denied twice in North Deputy to the FBI about a woman they have in common?” (someone in the could be released by the Army Corps Dakota, the answer there would have labeled as a “strong Shia Islamic.” The audience yelled “Dictatorship!”), and of Engineers at any moment. In more appropriately been, ‘Yes, we’ve officer wrote that the information came November, Energy Transfer Partners been denied for a license in North from “company intel” inside the camp. cont'd on pg. 31

22 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 The Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO) is a broad-based coalition and registered 501c3 non-profit corporation that collaborates with, organizes, and empowers the New Orleans music and cultural community to preserve and nurture the city’s culture, to translate community vision into policy change, and to create positive economic impact.

I do those songs there’s the people in the culture within the city or talking about VOTE: Voice Of the Tenured Entertainer audience that start squirming and it makes living wages— them feel uncomfortable and I love that. I All of those things need to be addressed. Yes, An Interview with Arséne Delay love it because it’s making them feel some I strongly believe we all need to be paid a by RENARD BRIDGEWATER for MaCCNO photo JEN HAYES of STAY POSH PRODUCTIONS type of way. Music has the power to do that living wage because when all of us are paid a and look at the history of what we do. How living wage, the things that we can focus on I briefly met Arséne Delay late last year as she was setting up for an evening performance at many times have we been able to change instead of just focusing on survival. I don’t Buffa’s shortly after a MaCCNO community meeting with a couple dozen street performers. people’s perception through music? I think see that happening any time soon because Nearly a year later, Arséne, the youngest of the world-renowned Boutté vocalists, continues that’s becoming more and more prevalent of the fact that we’re a blue dot in a red sea. to engage and entertain audiences whether during solo sets or as a member/co-creator of the these days because right now we have so It’s not the support of the city but the lack genre-blending Bayou Saints. Delay sat down with me to discuss how she would like to see many people in higher offices who are not of support from the state. Until the good musicians and culture bearers benefit from our new mayoral administration, the differences listening. The voices of protest are going to old boys realize just how much money New between New Orleans’ and L.A.’s music industry scenes, and the way live music can heal continue to get louder and louder. That’s Orleans makes for Louisiana and get to the listeners during today’s tumultuous political climate among other topics. Look for her full what happens. The protest happens and the point where they would support it. I don’t interview on our site (maccno.com) soon. choice is this: you either listen to the protest see that happening in my lifetime. or you ignore it to the point that riots start happening because that’s how close it is.

Yeah, that’s the evolution. That’s the evolution of it. When you stop listening, the voices get louder and the voices become physical. UBUNTU VILLAGE SAT 12/2, 10 A.M. - 12 P.M. Let’s say May 2019 or even May 2020, Ubuntu Village Open House what would you like to see from a policy 403 N. Galvez St. perspective that affects musicians and culture bearers? CONGO SQUARE PRESERVATION SOCIETY SUN 12/3, 1 P.M. I’d like to see some major steps taken to deal Congo Square with the gentrification issue. I live in the 7th Code Noir Outdoor Historic Drama Ward and I see it on a daily basis. I see the facebook.com/events/557920744557390 neighborhood changing drastically. On one hand, I’m happy that blighted properties are MACCNO getting flipped. What I don’t like is flipping THURS 12/7, 5 P.M. these houses and then using them for Airbnb New Orleans Jazz Market purposes, putting this transient vibe in my Holiday Happy Hour Fundraiser Arséne Delay: I’ve lost faith in politics on environment. We are healers and that’s neighborhood. My family has been in that bit.ly/MACCNOHHH the national level. I have seen and witnessed neighborhood for definitely over a century something that’s definitely overlooked, but ORLEANS PARISH PRISON REFORM first hand, work on the local level. Going if we’re going to take it out of the context and we’ve gone through good and bad. I COALITION into City Hall and watching the process of the tourism dollars that we generate for don’t have a whole lot of stuff against them, SAT 12/16, 1 P.M. with my own eyes. I know that it can work, a second, yes, absolutely we heal. Music is especially for friends who are renting out 2022 St. Bernard Ave. but for it to work effectively people have like church. People come year after year and a room or my musician friends who are on Shut Down TDC! Evacuate OPP! Community to be involved. You can’t just take the New Orleans is so many people’s’ mecca. I’m tour and trying to make a little side hustle Teach-In ignorant plea. “Well, I don’t really mess a Threadhead [a fan-funded and volunteer- to make ends meet, but that whole thing with politics.” Why? It affects you. If you run record company formed out of the love needs to be heavily reformed. I think there’s THURS 12/21, 4 - 8 P.M. don’t want to mess with politics then don’t for New Orleans music and its musicians] a middle ground that can be met. Getting rid The Rusty Nail Holiday Happy Hour Fundraiser be a part of society, which is going to be very artist. It’s like their souls are fed. They come of the need for live music permits. I am in full difficult to do. If you want to be a part of a in and they leave rejuvenated. Some people support of that because when you relegate NEW ORLEANS WORKERS GROUP community, then this is your civic duty. And take vacations to far off lands. Some people music to a district, you’re doing the rest of SUN 12/10, 6 P.M. especially as a Black woman in America, come to New Orleans and douse themselves the city a disservice. Remember there are 2372 St. Claude Ave. I am well-versed on the fight for not only in music for days. people who live here, who go to see live music Why Are US Troops All Over Africa Group Forum women to be able to vote but especially for the same way people go to the movies. That Black people to vote and especially the shit What do you think is a musician’s is the culture here and they should be able to NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS CLINIC that’s still going on in the South to suppress responsibility during this political go to wherever their neighborhood bar is and TUES 12/12, 3 - 6 P.M. that vote. This is not something that I take climate? hear a band and then stumble home if they Ace Hotel The Woot Down II for granted. You have to think about who’s I’m not one for speaking for all musicians want to. We should be able to spread that out the person that’s going to listen to the since we aren’t monolithic. I think this is because it gives musicians the opportunity WED 12/20, 9 P.M. - Midnight opinion of what I have to say and not totally why MaCCNO’s work is so important and so to play elsewhere. There’s a ton of money Holiday Sing-a-Long with special guests agree with me. Is this person capable of necessary. I feel very strongly about my civic to be made between French Quarter Fest 3keysnola.com changing their mind? I think those are the duties. I don’t think it’s a privilege. That is and Jazz Fest. Those tickets are way more important characteristics to look for when a choice that I’ve made. I’ve also gotten to than what people can afford on their salaries FRI - SAT 12/22 - 23, 7:30 P.M. you are talking about a politician in the true a point in my life and even in my career, I here locally. So all of a sudden you’re making Le Petit Theatre sense, somebody who is going to be about don’t need everyone to like me. There’s a the art form inaccessible to the masses. It Christmas without Tears “the people” who understands this is a job lot of people that don’t have the luxury of becomes a thing of elitism. That’s not right; lepetittheatre.com when you are serving. it’s not fair, and it’s not good for passing our being able to say that. I know I can’t pick my STEP UP LA fans and if my fans get pissed off because culture along because those little kids that FRI 12/15, 6 P.M. Do you see musicians, especially in our I say something political, that’s not my are able to walk through the neighborhood Bofaft Hall city, being therapeutic healers in that problem. Speaking up means that when and hear musicians practicing or peek into a 1st Annual Step Up LA Gala type of way? you post political things on social media bar room and see the band playing. They’re facebook.com/events/137755143547319 Absolutely, even if they’re not aware as a musician, people say “I just need you affected by that and it should be accessible of it. I can’t tell you how many times to sing music.” And I’m like, that’s not how to them. This page is provided to MaCCNO someone’s spirit was lifted for whatever this works and for you to sit here and tell as a community service and does not reason whether they were going through me that, that lets me know you haven’t paid Thinking about accessibility for whom necessarily reflect the opinions or something difficult in their own lives or attention to the musical choices that I’ve regardless if we’re talking about editorial policies of ANTIGRAVITY just affected by their current situation or made or the songs that I have written. When housing, being able to see, feel and hear

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 23 24 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 DMX at House of Blues (photo by Casey Shaw)

The No Ring Circus: Clowns at The Fortress of Lushington (photo by Lenore Seal)

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 25 Trampoline Team at Parisite Skatepark for C Rage Records Fest (photo by Zach Brien) Trampoline Team at Parisite Skatepark for C Rage Records Fest (photo by Zach Brien) Black and Brown Sex Workers First Annual Second Line, hosted by Women With A Vision and BreakOUT! (photo by Lyn Archer)

Tori Amos at the Mahalia Jackson Theater (photo by Brandt Vicknair)

28 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 29 SINCERELY JOKING: an interview with HARI KONDABOLU by ANDRU OKUN illustrations VICTORIA ALLEN

It takes a special kind of wit to be successful as a standup comedian with an son of immigrants but he disowned his a situation, do they deserve a shot, act that includes diatribes on colonialism, gun control, and police brutality. name. He seems to play this role where and how am I going to do it without For Hari Kondabolu, a 35-year-old Queens-bred comic and filmmaker with he’s like, “I’m like you [white people],” stepping on other people. I don’t want a Masters in Human Rights, insights into these types of weighty issues rather than being like, “We have to step on a marginalized group to seem to come as second nature. Influenced by the likes of Stewart Lee different cultures and we’ll integrate support a marginalized group. Before and Margaret Cho, Kondabolu is forthright with his political beliefs. His into yours and I hope you’ll show me I understood what intersectionality jokes are delivered without pretense. Whether he’s talking about race as a the respect of trying to understand was as a clearly defined concept, I knew social construct or the cheeky text messages he receives from his mother, mine.” There was a time where you that was the approach I wanted to take. Kondabolu relies on sincerity to get you to the punchline. He has three supported people from your culture Maybe some of it is growing up in New comedy albums under his belt as well as his own Comedy Central special. or your race because you had to. There York and being exposed to so many He’s also made multiple late night show appearances, including Conan and was nobody else to support, whether different people and being raised by Late Show with David Letterman. His most recent work is a documentary you agreed with them or not. I think my mom and how open she is. Part of it examining Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the convenience store owner from Bobby Jindal tests that solidarity, is also growing up in a time where I’ve The Simpsons. With thoughtfulness and humor, The Problem With Apu because we can’t do it! So many of us had access to more information and picks apart and questions the significance of the controversial caricature are like, “Naw, man. Fuck that. There people. All these things made me know that is Apu, an Indian American stereotype voiced by a white actor. I must be somebody else.” [laughs] I that there must be a better way than recently caught up with the comedian to talk about his new film, his parents, mean, this guy is everything that many just throwing somebody else under the and why making people laugh is important. of us are against. bus. When you don’t have the typical outs comedians can take, with regards Your dad visited Louisiana in the ‘70s. true. There’s certain issues on stage How do your parents feel about to throwing somebody under to get Would you mind telling that story? that, depending on where I am, can Bobby Jindal? laughs, it makes it harder creatively, but My father has a habit of not telling get tricky. The race stuff actually goes They don’t like him either. I don’t also more challenging and interesting. me things until well after the fact. So over all right because I think there’s a think my mom particularly liked maybe five or six years ago, my father familiarity with it. Sometimes when I the hashtag. There’s a meanness in Why do you think humor is a good told me that his first year in America talk about sexuality or gender, people it. To me, if you’re willing to talk so tool for discussing politics? was spent in Louisiana, which I had get tight. But when you’re in big cities, harshly about deporting immigrants I think it allows you more room, absolutely no clue about. I’d just it’s so cosmopolitan with people from and undocumented people, to talk so because people are willing to listen assumed he’d always been in Queens. all over the place that the local feel brazenly about assimilation in a way if they trust there’s going to be a So he was in a small town called of a place is limited. So yeah, I’ll be that doesn’t even consider your own laugh. You can go on a soapbox and Independence, just trying to figure performing in New Orleans but half family’s journey or have sympathy say whatever you want, but if people out what to do and what his life was the audience won’t even be from there. for the other families that weren’t as aren’t listening it doesn’t do anything. going to be like. On a walk one day, an I’m being generous to say just half. privileged as yours, then you should It’s like those people standing on old white lady on a porch was staring And they’re fun shows, but part of me have to deal with people being mean the street corner screaming about at him. She called him over and said, wonders what would it be like if I really to you. I have no political power. He’s repenting and finding Jesus. That’s not “Excuse me. Are you Chinese?” And had to connect with people that are the guy with the political power. So effective. No one’s listening. People my father was very confused. He told from a place. But that’s not where I’m if you’re going to act that way, you’re are annoyed. At the end of the day, you her he wasn’t Chinese, he was Indian. getting booked. The demand is for big at least going to take shots from your need to reach people where they’re at. I think he asked her, “Miss, do you cities, so that’s where I go. community on the internet. People, especially when they come to own a television?” because if she had a comedy show, want to be at a place had a television she might have known You’re responsible for creating You typically have a “do no harm” where they’re laughing and they’re that he was not Chinese. But it was #BobbyJindalIsSoWhite, a hashtag approach to comedy. comfortable. I don’t say things in order another era, it was the ‘70s, and I don’t that will likely follow around the Right, unless somebody deserves the to influence opinion, but I do say things think there were many other Indians former Louisiana governor for the harm or the damage. You go where from the heart and I know I can get around there. People used to come rest of his career. A lot of social the power is. Jindal is a person in away with it because there’s a joke at up to my father and ask him, “Do you media, Twitter especially, centers power, a person that is paraded out the end. I can share what I truly believe know Dr. Rao?”—like all Indians know around making fun of politicians. as a representative of Indian people because there’s going to be a punchline. each other. But at that time, yeah, he What do you think set this hashtag or people of color on the Right. I feel It’s going to be an enjoyable journey. did know Dr. Rao. He knew the other apart and caused it go viral? like there’s a righteous target there. If Indian people there, because there Well, there’s Brown Twitter, which I you’re going to go after somebody, go I imagine there’s a level of were so few of them. don’t think I fully understood at the after someone that deserves it. vulnerability that comes with time. There’s a whole community of performing as a standup comedian, As a touring comedian, what are your South Asian Americans and South The dynamics of power is which in turn could allow people to thoughts on performing in the South? Asians on there. The hashtag was something you seem to talk about a make themselves more vulnerable Each part of the South is very even trending in India. I think there’s lot in your work. and more receptive as a result, even different. I’m playing cities mostly, a large percentage of people that are My standup is very much about if the ideas challenge their current and occasionally I’ll do a college town. very embarrassed by him and that’s power. There’s an ethos there. A big set of beliefs. People are polite, that’s certainly why the hashtag went viral. He is the part is figuring out who has power in That for me is the harder thing. I feel

30 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 ru TV TIGERSWAN cont'd from pg. 22

the man proceeded to make the case for domestic security through energy independence.

Soon after, in an opinion piece released PHOTO COURTESY T PHOTO COURTESY in the Lafayette’s Daily Advertiser, that same person published a similar argument and added the spectre of “protesters trespassing, interrupting the local flow of traffic, and generally injecting elements of fear and the unknown into [residents’] daily lives.” He added, “Many of these protesters are not native Louisianans, and do not understand the important role that energy infrastructure plays in the economy of this state.” His name is James “Spider” Marks, and he’s from Northern Virginia (where he presumably lives on high ground and does not understand the important role "I DON’T SAY THINGS IN ORDER TO INFLUENCE OPINION, BUT that energy infrastructure plays in the drowning of this state). The newspaper I DO SAY THINGS FROM THE HEART AND I KNOW I CAN GET labeled his affiliation as “a retired U.S. Army major general,” but it did not AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE THERE’S A JOKE AT THE END." mention his position as chair of the TigerSwan Advisory Board. like I’ve always been personal with my That I’m a person raised by humans Was the realisation that Apu is points of view regarding issues, but the that helped shape him and love him. modern day minstrelsy a gradual Cherri Foytlin, a central organizer thing I’m trying to do more—that I’ve There’s something relatable there. realization? Or were you able to against the Bayou Bridge Pipeline, told done with my documentary and a lot of And I think that’s part of it, just talking recognize it as such right away? me, “I’m sure someone’s working here, the new standup I’m writing—is to to about relationships. I was a kid, so I didn’t see it right away. ‘cause I’ve seen people taking pictures figure out how to let people know that By the time I realized what Apu was, I from cars, and I’ve seen things to know I’m also vulnerable. How do I let people Based on what you’ve learned about was probably ten or eleven. I didn’t know that someone’s been hired and given know that I’m also like them? That even Hank Azaria, the voice actor behind what minstrelsy was, but I knew the some money to harass or intimidate if we differ on certain things, at the The Simpsons’ Apu, what do you Apu character was a negative depiction or generally know the whereabouts core there’s a lot of similar things we’re think he’ll make of The Problem and a stereotype. I knew it made me of people involved in this struggle.” all dealing with. We all have worries With Apu? uncomfortable and made fun of me and Photographers have followed her on the and anxieties. We all have parents. I’m I feel like he already made his mind my family. That’s what I knew as a kid. interstate and in the parking lot of her trying to incorporate that more into my up to some degree that he’s not going When I started studying film history and local bank with her two kids. Someone standup, which has taken a long time, to like it because he didn’t want stories about representation, I learned posted photos of her house online. And because I’m almost more comfortable to be a part of it. This film is about about the history of minstrelsy. I don’t in July, an anonymous person reported talking about things I care passionately accountability and reconciliation. think Apu is equivalent to the minstrelsy Foytlin to the Department of Children about rather than talking about myself. It’s about adults talking to each other we saw in the past, where it’s just a white and Family Services for neglect of her It’s not that I’m hiding behind them, and actually understanding context dude and paint. The cartoon serves as an children. A series of videos targeting and but you don’t ever get to truly see my and history and a lot of complicated intermediary and it’s different. I think defaming her were subsequently posted vulnerabilities. I think I’ve been trying feelings. I feel that he did himself the experience of being Black and the online. An in-depth report of those videos to make myself more vulnerable and a disservice, but I also think he’s experience of being South Asian is very in Paste Magazine linked the work to trust the audience more. I think there’s done a lot of people a disservice different, but I do think Apu is part of a TigerSwan’s “reputation initiatives.” something powerful in that. because it would have been a really larger legacy that dates back to minstrelsy. great conversation to have. I’m not Foytlin said, “Just ‘cause TigerSwan’s How do you do that? somebody who attacks. If he had said Rand Paul brought you up during not gonna get a deal here, which I You have to share. I didn’t talk about yes, the film would have had a different the Benghazi hearings, criticizing really don’t think they’re going to at my parents for a long time, about energy. The goal is always to have a a 2012 comedy tour you were this point, it doesn’t mean that other their immigration and their struggle. conversation. My hope was that if part of that travelled to India and groups won’t be brought in or other I kept thinking I would be accused of we could have a public conversation was sponsored by the U.S. State people paid. We’re being realistic about being hacky because I was the child of about something that’s relatively Department. What did you think that.” When asked what kind of effect immigrants talking about his parents. small—even if we didn’t come to a when you heard the recent news the surveillance has on her, she said, There’s a certain stigma around that. clear resolution but came to some sort that he’d been angrily tackled by his “It is creepy as hell.” But in a way, she is Sure, the execution can be hacky, like of understanding—that’d be huge. It Socialist neighbor? glad her opposition is getting noticed. using an accent or oversimplifying would give everyone an example that I mean, I don’t want anyone to get “It’s a sign that we’re doing good. We’re them as human beings. But if a white you can challenge something, you can hurt, but at the same time... I guess talking about 700 different waterways. comic tells a joke about his parents question an institution, and you can I wish I could have just seen it. A We’re trying to protect all these that’s just a part of their routine. If actually get to a point where you’re Socialist tackling a Libertarian sounds cultures and all these people that keep I do, it’s hacky? As I’ve gotten older, having a meaningful conversation fascinating. getting crapped on by all this industry I’ve realized I’m being absurd. You without fear. That to me would have anyway. That’s a lot.” see so many different comics talking been a really cool ending. I think we Hari Kondabolu performs at the Joy Theater about their parents. And you know would have disagreed or there would on Sunday, December 10. His documentary why? Because they’re parents—a have been some awkwardness, but The Problem With Apu is currently airing on fundamental part of the human ultimately those are the kinds of truTV. For more info, visit harikondabolu.com experience. When I talk about my mom, conversations that move the world there’s lots of complexity. Also, no forward: people talking to each other one thinks about the immigrant mom and asking hard questions. Trying to being brilliant and funny and sharp. understand intent. I know I’m putting And when I make fun of my dad, it’s not myself on the line making this film. A because he’s an immigrant, it’s because lot of people aren’t going to like the he’s oblivious. That’s an archetype: fact that I made a film that is in any brilliant mom and clueless dad. Why do way critical of The Simpsons. Also the I shy away from that? Even though to racial component never sits well with some people it’s not the most brave, it’s a lot of people, but I put my butt on the enough that people are able to relate. line because it’s worth it.

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 31 ZACH QUINN & A PAIR PHOTO: JARED LANDRY by WILLIAM ARCHAMBEAULT

On an average night, PEARS frontman Zach Quinn is twisting and ZQ: I thought it would be an with somebody who you grew up turning his shirtless body against a grimy stage, thrashing to the sound interesting thing to try again. I’ve only listening to? of frantic hardcore punk. Whipping his arms back and forth, Zach is an been particularly happy with the level ZQ: It’s crazy, man. Once you’re in the assault of a frontman. PEARS’ tunes are fast, aggressive, and just don’t of my songwriting for a few years. I situation, in a way, you’re removed let up, much like their touring schedule. In the summer of 2014, the feel like the first thing I did, that I from it because, at this point, seeing band hopped in the van to tour and have rarely left its (lack of ) comfort really loved the songs and ways they people like Joey or [other] people in since. Last year, Zach added more to his busy schedule by venturing out came out, was the Little Bags record. It bands that I grew up listening to is as a solo artist, teaming up with Joey Cape, the mastermind behind ‘90s didn’t come out until this year [2016] kind of commonplace now because it punk group Lagwagon, to record and release his debut solo album One but we wrote that stuff in 2013. So I’ve happens to us a lot. That shock and awe Week Record. A solo show at Hey! Cafe offered a dramatically different really only been writing stuff that I’m about it doesn’t happen every time, vibe than PEARS’ sets. Instead of confronting the crowd with his intense super happy with for a few years and but there are moments where I step presence, Zach nervously strummed his guitar, hiding behind it like I was like, “Maybe I should try doing outside myself and I’m like, “Oh my a shy child meeting strangers. In late 2016, I met up with Zach; he it on my own again.” I really like the god! This is fucking nuts!” Or me and requested we meet somewhere hooligans would be prone to hang out, way it came out. Obviously working Joey will be talking about a melody so we met in front of an abandoned church. Over beer and coffee, we with Joey Cape was an incredible and he’ll be like, “What if it goes like discussed his work with PEARS, the struggles of non-stop touring, and experience and it helped immensely. this,” and it’s a total Lagwagon thing. his venture into the unknown. I wasn’t even really working alone I’m like, “Oh my god! This is the guy because he was very involved in from fucking Lagwagon!” [laughs] ... fleshing out what the songs became. When I step outside of myself and think PEARS has toured almost and so my feelings and my pain or about it, twelve-year-old me would constantly for the last two years. inability to deal with stuff in general “Jinx” is about your cat. Could you have keeled over and died if I had found How does it feel to actually be home is kind of an afterthought. There’s talk about that song? out that this was something that I was for a little while? something more important at play. I ZQ: Yeah. I had that cat for a few years. gonna do. But all the work required Zach Quinn: Strange, man. You know just keep that in mind and try to keep It was my ex’s cat and I took the cat to get here has me like, “I wish I could in Shawshank Redemption they let my own shit on the backburner. in the breakup because me and that be more excited about it.” But now that old man out of prison and it’s cat just bonded on some incredible it’s something that I do. It kind of de- this sad subplot? They leave the main Has that gotten easier since PEARS level. I love that cat very much, but mystified the whole thing. Andy Dufresne plot for a minute and started touring two years ago? once PEARS started touring very he’s working in the grocery store ZQ: Definitely. I feel like I made some often… for a while I was having my Your solo record is entitled One and he doesn’t know what to do with significant improvements with being roommates take care of her. If none Week Record. Could you talk a bit himself. He’s just like, “I wish I could on the road this year. Definitely earlier of my roommates were home, I had about that? just go back to prison.” And then he on in the game, when it started to get people coming a couple times a day to ZQ: All of those records [on Cape’s label] eventually just hangs himself in his grueling, I didn’t know how to handle feed her and give her medicine, but it are just called One Week Record, which room. I’m being dramatic but it kinda it and I was very unpleasant. It was just became so convoluted and difficult begs the question, “What’s the second feels like that, like I’ve almost been van unpleasant for me to hang out with me. that eventually I was like, “I have to one gonna be called?” One Week Record institutionalized now. It’s strange being I can’t imagine how my bandmates felt. give the cat to somebody who can watch Two? I don’t know how that works. I back. It’s nice to have the free time. I Now, it’s getting easier. Towards the the cat full-time.” That’s what that know Chris [Cresswell] has done more wish I knew what to do with it. end of this last long haul, we could see song’s about and about just feeling like than one. The concept behind Joey’s the light at the end of the tunnel. We once again I’m not able to be present One Week Records project is he’ll have How do you handle being on the were going to be home for a minute and for something. Historically, it’s been for an artist come up for one week, either road for so long? so it became fun again, which was really people. I haven’t been able to be there with completed material or incomplete ZQ: I don’t, is the secret. There’s some nice because sometimes it really just for people for whatever reason because material. I came up with a handful of points where it’s easier than others isn’t fun. It’s hard. I’m a work in progress. both. Essentially, you have one week and sometimes it just gets really, really to make the record happen. The idea is dark. I try to think, what I’m working You used to release a lot of solo You and the rest of PEARS to get simplified versions of songs, stay on is bigger than me. We’re a sum of our material back in the day. Why did grew up listening to bands like parts and I’m just a part of this machine you decide to return to that now? Lagwagon. How did it feel to work cont'd on pg. 43

32 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 PHOTO: DOUG REIMER & NICK WILSON

BRIAN PRETUS: OF PEARS

A hefty onslaught rushes from guitarist Brian Pretus’ amps. Sweat Everyone likes it. We like it. It makes You told me that PEARS plans to drenches his sleeveless black tee as his hands race up and down the whole thing fun rather than taking start touring more internationally. the neck of a Gibson SG. Bodies flail in all directions. The division yourself super seriously. We just want Are there any countries in between crowd and band blur to the point where no one is safe. For to do what we think is fun and we like particular that you want to visit? Brian, it’s just another day at work as part of PEARS. Since breaking ripping off other bands and making BP: Yeah. Japan, South America—that’s up their pop-punk group the Lollies and forming PEARS in 2014, them look like idiots. Some people dig a continent but there are a handful of Zach and Brian have made the road their home. A relentless touring it. Some people don’t. But as long as we countries in South America [that we schedule earned the New Orleans group a record deal with famed do, everything’s cool. want to play in]. Asia, Russia. We’re punk label Fat Wreck Chords and spots on tours with the likes of going to go back to Australia eventually. Rise Against, NOFX, and Lagwagon. While touring Europe in How do you feel you’ve grown as a We haven’t done a Mexico tour yet. November with Rise Against, they played their largest show to date, songwriter since the Lollies? Where do I want to go? Pretty much in front of 12,000 people. Their new release Human Movement, BP: Oh man. I was a terrible anywhere else that will have us. North a full-length split with Direct Hit!, captures the band’s signature songwriter back then. I barely wrote Korea for sure. We definitely want to blitzkrieg. In late October, during a rare moment of freedom before anything. I was mostly focused on play there. their show at the Marquis Theater in Denver, Brian opened up about partying. But, especially writing with life on the road and one ill-fated hard drive. Zach for so long, it’s pretty easy to Would you say that playing North get better at it. I’ve definitely learned Korea is PEARS’ ultimate goal? a lot from a lot of people since the BP: Yeah. That’s always been the Lollies. I think I can write better ultimate goal. [laughs] We’ll do it one Since 2014, PEARS has toured Zach told me that PEARS’ last songs than before because before I day. We might get blown to smithereens almost non-stop. How do you album underwent rigorous was basically nothing. but we’ll play! handle such an intense schedule? rewriting and was a difficult but Brian Pretus: For me, I just try rewarding process. How was writing Last winter, you worked as a Before PEARS started, the Lollies to enjoy stuff a little bit every day this split different than writing songwriter for hire online. What spent a lot of time working on a because a lot of it sucks: being in Green Star [PEARS’ second album]? did you learn from that process? final album. Will that album ever the van forever and all the down BP: This one was pretty different. We BP: That was great. I thought it come out? time. For me, weed helps a lot. At had a time crunch on it. We had to plan. would be weird at first but it ended BP: No. I wish it could but it’s from least, we’re here with our buddies. We had to write a certain number of up being really good songwriting another time and we’re not in that A lot of bands are touring around songs in a certain amount of time. We practice: writing different lengths headspace anymore. We had pretty with a bunch of dudes they barely just crunched down and did it as fast of songs and having to fit in certain much finished it. I had rejoined the band even know. I can’t even imagine how as we could. It’s the same style process themes in a certain amount of time. half-way through the recording and miserable that is. we had with Go to Prison [PEARS’ first It’s tricky but it’s kind of like putting nearly finished it. Then there was some album], where we had a deadline and a puzzle together. kind of storm that fried the hard drive You’ve toured with some of had to finish stuff. But just because of that it was on, so we lost six months’ your heroes. Do you ever feel that, doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice How do you feel New Orleans has worth of work. Starting at that point intimidated by the bills you’re on? the quality of the contents. We actually shaped you musically? again would be a huge waste of time, BP: Not intimidated. It’s more of a have to sit there and write it instead of BP: It’s definitely made me, since I when we could be writing new stuff. surreal feeling, getting to play with sitting there, writing it, and letting it was a kid, be more open to new things, It’s not really good to be dwelling on all those big bands and getting to play stir for a while. I like writing both ways. more so than other people would. stuff from the past. We’re finding that in front of all their fans. It’s pretty It keeps things different all the time so Having come from such a rich cultural making something cool right now and easy. When we were touring with it doesn’t get boring. background with all kind of things: then moving onto the next thing is best. NOFX, we were pretty nervous at the zydeco, blues, brass, jazz, whatever. And not getting stuck in a loop of anxiety beginning but, once it got going, we I’ve noticed that quite a few PEARS Having that as the foundation for about the quality of your own material. were like wow! This is exactly where songs contain Easter egg style a guy that ends up in a punk band we need to be. It’s pretty easy. Just references to other tunes. Why do doesn’t happen many times. I think Do you think that hard drive crash doing what we were supposed to be you do that? that might be part of the reason our doing in the first place. BP: Because it’s awesome. [laughs] band is so weird. cont'd on pg. 43

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 33 you reference him by saying, “My only and self-deprecation. And wrestling. And influence is the greatest fucker alive.” weed. Ask us to go bowl for bowl with you!” What are some of his most Etsy cross They introduced themselves by asking, “Are stitch worthy quotes? you guys HiGH? We’re a weed band too!” A Craig Oubre: There are so many, but I really friendship was instantly formed, and back like, ”I gotta keep my poison levels up.” That’s pain was instantly numbed. not about cranking up some Bret Michaels; it’s about drinking beer in the morning and The Wilbury had provided free pulled pork alternating it with coffee, a whole bottle of burritos and pizza for all the bands. When rum, the occasional joint, and cigs to make it was time to pack up, Izzy scavenged a pan sure you have the right levels of toxins all day. of pulled pork, slaw, and tortillas to bring back to our apartment-like hotel. We hung — out around the fire pit, shivering while he smoked and ate burritos. While the pork Craig picked me up early in the GMC Safari may have been free for Isidore, the rest of minivan that was once filled with Catholic us paid for it by inhaling cold pork farts propaganda from its previous owner throughout the night. (Craig’s grandmother) but was now just filled with the lingering stain of Catholic That morning we drove to Athens, Georgia BEEN THERE, DONE THAT guilt and branded as the “Winnedago,” where Christian DeRoeck, of a ton of embracing the slur levied at Craig’s family’s bands—but it’s his band Little Gold that New Orleans-Italian heritage. gets me, especially their perfect driving album, Spectral Sight —booked HiGH’s Perhaps it was instant karma for Josh’s show at the Little Kings Shuffle Club. apparently ingrained inability to close On the drive, Josh introduced me to one of GOT THE T-SHIRT things (pistachio bags, sunflower seed bags, his favorite forms of van entertainment: WITH A JOINT SLAM-DUNKING A NUGG INTO A BONG ON IT: cheese packets), but as soon as we entered vaping competition videos. As he described the Frank Davis “Naturally N’Awlins” them, “You won’t see a single baseball cap Memorial Bridge, a car sped up next to us on straight.” and the driver began aggressively pointing LIFE AND DEATH ON THE ROAD WITH to the X-Cargo on the roof that was holding Athens was colder than a faked dap that all of our luggage. Judging by everyone turns into a sucker punch for us semi- else in the van’s reaction, this was not the tropical blooded boys, but Christian was first time they drove off without properly manning the bar at Manhattan Cafe, latching the rooftop carrier—and it was where they specialize in warm cocktails. clearly not the first time Josh was to blame Most went with a classic hot toddy, but I (or at least framed for the crime). While we went obscure with a hot chai and spiced rum coasted slowly across Lake Pontchartrain cocktail. While I’m not much of a drinker, I hoping we weren’t losing our clothes, loved this bar. It was an ideal mix of dive bar Craig accused Josh of never having been with interesting house cocktails and perfect a latchkey kid, which led to a discussion decor. Alongside a buffet of popcorn was an of the weird, broke-ass methods they had old jukebox full of 45s that a guest DJ would used to get to school as kids. Izzy rode a restock each month. pre-razor scooter and Craig, for a time, piloted a big wheel that a mysterious HiGH went into this gig knowing it would woman his father was seeing had delivered probably be a dud since there were several to his mother’s doorstep. bigger shows happening that night in Athens. In terms of attendance, the show by KEVIN BARRIOS We arrived in Tallahassee an hour before was just that. As Zac Mayeux of the New load-in and were all pretty amazed at the Hampshire-based opening act Notches IH was recently referred to asi the originalG New Orleans road dog forH dropping out of college in hotel room Craig had scored with the travel put it, “Stick around, your band is up next.” ‘96 to go on tours with the Supaflies and One Eye Open. I just love a good road trip—which points he acquired through his non-doing- However, the show was far from being a made it extremely easy to clear my schedule and take HiGH up on their invitation to travel crimes job. It had two beds, a sofa, a full- bummer fest despite the dreadful turnout, with them to Gainesville, Florida for FEST 16 and help sell the merch. The invitation came in sized fridge, a dishwasher, a toaster, a full as Notches and hometowners Cuddlefish part because I designed the cover of their latest album, Evil Gene (with the help of my friend, set of dishes, and a jerk tent. It also came absolutely slayed. Also, the venue had a Jeremy Wilson). While on the road I took notes and combined those notes with an interview, with a blowdryer, which HiGH endorses as a bobbing for beer special that had a built-in which I hope tells the tale of the trip, delves into the creation of Evil Gene as well as creates a way to help prevent chaffing on tour. boobytrap: a Mountain Dew that came with vignette of who this band is. Because if you get to know them, I think you’ll like ‘em. a shot of well vodka. — HiGH, your neighborhood power fuzz, ZZ while you, nonplussed, just bang your fist At the end of the show, all of the bands Top-worshiping trio are back with a full- against your steering wheel along to Joshua You have developed several helpful traded merch and Craig and I took an length follow-up to 2015’s self-released White’s energetic bursts of drumming. body maintenance tips for tour. What’s Adderall to start our late night trek towards Bummer Burner. On Evil Gene, HiGH trades I’ve met a lot of interesting characters an item or ritual you must have to be Orlando, where we would play a four-hour in being pretty around the edges for force- throughout my life and in my travels across comfortable on the road? game of deer Frogger on unlit, old Georgia/ feeding you hard truths about yourself with the world, but I don’t know if I’ve ever met CO: Wipes. It’s got to be wipes for me. Florida backroads. We hit a Circle K to fill sing-along hooks that are a saturated and anyone as funny or as honest with himself Preparation H wipes are the best. They work up, get bad snacks, and re-up on smokes sticky ode to their inner scumbaggery, a and his friends as Craig. He’ll let you know good. They have witch hazel on them. You for Izzy, a.k.a. Cig Vicious. Craig had set scumbaggery that is rooted in our DNA—the when you are fucking up. He’s also likely know that’s good for your hole. I don’t want to the autofill latch on the gas pump, which selfish gene, survival of the slickest. the greatest wingman of all time, almost be to gross, but come on. That’s shit in there never kicked off, so while we were inside, treating it like he’s the manager of your sex and you’re going to use just dry toilet paper to gas started gushing out of the tank and Craig Oubre (guitar/vocals) was once asked life, like he gets 10% of every orgasm he wipe that up? puddled up under the van. Before this was what he did for a living, and his response helps you experience. IG: We definitely like to use the blowdryer noticed, Craig began to recite lyrics from was, “I do crimes.” Craig is nothing if not for the undercarriage. I also like to bring my the Pinheads, a band he and Izzy were in refreshingly self-aware of his certain — own pillow—even if the merch guy uses it the when they were 12: “Circle K. All four of us tendencies. On the title track of Evil Gene, whole time. I mean, that’s cool... hanging out at the store.” It’s crazy to think he goes to confession: “Drink until it Izzy, how did you feel when it was decided about how long these two have been writing becomes an excuse for things I really want that your dad was going to be the face of — music together. to do. Drinks on me until the joke’s on you Evil Gene? and good intentions are not assumed.” He’s Isidore Grisoli: It was kind of like, “why The Tallahassee bill, at the Wilbury, — often playful in his self-indictments, but is not?” The pictures looked cool. I felt like my was loaded with bands and featured two never afraid to go dark—like in “Scotfree” dad was perfectly cast to play that character. stages. HiGH shared the outdoor stage with When and how did you first join forces? (for which they made a video with He gave Evil Gene a face. Then the fact that Indian Shores, Success and Fat Heaven. Name every band you’ve been in with and longtime friend Bret Lovetro), “Washed off he actually shares genetics with one of the The indoor stage started the trend of wolf without each other. everything I own. Cleaning it don’t make me band members made it fitting... You know, themed bands: Aware Wolf and Wolves IG: I was in a band with Bret Lovetro for a innocent. Washed off all my skin and bone. it’s funny that my dad ended up being on & Wolves & Wolves & Wolves (and wolf- while and I met John Crabtree and Craig Cleaning it don’t make me worth a shit.” the album cover because originally I had a themed band name jokes that would live on because they were in a band that practiced concept that was about my mom. She was on all tour). Alumine, Gender Roles (a British on the same street. Then I wanted to quit the While the previous HiGH releases were a really strict diet and she was really happy noisy indie-punk outfit that I particularly band with Bret and join more of a punk band, dominated lyrically and vocally by bassist about getting to have a cheat day. I was like, enjoyed), and The Run Up also played and Craig and John’s band was called The Isidore Grisoli, Evil Gene—despite having “We should call the record Cheat Day and put that stage. We were also introduced to the Gutter Punx. I was 15 and Craig was 13. It a picture of Isidore’s father, Marco, on the a bunch of greasy food and beer on the cover.” magic of the Seattle Fucking Supersonics was April of ‘96. album cover—is a breakthrough for Craig’s whom HiGH would share the stage with CO: Izzy changed our name to the Pinheads. lyric writing. It’ll have you wondering if Craig, there are some clear nods to at Fest in a few days. SFS’s band bio says, That’s really how we met; but our best friends he’s trying to pick slide into your girl’s DMs Marco’s influence on you. In “Lowlife” “We like three things: weed, basketball, were best friends, so it was this weird little

34 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 PHOTO: ADRIENNE BATTISTELLA kid community. that was across the street from the venue, IG: Eventually, the other members quit our Will’s Pub. Eating at Hawkers was his band and it just fell apart. CRAIG BEGAN TO RECITE LYRICS FROM sole focus on the drive in. I was all about it CO: We always had plans to start another too after having lived six-and-a-half years band together. THE PINHEADS, A BAND HE AND IZZY in Southeast Asia and missing accurate IG: But him living in NORCO was way too representations of the amazing cuisine that fucking hard to make work because I lived in WERE IN WHEN THEY WERE 12. region has to offer. Touring as an adult is the Dust Bowl [near Destrehan]. Still, we’d the best because you understand how to eat jam once a month and talk about our band and have the money to do it right. over the phone every day. CO: Yeah, we used to play each other songs were the shortest ones there. We had to stand feel like an outsider? Have you ever won However, before we stuffed our faces, we over the phone and shit like that. It was just on top of an amp case. a band argument? had to find a Kinkos to design and print cheese puff shit like that. But we always CO: But I’d still see Izzy around and Josh White: I don’t ever feel like an makeshift covers for some Evil Gene wanted to keep playing together because we eventually we were drinking at Balcony Bar outsider, no. Those two dudes definitely have sampler CDs that featured the title track had so many common interests. It was hard, and we started playing ZZ Top on the jukebox a tight bond and a lot of history, but we all and a cover of the Meat Puppets’ “Look at though, because Izzy was older and was and bonded over that. get along well. I win arguments all the time. the Rain.” starting to know more people and had more It’s easy when you’ve got a bachelor’s degree access to music, shows, and other musicians. Tell us about your band DIY and how you in forestry. — It was just hard to stay connected ‘cause we interpreted that name at that age. lived further than we could ride a bike. IG: When I was 13 or 14 and living in — On Bummer Burner, you covered Tommy IG: But after that we never really jammed Destrehan, I hadn’t been to a punk show or James’ “I Think We’re Alone Now” and again. I played in Santa Smokes and Craig anything yet, and I was asked to play bass I was very hyped about the show in Orlando. on this record you have a Meat Puppets was in Evil Eyecare. in this band. The singer told me he had been Not only have I become pretty close friends cover. What other covers have you CO: We played a lot of shows together and reading this Green Day interview and they with Mike Levin, but I’ve loved his music worked on in practice that haven’t made Izzy would name my bands for me. He named said they were DIY and that it meant “do it since I first saw his band Shyster open it onto a record? Evil Eyecare and the Skalawags too; but yourself,” and that we should call ourselves up for Face to Face and Guttermouth at IG: An early one that we did that we never that’s how we started playing music together. that. I thought, “Yeah, that’s cool. I’m into Rendon Inn in 1995 (Isidore opened for really played at a gig, but that we always Izzy’s been in a ton of bands since, and I telling people to do it themselves. I ain’t Shyster at a skatepark in Houma with his jammed on was, “You Got Lucky” by Tom wasn’t even playing music when we started doing that shit.” That’s what I thought it band, Santa Smokes in the late ‘90s). Mike’s Petty. We’ve also tried to do a couple of HiGH. I started to see him uptown and we meant, and I really related to that. But I was newest band, Curtains, was playing their Guided by Voices songs. We did “Very Ape” hadn’t hung out in years. I’m going to say I totally wrong. first show. New Orleans is one of those from Nirvana. dated that chick first— towns that really appreciated Shyster and CO: We messed around with Thin Lizzy IG: —Then she dated me. [laughs] But that’s You guys grew up in the DIY scene, but another one of Mike’s bands, New Lows, for awhile, “Angel from the Coast.” We did ancient history. We don’t fight about this now you consider yourselves a YDI band. despite their general under-appreciation [the Ramones’] “The KKK Took my Baby anymore, but apparently we do have similar Explain. everywhere else. Surely songwriting, Away” as part of the set for quite a while. The tastes. But when I was in high school I was IG: Yeah, “you do it!” That’s the theme with energy, and musicianship played a role in Tommy James cover was Izzy’s idea. a bit of a shit talker and I said something us. Our tour kickoff show was booked by the this appreciation, but I also feel like Mike IG: Yeah, I heard that song on the radio one mean to Craig and he got full—like his Fruit Machines. We told Bret to do the video. Levin’s inability to escape his ex-bandmates day and it just fit us. gold chain came out and he was like, “Look You guys at Wiretap, you do this promotion. is something the New Orleans scene can CO: Oh, and we covered “Will You Still Love motherfucker! I’ll whip your ass in this And we asked you to do the album art. We relate to. Me Tomorrow” by the Shirelles at the Bummer driveway...you’re on my turf now.” don’t want to have to do shit. Burner release party. We’ve been playing that CO: Yeah, I think I got mad outside the Isidore had recently spent some time in Meat Puppets song for a long time. Rancid show. No it was the NOFX show. Josh, knowing the history of these two Orlando and had discovered an Asian street IG: Doing a Meat Puppets cover was IG: We were buddies at the Rancid show. We and their brother-like bond, do you ever food concept restaurant called Hawkers something we’ve always wanted to do.

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 35 That’s a band that’s really influential in the As the club cleared, Mike said we should which constantly breaks Craig’s unwritten Popes Boys. We were Them Pork In The way they can just get up on stage and do a head back to his house to hang and sleep on-stage dress code. Queso Boys. When we found out there was a different cover for every tour, like [The Everly over. He warned that he was light on beers, pool at the hotel, we were Them Swim Boys, Brothers’] “Cathy’s Clown” or [The Beach so Craig said he’d grab some go beers from Seeing as the crowd at Mother’s was but then we were Them It’s Too Cold To Swim Boys’] “Sloop John B.” the bar. Mike warned that they don’t allow obviously familiar with the two opening Boys. We were also Them Use Every Towel In CO: We play a lot of stuff in practice, but that in Florida. I said, “Don’t worry, Craig acts, it wasn’t shocking that it thinned out The Hotel Room Boys. when picking a cover to be part of your set does crimes, he’s got this” as he was walking for an unknown non-Florida Water Music CO: I really liked when we were We Them We or album, you want something that you play towards the bar. He came back with a band like HiGH. However, by the second Them Boys Boys. There was we Them Meet differently, something that you can own and perfectly intact 6-pack that he had charmed song in the set, all of the smokers put a few Me At The Soundbooth After Y’all Finish make yours. “Look at the Rain” is from kind out of the bartender. We hung out on Mike’s minutes back on their lives, stubbed out Pissing Boys. We Them It’s Hard To Swallow of a weird time in production, so I felt like we porch sharing beers and edibles. Craig and their American Spirits, and joined in the Mushrooms Boys. When it was cold in Athens could really do something with it. Josh got into a debate over whether or not pack of converts, making for a pretty decent we were Them Semi-Tropical Blooded Boys. IG: It’s from one of our mutually favorite there is such a thing as non-pork chorizo. crowd and successful showcase. JW: We them Extravagant Dinner Boys, albums and from their ZZ Top-influenced Craig ended it with, “You go and get some from the same night when we were Them era. Josh loves them too. No matter what: if beef chorizo and I’ll eat a cauliflower boudin As the Seattle Fucking Supersonics were Pasta Boys. Are we Them Ready To Go Home the song means a lot to you it’s going to come with you.” Then Mike passed out and HiGH tuning up for their set, Danny, their second Boys yet? out as a good cover. worked out some new songs on the porch on guitar player, finally made it to the gig. acoustic guitars. After a few songs of toe-tapping Lookout! — — Records worship where all of the girls in On our first night of tour, Josh had assured the love songs were replaced with ways In order to no longer be this hostess’ The Orlando show was likely going to be the us that he had brought nasal strips that to ingest marijuana, Ogre (guitar/vocals) burden, we pawned ourselves off on the best non-Fest show of the tour because it eliminated his snoring, which I had no idea announced, “We have shirts for sale that bar—which is where you always get the best not only featured Orlando punk/indie hero service anyway. We shared three types of Mike Levin, but the rest of the bill featured paella, some steamed prawn dish that never Oregon/California’s Walter, Etc., Boston’s made its way to my end of the bar (just Rebuilder (an up-and-coming East Coast like that Portlandia sketch), roasted duck, sincere youth band, featuring Jawbreaker stewed pork, and two or three other dishes back patches on denim jackets), and the I can’t even remember because we also had heavy hitter of the night, Lee Bains III & two giant jugs of sangria. Finally, we split The Glory Fires. four desserts and each had an espresso to return us to some level of awareness beyond The Orlando crowd was great and HiGH had the mere blinking to show we could hear the biggest audience of any band that night. each other in the food-coma state we had Watching Mike sing along to the songs he eaten ourselves into. knew from Bummer Burner and watching as Lee Bains and members of Walter, Etc. We decided to bail on the Fest and chill at and Rebuilder left their merch booths and Josh’s friends Ricky Schroeder and Phan looked on, nodding approvingly at HiGH, I Tram’s apartment where we were staying. realized that like how there are comedian’s Ricky and Phan were incredible hosts. They comedians, HiGH may be a band’s band. had donuts or pastries for us every morning, Later on, Mike would tell me that watching as well as hot and iced coffee. They had a Craig playing guitar made him want to quit full bar—like fuller than the bar I work at playing guitar. Perhaps it was the energy full—and beers in the fridge. They wound reflecting off of the crowd, a song request us down every night with Netflix comedy throwing the polished setlist slightly off specials. One night, Phan (who is also a kilter, or the open tab with quality beers, but Marrero native like myself, so we bonded the main comedian in HiGH soon delved over Marrero things) even cooked us some into some stage banter. As he stole a gulp of homemade eggrolls that owned. Izzy’s beer, Craig handed it back to him with a look of dismay and said, “That’s not my Isidore had heard good things about Bong beer, there’s no pills in it. I thought you said Mountain, who were playing Boca Fiesta, this was a pilsner.” "Evil Gene" which is a taco spot owned by Warren Oakes, former drummer of Against Me! All of us were aware of Lee Bains & the Apparently the rest of the world had heard Glory Fires prior to this show and had a good things about Bong Mountain too, general idea of what we thought they would AS HE STOLE A GULP OF IZZY’S BEER, as a huge line to get in was flowing out sound like, but we weren’t expecting to be CRAIG HANDED IT BACK TO HIM of the al fresco area of Boca Fiesta when so blown away by them. We were expecting we arrived. We were fine with not joining a Drive by Truckers-like Southern/country WITH A LOOK OF DISMAY AND SAID, that line, because tacos. Josh fell victim alternative rock band (and there were to the unlabeled habanero pepper sauce notes of this), but it was way more garagey “THAT’S NOT MY BEER, THERE’S NO and looked like he was watching suckling and Ted Leo-ish than we’d expected. A pigs being slaughtered as tears welled up few songs in, Lee began to discuss what PILLS IN IT. I THOUGHT YOU SAID in his red, swollen eyes. As Craig tells it, it’s like growing up in Alabama and being “Josh tickled a pig or something once at surrounded by racists and the internal THIS WAS A PILSNER.” a farm and now he can’t eat pork because conflict of having family—people you’ve he loves them so much.” The rest of us dug loved your whole life—being such a letdown; into some pleasantly greasy chorizo queso, and how you have to challenge their views ‘cause fuck pigs. and abandon them as necessary. Craig walked over to the merch table and said, After we ate, we rushed to Bo Diddley Plaza “Man, these guys are really winning me was a problem until he forgot to wear them have a joint slam-dunking a nugg into a to see The Dirty Nil, whose superhero- over.” HiGH and Lee Bains quickly entered this night. I woke up a few minutes into my bong.” He wasn’t lying. squared-jaw guitarist, Luke Bentham, is the mutual appreciation society, and sleep thinking that Izzy was playing bass in ushering in the new wave of Cheap Trick seemingly a friendship was forming. the living room, but I soon realized it was After the show, we headed to Bo Diddley rock’n’roll inspired punk. The Dirty Nil are Josh snoring. Craig and I shared a napkin Plaza to meet up with James Whitten, becoming a favorite of the New Orleans — of a blanket and, the polite Southern boys Craig’s roommate and the engineer of Evil scene, and this was the first time any of us we are, allowed each other to take turns Gene. James often tours with A Wilhelm would see them with their new bassist, Ross Craig, you seemed to have a really stealing it in order to fight off the cold. At Scream, and was with them to run sound for Miller (from the band Single Mothers). deep appreciation for the political and one point, Craig spooned me, even tucking their set at Fest. We decided to cash in on Miller’s stage presence was something I social commentary coming from Lee his knees up under my knees. I was startled James’ free meal ticket at Emiliano’s Cafe, can only describe as an Andy Kaufman Bains. What grabbed you? Why did you but also cold, so I hesitated to push him off. a relatively upscale Spanish restaurant conceptual art project on PCP. Over the past appreciate their message so much? in the middle of a punk rock festival. The few years, HiGH has become friends with CO: They are Southern guys from Alabama; In the morning, we set off for Gainesville, hostess seemed overwhelmed by the The Dirty Nil, playing together whenever it was done pretty earnest. It wasn’t where HiGH would play a matinee show. unusual dirtbag clientele that Fest delivered the Canadians are in New Orleans. Luke contrived. It was brief, not cringey, and to the The two hour drive to Gainesville was to her doorstep. Craig made an attempt to spotted them in the crowd, dedicating a point. What I appreciated about it is that it’s fueled by Guided by Voices’ greatest hits charm our way up the waiting list by saying song: “This song goes out to our friends easier for us being in New Orleans or other and a glut of Bob Pollard impersonations, we had a reservation under “Them Pasta in HiGH. It’s called ‘Always High.’” It bands in certain regions to speak out like including Josh’s perpetual state of high Boys,” an ongoing inside joke. was a song about how a friend was once that. These guys are in Birmingham and that kick. This off-Broadway show was only an engaging participant in conversation, message isn’t welcome there. It’s a lot ballsier interrupted when Josh found a video of — but now they were just always high and to be like, “Fuck our grandparents and their HiGH playing in Orlando on Lee Bains’ impossible to hold a conversation with. views.” Facebook page. The lone comment from What are some of your favorite kinds of a follower said, “Love the rock, hate the boys that we were on this tour? We were all excited to see the 12:30 AM — shorts,” in reference to Izzy’s wardrobe, IG: We were Them Watching Them Smoking Hum show that night, so we grabbed dinner

36 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 and went back to Ricky and Phan’s to rest No Pocky for Kitty were all well represented. and group hugged. Things were sounding us knew what to say or do. Craig eventually up for the late gig. The Hum show was I had just seen Dinosaur Jr at Riot Fest and really bad back home. Izzy’s sister feared asked if he wanted to pull over to have packed. 8 Seconds is a really big club with Craig had just seen them at the Varsity. their mom wouldn’t make it through a minute. Izzy wanted to keep driving an upstairs, and there was very little wiggle Both of us agreed that Mac McCaughan—as the night. We discussed driving home straight to the hospice. Craig told him to room. We took our lesser mushrooms much as the two of us love J Mascis—slays immediately, but he said we should get smoke or do whatever he needed to. He lit for this show, saving the potent ones for J live. He’s out there doing Who windmills, some sleep and leave early in the morning. a cigarette and stared out of the window. Sunday—our big hitter day. Maybe it was the jumping on monitors, and running a It was really, really heavy. He began to sob mushrooms or maybe it was genetics, but marathon around the stage while nailing We started back to New Orleans early quietly. I put my hand on his shoulder. He to me, Matt Talbott (guitar/vocals) looked every note. on Monday morning with a real sense of put his on my knee. I held it tightly. He like Seth Green playing Steve Albini in a urgency. I doubt Izzy slept much the night nodded in approval. Steve Albini biopic. He was also wearing a — before. He was clearly stressed. However, he Goatwhore shirt, which scored points for spoke with his sister briefly, who informed — These New Orleans Boys. The show was Now that the mushroom dust has settled: him that his mother just had a bad reaction exactly what we expected: loud, heavy, and J Mascis or Mac McCaughan? to a heavy dose of morphine, combined Izzy, HiGH has just produced a 12” tight with huge crowd sing-alongs to “Stars” CO: I’ll say I was pretty high when I was with a few smuggled beers and a bloody monument to your father, but this article and “I Hate it Too.” I loved every second making those statements. I really love both mary, and was doing much better. Craig can also serve as a tangible memorial to of it, from the opening riff of “Isle of the of those bands. I was talking with Lefty and eased some of the tension with his dreadful your mother. Is there anything you would Cheetah” to making Josh wait in the merch James at Euclid Records about that, and armpit smells. It was like he dumpster dove like to say about her? booth line to buy me a shirt on the way out, they kind of set me straight by saying why Wendy’s chili and used that as deodorant. IG: I was really close with her the whole while I chilled against the bar staring at would I even bother making those kinds We listened to all of the albums we had time she was sick—and of course, before patterns on the floor that may or may have of comparisons. I think that is the right collected at shows on this trip. We stopped that. She was always really supportive of the not really been there. answer, but I had recently seen Dinosaur in Tallahassee for lunch. Craig brought us bands that I have been in, but HiGH was her favorite. She had come to a few shows, even We started Sunday off by taking in some when she was lugging around an oxygen minor league wrestling that featured rubber tank. I remember having to stop people from duck-themed wrestlers and a trophy made smoking outside of Gasa Gasa for one show out of semi-crushed PBR cans. We went so I could walk her out. I was like, “Hey back to Boca Fiesta for the octopus tacos guys, I love cigs too, but I’m about to bring we missed out on the day before. Mike my mom through with her tank and I don’t Levin and Clara drove in from Orlando that want her to ignite.” She always used to say, morning and met us there for margaritas “Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.” And and our leftover chips and queso. Josh it’s true; she had several HiGH t-shirts. I just and Ricky also found us; we ate fistfulls of love her, you know? And she wanted me to mushrooms and walked to Bo Diddley Plaza play music, and to do what I was doing. She for our main attractions: Smoking Popes told me to go on tour, be happy, and live your and Superchunk. As we walked right up life. Even the last time I spoke to her, she was to the stage—surprised that we didn’t have letting me believe that I was going to see her to fight a crowd—Craig cautioned, “Those again later. She was still being a good mom. mushrooms we took last night were cool Pretty much everything I do is going to be a background shit. Remember, these are monument to her, by doing what she knows I different. These are DRUGS.” Later he want to do, inspired by the love and support would say he saw the exact moment they she gave me. She totally would have wanted hit all of us in apparent unison, as all of our us to eat mushrooms and watch Smoking faces changed at once. Popes, and not be worried about her. She was going out on morphine, partying with Smoking Popes are favorites of Mike her Shady Lady friends as best she could. Levin and Izzy. As the mushrooms She went out how she wanted to go. began to wring splashes of joy from my miserable spine like a wet rag — being twisted vigorously, I smiled uncontrollably watching Mike and Izzy Izzy would eventually ask for us to pull bop around, singing their hearts out to over. As Craig filled the van with gas, every word. At one point, Josh Caterer Izzy walked off to the opposite end of the (vocals/guitar) announced they were parking lot and called his family. When he going to play a song off their new record, returned, Craig gave him a huge embrace. to which two people yelled out, “Yeah!!!” They went into the store and bought a Caterer responded, “Wow, thanks for the "WE THEM EXTRAVAGANT 6-pack of Miller Lites. We climbed back enthusiasm for that typically bummer of into the van and Izzy handed us each a an announcement, even if you are faking DINNER BOYS, FROM THE SAME beer. We waited until we were back on the it.” Then, as an award for me being happy NIGHT WHEN WE WERE THEM I-10, and without any sort of cue, we all for other people’s joy, they extended popped our cans open in unison, touched the bridge in “Brand New Haircut” and PASTA BOYS. ARE WE THEM them together, and drank one to the turned it into Jawbreaker’s “Do You Still memory of Gail Lynn Brown. Hate Me?” In what would prove to be a READY TO GO HOME BOYS YET?" premonition, just before he explained HiGH is playing December 29 at Portside how he fumbled his attempt to relight Lounge with Suplecs. Their latest album, Evil a relationship whose spark had died in Gene, is on Wiretap Records. For more info, “Pretty Pathetic,” Caterer said, “This is check out highonline.bandcamp.com and where things get really dark.” wiretaprecords.com

For the entire trip there had been a very Jr and I really enjoyed the in-your-faceness to Backwoods Crossing, a farm-to-table dark cloud looming over Isidore. His of Superchunk. I haven’t spent nearly as restaurant that was pretty incredible. mother had been moved into hospice and much time listening to Superchunk as I have her health was taking a turn for the worse. Dinosaur Jr, so guitar-wise I don’t know... After lunch, I walked around the gardens Before Smoking Popes started playing, he Superchunk did kind of steal my heart that outside the restaurant with Izzy while he told me he had a call from his sister that night. Mac was doing windmills and playing smoked. His mom called and he had a pretty he didn’t answer. I felt like he knew it solos in my face. I was loaded and just feeling long conversation with her. She seemed wasn’t good news and there was nothing like, “Fuck that slacker shit.” good, assured him she was doing much he could do about it at the moment, so he better. He told her he would come see her was letting himself enjoy the Popes and — the next day. Relaxed, he set his phone on then he’d deal with reality after. After the airplane mode, plugged it in to charge, and set, Izzy bought a Smoking Popes hoodie, Upon realizing that Superchunk was not took a well-deserved nap. a shirt, and a poster. I joked that he was going to do a second encore, I also realized going as their merch booth for Halloween. that Izzy was missing. Craig thought When he woke up, Izzy immediately went I could sense his stress and understood he he may have bolted to see BIGWIG at for his phone to see a ton of missed calls was on mushrooms and how that could be High Dive, which he mentioned he was from his aunt, his sister, and his mom’s a bad combination. considering. Then I told Craig about the hospice. He called his aunt and we heard phone call from his sister and worry set in. him ask weakly, “She died?” The van was We all met up again at front row, center Craig was able to reach him on the phone silent, the air was heavy, and the rest of us stage for Superchunk. They opened with and he had gone into a port-o-let to have hung our heads mouthing “fuck.” It was “Learned to Surf” offMajesty Shredding. a moment of solitude. We split up and the ultimate gut punch. He was prepared They played hits from all of my favorite camped outside of both clusters of toilets to get hit for so long that the second he let albums: Here’s Where The Strings Come In, waiting for him to emerge. Eventually he his guard down and felt safe, a Mack truck Indoor Living, Foolish, On the Mouth, and did and we all met up outside of the plaza leveled him. It was fucking brutal. None of

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 37 rappers. While fans have hyped his sound as branching off of other New Orleans rappers in the Jet Life collective, like Curren$y and Young REVIEWS Roddy, The Catalina Wine Mixer flaunts more subdued and unconventional elements. Here, LE$ plays with jazz instrumentations, funky ‘70s R&B, to Bibio, Phantom Brickworks almost and different found elements, like seems sparse in comparison to the vintage radio broadcasts. Overall, the layered canopy of tracks on albums result is enticing, and with its other- like 2013’s Silver Wilkinson and 2009’s worldly transitions and mysterious Ambivalence Avenue. Throughout interludes that beautifully unravel into this release, the tracks unfold in a heaving beats, the mixtape represents mysterious, ghostly manner, allowing a disorienting voyage through LE$’s the listener to fall into a melancholy GEL SET complicated life and rise to fame. lull. Until the final song, “CAPEL BODY COPY —Maeve Holler BETHIANA,” where Bibio masterfully (2MR) plays with delicate twinkles of piano, Phantom Brickworks lacks much I listened to side A of this record variation from track to track. This is and didn’t get the “mutant” “art” not to say that the album was wholly impression I had come to expect. Every unsuccessful, but rather that Bibio is song sounded great, but darkwave is taking a much different route this time too easy to not be trendy, and vocalist BATHS around. On this record, Bibio reveals Laura Callier’s style and focus—almost ROMAPLASM a funeral-esque sense of despondency exclusively sex and drugs—seemed (ANTICON) absent from much of his previous work, a pretty clear case of that. My mind and longtime fans should be excited changed with the side A closer, It has been four long years since Baths to see so much emotion come to the though—some synth blips and chimes (a.k.a. Will Wiesenfeld) released surface. —Maeve Holler echoing in the husk of a jingle with no the haunting record Obsidian. As climax or statement beyond a tired a longtime fan, I never thought he call to revolution. Then Body Copy could top those complex and driving threw in “Bounce,” a conspicuously soundscapes from 2013. But of course, typical minimal synth-pop track so I was wrong. Listening to Romaplasm, intensely fixated on ass, acid, and RINA SAWAYAMA his fourth studio album, is to soak in their respective meanings for “drop” RINA magnificent wonder. From the opening that they all blur. The boundaries (SELF-RELEASE) track, “Yeoman,” where Baths crafts distinguishing consumption, electronic optimism, to the persistent, copulation, experience, commodity, In 2013, Japanese-English singer experimental song “Adam Copies,” drug, and orgasm all collapse and— songwriter Rina Sawayama rocked which incorporates elements of video with all tropes leveled—there’s still a the web with her unforgettable single game soundtracks, Romaplasm is awe- catchy dance track. Realizing Callier is “Sleeping in Waking.” Four years inspiring. Throughout this release, powerfully magnifying the intersection later, she’s back and better than ever listeners will undoubtedly bask in of commercial pop culture’s shallow with her debut self-titled mini album, the surging cadences and moments materialism and the underground’s RINA, which is essentially the love showcasing Wiesenfeld’s iconic and intellectualized hedonism, I am still child of glitter pop and the internet stirring falsetto. On this album, Baths surprised that her cold, catchy critique age. The record intertwines twinkly returns to his speculative roots. Many DANIELE LUPPI turns to sex on the next track, “Sex pop-rock with authoritative feminine pieces, like “I Form,” are reminiscent MILANO Numerals.” Body Copy works well as vocals, allowing Sawayama to scale an of the sublimity he presented on (COLUMBIA) the collection of brazen party jams it impressive range of peaks established records like 2010’s Cerulean and in his immediately appears to be, while also by quintessential ‘90s pop superstars early project [Post-Foetus]. At his best, Like David Simon’s shows (The serving as a cunning update to synth- like Mariah Carey and Destiny’s Child. Baths’ work makes it hard to breathe, Deuce, Treme), Daniele Luppi’s music pop’s formative alienation from the On tracks like “Cyber Stockholm and Romaplasm does just that. transports its audience to a specific time mainstream. —Ben Miotke Syndrome” and “Take Me as I Am,” —Maeve Holler and place. On his last album, Rome, he Sawayama uses a vibrant and full array teamed up with Danger Mouse, Jack of fast-tempoed elements that build White, and Norah Jones to evoke ‘60s into an empowering apex where she Italian film scores. Strangely, it worked. spits lines like, “Every single day I fight This time, he’s brought on New Yorkers another war, every night I feel more Parquet Courts and Karen O to recreate powerful.” RINA even experiments the chic, drug-fueled dream world of with ‘80s-inspired components, like in ‘80s Milan. He’s succeeded again, and the eerie, guitar-driven track “10-20- formed a supergroup in the process, 40” where Sawayama’s vocals become a pairing that feels obvious only in robotic and even more assertive. hindsight. Parquet Courts play on every The record is chock-full of gems, but track, with the Savage brothers (drums, the track “Tunnel Vision,” which rhythm guitar) and bassist Sean Yeaton features guest vocalist Shamir, is providing the backdrop for lead guitarist incomparable—it’s an incredibly soulful Austin Brown’s jarring, down-tuned and liberating tribute to the challenges licks, with occasional sax solos from of relationships and the cyclical nature Luppi himself. Andrew Savage and of depression. Recommended for Karen O trade tracks as vocalists, O’s LE$ fans of Princess Nokia, Solange, and BIBIO manic angst the perfect foil for Savage’s THE CATALINA WINE MIXER Noname. —Maeve Holler PHANTOM BRICKWORKS languid ennui. The album climaxes (SLFEMP MUSIC) (WARP) when they finally join forces on “Pretty POPE Prizes,” O entering in style to sing the Prolific hip-hop artist LE$ can’t stop. TRUE TALENT CHAMPION English experimental artist Bibio hook. The project loses steam on its last The Houston native and former Jet (COMMUNITY) (Stephen Wilkinson) released his ninth two tracks due to O’s absence, and the Life member released his newest studio album, Phantom Brickworks, last meandering instrumental finale, “Café mixtape, The Catalina Wine Mixer, in When Donovan Wolfington released month to mixed feelings. The record is a Flesh,” doesn’t feel like the ending the late October, one of ten records he’s How to Treat the Ones You Love, tranquil nine-track journey through an album deserves, but Milano remains an dropped in 2017 alone. On tracks like that powerful blend of pop-punk, assortment of ambient instrumentals impressive feat. And if Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Nightvision Goggles” and “Catalina,” hardcore, noise, indie rock, and ‘90s similar to Will Wiesenfeld’s ongoing ever call it quits, Karen O would do well LE$ features experimental samples emo simmered in my soul like a slow- vocally bereft project, Geotic. While to form a more permanent partnership and an effortlessly intellectual flow cooked pot of greens. That record lead this minimalist sound isn’t unknown with Savage and Co. —Raphael Helfand that echoes the tenets of neo-Southern me to Pope, which boasts two-thirds

38 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 a punk-noise sound that alternates between moments of heavy guitar and its dreamy remnants. On tracks like “Rainmaker,” the group utilizes obsessive, spooky underlying beats to absolutely enchant the listener. Kid Kruschev even puts the group’s raw side on full display with the sentimentally-driven acoustic track, “Florida Thunderstorm,” which acts as a confessional for Krauss. It’s exciting to see Sleigh Bells consistently evolve, building intricate quilts of sound that delectably supplement beloved previous releases like Treats and of the D-Wolf writing team—the Jessica Rabbit. —Maeve Holler two-thirds that kind of stiff arm the pop-punk hardcore moments and delve deeper into sonic booms of melancholy, simplifying the flavors for a possibly more refined palate. Their second album, True Talent Champion, is a masterpiece of torment. “David Caspian” opens the record with enough chunky riffs and pop sensibilities to seem like it could be a song that never made it onto a Donovan Wolfington record, but that’s as close as Pope comes to feeling like their former band. The spiralling riff in “Feels Like Home” will be stuck in your head for hours. “Talk Me Out Of It,” from which the album draws its title, is impossible to move on from without at least three SWEATER CREEP replays. Lyrically and in mood, it RED reminds me of Elliott Smith’s “King’s (SELF-RELEASE) Crossing” as both Smith and Alejandro Skalany are searching for reasons not After a couple of Bandcamp tracks, to be fatally drastic. “Make Up Your local indie-pop act Sweater Creep Mind” is a powerful and whippet- now offer their debut EPRed ! like slow-mo reverberating wall of While the band appropriately lists sound that feels like what would have influences like Grizzly Bear and the happened if Pavement had developed Velvet Underground, the luxurious, a heroin addiction. Immediately after electronics-tinged guitar pop on this that sensory assault, Pope lulls you release brings to mind Orange Juice. back to a comfort zone with “Slice,” I expect that Sweater Creep’s post- a surprisingly early-Shins-like pop punk throwback is more a flattering number. This record is for fans of being coincidence than hero worship, though. miserable, and it’s perfect in that way. Despite Red’s very short length, the — Kevin Barrios band—with producer and session drummer Mike Saladis (Donovan Wolfington)—offer a compelling, bite- sized sampler of their melancholic, oily artistic palette. The title track rises as the star of the sampler for taking enough time to build a spacey groove and realizing its psychedelia by changing dynamics near the end. Fans of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, check it out! —Ben Miotke

VALERIE SASSYFRAS BLAST OFF! A COSMIC CABARET (SELF-RELEASE)

Everyone knows about the Teaches SLEIGH BELLS of Peaches, but do you also know KID KRUSCHEV about the Visions of Valerie? Like the (TOM CLEAN) worldly and provocative Peaches, New Orleans’ own Valerie Sassyfras—once Brooklyn noise-pop duo Alexis Krauss renowned as the entertainer-supreme and Derek Miller, otherwise known of Piccadilly’s lunch hours—is a one- as Sleigh Bells, just keep on refining woman electrostorm of genre-blending their sound with each release. They performance art and music. With this dropped their fifth studio album,Kid latest release, Valerie departs not only Kruschev, last month, and the record planet Earth, but her sultry, sexy-fun- is an impressive and fitting extension time persona of 2016’s Sassquake. Aided of their previous work, which has by slick, bass-friendly production, dynamically enthralled fans since 2010. Blast Off! is a fun romp through the On tracks like “Favorite Transgression” galaxy, equal parts David Bowie and and “Panic Drills,” Krauss’ vocals Spaceballs. Don’t let track titles like powerfully command and motivate “Women R From Venus—Men R From you to keep listening. Sleigh Bells Mars” deceive you into thinking this seems to be venturing in and out of is a novelty or joke album—though

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 39 overdone lines like “I need a happy hour on my sad days / It’s my happy hour—I can’t wait,” and “I’m holding on and I don’t want to let you go / It feels like summer to me.” With Pacific Daydream, the days of Weezer’s quirky, unconventional sound are officially over, and it seems like the band has tailored its sound to fade into the background of millennial hodge-podge. Prior to the album’s release, even Cuomo was quoted as saying, “It’s going to maybe be like the Beach Boys gone bad,” which regrettably seems fitting. Weezer hasn’t really withstood the test even if you did you might still find the VARIOUS of time, and Pacific Daydream is a sure chorus lodged firmly in your brain. WELCOME TO PARADISE: sign of their devolution. —Maeve Holler Blast Off! has all the nuance and ITALIAN DREAM HOUSE 89-93 complexity of an iconic children’s book, (VOLS. 1 & 2) or the blue-collar, all ages mood of Pee- (SAFE TRIP) Wee’s Playhouse. Tunes range from honky-tonk and disco to psychedelia Welcome To Paradise is a total in flavor, but never stray from the statement of the Italian dream house cosmic concept. The album closer niche. Beyond DJ Asic’s Saturday 4 “Cocktail Waitress in Outer Space” is p.m. to 6 p.m. show on WTUL, I’ve been classic Sassyfras, proving you can take pretty out of touch with house for a few the woman out of Louisiana—millions years. But grabbing both volumes on a of miles even—but you can’t take whim, Vol. 1 makes it very clear from Louisiana out the woman. —Dan Fox opener “Calypso of House (Paradise Mix)” that isn’t an issue. The usual house beat goes party-hopping with Italian pop’s fixation on beauty, starting in the Mediterranean and somehow ending up in the Caribbean. There’s a whiff of cheesy exotica here: Europeans reconfiguring exotic and tropical musical codes, but framed by the much greater restraint and Italian musical L7: PRETEND WE’RE DEAD idea of beauty. It seems more polite DIR: SARAH PRICE and appreciative. Vol. 1 continuously (BLUE HATS CREATIVE) displays the sound’s peaks with harder dancefloor tracks andVol. 2 seems to Fans of L7 can rejoice over this brutally pull more atmospheric, deep house-like honest look into the band’s past, comedown tracks. Overall, Welcome to present, and future. Director Sarah Paradise is a great collection of early Price (American Movie, The Carrie dance music that gently makes sure you THE LEAVERS Diaries) did an amazing job compiling VARIOUS enjoy yourself on the eternally sunny LISA KO rare photos, unseen live footage, EGYPT & LEBANON: COSMIC beach of its sounds. It offers extra (ALGONQUIN) television and film appearances, and ARABIC DISCO & SEARING charm from the minimalistic English the band’s own video archives into a DANCE FLOOR BANGERS vocal performances, dispensing the In Lisa Ko’s debut novel, social chronological story that leaves the 1974-1985 most choice catchwords (sex, paradise, issues enhance the burden of viewer shook. Recent audio interviews (CEDARPHON) love, paranoia) in truly dreamy dance family responsibility, illuminating offer a humble depiction of each band music. —Ben Miotke the devastating consequences of member’s fond memories and regrets. Cedarphon’s first release sat in Domino abandonment—whether by one’s mother From their inception in 1985 to their Sound’s “Lebanon” section for at least or government. For undocumented initial breakup in 2001, Pretend We’re a year before disappearing, and is now Chinese mother Polly Guo and her Dead gets down to the nitty-gritty largely unavailable online due to both American son, Deming, New York’s and examines the struggles they faced selling out and the label’s disregard for labyrinthine streets and colorful always being categorized as an “all legal compiling procedures. For their neighborhoods provide an imperfect girl band,” how they dealt with major disregard, their second release, Egypt & new home, their family the true refuge. label creative restrictions, and the Lebanon, also doesn’t have any detailed That is, until the day Polly goes to work battles they fought with their own credits to the performers or assurance and never comes home. Deming, age 11, personal demons. Though the tone that they are being compensated. This is completely shaken by his mother’s can be fairly dark at times, the film is is unfortunate but, as compilations disappearance. Struggling with questions also a total blast. Hilarious footage of often go, clearing every song and paying of fault and doubts surrounding her their antics while in the studio and royalties would have taken years longer whereabouts, Deming is put into foster touring shows that despite their tough and produced a release certainly less likely care. He is given a new name, moved image, a lot of fun was had while staying to fulfill the label’s aspiration to compile upstate to a white suburban community, true to their punk aesthetic. The raw searing Arabic disco bangers. Unofficially, and eventually adopted by two older footage of singer/guitarist Donita it fully delivers with each song. The energy professors. As Deming Guo slowly Sparks chucking her used tampon level almost never dips below “exuberant” WEEZER and painfully transforms into Daniel at the Reading Festival audience in and is particularly exciting for the more PACIFIC DAYDREAM Wilkinson, he traverses the challenges 1992 proves that when under negative complex, kinetic atmosphere that regional (ATLANTIC) of leaving behind everything he has scrutiny, this was a band that was going hand drum, reed, organ, and string ever known—and with that, any hope to shove back. Praiseful interviews arrangements impart. This becomes Pacific Daydream is 2017’s sad, twisted of his mother returning. The same with Joan Jett, Lydia Lunch, and Krist cosmic through synth flourishes that meld version of Weezer. The eleventh studio abandonment is cast in a different light Novoselic round things out nicely, wonderfully with the organ and would album from the famed pop-punk from the perspective of his mother, Polly. and closing out the film with the 2015 fit just as well in early European space group, it definitely sets some high An ambitious and complex person, a reunion of the classic lineup gave me rock. This is a pretty singular opportunity expectations for tried-and-true fans. selfish yet eternally sacrificing mother, chills. —Bill Heintz to enjoy the very best of this niche that But unfortunately, it doesn’t rise to she is a woman caught between the is as universally enjoyable as any of its join the ranks of highly lauded albums borders of her sprawling dreams and individual parts and won’t be available for like Pinkerton. On tracks like “Feels anchoring banalities. A resonating, timely too long! See if you can catch the organ lick Like Summer” and “Happy Hour,” debut novel, The Leavers is an award- that would reappear years later on a Mr. the almost unrecognizable voice of winning story of resilience through Bungle song. —Ben Miotke frontman Rivers Cuomo sings tacky, absence. —Tera Durrio

40 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 41 TITLE TK

ALONE IN THE MIX:

ARIELLIVE AT TIPITINA'S PINK

by RAPHAEL HELFAND photo PARIS ACHENBACH

In the days leading up to Ariel Pink’s from Bite Marx and Trance Farmers, a tracks, Pink took centerstage, crooning performance at Tipitina’s, I watched female comedian came on to introduce charismatically over relatively toned some footage of his recent shows. His the headliner. The band barged onstage, down accompaniment. voice sounded terrible, a square peg cutting her short. It was clearly pre- jammed unsuccessfully into the round planned and felt good-natured, possibly Mostly, though, Pink made a concerted hole of his band’s tight instrumentals. a poke at Pink’s past transgressions. effort to be inconspicuous at his Watching him live, this incongruity had own show. He ceded much of the the opposite effect. His voice drifted The silly exchange that followed attention to his bandmate, L.A. punk along through the songs, slightly flat, between Pink and the comedian was, legend Don Bolles (Jimmy Michael often just behind the beat; but it always unfortunately, barely audible—as was Giorsetti). Bolles usually plays the felt intentional. He occupied an insular most of Pink’s between-song mumbling drums for Pink, but at Tip’s, he stood space, both in and outside the mix, and throughout the night—so his post- up front with a tambourine, providing made it his home. Jameson persona was hard to read. high-pitched backing vocals to Pink’s Mostly, though, he seemed subdued. In detuned drawl. Bolles did much more Pink has made a career of marketing the past, he’s often dressed in drag and dancing throughout the set than Pink himself as an outsider, even if that ad-libbed off-color jokes throughout did, and was generally more energetic; A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT hasn’t always been his goal. In a recent his sets. As recently as October, he was but Pink’s voice stole the show by interview, he told Spin he’d spent most accused by fans of getting aggressive with default, squirming away from the mix IN ASSOCIATION WITH of his life desperate for a modicum of his bandmate and girlfriend, Charlotte in spite of itself to stand alone in all its mainstream attention. It wasn’t until Ercoli, during a show in San Francisco; idiosyncratic glory. his late 20s, he claimed, that he finally though Ercoli refuted the allegations, PHOTONOLA felt acknowledged by the industry and claiming she was the aggressor and that “It’s only gonna get weirder from here,” started to relax. Still, he never fully her boyfriend was once again being Pink announced before launching into FEATURING: dropped the outlandish, enigmatic “victimized by feminists.” “Ghosts,” a deep cut from Lover Boy ADRIENNE BATTISTELLA persona he adopted to carve out his (2002) featuring John Maus. The rest niche, and it’s become part of his Pink stayed mainly on-script at Tip’s, of the regular set, though, was on the JOSHUA BURNS essence. Throughout his career (now accessorizing with just a plain black dog softer side. On “Do Yourself a Favor,” entering its third decade), Pink has collar, and kept his hands to himself. the band attempted an ill-advised DAVID JOSHUA JENNINGS been alternately passed over, lauded He relied on his music rather than his but beautifully executed attempt at JARED LANDRY as a pioneer and transgressive icon, antics to sell the show, and it worked. harmonized whistling. They then and smeared as a misogynist, a label he The band began their set with “Time segued by way of instrumental dirge GARY LoVERDE earned through a series of ill-advised to Live,” playing over a pre-recorded, “Jagged Carnival Tours” into their CASEY SHAW comments in interviews leading up to looped, and layered chorus vocalizing closer, “Baby,” a cover of the 1979 the release of Pom Pom in 2014. the titular lyrics, voices warping as the Donnie and Joe Emerson hit that GABBY STEIB song went on. The early portion of the arguably outshines the original, and He spent some time out of the limelight show focused on new material, which exited the stage without fanfare. after that, and rolled out his latest sounded great. The first move back in SUIS GENERIS album, Dedicated to Bobby Jameson, time came five songs in, withPom Pom It was a quiet end to an unexpectedly without much fanfare in September. track “White Freckles,” a zany, guitar- uneventful evening of music, but the 3219 BURGUNDY ST. His newfound modesty looks good on driven freakout. band was back for a six-song encore, him. The project is his most mature yet, mostly featuring songs from Pink’s DEC. 6 — JAN. 2 dealing with his fear of aging and losing From there, Pink laced Bobby Jameson 2010 breakout, Before Today. They relevance through a tribute to Bobby into his set, but mainly focused on ended with “Round and Round,” a Jameson, a notoriously unsuccessful older songs. The show reached its career-defining hit from that album. OPENING: SAT. DEC 9 L.A. musician who passed away in climax about halfway through with During its iconic chorus, as layers of obscurity in 2015. “Another Weekend” (the standout sound piled onto each other, Pink’s MORE INFO: single from the new album), leading voice rang out in a realm of its own, PHOTONOLA.ORG At Tipitina’s, Pink started things off into “Put Your Number In My Phone” unable to conform even to the music he with a flashback. After opening sets (Pom Pom’s centerpiece). On both these wrote for it.

42 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 PHOTO: JARED LANDRY

"IT WAS UNPLEASANT FOR ME TO HANG OUT WITH ME. BRIAN PRETUS CONT'D FROM PG. 33 I CAN’T IMAGINE HOW MY BANDMATES FELT. NOW, IT’S GETTING EASIER." was partially responsible for PEARS starting? BP: Definitely. That was the reason ZACH QUINN the Lollies broke up. It bummed us out CONT'D FROM PG. 32 Whereas the solo record, once we laid sit next to me and talk to the crowd so much that we just gave up. We just down an arrangement, we have one in between songs but that’s not a real decided to do new stuff and we just close to almost demo territory, but with week to do it... Green Star was super option. There’s that, talking to the needed a break from that to realize quality that goes far beyond tape deck labor intensive and very, very difficult crowd, and there’s also just being the that we write so good together that we or something you might record a demo to do. And as a result, not a super only person up there and feeling super, should do something else. That’s how on. It really works. It only really works fun experience, but ultra-rewarding, super vulnerable, knowing that any this band started. because Joey has such good vision. incredibly rewarding. But it was a very, mistake I make is going to be glaring. There’s something to be said about very hard record to make. Whereas There aren’t three other musicians to I was very surprised to find copies someone who has been doing it as long One Week, simply because of the time smooth things out, which is a wonderful of Go to Prison and Green Star at a as he has. Even with incomplete ideas, he constraint, it got to be fun. thing about being in a band. It’s super, Tower Records in Tokyo last year. knows how to corral an artist into making super scary. I feel like, maybe, I can BP: Yeah. That’s awesome. I had no the stuff happen. Whether it is a lyrical How does it feel to do solo shows eventually get through that. PEARS idea. I think we sold two records hang-up or a musical hang-up, he knows now after falling into the routine of made me way more nervous than it in Tokyo last year, which is pretty how to facilitate a conversation of new fronting PEARS night after night does now, once upon a time. cool. [laughs] That’s two more than ways to think about it. He’s just good. for so long? we sold in Antarctica. We definitely ZQ: It’s absolutely petrifying, man. What question do you never want to want to play there. Metallica played How would you contrast doing your Especially in PEARS, I totally copped be asked in an interview again? there in a bubble. solo album with PEARS’ last album out of frontman duties. I do not address ZQ: “Why is your band called PEARS?” Green Star? the people that are watching us. I just That’s one. I’ve answered that question Will PEARS have a bubble when ZQ: In a way, there were similar don’t know how to talk to people. I in depth, several times. Just google it, they play? experiences between a PEARS record feel weird about it. I feel weird about man; just google it: “PEARS band why.” BP: Fuck no, dude. We’ll play right in and a One Week Record, especially a lot of things but I feel awkward and You can’t just google “pears” or else the snow but our sets are so short that with the One Week stuff that I brought uncomfortable most of the time, so I fruit comes up. Just google it if you want we won’t even get frostbite. to the table that was incomplete. With don’t [address the crowd] and Brian to know that bad. But nobody wants PEARS, I’ll bring stuff that’s incomplete does. As I’ve experienced so far, playing to know that bad! [laughs] If they’re Human Movement, PEARS’ new to the table and Brian will finish it. But solo shows, I’m not going to get away standing right there, they ask and now split with Direct Hit!, is available with One Week, I brought something with not saying a word. That’s way I just go “mushrooms” and then shrug via Fat Wreck Chords. Zach Quinn’s incomplete to the table and then Joey worse. As awkward as I might end up because I’m tired of giving the in-depth debut solo album One Week Record helped me finish it. You know what I being, it would be so much worse if I version of that answer. But yeah drugs. is available digitally via One Week mean? In that way, it was very similar. just didn’t look anybody in the eye and Records and on vinyl via Fat Wreck In contrast, Green Star went through didn’t say anything the entire time. I’ve Shrugs. Chords. For more information, check so many drafts and so many re-writes. joked about having Brian just come ZQ: Drugs. Shrugs. [laughs] out pearstheband.com

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 43 WHATEVR plus THE HAIL MERCY, 7pm Maple Leaf: George Porter Jr. Trio Howlin Wolf: Hot 8 Brass Band, 10pm Featuring Terrence Houston and Mike Maison: Swingin’ Jazz Brunch with Chance Lemler, 10pm Bushman & The NOLA Jitterbugs, 10am; New Movement Theater: Knockout’s The Jenelle and Gabi Trio, 1pm; Sidewalk Champs for Charity!, 9:30pm LISTINGS Swing, 4pm; Meghan Stewart, 7pm; Higher One Eyed Jacks: Blind Texas Marlin (in Heights, 10pm the front lounge), 8pm Maple Leaf: Russell Batiste Birthday Poor Boys: Wvrm | Funeral Chic | Out Of Throwdown, 10pm Reach (EP Release) | DJ Chrischarge, 9pm New Orleans Art Center: Bywater New Movement Theater: School Night, Siberia: Pub Trivia w/ The Tagues, 7pm; SATURDAY 12/2 Biennial- Louisiana Celebration of Life 7pm; BETA, 8pm Comic Strip Comedy & Burlesque, 9:30pm (Show lasts till Dec.30th), 6pm One Eyed Jacks: Fleur de Tease presents Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Conscious Bar Redux: Out For Queer Blood: By One Eyed Jacks: Fleur de Tease presents Naughty Nutcracker; 8:30pm & 10:30pm Cinema: Born in Flames & Cocktail Hour Clayton Delery, 6pm; Cumbia Calling Dance Naughty Nutcracker; 8:30pm & 10:30pm Santos: D.R.I / Kaustik, 7pm with Gallery of the Streets, 5pm; Papa Mali Party, 10pm Santos: FTPA, 10pm Siberia: Sam Doores presents: For The Sake with Skeeterleg & Friends plus extra special Blue Nile: New Breed Brass Band, 11pm Siberia: Alex McMurray, 6pm; Naughty Palace, of The Song (Songwriter Showcase), 8pm guests, 9pm Chickie Wah Wah: Sonia Tetlow & the She Comes In Peace Fashion Show, 10pm Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Blues Night with Zeitgeist Theater: Dina, 6pm; Bpm (Beats Boys from the Band, 9pm Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Debauche, 10pm Juju Child & The Hypnotic Roots Band, 9pm Per Minute), 8pm Circle Bar: Ramshackle Pie, 7pm; TØMA + Zeitgeist Theater: Not About Nightingales, Zeitgeist Theater: Not About more tba, 10pm ($5) 2:30pm; Friends Of Helen Hill, 7pm Nightingales, 8pm TUESDAY 12/5 d.b.a.: Little Freddie King, 11pm Dragon’s Den: Samba Soul Saturdays SUNDAY 12/3 MONDAY 12/4 Bar Redux: The Spontaneous Show with Featuring Brazilian Pineapple Fashion Young Funny, 8pm Show, 7pm; Talk Nerdy To Me – A Weekly Banks St: Winslow, 1pm; Banks Street’s Got Banks St: Piano Showcase, 7pm; Blue Nile: PJ Morton + after party with DJ Burlesque Revue, 7pm; KOMPRESSION w/ Talent hosted by Ron & Tina, 5pm Montague, 9pm Raj Smoove, 10pm Doc Martin, 10pm Bar Redux: Swamp Swap Holiday Market, Chickie Wah Wah: Justin Molaison & Chickie Wah Wah: Chip Wilson, 5:30pm; Gasa Gasa: Rock Eupora, Midriff, Jack 2pm; Plus Aziz/ Toby O’Brien, 9pm Terry McDermott, 5:30pm; Alex McMurray Alvin Youngblood Hart Muscle Memory Donovan, 10pm Chickie Wah Wah: Meschiya Lake & The & Glen Hartman, 8pm Theory, 8pm Good Children Gallery: assume vivid astro Little Big Horns Quartet, 8pm Circle Bar: Phil the Tremolo King, 7pm; Circle Bar: Carl LeBlanc, 7pm focus: avalanches volcanoes asteroids floods Circle Bar: Micah McKee, Blind Texas Motown Monday w/ DJ Shane Love, 9:30pm d.b.a.: DinosAurchestra, 7pm; Treme Brass Curated by Dan Cameron, 5pm (Showing Marlin & friends, 7pm (NO COVER) Band, 10pm Nov.16 - Jan.7) d.b.a.: Soul Brass Band, 10pm d.b.a.: Brass-a-Holics, 10pm Dragon’s Den: The All-Star Covered-Dish Hi-Ho: Close Me Out, 8pm; Pink Room Dragon’s Den: Open Jazz Jam w/ Anuraag Dragon’s Den: Monday Night Swing, 7pm; Country Jamboree, 9pm Project, 11pm Pendyal, 7pm; CHURCH*, 10pm AudioDope with DJ Ill-Medina, 11pm Hi-Ho: Isaac Worley’s Soul Emporium EP House of Blues: Geovane Santos, 12pm; Front Gallery: Full House, 12-5pm Gasa Gasa: Anthony da Costa, Sam Doores, 9pm Release Show Plus Tiffany Jade, 9pm Marcos & Crescent Citizen, 3:30pm; Gasa Gasa: Hash Cabbage, Mynah Byrd, Hi-Ho: Bluegrass Pickin’ Party, 8pm; House of Blues: Sessions Happy Hour, 5pm; BUSTOUT BURLESQUE, 8pm; DJ Fayard The Quickening, The Iceman Special, 8pm Instant Opus Improvised Series, 10pm Michael Liuzza, 6pm; Poptone Featuring Lindsey, 9pm HeyCafe: Null | Blessed | The World is a House of Blues: Sean Riley, 6pm; Founding Members of BAUHAUS: Daniel Maison: Chance Bushman & The Vampire, 8PM Gathering of the Tribes presented by Hippie Ash & Kevin Haskins, 7pm; LEGENDARY Ibervillianaires, 1pm; Luneta Jazz Band, Hi-Ho: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic, Gypsy, 6pm SHACK SHAKERS, 7pm 4pm; Smoking Time Jazz Club, 7pm; Ashton 8pm; Baby Boy Bartels & The Boys + The Howlin Wolf: In The Den: Universal Sigh, Howlin Wolf: Comedy Beast FREE Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers + RnR Music Afrodiziacs, 10pm 8pm; On The Porch: Coast to Coast Live SHOW, 8:30pm Group, 10pm House of Blues: GOSPEL BRUNCH, Interactive Showcase, 9pm Maison: Zoe K & Friends, 4pm; Gregory Agid Maple Leaf: New Orleans Nightcrawlers, 10pm 10am; Jason Bishop, 6pm; THE SPILL Maison: Chicken & Waffles, 4pm; The Quartet, 6:30pm; BrassLightning, 9:30pm New Movement Theater: The Megaphone CANVAS: No Really, I’m Fine - 10th Royal Roses, 7pm; Sierra Green & The Soul Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band, 10pm Show, 10:30pm Anniversary with WILD plus SUPER Machine, 10pm One Eyed Jacks: The Drums with Hoops

44 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 plus Lawn, 9pm Service Industry Night w/ DJ Otto, 9pm Combo, 7pm Psychedelic Roses, 10:30pm Saenger Theatre: Cirque Dreams Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Helen Gillet + 1 Civic Theatre: Comedy Central Stand-Up Circle Bar: TBA, 7pm; Kewl Nite, or Bubble- Holidaze, 7:30pm Noelle Tannen, 9pm Presents: Half-Hour Series, 7:30pm Glam-Ponk-Sike Party II w/ DJ BuyItNow & Siberia: Acoustic Open Mic, 8pm Zeitgeist Theater: Dina, 6pm; Bpm (Beats d.b.a.: Tuba Skinny, 6pm; Kristin Diable + Mike Movie, 10pm (NO COVER) Smoothie King Center: Dead & Company, 7pm Per Minute), 8pm tba, 10pm d.b.a.: Juke Joint Duo ft- Cedric Burnside & Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Selectors at Ace, 8pm Dragon’s Den: Claire & Anuraag, 7pm; Lightnin’ Malcolm, 11pm Zeitgeist Theater: Dina, 6pm; Bpm (Beats THURSDAY 12/7 Comedy, F*ck Yeah, 8pm; Buena Vista Dragon’s Den: Samba Soul Saturdays Per Minute), 8pm Social Latin Dance Party, 10pm; The Featuring Brazilian Pineapple Fashion Bar Redux: Phil The Tremolo King, 9pm Tipping Point with DJ RQ Away, 10pm Show, 7pm; Talk Nerdy To Me – A Weekly WEDNESDAY 12/6 Circle Bar: Natalie Mae & Gina Leslie, Gasa Gasa: A Smithsmas Extravaganza Burlesque Revue, 7pm; Primetime feat. DJ 7pm; (A)Country Night #1: Bloody Belgium with The Gentlemen Commoners Legatron Prime, 10pm; Sexy Back with DJ Antenna Gallery: Mississippi Noir with w/ Panzer & Howie + musical guests performing the music of The Smiths, The Dizzi, 10pm William Boyle and RaShell R. Smith- Trampoline Team, 10pm (NO COVER) Junior League, 10pm Gasa Gasa: Pale Waves, The Candescents, 10pm Spears, 8pm d.b.a.: Deltaphonic, 11pm House of Blues: Dick Deluxe, 12pm; Hi-Ho: Brown Improv, 8pm; Pink Room Banks St: Free BLTs & Major Bacon, 10pm Dragon’s Den: Crescent Fresh Stand-up, Captain Buckles Band, 3:30pm; Jake Project, 11pm Bar Redux: Cinema Noir: Gun Crazy/ 7:30pm; Static Masks + Germ City Smashup Landry, 7pm; THE PRINCE EXPERIENCE, House of Blues: Geovane Santos, 12pm; Detour, 9pm +Rathbone + DJ Clap Track, 10pm 8pm; Loumuzik Live - In The Parish, 9pm; Marcos & Crescent Citizen, 3:30pm; Chickie Wah Wah: Ivor Simpson-Kennedy, Gasa Gasa: United Bakery Records Revue Tony Skratchere, 10pm Keith Stone Trio, 6pm; DEPARTURE: The 5:30pm; Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott, CD Release: Part 1, The Tumbling Wheels, Howlin Wolf: Don’t Spike The Eggnog : A Journey Tribute Band plus Dr Rock, 8pm; 8pm; Hayley Thompson-KIng, 10pm Julie Odell, 9pm Benefit for The Bridge House, 7pm; In The DJ Fayard Lindsey, 9pm; BAMBOLEO!: Circle Bar: The Iguanas, 7pm House of Blues: Loyola Music Industry Den: Vibe Doctors & Karma Bank, 9pm Latin Club Night, 11:59pm d.b.a.: Tin Men, 7pm; Brint Anderson & the Showcase, 7pm Joy Theater: The Soul Rebels Ft. Curren$y, Howlin Wolf: On The Porch: An Evening Roadmasters, 10pm Howlin Wolf: Every Thursday In The Den: Talib Kweli & Robert Glasper, 10pm with Birdfinger, 8pm; In The Den: Mollie Dragon’s Den: Groove Therapy, 10pm; Comedy Gumbeaux (FREE SHOW), 8:30pm Maison: New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, McCarthy & Ella Blue, 9pm Dancehall Classics with DJ T-Roy’s Bayou Maison: The Good For Nothin’ Band, 4pm; Shotgun Jazz Band, 7pm; Ricio & Maison: Chance Bushman & The International Sound System, 11pm 4pm; Sweet Substitute Jazz Band, 7pm; Reece’s Pieces + Ashton Hines & The Big Ibervillianaires, 1pm; Luneta Jazz Band, Gasa Gasa: Sean Hobbes, Mickey Hayes, Dysfunktional Bone, 10pm Easy Brawlers, 10pm 4pm; Smoking Time Jazz Club, 7pm; Raw Brain Child, 8pm Maple Leaf: The Johnny V Trio, 10pm Maple Leaf: Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Deal + Gene’s Music Machine, 10pm Hi-Ho: College Dropout: What College Taught One Eyed Jacks: The Texas Gentlemen, 7pm Groove, 10pm Maple Leaf: New Orleans Suspects, 10pm Me, 7pm; Progression Music Series, 9pm Siberia: Eastern Bloc Party: G String New Movement Theater: The Franchise, 9pm New Movement Theater: The Megaphone House of Blues: Jazz, Dinner & Drinks Orchestra, 9pm One Eyed Jacks: Camel Toe Lady Steppers Show, 10:30pm feat. Michael Liuzza, 6pm; Comedy Gold! Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Kirk Joseph & The Annual Toe-Down, 9pm One Eyed Jacks: Power Trip with Thou with Leon Blanda, 7pm; Jet Lounge in The Backyard Band plus Lilli Lewis Project, 9pm Siberia: United Bakery Records: Shane plus Suicideyear, 9pm Parish, 11pm Zeitgeist Theater: Dina, 6pm; Bpm (Beats Sayers, Maggie Belle Band, Up Up We Go, 9pm Orpheum: Orpheum Holiday Spectacular Howlin Wolf: In The Den: Brass Knuckles Per Minute), 8pm Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Erica Falls Band, 10pm With the 610 Stompers, 7:30pm Brass Band, 8pm Zeitgeist Theater: Not About Republic: Giraffage + Sweater Beats + Maison: The Salvatore Geloso Trio, 4pm; FRIDAY 12/8 Nightingales, 8pm Wingtip, 11pm The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, 6:30pm; Saenger Theatre: The Marine Corps Band Organized Crime, 9:30pm Blue Nile: Kermit Ruffins, 11pm SATURDAY 12/9 of New Orleans presents Santa meets Souza, Maple Leaf: Ari Teitel with Andrew Block, Chickie Wah Wah: Michael Pearce, 7:30pm (FREE) Nigel Hall, Eric Vogel, Isaac Easy,Deven 6pm; Paul Sanchez & The Rolling Road Bar Redux: PhotoNOLA: Nature & Santos: DMATT with South Jones, 9pm Trusclair, 10pm Show w/ Songs of John Lennon, 8pm; The Architecture: Luke Fontana & Vincent Siberia: Shut Up And Dance: Dance-aoke, 9pm New Movement Theater: Dean’s List, New Orleans Klezmer All Stars w/ Glenn Simmons, 7pm; Ruby & The Rogues, 8pm Three Keys (Ace Hotel): La Noche 8pm; Chris & Tami, 9:30pm Hartman, Stanton Moore, Ben Ellman, Blue Nile: Sonic Bloom, 11pm Caliente with Muevelo!, 9pm Portside Lounge: Vacation with DJ Pasta, 8pm Jonathan Freilich, 10:30pm Chickie Wah Wah: Webb Wilder, 8pm; Tipitina’s: Dragon Smoke + Porch 40, 10pm Siberia: Hot For Teacher Happy Hour, 5pm; Circle Bar: Rik Slave’s Classy Country Kei Slaughter, Toonces & Tasche & The GASA GASA DECEMBER 2017

12/1 – Max Moran and Neospectric + JFF’s Music for the Children – 10PM 12/17 – Amos Trumble’s Rock and Rock Blood Drive – 10PM

12/2 – Rock Eupora + Midriff + Jack Donovan – 10PM 12/18 – The Number Twelve Looks Like You + Rolo Tomassi + Cryptodira– 10PM 12/3 – Hash Cabbage + Mynah Byrd + The Quickening + The Iceman Special – 10PM 12/19 – The Breton Sound + The Band Camino + Jet Black Alley Cat – 10PM 12/4 – Anthony Da Costa + Sam Doores – 9PM

12/6 – Sean Hobbes + Mickey Hayes + Brain Child – 10PM 12/20 – Tranche + Kristina – 10pm

12/7 – United Bakery Records presents: The Tumbling Wheels + Julie Odell – 10PM 12/22 – Gravity A – 10PM 12/8 – The Bowery Presents: The Gentleman Commoners play The Smiths – 10PM 12/29 – Big Freedia – 10PM 12/9 – The Bowery Presents: Pale Waves + The Candescents – 9PM 12/30 – Big Freedia – 10PM 12/11 – Keep Flying + Dozer + Screaming Underwater – 8PM

12/16 – Real Rock Club presents: 68 + Whores + Alistair Hennessey – 10PM 12/31 – Delish Da Goddess + Sexy Dex + Video Age + Caddywhompus – 10PM

located: 4920 Freret St. in Uptown New Orleans

hours: Tuesday-Sun day | 12pm to late Happy Hour specials all day, every day

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 45 SUNDAY 12/10 SHOW, 8:30pm Maison: Samantha Pearl, 4pm; Gregory Banks St: Winslow, 1pm; Banks Street’s Got Agid Quartet, 6:30pm; Gene’s Music Talent hosted by Ron & Tina, 5pm Machine, 9:30pm Bar Redux: Music & Poetry: Toby O’Brien/ Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band, 10pm Tiny Dinosaur, 6pm; Diako Diakoff, 10pm Orpheum: Randy Newman, 7pm Chickie Wah Wah: Meschiya Lake & The Santos: Space Cadaver//Darkstar Coven// Little Big Horns Quartet, 8pm Skudz, 9pm Circle Bar: Micah McKee, Blind Texas Siberia: Acoustic Open Mic, 8pm Marlin & friends, 7pm; Kathryn Rose Wood Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Selectors at + Julie Odell, 9:30pm ($5) Ace, 8pm d.b.a.: The Palmetto Bug Stompers, 6pm; Zeitgeist Theater: Dina, 6pm; Bpm (Beats Mainline, 10pm Per Minute), 8pm Dragon’s Den: Open Jazz Jam w/ Anuraag Pendyal, 7pm; CHURCH*, 10pm WEDNESDAY 12/13 Gasa Gasa: Bully, Smut, 9pm Hi-Ho: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic, Banks St: Free BLTs & Major Bacon, 10pm 8pm; One Love Brass Band, 10pm Bar Redux: Women Helping Women: House of Blues: GOSPEL BRUNCH, 10am; NOLA Comics Give Back, 7pm Jason Bishop, 6pm; RAHEEM DEVAUGHN Chickie Wah Wah: Justin Reuther, 6pm; featuring THE CROSSRHODES, 7pm; Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott, 8pm Requiem with DJ Raj Smooove, 10pm Circle Bar: The Iguanas, 7pm Howlin Wolf: In The Den: Vintage Pistol, Civic Theatre: A Drag Queen Christmas, 8pm 7pm; Hot 8 Brass Band, 10pm d.b.a.: Tin Men, 7pm; Walter Wolfman Joy Theater: Hari Kondabolu, Liz Miele, 8pm Washington & the Roadmasters, 10pm Maison: Swingin’ Jazz Brunch with Chance Dragon’s Den: Groove Therapy, 10pm; Bushman & The NOLA Jitterbugs, 10am; Dancehall Classics with DJ T-Roy’s Bayou Novos Sapatos, 1pm; Royal Street Winding International Sound System, 11pm Boys, 4pm; Leah Rucker, 7pm; Higher Hi-Ho: Progression Music Series, 9pm Heights, 10pm House of Blues: Cary Hudson, 6pm; Jazz, Maple Leaf: Joe Krown Trio featuring Dinner & Drinks feat. Michael Liuzza, 6pm; Walter “Wolfman” Washington, 10pm GARY NUMAN plus ME NOT YOU, 7pm; New Movement Theater: School Night, Comedy Gold! with Leon Blanda, 7pm; Ybn 7pm; BETA, 8pm Nahmir, 7pm; Jet Lounge in The Parish, 11pm Orpheum: Matinee: Holiday Spectacular Maison: Sidewalk Swing, 4pm; The New New Orleans, 2:30pm Orleans Jazz Vipers, 6:30pm; Ricio & Santos: Sinners & Saints//Dirty Rotten Reece’s Pieces, 9:30pm Snake In The Grass, 9pm Maple Leaf: Ari Teitel with Ron Siberia: Olivia Mainville and The Aquatic Johnson,Andrew Yanovski, Isaac Eady and Troupe, tba, 9pm Big D, 10pm Tipitina’s: Pokey Lafarge + Esther Rose + New Movement Theater: Dean’s List, The Easy Leaves, 7pm 8pm; Chris & Tami, 9:30pm Zeitgeist Theater: Not About Portside Lounge: Vacation with DJ Pasta, 8pm Nightingales, 8pm Siberia: Hot For Teacher Happy Hour, 5pm; Service Industry Night w/ DJ Otto, 9pm MONDAY 12/11 Three Keys (Ace Hotel): The Shape of Jazz to Come ft. SLEIGH (Gamble, Peake, Banks St: Piano Showcase, 7pm; Lott), 9pm Montague, 9pm Zeitgeist Theater: Dina, 6pm; Bpm (Beats Chickie Wah Wah: Justin Molaison & Per Minute), 8pm Jonathan Pretus, 5:30pm; Alex McMurray & Sam Doores, 8pm THURSDAY 12/14 Circle Bar: TBA, 7pm; Motown Monday w/ DJ Shane Love, 9:30pm (NO COVER) Bar Redux: The Lark and The Loon// Toby d.b.a.: John Boutte’, 7pm; Brass-a-Holics, 10pm O’Brien, 9pm Dragon’s Den: Monday Night Swing, 7pm; Chickie Wah Wah: Happy Hour w/ Phil AudioDope with DJ Ill-Medina, 11pm DeGruy & Emily Robertson, 6pm; John Hi-Ho: Bluegrass Pickin’ Party, 8pm; “Papa” Gros Band, 8pm Instant Opus Improvised Series, 10pm Circle Bar: Natalie Mae & Gina Leslie, House of Blues: Sean Riley, 6pm 7pm; (A)Country Night #2: Heavy Metal Maison: Chicken & Waffles, 4pm; The Fruit Basket [Nippon edition] w/ Panzer & Royal Roses, 7pm; Sierra Green & The Soul Howie + musical guests Spellbreaker, 10pm Machine, 10pm (NO COVER) Maple Leaf: George Porter Jr., 10pm d.b.a.: Gal Holiday & the Honkey Tonk New Movement Theater: Knockout’s Revue, 7pm; Billy Iuso & the Restless Champs for Charity!, 9:30pm Natives, 10pm One Eyed Jacks: Valerie Sassyfras, Maggie Dragon’s Den: Crescent Fresh Stand-up, Belle Band & Chopped Up Tulips, 8pm 7:30; SASH, 10pm Santos: Abrams//CROSSED//End All, 9pm House of Blues: Jake Landry & the Right Lane Siberia: Pub Trivia w/ The Tagues, 7pm; Bandits, 6pm; Rapsody plus Don Flamingo plus Comic Strip Comedy & Burlesque, 9:30pm GQ plus Deante Hitchcock, 7pm Zeitgeist Theater: Dina, 6pm; Bpm (Beats Howlin Wolf: In The Den: Comedy Per Minute), 8pm Gumbeaux (FREE SHOW), 8:30pm Maison: The Good For Nothin’ Band, 4pm; TUESDAY 12/12 James Williams, 7pm; Dysfunktional Bone, 10pm Bar Redux: The Spontaneous Show with Maple Leaf: Johnny Vidacovich and Young Funny, 8pm Special Guests, 10pm Blue Nile: PJ Morton + after party with DJ Orpheum: Outside the Bachs: Baroque Raj Smoove, 10pm Christmas, 7:30pm Chickie Wah Wah: Chip Wilson, 5:30pm; Siberia: Eastern Bloc Party: Blato Zlato, 9pm Ron Hotstream & The MidCity Drifters, 8pm Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Little Circle Bar: Carl LeBlanc, 7pm; Poppy/Field Cosmicana ft. Video Age & Chris Rehm of w/ Proud/Father, 9:30pm (NO COVER) Caddywhompus, 9pm d.b.a.: DinosAurchestra, 7pm; Treme Brass Zeitgeist Theater: Not About Band, 10pm Nightingales, 8pm Dragon’s Den: The All-Star Covered-Dish Country Jamboree, 9pm FRIDAY 12/15 Hi-Ho: Jonathan Brown + DopeKNife + Lingua Franca, 8pm Bar Redux: Rockin’ Around The Christmas House of Blues: Michael Liuzza, 6pm; Tree Record Hop, 10pm Songwriters Sessions, 7pm Blue Nile: Kermit Ruffins, 11pm Howlin Wolf: Comedy Beast FREE Chickie Wah Wah: Michael Pearce, 6pm;

46 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 Paul Sanchez & The Rolling Road Show w/ Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Mainline, 10pm special guests, 9pm Songs of Bob Dylan, 8pm Tipitina’s: Anders Osborne’s 6th Annual Tipitina’s: Jake Bugg + Robin Barnes, 8:30pm Circle Bar: Rik Slave’s Classy Country Holiday Spectacular + Andrew Duhon with Zeitgeist Theater: Baseball Punx, 8pm Combo, 7pm; Beyond the Darkness special guest Patterson Hood, 10pm -presents- Xander Harris + Agonal Breath, Zeitgeist Theater: Not About MONDAY 12/18 10pm ($5) Nightingales, 8pm d.b.a.: Tuba Skinny, 6pm; Pink Slip + Jason Banks St: Piano Showcase, 7pm; Montague, 9pm & the Kreugers, 10pm SUNDAY 12/17 Chickie Wah Wah: Justin Molaison & Dragon’s Den: Max & McKenna, 7pm; Jenna Guidry, 5:30pm; Alex McMurray, 8pm Buena Vista Social Latin Dance Party, 10pm; Bar Redux: Domenic Fusca, 9pm Circle Bar: Phil the Tremolo King, 7pm; The Tipping Point with DJ RQ Away, 10pm Banks St: Winslow, 1pm; Banks Street”s Motown Monday w/ DJ Shane Love, 9:30pm House of Blues: Captain Buckles Band, Got Talent hosted by Ron & Tina, 5pm (NO COVER) 3:30pm; Jake Landry, 5pm; Sleeping With Chickie Wah Wah: Greazy Alice w/ special d.b.a.: John Boutte’, 7pm; Brass-a-Holics, 10pm Sirens plus Wild Fire plus First Fracture, guest Dave Jordan Acoustic, 8pm Dragon’s Den: Monday Night Swing, 7pm; 5:30pm; Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, Circle Bar: Micah McKee, Blind Texas AudioDope with DJ Ill-Medina, 11pm 10pm; Jet Life Christmas: Curren$y’s Marlin & friends, 7pm; Blue Dream + Gasa Gasa: The Number Twelve Looks Lighting of the Tree, 10:30pm Melting Coffin, 9:30pm ($5) Like You, Rolo Tomassi, Cryptodira, Capra, Howlin Wolf: In The Den: “Stoked” NOLA’s d.b.a.: The Palmetto Bug Stompers, 6pm; Sounding, 8pm Best Comedians (Free Admission), 9pm; Bon Bon Vivant, 10pm Hi-Ho: Bluegrass Pickin’ Party, 8pm; Nigel Hall Band plus Raquel Rodriguez, 9pm Dragon’s Den: Open Jazz Jam w/ Anuraag Instant Opus Improvised Series, 10pm Maison: New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Pendyal, 7pm; CHURCH*, 10pm House of Blues: Sean Riley, 6pm 4pm; Shotgun Jazz Band, 7pm; Raw Deal + Gasa Gasa: Amos Trumble’s Rock and Roll Maison: Chicken & Waffles, 4pm; The Groove Faction, 10pm Blood Drive, Guitar Lightnin’ Lee, Trash Royal Roses, 7pm; Sierra Green & The Soul Maple Leaf: BrasiNola, 10pm Night, Gushers, The Swingin’ Doors, DJ Machine, 10pm New Movement Theater: The Penetrol, 10am Maple Leaf: George Porter Jr. Trio THE GENTLEMEN Franchise, 9pm Hi-Ho: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic, Featuring Terrence Houston and Mike COMMONERS One Eyed Jacks: DJ Soul Sister presents 8pm; Stripped Into Submission, 10pm Lemler, 10pm Soulful Takeover, 10pm House of Blues: GOSPEL BRUNCH, 10am; New Movement Theater: Knockout’s FRI DEC 8 - GASA GASA Saenger Theatre: The Legend of Zelda - Jason Bishop, 6pm Champs for Charity!, 9:30pm Symphony of the Goddesses, 8pm Howlin Wolf: In The Den: Hot 8 Brass One Eyed Jacks: Blind Texas Marlin (in Santos: Putrid Pile | M.D.F.L | D.D.A. | Six Band, 10pm the front lounge), 8pm PALE WAVES Pack | IxExOxRxFxTx | Carcass of Christ | Maison: Swingin’ Jazz Brunch with Chance Siberia: Pub Trivia w/ The Tagues, 7pm; SAT DEC 9 - GASA GASA Pussyrot | Sounding, 6pm Bushman & The NOLA Jitterbugs, 10am; Comic Strip Comedy & Burlesque, 9:30pm Siberia: Julie Odell Band, Shrugs, Maddog The Function, 1pm; Leah Rucker, 4pm; Three Keys (Ace Hotel): The Monday Get and Her L’il Pups, 9pm Michael Watson Quintet, 7pm; Higher Right, 4pm A DRAG QUEEN XMAS Smoothie King Center: I Love the 90’s Heights, 10pm WED DEC 13 - CIVIC THEATRE featuring Salt N Pepa & Vanilla Ice + Kid N Maple Leaf: James Booker Birthday TUESDAY 12/19 Play, Color Me Badd, Young MC, Tone Loc & Tribute, 10pm Rob Base, 7:30pm New Movement Theater: School Night, Blue Nile: PJ Morton + after party with DJ Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Khris Royal’s 3rd 7pm; BETA, 8pm Raj Smoove, 10pm DJ SOUL SISTER NYE Annual XXXmas Jam with Dark Matter, One Eyed Jacks: Yung Vul (in the front Chickie Wah Wah: Chip Wilson, 5:30pm; SUN DEC 31 - CIVIC THEATRE Erica Falls, Nesby Phips, Nell & More, 9pm lounge), 8pm Michael Cerveris & Loose Cattle, 8pm Tipitina’s: Anders Osborne’s 6th Annual Orpheum: New Orleans Ballet Theatre Circle Bar: Carl LeBlanc, 7pm Holiday Spectacular + Andrew Duhon with presents The Nutcracker, 2pm d.b.a.: DinosAurchestra, 7pm; Treme Brass THE DEEP DARK special guest Rickie Lee Jones, 10pm Poor Boys: After The Slaughter: Gulf Coast Band, 10pm Zeitgeist Theater: Not About Slaughter Fest After Party, 1am Dragon’s Den: The All-Star Covered-Dish WOODS Nightingales, 8pm Santos: The Iceman Special//Grand Country Jamboree, 9pm FRI JAN 19 - GASA GASA Nathanial and The Ghosts//Hunter Romero Hi-Ho: New Orleans Guitar Night, 9pm SATURDAY 12/16 x DJ set, 7pm House of Blues: Sessions Happy Hour, Siberia: Kelcy Mae’s Biennial Merry 5pm; Michael Liuzza, 6pm RADIO MOSCOW Bar Redux: Hallelujah Hat Rack, 9pm Songwriting Revue: Alexandra Scott, Micah Howlin Wolf: Comedy Beast FREE Blue Nile: Naughty Professor, 11pm McGee, Lauren Ogelsby, and more, 8pm SHOW, 8:30pm WED JAN 31 - GASA GASA Chickie Wah Wah: Eric Benny Bloom’s Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Blues Night with Maison: Quicksand, 4pm; Gregory Agid “Really Tacky Holiday Show”, 9pm Juju Child & The Hypnotic Roots Band with Quartet, 6:30pm; Skeeter Leg, 9:30pm Circle Bar: Sabine McCalla + Una BUSTY & THE BASS Walkenhorst + Grannia Griffith, 7pm; lady THUR FEB 15 - GASA GASA legs + GT + Gools, 10pm ($5) d.b.a.: Meschiya Lake & the Little Big Horns, 7pm; Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, 11pm ST. VINCENT Dragon’s Den: Samba Soul Saturdays MON FEB 19 - CIVIC THEATRE Featuring Brazilian Pineapple Fashion Show, 7pm; Talk Nerdy To Me – A Weekly Burlesque Revue, 7pm; Primetime featuring JOYWAVE DJ Legatron Prime, 10pm; Sexy Back with DJ Dizzi, 10pm SUN FEB 25 - GASA GASA Gasa Gasa: 68, Whores, Alistair Hennessey, 8pm Hi-Ho: Big Easy Live!, 8pm; Pink Room Project, 11pm BETH HART House of Blues: Geovane Santos, 12pm; TUE FEB 27 - CIVIC THEATRE Marcos & Crescent Citizen, 3:30pm; Elevate Your Nightlife, 5pm; FLATLAND CAVALRY plus JOHN BAUMANN, 8pm MARTIN SEXTON Howlin Wolf: In The Den: Voodoo WED FEB 28 - GASA GASA Visionary plus Joshua Summey, 9pm Maison: Chance Bushman & The Ibervillianaires, 1pm; Cajun/Zydeco Fais Do Do featuring 99 Playboys + Gal Holiday & ORCHESTRAL The Honky Tonk Revue, 4pm; Smoking Time MANOEUVRES IN THE Jazz Club, 7pm; RnR Music Group + Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers, 10pm DARK Maple Leaf: Walter Wolfman Washington MON APR 9 CIVIC THEATRE and the Roadmasters, 10pm New Movement Theater: The Megaphone Show, 10:30pm One Eyed Jacks: Motel Radio with The THE DARKNESS Artisanals plus Midriff, 9pm MON APR 30 - CIVIC THEATRE Orpheum: New Orleans Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker, 2pm & 7pm Santos: Ratos De Porao | BLK OPS | Vaginal Bear Trap | The Pallbearers | Fat Stupid Ugly FULL LIST AND TICKETS AT People | A Hanging | Shitstormtrooper, 6pm BOWERYSOUTH.COM Siberia: Big Freedia Block Party, 9pm

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 47 Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band, 10pm Circle Bar: Natalie Mae & Gina Leslie, Mouth Annual Christmas Show, 9pm Circle Bar: TBA, 7pm; Dummy Dumpster Saenger Theatre: White Christmas - The 7pm; (A)Country Night #3: ISIS [the band] Mahalia Jackson Theater: Delta Festival christmas w/ Dummy Dumpster + Musical, 7:30pm meets Sweden w/ Panzer & Howie, 11pm Ballet presents The Nutcracker, 7:30pm Santarantula, 9:30pm ($5) Santos: Blue Dream + Melting Coffin, 9pm (NO COVER) Maison: New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Dragon’s Den: Monday Night Swing, 7pm; Siberia: Acoustic Open Mic, 8pm d.b.a.: Sarah Quintana, 7pm; The Iguanas, 10pm 4pm; Shotgun Jazz Band, 7pm; Soul AudioDope with DJ Ill-Medina, 11pm Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Selectors at Ace, Dragon’s Den: Crescent Fresh Stand-up, Company + Ashton Hines & The Big Easy Hi-Ho: Bluegrass Pickin’ Party, 8pm; 8pm; Ivan Neville’s Nola Nites, 9pm 7:30pm Brawlers, 10pm Instant Opus Improvised Series, 10pm House of Blues: Jason Bishop (solo), Maple Leaf: Honey Island Swamp Band, 10pm Maison: The Royal Roses, 7pm; Sierra WEDNESDAY 12/20 6:30pm; ROBERT EARL KEEN, 7pm; Jason One Eyed Jacks: Air Sex Championships Green & The Soul Machine, 10pm Bishop (trio), 10pm Holiday Special, 9pm Maple Leaf: George Porter Jr’s Very Banks St: Free BLTs & Major Bacon, 10pm Howlin Wolf: In The Den: Comedy Orpheum: New Orleans Ballet Theatre Unofficial 70th Birthday Show, 10pm Chickie Wah Wah: Justin Reuther, 6pm; Gumbeaux (FREE SHOW), 8:30m presents The Nutcracker, 2pm & 7pm Zeitgeist Theater: Faces Places, 6pm; God’s Papa Mali, 8pm Maison: The Good For Nothin’ Band, 4pm; Saenger Theatre: White Christmas - The Own Country, 7:45pm ; Playground, 9:45pm Circle Bar: The Iguanas, 7pm; Sandra Love Roamin Jasmine, 7pm; Dysfunktional Musical, 2pm & 8pm & The Reason, 10pm (NO COVER) Bone, 10pm Siberia: Jocose Bird, Racoon Riviera, tba, 10pm TUESDAY 12/26 d.b.a.: Tin Men, 7pm; Walter Wolfman Maple Leaf: Johnny Vidacovich and Tipitina’s: Lost Bayou Ramblers With Washington & the Roadmasters, 10pm Friends, 10pm Spider Stacy + Teddy Lamson, 10pm Bar Redux: The Spontaneous Show with Dragon’s Den: Groove Therapy, 10pm; One Eyed Jacks: Jamaican Me Breakfast Zeitgeist Theater: A Storm Is Coming: Young Funny, 9pm Dancehall Classics with DJ T-Roy’s Bayou Club, 7pm Learning The Blues With Coney Island Blue Nile: PJ Morton + after party with DJ International Sound System, 11pm Saenger Theatre: White Christmas - The Pete, 7pm Raj Smoove, 10pm Hi-Ho: Progression Music Series, 9pm Musical, 7:30pm Chickie Wah Wah: Chip Wilson, 5:30pm; House of Blues: Cary Hudson, 6pm; Jazz, Santos: Coven Drag Show, 9pm SATURDAY 12/23 John Fohl, Johnny Sansone, & Anders Dinner & Drinks feat. Michael Liuzza, 6pm; Siberia: Eastern Bloc Party: Backyard Osborne, 8pm Comedy Gold! with Leon Blanda, 7pm; Jet Balkan Brass Band, 9pm Bar Redux: A Natty Christmas Reggae Circle Bar: Carl LeBlanc, 7pm Lounge in The Parish, 11pm Three Keys (Ace Hotel): The Asylum Party, 9pm d.b.a.: DinosAurchestra, 7pm; Treme Brass Howlin Wolf: In The Den: RIVAL Chorus: Holiday Show, 9pm Chickie Wah Wah: Hog Leg, 9pm Band, 10pm [N*O*V*A, 8pm; On The Porch: Burris, 8pm Circle Bar: Richard Bates, 7pm; Hogleg + Dragon’s Den: The All-Star Covered-Dish Maison: The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, FRIDAY 12/22 more tba, 10pm ($5) Country Jamboree, 9pm 6:30pm; B Miller Zone, 9:30pm d.b.a.: New Orleans Jazz Vipers, 7pm; George House of Blues: Michael Liuzza, 6pm Maple Leaf: Ari Teitel, with Brian Charente, Bar Redux: Dance Local Think Global, 10pm Porter Jr. & his Runnin’ Pardners, 11pm Howlin Wolf: Comedy Beast FREE Benny Bloom, Alvin Ford Jr., 10pm Blue Nile: Kermit Ruffins, 11pm Dragon’s Den: Samba Soul Saturdays SHOW, 8:30pm Portside Lounge: Vacation with DJ Pasta, 8pm Chickie Wah Wah: Michael Pearce, 6pm; Featuring Brazilian Pineapple Fashion Maison: Cyrus Nabipoor Quintet, 4pm; Saenger Theatre: White Christmas - The Paul Sanchez & The Rolling Road Show Show, 7pm; Talk Nerdy To Me – A Weekly Gregory Agid Quartet, 6:30pm; Gene’s Musical, 7:30pm “Christmas”, 8pm Burlesque Revue, 7pm; Primetime featuring Music Machine, 9:30pm Siberia: Hot For Teacher Happy Hour, 5pm; Circle Bar: Rik Slave’s Classy Country DJ Legatron Prime, 10pm; Sexy Back with Maple Leaf: Rebirth Brass Band, 10pm Service Industry Night w/ DJ Otto, 9pm Combo, 7pm; BobbyRock + Corey Cruse, DJ Dizzi, 10pm Saenger Theatre: Moscow Ballet’s Great Smoothie King Center: Trans-Siberian 10pm ($10) Hi-Ho: The Rip Off Show, 8pm; Pink Room Russian Nutcracker, 3pm & 7pm Orchestra, 7:30pm d.b.a.: Tuba Skinny, 6pm; Dwayne Dopsie & Project, 11pm Siberia: Acoustic Open Mic, 8pm Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Save Sounds: the Zydeco Hellraisers, 10pm House of Blues: Geovane Santos, 12pm; Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Selectors at Ace, 8pm A Holiday Sing-A-Long Benefit with Paul Dragon’s Den: Claire & Anuraag, 7pm; Marcos & Crescent Citizen, 3:30pm; Elevate Sanchez, Alex McMurray & Friends presented Comedy, F*ck Yeah, 8pm; Buena Vista Your Nightlife, 5pm; LouMuzik Live, 7pm; WEDNESDAY 12/27 by Ace Hotel & Martin Guitar, 9pm Social Latin Dance Party, 10pm; The Bad Girls of Burlesque - In the Parish, 8pm; Tipping Point with DJ RQ Away, 10pm DJ Fayard Lindsey, 9pm Banks St: Free BLTs & Major Bacon, 10pm THURSDAY 12/21 House of Blues: Dick Deluxe, 12pm; Captain Howlin Wolf: Reverend Horton Heat plus Chickie Wah Wah: Justin Reuther, 6pm; Buckles Band, 3:30pm; Jake Landry, 5pm; The Mike Dillon Band, 9pm Lynn Drury, 8pm Bar Redux: Xandra Wong, 9pm Home for the Holidays - New Orleans Center Joy Theater: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band - Circle Bar: The Iguanas, 7pm Chickie Wah Wah: Happy Hour w/ Phil for Creative Arts Benefit, 8pm 40th Anniversary Celebration with A Dozen d.b.a.: Tin Men, 7pm; Walter Wolfman DeGruy & Emily Robertson, 6pm; John Howlin Wolf: In The Den: Justin Howl, Special Guests, Featuring Preservation All- Washington & the Roadmasters, 10pm “Papa” Gros Band, 8pm 9pm; On The Porch: Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Stars, Ivan Neville, Benny Jones & Treme Dragon’s Den: Groove Therapy, 10pm; Brass Band, George Porter, Jr., Walter Dancehall Classics with DJ T-Roy’s Bayou “Wolfman” Washington, Terence Higgins, International Sound System, 11pm Alvin Ford & More TBA!, 10pm Hi-Ho: Progression Music Series, 9pm Mahalia Jackson Theater: Delta Festival House of Blues: Cary Hudson, 6pm; Jazz, Ballet presents The Nutcracker, 2pm Dinner & Drinks feat. Michael Liuzza, 6pm; Maison: Chance Bushman & The Comedy Gold! with Leon Blanda, 7pm; Jet Ibervillianaires, 1pm; Smoking Time Jazz Lounge in The Parish, 11pm Club, 7pm; Groove Faction + TBA, 10pm Maison: The Function, 4pm; The New Maple Leaf: Jason Ricci, 10pm Orleans Jazz Vipers, 6:30pm; RnR Music One Eyed Jacks: Percy J & the Nocturnal Group, 9:30pm Animals, 9pm Maple Leaf: Ari Tietel and Friends, 10pm Saenger Theatre: White Christmas - The Portside Lounge: Vacation with DJ Musical, 2pm & 8pm Pasta, 8pm Siberia: Little Freddie King, 10pm Siberia: Hot For Teacher Happy Hour, 5pm; Three Keys (Ace Hotel): King James & Service Industry Night w/ DJ Otto, 9pm The Special Men with CHA WA ft. J’Wan Tipitina’s: Dr. John and The Gris-Gris Boudreaux & Sixth Street Brass Band, 9pm Krewe, 9pm Tipitina’s: Flow Tribe’s Christmas Crunktacular 2017, 10pm THURSDAY 12/28

SUNDAY 12/24 Chickie Wah Wah: Happy Hour w/ Phil DeGruy & Emily Robertson, 6pm; John Banks St: Winslow, 1pm; Banks Street’s Got “Papa” Gros Band, 8pm Talent hosted by Ron & Tina, 5pm Circle Bar: Natalie Mae & Gina Leslie, Circle Bar: Micah McKee, Blind Texas 7pm; (A)Country Night #4: Suomi Perkele! Marlin & friends, 7pm w/ Panzer & Howie + musical guests tba, Hi-Ho: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic, 8pm 10pm (NO COVER) House of Blues: GOSPEL BRUNCH, 10am; Dragon’s Den: Crescent Fresh Stand-up, Jason Bishop, 6pm 7:30pm Howlin Wolf: In The Den: Hot 8 Brass House of Blues: Sessions Happy Hour, 5pm; Band, 10pm SONNY DIGITAL plus REESE LA FLARE Maple Leaf: Joe Krown Solo Piano, 7pm plus BLACK BOE plus DJ FRESCO, 8pm Saenger Theatre: White Christmas - The Howlin Wolf: In The Den: Comedy Musical, 1pm Gumbeaux (FREE SHOW), 8:30pm Siberia: Holiday Bingo, 8pm; Holiday Joy Theater: Resurrection Ball Holiday Costume Party, 10pm Fundraiser, Opening Act: Dr. Michael White Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Fiyabird: A & The Liberty Jazz Band, Main Act: The Soulful Christmas with Robin Barnes & Perdido Street Legacy Band (featuring) Friends, 7:30pm Donald Harrison, Delfeayo Marsalis, Germaine Bazzle, Charlie Gabriel, Big Sam, MONDAY 12/25 Sasha Masakowski, James Andrews, Detroit Brooks, Branden Lewis, Joe Dyson, Sullivan Banks St: Piano Showcase, 7pm; Lillii Fortner, John Michael Bradford, Jasen Lewis Band, 9pm; Montague, 9pm Weaver (plus special guests), 9pm

48 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017 Maison: Tuba Skinny, 4pm; Good For Nothin’ Tipitina’s: George Clinton and Parliament Band, 7pm; Dysfunktional Bone, 10pm Funkadelic + Dj Soul Sister, 10pm Maple Leaf: Johnny V, George Porter Jr. And Special Guests, 10pm SUNDAY 12/31 Siberia: Eastern Bloc Party: Powder Keg Banda, 9pm Banks St: Winslow, 1pm; Banks Street’s Got Smoothie King Center: XSCAPE: THE Talent hosted by Ron & Tina, 5pm GREAT XSCAPE TOUR, 7:30pm Bar Redux: The Dommes/The Painted Three Keys (Ace Hotel): Soundbytes with PJ Hands/Jack & The Jack Rabbits, 9pm Morton: Home for the Holidays Edition, 9pm Blue Nile: Stooges Brass Band, 10pm Tipitina’s: Dr. John and The Gris-Gris Chickie Wah Wah: Jon Cleary & The Krewe, 9pm Absolute Monster Gentlemen, 9pm Circle Bar: Micah McKee, Blind Texas FRIDAY 12/29 Marlin & friends, 7pm; Soda Boys + more tba, 9:30pm ($5) Bar Redux: Synthwave Apocalypse, 9pm Civic Theatre: DJ Soul Sister’s 15th Annual Blue Nile: Kermit Ruffins, 11pm New Year’s Eve Soul Train, 10pm Chickie Wah Wah: Michael Pearce, 6pm; d.b.a.: The Palmetto Bug Stompers, 6pm; Paul Sanchez & The Rolling Road Show w/ NYE Bash w/ Corey Henry & the Treme Songs of Bruce Springsteen, 8pm Funktet, 11pm Circle Bar: Rik Slave’s Classy Country Dragon’s Den: Open Jazz Jam w/ Anuraag Combo, 7pm; The Bush Hogs, 10pm ($5) Pendyal, 7pm; CHURCH*, 10pm d.b.a.: Smoking Time Jazz Club, 6pm; Hot 8 Gasa Gasa: Delish Da Goddess, Sexy Dex and Brass Band, 10pm the Fresh, Video Age, Caddywhompus, 10pm Dragon’s Den: Claire & Anuraag, 7pm; Good Children Gallery: assume vivid astro Comedy, F*ck Yeah, 8pm; Buena Vista focus: avalanches volcanoes asteroids floods Social Latin Dance Party, 9pm; The Tipping Curated by Dan Cameron, 5pm (Showing Point with DJ RQ Away, 10pm Nov.16 - Jan.7) Gasa Gasa: Big Freedia, 10pm Hi-Ho: NOLA Comedy Hour Open Mic, Hi-Ho: The Underhill Family Orchestra, 8pm; NYE Dance Party, 10pm 8pm; Issa Vibe Dance Party, 11pm House of Blues: GOSPEL BRUNCH, House of Blues: Dick Deluxe, 12pm; Jake 10am; Bella Notte! A NYE Italian Night Landry, 6pm; Tribute To Billy Joel & Elton Extravaganza, 8pm John (Pres. By The William Credo Agency), Howlin Wolf: Rebirth Brass Band, 10pm 8pm; Tony Skratchere, 10pm Joy Theater: Tank and the Bangas - New Howlin Wolf: Pymp + Unicorn Fukr + The Year’s Eve 2017 feat. Sweet Crude, Alfred Dabmaster, 9pm Banks with Cool Nasty, 10pm Maison: New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Mahalia Jackson Theater: Amy Schumer 4pm; Shotgun Jazz Band, 7pm; Ashton and Friend: New Years Eve Show feat Ani Hines & The Big Easy Brawlers + Musical DiFranco, 8pm Expression, 10pm Maison: Swingin’ Jazz Brunch with Chance Maple Leaf: Chris Mule and the Bushman & The NOLA Jitterbugs, 10am; Perpetraters, 10pm Royal Street Winding Boys, 1pm; G and the New Movement Theater: The Franchise, 9pm New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, 4pm; Brad One Eyed Jacks: Little Maker presents A Walker, 7pm; New Years Eve 2018 with Tribute to the Hits of the ‘90s, 9pm The Soul Rebels + George Porter Jr. & The Orpheum: New Years Eve Special Feat the Runnin’ Pardners, 10pm Revivalists, 9pm Maple Leaf: Sexual Thunder, 11pm Republic: What So Not + Graves, 10pm One Eyed Jacks: NYE at One Eyed Jacks Siberia: Max and The Martians, Julie Odell, with Boyfriend, 9pm tba, 10pm Orpheum: New Years Eve Special Feat the Tipitina’s: George Clinton and Parliament Revivalists, 9pm Funkadelic + Dj Soul Sister, 10pm Republic: A Busted NYE ft Herobust + CRWNS + Kidd Love, Snak Pak, 10pm SATURDAY 12/30 Santos: Mars//Cikada//Totally Possessed// DJ Q NYE 2018, 9pm Bar Redux: Cumbia Calling Dance Party, 10pm Siberia: Cauche Mar, Tasche and The Chickie Wah Wah: Woodenhead, 9pm Psychedelic Roses |Sal Geloso (Up Up We Circle Bar: TBA, 7pm; Mod Dance Party w/ Go), 10pm DJ Matty & Kristen, 10pm (NO COVER) Three Keys (Ace Hotel): New Years Eve d.b.a.: Tuba Skinny, 7pm with NOJO 7 plus a Very Special Guest, 9pm Dragon’s Den: Samba Soul Saturdays Tipitina’s: Galactic New Years Eve, 10pm Featuring Brazilian Pineapple Fashion Show, 7pm; Talk Nerdy To Me – A Weekly Burlesque Revue, 7pm; Primetime featuring DJ Legatron Prime, 10pm; Sexy Back with DJ Dizzi, 10pm Gasa Gasa: Big Freedia, 10pm Hi-Ho: Pink Room Project, 11pm House of Blues: Geovane Santos, 12pm; Marcos & Crescent Citizen, 3:30pm; Elevate Your Nightlife, 5pm; Bad Girls of Burlesque - In the Parish, 8pm; DJ Fayard Lindsey, 9pm; BAMBOLEO! Latin Club Night, 11:30pm Joy Theater: The New Mastersounds, Khris Royal & Dark Matter, 10pm Maison: Chance Bushman & The Ibervillianaires, 1pm; Royal Street Winding Boys, 4pm; Smoking Time Jazz Club, 7pm; Brass-A-Holics + Gene’s Music Machine, 10pm Maple Leaf: John Gros Band, 10pm New Movement Theater: The Megaphone Show, 10:30pm New Orleans Art Center: Bywater Biennial- Louisiana Celebration of Life (FINAL SHOWING), 6pm One Eyed Jacks: Tom Petty Tribute featuring Coyotes, Motel Radio, Cardinal Sons, McGregor and more, 9pm Orpheum: New Years Eve Special Feat the Revivalists 12/30, 9pm Siberia: Jo and Mutt’s Wedding Reception, 5pm

DECEMBER 2017 * ANTIGRAVITY * 49 hiloh lived in New Orleans for standard pantheon of oppressive withering weapon they directed almost that Shiloh’s finally and indefinitely out many years, and was a pillar forces—the state, capitalism, patriarchy, exclusively at themself. of pain, but Jesus H. Christ does losing of the Iron Rail anarchist heterosexism, and white supremacy— them hurt. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it bookstore and library back but society itself. Shiloh had a repertoire of characteristic hurts like a toothache except my entire whenS that existed. Shiloh was lots of movements that in a lesser person might guts, and every breeze reinflames the things and did lots of things, but to me Many of us survive in large part by be termed mannerism, but in Shiloh raw and throbbing nerves. and a great number of those grieving making accommodations for the hostile were authentic and endearing. Especially their death, Shiloh served as a beacon reality of the world as it is. Shiloh didn’t when speaking, they would hold their They’re safe now from my judgement of hope in a world of utter shit. They survive by making accommodations; elbows in tight by their torso while and everyone else’s, so my anger is (as were important—and it feels at present, they survived by making war. Not as a moving their forearms, wrists, shoulders, usual) useless. So too, I suppose, my indispensable. lone wolf, not as an adventurist, but as and head with sinuous energy. grief. But I can’t come to terms with part of a pack. Shiloh was a sharer, and their death. I still want to think it’s just There are, I think, a couple of lessons their generosity remained miraculously Shiloh was trans and an outrageous, their biggest-ever scam, a fake-out to to be drawn from Shiloh’s death. One untainted by the sometimes terrible incendiary queer. There’s no wrong way get money or duck a warrant. I know is the truth of our utter helplessness bitterness of their existence. to be one’s gender, but Shiloh’s happened it’s not true, but I can’t help wanting to prevent harm, our impotence in the to be unignorably nonconforming. They it. I want to see them again; I want to face of the suffering society heaps on If you believe, as I do, that one of the were a weirdo; and if they ever apologized hold them, and kiss them, and tell them the least deserving. The other lesson is primary factors limiting revolutionary for it, they’d certainly quit doing so by the again how much they mean to me. I can really just confirmation of something all possibility is a failure of imagination, time I met them. smell them; I can feel their cheek against who knew Shiloh already knew, which is on Shiloh’s death we must not just mine. It’s so much realer to me than the that this wretched planet was unworthy rend our garments but stitch them up While Shiloh was wonderful, painting insupportable notion of their absence. of them, abysmally insufficient to their with dental floss and re-rend them, for them as somehow flawless I think does It’s absurd to think the sun would still meager and reasonable needs. Shiloh was a living example of just how them a disservice. They had their ugly rise and set on an Earth no longer much is possible if one is bold enough aspects; they were into some fucked-up containing the bright spark of sweetness There can be no indictment of humanity to abandon the shit. I know that was our Shiloh. more damning than this: that Shiloh, dead end of bringing this who asked so little and gave so much, respectability. up may offend I wish I’d spent more time investing who was so loveable and loved, should They lived beyond some who kindness in Shiloh, rather than find it unendurable. the margins, in are mourning assuming they’d just continue to chug a fringe even Shiloh, but obligingly and affirmingly along in Shiloh was easy to like, easy to admire those of us in the I believe in the outer reaches of anarchist praxis. and perhaps, as a consequence of their fringes might telling the truth. I think that’s too much of how I unselfishness, too easy to take for not have guessed I’ll just say it: took them—as a reliable inspiration granted. Most of us in New Orleans was inhabitable. Shiloh listened engine, running on... what exactly? knew Shiloh as an amazing parent, a They were a thief, to pop punk. My dear friend, my darling comrade devoted partner, a carer, and caretaker. a street fighter, a whom I loved, whom I revered, from Shiloh was a nurturer. con artist, and a In their person, whom I drew such strength, whose cheerful criminal however, even very existence was balm to me, and While we were all in awe of Shiloh’s who had no this appalling gave me hope—what was it exactly apparently inexhaustible goodness, I’ll particular hope flaw—such a that fueled them? confess I never aspired to be like them; of a better world, deal-breaker it didn’t seem possible. I don’t aspire to but never willingly in anyone I find, to my shame, that I cannot be a bird, or a basketball, or a beignet— gave the bastards else—somehow satisfactorily answer. We loved each while one could emulate those things, an inch. just added to other, we understood each other deeply, or try to imitate them for a little while, it their complex despite some deep differences... but I’d would be silly to attempt to become like In September, individuality. be lying if I said I ever took the trouble them. Shiloh set the bar so high it wasn’t the last time we That’s how to really find out what theyneeded , what even in sight. hung out, we were special Shiloh they couldn’t live without. And whatever fighting police was. And they ran on, they ran out. When someone is as impossibly good and other white Shiloh, true to to others as Shiloh was, we might forget supremacists form, defied the Might be a lesson in there somewhere. that kindness is a choice, one that must somewhere stigma. When be made over and over, in small ways and regrettably someone called Obviously we all die sooner or later. big ones, in private and in public. It’s a distant from New them out for it, When we do, and we go burn in hell, Shiloh we may hope that the hand on the choice that requires sacrifice. But Shiloh Orleans. Actually, Feb 2, 1986 — Nov 19, 2017 they wouldn’t was kind. That was how Shiloh was, in two cities, in flinch. “Yes, thermostat has even a modicum of though that was not all Shiloh was. two states, in one AND? I love Shiloh’s enormous compassion. day. Shiloh set a ferocious pace. Besides pop punk, fuck you!” Shiloh fucked. Shiloh lived it up and how stunning they looked ninja’d up I’m not big on ritual, but I think in the did drugs and did amazing amounts of in sparkly black tulle, I remember Shiloh stayed so true. Unlike almost case of Shiloh they deserve a little send- crime. Shiloh got drunk and broke their their uncanny accuracy with the raft anyone I’ve known, Shiloh remained off. I think it would be only appropriate veganism on French Quarter cheese of stolen silly string our cadre was dangerous, remained disreputable, to heap up the rotten entirety of human fries. Repeatedly. Shiloh made mistakes toting. Shiloh was a virtuoso of aerosol. uncompromised by age. They were a civilization and set it ablaze for their and tried to be better. They screwed up In their capable hands a can of Dollar rare light by which to navigate. funeral pyre. Ascending in the smoke of and took shit and soldiered bravely on, Tree “goofy string” was a Stradivarius. burning police, Shiloh’s pure and perfect suffering and bewildered, while the rest They hit their mark across improbable And then they shot themself. It’s unfair spirit will be perhaps a little better of us smiled and said, “What a character!” distances; the colored jets seemed how much the ending of a story can satisfied, and smile upon us scum still to bound over and around obstacles, shape our perception of what went here. It’s less than they deserve, but it Shiloh was an an anarchist, and Shiloh feinting left and right mid-spurt like before. Shiloh of course had every right would be a decent gesture. was an outlaw. Everyone knew that. a running hare, honing in to bedeck to blah blah autonomy blah blah self- Like Shiloh’s kindness, it seemed the target. Shiloh didn’t shy away from determination... but it really fucking When people die, there’s often a lot of intrinsic. They weren’t uptight, macho, melee, either: they were sissy as fuck sucks that they did it. Shiloh was claptrap said about preserving their or self-important about it, but laughing, and absolutely fearless. They constantly wracked by mental illness, which seems memory. Most people are eminently joyful and spontaneous in their total broke their glasses. also the only scapegoat that can allow forgettable. Not Shiloh, the sweetest, and unremitting hatred of the law, its one to reconcile their hugely hurtful kindest and most outlandishly gay enforcers, and apologists. What was Shiloh like to spend time final act with the generosity and caring gangster ever to grace this worthless with? Very smart. Very, very smart, that were Shiloh’s lifelong hallmarks. blue-green dunghill. The love they I know a lot of people who hate police— with a restless appetite for ideas inspired was the noblest part of anyone why would anyone associate with and a powerful, relentlessly applied Suicide, so philosophically profound in lucky enough to know them; they were someone who didn’t?—but I believe revolutionary vision that grew, the abstract, is a miserable, torturous unmatched. They were immaculate filth. Shiloh deserves to be remembered as one developed, and matured as they nightmare for those who remain behind of the all-time great cop haters, a high encountered new information or to pick up its pieces—in many cases Ave, outlaw. distinguishment in a competitive field. reexamined their own long-held ideas. continually, daily, for the rest of their They had a bleak, erudite sense of lives. I’m not claiming space in the front by JULES BENTLEY Shiloh was set against not just the humor, by turns savage or wistful, a row of those injured; and I guess it’s nice illustration BEN PASSMORE

50 * ANTIGRAVITY * DECEMBER 2017