Some amazing people and great friends of mine. Alex and Ashley. Both in the Band The Soil and the Sun (www.thesoilthesun.bandcamp.com) they perform sometimes as a duet called just married. And yes, they did just get married. it has be only about a year to date.
This was the greatest time of year. Chris came and stayed in Grand Rapids for a week in July. We had a blast, and closed his stay with this house show, and this was the last song of his set. Circus King
Frontier Ruckus is a Michigan based folk band consisting of bending, spirited and poetic lyrics, old-time banjo, quirky saw playing and a deep-rooted foundation in creative and original music. I have always been a fan of theirs and have been listening to their beautiful records for years now. Getting to know them has been a pleasure. Matt is a Scorpio just like myself and has a similar double-sided nature. Zach has the pajama set of a king and still wears them to bed every night. Davey is a stallion. Smalls just holds it down and smiles all day and Brian is the funniest of all but no one would know that until cracking the case of beer and watching the hillbilly crawl out of him. Recently they asked me if I could photograph them in Grand Rapids this week before their show at the Pyramid Scheme. I was super excited. A week later I got a text from matt asking what my sept. and oct. were looking like. I don’t have a job… so I didn’t have much planned. He then asked if I would be interested in plying the bass guitar for the band on their next tour. Brian would be taking some time off. So naturally I said yes. I will be touring with the band as their bass player through September and October. excited.
visit www.frontierruckus.com for shows
After moving to Grand Rapids I was able to jump back into the world of farmers market shopping and eating fresh and local food much easier than I was able to living in Chicago. It has really enhanced my life to be eating well and supporting the food industry that I feel deserves to grow and continue to exist. This day was spent with one of the greatest friends of my life. Maren Celest is deeply inspiring to me. She showers the world with creative energy and ideas. She is a real shaker. She makes things, she does things, super beautiful things. This collaboration is a great example of what a magical and beautiful person Maren is. No words, just actions. She and I have shared so much together and I feel so priveledged to have her in my life. Our new album “Nostalgia the Country” is going to to be released digitally this fall. visit www.photographers.bandcamp.com to listen to our music. visit: www.marencelest.com for more of maren’s work
Brenin Wertz-Roth has been bursting at the seams with energy and raging smiles since the first day I met him. He has continually impressed me with his ambition and motivation. He really got the job done when he decided to start a farm and organic garden. Focused on permaculture, sustainability and his releationship to nature, he has soared through the barriers of contemporary garbage to hatch a new life as a well respected farmer and Gardener in Traverse City, Michigan. Everytime I go to his farm I am struck by wonder and whimisical enjoyment. The world that he has created not only brings an incredible feeling of joy to being alive, but super foods that pump you full of love like strawberries, kale, snap peas, corn, squash, potatoes, beans and peppers…. the list goes on. On the back burner is an epic hop yard which is ever expanding. His partner Maggie Mallery moved out to the land with him this year and has been dedicating so much love to this beautiful project. I am so proud of them both for all of their hard work and inspiring sense of love and respect for nature and our relationship with it. Thank you guys. visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Giving-Tree-Farm/177367798972712
Chris King: a nineteen year old gem from Santa Cruz, California. Writes songs the old fashioned way and is well on the path to success with music. I had the privilege of hosting him at my home in Grand Rapids for a week. Everyday we spent together was filled with magic of some sort. Between making music videos, lighting fireworks, going to shows, playing shows, busking, eating farmers market food, swimming in lake Michigan, smoking pipes, getting haircuts, and wearing fedoras we really got the most out of everyday.
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- www.thesoilthesun.bandcamp.com
After Moving to Grand Rapids from Chicago, I am blessed to be closer to the friends and family who I love so dearly. I was able to go to Traverse City(my hometown) and work with my folks for a week selling pretzels at the cherry festival. I stayed at their house with them and their marvelous lazy cat. I was also able to spend some time with my mom and my stepdad and their awsome shitzu names Jazzy on the other side of town. In Grand Rapids I have been playing music and going to shows as the images tell accordingliy.
Jeremy Quentin has been and integral part of the folk music scene in Michigan for some time now. Writing gentle and twirling finger picked songs that weave together folk heritage and and heir of new momentum, Jeremy plays throughout his home state of Michigan and tours the East Coast frequently.
He has a new Album Coming out in the upcoming weeks and a beautiful and creative new music video shot in 3D which I was privileged to be a part of that creation process. Visit www.smallhousessing.com for upcoming shows and releases
