Monday, April 11, 2016

A night of Northern Soul & Pinball // M.W.F. Issue #8 cover // Other stuff

Hey everyone, sorry, it's been awhile. I'm alive and still kicking.. 

I've been in to a little momentum, yep - yet another thing.. as I continue to host my Night of Northern Soul and Pinball at Pins and Needles. It's a pinball parlor inside the recording studio, Bedrock Studios. I love these two businesses and believe they should be supported in that they allow artists to be creative with lock-out spaces and rehearsal rooms to having a place for some downtime with your friends. Did I mention three decades of pinball machines?.. 

Definitely check them out if you're in the Los Angeles area. 

Approaching these nights thematically, i'm inspired by one Northern Soul song, which is defined as a pre-Motown and underground sound that almost twenty years later, became famous in Great Britain's dance club scene. Why?.. Because these songs you can most definitely dance to.

The music is most enjoyable but it's out of circumstance that the labels at the time didn't get the air time they deserved in order to gain national or international success.. Leaving us with delightful one hit wonders of the underground you've never heard of at an extremely rounded and tasteful analog sound quality. The singers sing at their heart's desire on most of the songs. Brenda Holloway (Even though the recording is Motown) had just this 1964 re-release which is considered Northern Soul, that inspired me to create this Saturday's poster and night theme:

What fantastic lyrics: "Lord, take me through this change - Tears alone could never explain - about this lonely world of despair.."

Our first night, I used Lainie Hill's Time Marches On:

Lastly, I can share the cover I've drawn to M.W.F. #8:

The 10th Anniversary website will be up soon, replacing my long-lasting "living room" design.. It's been a good run and I've had nice complements regarding it's design and funky-ness. So happy to bring my art there for you all. Stay tuned for more!..