Status: Single
City: ATLANTA
State: Georgia
Country: US
Signup Date: 1/1/2006
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
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Saturday, March 14, 2009
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Category: Music
A List: Twenty-Five Records
The music that shaped my life does not necessarily correspond to the 25 albums I couldn’t live without. The high frequency of turntable time is a huge factor in my decision, though I didn’t have to think very hard at all to remember the records and the time I my life when I listened to them the most. It’s been fun to do this because I can stitch memories of my life together in a way I haven’t been able to before.
1. Ella Fitzgerald, “Smooth Sailing”
My Dad played this for me, part of his collection of 78’s. I listened to it over and over, till I had Ella’s vocal licks memorized. I heard Ella live in Boston somewhere around 1986. Not only does she effortlessly and with perfect inflection sing famous sax players’ solos lick for lick, her own vocal improvisations would make any sax player bow to her in reverence, if they all weren’t such egotistical bastards. For most jazz singers, scat is just that, scat. Ella took vocal improv to another level in her live performance, something to which her records will never do justice.
2. The Supremes, “Stop! In the Name of Love” (1965)
This was the first record I asked my Dad to buy for me. I was born in 1960, so I was 5 when it was released. My second favorite was “My World is Empty Without You.” (1966)
3. Carole King, “Tapestry” (1971)
My mom bought this record. I had been playing guitar for 1 year. I knew when I heard this I wanted to write songs. I cried. “Mom, will I ever be able to write songs like that?” “Of course you will, honey.” Cool.
Carole King was the first live concert I ever attended. My Dad took me, of course. See a pattern here?
4. The Manhattan Transfer, “The Manhattan Transfer” (1975)
I knew every song, every vocal lick. Little did I know when I was listening and metabolizing that record in 1975 that Jerry Peek (bass) and I would open for them in 2005. When I approached Tim Hauser in the downstairs lobby of Mable House, Tim said I wasn’t old enough to own that record. The band was gracious, signed my album and Alan Paul thanked us for opening for them from the stage. Truly a dream I didn’t even know I had (and would never in a million years thought was even possible) come true.
And yes, I’m pretty sure my Dad bought this one for me, too.
5. Stevie Wonder, “Songs in the Key of Life” (1976)
‘nuff said.
6. Mother’s Finest, “Another Mother Further” (1977)
Atlanta’s “interracial” rock/funk band led by powerhouse singer Joyce “Baby Jean” Kennedy were ahead of their time. Whatever that means. Groundbreaking, that’s better. I must’ve listened and danced to “Baby Love” a hundred times.
7. Yes, “Close to the Edge” (1972)
My brother introduced the whole family to Yes as he did all music, whether we liked it or not, since his room housed the mondo stereo my Dad bought for us. I think he was also selling pot out of said room. Anyway, I bought this record for myself around 1976 when I was in high school. I listened to this one over and over, marveling at Jon Anderson’s soaring voice. Live, Yes was mesmerizing with their in the round all encompassing sound that enveloped the Omni. I got confused when I saw my first show: I had to ask my brother if the singer was a boy or a girl. Imagine that.
“Close to the Edge” was the “prog-rock” concept album for my generation: cryptic, oblique lyrics, classic Roger Dean album cover, and anthemic melodic themes. Was the term prog-rock coined after the fact to describe the music? I think we just saw it as cool. Discuss.
8. Allman Brothers, “Eat a Peach” (1972)
Another a high school favorite. I can sing every guitar solo by heart. I must’ve worn a deep groove into the record on “One Way Out.” My brother and Dad got to see them live when they used to play for free in Piedmont Park. Oh, and remember the album cover by Atlanta designer Flournoy Holmes? The album art would be elected by Rolling Stone magazine in 1991 as one of the 100 greatest album covers of all time.
9. Emmylou Harris, “Elite Hotel" (1975)
Speaking of album art, a colleague of mine said when I worked at Ken Stanton Music in Marietta, “I have all of Emmylou Harris’ album covers.”
Though “Boulder to Birmingham” may be one of my all time favorite songs, this record spent a whole lot of time on the platter. Harris possesses perhaps the most authentic, high lonesome, mournful and rockin’ voice of our time. As Graham Parsons called it, “Cosmic American Music.” Now they just call it Americana.
10. Dixie Dregs,” Dixie Dregs” (1975)
My first experience with higher, louder, faster, harder. Steve Morse, from Augusta, GA, the son of two therapists, had to get it all off his chest somehow. Wild chicken pickin’ at breakneck, dizzying speed.
11. Santana, “Amigos” (1976)
This is a hugely memorable album for me in part because of the heavy Latin influence, in part for the song “Europa.”
Santana’s ultra sustained, melodic solos may sound all the same to some, but I thought they were so moving. I loved his live concerts, too, back when no one cared if you smoked pot in the Fox Theatre. In a Marshall stack world, his Mesa Boogie tone was unmatched by anyone. His new stuff leaves me cold, unfortunately.
12. Joni Mitchell, “Miles of Aisles” (1974)
After my brother bought “Court and Spark,” any other music was history for a year or so. I never saw her live. I listened to this two-disc set over and over again and still like to return to it every ten years or so, though most of Mitchell’s music has been tainted for me. There are too many bad memories associated with it. Remember when album oriented radio (AOR) played Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan and such like?
13. “Getz/Gilberto” (1963)
My copy is an import, superior vinyl, etc. Remember that? It still has the plastic protective sleeve over the cover with a Turtle’s price sticker (on sale for $8.98) on it. Of course I had to buy a superior needle and cartridge when I bought the album. I think I bought it in 1979 or so.
My first introduction to one of my greatest, most enduring loves, Brazilian music, was through a recording by Joao Gilberto, who practically invented the bossa nova rhythm. Gilberto sang this simple and perfect version of the Tom Jobim classic “Aguas de Marco.” I was charged with learning the song (from a slightly damaged cassette tape) for one of my fellow music major friend’s wedding. Yes, they are still married.
“Getz/Gilberto” was the first full-length bossa nova album I owned. Don’t knock “Girl from Ipanema” until you’ve heard this version, especially if you’ve only heard “jazz” versions. Joao Gilberto’s guitar is subtle, sexy and strong. Astrud sings on a lark, like an angel. The only down side to me is Stan Getz’ sometimes unmusical, honky sax sound.
14. Fonda Feingold, “Fonda Feingold” (1978?)
Feingold was living in Atlanta playing with Pretty Good For Girls (among other projects) after this major label debut was recorded but never promoted. I had a bootleg recording on cassette tape. I’m not even sure how it came into my possession.
Finally, the first female musician I ever heard live who really had complete command of her instrument. Her musicality on the keyboard was both an inspiration to me and a source of some kind of depressing jealousy. I respected her chops. I was studying Classical Guitar at the time at Georgia State University and taking jazz courses as well. I could never practice enough or understand enough to improvise as well as Fonda does, even today. She belts like a black girl to boot, and writes songs with chord changes any jazz musician would love to play. As an aside, renowned drummer Sonny Emory happened to be at GSU at the time as well and we took those improv classes together
Fonda introduced me to another album that probably should have been included in this list: The Roches, “The Roches” (1979)
15. Michael Jackson, “Off the Wall” (1979)
I bought this album back when I still stopped and danced by myself when listening to a record. The man in the white socks rocks it in this fun, danceable set. Just had to be careful not to get too crazy because, of course, I could do some deadly damage to the record.
16. Michelle Malone, “New Experience” (1988)
The first recording, an indie release, from the scrawny kid from Decatur. Psychedelic, Acoustic-driven, rockin.’ Malone proved you could have a rich, crystal clear voice and still sing the blues and rock the hizzle. No vocal histrionics needed.
17. Patty Griffin, “Living With Ghosts” (1996)
Introduced to me by my then student Fairchild. The quintessential solo guitar singer/songwriter record from the small, fiery-haired woman with a huge voice. I could not believe what I was hearing the first time Fairchild played “Moses” for me on the little boom box in my teaching studio.
18. Massive Attack, “Mezzanine” (1998)
Trip Hop at its finest with unforced, perfectly selected vocal cameos.
19. PJ Harvey: Stories of the City, “Stories of the Sea” (2000)
I’m not even sure what to say about her or her work, besides she is all that.
20. “Buddha Bar VI” (2004)
An eclectic world music chill out mix I got from my friend Sherri. This music is so chock full of memories spanning a period of at least four years of my life. Listening to this CD brings back vividly the feelings I had when it was most played: joy, pain, crazy love, stupid love, heartbreak and regret. I still listen to it, though.
21. “Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Original Cast Recording” (1999)
I was fortunate to see the original cast including John Cameron at the Jane Street Theatre thanks to my friend Adrienne. More simply produced than the slicker the movie soundtrack; this CD has lots of sonic goodies to discover to with repeated listens. Not to mention the cast and band kick ass. As an aside, sometimes, if you listen really closely, you can hear the click track in the background.
As another aside, though a huge one for me, I knew I would play Yitzhak when I saw the play, though I couldn’t in my wildest dreams imagine how. It was a fluke that I found out about the auditions for the role at Actors Express. I was directing the live music for k.t. kilborn’s play Underground Transit (which is another fluke story) and I auditioned and got the part for AE’s 2003 production. Who knew?
22. Shawn Colvin, “Steady On” (1989)
Perfect. An album any self-respecting songwriter has in their collection. The John Leventhal guitar licks are an added bonus.
Live, she is completely engaging, and she is not at all afraid to take chances with her facile but anything-but-superficial, muti-timbred voice.
23. Robert Johnson, “Thesaurus of Classic Jazz: Robert Johnson/King of the Delta Blues Singers” (My album has no release or copyright date.)
I love the record title. He is to me first a singer. Though best known from other guitarists’ perspectives for his heartbreaking country blues slide guitar riffs, he is, after all, still “only” accompanying himself. His voice sounds like it comes from the depths of … I don’t even know how to describe his voice. You know.
Transcribing these songs and learning to play slide saved me from the blues while I was working at a sign shop. I was almost at the bottom rung of my underemployment. I couldn’t wait to wake up early and play my guitar before the drive to Jonesboro or Stone Mountain. As an aside: at the sign shop I worked for (she was 19 years old at the time) Karin Slaughter, the New York Times bestselling author of too –grisly-for –me to- read murder mysteries.
24. Girlyman, “Remember Who I Am.” (2003)
I cry every time. What’s not to like.
And now, number 25, the choice for which I will get the most ribbing:
25. Angela Motter, “Pleasure and Pain” (1998)
Wait, wait, let me explain! Besides the pure joy and excitement I experienced making this CD, the list of guest artists on this recording comprised my dream band, and maybe even your dream band, too. Listen to this CD for the players alone: with the late Ricky Keller at the helm, I in the coveted Number One position, we included our friends and some of my former band mates. The musicians include Jimmy Herring, guitar; Scott Meeder drums; Oliver Wells, B-3 and keys; Tom Grose, B-3; and background vocals by Michelle Malone, DeDe Vogt, Jan Smith and Taj Harmon. Taj’s vocal intro to “My Mama Told Me” is so heartbreaking I have to skip it sometimes when I listen to the CD. Her solo during “Better Get Used to It” has a Chaka Khan like exuberance that is priceless. And it took her one take, people, one take. Faceman’s dancehall rap riff on “I’m Free” was just what the doctor ordered, even though he wouldn’t let me hear the bit until he sang it in the vocal booth. We trusted each other, and he nailed it. I could go on, but I won’t.
One for the gipper, the last of my shameless promoting:
The CD that was never completed but is still influencing me today:
“JET BLK JOY”
Two songs never officially released. A dream come true for me to play bass REALLY LOUD and not have to be the front man. Emily Kate Boyd and I co-write these filthy, queer rock tunes. We couldda been contenders.
That’s all I got.
 | Currently listening:
New Experience
By Michelle Malone
Release date: 1998-06-23 |
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Saturday, March 14, 2009
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Category: Music
Hi All,
It's been a while since I've said hello, so I have various fun things to report.
Gigs Forthcoming.
After staying busy with the now defunct JET BLK JOY and the Vagabonds I am focusing on my own music. I'm rehearsing with bassist Jerry Peek and we'll be hitting the town soon with some gigs and new songs. I'll let you know as soon as we're booked. Put a good word in for me next time you are at Eddie's or The Redlight Cafe. I have a tentative weekend date in May at the Redlight. Details TBA. My dear friend and guitar mentor Daniel Manning will be sitting in soon as well. Dan is one of the most expressive, melodic, sensitive and rockin' guitar players I know. His instruction and mentorship has a lot to do with why I am the guitar teacher that I am today.
OK, OK, it's that time again. Really. Really, really time.
Some of the best times of my life have occurred in the recording studio. It's a place where I find the most ease in creating and enjoy the deepest connection with other musicians, most of whom are my dear friends. So many talented musicians have given their time for so little compensation yet created such beautiful work. I have had the honor and joy of being asked to contribute to others' recordings, and we are all building a strong legacy of music that brings joy to people all over the world. How cool is that?
It's been four years since I recorded the CD Single Makin' Love. I may not be prolific, (hm, ten years between my last two CD's!?) but I think Outta Control and Pleasure and Pain have held up really well. I will send a separate email about the fundraising I'm doing to that end. Many of you have asked about a recording of "Sockman" and my plan is to record that one live the next time I play Eddie's. Take a look at the tentative song list below and let me know what you'd especially like to hear on CD:
Sockman (to be recorded live)
Girls Talk
I Knew You When
I'm So Sick of Myself
Tell Me Again
The Gift
The First Kiss
Land of the Living
Makin' Love (to be recorded live)
Rock n' Roll Fantasy
A Brazilian Song (sung by me in Portuguese)
Co-Writing with The Trophy Wife:
I have been co-writing with Amanda Martin Fowler as of late. (myspace.com/amandamartinfowler) We recorded two of her tunes with Clay Cook at 800 East during the '08 holidays. The songs are now available on iTunes. Go get 'em while they are fresh out of the box and if you like them, tell all your friends. I now have Trophy Wife and The Tractor Song as ringtones on my iPhone. Fun!
The songs are funny (and cutting) and feature Vanessa Olivarez on vocals. Clay Cook plays some very cool pedal steel and does some kickass chicken pickin' on these songs. I'm really proud of how they turned out. Quite a different style than I'm used to writing. Amanda and I are learning a lot and putting smiles on people's faces with these songs.
I have started a blog on blogger.com called
ISITABOYISITAGIRL
THE NON GENDER, NON GENRE SPECIFIC BLOG.
Stop by and say hello and let me know where I can find your blog, too.
More Shameless Self-Promotion:
My friend Anne Choi's handmade silver beads and jewelry are beautiful. The beads have beautifully chosen (no sentimental mush here) quotes on them which are made from castes rather than engravings. I am proud to say she has made two beads with quotes from my song "I'm Free" on them. If you'd like to take a look at her catalog and "my" bead, go to www.annechoi.com
I finally got off my butt and submitted my music to Pandora. You should be able to find me there in 4-6 weeks. I listen to Pandora all the time. My favorite personal station: Joao Gilberto Radio. You can add my music to your own stations soon. I'll let you know when the music is available for your use. The artists do get paid for this service, so no need to feel all pirate-y when you're listening. Pandora has helped me discover so many artists I never would have been able to listen to otherwise. It's like having the biggest, coolest CD collection you could ever ask for.
The Gay Games Chicago VI DVD is on now sale for a mere $9.99. I ordered on myself and just found that they included part of an interview they did with me in the DVD! I am still considering whether or not to compete in the Gay Games in Cologne in 2010. It may be one of those things I just can't miss. Go to www.wolfevideo.com to find the DVD.
Speaking of missed, for those of you who missed it, you can check out the Genderact Project. (www.myspace.com/thegenderactproject) Emily Kate Boyd's paintings (yes, one of me) were featured at the opening along with Sklar Reeves' photos. I made the cover (and a few more pics inside) Reeves' book! Some people have a word for me that starts with the word MEDIA. I like to think of these opportunities as, well... as my dear friend Hubert says, "It pays to advertise."
Thank you to those of you who have read this far. Especially for you: here's also a quote my voice teacher found. It has affected me profoundly:
"There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action; and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.
And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open... No artist is pleased... There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."
Martha Graham to Agnes De Mille
I hope to see you at the shows!
BIGLOVE,
Angela.
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Saturday, September 13, 2008
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Current mood:  angsty
Category: Music
Ironically, this was sent to me via myspace. Still trying to figure out who the "rock critic" is.
Come see us at Kavarna Sept 26. Probably around 11pm. We will rock the hizzle. We also have amazingly cool t shirts.
-Bucky
If you were walking around East Atlanta Saturday night, you probably felt a low rock and rumble under your feet like a freight train coming perilously close to jumping the tracks.
I found myself tracking that rumble to a dingy, unmarked bar with sticky floors: paydirt for my craving for unbranded, unhinged music.
The baby-faced drummer was driving her kit deliriously, speeding towards a crash, the bass player right on her heels keeping up very LOUDLY, the kind of loud that moves your shirt when you stand in front of the bass rig. The guitar player fronting the band sang demanding, sexy lyrics, playing deranged, screaming, guitar and yelling out bandstand arrangements.
Between tacky adverts for dance parties and Karaoke night, the disco-ey, splashy screen on the wall showed a black and white projection of an angry, angelic female face bearing down on whoever might notice, the letters "JBJ" sewn on her lips. JET BLK JOY Saturday night at 9 at My Sister's Room. Ah, yes, a gay bar.
Ah, yes. It's why I still go out. This retired "rock critic" revived enough to try to put some words together to alert you to JET BLK JOY.
We'll see how long they last. Bitterness seemed not far below the surface as the band played to a sparse, shell-shocked audience. Yes! Bitterness! A reason to live! A reason to write!
I didn't find out about this band at some annoying, predatory "music conference" with "panel discussions" from "industry people" or via some life and time sucking social network bombarding me with friend requests from bands I'll never see. I just stumbled in on a band, just like the ones I used to write about. Bands like those don't care if you like them or not. I'm sure they'll still out there, bands like that. It's me that's become lazy, not them.
"Let's make shit up and start a band." That's how JET BLK JOY hit me. Yeah, go friend 'em. Find out where they're playing. You might surprise yourself and be rocked, too. You can even bring along your bitterness. They won't care.
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Wednesday, September 03, 2008
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Current mood:can’t wait til Saturday
Category: Music
Sat 6th @ MSR!! (8pm showtime!)
This Saturday (Sep 6th) @ MSR, Drummer West, Bassist Bucky, and Front-cunt Evie Cuni of Jet Blk Joy will take the stage to make you some Filthy Queer Rock!
showtime: 8pm
cover: $10
stay after the show to dance with DJ Duck!
xx
jbj
 | Currently listening:
White Chalk
By PJ Harvey
Release date: 2007-10-02 |
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Friday, April 25, 2008
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Current mood:content, rockin.
JET BLK JOY: Sex, Gender, & Rock n' Roll
I've been a lesbian, I've been a dyke, I've been a Daddy, I am a Master, I am a man, I am female bodied, I am a fag, I am Gender Queer, Trans, whatever the latest term. My gender, my role, "how I identify" (ugh.) is revealed, presented, embraced, and reflected back to me by my choice of intimate companions.
JET BLK JOY, brainchild of Evie Cuni, alter ego of performing songwriter Emily Kate Boyd, is my dream loud-ass rock band. I co-write with Cuni, songs flowing at times easy as pie, play mostly bass and some guitar, and go by the JBJ handle Buck. (Please don't call me by my private nickname unless you know me. If you don't know my nickname, don't ask unless I introduce myself as such.)
Sound complicated? It's not for me. I absolutely enjoy and feel comfortable with expressing all of me in this fascinating world. I grew decade upon decade and eventually, sometimes painfully, allowed myself to be who I felt I truly wanted to be at the time.
I was a boy as a 6 year old, a tomboy as an 8 year old, a ballet dancer, equestrian, and aspiring songwriter as a 10 year old. I was uncomfortable in my skin as a 17 year old in a "relationship" with an alcoholic, bisexual lover, (yuck.) and even more uncomfortable in make-up in the late 80's and early 90's, (as Maria Helena Dolan put it, "You always looked like you were in drag to me"), and feeling free, intense, sometimes devastating to relationships, sexual power in the mid 90's as a top, sometimes bottom, and 24-7 Daddy. Oh, and I started competing in bodybuilding contests at age 45, something I had been to afraid to do for 20 years.
Yes, I was reading all the standards along the way: Lesbian Ethics, Stone Butch Blues, all the SM books seemingly ever written, most recently, my rather late reading of the academic Judith Butler.
No need to read now to find my tribe. I'm all grown up. No need to write heartbroken love songs right now, I'm all grown up. No need to explain who I am, I don't over-think it. No need to look around for someone to approve my choice of language or my particular "performative" prerogative, I am having way too much fun.
Yes, I'm grown up enough, so much younger now than I was than, to take myself less seriously and play the bass VERY LOUDLY in this gift of a filthy, queer rock band.
At age 23 I thought my musical life was over as I hadn't been magically plucked out of Atlanta by an A&R rep who just happened to magically be down from NY and just magically happened to show up at the Little Five Points Pub on a night or a brunch gig that I just so happened to be playing, a rep who just happened to think I was the best songwriter in the world (I wasn't).
If you had told me then at age 23 that at age 47 I would be living the life that I am now I would have thought you were just an idiot that had no idea how special, important, and tortured I was. I didn't know then that I would eventually self-release two critically acclaimed CD's and a sexy as hell CD single among other unimaginably good things.
I secretly haven't given up on the dream. I've played in kickass jazzy, funky bands with the best of the best. I continue to play the acoustic joints (still occasionally) and I've written songs that I think should be on the radio or on a soundtrack. I still think I'm going to (magically) appear on Letterman.
With JET BLK JOY?
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Saturday, October 13, 2007
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Category: Music
Hi Everyone,
Thanks to everyone who made the trip to Louisville for Hedwig: P Sue, Jessie, Cindy Lou... What a ride it was. Amazing.
I'll debrief soon via my myspace blog... Hedwig Pics Links below.
Special thanks to Becky for driving all the way from Texas, too. She's an amazing woman who has seen Hedwig around the world. She thought our production was the best she'd ever seen. And I thought that was just me thinkin' that!
To my dear friend Jodi: Happy Birthday! How did we get this old? It wasn't supposed to happen!
Now, my latest shows and some interesting links.
See you soon.
BIGLOVE,
Angela.
The Gigs:
Butterfly Stitch at Crimson Moon, Angela sitting in...
Friday October 19
9:00 PM
Crimson Moon
24 North Park Street
Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
I'll be sitting in with Butterfly Stitch as an honorary member. As always, lots of great music and laughs. Levi Lowery opens. The food is excellent, the vibe is laid back, and hey, it's beautiful being out of the city.
Angela Motter with the Vagabonds
Sunday, November 11
8:00 PM
Dad's Garage Theater
280 Elizabeth St NE C101
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
Cost:15.00
"Attack me with your love!" The Vagabonds return, all 25 of us. No, seriously, this is part of my extended songwriting family. We've got an excellent treat planned for you. A multi-media extravaganza. Oh, and excellent songwriters. Guitars, Ukelele, Keys, Cahones, Bass, The beautiful Jen Lowe, Emily Boyd, Vanessa Oliverez, and the rest if us guys: me, Alan Yates, Eric Frampton and Brian Bisky. The Vagabonds will make their debut theater performance at one of my fave Atlanta theater spaces. The show will be in the Top Shelf, the smaller theater in back, the capacity is only 50 peeps...so get there early!
The Links:
Girls Talk
I wrote a song for my friend CJ who just moved to Seattle. Her boyfriend taped me singing (or attempting to sing) the song at her going away party. I will miss CJ greatly, as evident by my small meltdown during the song. Gigs in Seattle or thereabouts, anyone? I wouldn't know where to start. CJ: Boy loves Girl.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-rdq2JbGNc
The Vagabonds
Here's the myspace page that shows come cool video of us rehearsing for the Nov 11 show at Dad's.
http://myspace.com/thevagabondsatl
Any One of Us: Words from Prison
Unfortunately I am going to miss this event benefiting an organization very near to my heart. A VDay Event with Eve Ensler. Check out ArtSpring.
Any One of Us: Words from Prison
Thursday, October 18, 2007
8:00 PM
Gusman Center for the Performing Arts
174 East Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33131
http://www.artspring.org/events.htm
Hedwig Pics:
Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Ear-Xtacy
Pics by Gary Quick
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrquicknet/sets/72157601820106700/
Hedwig from Backstage, Rehearsal Hall
Pics by Dav Yendler
Connexions gig from a backstage perspective. Also photos of the rehearsal process before we opened taken with the express purpose of trying not to show David's face for fear of spoiling the surprise.
http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/560991513NlgljL
If you actually read this far, thanks. Extra BIGLOVE for spending some of your time here. You could have been doing many other things. Not that you should be doing other things... oh, crap I think I'd better quit while I'm barely ahead...
--
Angela Motter
Hey MISTER! Records
PO Box 5543
Atlanta, GA 31107
"Truth waits for eyes unclouded by longing."
myspace.com/angelamotter
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Wednesday, September 19, 2007
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Category: Music
Hi All,
Greetings from downtown Louisville!
I hope everyone is doing well. I know some of you have been going through some wonderful times: marriages, new babies, as well difficult times: illness or death in the family. I am sending love to you all.
I have links to share with you if you want to see what's been going on with Hedwig. See below.
There has been talk of an extension of one or two weeks for the show. I will find out the details on Friday.
Mostly what I want to share with you is a link to the promotional video of the show as well as the rave review of the show where the reviewer actually recognized my bass playing abilities with a kudo. Hilarious considering I've never played the instrument before and I am still secretly struggling a bit to keep up with the band!
Enjoy.
BIGLOVE,
Angela.
PS, thanks to David for the book.
QuickTime Video:
It's only 60 seconds long due to copyright law for theatre video promotions, but it's an excellent representation of the show. David Hanbury as Hedwig ROCKS.
http://actorstheatre.org/Hedwig%201-min.mov
Show Review:
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070914/SCENE05/709140311/1011/SCENE
From the Director:
If you want to know more about this mystery woman, Hedwig, this blog says and shows it all. Cool pics, fun behind the scenes scoops.
Sean Daniels and the cast and crew make me laugh really hard every day. Reading Sean's blog will make you laugh, too, promise.
Sean's Blog:
http://seandaniels.blogspot.com
If you are interested in coming up to see the play, here's the info:
Tickets:
http://www.actorstheatre.org/play_hedwig.htm
Box Office: 502-584-1205
Angela Motter
Hey MISTER! Records
PO Box 5543
Atlanta, GA 31107
"In order to be whole we must deny nothing."
-Stephen Levine
myspace.com/angelamotter
www.angelamotter.com
cdbaby.com/cd/angelamotter
myspace.com/releasedate
iTunes: search for Angela Motter
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Wednesday, September 05, 2007
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Category: Music
My Internet connection is not reliable here at the W-G, so this dispatch is rather late... Also, if you are planning to come see the show, the Victor Jory Theatre is always really, really cold. So bring something cozy to wear.
DISPATCH II
Notes from Louisville and Hedwigland
Hi Everyone,
This rather long but dense with interesting info dispatch comes from downtown Louisville where I am reporting to you after rehearsal in my apartment at the Weissinger-Gaulbert, or as we call it, the "W-G."
The Short Version:
The rehearsals for Hedwig and the Angry Inch are rocking and the musicians are top notch, well decorated with musical, name-dropping worthy acheivements. If you read Sean's blog (link below) you'll get the idea.
We are all chomping at the bit to open. We live for the stage, as all rock bands do.
On David Hanbury:
In the words of Sean Daniels, David Hanbury, our Hedwig, is truly a rockstar.
David is amazingly talented. I'm sure he arrived on the planet with a huge gift, but he has obviously also worked his butt off to be the musician and actor that he has is. He has the perfect combination of technical ability and natural talent. Pure musicality.
It is totally worth the trip to see him in action if you are within reasonable driving range. His voice, his improvised humor, his acting… Well there's more, but I won't spoil the surprise. David's the real deal.
Thanks to my best homey Adrienne I saw Hedwig with the original cast off Broadway at the Jane St Theatre. David's version is every bit as deep, exciting and rockin.' Chills, people, chills, all over your body.
Tickets:
http://www.actorstheatre.org/play_hedwig.htm
Box Office: 502-584-1205
If you do come to see the play, buy your tickets early as the Victor Jory Theatre, one of the three spaces at A.T.L. is small. Cocktails will be available inside the theatre, by the way.
My 2 Cents:
As for me, I am living in the lap of luxury. My job is to be Yitzhak. My first regional theatre gig, again, thanks to another best homey, director (just one of her many talents) Kate Warner. See www.dadsgarage.com for info on Kate.
I am really enjoying playing the bass, too. Jerry peek need to be worried at all as my skills are very rudimentary, but I can lay down a good groove. Well, maybe beat is a better word. I fell powerful play ing those big fat strings and creating that solid, low vibe coming out of the amp. Makes me feel like a rockstar.
Blogs and More Blogs:
If you want to know more about this mystery woman, Hedwig, these blogs say and show it all. Cool pics, fun behind the scenes scoops.
Sean Daniels and the cast and crew make me laugh really hard every day. Reading Seans blog will make you laugh, too, promise.
Sean's Blog:
http://seandaniels.blogspot.com
Hedwig's Blog:
http://actorstheatre.wordpress.com/plays/hedwig/posts-from-the-edge/
Actors Theatre:
http://actorstheatre.wordpress.com/tag/plays/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch/
I hope this finds you all content and healthy and courageous. After all, as Hedwig her/himself knows, being truly yourself in the world creates the most powerful human experience imaginable.
BIGLOVE,
Angela.
"In order to be whole we must deny nothing."
-Stephen Levine
myspace.com/angelamotter
www.angelamotter.com
cdbaby.com/cd/angelamotter
myspace.com/releasedate
iTunes: search for Angela Motter
 | Currently listening:
Harrowdown Hill
By Thom Yorke
Release date: 22 August, 2006 |
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Friday, August 31, 2007
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Category: News and Politics
An interesting article forwarded to me by my friend Jim Fouratt.
Feedback?
Sen. Larry Craig:
Sexual Behavior, Sexual Identity
and Sexual Orientation Understood
H. Alexander Robinson
NBJC CEO
Sen. Larry Craig's recent sexual restroom exploits have given the American community an unexpected but valuable teachable moment that should be embraced and further understood.
Instead of running from the tabloid fodder, late night talk show jokes, and Sunday morning sermons that will undoubtedly come from this incident; the LGBT community should instead embrace Sen. Craig's gay sex solicitation incident as an opportunity to talk candidly and knowledgeably about the fluidity of sexuality and its effects upon gay identity and gay sexual orientation.
There are four vital lessons that can be learned from Sen. Craig's situation, each of which flies in the face of conventional wisdom and understanding of sexuality.
Understanding Gay Sexual Behavior
First, we must learn how to distinguish the differences between sexual behavior, sexual identity and sexual orientation. Sen. Craig has vehemently denied that he is a gay man and I personally believe him.
Since Sen. Craig clearly attempted to engage in gay sexual behavior but publicly denies a gay sexual identity does this mean that he is in sexual denial or perhaps deeply closeted? Not necessarily. Often men who engage in the underground culture of public restroom, rest stop, tea room sex do so as an act of sexual titillation, sexual release, and an immediate sexual gratification.
They are fueled by the sexual thrill of getting caught, doing something that is taboo and the potential danger of seeking out homoerotic encounters with men who otherwise would strictly identify as heterosexual.
So in every sense and definition of the word, the sex that these men have is truly, utterly and exclusively recreational. It is void of emotional value, love, respect, intimacy or an expectation of a romantic relationship to come. For them having male-to-male sex is truly a sport, a hobby, a distraction and a pastime or rebellion against convention with no emotional attachment or desire for more.
To further understand how a straight man could engage in gay sex and still genuinely not identity as gay in terms of his sexual identity or sexual orientation, we must remember that it is physically possible for any person to have sex with either gender regardless of their individual level of emotional attachment.
A so called 100% gay man may still be capable of having sexual relations with a woman. So does this automatically make him straight or bisexual? Not necessarily. Just because he is capable of having sex with a woman doesn't mean he wants to have a relationship with one, hence our clear understanding of sexual orientation must come into play.
Understanding Gay Sexual Orientation
What we feel emotionally is what defines our sexual orientation not our sexual activity. I personally am a gay man. I only desire to be in a relationship with another man. However, in the past I have had sex with women specifically my former wife. For a time while we were together she was my exclusive sexual partner. I am still physically capable of being attracted to women.
But my emotional desire is to partner with another man, not a woman. Hence my true sexual orientation is gay, not straight or bisexual.
I potentially could have as much illicit heterosexual sex as I want with women but at the end of the day, I will always return back to the loving arms of another man. It's just how I am wired. I romantically love and romantically desire to be with another man.
Well for Sen. Craig, I believe that he romantically loves and romantically desires to be with a woman and although he may recreationally have sex with other men, his true loving desire is for women and not for men.
Society must come to terms with the fact that not everyone who has gay sex is necessarily gay. Although it may be a difficult concept for some to comprehend; gay sexual behavior does not equate to gay sexual orientation.
Understanding Gay Identity
We live in a society that is determined to categorize and force people into a box, assigning them with a ratings value of good or bad based upon their race, class, culture and sexual identification.
Today for an individual to self-identity as gay, they seemingly must take on an image created by the media that is based upon societal stereotypes. For men, we must be either feminine or super gym macho bunnies. We must be either florists or hairdressers or super witty, smart, affluent and overly-successful. But all too often, the gay identity most exclusively seen and portrayed is that of white men and their lives (i.e. Will and Grace, Queer as Folk).
In fact members of the Black community have for years rejected the term "gay" and instead have embraced the term same-gender-loving (SGL) for the exact same reasons. The term gay to them means white, privileged and without regards to people of color, their issues or their situations.
So to embrace a gay identity we must also accept an entirely media driven, prescribed and induced armor to wear and to show the world that this is who we are and that this is what we feel.
Sen. Larry Craig rejects this identify, because simply this is not who he is. He is a conservative, married man who has very little in common with America's gay identity. In fact he is perfectly valid in stating that he is not a gay man.
The Down Low Not Just for Black Men
Isn't it amazing how when white people do and say things that it is reported differently in the media in comparison to blacks who do the exact same thing? Further, the law and its punishment are also applied differently to black people. In fact people of color in general often receive harsher prison sentencing for committing similar or even lesser crimes than their white counterparts.
Male-to-male sex scandals are also treated differently where black people are concerned. Black men have been systematically portrayed in a much more negative and darker media light than their white male counter parts.
A few years ago, JL King who is black, burst onto the scene with his book "On The Down Low" which exposed straight black men's sexual exploits with other men. His book and the furor it created earned him a seat on Oprah's couch.
Not too long afterwards, writer Terry McMillian and her newly-out-as gay husband Jonathan Plummer, both of whom are black, openly discussed their marriage and Plummer's revelation of his sexuality on Oprah's couch as well.
Then former New Jersey Governor, Jim McGreevy also plopped himself on Oprah's couch of confession along with his newly released book which spoke of his sexual confusion, marital infidelity and emerging gay sexuality.
But there was a stark difference of how JL King and Jonathan Plummer were portrayed in comparison to the privileged white former Governor. In the Oprah interview along with many interviews that followed in newspaper articles and online, both King and Plummer were crucified as being sexual predators, users of black women and even accused of potentially exposing black women to the HIV/AIDS.
But Gov. McGreevy was treated with soft plushy rainbow gloves, where he was rarely publicly challenged and was even embraced by white gay organizations, presented with book deals, speaking engagements, and with even a potential foray back into politics.
What Gov. McGreevy and Sen. Larry Craig both prove is that the down low isn't just a black thing, but instead it is a male thing. It is a form of sexual repression that should not be scolded and rebuked when black men do it then heralded and forgiven when an attractive white man does it as was the case with McGreevy.
Now that Sen. Larry Craig has also been revealed to be on the "down low" how will the gay press, the mainstream press and the black press treat him? Will the entire incident be forgotten in six months? Will Sen. Craig keep his seat in the Senate? Or will he go back to being his old hypocritical ways and continue to vote against LGBT legislation such as the Hate Crimes Bill and ENDA?
If any value should come from Sen. Craig's restroom incident it should teach us to seek a deeper understanding of the fluidity of sexuality, give less condemnation of sexual repression gone wild, and then openly admit that all men black, white, Latino, and Asian have the propensity of engaging in illicit gay sexual behavior.
Further, let's take the precious time to understand and to embrace the differences between gay sexual behavior, gay sexual identity and gay sexual orientation and make the Sen. Larry Craig restroom incident a teachable moment for the entire LGBT community and society as a whole.
H. Alexander Robinson
CEO
National Black Justice Coalition
www.nbjc.org
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