Sometimes… are better than others…

So, this was a Thanksgiving long weekend for America… or at least “this” America… but I am not trying to debate the unethical implications… I ate the turkey too…

It’s one day in our lives that we claim to be thankful for enjoying what we have. What about those that have not? Those they make commercials about with no sandwich or pay… those they find passed out in the gutter for a photo-op, or those shatting on my trash can because there is nothing else for them. I have always wanted one old-fashioned sort of thing in my life, and that was to be the man my father is. My father is literally the most respectable man on earth, and I am the one that sits and stews about how wrong everything is. I wish I could be that man.

Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need. – Kahlil Gibran

I have always looked at pride a bit differently, and that is why/who I am. It is probably a bit Darwinian, but I have fought for and earned everything I have ever gotten. Never mind the fact that I have nothing now. So, is it pride or the fight that ruins it for us? Survival of the fittest or the cleverest is all I can say.

I give all props to pops… but I still wonder, what might have been different? What might have made this easier? Should I have no compassion, and work my tail for no recompense, or work my tail for someone and/or something else? Either way, there is no satisfaction.

My father has always had compassion for others, and I have always had it for situations… so which is right and which is wrong? Who are we to say…

I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet, strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers. – Kahlil Gibran

We all sit and proclaim our pride because we have “earned” everything that we have. Really? I’m not trying to reign on anyone’s parade, but think about it. Do we deserve what we have or have not? It’s a matter for everyone of us to discover on our own and in our own way.

I wish you well on your journey…

the journey that you have never wanted to take.

Thoughts on Art and Growth…

PMPLogo2
Not as a business-man, or an employee of any corporation, but I have taken the time this week to finally look at who I am, what I am doing and what I WANT to do.

Mind you it’s nice to have a day-job and all, but at the end of it, I don’t know of any artist out there that is happy JUST doing a day-job. However, we all need to pay our bills, and it’s best to do it with a job that you at least somewhat enjoy.

This week, has been a troubling, and extremely rewarding one. I decided to get out of a rut and actually do something to move PharoahMoan Productions ahead, instead of just being a name. I/we did the ONLY Official CD Release Party for the new Collide album – “These Eyes Before.” You don’t think you know them, but trust me – you do.

A little bit about the Band from their own Bio:

The Story of Collide

“We just wanted to make the kind of music that we wanted to hear.”

Once upon a time, somewhere around 1992, two people met at an industrial dance club. One was very thirsty, so they asked the other to get them some water. After the liquid reached the glass, the two began a conversation, which became a friendship, and then formed a creative union.

The creative union became what is known as COLLIDE. The primary core of the Los Angeles based duo is Statik and kaRIN. Statik is responsible for the sound orchestrations and overall production. kaRIN takes care of the vocals and lyrics.

“We never thought of starting a band, we just wanted to make the kind of music we wanted to hear. After the first few songs were finished, we thought the collaboration sounded like something special. A few songs later, we realized that the music we were making was really important to us. It would need a name. We thought long and hard and then COLLIDE came to us. We knew it was right, as it described what we were doing and the feeling of the music perfectly.”

The essence of COLLIDE is the coming together of two opposing entities to form a symbiotic whole … combining the female and masculine energies, the cognitive and the subliminal, the strength and the mystery.

Meaningful lyrics and alluring hypnotic vocals combine with an aural sculpture, to form an experience in listening that manages to defy categorization. “I think the reason why our sound is different is because we do not approach music in a traditional way. We don’t play music, we try to create soundscapes — layers of depth and sound.”

Due to dissatisfaction with the music industry, COLLIDE began their own record label, Noiseplus Music, and decided to self-release. “This was a decision we had to make, as so much energy and life goes into each song in layers and levels. We never let go of it until we are sure that it is the best that we can make, and we are ultimately satisfied with it. We see so many things in the music industry that are not in the artist’s favor, where it becomes all about business. It is our hope to help make that change, while making music that we believe in, and to set a path for ourselves, as well as other artists.”

Find out more about them: http://www.collide.net

This band, and this event we put together this week with PharoahMoan Productions as a sort of come-back, made me realize the depth of the passion I have for music that people need to hear, that they cannot hear anywhere else. And it re-invigorated me.

The Mission Statement I have had for PharoahMoan Productions since it’s beginning in 2001, was as follows:

PharoahMoan Productions is at the forefront of a Massive Art Revolution that is starting to make an impact, not only in Colorado, but across the country! The intention of PharoahMoan Productions is to take this talent from being “Underground” and a dirty little secret. To give it the exposure it deserves so people all around the world can see it, and come to enjoy it as we do. So join us… and find in the revolution what the world has been desperate to find.

To this day, I cannot change that statement. I am still a firm believer that Art has been the basis for civilization, and I believe that Art has to have a strong influence in whatever we do. However, throughout the ages, even though the talent has been here, it has gone to waste because there has been no-one to tell the world…”Hey, look what you’re missing!”

I am so disturbed and frightened about “Pop” and the forced glory of accepted music. I want to make a difference and bring Art back to Music. We know the bands, we know the musicians, and we know the artists.

It’s been about a year hiatus, but there is no stopping us now. Join us, help us, or follow us in any of the following ways:

Joshywa Schrader
PharoahMoan Productions
Direct: 303.588.5084
1537 Washington St. Denver, CO 80203
PharoahMoan Productions
LinkedIn
Twitter
Radio Station
Promo Store

It’s time for Artists to start standing up for Art again, and I want to be a helping hand in that.

“Our eternal thanks to those who seek out and expose new music.”
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Collide – “These Eyes Before”

PharoahMoan Productions is proud to present…

Collide – “These Eyes Before” CD Release Party – Denver!!!

FROM THE BAND:

We are thrilled to announce These Eyes Before which is our latest CD about to be released on October 31st!!

It is a cover CD full of classics re-done with that Collide twist… while still paying respect to the original songs.

* 1. Breathe (Pink Floyd)
* 2. Nights In White Satin (The Moody Blues)
* 3. Come Together (The Beatles)
* 4. Creep (Radiohead)
* 5. Rock On (David Essex)
* 6. I Feel You (Depeche Mode)
* 7. Space Oddity (David Bowie)
* 8. Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing (Chris Isaak)
* 9. Tusk (Fleetwood Mac)
* 10. Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd)

Also featuring the return of DJ PharoahMoan!!!

More Details Here: http://www.pharoahmoan.tk
Flyer Here: http://www.vectordefector.com/pharoah/flyers/Before.jpg

Looking to line up Denver Shows for 2010

Looking to book National acts as well as some better known local talent.

Most of the genres I have worked with in the past have been Goth/Industrial/Neofolk but we are expanding our efforts in 2010.

If you are a touring DJ or Band, I would love to bring you to town!!!

E-mail me if interested: info@pharoahmoan.tk or hit the website: http://www.pharoahmoan.tk

What are you looking for?

The more and more I get into “social media,” I keep running into the issue of people misinterpreting my “name.”

They aren’t the people I want, and apparently, I don’t tell them what they want.  I know, at the end of the day, it is a branding issue, but after 17 years with one DJ name.. it’s hard to move on.

So the name is staying, but I am going to approach all of this in a different sort of way…

why do you read my posts?

what do you want?

what do you want to be different?

what can I help you with?

why are you still reading?

let me know!

When it’s over…

I have been having conversations lately with various media sources regarding how I feel about the Denver local music scene. Mind you, I fell into a niche 17 years ago, and it doesn’t always have to be live… but I think I have a valid point.

I have been a DJ off and on in Gothic clubs since 1992. I have seen both sides of the “niche music roller-coaster” and I can tell you honestly now, that regardless of whether or not my “Genre” is the new big fashion craze in Hollywood… our scene here in Denver is struggling.

Goth Nights were huge about 5 years go.  6 Nights a week, there would be a place to go.  Halloween, we could go anywhere… Three to four times a month, we could see a local Goth show.  (I promoted many of them, and there were many competitors, but there were ALWAYS shows).  Many of these were voted Best of Denver in local publications.  But alas, here we are…

Regardless of the fact that he died years before this niche began, Jim Morrison said it best…

From “When the Music’s Over”
So when the music’s over
When the music’s over, yeah
When the music’s over
Turn out the lights Turn out the lights Turn out the lights
Well the music is your special friend
Dance on fire as it intends
Music is your only friend
Until the end.

How did this happen?

How do I answer that without pleasantries?

First of all, we all, unfortunately grow up, and move on to bigger and better wives. We move on to careers, where we have to be someone else, and we move on to lives that make us forget our very being. We give up that itch in our souls that makes us crave these kinds of nights.

I digress…

How did this happen?

1. Drama
2. Personal Drama
3. Club Drama
4. More Drama
5. New people come in and piss on a corner. They “Wal-Mart” the Underground into a place they can call their own.
6. Clubs close.

7.Everyone gives up.

8. Other music styles move in.

And all of this makes me very, very angry AND sad.   I hate what my world has become. I want it back.

So let’s take it?!

then and there…

when the world shrieks at the thought of suicide…

I look at my own life… and the times when I was there…

I have no judgment for your decision…

I have no blame to shackle you with…

I have only the decision…

That I have made…

that I have never wanted…

the only thing that makes me move on…

it keeps the World spinning…

I do not like your choice…

But goddess with the little “g”…

tells me to decide… right or wrong?

I am not up to that judgment…

I do not have that choice…

this is not my moment…

but yours alone…

sleep well my darling.

Auditions for “An Organic Harold”

Auditions for “An Organic Harold”

Directed by: Stephen Wilder
Produced by: Amy Angelilli

Sunday, August 9, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Whittier Neighborhood Association
2900 Downing Street, Denver, 80205

“An Organic Harold” is the working title of a new long form improv
troupe directed by Los Angeles transplant, Stephen Wilder.  The group will perform a traditional Harold while exploring the core values of truth in improv and organic scenes.

Auditions are by appointment only; there will not be callbacks.  This
is a non-paying acting position.

Audition Requirements:

·      Previous improv experience

·      Minimum age is 18

·      Audition is completely improvised – do not prepare anything

·      Bring headshot and improv/theater resume to audition

To request an audition slot please e-mail your name and contact number to: smaartamy@gmail.com.  No calls please.

Please read thoroughly the details about commitment requirements
before requesting a time slot:

·      Rehearsals will be every Monday or Thursday evening.

·      The coaching fee per rehearsal is $8.

·      Rehearsal location TBD.

Once the group has gone through a steady rehearsal process, shows will
be scheduled accordingly.  Possible theaters include, but are not
limited to, The Bovine Metropolis, The Avenue and The Vintage.

About Stephen Wilder

Stephen is a recent transplant to Colorado from Los Angeles, where he
was a member of Improv Olympic West, Second City Sings, Bang Studio,
and Westside Eclectic. Stephen is the founder and director of Hit and
Run: Musical Improv, playing Friday nights at the Bovine Metropolis
Theater.  He is also the executive producer of The Dinner Detective
Murder Mystery Dinner Show, which runs Saturdays in Denver and
Boulder.

About Amy Angelilli

Amy is also a relative newcomer to Denver.  Before acquiring a Denver
zip code, she trained in short form improv in Philadelphia and taught
after school improv workshops to at-risk youth. Amy has trained in
long form improv at the Bovine Metropolis Theater and now plays with
the Bovine’s Battle House Team, Blox.  She is also a cast member in
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show.

“A Night of Tumorous Comedy” to Benefit Sarcoma

cowcornerFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Amy Angelilli. Marketing Director, 303.758.4722
Sara Alan, Writer and performer, 303.883.8838

Bovine Metropolis Theater Hosts
“A Night of Tumorous Comedy” to Benefit Sarcoma
Denver Event Represents Colorado’s Contribution to International Sarcoma Awareness Week

DENVER (June, 2009) – The Bovine Metropolis Theater hosts “A Night of Tumorous Comedy” featuring, Gypsy Cab Company, at 7:30 p.m. on July 22. Tickets for this charity event are only $15 with all proceeds benefiting the Team Sarcoma Initiative. The show will feature a series of connected monologues from local improv veterans, Sara Alan, Pam Farone and Betsy Vajtay—all three of whom are survivors.

“I’ve been so inspired by the efforts of the Team Sarcoma Initiative to not only bring awareness to this rare cancer, but also to bring people together all across the world in a powerful and meaningful way,” says writer/performer, Sara Alan. “I wanted to make sure Denver played its part this year. While I’m the one in this show who had a sarcoma cancer, Pam and Betsy have shared in similar battles; Pam with skin cancer and Betsy with a large brain tumor. Our conditions and stories are different, but we found many commonalities with our struggle for survival and maintaining hope. And we know there are so many others out there—survivors, patients, care givers, loved ones—dealing with similar conditions who will be able to connect, relate, and maybe even laugh a little at the show we’ve created.

For more information, or to reserve tickets, email reservations@bovinemetropolis.com or call 303.758.4722.

A reception follows the show.

About Team Sarcoma
The Team Sarcoma Initiative is an internationally coordinated set of events to raise awareness of sarcoma and raise funds to support sarcoma research, clinical trials, and patient and family services. The annual effort consists of a “core” Team Sarcoma Bike Tour and local Team Sarcoma events that are held worldwide during the same week. The Team Sarcoma Initiative has become an International Sarcoma Awareness Week with over 8,000 people participating worldwide in 2008. This year’s international Team Sarcoma Awareness Week runs from July 18-26. For more information, go to www.team-sarcoma.net
About Bovine Metropolis Theater
The Bovine Metropolis Theater presents shows five nights a week, offers improv classes 12 months a year, and hosts improv workshops every summer. The Bovine also offers corporate training and group entertainment. For information about the Bovine’s shows, classes and other comedic offerings, go to www.BovineMetropolis.com

Bovine Metropolis Theater 1527 Champa Street • Denver • CO • 80202 303.758.4722www.BovineMetropolis.com

Bovine Metropolis Theater: More Funny, Less Money

American Nobility…

In a sense anyway…

It has always bothered me that our “celebrities” have the respect of a medieval Lord…

We are American – in this land, there are no Kings, Queens, Princes, or Princesses… but we call ourselves that to feed our own egos…

Why is that? My personal opinion is we have American Nobility due to the fact that we are not a Monarchy, and we are formulated throughout history to respect some one/thing better placed in life.

But, really? How shallow and sheepish does that make us?

Not only do I find it a bit disturbing to the soul, it honestly pisses me off… I have always wanted to be Knighted… but I set my goals high… I haven’t wanted to read about another wealthy person becoming a celebrity simply because of the fact that they are everywhere… in essence creating their own status…

They have the money, and they have the presence, so they are deified… it makes me hate to be alive in this time…

In times past, people were respected not by or because of their “income” but by their knowledge.. and now that knowledge is an afterthought, I can’t help but be dismayed by the state of this world.

If I have to be “American Nobility” to be happy, I would never find that happiness.. I look at the world and see what is happening.. and most of the time feel as if I am the only one watching…

July 12th, with the Iranian Elections, we all knew it would go wrong. Of course, it did.. and now women, children, and others are standing up to their “Governmental Body” to say “FUCK YOU we want to be free and you screwed us out of that.. fuck Democracy… it only works for those that can pay for it.”

Sadly, they are correct. It was “ALL-A-Twitter” ever since then.. up until yesterday, when we started losing our Americans… we do everyday, but these are people that this country gives a damn about.

For over two weeks, I felt good about people and how much they seemed to care… at least online. Number One Topics on Twitter and Facebook were fighting the good fight with those that are actually struggling…

Then America lost 2 icons in one day 4 within a month… David Carradine – Mr. Kung Fu.. Ed McMahon – Mr. Publishers Clearing House… Farrah Fawcett… which was kind of expected since her tragedy was broadcast since she had it… and then, from nowhere, the “King of Pop.”  Twitter and comments on other “Social Sites” went from giving a damn to “oh my god…’ Nothing in the world matters if we lose a Celebrity.. aka American Nobility… It shows how much this world, and this country actually does give a damn…

Now, this country deals with their “we should be grieving” by joking… and I want to vomit…

My view…

No matter the person…
No matter their “status”
No matter their income….
No matter their sins..

We should grieve as if they are one of us.. because they are.. there is no “nobility” in their death… they are human (like you and I) and they are dead… we should give them the respect that Death asks for…

And we should remember the rest of the world and all of it’s issues between the funerals…

David Carradine –

Carradine, who portrayed the traveling Shaolin monk Kwai Chang Caine in the television series “Kung Fu,” was 72.

Modern audiences may best know him as “Bill” in Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill” films. He earned a 2005 Golden Globe nomination for his role in the second movie in the two-part saga. – CNN.com

Ed McMahon:

Ed McMahon died at age 86 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center earlier this morning. He’d been battling cancer and also suffered from pneumonia this past January. – Popsugar.com

Farrah Fawcett:

Her swimsuit poster launched a thousand male fantasies.

Her feathered locks made curling irons de rigueur for women and kick-started the most pervasive hair trend of the ’70s. – USA Today

Michael Jackson:

His 1982 album “Thriller” has sold more than 50 million records worldwide — a record that, considering the decline of record sales in the wake of new media, is likely to stand for some years to come. – CNN.com

Iran:

Why does nobody cry anymore???  This means something…

http://mashable.com/2009/06/20/iran-youtube/

So remember at the end of the day, at the end of the Newscast, at the end of the world.. we are all humans, and no matter our status.. we deserve respect.. for our Art, for our ideals, for our passion, for our stamina, for our anger.. for our Humanity… we all deserve respect…