Hello again

Left this alone for months and now I'm shocked stiff upon seeing Blogspot's new CMS layout. It took a couple of clicks to finally land on the post page, but apparently I could have saved myself some minutes by noticing the glowing orange pencil icon on the main page. The old geezer syndrome applies to all ages when it comes to progress in technology. Sigh.

New place (but still in Brooklyn), some steady jobs here and there, still checking out shows, and always picking up the gigs to keep me busy.

You can find me here:

And here:

And still working on shoots:

Premiere issue of Nero Homme, cover photo/editorial styled by Gemma Slack. Assistant styling by yours truly.

Or lining up for free Plan B in a Vice article.

Or taking shameless selfies at the Top of the Standard.

Very soon, R.

1_22. Free Spirit @ The Acheron, NYC

Made a stealth trip to the Acheron tonight to check out Boston bred Free Spirit's set. Super fun show with the dudes (no ladies this time) up front swinging and kicking, but people these days would go hard to anything repped by the Lockin' Out label. Can't say I blame them, the label's bands (Cold World, Righteous Jams, The Rival Mob, Razzle Dazzle) produce some catchy hooks.

Taken from the sideline of the pit, the video above is the first four songs of the band's set. Enjoi.

Bushwick's Heaven Street Grand Opening; New Favorite Record Shop

fatigued and out of work with Marco and Laura

Thank HEAVEN STREET I decided to come out of my hermit coma for once or else I would not have stumbled upon my new favorite record store. Located just skips away from the Morgan Avenue stop on the L, Heaven Street record shop just had its grand opening tonight and everyone from musicians to writers and designers salivated over the free PBR and impressive inventory. "New York's only counter cultural record store!" proclaims the Facebook event page. The shop is curated by Cult of Youth's Sean Ragon and is often run under the friendly hands of my buddy and former Hospital Production shopman, Jim Siegel. Whatever you can trace in the two's musical paths is what you will find in the shelves of this store. It's no surprise that a store that's run by total angels (though I know OF Sean through mutual friends but I'm sure he's a sweetie too) makes DETAILED labels on almost every release in stock. Now that's service! Believe me, it was very hard to keep my wallet shut tonight, and when I found out they accepted Paypal payments upon purchasing Chronic Sick's "Cutest Band in Hardcore" e.p., I willingly kept my account open on the shop's laptop.

The store is open seven days a week (I believe) and is currently cash only - and Paypal, if you're nice and ask. It's located on 184 Noll Street, opens from 12-8 p.m., and all you have to do is walk left on Flushing and see a big ass window with a red wall and records behind it. They really like pizza. Jim loves waffles, pretzels, and cats. You will probably see me frequent the shop on the reg.

11_5. The Rival Mob "Tough Love" @ Acheron, NYC

The Rival Mob performed at the Acheron in BK last night/tonight/right before the mindfuckery that is the end of daylight saving. This band is hard to catch live unless you happen to be at some major punk fest or live on the East Coast, but luckily I've arranged my residency to fix that problem.

I'm not going to talk too much about the band's set because every word I'd have for it is best exemplified in the moving visual above. I will say that the unusual blur adjustments throughout the video makes it look extra ominous as if this was my POV after getting punched in the eyes. Keeping it tough.

Blurred Motion: Love Brigade SS12 Fashion Show

Love Brigade premiered stage one, a.k.a. the spring/summer 2012 collection, of its Soulmates Never Die series last Thursday during New York Fashion Week. The past two weeks was a brain blaster for the entire crew, but captured in the last photo is the sudden transition into serenity. Everything comes together once the spotlight hits.