aric with an a

for reasons unbeknownst to be, a lot of people visit my little blog. a handful of you email, others comment, but going off the stats, only about 0.02%. which is fine. but what I’m going to need over the coming weeks/months is your help with something…let me explain:

here’s what I have: a computer. a camera that shoots video. a good pair of boots.

here’s what I don’t have: money

here’s what I want to do: see a few things before it’s all over

…so, as you may or may not have read over the past few days, I got a bit of a shock when I found out that the $ I had coming in wasn’t there yet. it might be, it might not be, but it was going to be used for an adventure. but maybe the adventure begins because I don’t have it. so I spent the past few days worrying, thinking, moaning, blaming - lots of things that end in -ing, but few that ended in peace. in excitement.

but no one really has any $ these days to do anything.

that shouldn’t stop the adventure - it should start it.

so, here’s my idea:

passion

wait that might have come across wrong, me mentioning having a camera and ‘passion’ being the answer. there’ll be no adult films, but what there could be are films about adults.

lemme ask you - if someone was willing to shoot a short 2-3 minute film on what you were passionate about, be it your work, a story you have, your charity, your hometown, anything, would you give ‘em a place to sleep and a bite to eat?

I think you would. I think anyone would.

the tricky part is that I want to do it in countries I know nothing about. people I don’t know how to speak to. etc.

but time-and-time again, I’ve met those who comment on how lucky I was to have English as my mother-tongue - and could surely find someone, somewhere along the way who could help.

so, here’s what I need - advice.

how could I do this? what am I not thinking of? is it even possible?

help me with this initial set-up and then I’ll start throwing out the places I want to go…

it would start with Turkey.

those that know me know that when I get sick, it usually is over before it begins.

and I think I’m the same way with what an old friend of mine describes as ‘having an Eeyore’.

yesterday freaked me out a little bit.

will the money be there eventually?

yes.

I think so.

I hope so.

and if I told you the paltry sum, you’d probably laugh.

it ain’t much.

but it’s enough to get me where I need to go.

so I sat.

and I sulked.

I walked around the block taking note of an older man in an Eagles cap with his shopping.

I don’t have money for shopping.

not now.

and especially not in a few weeks.

I wanted to see what he was holding, but was scared he might take me to want to talk about the Eagles.

which I really didn’t.

so I sat and I stewed.

worried and wondered.

looked up quotes about worrying online and memorized a few.

but then thought about the shopping man I passed.

he didn’t look rich

and was shopping at CVS.

and in all actuality, was living paycheck-to-paycheck.

I don’t have a paycheck.

which means when you take the monetary factor away from that sentence,

you’re left with just ‘living’.

and that helped me.

a whole lot.

I wanted an adventure.

and an adventure is what I am being given.

yesterday I didn’t want to think about having less than $500.

today I planned on what I would do with nothing more than $500.

and I had a few ideas.

I have a few ideas still.

ideas I might need your help on.

names of places and people you might know.

or people you might know who might know names and places.

because, although we’ve probably never met.

I know if I asked for a meal.

you’d give me a few smackerels.

if I showed up at your door when it was raining,

you’d at least let me sleep on the porch.

so I won’t starve.

I won’t sleep in the rain.

the basics are taken care of.

which, upon realizing, opens up some new ideas.

one’s I’d like to share,

but not tonight, maybe tomorrow.

because what kind of an asshole sits on a friend’s couch,

one who cooked Thanksgiving for him

with a beer to my right,

big pillows to my left

a few tickets to a far-off land on the coffee table

and moans?

an asshole.

so it’s no longer ‘only $500′.

it’s $500.

exclamation point.

‘the life of fucking Riley’

it’s been said to me more times than you think.

[even that 'fucking' part, I suppose because it adds emphasis]

a few weeks ago, I decided to leave the country again.

on another adventure.

on yet another adventure.

so I bought the tickets.

from here to there.

there to over there for Christmas.

back to that first place.

and then a one-way to over there for NYE.

‘no problem’ I told myself.

a few projects had ended and the money was on the way.

on the way.

and still on the way.

it’s the corporate way.

to be ‘on the way’.

and now, as it stands, I might have enough to get me to that first place.

[remember the first place? you got to keep up]

and then some other pennies are supposed to come in.

supposed to.

come in.

but there’s no guarantee.

I think Kenny Rogers eluded to this.

so off I go - whether I should or not.

with a few pennies.

and a promise in my pocket of a few more.

but there’s no guarantee.

so sure, look on me.

because most only see the photos.

and comment on the photos.

but never ask about the bus ride to where they were taken.

not that I’d talk much about it anyway.

just know it ain’t easy.

and know it’s fucking scary.

[I added that 'fucking' part for emphasis]

and know there’s nights and nights of doubt,

of worry,

of being really scared,

because it might,

it could,

it possibly will,

turn into an adventure.

and maybe I just like taking the pictures.

I’ve been on lots of tours.

about as many days as you’ve called in sick.

so when I tell you the one I took today was the best one I’ve ever taken,

please believe me.

The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia…

one of the best kept secrets in America.

Niagara Falls and this place - asked Charles Dickens about what was on his list, his first visit to America.

fascinating.

cold.

creepy.

and you’ve seen it before - both Brad and Bruce were admitted here in 12 Monkeys.

Vince and Joaquin served time in here for Return To Paradise.

Al Capone stayed for 8 months and Steve Buscemi narrates it.

I’d tell you about my battery immediately dying in some rooms, but you wouldn’t believe me.

all I ask is that you visit someday.

a day not too warm.

it needs to be cold.

or, at least, read about it.

’cause I didn’t before I visited.

and I’m going to have to head back in a few days.

or you could sit right there and check out a few snaps I took.

but all three would be ideal.

so good.

so, it’s official.

I signed a 5-story deal with Converse today.

that Converse.

they found me because ’someone pointed them in my direction’.

so thank you, someone.

this is the biggest brand I’ve ever written for.

and a brand I like

I grew up with

so here’s to pointings and directions.

and here’s to shoulders and giants.

…are up here.

and for those really keen on wondering what Oklahoma looks like in the Fall, click here - you might be surprised.

archie hamilton is out-of-his-fucking mind. see, he wants to make a difference in China by bringing in good music, and promoting the stuff they already have. I beg him every time we talk to get out, to give up, to move somewhere nice and cozy but he insists on doing something…something, to make a difference. I usually loath people that are driven by a need to ‘change the world’, but with Archie it’s different. he’s smart, very smart, and not afraid to take on the bamboo bouncers that constantly bottleneck his efforts. he’s also funny, but only if you really get British humor. he’s lucky as well, if you’ve ever met his family. he also came in at #16 of CNN’s ‘hot list’. and he’s one of those guys I haven’t spent much time with, but don’t need to either - and I mean that in the most wonderful of ways.

-

your Scottish, but sound like you’re from London. surely that angers both cultures - explain.

I am what would be called a posh colonialist.  My parents moved from London to Edinburgh when I was 6 months old and they are both very English.  They speak like the Queen.  I have spent many years roughing up my accent for this biz.

I used to get into bar brawls in Edinburgh for being a posh English wanker and get called jock at my very smart boarding school, so now I live in China where no-one can understand what I say at all…

in a short few years, you’ll be credited with being ‘the godfather of bringing foreign bands to China’ - how’s that going?

Thanks man.  In a few short years, trying to bring foreign bands to China will have killed me.  So will Godfather be posthumous?

Honestly, it’s fucking hard.  We were very lucky in our first couple of years - the economy was flush with cheap cash and lots of people were spending it on China.  We were the beneficiaries on occasion and thought it would be relatively easy.  Since November 2007, the cheap money has gone and China has localized quite radically, so we have had to redefine our model more than once.  We are slowly puliing this ship around, but at great personal cost, both physical and financial.  Having said that, I do subscribe to Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour theory and I firmly believe that hard work wins the day.  How are you doing on those scores Mr. A…??

The key is that I get the chance to do something different, and the opportunities for the few foreigners that survive in China will be intense. Plus, it is an amazing experience to watch something like this grow so rapidly (China and the music scene).  I feel privileged to be here doing this.

didn’t you once almost die, or, think you were dying?

Australia when I was 17.  I was on the barrier reef and stood on something.  My foot started bleeding.  I had been a big fan of the Willard Price “Adventures” when I was a kid - 2 handsome guys get into scrapes in the wild - Safari Adventure, Underwater Adventure, Arctic Adventure.

Check out the description:

One of Willard Price’s adventure stories featuring Hal and Roger Hunt. The boys have a new quarry - the big-game poachers who threaten to wipe out a huge African game reserve. They capture a band of poachers red-handed, but the leader, Blackbeard, continues to elude them.

Anyway, in Diving Adventure, Hal Hunt stepped on the deathly venomous stonefish, and it sticks in my memory whenever I paddle.  I was convinced my leg was going numb from the poison and lay with my leg raised and asked my friends to take a photo of me and give it to my mother, with a message that I loved her.  10 minutes later I could walk around again.  It was a baby ray, completely harmless, if slightly painful.

which Chinese bands do you think have a chance in this cruel western world?

I think there has been a very interesting contrast with two recent tours of the US by the two premiere indie labels in Beijing.  The bands from Modern Sky were completely unprepared for the experience, believing the hype that has built around them in China, and I think the label probably did too.

Maybe Mars, on the other hand, have taken hardworking, original sounding bands under their wing and developed them.  I am actually writing a thought piece for the Radar about it - Modern Sky are Chinese run, successful in China, a long way to go in the West, Maybe Mars, Western run, struggling in China, lots of potential in the West.  An analogy for most businesses???

what would you tell a band that is keen on touring the mighty p.r.c.?

Strip down your traveling party (1 or 2 works best - it pisses me off when a 3 piece feels the need for 20 crew), lower your expectations (comfort, transport, safety) and open your hearts and minds.  You will leave with a lifechanging experience in your hearts….

…now, we usually have you put your iPod on ’shuffle’, but considering you’ve been a d.j. and make millions from the music industry, why not tell us 3 bands not worth listening to, although we’ve probably heard of them.

I blame the press.  They build up bands to such a degree before they are ready and then shoot them down when they fail to live up to expectations.  Anyone remember Black Kids.  Trumpeted to the skies by Pitchfork, who then gave their debut album a one line review - We are sorry.

What not to listen to.  Well, personally I think hip hop has had its heart ripped out, and the perps have replaced it with a giant wad of greenbacks.  So don’t listen to the R&B flava-ed drivel that clogs most commercial airways these days.  I’m also struggling a bit with this new rock ‘n rave style, which is essentially mashup, which was great when 2manyDJs started doing it at the turn of the century, but is just too common these days.

What I am liking at the moment.  I have to say I am loving UK Funky at the moment, which is like house and grime together - Geeneus is big in that scene.  Sounds rough, but it’s very catchy.  Dubstep is pretty mainstream now, but I’m loving some of the more spaced out versions of that genre.  Check out Shackleton (we are working with the Shelter on bringing him to China in April), Also liking a lot of punk music (Kid D and the Kitchen Table anyone?) and there is some amazing crossover dubstep and pop - check Chase and Status who have just produced Rihannas imminent new album.

-

follow archie’s ’split-works’.

his blog on music in china

his chinese music podcast

or, should you be in his area, treat yourself to:

Owl City [holding the current #1 song in the U.S.], playing 4 nights in China

with each time

I say goodbye,

it’s one more day,

one more hour,

one more time,

that I will see them less.

and sadness comes from not missing

but that soon,

someday,

a day up to someone other than me

missing is all I’ll be able to do

and I’ll wish

I would have realized

that each of us

have a day

a day not up to us,

or them,

but to someone else

someone who reminds me to tell them,

and not wait

one more day

because days are all we have

they’re all we have

and today is one less.

I need all my days

said Otis.

and I agree.

and I agree.

but I also need all of theirs.

granted, attempting ‘artsy’ photography in Oklahoma is enough to get your ass kicked.

but I had to try.

putting the film in was enough to remind me that I was basically raised, as we all were, on digital.

but in the end, I got there.

and started shooting.

shot the whole backyard of my folks, in fact.

and then took it in to get developed.

my first mistake was allowing the 120 film to come slightly unraveled and not securing it - next time I’ll do it in a darker room

but hey, if Holga is known for it’s imperfections, than surely it can handle mine, right?

‘customer knows it’s foggy’ wrote the lady, whose name should have been something like Peggy.

flash forward to the next day, I received a call saying ‘your photos are ready, but you probably won’t like them’.

thanks, Peg.

so I bummed a ride from my Mother and now immediately regret ever typing a sentence that includes two of those words.

I was given one photo.

and a roll of negatives.

one photo - out of 16.

‘where are the other 15?’ I inquired.

‘the developer thought they were too weird and you wouldn’t want them’

‘but I told you it was a Holga and it was supposed to be weird.’

’sorry about that.’

‘do you know what a Holga is?’

‘I’ve seen it once before. the Hanson brothers have them!’

‘and did you all print theirs?’

‘yes, but they’re Hanson‘.

…I think I’ll try again in another town.

what I did learn, from looking at the negatives, is that yes, there are light leaks, something that can be taped over. and I think I will.

the viewfinder is not accurate - which, on a $20 toy camera shouldn’t be too shocking.

and there’s plenty online had I not been such a guy.

like, taking the plastic mask off.

but there’s a long way to go before my photos look anything like these.

I welcome any tips,

just as long as it has nothing to do with Hanson.

this was, according to my parents, the first clue that I didn’t always agree with things posted.

while sitting around our dining table, eating all the leftovers that has forever been a family tradition, they reminded me of my first adventure.

I was barely 9 years-old, and no one can remember what actually set me off, but the fact that I was set off was something - things never seemed to bother me.

but this time stayed in my room for a good 2 hours.

there were sounds, but no cause for alarm, as it was only me and my G.I. Joe’s.

for a few minutes, it was quiet.

and then Mom, who was in Ashley’s room, saw a dark-haired head poke around the corner.

‘I’m going now’, I announced, waiting for any sort of reaction.

there was none.

I mean, after all, how far can a 9 year-old get in the middle of the Oklahoma country?

on my back was a schoolbag, that wouldn’t have held more than a few changes of clothes.

and behind me, a Radio Flyer wagon, carrying every action figure and tank and ‘real operating wings!’ jet I could fit.

I walked out of the house, proclaiming once more my departure.

but for reaction, all I got were looks.

they were neither amused, nor angry - curious, I suppose,

and you can’t blame them.

up the driveway,

out onto the road that rarely saw a stranger

and down, down, down the road that would, in a mile, show any signs of use.

from their window, a guesstimate of 5 times I stopped, checked my Joe’s, then turned around to look.

no one came, and I kept going.

finally out of sight, my Mother came to get me.

I wasn’t crying, she might have been a little bit.

‘where were you going to go?’

I refused to answer.

but instead had something to ask myself.

‘did you see me?’

apparently she did.

and perhaps, after more than a year traveling,

that same mindset resonates.

the Taj never changed my life, and if you ask me about it, I’ve got not much to tell.

but will forever let you know that ‘I’m going now’

in hopes you find that,

at least a tad,

interesting.