stargrazer llc

Here, There, Everywhere Now.

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:05:00 +0000

Goodness it's been a long time since I posted anything here. I've been busy painting, designing, getting married, raising two rescue dogs, transitioning out of my former job as a gallery director and into my new job as a retail slave, and playing and recording (with Eric Merkling, ex-Calliope) as my musical project, Stargrazer.

At left is a flier for a show I'll be playing on New Years Eve, along with Chris Bathgate, White Pines, Matt Jones, Elle & The Fonts, Hallway, This Is Deer Country, and others. Mittenfest is an annual benefit show for 826michigan, an organization that promotes writing skills.

I have been designing tons of fliers since my last post. See them here. I've also been painting up a storm. You can see some recent pieces here.

The poster at left is my homage to Julian House, especially his work for the band Broadcast. I've really been digging that lately and thought I'd have some fun with his collage/grid technique.

If you are free on New Year's Eve and in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area, please join me for an acoustic bass set, promptly at 5:50 PM.

You can "sample the wares," musically speaking, at Stargrazer's myspace page.

(SCENE) Hosts It's First Annual Indie Craft Sale, Sunday December 2

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 21:28:00 +0000

(SCENE) Metrospace will host a one-day Indie Craft Sale on Sunday December 2 from noon until 4:00 PM. This event will coincide with both the First Sunday Gallery Walk and downtown East Lansing’s Winter Bowl Chili Cookoff.

Featuring apparel and accessories, knit items, jewelry, small artworks, and other handmade items from Lansing-area crafters, The Indie Craft Sale is open to all area artisans and craftspeople whose work embodies the gallery’s cutting-edge ideals. Interested artists should contact the gallery by phone before the cut-off deadline of Friday, November 30. There is a $10.00 table fee for each participating artist.

Those looking for unique gifts as well as those looking to find unusual treasures for themselves are invited to enjoy complimentary coffee while browsing the handiwork of Lansing artists.

Been a while!

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 01:48:00 +0000

An incredible amount has happened in the last year or so -- a new directorship at a cutting edge gallery, many exciting design projects (see the gallery), musical exploits... the list goes on! I will attempt to detail the highlights of it (and unveil new projects) over the next few weeks!

I am back.

Jackson High School Winter Concert

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Tue, 22 Nov 2005 22:31:00 +0000

Jean Lee, a teacher in the music department at Jackson High School, approached Stargrazer LLC about designing a poster for a combined winter concert presented by the school's jazz band and orchestra.

As well as being a musical event, the concert also functions as a gift drive for families in need in the Jackson area.

Stargrazer LLC is pleased to offer pro bono services to worthy causes. We produced the poster shown here, and researched local printers to find the best quality and price for the school's budget.

The concert takes place Tuesday, December 13 at 7:00 PM, in the Jackson High School Auditorium. The jazz band and orchestra will perform separately and combined. Additionally, noted soprano Anjuli Baraily will guest with the orchestra. Admission is $2.

Please support our schools, music education, and needy families generously.

It Takes A Village To Make Records

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 20:35:00 +0000

It Takes A Village To Make Records is a subsidiary of Stargrazer LLC focused on the creation, distribution, and marketing of your original music.

ITAV is NOT a record label. ITAV is a creative partnership between musicians and visual artists to produce CD/LP designs and other visual paraphernalia for marketing your unique musical vision. ITAV is a graphic design collective who happen to be ravenous music lovers and/or fine artists and/or musicians and/or sound engineers.

We are artists who love music and musicians who love art.

Some current partners include Earthwork Music, Outside Circle Collective, and Levity Productions.

ITAV's principle goal is to produce a catalog of lasting visual and sonic beauty. A diverse, hard to pigeonhole roster is our ambition. As the French say, "you eat first with your eyes," but we love a meal with substance. We create that necessary lust that pushes indecisive customers and fans to take your CD or LP home!

ITAV has the graphic design knowledge and fabricating expertise to bring your CD or vinyl project to the front of the pack. Get noticed! We are in the business of dragging potential customers across a room with eye-popping designs. We do this within your budget and on your schedule.

If you are a musician interested in design work that is a cut above, or If you are an artist interested in being part of the ITAV cadre, contact Peter at stargrazerllc @ gmail.com.

To submit songs for the "First-hand Accounts, Theories, and their Repercussions" compilation CD (see press release below), yup you guessed it -- contact Peter.

Ohmigawd! It's Oh My God, October 28

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 03:50:00 +0000

Oh My God
with Starling Electric
and The Fluoride Program
Friday, October 28
Doors - 9 pm, Show - 10 pm
$8 for 21+, $10 for 18+

At Lansing's Temple Club
500 East Grand River Ave.

"Chicago rock trio oh my god is powered by overdriven organ, nasty bass guitar, pounding drums and some surprising pop hooks. Imagine the Doors, if they'd been on SST, or Freddy Mercury fronting a punk band. No guitars here--they've been co-opted by the organ-and-Leslie combo." -- www.sonicbids.com

"Sounds like a Christian-rock band? It's not. But oh my god doesn't have a notarized contract on file at the devil's office, either. THIS CHICAGO ROCK BAND IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH GOD OR SATAN..." -- www.myspace.com/ohmygod

I've lost count now how many times I've had the earthly pleasure of seeing Oh My God play their sanctified organ-bass-drums rock and roll. They are consumate showmen, fiercely talented musicians, and really fun people to hang out with, too. You should come to the show!

[or catch them at a gig near you]

Stargrazer LLC is pleased to offer this poster (click on the image for a closer look) for their October 28 performance!

Hurricane Katrina Benefit

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 04:03:00 +0000

We've donated a poster to help promote a Hurricane Relief Benefit at Lansing's Temple Club this Monday, September 12. Lansing musicians are donating their time and talents to raise much-needed funds for our people in New Orleans who have lost so much due to the hurricanes. 100% of the proceeds from the door will go to Red Cross efforts to transport, feed, clothe, and shelter the thousands affected by this national disaster. If you're in town, please come out and support this effort -- it's sure to be a night of great music, but let's remember the seriousness of the situation and our responsibility to help our neighbors in Louisiana who've been hit so hard. Give generously.

Stargrazer is happy to lend a hand to groups, individuals, or organizations in need on a pro bono or discounted basis. Special thanks to Joel from The Gentleman Callers for getting us involved, and to Sam Rose for being the sparkplug.

Rock Posters, part deux

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Sat, 03 Sep 2005 03:05:00 +0000

Stargrazer LLC is pleased to have created a second poster for the Detroit-area band Stare Into The Sun. This "information collage" takes its cues from Peter Saville, traffic lights, and Malcolm Garrett's work for the Buzzcocks in the late 1970s.

Stare Into The Sun will be hitting the road soon, gigging in New York, Chicago and other sparkling locales near you! Look for more poster work from Stargrazer on your favorite telephone poles, information kiosks, and record store walls.

"Lurking in a space somewhere between twilight and shadow, Stare Into The Sun conjure an indie rock-noir of jagged cityscapes, moonlit back alleys, tawdry romances, and damned souls. Their songs careen from the frantic and rousing to the subdued, detached, and at times eerie; their live shows are fraught with reckless urgency and fevered conviction. The band will release its first full length record "Nocturnal" in January 2005. Stare Into The Sun will spend the year playing live in support of Nocturnal and honing songs for their next record." -- (extracted from http://www.myspace.com/stareintothesun)

Want to be part of Stargrazer's street team? e-mail Peter at stargrazerllc@gmail.com

Two Upcoming Shows!

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Wed, 31 Aug 2005 15:52:00 +0000

Stargrazer LLC founder and principle Peter Richards will have fine art in two exhibits this September:

"First, the Rankin Art Gallery in Big Rapids is hosting its 2nd Annual All-Media All-Michigan show, juried this year by Boyd Quinn. Two of my pieces, "Birch Curl" and "Birch Bridge" (both from the fabled painting series 4) were accepted. The show runs from August 30-September 23. There is an artist reception and awards ceremony the evening of September 17.

Second, five of my paintings (including "Roam and Disconnect," pictured at left) will be featured as part of "The Buddy System," a group exhibit of 14 artists at Scene Metrospace Gallery in East Lansing. Also in the show are Mike Clark, Aaron Curtner, Ana Kamiar, Matt Cygnet, Andrea Eckert, Ben Gaydos, Tim Lane, John Lindenmayer, Jeni Mc, Travis Pickard, Kellie Pickard, George Rahme, and Joe Scott. This is the second Buddy System show -- the first was in May at Gallery 555 in Detroit. The show runs from September 9-October 30, with a reception Friday September 9, from 6-9 p.m.

Both shows are exciting opportunities for me. Hope you can make it!"

Independent Music Sought

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 13:21:00 +0000

It Takes A Village To Make Records, an independently-run music label, seeks tracks for an upcoming, FREE sampler of independent music and soundscapes. ITAV specializes in unique, handcrafted recordings, a hands-off approach to creative control and copyright ownership, and visually stunning graphic design and packaging. ITAV releases are designed to grab potential purchasers from across a room and draw them to your music.

"First-hand Accounts, Theories, and their Repercussions" will act as a calling card for ITAV, rather than a label roster compilation. In that spirit, ITAV seeks music of all forms, from traditional folk to noise. Additionally, songs which demonstrate a strong independent vein are desired, whether that is shown by experimental qualities or simply by the song's lack of slickness. "First-hand Accounts" will contain live tracks, demos and/or alternate versions and home recordings. Tracks are sought from all types of artists, famous or unknown.

Artists will retain full rights to their music. "First-hand Accounts" will be distributed FREE as an educational tool and an example of ITAV's creative expertise. For that reason, ITAV cannot offer compensation for your track, however full credits will be included in the packaging, including songwriting credits, "appears courtesy of..." messages, and/or internet resources.

ITAV is cultivating a diverse artist base for this project and for their emerging catalog. For more information and to submit your tracks, contact stargrazerllc@gmail.com.

Excellent Home-Recording Resource

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 18:50:00 +0000

If you enjoy the art of recording music, consider subscribing to TapeOp: the Creative Music Recording Magazine. TapeOp is independently published and FREE -- the advertisers pay for your subscription. This bi-monthly publication is full of excellent interviews, stories of famous recordings, and tours of studios (both humble and grandiose). Additionally, there are many tips to get better sounds and maximize your recording equipment, as well as an on-line question-and-answer forum. TapeOp is not a gearhead mag (entirely), though -- editor Larry Crane (of Jackpot! Studios) focuses on inventive, often modestly-budgeted solutions to capture the sounds you want. In addition, TapeOp hosts an annual convention for recording enthusiasts and professionals. I'm always excited when my copy comes in the mail!

Unleashing The Rock Poster

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 06:45:00 +0000

Here is a recently completed poster design for the Detroit-area indie/rock band Stare Into The Sun. I've always loved the interface between music and graphic design, exemplified by everything from jazz LP covers to the many wonderful rock fliers created by such genius minds as Rick Griffin and Frank Kozik.

My goal was to create a poster that reflected the band's aesthetic, while at the same time tempting viewers to steal the poster for their apartment or dorm room walls. Ultimately, getting the band name out there and drawing people to gigs is the purpose of a good poster -- so we communicated extensively to make sure the final design was clearly readable and visually arresting. This was a quick turnaround project -- Kevin from SITS contacted me on July 4 and the design was mailed July 7!

Check out Stare Into The Sun, The Black Spoons, and Tiny Amps of Corduroy Tuscadero at Hamtramck's Painted Lady (2390 Jacob), this Saturday, July 16 2005.

Stargrazer's first officially released song

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Tue, 07 Jun 2005 02:41:00 +0000

I recorded a track, called "FM Radio, 4:00 PM" for this compilation. It is a solo acoustic bass-and-vocal tune, recorded in my bedroom using one cheap microphone hung from the chandelier, directly into a video camera. Despite these primitive arrangements, it turned out pretty good. Also recorded that night: a weak take on a good song called "Wedding Song," and three (progressively faster and more fired-up) versions of a song called "Bug Bomb." I had high hopes for Bug Bomb, but alas, the producers of the compilation settled on FM Radio. Perhaps they know best.

FM Radio is a song mocking/celebrating the homogeneity of college radio stations, where every song has a chung-chung-chukka-chukka guitar riff and whiny "poor me" vocals by some privileged white kid. It is credited to "Stargrazer," which is not only the name of my graphic design business but also the name of my amorphous songwriting workshop.

Anyway, I'm excited to be included on this collection. Please come on down to the 555 Gallery this Friday for some great music and film, and to pick up your own copy of JOMAS.

jomas;series.01

June 10^th, 2005, 8pm
555 Gallery
4884 Grand River Ave.
Detroit, MI 48208
www.555arts.org

The international artist's collective, Outside Circle ( www.outsidecircle.com), is celebrating the release of their first edition of the Journal of Motion and Sound (JOMAS), with an experimental media event featuring artists from the double DVD/CD compilation. The event, jomas;series.01, will feature live audio-visual performances from Potter-Belmar Labs, The Shenanigans, and Calliope (with film jockeying by Julie Meitz), DJing by Chuck Sipperley, poetry by Tim Lane, and cutting edge films from around the world. Suggested $5 donation at the door. 8pm, 06.10.05.

Hope to see you all there!

The Buddy System

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 03:54:00 +0000

Detroit's 555 Gallery will host The Buddy System during the month of May. The exhibit's title partially refers to the supportive and uplifting community of artists that has arisen around Lansing, Michigan. Additionally, the show features artists invited from as far afield as New York, Washington D.C., and Paris!

Please join us at the opening May 6th.

Here is a partial list of artists:

Aaron Curtner
Matt Cygnet
Molly Doane
Andrea Eckert
Ben Gaydos
Tim Lane
John Lindenmayer
Jenny Mc
Travis Pickard
George Rahme
Joe Scott
Dorothy Smith

The Buddy System, May 1-31 2005
Opening Reception: Friday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m.,
featuring music by:

Ann Arbor singer/songwriter Eliza Beatrix Godfrey
That's Him! That's the Guy!
and a solo performance by Chris O. of the Recital.

555 Gallery
4884 Grand River @ Warren
Detroit, MI 48208

Gallery Hours: 6-9PM Wed - Sat
Phone: (313) 894 4202
Email: gallery555@555arts.org

Joe Scott deserves special recognition for organizing this show. Thanks, Joe!

Matt Cygnet and Jenny Mc at Spiderhouse

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 16:52:00 +0000

Reprinted from Lansing Noise:

"Agreed; It's Obsessive and Sloppy" Featuring the work of Matt Cygnet and Jeni Mc

Spiderhouse Gallery premieres the work of artist Jeni Mc this month and sculptor Matt Cygnet, whose plaster casts have previously been displayed in the Lansing Art Gallery.
The show features 3-D sculpture and 2-D paintings composed of spray paint, cement, Goo Gone, plaster, Windex and oddly enough, whiskey.

• Opening reception 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 1.
• 10 to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Runs through May 1.
• 515 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing.
• Call 346-7620

Spider has been a tireless advocate of young artists in Lansing. Both Matt and Jenny produce amazing work! Obsessive? Yes, in all the right ways. Sloppy? Maybe in a self-effacing way; but ultimately compelling, provocative and full of visual delicacies. Please flock to this show in droves -- Jenny and Matt do not disappoint.
-- Peter

Get a Haircut, See Some Art

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Wed, 16 Mar 2005 14:49:00 +0000

Beginning on their one-year anniversary as a business, The Paradise Beauty Salon & Art Gallery (2008 E Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912, phone 517-367-2206) will feature paintings and prints by Andrea Eckert and Peter Richards. The salon's bright pink walls should provide an arresting backdrop for Andrea's naturalistic, gestural abstractions and Peter's tectonic surfaces and architectural studies.

The Anniversary Party is March 20, starting at 3 o'clock. Not sure if it is open to the public, but stop by anyway -- I'm sure Carmen Paradise (singer/songwriter, bassist for Calliope, 1/2 of the alluring Psyche's Sister and 1/4 of the upbeat pop combo The Good Mornings) won't turn you away! I'm told that the ceiling of the salon will be flooded with balloons.

Carmen's beauty salon (right nextdoor to Magdalena's Teahouse) opened up one year ago and provides a full range of haircutting and beauty services. I usually get a scalp massage with my haircut! Carmen has opened up her walls to local artists, and Andrea and I are excited and honored to be featured there.

pictured: "Muromachi Martini", oil, sumi ink, & linseed on canvas 70"x57"",
by Andrea Eckert
"Relic (Loading Dock)", oil on canvas 16"x20",
by Peter Richards

Tim Lane Solo Show in Saginaw

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Wed, 02 Mar 2005 17:09:00 +0000

Lansing artist and poet Tim Lane was awarded Best in Show for his painting "I Was Dying Right in Front of Them but They Couldn't Tear Their Eyes from the Television," at last year's All-Michigan show at Saginaw Township Hall. This month, Tim's work will be featured in a solo exhibition at the same venue. Congratulations to Tim on this achievement. Here's the show info:

Saginaw Township Hall
4980 Shattuck Rd.
Saginaw, MI 48603

info: 989 791 9800

dates: now until april 11th

[shown: Tim Lane, Add to Favorites (Book Mark This), 2005, mixed media on canvas]

Tim Lane / Travis Pickard at the Majestic

noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Fri, 28 Jan 2005 16:06:00 +0000

Lansing area painters Tim Lane and Travis Pickard will be exhibiting artwork at the Majestic Theater's Majestic Cafe in Detroit for the month of February. There is an opening reception Thursday, February 3, 2005 from 8-11 p.m.

These two artists uniquely compliment eachother. Pickard's figurative and abstract watercolors and acrylics exude movement, echoing the motions of creation. Lane's literate, iconic canvases burst with dynamic color and percolate with coded messages.

Pictured: My Calling Card (acrylic on board) by Tim Lane; Flat Land Candy (watercolor) by Travis Pickard

Here's where to be:

Majestic Theatre Center
4120-4140 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48201

(the Majestic Cafe is located inside the Majestic Theater)

To see more of the of Travis' work, visit http://secretmuseum.matterwave.net/travis/

To see more of Tim's work, visit http://www.theatticwhichisdesire.com

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noreply@blogger.com (stargrazerllc.com) — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 04:02:00 +0000

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