Here, There, Everywhere Now.

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

(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!

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

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

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

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

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.