rickyleepotts…an opinionated realist

The first time someone showed me a news story from The Onion, I thought it was real. I had no idea that an entire website like that, one that is respected and even has print copies of their paper published on a daily basis, could be so false. I later learned that this is called satire and that the facts are generally true, and the people are real celebrities and politicians. But the stories are completely made up. The images are all legitimate, and the titles for each news story could almost come off as being real, but once you read a story, you know there is something fishy here.

The first experience I had with The Onion was for the MacBook Wheel. I saw a video from digg.com about the new Apple product that was revolutionizing the tech world. I watched it, laughed, and even shared it with a handful of guys in my office. About five or six guys watched it, the whole time thinking this was a real product, before someone killed my buzz and told me that it was fake. I still watch that video from time to time, laughing at how I could have been so naive.

Not too long ago, while wandering the streets of Chicago, I saw a newsstand selling copies of the Onion. I grabbed one just to read a few of the main articles. The headline on the front page stated, “Obama Declares Victory, Sort Of, Depending On How You Look at It, In Iraq”. Anyone following this story knows that is a pretty accurate way to describe our exit strategy from Iraq. We are done fighting there, apparently, yet there are still 50,000 troops remaining. Not sure I really understand that.

Another story on the front page read, “Desperate Pandora Employees Scrambling to Find Song Area Man Likes.” This made me laugh, as I am an avid Pandora Radio user and sometimes find it hard to find a song I like. But the one story that got me excited was a few pages in and was titled, “Tiger Woods Hits Rock Bottom, Aside from Being Worth over $600 Million.” This is also a true statement, as he has hit rock bottom on the golf course, and in his marriage (which recently just came to an end) and still managed to make over $90 million on tour this year through endorsements and earnings. This is all in spite of the fact that Tiger has not even won a single event in 2010. He also lost a handful of his biggest sponsors, including Accenture and Gatorade.

The story reads:

AKRON, OH – Tiger Woods scored a career-worst 18-over par finish at the Bridgestone Invitational, officially hitting rock bottom if one ignores the fact that he is worth over $600 million, is still the world’s number one ranked golfer, never has to work another day for the rest of his life, and has millions of fans worldwide. “Four rounds in the mid-to-high 70s, and finishing 78^th out of 80 golfers-it simply can’t get any worse for Tiger,” ESPN golf analyst Andy North said of Woods, who left Sunday’s round in his private jet and who, despite a damaging sex scandal, still earned more than $90 million in 2010. “Nowhere to go from here but up (or sail up and down the California coast in his yacht if he wants to).” Woods was unable to comment on reaching his personal low point, as he was too busy checking into the penthouse suite of his four-star hotel and deciding if he wanted the 12-ounce or 16-ounce filet for diner.

Like I said, all of these facts are true. Tiger was the first athlete ever to reach $1 bullion in earnings, he does own a huge yacht that he paid cash for named Privacy, and he did earn over $90 million this year on tour, regardless of having taken five months off to deal with said sex scandal. Tiger is still the world’s number one golfer, even though he isn’t playing like it right now. He is a two-time winner of the FedEx Cup, and this year has to qualify for each and every step of the way if he wants a shot at winning his third. (Note that he won the first one, missed the second one due to injury, and then came back and won the third one last year. Analysts doubt he will even make it into the second round of this year’s event.)

This just goes to show how fun an editorial like The Onion can be. Do I agree with them discussing Tiger during a time like this? No, of course not. But did they over exaggerate any of the facts about him? No, they did not. I ended up reading a handful of articles out of this issue, and it makes me want to begin checking the website more too. Imagine the life of a writer for this paper.

Do you read The Onion? What are some of your favorite stories that you have read, in print or online?

From the moment I met this man I hated him. As a matter of fact, I used to talk bad about him constantly to all my friends and family. Only thing is, I had never met him. I had no idea who he was. The reasons why I hated him are now long gone and he and I have become quite good friends as of late. Once I found out he was a traveling spoken word artist, I knew we would get along just fine. When we finally met, one beer led to another and we eventually started hanging out a couple nights a week. His work is good, and I highly recommend you take a listen to it. He has written poems on anything from his battle with weight gain to the pop sensation that is Justin Bieber. He adds a little dose of comedy in there too, but most of his material is honest and from the heart. He has been through a lot, traveled the world and seen places I can only dream of, and yet still puts on one hell of a show every night he performs. He even did a few of his poems at the first annual rickyleepotts.com presents six bands for six bucks event back in early August. If you have never heard his material, I suggest you check it out. He is a rare gem and a true friend through it all. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Michael DDE Miller.

What does DDE stand for?

DDE stands for Daonocto Dark Eyes. It comes from two names I used to write under. I realized that if I wanted to get any notoriety from my work, the name Michael Miller was slightly common and would be a pain to search for. Daonocto was the first name. It’s actually from short stories I used to write, but unfortunately nobody could spell, pronounce, or remember the name, so it went. Dark Eyes was actually an email address I had. The promoter for the Cometry shows I did in Germany kept introducing me as that because of my email. So when I started performing in Germany, I decided that I wanted to have a name that stood out and could be remembered. Hence the two names combined and the rest is history.

The Slammer? Now what does that mean?

A slammer is someone who competes in slam poetry, which is a competitive poetry show. Normally there are either three or four rounds where a certain number of people advance depending on scores from judges/crowd. There’s also the Fight Club style of slam (I’m not making that up either) where people face head to head and the judges and/or crowd decides who goes on between the two. Think 8 Mile. When I started going by DDE, I was doing a lot of slams, so it worked for me in the end.

Are you a poet? Or a comedian? Or perhaps both?

I’m a poet with a sense of humor. Anyone that knows me can tell you I’m always trying to have fun and joke around. I can write about serious topics, but I like to have fun on the stage and with the crowd. I get asked sometimes why I don’t do my stuff at places like Morty’s Comedy Joint or Crackers Comedy Club. I’ve thought about it, just never really did a lot to go that way with my work.

What made you get into spoken word?

I started writing in 9^th grade.  It was my one month anniversary with my girlfriend and I. I was too broke to buy her anything. I realized that I was actually decent at it, so I decided to write more. I actually did mostly religious poems at first if you can believe it. I did a lot about relationships back then, and it was later on in high school my way of being honest with myself about how I felt about a lot of things. In college was when I regularly started performing, and it was like an addiction. I was going to Morrisville State College in New York, and the writer’s club there asked me to join them. I did some open microphone nights with them, and the trip we took to NYC to see Def Poetry Jam on Broadway really helped me grow. A lot of people say that show made poetry too hip-hop, but it was the best thing that happened to me as far as my writing goes.

You have like five jobs. Where all are you working right now?

I work at Naked Tchopstix, Scotty’s Brewhouse, Defender Direct, and I’m going into commission sales for Goofy Smarty Pants Marketing and Promotions. And I perform my poetry. My jobs have even inspired my work somewhat. I have a piece about the Scotty’s I am working on, and I’m also working on a new CD about Naked Tchopstix called Something’s Fishy at the Nude Woody.

Why are you working so many different places?

It keeps things from being mundane. I like working. I don’t really mind working all the time too much, but I also have variety now. It’s nice. Plus all the interactions with various people is something I take a lot of pleasure in.

How often do you perform?

My work schedule decides that. I was a regular every Thursday at Urban Elements and Sunday at Midtown Lounge. I’ve also gone to Bloomington, Terre Haute, and have my first feature in Columbus, Indiana.

Where in the Circle City can someone go see good spoken word?

The ones that I know of are Metric Mondays at Locals Only, Poetry on the Patio at 300 East on Wednesdays, Urban Expressions at Urban Elements on Thursdays, Healing for the Soul and Write On is Friday at 34^th and Clifton, and Spoken Soul Food Sundays is at Midtown Lounge. I believe there is one in Zionsville on Thursdays, and a new one in Indy on Saturdays I’ve heard, but I’m not sure about those.

What is this new Justin Bieber poem you are working on all about?

Basically, I can’t stand him. His voice is annoying, he sounds like a girl, and you shouldn’t write love songs if I’ve drank scotch older than you.

You have some merchandise, right?

I sell CD’s at pretty much all my shows. The one that is done now is The All You Can Eat Lyrical Buffet. I also have my own hat and shirts. I haven’t ordered the other one’s, but everyone knows me by my shirt since I wear it to every place I perform. I self promote and market myself a lot. Anyone can order them if they want through me. I used to sell them somewhat in Germany actually.

You sporting any tattoos?

I have one over my right shoulder with three rings around it. My ex wife had two boys, and we had a daughter. The rings represented that the kids were all equal to me.

Where do you get inspiration for a new poem?

In all honesty, it’s things that pop into my head. Or something that I feel very strongly about and I want to share my opinion on the matter. Usually though a random line pops into my head, so I write it down. Then another comes, and another, and boom. I’ve got a poem in front of me. Like Duma Key, minus the amputated arm and ghosts.

You have a lot of energy up there on stage. What keeps you going night after night?

I’m a very energetic person. When I get on stage, I just get excited. I feel like someone plugged me into a generator most times and put me on full power.

You are on MySpace. What about Twitter?

I am on Twitter. You should follow me. I’m also on Facebook under Michael DDE Miller and myslam.net under DDE

You have been all over the world. What is your favorite country to visit?

That’s a tough one. I loved living in Germany, but Italy was an amazing place. I would have to say Italy. The food was amazing, the country breathe-taking, and I was worried every time I went there I was going to come back with a wife.

I am going to test your skills here. Write a poem. No thinking, just write.

For a country that can’t even agree

On how its own name came about

It sure is quick on telling people

Who does and doesn’t belong here

Who deserves to have citizenship

And now the matter of titles

Have come to a whole new level

Because in its continued war

Against the Mexican people

Arizona now want to pass a new law

And in this law

To protect the American people

They are attacking the next generation

Of Americans

Because if you’re parents are illegal

And you’re born in Arizona

They are going to make it practically impossible

For you to gain citizenship

Because attacking an ethnic group

That already had a great deal of hatred towards them wasn’t enough

Now they will attack the unborn children

A guarantee that they can’t protest

Or speak up for their rights

They want to take away constitutional rights

Because they’re parents aren’t Americans

So this is the message to the world

The application deadline for citizenship

Apparently has a timeline

So you better get it while you can

Because if you don’t get here soon

You never will

That’s actually one I’ve been stewing over for a while.

You have some pretty political poems. Any reason behind that?

I try to stay away from politics in my work for the most part, but some things are just wrong. I’m born in Mexico. I grew up in the US, didn’t speak Spanish or have an accent, and still I was told to go, “back where I came from” in high school. There was a lot of racism in the area where I lived, and I didn’t have anyone to stand up and say that’s wrong. So when I do a political piece, it’s something I truly feel strongly about, and want others to know they’re not alone in both their opinion and pain. I also just like reminding people that with the state that the country is in, it needs illegal immigrants in their work force.

When you get an idea, what do you?

Run with it. A moment lost is a memory lost and a lifetime changed. I’d rather look back and say “that didn’t work at all” than “I wish I had tried that”.

Where do you get the most of your writing done?

Wherever they come to me. I do most of my writing at home, but that’s only because my laptop is here. I’ve written many pieces on napkins and receipts.

Where are you originally from?

That’s a fun one. I was born in Cancun as the greatest spring break souvenir/graduation present ever! Manlius, New York is where I first came to in the US, which is outside of Syracuse. I went to school in southern Indiana previously to college, where I sent in New York. I’ve lived in Indiana longer, but New York always felt more like home. I felt my personality was a better fit there, and nobody ever beat the crap out of me for being Mexican there.

If you were not doing spoken word, what would you be doing?

I’m really not sure. It’s my creative outlet, how I express myself. I’m not sure what else I would do. I can’t sing for crap, so that’s out the window. Maybe be a comedian, who knows. I just don’t think my humor would work for stand up.

You are a server at Scotty’s Brewhouse. What is your favorite item on the menu there?

That’s really tough. Obviously I like the burger that actually has bacon cooked inside the patty, but I love the Cajun tuna steak sandwich, and the Bayside Turkey Wrap. Oh, and waffle fries with mozzarella cheese. Peanut butter pie for Desert. Oh, and anything with Mofo’Mustard, which is  fact its own food group.

What about your favorite beer. At Scotty’s, or in general.

Kristal Weiss. It’s a German beer, and it’s glorious. At Scottys, It’s a toss up betweet Turbo Dog, Sun King Wee Mac, and Franziskaner Heifeweissen. Of course, Spaten Oktoberfest comes in a few months, so that will probably top them all.

Do you ever forget the lines to your own poems?

Yes. Usually I can just jump around the piece and run with it, but I’ve had times where I just completely blanked. It happens to everyone at some point. Just got to roll with it.

Did you ever get that Danish?

Yes, and it was glorious. You should be jealous.

What all is on that disc you are selling?

It’s eight poems that I recorded using a gamer headset and my laptop. The pieces are Danish, High School Love, I Don’t Wanna Be “In Shape”, Scotty’s, Dating, Vampire, Sean and Jen, and Mi Hermanos Y Hermanas Mexicanos. They range from being playful to hurt to really really angry to just me being random.

Have you ever thought of putting your poems to music? Like a good rap song perhaps.

I’ve considered it. I never disregard an idea with my work. I’m willing to try just about anything with it. You never know when you do something out of the ordinary and everyone loves it.

Do you write all of your poems? Or do you type them on a computer? Or a mixture of the two?

Mostly typing so I can go back and change things easier. I also start thinking very fast when I start putting my work to paper, so it helps.

Do you ever perform outside of the city of Indianapolis?

Yes. I’ve performed in Bloomington, Terre Haute, Columbus, and next month will perform in New York in a few areas hopefully, as well as Michigan.

Do you ever get nervous up there on stage?

Sometimes. I just try to hide it. Whether I do a good job of hiding it is for the audience to decide, but I do at times. More so if it’s a new piece, or if it’s written for someone who’s there.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I plan on having a degree in business. I plan to have at least one tour finished, and a few more discs out. I also want to have my CD distributed, maybe even be found on iTunes one day.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

I want to be remembered as the guy who put it all out there for everyone. For always being there for his friends, and never have a dull moment around. When people remember me, I want plenty of “Remember the time when he…” and end with laughing and smiles. Even if I never have my name in big lights, I want that. It would be amazing to be remembered as a great poet, but I’m fine just by being thought of as a great guy.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Basically, I want everyone to know that I write because I love writing. I perform because I love to be in front of people.  If by doing either I touch someone or help them out then great. But either day, I’m going to have as much fun with this as I can, and I hope that my years can be filled with lots of laughter and pastries.

Forward and up… the only two directions I know

No matter how hard I try, I just can’t explain what I hear when I listen to a Pretty Lights album. From a full-length to an EP I am just overcome by beats and by an almost forced hip-hop sound. (Did you know that you can download all of his work on his website.) But it works. It works on so many levels that I just can’t turn it off. There are not a ton of vocals in his work, but that’s okay. You don’t need a lot of vocals with beats this good. I had the chance to sit and chat with Pretty Lights not too long ago and I learned a lot about who he was before he got into music and where he sees himself going with his work in the future. Pretty Lights is tall, tall enough that when growing up he had thoughts of being in the NBA. When I asked him in the interview what he would be doing if he was not performing, he said, “I always wanted to be in the NBA.” As Pretty Lights gears up for Electric Zoo here in a few weeks, he took some time to sit with me and discuss his latest EP, his thoughts on how the record industry currently stands, and even on where he sees himself five years from now. I learned a ton from this conversation and it is my pleasure to introduce you to Pretty Lights.

Where did you come up with the name Pretty Lights?

I first saw the name on an old Pink Floyd poster. It was the first time I saw the two words together and it stood out to me as not only a cool name but also a cool concept. It was very visual and got me thinking. It definitely stuck with me and related a lot of the ideas I wanted to communicate. What it really means to me is the concept that people and artists specifically go through their day eyes always looking for a moment of beauty or inspiration. It would be things that inspire people to create music and art. It would be any sort of form of that. Pretty Lights is an obvious element as it relates specifically to that. It‘s sort of like the essence of creative minds.

You are originally from Colorado. Is there much of a dance scene out there?

Yeah, the scene out here is really blowing up. It’s not a typical or traditional dance scene though. There are not a lot of the big named DJs coming through. At least not the club kind of stuff. Independent artists are basically performing hip-hop in a live setting. People are really supporting it and coming out for it. I just did a show for ten thousand people in Colorado of nothing but Pretty Lights beats. That is pretty much the scene today. A lot of artists are selling tickets for shows like that.

I get an almost hip-hop feel from your work. Where do you get inspiration for a new track?

I suppose my vision for the style I have created has been developing since I first started getting into music. When I bought my first bass guitar in the 8^th grade is when I first started. I was exposed and became interested in being a part of different themes. I think that over the last ten years, maybe fifteen years, I have tried to hang on to different elements and different genres. I have tried to design a style that fuses everything together. I grew up on hip-hop so that is part of the reason for the current music structure. I take the hip-hop approach to BPM and put the combined dance elements behind it. For a while I was going to a lot of dance parties and the rave scene started popping up. That infused it all too.

Also the dub step scene and reggae has had an influence. I was into that for a while and I was even in a few funk bands. I tried to take the best elements of all those things and fuse it together into a new style. I tried to create what I would consider to be my own favorite music. It just hadn’t been created yet. That is how I did it on a greater scale and crafted the vision on this music. I want to take the music to a new level.

I try to stay up to date on what others are doing all the time. I am not locked in the world of Pretty Lights.  It can be a danger when you get too busy with your music and your own shows. You can become cut off and alienated from the rest of the music scene. I always want to have a good idea where you are at and where your style is. You have to have an idea where the rest of your community is as well. It helps stay motivated and continuously inspired.

I am in love with your new EP. Tell me a little bit more about it.

This whole three EP thing that I have set out to accomplish over 2010 I did because I wanted to release more music than a single full-length over the course of the year. I wanted to hang on to the element of surprise. I am really big on people having never heard the music when it comes out on the EP.

It’s important for me when fans get an album that they haven’t heard the music live yet. That is just an element of it. With this second EP, I was thinking about it from the moment the first EP was released. I went on tour shortly after the first EP came out and while on tour I made it a priority to go visit used record shops in all these different cities across the country. I basically visited a bunch of record shops to go vinyl shopping while on tour to collect samples and snippets and sounds to start building this EP from.

I am not sure how much you know about my production style, but it’s what I like to call “sample collaging”. It’s where I am not just sampling an intro to someone else’s song and then building a track, but rather I am taking smaller pieces from old sounds and records and making several of them work together the way they were meant to be. I gathered material to create this material from all over the country while on tour.

Stylistically I was trying to explore a couple of themes. I was trying to choose multiple genres and throw them into a single track. I also wanted to take multiple styles into single songs at the same time. At one point it flips to a harder more electronic sound. That is one thing I was really messing with on the new EP. It was an idea I had been thinking about for several years now. I wanted to do two interpretations of the same song. I wanted to flip back and forth in a single track seamlessly. I was exploring new ideas on how that was possible and how I could push that. I learned a lot about what is possible and got a ton of new ideas from making that EP. I am really excited to start working on the third one.

Are you looking forward to Electric Zoo?

Absolutely. I play a lot of festivals and this is definitely one that I am looking forward to being a part of.

What is the biggest crowd you have ever played for?

The biggest crowd of my own headlining show was actually just last weekend. I headlined a gig at Red Rocks for about ten thousand people. I have played bigger sets than that at festivals though. Coachella was maybe fifteen thousand people.  That is the most I have played in front of I think.

The smallest?

Ten people probably. I played some really small rooms and small crowd when I first started.

What is the best show you have been to?

I can tell you one of them. I have been to a lot of really dope shows but I was blown away by Jay Z’s performance at Coachella. That guy has managed to bring it to the next level on all fronts. With the production and the musicians and just the overall show. Just everything has been thought of. Obviously when I watch a show I think back to how it was put together. I also think about my show or how I can push what I do to the next level. I was inspired by his performance.

I really dig that style of artwork you showcase on your album covers. Who does all your graphic design work?

I work with a handful of different artists. I try to conceptualize everything and then work side-by-side with artists and graphic designers. This EP trilogy I have worked with an artist from Australia for the covers. My website and posters I work with an artist out of Denver. A good friend of mine designed all my older album covers and shirts.

What would you be doing if you were not producing music?

I would be in the NBA winning titles. (Laughs) I always played basketball growing up. I was really into it. Not sure you knew this, but I am 6’8”. But in high school I decided that music was my calling. I quit the basketball team and focused on that. When I was a kid I always wanted to be in the NBA.

How cool is it to know that Behind Your Eyes has been downloaded over 500,000 times?

It’s sick. I feel so blessed to have such a large amount of people who are listening to my music and ready to download it when it comes out. It’s cool because when I sit down and produce something I know that it is has the potential to affect a broad number of people. It’s awesome. It reinforced what I had hoped for from the beginning. I wanted to show that an independent model like this could be successful and exist without the support of a major label. To prove that it can work without the system that the record industry has in tact.

This has been completely independent venture as far as creating and releasing the music. It’s awesome for Pretty Lights and my shows, but its also an example to set for where the music industry can go and what indie artists have the potential to do without major record label support. I hope that I can continue to evolve this model and other artists can do similar things. I want to make the playing field level and more indie artists can be self-sufficient.

If I were to release one record for free, and get all my fans to buy just one record, it could put Pretty Lights near the top. It makes you think of the scope of downloads and how it relates to the major labels.

I almost want to hear your work in a movie or as a theme song for a television show. Have you ever thought about working that angle?

I do a lot of that already. I work with a lot of major motion pictures and tons of extreme sports films. Surf videos, snowboard videos; stuff like that. I am completely down with that and it has been a goal of mine actually. Rather than license preexisting tracks, I want to go in and compose the score for an entire film. I would love to do that in the future.

How many stamps are in your passport?

(Laughs) I don’t know. I have been focused on the US and western Europe. Ten or fifteen maybe. I don’t know. There are just so many places to play in this world. There are so many markets and I am really trying to get into Australia and Japan. It’s not that we have not been offered shows there, it’s just the time to do it all and still take care of the markets that have already been through it in the states.

Do you prefer to play shows overseas or here in the States?

Right now it is all about playing the States. It’s not the same thing over there. I am trying to build it best I can. The shows in the States are leaps and bounds to what is happening in Europe. I am definitely working to build that up though.

Tools like Twitter and Facebook are changing the way people listen to music. How much attention do you pay to these services?

I realize what you are saying; they are really powerful tools. With everything that has been going on, I find myself neglecting them a little bit. I have been trying to communicate with my fans on Facebook and Twitter more frequently. I am a newbie, although I have had a Twitter account for a while. I used it to send out updates and show things, new download announcements, etc. I don’t like to tell people what I’m doing and where I am eating my next meal.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

(Laughs) That is a question I have been asked before, and I don’t know where I see myself in six months. I know that I will hopefully have fifteen more albums that I am proud of, an expanding, thriving label and a show that pushes the bounds of what shows do. Hopefully, if the next five years are anything like this last year; it will be crazy. (Laughs)

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

I suppose when the dust settles, I want to be remembered for exactly what my main goal and ambition has been the whole time. Just to create fresh, good, tasteful music with longevity and emotion that is thought provoking and can really affect people. Whether it is right now or ten years from now, that is the music I am aiming to produce. In all the craziness of touring and running a business and putting on a production every night, sometimes that can sort of lose its luster. This is about making good music. The shows will happen and they will eventually come to an end, and there will be memories of those times, but the music will always be here. I want to evolve and push the music. I use the word evolve and I never think that my style will ever stay where it is. I want to get better.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

*Right when I asked this question the phone went dead. I told him, after a previous dropped call, that I was speaking to him on an iPhone 4. He stated that he was on an iPhone 4 as well. So whether you blame Apple or AT&T, Pretty Light’s last words will forever remain a mystery.

It might still be hot outside, but the retail stores are getting ready for the holidays. Just this weekend I was waking through the mall and I saw Halloween decorations in nearly every store I went in and some even started putting up Christmas decorations. It is too soon for me to be thinking about winter.

Unless, of course, you are talking about winter beers. Brewers are also talking about the upcoming holiday season and that is fine by me. I love the winter beers. From an ice cold lager to a harsh cider, winter is the best time to be a beer drinker. So when I stopped in the liquor store and saw a bottle of Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale I decided I might as well welcome winter with them. I grabbed a bottle and figured it was also a great time to start a new series on my blog.

I have been drinking beer for quite a while. From the moment I turned twenty-one years old I was excited to see what all you adults had been hiding from me for so many years. I tried anything I could get my hands on too. I grabbed a Coors Light, a Red Dog, even sucked back a few High Life’s before I realized that all this stuff tasted the same. It was good, don’t get me wrong, but I was twenty-one, I didn’t care what I was drinking.

But the older I get the more I appreciate not only the taste of these beers, but also the process it takes to make them. Sheryl and I have started brewing our own beer. As a matter of fact we are planning on bottling our first batch later this week. But while we sit at home and try to figure out how to make it, we also joined a beer club sponsored by Union Jack Pub in Broad Ripple, Indiana. That is another blog post all  its own.

So while I am trying to learn how to make this stuff, I am drinking all sorts of different beers to see what all is out there. I aptly call it research. But one thing is missing here. I am not writing about these beers I am drinking. I had been in talks with the nice folks over at Vine and Table for some marketing with their beer selection, but for whatever reason that fell through. So I figured I might do something with this Passport Beer Club at Union Jack. That has fallen through as well. We are still drinking, but my concept for a blog series didn’t go much further than the first couple of beers.

So I decided why not just write when I can on the beers I want to write about when I drink them at home? Or perhaps when I am at a bar drinking with buddies I can take some notes on my iPhone and just write the blog later. Whatever the case may be, I need to be writing about these beers that I am drinking. It is just one more topic for me to write on and one more way for me to share things I love with my readers. So from here on out, look for some more blog posts about the beers I drink.

Let’s just get started with the Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale. This beer comes in a 550 ML bottle and is quite affordable considering it is a seasonal brew. Also considering this stuff comes from across the pond. This, among others, is produced out of the Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery located in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England. The Old Brewery at Tadcaster was actually founded way back in1758 and is Yorkshire’s oldest brewery. Samuel Smith is one of the few remaining independent breweries in England, and also is the last to utilize the classic Yorkshire Square system of fermentation solely in stone squares. This is just one of the many things that makes this such a unique brewing company. Their longevity alone tells me this is going to be a good beer.

The rich Samuel Smith strain of yeast at The Old Brewery dates from the early 1900s. Hops are hand-weighed by the master hop blender, and the brewing water is drawn from a well sunk over 200 years ago. And after having been through my first brewing class, stuff like that is starting to make sense. I was told to treat brewing beer as an art, more closely related to cooking and preparing a good meal. If you treat the beer with respect, it will treat you with the same.

This beer I have in my hand was first introduced to the U.S. market in 1978 by Merchant du Vin. Since then, Samuel Smith beers quickly became the benchmark ales for the emerging craft beer movement. To this day, they remain among the most awarded. But again I will note the price point. I got a bottle of this stuff for under $4.00.

Another cool thing about this beer, better yet about this line of beers, is that all Samuel Smith beers are vegan products, registered with The Vegan Society. You can’t get very many domestic beers that follow such a strenuous protocol to being put into bottles. It makes you almost feel good drinking it.

Filling Up the Glass

The pour is quite light on this beer. It almost pours like a domestic lager of sorts. It even sounds thin and weak from the bottle. But once it hits the glass it is rich in color and produced an almost copper color that is nearly impossible to see through. It reminds me of a new penny when I look through the side of the glass. The head is also quite weak dissipating in a matter of seconds.

Put Your Nose In It

The nose is a roller coaster of aroma. First you are it with a malty nose that leaves your palate quite quickly. But it has a certain mystique to it and it just keeps your nose-diving back into the beer for another sniff. But as thin as this came out of the bottle it is equally as thin once you get a real big sniff of the beer. Again, the head is gone by the time you dig our nose into it, but the carbonation keeps on going. It sits in the glass like a soda pop.

What Does She Taste Like?

Remember how I told you it smells like a soda pop? Well, it drinks like one too. You see how tin it is coming out of the bottle, and then you see all the carbonation it products during your smelling process. When you finally raise the glass and take a sip, it hits your tongue with a tidal wave of bubbles. There are some beers that this is acceptable, but not this one. I want this, especially being called a winter beer, to be thick, almost creamy, and smooth. But the thing I like most about this beer is the after taste.

After your first sip, you sit the glass back down thinking the aftertaste was just meager and cheap. But it’s not. It sticks around for a while. And your mouth is hit with a warm, almost salty flavor for a good three to five minutes. It is not uncommon for European beers to have a longer lasting aftertaste, either. Most beers overseas have more care put into their individual ingredients and are meant to be paired with food before chugged on a Friday night.

The beer is good, but not something I would order in a restaurant or a nightclub. It’s affordable, and has slightly higher alcohol content bringing the ABV to 6%. But the soda pop tendencies are going to make you reach for a new bottle of beer before you grab for another bottle of this stuff. As we get closer to the winter months I will talk more about winter beers and how they all compare to this one.

Facts about the Brew

Beer Name: Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale

Brewery: Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery

Location: North Yorkshire, England

Alcohol By Volume: 6%

I am a big fan of live music. I enjoy the whole atmosphere of going out, paying a cover to get in, picking your seat, ordering drinks; you name it. And there are so many great live music venues here in the Circle City that it is hard to pick where to go on any given night. But regardless of which venue I find myself in on any given night, I can almost bet this band has played there. These guys tour all over the Indianapolis area and are playing somewhere almost every weekend. And when I found that they were actually not planning on playing much this summer, I was excited to invite them to join the bill for rickyleepotts.com presents six bands for six bucks. After sharing a few emails, they have joined the lineup! But before then I wanted to sit with them and get to know who they were on the inside. To learn more about a band is crucial seeing them perform live and hearing their songs. It is my pleasure to introduce you to The Will Woodrow Project.

Let me guess. Your name is Will Woodrow?

Actually Will Woodrow Nelson, but Willy Nelson was already taken.

How long have you been performing?

I started my solo project in 2005. It’s gone through several line-up changes. Liz has been with me for a year and a half . My guitarist is filling in until we find a solid permanent. I’ve been performing for a lot longer though. I guess you could say my music career started when I first picked up a bass. I’ve played in bands as early as 2,000, but used to hip-hop prior to that. I put down the keyboard after I picked up the bass.

I see you are playing a six string bass there. Why a six string?

I love to experiment. The six string opens up a whole new world of possibilities. I like to work out arrangements that seem impossible to juggle both singing and playing. I like to push myself creatively. I like to hold a groove on 1 hand, and solo with the other.

Do you write all of your own lyrics?

Yes.

Where do you get inspiration for a new track?

I generally take from true stories and situations in my life. I write about myself, family members, friends, girlfriends, etc…

Do you have a job outside of music?

I’ve made a living playing music for the last few years, but not music alone. Selling merchandise, booking, and recording bands, pressing shirts, and hustling in different ways to stay afloat. Working regular jobs to get by during tough times. I’m actually working on a project to open a retail location that will be an all-in-one shop for bands.

Are you nice to Liz?

(Laughs) Unless I want to sleep in the doghouse. We’ve been a couple for over a year now.

Where did you guys meet?

She owns Lizards (a bar and music venue) on the south side of Indianapolis. We we’re playing there and it was our drummers last show. I mentioned it on stage and she spoke up. The rest is history.

Who are some of your biggest influences?

On the bass I would say Victor Wooton, Claypool, Jaco Pastorius, and Jean Baudin. If I was talking bands it would be 90’s grunge, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Primus, 2pac, Beastie boys, and anything rebellious with a groove.

What is the best concert you have ever been to?

One of the most memorable for me was Les Claypool. He’s weird. Different. Says funny things. I like that.

What are you drinking on stage?

Probably Crown Royal or Captain Morgan. Water sometimes.

How did you react to the passing of the King of Pop?

It was unexpected. I was surprised. My daughter is a fan. She went as MJ for Halloween last year. I’m not really that into pop culture. Can’t tell you the last time I listened to the radio.

Is that an actual tattoo that is pictured on your MySpace page?

Yes. I have several. That one takes up my entire right side. It hurt so bad!

Speaking of MySpace, what are your thoughts on the service?

I feel like it’s still a good place to find bands, network with musicians, but in general I think it’s lost its luster for the fans and regular non-music folk. It’s still a great tool for musician’s though.

Are you on Twitter?

Yeah, I don’t tweet regularly though. I’m pretty sure my Facebook updates are linked to it.

Describe your genre in one word.

Koolaid. (Lots of colors and flavors.)

Where are you originally from?

I’m from Indianapolis. I’ve lived in other cities, but my daughter is here.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would you go?

I would like to visit many other countries, but I think I would probably still live somewhere in America. Possibly Hawaii.

You have your cell phone number listed on your MySpace page. Are you not worried about people calling you at all hours of the night?

No. I get calls at all hours of the night anyway. I actually had some really random drunk girl call me at 3:00 AM this morning. No idea who she was, but said they we’re fans. Felt good. I knew the number though; it was another band in Chicago. Guess they let their friends listen to the music. Also, I leave it on there so I can take advantage of opportunities when they arise. I want it to spread as much as possible.

Does anyone ever call you just to talk?

Yes. However, with all the bands I book, I’m pretty talked out at the end of the day. Club owners, promoters, band members, friends…It gets hectic at times.

Tell me a little bit more about that Jell-O wrestling.

It was a great birthday party. Packed house, and everyone had an absolute blast. Who doesn’t want to see pretty girls Jell-O wrestle in bikini’s? Also four awesome bands. Just a promotional Idea to get people out. It worked. Going to do it again in July.

Tell me a little bit more about First Amendment Records.

With the way the scene is currently, labels are less needed by independent artists. Since we’re mostly do-it-yourselfers, I’m working on non-exclusive deals for services these bands aren’t able to, or wanting to do themselves. I would like to do a few old school contracts with bands that just knock my sox off, but for now I’m planning to open a retail shop where bands can record, get they’re cd’s duplicated, take advantage of printing, t-shirts, gear, rehearsal space, lessons, web, and graphic design, booking, touring, etc…

I see you have played some shows here in Indianapolis. Is that the Patio I see? Or the Rouge? Perhaps it was Spin Nightclub?

The marquee you see in the photo would have been at Spin Nightclub. We’ve played almost all the live music venues in the city. Especially the ones that house original music.

You have some pretty sweet concert posters. Who designs all of those?

Thank you. I make them all. I enjoy art, and graphic design as well.

I am really digging your voice man. You ever get sore up there screaming your lungs out every night?

Only when I smoke too many cigarettes. It doesn’t get sore, but I lose power a lot sooner. I actually quit, and started again after three years like an idiot. Drinking and smoking like a rock star, doesn’t make you sound like one. Other than that, the pipes stay pretty stretched out from singing regularly. I can walk away hoarse, but wake up like new again.

So based on your MySpace pictures, you are willing to autograph just about anything huh?

(Laughs) I remember one night when there was a line of girls on stage for Liz to sign their boobs. For some reason girls like to whip them out at our shows. Just so happens, there was a night when a few wanted they’re asses signed.

You must really like Jell-O.

The Jell-o wrestling/rock and roll show draws a crowd. I think it makes a good atmosphere for a fun party. It’s something different no one else has done, and I’m all about trying fresh concepts for putting on awesome shows. I’ve only done it once so far.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Making a living doing what I love. I’ll probably play music until I die, or at least always have my hands somewhere in the business of music. Like I said, I want to get this shop opened up, and watch it grow.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

A good father, A good son, a good brother, a good friend, A good man, and a sick bassist, with some damn good substance in my lyrics. I’m a realist. I don’t expect to make a revolutionary impact, but I would like to make a dent.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Thank you for the interview. Hope to see some new faces at a show to discover what we’re all about. Love making new friends. If you read this interview, please tell me you did so. I’ll email you a new track from our latest album we’re working on to say thanks. You can also message me on Facebook or MySpace. Peace!

A good friend of mine first introduced me to this band. We were sitting on my couch if I remember correctly and he asked me to check out some random band from Chicago. I listened, I liked, and the rest is history. Thanks to Chris Nanney I discovered a band that I would later learn every word to every song and desire to see live even to this day. But that didn’t stop me from introducing myself to the band and setting up an interview. These guys understand what it takes to to make it in this business and have produced some polished work. Their lyrics are fitting to their sound and they play some of the best venues in the Midwest like the Metro in Chicago. They boys are funny, a hoot to talk to, and are just out there having the time of their lives. So sit back, relax if you can, and get to know the boys in Treaty of Paris.

I have to know where you guys got the name.

I was helping our singer Mike clean out his parents’ attic one day, and we found this weird, old history book from a library. When we opened it up, someone had written “TREATY OF PARIS” on the inside cover with a pencil. We thought it would be funny to call our band that. Or it could mean something else entirely.

I have spent a lot of time in Paris, actually. Have you guys ever been there?

I have never been, but I would love to go. I want to go to the Louvre! And hang out with Anthony Bourdain. But I guess I would have to open a sweet restaurant to do that.

Where did you guys meet?

High School, through various Chicago bands, mutual friends; take your pick.

How long have you been performing together?

Well, when you factor in all the time-travel we have been doing, I would say about twenty-eight years. But if you take all those quantum physics equations away, I think we have been a band for about six.

Where do you guys practice?

At The Stained Glass Palace – the nickname for my house. It’s quite the pad. It’s a mansion with forty-two rooms and a miniature golf course in the backyard. Plus we have this system rigged up where you push a button in the kitchen and a random Taco Bell item comes down a chute and onto our kitchen table! That was there when we moved in.

What is the biggest crowd you have ever played for?

I think we once played for 3,000 – 5,000 people playing at the Lincoln Park Zoo a few years back – opening for none other than Collective Soul. That was an interesting evening. Almost as interesting as playing at Bamboozle a few weeks ago or opening for U2 last year playing for 50,000 people a night. They actually asked if they could open for us but we said, come on guys. You are getting all the money. Don’t ask us to play for two hours if you are only going to be paying us with Panera Bread coupons. At least give us Chipotle coupons. They said no, so we finished off the rest of the tour playing first just like we planned.

The smallest?

We played a show recently in Little Rock, Arkansas for about eight people. And we brought the rock! Before that, we were messing around with this experimental laser gun my dad had set up in the attic, and accidentally shrunk ourselves! Oops. While we were trying to figure out how to unshrink ourselves, we came across this hidden village of this weird blue people who all dressed the same and were all guys, except for this one girl with blond hair and an old guy with a beard. They had miniature instruments and were fans of Treaty of Paris, so we played a show for them. Then one guy tried to give us a gift, but it was really a bomb. So we got the hell out of there.

Do you guys have a favorite venue?

Outside of Chicago, we always have a great time playing at The Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, and Maxwell’s in Hoboken, New Jersey was great too. Gabe’s in Iowa City is pretty awesome/gross in an awesome way. Anywhere on the West Coast is great too because, well, it’s California and everything is better there. There are so many great places to play in Chicago and I feel like we have played most of them. Chicago shows are always fun no matter where we play because we are playing for our friends and our best fans. The energy from the crowd is always the best at our Chicago shows.

What do I have to do to get you guys to Indianapolis?

What do we have to do to get you to see us in Columbus or Cleveland? We’ll come to Indianapolis, but you have to pay us $1,000 in Chipotle gift cards. No more Panera cards! We still have a lot left over from the U2 tour and they all expire next month! I have to eat Panera Bread three times a day!

How do you know Chris Nanney?

This is an odd question…Chris and I grew up on the same street together and went to the same grade school, middle school and high school.

Who writes all of your lyrics?

Mike and I write our own lyrics for our own respective songs, and when we get stuck, everyone else helps out and offers ideas/critiques. I am trying to get Lady Gaga to write some lyrics for us. She still hasn’t gotten back to me. Every time I try to leave a message, it goes straight to this voicemail of someone named Doug. I think I entered her number wrong on my telephone. My, my, my telephone. My, my, my telephone.

Where do you get inspiration for a new track?

Anywhere. I could pick up the guitar after not playing it for a while, play something random and become inspired by it. Then get sick of it a day later and let it age on my hard drive like a fine wine or a moldy cheese, depending on how good the idea was. Most of the time, I will revisit it later and try to make a song out of it. As far as lyrics go, we take whatever we have going on with our lives and write about that. No one knows this, but most of Mike’s songs are about yoga and Whole Foods. Mine are about Deb from the TV show Dexter.

I’m sorry but you will never record a song better than Waking up the Dead. What is that song about?

Well then we better give up right now! That’s the end of this band! We peaked! Might as well go start a Rage Against The Machine cover band!

Who did the album artwork for your debut album?

Some artsy LA kid. We were going for a Roy Lichtenstein/pop art look and I think he succeeded at conveying that.

You guys play the Metro a lot. That is actually one of my favorite venues. Do you guys live close to there?

It is one of our favorites, too!

Are you fans of the White Sox or the Cubbies?

Cubs.

Will the Cubs ever win a World Series?

I doubt it, but stranger things have happened. Like the Sox winning a world series.

Where can I get some Treaty of Paris merchandise?

From our website! Or from our online merchandise store. Or come to a show. We usually have great merch deals.

You guys are songwriters. Most songs are stories and have a meaning to someone. So, having said that, tell me a story.

Once upon a time, there was an island. A plane crashed on the island. Little did the survivors know, the island was already home to some scary people and two feuding gods who made up weird rules on the island, like women couldn’t have babies and no swimming until an hour after eating. The survivors later learned that one of the island gods created a series of events that caused their plane to crash to bring them to the island so that he could hold a series of job interviews for his job. He wanted to retire and needed a replacement. The job was to protect a golden cave on the island from harm, and from the other island god, who was his jealous twin brother who could turn into black smoke and kill people. But not the people that the first island god was interviewing. They had immunity. In the end, the first island god was killed by one of the scary other people already living on the island who was tricked into it by the jealous brother god, and the plane crash survivors found the golden cave, turned off the lights in the golden cave, which briefly turned the evil god into a human, killed him, and then turned the power back on. Some people died, some left the island, some stayed and then after everyone had died, they all met up in the afterlife and lived – er, died happily ever after. The end.

Dan, when did you shave?

Tuesday.

You guys are on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and MySpace. Which is your favorite social networking service?

I think YouTube is the greatest source of entertainment on the Internet. That’s where we post all of our goofy video blogs and homemade music videos. And that is where I watch that Wife Swap video of “King Curtis” over and over and over. Bacon is good for me!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?

Nothing embarrassing ever happens to me onstage. I am a Golden God.

I am actually chatting with a new fan of yours on iChat. He wanted to know what your future goals are. Where do you want to be and when will you guys consider yourselves a total success?

Our goals are to take over the world, learn how to make a casserole, consistently release new music every year, win a pie eating contest, travel to Three Floyds Brewery to try their Dark Lord Ale, get one of our songs in a commercial, hear a contestant on American Idol try out with one of our songs, sell out Madison Square Garden two nights in a row, and try every burger on the menu at Kuma’s Corner. When I am waking up in the morning to go surfing by the beach near my house in California, I will consider myself a total success.

Why isn’t Phil on AOL Instant Messenger?

Maybe he is avoiding you!

You guys have a ton of big name sponsors. How do you keep them all straight and make sure they are all happy.

Well, let me tell you. It’s hard to keep those folks at Pepsi happy. Do they think that just because they pay us 100 million a year that they can tell me to wear a Pepsi t-shirt at every show? What if I want to wear a Coke shirt? What are you gonna do, Pepsi? Take away my Mountain Dew supply? I dare you!

Why are you not headling Warped Tour yet?

I do not have the answer to that question. Perhaps you should interview Kevin Lyman and ask him.

I saw that you are friends with the band fun. How good are those guys?

GOOD.

What are you drinking on stage?

At our last show, it was purple Gatorade. But it’s usually straight vodka poured into a water bottle. By the end of the show, we sound great to my ears!

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

Yes, of course we do! We love being in a band but it’s hard to pay the bills on our mansion and sports cars without making some extra cash on the side! Ever watch Breaking Bad? Those guys have some great ideas for earning additional income. I saw a girl with a lemonade stand the other day and I was like “Pssssshhhhhh, yeah right!” And she was all like, “Buy some lemonade!” and I was like, “Aw naw HELL naw!” And she was like, “Fine.” And I was like, “Yeah whatever.”

You guys are too good to be unsigned. Is there anything in the words in regards to a record deal?

You will have to ask the record labels if any of them plan on signing us anytime soon. There are only like four left or something, so you won’t have to ask too many people.

What is the best concert you have ever been to?

Too many great ones to count. I saw Metallica last year and that was a really epic concert. Most recently I saw Muse play in Las Vegas and they were phenomenal.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

I can’t see myself in five years! Five years from now hasn’t happened yet, silly!

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

That we wrote great songs and were nice people. And had fun with interviews.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

Zyzzyva.

When preparing for an art exhibit, part of the process includes developing an artist statement. This one page document will be on display at the art exhibit and will be treated as a way for you to introduce your friends and fans to your work and to your show. Every show is different and things change for an artist from one show to another. That is why each artist statement is different. I had, in 2008, seven different gallery exhibits but I only developed an artist statement for my last two shows. This statement, for my show at Gallery 7 located at the Pike Performing Arts Center, is the most detailed and developed that I came up with. Just as  the art work is unique and abstract, so is the artist statement. I thanked those involved and also gave a touch of my own personality to it, but in the end all that I tried to accomplish was saying thank you for the chance to show my work to the general public. The full artist statement is listed below.

When I began my career as a graphic designer I had no idea the scope of projects that I would be working on. The projects, both freelance and school related, ranged from brochure designs, custom t-shirts, and logo development all the way to website design and layout management. While working on these projects and honing my skills as a designer, I learned many valuable lessons on what it takes to be competitive in such a harsh market. Keeping up with current design standards in color theory, font choices, layout design, and in the software I use is something that I pride myself on as designer and as a professional.

But as a graphic designer, no matter how often your style changes, no matter how many projects that you are given, in the end a logo design is still a logo design. It was not that I was getting bored with design, but rather that I was beginning to not challenge myself as an artist. So one night while sharing a glass of wine with some friends I opened up Macromedia Freehand. This is a vector-based software.  That means that all work created in this program is based on mathematics, not pixels. So imagine that I created a stamp in a vector software program such as Freehand. I could take that stamp and blow it up to the size of a billboard and it would not lose its original resolution. The program itself is actually unable to be purchased as Adobe recently bought out Macromedia. However it is still one of my favorite software packages to work in.

So I opened Freehand and began playing around with some random and off the wall color palettes. After creating all of these little boxes, all ranging in size, I wanted to create an entire page with these colors. So I grabbed what I thought was the selection tool and pulled each box to the bottom of the page to fill the screen with color. The result, which was a mistake on my original idea, actually turned out better than I had expected. I kept the piece and started on the path as a digital abstract artist. The title of that first piece is Digital Drip, and it is one of my favorite pieces in my collection.

I start the process by taking an image, idea, or concept and look deeper into the true meaning behind it. Once I have gathered my initial thought on how to recreate that vision in my head, I will then grab some random colors and begin creating either a complimentary or completely opposite color structure. You can see this process throughout my work.

After each piece is created I save the project and then forget about it. I will just let it sit for a few days before going back to look at the finished product. I have over two hundreds pieces in my collection to date and I would venture to say that for every piece that I keep in my collection I throw away five more that I have created. This is sometimes discouraging to me, as an artist, but allows for my mind to stay on top of the creative curve.

As you look at my work I want you to have no clue what you are looking at. I want you confused as to why you are even viewing this art and then I want you to ask questions. Where did this come from? What is it? How did he manage to create those lines and decide on these colors? The more questions you have about my art the more effective I feel that piece actually is. My passion lies behind graphics and art. This is just a culmination of both.

Being a graphic designer, there comes a time in almost every project where you have to go out and find imagery to enhance your design. Whether working with a poster to support an upcoming event or a website for any random client images can make or break the final design. So the first place I go is Google. I begin looking for stock images that fit the design such as golf courses or banquet facilities. I am usually looking for something generic, not an actual image from the given facility I am working with. But I quickly run into trouble when I finally see that image I had envisioned.

Most of the images that you find online, especially the ones that are worth using anyway, fall under some sort of a copyright. There are free sites out there that provide an array of images but rarely will give you the highest quality to of photos to choose from. Places like Stock.XCHNG offer thousands of images but when you search for something more specific, say, “Golf Course Driving Range” you will find very few choices. That is why most of the time I end up going to iStockphoto.

Now, all of the images you find on iStockphoto have their own copyright issues. These images are not free, some can get extremely expensive depending on the person taking the photographs and the sizes you are requesting, and can be purchased one at a time or through a series of monthly billing cycles that iStockphoto has setup for you. Their selection is also much larger than Stock.XCHNG. The search that I just mentioned on Stock.XCHNG brings me only nine images while it brings me ninety-three images to choose from. These images are also higher in quality.

But what sort of rules and regulations does iStockphoto have? Below you will find the pay as you go content license agreement. Note that this is just the pay as you go agreement. There are different agreements for the monthly service packages that you can also take advantage of. (I dare you to read through this entire agreement. This is what iStockphoto expects you to read for each and every image you download.)

(Note that this agreement has not been edited in any way. This is the official agreement that you will see when purchasing a photo.)

CONTENT LICENSE AGREEMENT

This Agreement governs the terms by which members and clients of iStockphoto® obtain the right to use stock photographic, illustrations, animations, video, footage, and other media content provided by members of the iStockphoto.com community through the web site located at www.istockphoto.com (the “Site”). This Content License Agreement is in addition to the Terms of Use applicable to the Site and to the Membership Agreement that all persons providing content to or downloading content from the Site have previously entered into. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement, the Membership Agreement and the Terms of Use (both of which are incorporated into this Agreement by reference), the terms of this Agreement shall govern.

1. Background of Agreement

(a) This is a fairly lengthy document, and it contains many important provisions that affect your rights and obligations. By selecting the correct box at the end of this Agreement and typing “I Agree” or otherwise signifying your acceptance, you accept this Agreement either for yourself or on behalf of your employer or the entity that is identified as the member account holder, and agree to be bound by its provisions. If you are accepting on behalf of your employer or the entity that is the member account holder, you represent and warrant that you have full legal authority to bind your employer or such other entity. If you do not have such authority or you do not accept or agree with these terms, do not accept the Agreement and do not download the Content.

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I was lucky enough to have my artwork on display for two consecutive months at Gallery 7 at the Pike Performing Arts Center. This took place some three years ago, but I still think about this show as a stepping stone in my career as an artist. I had the chance to work with some incredible people and even ran into one not too long ago at another event here in Indianapolis. I was asked to write an artist statement for media and press purposes, but I also decided to throw a thank you latter in with that. It went first to the folks that made the event possible then to the local media for press coverage of my art exhibit. What follows is my thank you letter to Gallery 7 and all of those who made this event possible.

Thank You Letter to Gallery 7

I want to start by saying thank you to Jared Duymovic. As the Gallery 7 community outreach coordinator Jared has been aiding me from day one. Having met with Jared early on in my desire of displaying at Gallery 7 I knew immediately that this was somewhere I had to display my work. And with his constant communication from my acceptance in regards to displaying at Gallery 7 to his patience in the many hours I logged while setting up my exhibit Jared has been an incredible resource.

I want to also thank the Pike Performing Arts Center and Pike High School for allowing me two full months of time to exhibit my work to the general public. They have been gracious enough to provide me with twice the expected amount of time and added exposure is priceless to me as an artist. Also, by allowing me to have two separate artist receptions, one each month, allowed for an evening for me to be present with my audience and to discuss individual pieces and to meet all of my fans as they enjoyed my work.

I want to thank Danielle Hensley for the bleeding hands and early mornings while helping me set up my exhibit. Without her endurance and her drive to making my display nothing less than perfect, you might not be reading this today. Danielle, an interior designer from the Art Institute of Indianapolis, has logged just as many hours as I have and has finished just as many cups of coffee helping me in more ways than I could possibly imagine. Without her this exhibit would not have been possible.

I would like to thank FedEx for their unbelievable customer service in helping me make sure each and every piece was perfect for my exhibit. Having spent about six months researching and receiving price quotes for the printing process, FedEx went above and beyond in not only being the lowest price for the quality of their work, but also by providing me with next day service on all my work. I could not be happier with my final product.

I would like to thank the Indianapolis Arts Council. They have been a new found part of my art world and this past year, as being their cover artist for the 2008 Indianapolis Arts Council Gallery Guide, I have gained invaluable amounts of exposure. Having worked with numerous members of the staff at the council, I have gained access to an abundance of resources for helping in enhance my art career.

I would like to thank my family and friends for their continuous support of my work. Being a freshman artist is scary when trying to gain immediate exposure in a market as large as Indianapolis. Without their support and comments on my work and criticism just the same I would never be able to create another piece.

And most importantly, I would like to thank you, the audience of my work. Without people out there to look at my work, to appreciate my work for what it is, and to ask questions on the process and the inspiration behind each piece, I would be making art for no one but myself. Thank each and everyone of you for your inspiring words, thoughts, and love for independent art. For my art.

This art is for you.

The art show went well and I managed to sell a few pieces in the months following the art exhibit. I had a great showing the second month and managed to shake a lot of hands and meet a lot of people who truly appreciate independent art work. I have stayed in touch with the folks from the gallery as well and plan on showcasing my work again in the near future. It has been a long road, having covered eight art shows in the last three years. But no show meant near as much to me as this one. Thanks again to all of those who made this event possible, all of you who helped me along the way, and continue to talk about my work.

The band that I am sitting with today deserves some attention. These guys know how to melt your face. I have not seen them live yet but the energy that they produce in their tracks online and on disc are incredible. I am not a big dancer, never have been. This is mainly due to the fact that I am not very good at it. But when I first heard these guys I felt obligated to get up and move my body. They do not look like they sound, and I am not sure that is a bad thing. It is a nice little surprise to hear something you don’t expect. These dudes are also nice which helps make their music that much more like able. Sit back with me today as I am pleased to introduce you to the Clutter.

Where did you come up with that name?

We were originally Rick DeSutter and The Clutter back when we started in early 2008. Rick had some albums he had recorded and wanted to add a band to his Rick DeSutter solo project. Clutter rhymed and it sounded cool. In October 2009, we decided to rename the band just The Clutter in order to be more marketable.

How long have you guys all known each other?

Rick, Brad, and Bobby have known each other for a long time. Ethan came into the picture in early 2009 when we needed a replacement for our first bass player, Craig Meinhart.

Where did you all meet?

We all met in Lafayette, Indiana in various ways for various reasons.

You guys play a lot around the Midwest. Do you have thoughts of a nationwide tour anytime this year?

Our main focus right now is to work on playing shows in the surrounding area and the surrounding states in order to build up a strong fan base. Nationwide touring sounds cool, but would not be wise without the help of a label/booking agent or a well seasoned, experienced band. Better to build a strong foundation than to stretch ourselves thin and burn out.

Who writes all the lyrics?

Rick does. He’s written music and lyrics for several bands now and continues to write his own solo work on the side. For The Clutter, Rick’s lyrics mostly focus on his personal challenges in life, like struggling to be successful and always feeling as if there is not enough time to get everything done. The Clutter is an honest expression of how we all deal with the clutter in our lives.

You guys are playing Cornerstone? How did you land that gig?

We’ve made up our minds to go this year and make the best of it. We’re still technically in the process of landing the gig. (Laughs) The hope is to perform at least three times while we’re there whether it be on the New Band Showcase, The Label Showcase, or generator stages. We’re currently entered in the New Band Showcase and are in the top twenty-five out of over one hundred bands. We need people to continue to vote for us everyday until May 16th in order to get a slot. So yeah, everyone please go to and start voting for us!

Have you been to Cornerstone before?

Brad and Rick both went  several years back to play with their first band called Dead2Self. Rick has been back several more times since.

Describe your genre in one word.

Clutter.

How did you react to the passing of Michael Jackson?

Bobby is a huge fan of Michael. We didn’t think we would ever hear the end of it when he passed. We still hear if every once in a while. He was very talented and a great entertainer and many people will miss him.

You guys have shared the stage with a ton of bands. Who was the most fun to play with?

Red Morning Voyage. Those guys know how to rock out and have a good time while playing some of the sweetest riffs you’ve ever heard!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?

We were getting ready to play the finale of a band competition at The Lafayette Theater. Rick jumps up on stage to heft an amp and rips the crotch out of his pants. The set went well, but Rick had to stand a little more still than usual. (Does anyone feel a draft in here?)

Do you have a favorite venue to play?

In our hometown, Lafayette, our favorite place to play is Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop. The people are extremely nice, the turnout is always great, and they make this sweet little drink called a fragalappé! When we go out of town our favorite venue is The Underground in Cincinnati. Great people, awesome stage and venue setup, and the local crowd is very friendly. We’ll be playing there again in May!

What is the biggest crowd you have played for?

200-300.

The smallest?

3.

Who are some of your biggest influences?

Blindside, Muse, the Juliana Theory.

I dig that photo on the top of your MySpace page. Where was that taken?

That photo was taken in the back of McCord Candies in Lafayette. That have a sweet room with a really old stair case in it. The photo was taken by Al Davis Creative.

Speaking of MySpace. What are your thoughts on the service?

Great for booking shows and keeping in touch with other bands.

Are you on Twitter?

Nope.

Any tattoos in the band?

Ethan, the bass player, has a few. A flower, a star, and SP00 (his old band) which somehow looks like coffee beans.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you?

The Midwest baby! Living the dream, living the dream.

You guys have some sick show posters. Who designs all of those?

Rick does. He has designed posters for all of his past bands, too. Rick, Brad and Bobby are all graphic designers.

Living in the neighborhood of the Boilermakers, I will assume you all went to Purdue?

Nope. Rick is the only true Boilermaker.

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

Indeed.

Where do you get inspiration for a new track?

The inspiration comes from living life and dealing with it’s many challenges combined with just loving to make music that’s different and refreshing.

Where can I get some of your merchandise?

Come to a show! Or message us on MySpace and we’ll arrange for payment and shipping.

Are you guys using a PC or a Mac?

Both.

If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, whom would you pick?

The three MJ’s. Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, and Michael J. Fox (You gotta love Back to the Future!)

Where do you guys practice?

Brad’s mom’s house.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

Livin’ in a van down by the river! (Laughs) No, not really. In five years we hope to be performing bigger and better shows and making enough money to keep writing and playing music.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

We want to be remembered for not only being a group of guys who play good music, but mainly for our ministry in God.

I always let the artist get the last word.

We have some really big shows coming up this year. Taste of Tippecanoe, Cornerstone Festival, and the Indiana State Fair!