The Summer, on Film

These are the people, places, and things I spent time with. I wished one particular roll came out where I caught a turtle in a jackson pond, or that we already developed our recent one from swimming and climbing fallen trees in the Delaware River. Until then, here's some shots from the summer.

BJ taught me some simple banjo cords, from Thomas Wesley Stern

 Jay and I spent some time at the jetty, of Moon Motel

Tiffany of Salt and Steel, like her page.

I want some grilled mango right about now.

You can find this dino on the Ortley Beach boardwalk.

Here are some of my favorite shots from a family photoshoot at Atlantic Farms, I blogged about here.

Feel Good to be Alive at LiveStock

Music, Art, face painting and hula hooping... the perfect way to welcome warm weather and spend a memorable Saturday with friends and family. This communal celebration is free and open to the public. One of the rescued animals that lives on the farm, a zebra, may just make an appearance.

You can read more about LiveStock on the Speak Into My Good Eye blog here.  I agree with the post that "You'll be doing yourself a disservice not to be acquainted." Between Bog Iron Bloom, Chris Rockwell & The Social Stickball Club, Jim Mill, Puppy Grease, Moon Motel and Accidental Seabirds, I don't think I'll have an easy time focusing on painting faces. I may need to take a few breaks ;)

For $10, you can pre order Livestock shirts through Karma Cartel

If you're still curious about the event, feel free to check out the event at:

LIVESTOCK, HOWELL NJ, RSVP HERE

Ps- Bring your hoop and wear a smile

September band of the month goes to...

I won't be featuring a band of the month like I had planned. I didn't realize how high my expectations were to create a blog post every month that would cover aspects of each band like I would want to. If I do, it's because I had the means, resources, and ambition.  For September, I would like to introduce my "rarely featured band" of the month...

Songs by Moon Motel are ever-changing, similar to that of running water. Aspects of the songs change with every performance, adding people from the audience to come up and participate. Moon Motel's songs pluck at your heart until you're humbled enough to sing along. The singer/songwriter Jay Sales formed Moon Motel after heartbreak, and it's very apparent in his style of writing. I'm captivated and entranced by Jay's vocal decisions; I love what he does and doesn't do in the songs. He keeps plenty of "holes" in the songs so you can find your own part to sing a harmony or add an instrument.

I love how Jay often books gigs with the possibility that he may be playing it solo, but it's amazing that I've never seen him play without a group on stage with him.  Popular musicians in the scene, such as Chloe from Wakah Chan, Javier from Accidental Seabirds, and Jim Mill join Jay's performances and create a whole new dynamic each time he plays. If you build it, they will come!

photo courtesy of Gregg Bautista

Moon Motel plays in Asbury Park often, particularly at the venue Trinity and the Pope.  Check out the facebook for more show details.  Maybe we'll be singing along together!

www.facebook.com/moonmotelmusic