Category Archives: Soundtrack

Happy Birthday, BLCKSMTH

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Photo by Chase Person (from l to r, Jennie Kay, Michael James Schneider, Nick Mattos, Wayne Bund, Chase Person, Summer Olsson, Logan Lynn) .ig-b- { display: inline-block; } .ig-b- img { visibility: hidden; } .ig-b-:hover { background-position: 0 -60px; } .ig-b-:active { background-position: 0 -120px; } .ig-b-v-24 { width: 137px; height: 24px; background: url(//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-sprite-24.png) no-repeat 0 0; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (-o-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2 / 1), only screen and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and (min-resolution: 2dppx) { .ig-b-v-24 { background-image: url(//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-sprite-24@2x.png); background-size: 160px 178px; } }

Photo by Chase Person (from l to r, Jennie Kay, Michael James Schneider, Nick Mattos, Wayne Bund, Chase Person, Summer Olsson, Logan Lynn)
Instagram

Two years ago, when I lived in Los Angeles, I left my job to take a year-long “artistic sabbatical”. I felt a creative itch that was brought about by working with my LA family at Sacred Fools Theater Company. A few months into that year, I went through some shit. I came out on the other side more determined than ever to create a life that was artistically fulfilling, and more than anything true and authentic to myself. I visited Portland for the first time in February of 2013, and instantly fell in love with it, thanks to my good friend and tour guide Summer Olsson. And then a funny thing happened: Continue reading →

June: A Soundtrack

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BLCKSMTH first talked to Michelle Lesniak last year for our Princess Mononoke-themed photo shoot. To say she’s a force to be reckoned with is an understatement. This talented Portland-based fashion designer makes bold choices, has clear vision, and is humble about her successes. 2014 looks to be a banner year for her, with her recent engagement and her studio/retail space opening up in SE Portland this month, with a trunk show June 13th and 14th from 2 to 9 both days.

Michelle’s song contributions this month were dark and moody, and inspired me to make similar choices for my picks. We went up to the Pittock Mansion for a Gothic-inspired photo shoot from the masterful Chase Person, with makeup by Jill Greenseth. Michelle is modeling looks from her own current collection. This month’s soundtrack knows what scares you: Continue reading →

May: A Soundtrack

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photo by Chase Person (from l. to r. Michael James Schneider, Nick Mattos) .ig-b- { display: inline-block; } .ig-b- img { visibility: hidden; } .ig-b-:hover { background-position: 0 -60px; } .ig-b-:active { background-position: 0 -120px; } .ig-b-v-24 { width: 137px; height: 24px; background: url(//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-sprite-24.png) no-repeat 0 0; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (-o-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2 / 1), only screen and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and (min-resolution: 2dppx) { .ig-b-v-24 { background-image: url(//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-sprite-24@2x.png); background-size: 160px 178px; } }

photo by Chase Person (from l. to r. Michael James Schneider, Nick Mattos)
Instagram

One thing opening up these soundtracks to guest collaborators has done is allow BLCKSMTH to work with intelligent and inspiring artists. Nick Mattos, a columnist with PQ Monthly, has curated a soundtrack that’s both complex and accessible, and the photography of the talented, skilled Chase Person complemented the music choices perfectly. Nick’s also a co-creator of our upcoming webseries *How To Save Your Own Life. Be sure to check out Nick’s 18-song playlist on Spotify for BLCKSMTH, and check out more of Chase’s photography on Instagram at @chasepersonphotography.

Nick’s Pick: Banks, Change  Oh man, Banks is so wonderful. She makes electro-infused R&B that sounds like a seance hosted by Sade, the xx, and Jamie Woon. One of the things I like best about her is the amount of emotional intelligence and insight she brings lyrically; in “Change,” as one example, she transcends the R&B trope of being dedicated to someone who doesn’t treat you well to instead consider the ways that people excuse others’ behavior in difficult relationships. I love her so much, I can’t deal with it:

Continue reading →

February: A Soundtrack

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I just celebrated my first 6 months here in Portland, and (finally) moved into my permanent pad in NE…I can get down to posting more frequently than ONCE A MONTH. I’m finding that there are so many brave, talented artists here it’s scary, and Wayne Bund is no exception. He’s a Portland-based photographer and performance artist who can also host a damn fine party. He braved an 8am call in the freezing cold (I may be losing a toe) to channel his inner Ewok with me in the Forest of Endor Mt. Tabor park, and Tucker Cullinan added a little magic, like he’s expertly done in previous posts.

The force was totally with us.

Mike’s pick: Stepdad, My Leather, My Fur, My Nails  Listening to this is like watching bears at a circus. Nope, the other kind of bears:

(the video is pretty great too) Continue reading →

December: A Soundtrack

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"Brains, It's What's For Dinner" (from l. to r. Logan Lynn, Michael James Schneider)

“Eating Disorder” (from l. to r. Logan Lynn, Michael James Schneider)

For this month’s soundtrack, singer/songwriter Logan Lynn stopped by to help supply a cure for the common holiday tune. You’ll know him recently from his killer cover of Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop” (featured in the October soundtrack)…and then Miley herself performed his arrangement on Saturday Night Live on October 5th! Here’s a video for his follow-up single: “Tramp Stamps And Birthmarks“.

As always, you can find me and the BLCKSMTH playlists on Spotify. Find a few more of Logan’s picks on my “BLCKSMTH in December” playlist, and you can also follow Logan on Twitter and The Facebooks. I’m really loving Logan’s picks, and our pics we took (with the digital magic of Tucker Cullinan). This is a soundtrack that’s all killer, no filler:

Logan’s pick: Brontez Purnell feat. Jason Kendig, He Never Knew What Kissed Him Former Gravy Train!!! member Brontez Purnell is making really cute indie R&B songs these days and he just released this track a few weeks ago.  It makes me feel good.

Continue reading →

November: A Soundtrack

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November: A SoundtrackOctober was a bit of a roller-coaster for me, but here’s a rousing cheer for November. I went to LA and NYC for a couple weeks, and autumn was in full swing when I came back to Portland! I’m loving my first fall in the PNW: leaves changing color, comfort food (butternut squash anything), and the layering, oh! the layering. Summer Olsson is back, with her usual killer contributions to the soundtrack, and she collaborated on a ridiculous photo essay, too. Click through to see the whole story.

As usual, the titles in red are Spotify links (I’m Michael James Schneider on there, you can find the “BLCKSMTH November” playlist there,too), and enjoy autumn, damnit.

Mike’s pick: MS MR, Hurricane  Okay, so you told me that you’re into Lana Del Rey and Lorde, but you haven’t heard of MS MR? Let’s correct that immediately:

Continue reading →