14 KARAT LIVING
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In Boston? Go see this …
February 8th, 2012 | Liz Gold
Who doesn’t love photographs and want to support up and coming artists? Probably not a lot of readers of this blog. That’s why you should check out “7 Photographers” – a show that includes work from Mass Art students Genesis Baez, Kyle Carrier, Lauren McMahon, Kata Medeiros, Al Straggas, Dallas James White and Wyke Valkema.
This is in Boston, just in case you were wondering.
The show, which is being held at the Mass Art Student Life Gallery, runs from February 12 to 18, with a closing reception on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 6:30 to 8:30PM. The gallery address is on the 2nd Floor of the Kennedy Building.
Check it out!
Songs to listen to when you’re down & out
February 6th, 2012 | Liz Gold
You know sometimes you just get down? Times get tough, you feel a little out of sorts and blue? And sometimes well, you just want to take solace in the fact that somebody else out there is baring their soul, too?
Well. Let me introduce you to Marc Kamhi. There is something compelling about a dude who is tender. A straight guy from Queens who calls himself “NY’s Favorite Son.” Humble he may not be, but honest it appears he is.
"Even a strong person is allowed to cry." Yes. Thank you.
I’ve been listening to Kamhi’s “Breakdown” EP – five songs of “life, loss, pain, rebirth and redemption” and have every so often been blessed with a chuckle. I can’t help it, a pure, uninhibited laugh comes from my belly – not because of his pain, but because it makes me realize (again) pain is universal and heavy and sad and yes, fucking funny. And this guy somehow makes me happy to be alive.
He plays acoustic guitar and I can hear his passion through his diary lyrics and I can also hear the influences of classic rock as a mini-dude New Yorker growing up in that other borough in the 80s. I notice he has a tendency to channel Led Zeppelin guitar rifts in this muted way, which tickles me because it’s paired with clinging, soul-bearing, raw words and a voice that strangely feels safe.
I can let it all hang out with him.
My favorite track (not on his new EP) is “Wiseman,” it reminds me of Tom Petty’s, “Learning to Fly.” Hear it here. I also enjoy “Find your Way.”
I’m not saying you won’t be met with some cheese factor. But I think all writing that comes from a deep place is Velveeta in some way. Somehow the words don’t do the struggle justice but they will have to do. We’ve all been through break ups and fuck ups and life changes and I can appreciate Kamhi’s desire to share his experience. It’s hard to put it out there, yo.
I’ve always been one of those people who appreciates the effort – even if I may not like your medium. In this case, while it’s not something I would necessarily play at a party, it has its place. And I’m pretty clear this guy is meant to be experienced live – to see the struggle, the empowerment, the purge, while hugging a glass of beer (or two, or three … OK in my case, two). And I’m willing to bet he has a die-hard fan base.
Find Kamhi in the East Village singing and songwriting and look out because on March 2, the EP, produced by Steven Hero Productions in Williamsburg, drops for real.
Take a listen:
Marc Kamhi-Just Think of Yourself