Video Interview: Accidental Bear Gets Intimate with Inbred Hybrid Collective

photo credit: Ves Pitts

If I were to start giving out prizes for artists with the most amazing names, Inbred Hybrid Collective would be wearing the red ribbon. It reels me in like a floundering fish at sea and I want a taste. Art as a concept and a social experiment, I like. Art should be stuffed with emotion which reflects the world around us as long as it doesn’t end up being just a series of doughnut still lives (unless well done). Inbred Hybrid Collective ” is not committed to any one medium in the exploration of a concept.”

Accidental Bear’s Mike Enders asks about New York art rivalries, current art project, The Bernstein Bears, whether or not depression or mania enhances an artists art work and many more intrusive questions. Inbred Hybrid Collective has undeniable authentic artist sensibility and is a damn hunk to boot. Gallery walls are flooded with “art” but a small percentage gets me up out of my plush lazy boy to see in person. All my senses are tickled while investigating Inbred Hybrid Collective. I would take planes, trains and a crazy crack head taxi rides to get glance at I.H.C’s work and marinate in the soothing energy that surrounds this artist.

“I would be doing the world a favor if I stabbed you in the eye.”. Acrylic on canvas, 24x36

 Inbred Hybrid Collective was established in 2005. Our mandate is to stimulate a consciousness of the external factors affecting our human existence. The type of interventions associated with Inbred Hybrid Collective, achieved as artistic concept, constitute a provocation for the public to reflect upon the influence that this immersion has had upon them. Our work has appeared in venues as diverse as the Liverpool Independents Biennial (visual installation),Queens Museum of Art (sound art), Deitch Projects (film), Bereznitsky Gallery, Berlin (conceptual), World of Wonder Gallery, Hollywood (video installation) and the Ontario Crafts Council (visual installation). Uncredited appearances include the cover (and throughout) Slava Mogutin‘s NYC Gogo due to visual installations we did through Slurp, set design for the IFC Halloween spot on the Voluptuous Horror Of Karen Black, who we also assisted at the Whitney Biennial, and an acting role in Michelle Handleman’s “Dorian.” In 2009 we made history as the first sanctioned performance artist invited to perform at the Armory Art Fair, but we are not committed to any one medium in the exploration of a concept.

“if you aren’t going to use your brain give it to somebody who will”. Acrylic on canvas, 28x22

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INTERVIEW: Drag Terrorist CHRISTEENE Plays with Accidental Bear & There’s a lot of Stank Mentioned

I just wrestled a wild, mysterious, gorgeous and stinky wild animal for you named CHRISTEENE, who has been handed the title ‘Drag Terrorist” on a silver platter. Tranquilizers did not work so I had to strategically reel CHRISTEENE in with food scraps and then I pounced hard, swinging with questions. In 2009 singer CHRISTEENE mysteriously appeared in the conservative state of Texas and was mostly spotted  within its capital city, Austin. Reporters and private investigators have not been able to get the bottom  of his/her age, origin, race, religion and even gender leaving the public to rely primarily on an impressive and highly stylized collection of music videos. My  first CHRISTEENE sighting was when it’s video for the song “Fix My Dik” landed in my  email inbox and boy did it stink (in a good way). For hours I danced to its track and then masturbated to CHRISTEENE’s dirty & sleazy back up boy’s T-Gravel and C-Baby. From that day forth CHRISTEENE has been a dirty stain in my mind and I wanted more.

“Reports from live shows describe scenes involving butt plugs tied to bouquets of balloons being released into the air from CHRISTEENE’s arse, intimate and bizarre confessionals over tea, backup boys urinating on canvas bags containing the singer, and a wardrobe styled from the scraps of society…classifiable as ‘Dumpster Couture’. The singer’s impressive sound arsenal includes a wide range of musical appreciation and mastery ranging from Electro to R&B, Hip Hop to Dub Step, with titles including ‘Fix My Dick’ ‘Tears From My Pussy’ and ‘African Mayonnaise’.  All songs are written by CHRISTEENE and present an intimate and fascinating glimpse into the personal experiences of this talented nightmare.” christeene.org 

 I peeled back all the warning labels screaming WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT at  me and tried to get to the bottom of this deep, dark hole that we have all learned to love, CHRISTEENE.

Interview:

Accidental Bear: I just read on your website that you appeared in Austin sometime in 2009. Would that be dropped from an alien ship or you dug your way out from the earth? Either way you are dirty rotten hot.

CHRISTEENE: Diz sheeeet is STANK HAWT an I doo like too push it out ferr da boyz an baybeeez out derr in da wurld ya’lllz. Austin been my nay nay place fer a while now. Iz hawt as SHIT here an i wish all u people can cum an play up in diz nugget when u can wit me haaaay. 

A B: As a small child did you dream of being on stage?

CHRISTEENE: whut ?

A B: If you were locked in a 12×12 room with 10 sweaty, bearded, construction workers, a pepperoni pizza, chop sticks a lube for 24hr (not toilet) what might happen in that room?

CHRISTEENE: I would take da chop stix an pic da lock den I would go down da street to dat place wherr u doo da laundry an watch da clothes spin in da hot box machine. 

A B: What kind of emotions stir inside of you if I say stinky pinky?

NEW Episode: “Ask the Doctor” Edition # 2: Ejaculations, Large Healthy Men, Daily Vitamins & Tanning

This episode tackles the topics of Ejaculations, Large Health Men, Daily Vitamins & Tanning. Accidental Bear Website takes reader’s questions to Dr George Forgan-Smith from The Healthy Bear Website to get some answers.

Accidental Bear Kicks Off Video Series “Ask the Doctor” with The Healthy Bear’s Dr George

Accidental Bear Website starts off its, “Ask the Doctor” web series and teamed up with Dr George Forgan-Smith from The Healthy Bear Website based in Melbourne Australia. The focus of discussions will be to answer questions pertaining to men’s health issues. This edition 1 topics: jock itch, sports drinks, top concerns for sexually active gay men and Toxoplasmosis relating HIV positive people and cats. Accidental Bear’s cat Goose make a special appearance at the end of video just in time for the readers question about cats. The cat knows his cue! Many more informative editions coming soon! Please send questions you have regarding men’s health issues, no matter how big or small and we’ll “Ask the Doctor.”

Personally connect with Dr George on Facebook and be sure to √ like.

Brought to you by Interviews on a Budget!

INTERVIEW: Singer Aiden James Gives Accidental Bear the Scoop on New Album and Life

Singer, song writer Aiden James is no small town honky-tonk.  Aiden craved more than his upbringing had offered him and he took off for Philadelphia where he embraced urban life, got himself a big serving of the local music scene and found himself an audience to play for, which quickly turned into a large crowd.  Folk music and singer song writers inspired Aiden and gave him the platform to go after his musical dreams. Aiden has added a healthy dose of electronic music to his personal listening roster and says it has most definitely rubbed off onto his current projects. He leaked to me that his new album will be a pop record.

“Currently working on his 3rd studio album due out fall 2011, this self-taught musician was pulled from obscurity when his first music video “On the Run” had its television broadcast debut on Logo’s NewNowNext PopLab in Febuary 2010. A buzz quickly followed on all the big blogs like AfterElton, Joe My God and so on.. saying “Aiden James has stolen our hearts with his video for “On the Run” -AE. You can watch that on MTVmusic.com, VH1.com or his Youtube page.

Aiden added, ” I’ve written, arranged, engineered and performed everything on this new record which is a HUGE undertaking. I am psyched and blown away that I was actually capable of accomplishing.”  We see a musicians life on stage, let me do some digging for you and find out about the man behind the music.

Interview with Aiden James:

by Mike Enders

Accidental Bear: I was doing a little Aiden stalking online last night and see that you have folky roots but then starting listening to more electronic music. How would you describe the music on the new album you are working on?

Aiden James: It’s going to be a pop record. More an electronic singer songwriter kinda thing. Big hooks, catchy..cool sounds, beeps, beats, and some hot vocal stacking harmonies. Not often found in electronic music. You will still find my acoustic guitar in there ’cause after all, that’s my thing (smiles), it will still have the substance that you expect from a singer songwriter but with a very modern feel.  “po-ro-tronic” pop rock electronic (laughs)

A B: Do you come from a musical family?

Aiden: No. Most times my family would tell me to turn down my lil keyboard. So I’d go outside and play it on the rock behind my house. 

A B: As teenager, who might have you had a poster of on your wall and danced frantically to you your room?

Aiden: Well, I didn’t have any posters on my wall, but I remember doing all the Backstreet Boys choreography to like “larger than life” does that count? 

A B: Oh, busted. That totally counts. Which one of these terms described your high school years: Musical or a mosh pit?

Interview: Artist Ed Luce Schools Me on his Comic The Wuvable Oaf

Ed Luce the artist and writer of the luvable Wuvable Oaf comics just schooled me in The Wuvable Oaf’s history and was patient to give me a crash course in Wuvable Oaf 101. Now I will be abundantly ready to rub elbows with and chuckle about good ole’ issues #1 & #2 with Wuvable Oaf super fans tomorrow night at the release party for issue #3 in San Francisco’s Mission District. In anticipation I will have the Pointer Sister’s hit “I’m so Excited” on repeat for the next 24 hours.

Ed Luce’s first comic book project, Wuvable Oaf is a “fairy” tale chronicling one big, scary lookin’ dude’s search for cute little “mans” in a city that looks suspiciously like San Francisco.

The Oaf has also made appearances in the UK’s Gay Times Magazine, Italy’s PISSZINE, Instinct Magazine, White Crane Journal, Prism Comics 2008 Guideand on the chests of hunky dudes n’ sassy ladies all over the world, in the form of his very own t-shirts.

While currently pouring his energy into the comics world, Ed also leaves a lengthy trail of art debris behind him, including recent published features in Bearflavouredartists’ catalog and LA gay men’s health magazine Corpus. His paintings have been exhibited in galleries, museums, store windows and bathrooms from San Diego to Buffalo to Paris. http://www.wuvableoaf.com

San Francisco Wuvable Oaf #3 Release Party!  

Friday, July 29th from 7-9 PM
Goteblüd, 766 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
Signing and Wuvable Oaf Art Exhibition Reception with Ed
plus the debut of a new “Wuvable Oaf” print!

Accidental Bear’s Mike Enders & The Wuvable Oaf creator Ed Luce bear-rake it down for you (Get it? Break it down? Oh, just read the damn interview):

Accidental Bear: Wuvable Oaf is such a  cuddly name. Was that the intention behind naming him that?

Ed Luce: Wow…after three years of comics and shirts, no one has ever asked me that!  Well, at first it was just meant as a commentary on the character’s speech pattern, which I imagined to be mildly baby talkish.  In a deep bass tone, of course.  But as the comic evolved, it also made sense as a unique name, easily searchable on the web.

A B: Where was your energy going to before the creation on the Oaf?

Ed: I was a painter for nearly ten years before the Oaf was ever born.  In some ways, he’s an extension of that work, in a different format and genre.   My work was already very cartoony, using bits and pieces from Popeye, Sluggo of Nancy, He-man and G.I. Joe in a sort of smorgasbord of hyper-masculinity.  The Oaf sprung directly out of that soup, moving from the canvas to the page pretty effortlessly.

A B: The release for Wuvable Oaf is this Friday the 29th. How old is the Oaf since you first put him on paper?

Ed: The first time the character appeared with that name above his head was in a paper doll design I did for a theme show at the Trunk Space Gallery in Phoenix.  I believe it was fall of 2006, so he’ll technically be five years old this fall!   The shirt appeared one year later, followed by the first comic in the summer of 2008.

A B: Could you give a quick rundown of what someone might expect if they are picking up The Wuvable oaf for the first time?

Ed: I’ve toyed around with many descriptions over the years…none of which ever really work for me.  Lately, I’ve been calling it “the gay comic for everyone else”, somewhat jokingly.  I feel it’s from an undeniably queer perspective but is written and constructed to be all-inclusive.  I don’t shy away from the gay, anyone that has ever seen the book can testify to that.  But I try to speak in terms, both visually and textually, that don’t alienate any one group from appreciating the narrative.  I feel I achieve that easily enough with an absence of explicit sex scenes.  It’s important to me that hetero folks identify with the Oaf and his pals too, and I think boners don’t always work well in that capacity.  But otherwise, it’s ostensibly a love story, about someone who thinks he’s impossible to love.

We Peeled Back Chloe’s Mask and Found Comedian Drew Droege | Rib-tickling Interview

Like peeling a banana peel to get the the sweet- sticky inside, I set out on a mission. I wanted to rock climb down into the depth’s of Chloe’s soul. Some of us are in denial that Chloe is not a real person but a well crafted character. In order to scale that dark, elegant cob-webby soul I had to track down the hilarious comedian Drew Droege who plays Chloe “I like toast” Sevigny. Move over Amy Sedaris, Drew is here. Researching Drew’s background I found myself crippled with laughter. His conversational skills hit a magic yellow note  which causes some to pee themselves.

” Drew Droege is a delightful comedy sprite who brings us a heaping spoonful of Glitter in the Garbage each week. He teaches improv at The Groundlings, rocks out in the band The Discount Cruise to Hell, and plays one of the world’s most beloved fantastical creatures in Planet Unicorn. If you google Chloe Sevigny, one of the first results is one of Drew’s videos gently teasing the fashion-designer-actress-model-weirdo. Listen to Glitter in the Garbage each Thursday on Earwolf!” Drew on FACEBOOK 

Drew , lets talk and keep things real: 

Accidental Bear: To get things going, I want to spring out of the gate and first ask about your band The Discount Cruise to Hell? I am laughing on the inside and out. Or should I be crying?  

Drew Droege: Hahah – first of all, I LOVE that this is your first question for me.  The Discount Cruise to Hell is a glitter-glam-gore-cabaret that’s designed to be your cruise ship entertainment after you’ve died and been condemned to Hell.  Fun, right?  I’ve honestly never regretted a single show, because it’s so free and balls-out.  When we miss a note, we scream “Fuck you!  You’re in Hell!”  Awesome.  Sometimes I play a dead 8-year-old chorus boy from the 20s named Lil Jackie Stardust (ie. “Day of the Locust”), and sometimes I play the King of the Lotus Eaters (from “The Odyssey”).  Yeah, it’s super pretentious and stupid at the same time.  My favorite.

A B:  I have to talk about the pink elephant in the room, Chloe. After our interview with Chloe, more often than not, people talk to me in metaphors and emulate her every move. Chloe, who, what, where and why?

Drew:  Chloe came to me as a happy accident – I tried on a wig for something else and realized that I looked like her.  This was many years ago, and she was SUPER indie at the time. So, many (most) audiences didn’t get it at all.  But I love the real person and her style is so remarkably insane, so I LOVE playing her.  I don’t think it would be a hit if I hated the real Chloe.  And then I created this crazy voice and metaphorical jargon for her, to make her more of an original character.  

Accidental Bear’s Interview with International Film Star Domiziano Arcangeli: Nothing Held Back

At an early age he was laced with a rebellious twinkle in his eye. International film star Domiziano Arcangeli, as a teen, was plucked from the streets by Helmut Newton and flown to Berlin for photo shoots which scored him magazine covers. His life never returned to “normal”. Domiziano was a hot potato, bouncing in the hands of such masters as director Federico Fellini, who he landed his first movie role with. Roles as villains and bad-ass vampires fall into his lap effortlessly and he carries an impressive spread sheet of films.

Like the slightest pin prick in a water balloon that turns into a full on waterfalls, I ask Domiziano a few pointed  questions and he gives me detailed, fervent and revealing answers. He is a straight shooter. If he has flown under your radar, now is the time to focus your lens and make a mental bookmark. He is working on a number of “cult” films that will make you give up on Hollywood fluff films for some good old-fashioned blood and gore.

Together Domiziano and I worked through his gay erotic scenes, crazy vengeful ex’s, life as a bad-ass, being blindfolded and put in restraints by a perverted and curious psychiatrist, his openness to participate in a gay sex scene with ex-porn actor David Taylor and  men throwing themselves all over him like a hot fudge sundae.

Accidental Bear: Where are you living these days?

Domiziano Arcangeli:  I live in los Angeles and I love it. I know what they say about LA, I don’t agree, it’s a gorgeous land. My home is in the city, yet I feel up in the country, where I have squirrels and hummingbirds in the garden surrounding me and I feel like I’m in the middle of nowhere (which I love to think…), however I’m in the middle of the studios and by taking one freeway or the other I reach all the main work sites. It’s cool!

Actor Michael Cyril Creighton from the Web Sitcom Jack in a Box, is 1 Cup Uproarious, A Dash Smarts & A Splash of Sass: Interview

 

This Jack in a Box is FDA approved. Michael Cyril Creighton who plays Jack in the web sitcom, harnesses the powerful health benefits of laughter and humor, and squeezes them into bite size videos. I insist on calling Micheal Creighton, Doctor, seeing that laughter studies so far have shown that laughter can help relieve pain, bring greater joy, and even increase immunity. Michael’s has extensive acting career under his belt; find details here. No, not dirty pics, his impressive resume.

READ INTERVIEW AFTER THE JUMP

Accidental Bear Interviews the Men from FridayNight Furlosophy from Australia: Video

We are very excited to kick off our new series called Interviews on a Budget: no frills, no fancy drink with umbrellas, just jam-packed chit-chat. Jason and Malcolm from FridayNight Furlosophy were the perfect way to “get the party started.” These two adorable Australian Bear homosexual  Homo sapiens are playful and spicy, or maybe that’s the beer talking. As proof that three heads are better than one, check out what we came up with.

www.fridaynightfurlosophy.com

Follow FridayNight Furlosophy on FACEBOOK

Catching Up with the Decorated Artist/ Actor/ Model Trevor Wayne| Q&A

You may recognize Trevor Wayne from when he first landed in LA from Chicago and quickly got swiped up by hot-shot networks wanting him for TV pilots including “a role on “ER”. After that TV pilots seemed to be the thing. He has acted along side Fran Drescher and Roseanna Arquette on shows. Enrique Iglesias, Pink, and others in various music videos. His venture into the web came from director John Roecker (“Live Freaky, Die Freaky”, and “Heart Like A Hand Grenade”: The Green Day documentary) in a series called “Sevengali”, acting along side Tim Armstrong (of the band Rancid). Trevor’s latest role is in Bruce LaBruce’s film “L.A.Zombie”. A few other projects are in the works.”

   

Lately he has been fastidiously putting together 8 uncensored pinup postcards along with the mag that started it Pinups! The mag won’t be reprinted and many of the pics, including Clive Barker’s photos, won’t make it to the postcard series. On August 5th Trevor will be having an opening reception party at The Coffee Table in Silverlake to celebrate his artwork being hung there for the month. For those of you that won’t be able to make it in person, check out how to get prints here: http://trevorwayne.bigcartel.c​om/. Feature above are 4 prints that are available. LOVE!

Q & A: First Date Questions

Accidental Bear: Where did you grow up?

Trevor Wayne: I grew up all over the midwest.. from blueberry farms in Michigan,, to
farms in Indiana and Chicago.

A B: Were you a wild teenager or a book-worm?

Trevor: I was a nerd: video games and comic books. Not much else to do in the country!

Accidental B. Gets a Piece of Johnny Evil the Vocalist for Le Panique Before EP Release Party on 7/2 | SF CA

Johnny Evil Vocalist for Le Panique

I plucked lead singer Johnny Evil out of his warp speed as he and his band Le Panique prepare for thier EP release party this Saturday at the cafe Du Nord in San Francisco, CA. I applied a head lock and started to ask questions. This may sound rough, but in preparation for interview I blasted Le Panique through my house (and building) to set the mood. A minute into the first song, my heart beat rose and I was amped and bumping into furniture as if in a flashback to my mosh pit days. Johnny seems to be living and breathing his musical passion. On his plate he runs a live show booking/production company called Evil Live Productions, plays 13 different instruments and involved as Artist Manager/Site Administrator for music site Thrillcall.com

Le Panique  has been tagged as dance and punk at the same and I had to have this explained or I threatened Evil with a wedgy. Johnny Evil says, “We take the energy and aggression of punk and mix it in with beats and grooves you can dance your ass off to.” Come see for yourself and  I’ll buy you a free glass of water.

http://facebook.com/lepaniquesf

EP release show for Le Panique is at Cafe du Nord Saturday July 2nd

Accidental Bear: Here are some of my first date questions for you. How do your pronounce Le Panique? 

Johnny Evil: It’s a french translation of “The Panic”. So: Lay Pan-eek

A B: How long has the band been together and how did all come to meet?

J. Evil: We’ve only been a band for about 6 months, I met Devin, the bass player and main composer, through Craigslist. Craigstlist: not just for anonymous sex! Our drummer, Marlene, was in my previous band, Box Squad before we disbanded.

A B: What are some of your musical influences past and present?

J. Evil: The Misfits, first and foremost. AFI, Alexisonfire, A Day To Remember, I Set My Friends On Fire, and a lot of thrash metal. I was a total metalhead as a kid.

Accidental Bear Exchanges Words with the Two Jasperjohns | Video Q&A

Just in time for the hugely anticipated (by me) 3rd webisode “White Pants: Three” by The Two Jasperjohns, I don’t sit down with, but exchange words via the world wide web with Jim Noonan and Vinny Lopez. This starts off what we here at Accidental Bear will be calling Interviews on a Budget Series. We are poor but proud, proud but penniless. Coming across The Two Jasperjohns has given my summer meaning and feeds my void now that I have finally burnt out on Strangers with Candy for the 5th year in a row on loop-repeat; The Two Jasperjohns fill this space well with some added scruff. I am glad to catch these men before they get on a rocket to the top and the start living the good life (cocaine, strippers and beer). They filmed interview questions during their wrap party for finishing White Pants: Three. Champagne, Beards and good company equals good times.

In a world where slapping a label on yourself in hopes to find your place within our community is common, these guys are able to have fun playing with stereotypes and keep things light, leaving pretension at the door. Thanks for playing men!

Accidental Bear Interviews Two Jasperjohns

Two Jasperjohns: White Pants, Three

http://twojasperjohns.com/

https://www.facebook.com/twojasperjohns

Singer, Song Writer Eric Himan Tells Me Why “You First” | Interview with Accidental Bear

Look what I caught in my dream catcher, Eric Himan. While watching his stellar performance at the El Rio here in San Francisco last month I got pulled into a story he told during his introduction for his new song “You First”. He puts into words something that I have scratch my head over before but was not able to but into a coherent sentence. I have  followed Eric’s career blossom for years now and always impressed by his laid back (charming) demeanor and how approachable he is, no pretension. He breathes passion into his music and gives you an inside look at his personal thoughts. I say, Eric “Thanks for sharing!” I catch up with Eric and cover a large variety of topics; puppies, pride, tornadoes, new album, secrets and being happily partnered. Happy reading, thanks for taking the time to play with us here at Accidental Bear Eric.

 “I started writing music and lyrics because I felt that no one was telling my story with their music. I have had the opportunity to speak my thoughts and I think that is the most vulnerable thing in life you can do. You can tell people what you like and don’t like but when you let them into how you think and why, you share yourself in a major way. I am lucky to be a part of many friendships and can’t wait to see what is next in store.” – Eric Himan

http://www.erichiman.com/

Q & A:

A B: Ok, let’s start with a warm up question. What does pride mean to you? You can attach gay to the front of it or just leave it alone as all-encompassing pride.

Eric Himan: To me, Pride (gay or otherwise) is about celebrating being a part of a community. In a way, I feel it is a gift to have a commonality with a group of people like the LGBT community. Pride celebrations are a way to show the numbers that are out there to those who didn’t think there were that many of us:).

A B: You are coming back from a break? What did you keep yourself busy with on our down time? Day dreaming? Wii, writing a novel, eating potato chips?

Eric: I did have some downtime but I am a one man army when it comes to my career, so that time was spent booking, doing publicity, working radio, and filming parts for a music video (for “Dust”!). When I am not doing all that, I like to sleep and spend time with my 4-year-old doggie, Duncan, and my brand new puppy, 6 month old, Buster. Potato Chips are my weakness though.

A B: Are you constantly writing songs in your head unintentionally? 

Eric: I am. I feel my best songwriting happens when I am not trying to write or push myself into writing. Those are the moments I run to the piano/computer/pen and paper to get it out of my head. 

A B: You are just wrapping up your tour with Namoli Brennet. What was a highlight of the tour or something unbelievable that happened, good or bad?

Eric: The highlight was definitely being able to share the stage with my friend, Namoli. I am such an admirer of hers and getting to sing and play with her every night of the tour was a treat. The hardest part was being away from my family when the tornadoes came through Tulsa and I wasn’t there with my family. I am def not a fan of living in Tulsa because of the tornadoes, but not knowing how they were doing during it, scared me.

A B:  I am very interested in your, “You First” song and the message that backs it. As one that may step back and prays someone else goes first. It is really point of view I have never heard discussed. Tell me about the concept behind You First

Eric: I wrote You First on an airplane Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. I was flying to Tucson to finish recording my new cd with Namoli (whose studio is in Tucson) and it was the week after Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot at a Safeway not too far from where we were going to record. I was also listening to Arlo Guthrie on a CD talk about his father, the amazing Woody Guthrie. He said, “there is a price to be paid for being a leader”. I felt all these things come together and decided right then and there on the plane to spill it out. The message was to say that when you stand up to make you voice heard, you also make yourself a target. Many times, we tend to stay on the sideline waiting for some leader to stand up when we possess that power ourselves. I make myself a target, but sometimes standing up for what you believe is more important.

A B: What does your summer looks like? Playing any festivals that I should drive a 1,000 miles or so to see?

Eric: I am all over the place (right now I am writing this from Kitchener, Ontario up in Canada where I play Kitchener’s tri-Pride tomorrow). I will be in Columbus, OH, Albuquerque, NM, the Outer Banks, NC, then in July over to the northeast with shows in PA, NYC, and MA. August has me in Chicago for North Halsted Market Days. Booking some dates also in the midwest then too. If you were to drive, I would head to the Chicago show. I will have a four piece rock band with me ready to make some noise on the streets of Chi-town.

A B: On your new album you have brought in the mastering talents of Chris Bellman (Ani DiFranco, Alanis Morissette, Elton John). You totally hold your own in that group. Have you worked with Chris Bellman in the past? 

Eric: This was the first time working with Chris and he did an amazing job. He has mastered many of my favorite, influential albums and having him work on my disc, was extra special.  

A B:  What would your response be if someone called you a sex symbol?

Eric: I def. appreciate the compliment when it comes up but I honestly don’t know what to do with that. I never seek out that kind of attention and sometimes surprised when it comes up.  I think if I thought about it too much, I would get even shyer than I can be already. 

A B: As a kid did you have positive role models? How do they differ from your role models of today?

Eric: I think my role models growing up were a lot of strong women. I lost my mother at a very young age and I think that might have something to do with that. Positive role models growing up were women like Ani DiFranco, Patty Griffin, and Janis Joplin. As I’ve gotten older my role models have become my grandmother Grace, my partner, and my close friends. I’ve learned so much from those surrounding me.  I am lucky to have them in my life to take after:).

A B: You are happily partnered and 2 dogs (right?) Your thoughts on gay marriage, gay adoption and the term civil union opposed to married.

Eric: I am very happily partnered and definitely want the full benefits of marriage (including a proper wedding!). Gay adoption has to be the biggest hot button for me because I can’t understand why some children are denied parents who will love them and want them. Civil unions are a great start, but if we are going to start the conversation of gay marriage, let’s not just talk about it during election years.

A B: Anybody you would love to share the stage with or record with?

Eric: There are SOOO many people I would love to record with/share the stage. There is something about Natalie Merchant and her music that makes me want to nominate her first! Of course, Ani DiFranco, Beth Hart, and Sia would be fun to work with.

A B: So, gay pride month is just around the corner. Will you be parading around the streets wrapped in nothing but a gay flag?

Eric: I am a tad bit more subtle than that.ha. I am happy to represent my brand of music at the festivals.

A B: Tell, me where you hope this next album takes you?

Eric: I hope this next album opens up more opportunities for me to tour to places I haven’t played yet, building up the audiences I already (and thankfully!) have in many cities, travel to Europe to tour, and have a chance to fulfill my dream of working with those I admire (which I already have done working with Namoli).

A B: Tell me (us) an Eric Himan original secret or confession.

Eric: I wanted to go to puppetry school and be an actor when I was younger. I always had an interest in doing them but never the right time to try.

A B: In the next year what should we expect from you?

Eric: You should expect to hear some of the songs from the new CD on the radio, in TV, and movies. I will also be releasing a live DVD from my Tulsa CD Release Party concert (with a string quartet!!). 

More on Eric:

• http://www.erichiman.com
• http://www.myspace.com/erichiman
• http://www.facebook.com/eric.himan

CATCH HIM IF YOU CAN!

Chloe “I like toast” Sevigny gives an Exclusive Interview to Accidental Bear For Your Pleasure

As I approached my conversation with Chloe I thought of it like a secret mission, being dropped from a helicopter onto an untouched island in search of yet found orchids. If I were to name an orchid, it would be called Chloe and it would smell of lavender and a mist of sage. I also sharpened my interviewing tools and studied the dictionary, afraid that I might not be able to understand the complex, advanced and evolved language that rolls off her tongue like butter. Chloe was gracious to any of the questions I tossed at her and I left no rock unturned.