SAD CASTLE

MY LAST POST ON THIS BLOG+++

2010-08-24T11:54:00.000-07:00

I will now be blogging only from/
WWW.SADCASTLE.COM

#75

2010-08-22T23:46:00.001-07:00

I guess everyone has to do this...
Look at the poor shaky kid.
Looking back at this, it did mean something to me.

Fences Elliot Smith Wall from Thomas Howson on Vimeo.

#74

2010-08-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

#73

2010-08-21T00:28:00.001-07:00

So busy with Fences lately. Having minor panic attacks. Mostly enjoyable ones though.

#72

2010-08-18T12:59:00.001-07:00

My love song to Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

#71

2010-08-16T22:04:00.001-07:00

Day#60

Made new friends and fell in love with planet earth all over again.
Thank you Doe Bay Festival.

To the girl who talked to me for 20 seconds in the dark campground:
That meant a lot to me. People like you are the reason I
keep going.

#70

2010-08-12T10:43:00.000-07:00

You see...we are not so dumb.
Goodbye Jacob. Enjoy the apple.

#69

2010-08-08T23:50:00.000-07:00

Day#50

#68

2010-08-06T23:42:00.000-07:00

"She won't come, I'll be gone."

#67

2010-08-05T00:04:00.001-07:00

Stole a quick shot with this little guy before hopping on the airplane.
I miss Brooklyn a lot. I miss smoking by the christmas lights and feeling
it almost rain and wondering if maybe just maybe it was someone
pissing from the apartment above.

#66

2010-07-31T14:41:00.001-07:00

Fences in the movies pt.2
Sweat.

#65

2010-07-31T12:17:00.000-07:00

Fences in the movies.
Our part is wonderfully awkward, I think you'll all love it.

///////////////////

Crammed into an upper bedroom of a tiny Queen Anne home was a crew of 65.

The balcony was stuffed with cameras, lights and equipment. Support staff tiptoed up and down narrow, creaky stairs, piling laptops on couches.

For the past month, a film called "Grassroots" has been shooting at dozens of locations in Seattle, including The 5 Spot, Re-Bar, the Space Needle, King County Courthouse, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and Seattle Central Community College.

The film is a low-budget operation by Hollywood standards (costing "under $5 or $6 million," according to the filmmakers) with some fairly big names attached.

The director, Stephen Gyllenhaal, is known for his TV work ("Numb3rs") — and also for fathering two well-known film actors, Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal. The cast includes Jason Biggs ("American Pie"), Cedric the Entertainer, Cobie Smulders ("How I Met Your Mother") and Tom Arnold.

But much of the rest of the crew, from director of photography down, is from Seattle.

The story is about Seattle, too. It's based on a 2001 Seattle City Council race, when unemployed music critic Grant Cogswell challenged incumbent Richard McIver. Cogswell, an eccentric political activist, championed the monorail, but ultimately failed.

"Everybody asks, isn't this story too local?" said producer Peggy Rajski ("Towelhead," "Bee Season"). "But it's a bromance, a buddy comedy, a coming-of-age piece."

The "bromance" blooms between Cogswell and former Stranger writer Phil Campbell, who eventually becomes his campaign manager. The film is adapted from Campbell's book "Zioncheck for President: A True Story of Idealism and Madness in American Politics."

Biggs plays Campbell; Cedric the Entertainer plays political rival McIver. Joel David Moore, recently seen as the scientist in "Avatar," stars as Cogswell. The real Cogswell, now 42, lives in Mexico City and is opening an English-language bookstore. He has visited the set nearly every day for the past three and a half weeks.

"They took liberties with everything," said Cogswell. "But it doesn't matter. They are making a myth."

The film is set almost a decade ago, so designers paid attention to period details. The cast used flip cellphones, smoked at The 5 Spot and typed on bulky blue iMacs. Production designer Laurie Hicks wanted to go for a gritty look, but ironically found the local coffee joints too clean. She ended up transforming the Comet Tavern into the Comet Café.

Ron Leamon, wardrobe head, researched Seattle Magazine advertising, WTO-riot film clips and newspaper archival photos to capture the "hipster look of Seattle." The local designer, who worked on the movie "Battle in Seattle" and the TV show "Twin Peaks," supplemented his own collection of clothes with borrowed items from Goodwill to create a "layered eclectic new and odd look."

David Meinert, Capitol Hill Block Party organizer, advised the filmmakers on music. Although it's set in 2001, the soundtrack will be current, with Seattle bands like Fences and Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band.

Many concessions were made to the low budget. There are 12 vehicles on set, but six — including the "prop truck" — are sedans, jammed to the brim with papers and props. Dressing rooms are "honeywells," as big as a small walk-in closet, where a table covers the toilet. (One actor described it as a "crypt.") And the Queen Anne set is actually the home of location manager Stacia Beer.

Shooting wraps up in the first half of August. The film hasn't found a distributor yet, but filmmakers hope for fall or spring.

"It's a comedy where you laugh not just from the belly, but from the heart and from the head," said Director Gyllenhaal, 60. He hopes "Grassroots" will join "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Singles."

"Toward the end, there's a whole chorus shout to Seattle. ... It's a love story to Seattle."

#64

2010-07-27T00:45:00.000-07:00

"The Same Tattoos" video shoot.
Workaholic.

#63

2010-07-22T15:06:00.001-07:00

Soft serve ice cream and chain smoking.
This thing felt like fire.

#62

2010-07-22T00:28:00.001-07:00

Stopped counting. See yall when I hit day#60.
Capitol Hill Block Party is this friday. Really
anxious to get on that stage. Ok, there is
ice cream in my near future. G'night.

#61

2010-07-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

Day#30

#60

2010-07-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

Day#29

#59

2010-07-17T01:22:00.000-07:00

Day#28

Escaping death like Sandra Bullock. I miss the girl below.

#58

2010-07-15T20:18:00.000-07:00

Day#27

I'd skull fuck someone for this mug. Far superior to the
Dundler Mifflin mug.

#57

2010-07-14T23:34:00.000-07:00

Day#26

#56

2010-07-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

Day#25

My kid sister and I.
This was before the bad shit got to us.

#55

2010-07-13T01:36:00.001-07:00

Day#24

The dog and I will be on the couch where you left us.
Please hurry home.

#54

2010-07-11T12:58:00.001-07:00

Day#23

#53

2010-07-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

Day#22

#52

2010-07-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

Day#21

#51

2010-07-09T01:06:00.000-07:00

Day#20

#50

2010-07-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

Day#19

On a side note...
I love this woman.

#49

2010-07-06T10:12:00.001-07:00

Day#18

#48

2010-07-05T11:26:00.000-07:00

Day#17

#47

2010-07-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

Day#16

#46

2010-07-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

Day#15

#45

2010-07-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

Day#14

#44

2010-07-01T22:09:00.000-07:00

Day#13

#43

2010-06-30T18:30:00.000-07:00

Day#12

#42

2010-06-29T17:17:00.001-07:00

Day#11

#41

2010-06-28T11:20:00.001-07:00

Day#10

#40

2010-06-27T23:47:00.000-07:00

Day#9

#39

2010-06-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

Day#8

#38

2010-06-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

Day#7

#37

2010-06-24T13:01:00.000-07:00

day#6

#36

2010-06-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

#34

2010-06-12T14:39:00.001-07:00

Day#5

#33

2010-06-11T13:57:00.001-07:00

Day#4

#32

2010-06-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

I am going to count my days sober on this blog.
So starting now.

Day#3

#31

2010-06-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

Sep 28th

#30

2010-06-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

Fences will be performing live at the
"Kurt" exhibit in The Seattle Art Museum.
I am really grateful to be involved. It is a
free show and we are sneaking in a few
Nirvana covers into our set.

Fences @ SAM (In the Brotman forum)
Thursday June 3rd. 5:30-7:30.

I'm gonna eat some pizza watch Kitchen Nightmares and
get some much needed rest. See you tomorrow.

#29

2010-05-31T16:31:00.000-07:00

"Ten years two thousand stomach aches."

#28

2010-05-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

Fri= Kaki King
Sat= Photo shoot with Alicia Rose
Sun=Graveyard shift
Mon=Band practice
Tue=Leaves for tour

Most definitely relax on this tour. More books than booze. Make it home alive.

#27

2010-05-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

#26

2010-05-02T12:13:00.000-07:00

Fences has a two week block with nothin goin on.

Pretty much till May 18th
I am going to do my best to be
a grown up and tune out the rest
of the world.

I will be working graveyard 10pm-6am

When I rise it will be time to go on tour.

#25

2010-04-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

"If you see her tell her it doesn't snow in Colorado. Tell her all that stuff falling from the sky is just sawdust from the stilts I've been carving from my short temper. Tell her there's a tamborine in my chest and yes, she still shakes me"

#24

2010-04-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

Try not to forget what you love. It is easy to lay on the couch and lose touch. People seem to want to see others fail.
If you blink. They'll fucking kill you. Grab the bull by the hull.
Skullhull.

#23

2010-04-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

"Scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen.
That means you really love me."

Ate chinese food and drank champagne with Charlotte Gainsbourg.
Heart is forever melted. I do enjoy it though. Melted hearts and moz abz.

#22

2010-04-12T20:05:00.000-07:00

#21

2010-04-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

"She loves a soul,
That i've never been
A dog among dogs,
A man among men"

#20

2010-04-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

Popeye never got olive oil.

It was a beautiful storm that day.
Thank you to my wonderful friend Phil Reed (Treatsclub.com)
I hope to see some friends at this show.

Black metal, black slip ons and black women.

FENCES from Treats Club on Vimeo.

#19

2010-04-04T14:35:00.000-07:00

Happy easter.

#18

2010-03-31T15:53:00.001-07:00

The hole I'm in.

#17

2010-03-24T20:42:00.001-07:00

We were all much younger then.

#16

2010-03-23T02:55:00.001-07:00

Girls, soda, monsters...

#15

2010-03-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Just finished watching this. Without a doubt my favorite documentary.

#14

2010-03-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

This sunday I turn 27. It's funny...I wasn't aware of the fact until this morning when someone reminded me.
Perhaps I am in denial. Have I not done enough? Is death closer? Do I want it to be? I would rather just keep
my head down and not let time be the judge of my merits. Easier said than done... but gifts may help!

1. Dunder Mifflin mug
2. Will Oldham, "Arise Therefor" on vinyl.
3. A brown leather journal.
4. Hot sauce (any kinda preferably vinegar based)
5. Townes Van Zandt "Be here to love me" documentary.

#13

2010-03-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

This Saturday night @ 8pm sharp, Fences will be playing live
on KEXP.
Hannah Levin may have 80's hair metal cassettes
decorating the floor of her car, but don't be fooled.
She loves sissy folk pop. I literally cannot wait.
Tune in! For those of you out of state...
Stream me. www.kexp.org

#12

2010-03-07T14:37:00.001-08:00

Forever Bummed.

#11

2010-03-06T15:16:00.000-08:00

Pitseleh. 12 weeks. New baby. Heart might explode.

#10

2010-03-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

We had the pleasure of playing two shows with Melissa Ferrick.
Her and Bryna are two of the coolest ladies I have met. Our band
isn't the first thing you would think to open for her music but
honestly that is what made it so cool. Some may call me a lesbian
vampire but I just fall into things randomly really. I'm just grateful is all.
We play Neumos tonight with Hey Marseilles and Visqueen. It is the
last show with Sam and Nick, so it'll feel a little like a funeral.
The two new kids joining will be amazing though, Fender Rhodes
anyone? Yes please. Hail satan.

#9

2010-03-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

Show tonight will be amazing. I have not seen Jarrod of Honorary Title in maybe 4 years.
In fact I am not sure he knows I am even in a band let alone moved to Seattle. This will
be a cool reunion of coasts. I am glad to see him playing venues like Vera Project. All ages
is something I have always liked. No offense to over 21 crowds, but cold beers make you
guys loud! So, come out tonight! 11$ doors at 7:30. Get there early since we are on at 8:30.
xo cm

The Vera Project. 305 Harrison Street Seattle, WA 98109 ( 206) 956-8372 http://www.theveraproject.org

Here is Jarrod below with Honorary Title.

#8

2010-03-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

I feel as if I have been shot out of a whales mouth and directly into my bed.
The trouble with amazing moments is that you can never really remember them.
Playing The Great American Music Hall the other night I was thinking, "how the fuck did I get here"?
All the while trying very hard to be in the moment. The building itself is so overwhelming... Then
the very large audience who met us with dead silence during songs and a roaring celebration when
they ended. It was my favorite show, without a doubt. So thank you very much all in attendance.

#7

2010-02-25T22:07:00.000-08:00

Back in the van starting tomorrow. Thank god.
With fear of sounding dramatic (that's a first) I
feel less and less comfortable when not around
my band or moving in some large steel horse
on the way to play music. Let's face it, when I
am home...I am fucking up asian recipes and
watching "Dutch".

#6

2010-02-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

Spent the entire day on the couch.

#5

2010-02-07T14:06:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks have been the best/hardest of my life.
I was going to type a long winded rant here but I'll just leave
you with something beautiful.

#4

2009-12-31T23:47:00.000-08:00

New years resolution
Take piano lessons.
Get a job as a cook.
Get a passport.
Never spend another new years alone.

#3

2009-12-29T23:33:00.000-08:00

Jan 23 w/AA Bondy @ The Tractor in Seattle
Jan 26 @ Hotel Utah in San Francisco
Jan 27 w/Chris Pureka @ Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles
Feb 5 w/St.Vincent @ Neumos in Seattle
Feb 17 @ Western Washington University in Bellingham
Feb 18 w/Y La Bamba @ Green Frog in Bellingham
Feb 26 w/Y La Bamba @ The Woods in Portland
Feb 27 w/Mark Kozelek @ Great American Music Hall in San Francisco

Everybody needs and angel.

xo
cm

#2

2009-12-29T01:31:00.000-08:00

RIP VIC.

#1

2009-11-30T23:29:00.000-08:00

www.giveseattle.org
some exclusive stuff here. i suggest buying one.

-Christopher