Words and videos by Sarahana of Hooves On The Turf.com
I run a mostly-music blog based out of Brooklyn, called Hooves On The Turf. I'm a Graphic Designer type with an affection for creative people, especially musicians, and I like to exploit the opportunity video provides in exploring sound's relationship to space. I feel pretty strongly about music as a social phenomenon, and I often spend time thinking about how a commercial framework impacts that aspect of music, especially when it comes to live performances. My video series, "Secret Garden", was born out of that line of thought. It seems like a commercial framework, even though it enables many talented artists to make a living out of music, also puts a constant pressure on music to be somewhat grandiose, at all times, and in the process, the "smallness" of music, which can be quite special and magical, takes a backseat, and sometimes gets lost. The "Secret Garden" videos are an attempt to recover some of that which is lost; sometimes there is success, but the search itself is the fun part. I still have many tricks of video-making to learn, however.
These United States invaded a certain Botanic Garden while they were staying in Brooklyn. Yes, we got into trouble. Yes, we found our way out of trouble, mainly thanks to Jesse who used his charm on unsuspecting Botanic Garden staff. They performed great, stripped down versions of four songs, and, back at the apartment, talked at length about taste, mediocrity, and the idea of playing Madison Square Garden. This installment of "Secret Garden" will go live on Hooves On The Turf on Dec 9, but I prepared an exclusive preview just for The Laundromatinee!
In retrospect, it feels like 2007 was a big year for production and aesthetics. Later in 2008, I found myself yearning for something more raw and fundamental, but I realized this only when I saw These United States light up a certain Union Hall in Brooklyn. I fell in love with them instantly, and as this year comes to an end, I find These United States to have been one of my biggest sources of inspiration this year (only second to Slavoj Zizek!). As of now, Jesse Elliott, who I think is a brilliant songwriter and singer, remains highly underrated. Even though he claims to not have musical roots, the quality of his voice and the way he arranges words and lays them out within rhythmic impulses, all the while telling a pretty fantastic story, are so affecting without being grandiose, that I really feel like he, by himself, can give integrity to the act of being a musician! I know that probably sounds lofty and starry-eyed, but I have felt it many times while listening to him on my headphones. And now, These United States are a proper band! Robby Cosenza is one fiery drummer, Tom Hnatow helps ground the music, and young Justin Craig adds to a sense of devotion that already runs through the band. They've played hundreds and hundreds of shows this year alone, and released two albums, and that kind of energy makes me very excited about music, though I am inclined to believe we haven't even seen their best yet. This particular video was shot at Brooklyn Cafe in Waterbury, CT, the day after they played Knitting Factory in New York. As someone who lives in New York, I felt that this strange dive bar was a way better venue than any in New York City to watch them play. Over at the These United States "fun table", we were served juicy stakes prepared by the owner, who also happens to be a pretty rockin' pastor with long, flowing hair. There were at least two cars of a giant breed parked outside. I believe one of them is called a Hummer.
These United States : Kings & Aces
