Visual Diary October – December ’10

James Ratsasane — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 02:54:45 +0000

New York City, Chaos & Classicism.

James Ratsasane — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:21:38 +0000

It’s Nov 2nd, 2010, and I am sitting in my old Brooklyn apartment which I once lived in a little over ten years ago. It’s a strange feeling – the architecture of the space is exactly the same, my old house mate Adam is also still living here, but of course nothing remains static. The truth is, the suburb of Clinton Hill Brooklyn is now gentrified. As a 20-year-old student, I hated the fact the my neighborhood was borderline ghetto and now I am so happy to see it’s development the gourmet restaurants and trendy bars, but more importantly to feel the earth here again, albeit as a visitor.

This has been my third visit to New York city since relocating back to Melbourne. Every time I come here, I am reminded that New York is a city forever changing, constantly moving onwards and upwards. Yesterday, I was lucky enough to check out the current Guggenheim exhibition Chaos and Classicism: Art in France, Italy, and Germany, 1918–1936. This show was truly fascinating for its sense of other worldly struggle and ideals. A complex exhibition both surveying the political origins of the period and its obsession with geometric abstraction but also the return to classicism as a of means for sanity, post World War One. I walked away from the exhibition with a sense of heroic humanity, and a healthy apreciation for art from the 1920′s & 30′s fuller than what I could have imagined… in particular a new-found love for the art of Balthus. (See “The Street”)

After the show I took a leisurely stroll down Central Park. You can never forget the bumpy cobble stones and watching the multi-colored leaves on the ground I remember what a stranger said to me once as a young man, ‘you haven’t lived until you see New York in the fall,’ – he was a wise man.

The Evolution of Music Consumption

James Ratsasane — Wed, 26 May 2010 02:34:31 +0000

Ok, I know we’re all on auto pilot sometimes, but has this been your experience? How has your habits changed regarding the consuming of music? A great article on the evolution of music taste and why MTV and commercial radio is the devil
The Broken System – Deconstructing Music Consumption

Jimmy Hawk new album and launch!

James Ratsasane — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:25:45 +0000

Following the critical success of last year’s Born On A Mountain EP, Jimmy Hawk is riding high on the momentum and proud to announce the release of the forthcoming debut album, Echo Park . Still over a month out from its official release, Echo Park is already generating a groundswell of interest, with massive community radio support around the country and raves in the blogosphere such as Tone Deaf’s Hot Australian Artists list for 2010, not to mention being featured in the Herald Sun as a hot tip for 2010.

The seeds for the album were planted when Jimmy rented a room in Echo Park, an artistic area of downtown Los Angeles seeking a new muse after the breakup of his long time band The Rumours, he escaped to the kaleidoscopic inspiration of California and surrounded himself with vinyl records, a guitar and sunshine. This period of introspection quickly grew into a new uninhibited musical focus and became the seeds for this remarkable album. Filled with a hypnotic warmth and presence, swooning melodies and jangly rhythms, Echo Park was recorded on a good old fashioned 60′s 2 inch tape machine by cult producer, Nao Anzai (Kes Band, Damo Suzuki, Tic Toc Tokyo). Contributions to the luscious backing came from members of Foxx On Fire and seminal L.A. country rock band, Beachwood Sparks.

Echo Park will be released in late February on Jimmy’s own label, First Love Records and distributed in Australia via Green/MGM. You can pre-order a copy now at all good independent, Leading Edge, Sanity, HMV and JB Hi Fi stores around Australia. The album will also be available digitally on iTunes and Waterfront Records in early March.

In meantime you should check out the new film clip for Jimmy Hawk’s single ‘Born On A Mountain’

” Simply lovely. Gentle and rich like a cashmere sweater that’s just come into some money. It’s got layered vocals, shaker and is that melodica? *swoon* “— Vijay Khurana, TRIPLE J

“Designed to cast nostalgic shadows over your life, reminding you of all the blissful romances you never really had” — BEAT MAGAZINE EP of the week

“Now we love Jimmy Hawk, who doesn’t? Golden chords, countrified pop/folk. You feel like you’re living right in Echo Park, LA!” — THREETHOUSAND

“The dreamy Born On A Mountain, recalls The Beach Boys and other luminaries.” —CITY WEEKLY

“Jimmy Hawk is a good chance to break out in 2010 .”— Michael Cahill, THE HERALD SUN

“Ethereal folk-pop” —RAVE MAGAZINE

MELBOURNE ALBUM LAUNCH
********************************

MARCH 19th
DING DONG LOUNGE
and Special Guests
Tickets $12

The Myth of Guy Bourdin

James Ratsasane — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:35:07 +0000

When I was 15, I saw a documentary on Guy Bourdin and became obsessed with his work. At the time I couldn’t quite articulate why I was so into it, except to say that his aesthetic spoke to me. In all of Bourdin images there is an other worldly quality — filled with desire and sometimes bordering on masochism, yet all the while, there also exists a cool, detached and erie manner. Almost 15 later, these images still have a powerful impact for me. I was very excited when I stumbled across this promo the other day.

Grace Darling EP Launch Party & Wrap Up

James Ratsasane — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:09:06 +0000

Last Sat was a magical night & the old Grace Darling Hotel proved to be the perfect setting for the evenings festivities. Jon Michell played a mind bending psych-folk set; showcasing his new material and guitar sensibilities…I am truly excited about the new Ancients album due for release early next year. Big Smoke played next and are a band to look out for. They possessed hi octane energy and classic song writing sensibilities….thank you fellas for rocking my jaw off. Thank you to everyone who came and hung out, you truly made the occasion special.
To my dear band….thank you fellas for your continued creative contributions and infinite talents…I think we came good.

BEAT EP of the week!

James Ratsasane — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:17:08 +0000

BEAT EP of the week – JIMMY HAWK’s MySpace Blog |.

Born On A Mountain (independent)

” Melbourne boy Jimmy Hawk is awash in the sea and sun of southern Californian folk. This beautiful EP, a prelude to his 2010 debut album, features four dreamy, cruising tracks designed to cast nostalgic shadows over your life, reminding you of all the blissful romances you never really had. “

Issue 1190, 28 Oct 2009.

New Jimmy Hawk Single Premiere Airing on Triple J

James Ratsasane — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:47:30 +0000

New Jimmy Hawk Single Premiere Airing on Triple J – JIMMY HAWK’s MySpace Blog |.

The new Jimmy Hawk single ‘Born On A Mountain’ has arrived and is making waves premiering on Triple J’s lunch time show yesterday. Since its release the track has garnered glowing support from SYN Fm and RRR. Help spread the vibe good people!

Click here to request ‘Born On A Mountain’ on JJJ: http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/requests/make_a_request.htm

For a limited time only, download the single for free here: http://www.last.fm/music/Jimmy+Hawk

Listen to the full E.P here: http://www.myspace.com/jhawkmusic

‘Born On A Mountain EP’ will be released on Oct 31, availbale on iTunes, Amazon & emusic, with physical copies available at shows.

Upcoming Shows:

EP LAUNCH
Nov 7th, The Grace Darling Hotel
Supported by Big Smoke & Special Guests
$12, doors 8.30 pm.

SUPPORTING ADRIAN DEUTSCH
Sat Oct 31, The Evelyn Hotel
with Canvas Kites. Doors 8.30pm
Tickets $12 from Moshtix 1300 438 849

Jimmy Hawk ~ Born On A Mountain EP

Neo Rauch

James Ratsasane — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:16:30 +0000

I’ve been looking at Neo Rauch recent whom I have great admiration for. There is a playfulness and mystery to his images that are reminiscent of R.B Kitaj. I just love how everything is turned on its head in his paintings, absolutely wild.

Jimmy Hawk *E.P Launch* w/ Sir & Big Smoke.

James Ratsasane — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:49:45 +0000

I’m very excited to tell you that the official CD release party for my new E.P, ‘Born On A Mountain’ is close at hand.

This EP is a bit of a departure in that it is more experimental, atmospheric and layered. The record began with my 4 track cassette recorder. During the summer I would close all the windows, then I would work until the heat became too oppressive. After I got what I wanted, I would take the tapes to my friend Nao Anzai’s studio and drop the tracks in for overdubs and mixing.

I had help from my pals Geno Carrapetta (drums), Ed Housden (rhodes) & Paul Housden ( bass ) on couple of songs. Joseph Dwyer contributed glorious harmonies, lap steel and mandolin. I owe a debt of gratitude for their generous and creative contribution.

I’m am particularly excited to announce that I’ll be joined by the brilliant ‘Sir’ and ‘Big Smoke’ (formerly Major, Major). ~ Jimmy.

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Saturday Nov 7
The Grace Darling
114 Smith St, Collingwood
Upstairs, doors 8.pm. $12
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