simone goes

SPECIAL {PORTRAITS PART 2 OF 4}

2012-01-27T10:30:00.000-08:00

Portraits of people I think are extraordinary (part 2). I took these recently on an old film camera.

Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe of Kings of Convenience in the mountains near my Mom's in Santa Barbara,Ca. Here.

Andreas Söderström in the redwoods near San Francisco. His band Ass, here.

Andreas Söderström in Joshua Tree, Ca.

Kyle Field at Ocean Beach near his house. His music, Little Wings here. His artwork here. (This shot is digital)

Leslie Feist at her ranch in Canada. Her music here.

My brother Peter in Toronto. His latest project here.

Hannes Hetta and Tauba Auerbach in a park in NYC. Hannes's work as a stylist here. Tauba's artwork here.

Amy Cooper in her home. Her band The Naked Hearts, here.

FRIENDLY FACES {HOMAGE TO A HOME}

2011-12-16T10:30:00.000-08:00

I decided a couple years ago to try and take a portrait of anyone coming and staying with me in this house in Oakland. The portrait had to be taken on the property and on this old Minolta 35mm film camera. Since I might be relocating soon, I'm starting to feel sentimental about my time here in this special zone. Here are a few of those, including a couple of one of the babes living here, Robin. Consider it a homage to a home. My next few upcoming posts will be a series of portraits taken within the last couple of years, all over, but always on a film camera.

Robin in Vanessa's room.

Daniela in the living room. Listen to her music here: Snowblink

Dena & Maschat in front. Cool things they do here & here

Erlend in the bedroom. Music he makes here & here

Jessi in the living room. Her music here

Jessi.

Joshua in the backyard.

Kieran and Laurie in the living room. Here and here.

Nat in the living room. Rad art here.

Paris in my newly painted room. Here.

Robin in the living room when the old mural was still there.

Zia in the backyard. She lives next door.

Zoe in the bedroom.

SNAX NUMBER 4. BEGINNING IN ATLANTA AND ENDING IN BERLIN.

2011-11-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

Remember when I said on my last snax post that it was the longest entry to date? Well, I'm outdoing myself. Just think of is as a 20 min. lecture. Or a walk to meet a friend. Get comfy and check this out. You can come back to it later. Phew. This last trip was a long one. 4 months. It started with spicy popsicles and ended with a falaffel. In the middle there was a flurry of tasty predicaments. My introduction to true tapas in Madrid and San Sebastian, Spain, was nothing short of wondrous. The tapas I explored left me almost schizophrenic. They were that good. Salty caramel with Le Beurre Bordier and my discovery of jamón ibérico de bellota (iberican bellota ham) took me to another dimension. A place involving the true sense of salt. Sense in a Japanese way. Sensei. Secret intuitive sense. Most importantly, what makes me love food and the art of taste (and anything involving one or all of the senses), is how the experience brings you closer to the ones you're with. The ephemeral quality of food and friendship. The constant change. The result of an investment of time and energy whether it's a conversation or a well cooked meal. Priorities, people. Friends, family and the everyday zests.

*Disclaimer* These photos are a direct depiction of my experience. Quiet, loud, sloppy, precise, buzzed, blurry, dizzy, and excited. In that order. So here, in the order of consumed. For my other food posts. See them here, and here. I'm also a guest author on "The Trail of Crumbs". Check out my posts here and here.

The morning I left. Janella and I cooked breakfast at her lovely house (my home-away-from-home) in Silverlake, Los Angeles. Poached eggs on baguette with herby olive oil, lemon zest. This morning involved mega conversations.

Atlanta, Georgia. Or what my family that lives there call it, the ATL. Food truck heaven on Wednesdays. My nieces knew what I needed to see and taste! There is a lot of really good grub in the South...

These dudes were real nice. Can't believe they fit in there.

Total grill. Southern style.

Pulled pork sandwich. Juicy.

Super discovery. The king of pops does it so right. Chocolate and sea salt! Arnold palmer!

Chocolate and sea salt...

Typical southern goodness. Great restaurant called "Miller Union."

Black eyed peas, greens, and a special egg salad sammy on homemade bread.

They had incredibly inventive drinks here too. Go there if you are in Atlanta.


A quick night in Paris before Spain. We tried making something D had in a children's French cookbook. The result was the most magnificently simple soufflé. Seriously unreal. A little grated gruyere or ossau iraty mixed with egg whites and salt/pepp. Bake. Then put the egg yolk on the meringues and bake again. I still am in awe.

I made a fresh pea soup with roasted shitake mushrooms (mmmm, bacon-like!) and herbed olive oil. I think tarragon, chive, and summer savory. Yum.

Now in Spain. In a tiny town called Orgiva. The spice market was filled with cool north African and Moroccan goods. Paprika, chili, saffron, pepper corns. Too good.

I've never seen cherries like this before. I didn't grow up seeing very many cherry trees around so this felt super exotic. D took this.


Olives as far as you can see. See? Most olive oil that says 'Italian' is really Spanish.Grown in Spain because it's cheaper, bottle in Italy for the 'from Italy' tag. Sheesh.

Granada! Real Sangria and Gazpacho. The Alhambra in the background. D and I tripped out there for hours. This day was filled with epic light!

It was love at first sight. Bite. My first time trying the famous Bellota Iberican ham. Almost cried.

From one of the oldest in town. Madrid. Chocolateria San Gines. Fried stuff can taste really good sometimes. No denying. Dip it in chocolate pudding? Sure, ¿por qué no?

Razor clams in Madrid. Delish.

More Iberican ham. Traditionally the bread you eat with it has a little bit of fresh tomato juice on it. Cool.

Got treated to a REAL paella in Madrid at this place. Some romesco and aioli sauces to eat with it. Doesn't look so amazing but there was a lot of love in this rice dish.

I like this beer.

San Sebastian. Donostia. Spain. Home of the tapas. (The Santa Barbara of Spain but with tapas)

Hongos! Lots and lots. (Mushrooms) These fresh Porcini (Boletus) were cooked a la plancha, then topped with an egg yolk and fleur de sel. Holy moly. Anything with an egg yolk on it and I'm in.


The best cheesecake I've ever had. Way different than anything I've tried. No crust. Slighly burned on purpose. Fluffy. Not too sweet. Heavenly. I made us go back there twice in one day. Yeah, yeah, the second time was a late night visit. I remember being really stoked when the dude said they were closed but would still give us a piece. It's all in the smile.


Never had time/the gumption to try this one. Next time, my friends. Too weird. Peek-a-bagel. You have to admit, it looks pretty good.

What!??

I will never forget you, Chanterelle. I've made it a mission to learn what they are called everywhere so I can track them down. Kantarel! Pfifferlinge! Girolle! Finferli!

Note size of the Porcini compared to my foot.

Quince paste!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce to you my first Foie Gras tapas. Grilled and served with crispy leeks on saffron risotto. Amazeballs.

These tapas were extra good. On the bottom is the raw version. On the top, after they grilled it. Padron peppers, prosciutto, and mushrooms. Plenty of sea salt. Wowzers. This was really late at night.


Researched and found this place in Hondarribia. A 30 min bus ride out of San Sebastian and another 30 minute hike up a hill. An old cider house turned restaurant. One of the best eating experiences of my life. I fell in love with Basque country. My heart aches a little just thinking about this day. God I love missing places, people and things. Feelings!

Cider that they made at the restaurant. I went in the back and tried several by turning on the spout and the woman working there stood 15 feet back and knew exactly how far the cider would pour. They do this a lot in Spain. Especially with Txakoli. A super light, dry, slightly sparkling, white wine. Pouring at a distance adds more effervescence. I love when things make sense.


Ensalada de bogavante. Lobster salad with black truffle. The best lobster I've ever had. Period. So fresh, light, citrusy, and the perfect points of light. The herbs, a little sherry vinegar, the spice from the arugula. I'm jealous.


Merluza. Hake in English. With these delicate clams. D was telling me how they make the reduction sauce. Something about it being unusual. Slowly shaking the pan, releasing the juices, oils from the fish. Mixed with butter. I'm not sure they deglazed. A beautiful sauce. Unreal.

Mero. Grouper in English. Perfectly cooked. Extremely fresh. Crispy garlic. This meal was so fantastic because we also ended up there on a Sunday, where the entire restaurant was filled up with local families and big long tables. We were the only tourists there and when those moments happen, you get a glimpse of what it would be like to live there.

Back in Paris. Adrian's Bday. We had an epic day. Started out with a Mexican breakfast feast, tripped out at an aquarium, had tea at Mariage Fréres, and ended with dinner at Chez Michel.

TOTAL MINDMELTER. Morel mushrooms (second favorite to Chanterelle) in a creamy broth. Inside was a soft boiled egg. Dude.

Delicious tarragon ice cream with melon.

Our friend's Medieval house in Noyers Sur Serein. South of Paris. Do you see D in the window? A new favorite place. I met so many special people there. Cooked, explored, finally understood wine, (thanks to the help of Pierre!) and danced to house music in a barn at a lamb farm. Some really funny details I'm leaving out. Ask. Yippee!

My first wine collection! I bought these in Chablis. They have a home now in the cave of Rod's place. Can't wait to go back and drink them!

Pierre is one of the owners of this restaurant in Noyers. Le Restaurant Les Millésimes. Along with his brother and father, they have the restaurant as well as a Boucherie-Charcuterie shop. This family rules. Check them out here.

What Pierre poured us at dinner. I learned a lot this night. I also forgot a lot on this night.

D and I cooked for all of the neighbors and got to know everyone! These Turkish chili's were awesome. On the grill, wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cheese. In Mexico we have these sometimes, except they are Japapeños.

We marinated these pork ribs (but more like pork belly) in a Vietnamese style.

I made aioli. Tarragon one and a smoked paprika one. Good on the white asparagus and veggie kebabs.

They don't refridgerate their eggs. No need for good eggs. Why are we mixed up?

The "friendship bars" on the right were made by food dude David Lebovitz. I like his recipes/blog a lot, so I was stoked to see him at this hang by the canal put on by Meg Zimbeck of Paris by Mouth. Next time you're in Paris, check out her site. Super helpful in a city full of such amazing food.

Lame picture of a cool thing. I love "Café des Musées". This place is the best for authentic, not pretentious, French food. Not expensive and a great vibe. Was pretty happy to see there was a "RUBI" tag on the side of the building.

Pickled Herring at Aux Deux Amis. Not your typical pickled Herring. The chef here was Swedish and pickled everything himself. Really velvety. After spending so much time in Scandinavia over the last 6 years, I've grown to love this.

More Herring. With yoghurt and cucumbers.

Honey Ricotta and fruit.

Another favorite spot. Breizh Café. Organic crêpes made in the tradition of the Brittany region. Best with some cider....and good friends that aren't in a hurry. Homemade salty caramel!

I was on a hunt for really good mille-feuille. I found these. Made to order at Jacques Genin on rue de Turenne. Paris is phenomenal for pastry, you just gotta dive in.

Ingrid is really fun to eat things with. Check out why.

Pink praline brioche

We went back to Noyers! This time with Les. A short/long weekend.

I just found this in Oakland. Maybe you can find it in your city. It's worth the hunt and it might need a new home.

Exceptional.

Homemade Nougat is also a brand new thing for me. Can't believe I slept on this. Sorta obsessed.

The train back to Paris....with the goods.

My girls.

New pals Adam/Carina. Together with Josh, they own Candelaria. The perfect place to get tacos and drinks. An incredible spot that served me over and over again. I played songs here for Fête de la Musique and over time, this place and these folks, made me fall even more in love with Paris. Guys, I'm comin back soon! I promise. (Photo on rt and below by D)

Aaron and Josh. These dudes make Paris fun. Check out Aaron's blog. We had a great picnic after recording some jams for Josh's Bday.

London. At the Dove. I told my friend that I wanted to straight stuff and here it is. Mushy peas and all. Not sure how I feel about those peas. Give peas a chance.

Patrick is a beacon of light in London. Thanks and thanks Åbäke

for always keeping it really real.

Leslie H and I finished with this at St.John Bread and Wine. Definitely worth going in London.

Mikal saved my life. Then he took me to Moro. A restaurant I had wanted to try for years and cook from their cookbook consistently. Thanks to the M's. Here, the fatoush salad. Trick? Good sherry vinegar and pomegranate. Gooood.

Pea and jamón soup with fino sherry.

Wood roasted chicken with tomato and eggplant bulgur and grilled Turkish pepper.

Neal's Yard Dairy. I love cheese. I picked some up here and brought it to my dear friend Chelsea's house. I knew he had made some yellow plum jam, so I wanted to sharpness to add.

Chelsea, and his daughter Romily. One of my oldest friends! Met him in Grindelwald when I was 16 and we continue to see each other every year. A truly inspired individual and cook.

His yellow plum jam with a hint of some plum schnapps that Adrian brought him from Germany.

Back in Paris. This guy blew me away. Such a character. At Le Marché des Enfants Rouges. Always singing and flirting, this guy makes it happen around there.

This is a classic move of mine. So the place I probably went the most, L'Avant Comptoir, is the least pictured. I like it like that. Unreal food in the Basque style. Tapas. Ham. Artichoke waffles and the best crêpes in town.

Grindelwald, Switzerland. My second home.

The cows and goats that provide the milk to make this cheese are smiling.

Magic yoghurt.

Don't be mad at me because of the bad iphone pics. Raclette, people. Hot cheese with potatoes and pickles. Fave. Also, don't be mad at me because you weren't there to eat it.

This was her favorite cheese when she was little. She taught me how to cut it. Thanks Hélène, I never really knew how to approach a cheese in that shape.

Real smoked buffalo Mozzarella.

A really good day with my sis at the Bois de Vincennes.

Berlin! First morning. Thordis knows how to make me happy. Always a great host. Two days later, her husband Stephan made the best sauerkraut I've ever tasted. Wish I had a pic of that.

Who knew? I never would have. Rose petal yoghurt. If you ever see Andechser yoghurt anywhere, buy it.

Hands down, one of the best "hole-in-the-wall" spots. Berlin is good at this.

Köfte! This sandwich was absolutely the best tasting thing I had in days. It was the timing, the lack of expectation, and the company. The lemon juice on the jicama made me eyes hurt. In a good way. The mint, sumac, and arugula mixed with the red chili and lamb. Oh! and the bread! Sooooo _____

A Thai style Omelette? Yes, please! Ginger, green curry, coconut milk, green onion, cilantro, red chili, bean sprouts. IN EGGS. Who knew?

Maschat knows. One of the coolest drummers alive and he's got a real casual cooking style. It rules.

How could I not have Schnitzel in Germany? With these special pickles. Nice. Also got a fix of Bratkartoffeln (Sauteed potatoes.) This tasted good also because of where I was. In the Oberspreewald, somewhere near Brandenburg. A stunning area outside Berlin.

Goulasch.

Ultra-rad dude explaining the details. Jenne IS Berlin. His art/skate/culture/music/life world here.

After. Afternoon shadows.

The last sweet thing. Pear/apple crumble. Thanks, Jenne! The last meal I had on the trip was at King of Falaffel. Unpictured and unforgettable. I took pics there and you can see them on my last snax post here.

...and on my first day back in California I was greeted by these two things.

Janella, right where I left her. Smile! P.S. Friends that pick you up from the LA airport are gold. Especially after a super long trip.

Tacos from El Bajio in Santa Barbara. Pollo, Adobada, and Carne Asada. Happy.

THE MOON (A BIG DEAL) (ALSO A WRITING UTENSIL)

2011-10-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

Well it is for me anyway. Call me new agey, and according to the urban dictionary, being new agey means, "...you have a crystal collection, believe in alternative medicine, eat organic, wear socks and sandals, and/or believes in auras and energy fields." Love the "and/or" on that last part. Well as some of those things might be true, however, I still think it's the coolest thing when someone knows how to be silent in nature, breathing in that moonlight, hugging that, uh...tree. But check this out. I've been setting goals on the full moon. I gotta feel true about something, seek it out, do it, make it, talk the walk, walk the talk, by each full moon. It seems like a sensible amount of time to get it done. Get her done. Sooooo, last Tuesday night, I cruised up to the top of a small mountain near my house. Tilden park. It was nice and dark. Late. 11ish. I had done the thing I was set out to do. I was celebrating. Alone. Nice. Pointed the camera up at the moon even though it's almost always impossible to take a picture of the moon and have it not just look like a far away little circle in the big black shape of sky, and starting writing with the moon as the brush and this is what she said. Oh, and no photoshop here, pals. So dig that. Dig this. Set some goals. Make a list already. Get it done.

FAVORITE WATER SPOTS

2011-10-05T18:45:00.000-07:00

I was in San Sebastian, Spain when I received an email from one of the editors of Design Sponge asking to give her a list of my 5 favorite water spots in the United States. All I could think of at the moment was the shimmering water right outside my window, after an incredible night of tapas (mega annual snax post coming next), and Txakoli (incredible fizzy dry white wine from the Basque region of Spain). She hired Nat Russell to do the illustration and was asking a few arists, designers, and musicians for their favorite spots for a newspaper Design Sponge was making. See some favorite hang spots by the coast by Nat, Geoff McFetridge, Danielle Rubi, me, and more. Here is the result. Oh, you can download the digital version of the paper here.

IN TRUE ROZZI FASHION

2011-09-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

Designed this newspaper for my friend and talented photographer, Mary Rozzi. A nice size of 10.5 X 15, these newspapers have been popping up in the best times and the best places all over Paris. Soon LA, NYC, SF, London! She has been capturing such timeless beauty in a backstage way. Sneaky. Forgive the wrinkles in the photos. The newspaper survived 4 months in my suitcase. In true newspaper style, this is meant to not be too precious. Key. I gave her portolio/book a refresh as well. Created a logo and had it debossed into a gorgeous grey linen. Landscape not portrait. Happy to help. I also designed her website. Check it out here.

SAY A LOT ABOUT SOMETHING SMALL

2011-09-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

Instead of saying a little about something huge. Recently, Tokyo-based magazine "Nero" asked me to contribute a "playful story in the Simone Rubi style." My words (written in english) must have been translated into Japanese then translated back into engligh. That could be a fun project. Translation nation. Here's what happened.

CELEBRATE

2011-09-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Posting this photograph that my sister Danielle took last month in Switzerland when we were celebrating everything. I want this poster sized. The light on the alps!

FUTURE

2011-09-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

Found this rock on a hike in the Swiss alp village of Grindelwald where my father's from. More design in nature. Is this where all the Swiss design stems from? Perfect balance mixed with slight abandonment. The alps seem to protect but also challenge. They are silent in their stillness but whisper to you at all times. This rock is what I imagine my future to look like. Here's hopin.

WHAT WOULD YOU MAKE WITH THIS?

2011-09-13T23:48:00.000-07:00

THEY SPOKE AND I LISTENED

2011-09-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

I came 'home' last night. Strange how the idea of what home is can shift so drastically on where you feel good and what kind of conversations you're having. My home and my things became more and more invisible the longer I was gone. The 'now' became more and more visible the longer I stayed. Today on my bedroom walls, the art spoke. More than they normally do, they spoke and I listened. Like they were waiting for me all along. Is this how it's supposed to go? Is it possible that we choose to surround ourselves with imagery and messages that guide us for the rest of our lives? Cool.

More Awaits Me There But Right Now I'm Just Going To With Here, Chris Johanson

Wonder Summer, Kyle Field

Mysteries Labrynth, Nathaniel Russell

I'd Rather Be Working (really? for now, yes!), Heather Goodchild

I Think You Are Wonderful, Supermundane

BACKWARDS IS FORWARDS.

2011-09-09T00:38:00.000-07:00

When I look sometimes, I'd rather not know than know. Reverse. Go forward. Guess. Wonder. Stay curious.

THEY WILL FOLLOW YOU. THEY ARE YOUR FRIENDS.

2011-08-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

It started with the book/film, "The Red Balloon." Now they follow me everywhere. They will watch you sleep and follow you home. Shapes!

Last year it was this guy in San Francisco by my car:

The year before I found this dude near a restroom in NYC:

Then this watercolored pal found me in Paris last month:

and before this, there was this:

THINGS YOU FIND WHEN YOU'RE NOT LOOKING

2011-08-21T04:35:00.000-07:00

Hello again. It's been so long. I've been unfaithful to the other ways of the web but alas, I find that this here blog might be the truest way to tell the stories. Recentness. I've been a stranger to the day on and off for a few months now in places that aren't my typical home. Now the atypical feels typical. Metamorphosis. SO HERE WE ARE.

Started here. SB to LA on the train

Turrell ate his heart out in Granada

Light at the Alhambra


Frog on frog

Everywhere in Granada


Olives forever. On the way to Madrid


Twins

I saw another photo like this but it was a bagel

Fireworks are in everything

Tempted to go there later and set them free


Had to use a lot of self on the way to London

Shapes sure know how to change

The reflection is actually IN the painting

It's still there

New spirit animal! Falcon. Thanks, Paris

This is her protector

Let's move in

Give peas a chance


Big wish

The letters were taller twice my size

I'm really not sure

That was a good year

Might be an album cover. Old family photos in Schweiz

Double the fun

Found old Swiss paper from the late 1940's

Rad ads. RADADS. Rad dad.

Jungfrau illustration.

Take me there


Bed pool

The guy that made this said it was the center of the universe.

Go out and get it

The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Group + Rubies in Paris

2011-06-08T03:25:00.000-07:00

If you have buddies in Paris, this is going to be a epic night. Playing at an art opening at OFR in Paris on Tuesday June 14th. 6-9 pm. With work by California artists Kyle Field (Little Wings), Nat Russell, Jay Nelson, Danielle Rubi, Rachel Kaye, Alex Kopps, Jeff Canham, and more. Epic. After party at Candelaria. Flyer by Nathaniel Russell. Yes!

2 TIMES 2 EQUALS 4

2011-04-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

Amy loves cats

Nat at Boyd

More from the mini Diana. I like these people. Amy Cooper (check out her band.) Nat Russell (check out his new website.)

LIGHT : NEW COLOR

2011-04-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

For all those citizens of Browntown. My LIGHT now comes in a beautiful medium chocolate brown.
Available directly through me or in Oakland at Atomic Garden. Also in red, mustard, black, white, and grey. Select styles also available at General Store in San Francisco and now at The Wrong Store in Marfa, Tx....

MIST GHOSTS

2011-04-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

There sure has been a lot of strange weather patterns of late. Instead of planning my days accordingly, I let the drastic drama throw me off guard. In the middle of a storm, I stopped my car on the Richmond Bridge that goes from Oakland to Marin. I couldn't believe how everything looked black and white. Like a black and white film, I took pictures on my little plastic film camera, stopping time as cars were racing by on the bridge. I stopped to capture the monochromaticness, and took a few deep breaths knowing that this is the same spot that many jump to take their life. Year after year. I was feeling all of the ghosts. After the bridge, I drove straight up to the Oakland hills and watched the clouds pass through the trees. Chasing the ghosts. The night before I was caught on muddy roads in Bolinas, watching jammers jam at a wooden house party, and woke up to a aqua-eyed kat named Stevie.

NEW KINDS

2011-03-25T23:33:00.000-07:00

Found these guys in Venice, Los Angeles. They come from Japan originally...I like to think they had to swim through all of those tough Japanese waters but are safe now.... Like I hope all my friends in Japan are. Safe.

ALL OF A SUDDEN MY EYES ARE MORE OPEN

2011-02-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

Tree's have bangs at Mom's

Cooper on the city line

Hatchback and I during a Sunday jam. Fresh crab salad and Aquavit too.

You can eat on a bus in Marfa called the food shark.

Flavin angles.

New favorite

How does it seem like Big Sur is still a secret when you're there?

Sea snake

Nat Russell strikes again

During the art opening of Kyle Field and Thomas Campbell. Range of light wilderness in the black grass.

THERE ARE SECRETS IN MARFA

2011-01-29T12:43:00.000-08:00

Chinati. Donald Judd. Flavin. As far as you can see.

There is a lot of this sentiment around here.

Oh, this is where Kyle Field gets his inspiration. West Texas style. A shaman wrote this. He was sitting in a jeep outside.

Flavin. (earlier we were cracking up saying 'flavin' flav')

Most people share a similar secret here in Marfa, Texas. They left city life and found a place with epic landscapes and a horizon that encourages good ideas. I'm presenting the Feist documentary tonite, on behalf of the people that I love, at the incredible Crowley theater tonite in Marfa. It might be the best place this film will ever see. I'm also continuing a tradition of my own, which involves playing last-minute shows using local musicians (and my brother-in-law on bass!). Tomorrow at the Marfa Book Company/Gallery at 9pm. I'm a bit rusty, like this horseshoe next to me on the table. Horseshoe's bring luck.

The Crowley Theater in Marfa, Texas

elemental stability : atomic number 83

2011-01-11T15:08:00.000-08:00

In an effort to practice what I've preached for a more stable 2011, here is a visual of what I'm striving for. Whether financial or emotional, stablity is elemental. Let me re-introduce to you our friend Bismuth. Bismuth has classically been considered to be the heaviest naturally-occurring stable element. I will welcome any conversation that in it's visual representation, would look like this:

no name, toronto = warhol

2011-01-06T17:55:00.000-08:00

Just home from Ontario. "NO FRILLS," is the name of the grocery store. Their products have a slightly socialist approach to branding called, "no name." It feels like a Warhol exhibit every time I go in there. I'm fascinated by it but makes me slightly uncomfortable. In the same way I'm uncomfortable when I see identical twin children dressed the exact same way. Sometimes we need the frills. I like frills. Say 'frills' a bunch in a row. It's one of those funny words that doesn't make sense anymore now that I've said it a few times.

3 Stores

2010-12-22T11:19:00.001-08:00

Stoked. Selling my 'Light' at 3 stores. The Supply Room in Santa Barbara, Atomic Garden in Oakland, and General Store in San Francisco. Yes!

LIGHT : new work! lamps for sale!

2010-12-08T19:22:00.000-08:00

Dear New Friend,

I made some lamps! I want you to have them.
Bad light can crush the potential of a good conversation.
It can make friends leave early, possible make you look bad or harsh a romantic vibe.
Let this light help set the scene for the story of your awesome life.
Sincerely,
Simone Rubi

P.S. I can email you a catalog if you'd like. rubi . simone @ gmail . com
P.P.S. Comes with Edison bulb 30 W or 60 W. Fabric twisted cord in grey, red, mustard, black, or white. Ready to plug in with 10 ft cord or also available to hardwire directly to your ceiling.

Simple kraft recycled paper box. Rubber stamp design.

"BOYD" Nickel socket. Grey, mustard, red, black, or white fabric cord.

"MARLOW" Brass socket. Embossed paddle. Grey, mustard, red, black, or white fabric cord.

"MARTEL" Porcelain socket. Grey, mustard, red, black, or white fabric cord.

This is what the LIGHT is doing now.

2010-11-17T16:57:00.000-08:00

Sneek peek of what I'm making for my very own Pop-Up Shop. I've always been very aware of lighting. Don't you think that bad lighting can contaminate any good hang? Or meddle with a potentially great conversation or crush connection? I'm here to help. Lamps! With cool vintage euro cords and hardware. Some will involve rocks as a base from the beach in Santa Barbara and walnut (which I'm trying to figure out how to cut into a nice curve using a bandsaw.) I'm super excited to create my own little shoppe (say 'shop-pe' for a inside laugh) down in Santa Barbara for an event called, "Deck the Halls."

The event takes place at the Presidio Motel, home of the rad new store The Supply Room. The idea is that each person or vender has their own room at the hotel for one night. The room gets a make-over by that person and becomes a shop for a night. 5pm-Midnight. I think my friend Vanessa is joining and making some lovely things and bringin Santa Barbara their first taste of Blue Bottle coffee. I'm making a wicked (there I said it! too many canadians!) playlist, and might play some songs on the guitar. Also I believe a special cocktail might have to be invented in the shop that night. So far I have contributions from Jen Pearson (cool design objects from old apothecary bottles), Lulu Organics (vetiver and black pepper hair powder and organic cardamom lip balm!), Lauren Caproni of Gold Label (handmade bags from vintage fabric), and a few more in the works. Oh I might be bringing down some mexican blanket bags as well.... If you are in the area, come by for the fun.

Look at What the Light Did Now

2010-11-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

So excited for this night! Been working on design related stuff and the credit design on this film for the last year and a half. Look for it in your town...or wait for it to come out on DVD in December with some cool designs and a bonus cd. The film is about the singer Feist and her collaborators. The trailer is fantastic.

These felt really good to make

2010-10-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

Outtakes. One of the few times where the designs that I created were directly connected to the process inside my body. Like I could actually feel the visual as I was creating it. I'm going to keep going.

Total Trip: 3 Chapters

2010-10-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

I went to Lake Tahoe with my mom recently and it felt like summer vacation. But it is Autumn and I'm not in school. I think I miss school. Sort of. More that I miss working in groups. Saw California in new autumn light. Started with spotting Thomas Keller at the French Laundry garden, then moved to old fam friends in cabins, then ended with a hike that involved spawning salmon and baby bears. Yes! Upon returning back to Oakland, I went to the beach with Vanessa and her dog. The beach is different now. The sand isn't as warm but the vast expressions of the big blue gets deeper with each breath. I wish I was floating in water more.

Sounds and feelings. Part 2

2010-10-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

The sound came out as one big blurry orb of light.
No big deal.

Together. BSS and The Sea and Cake. LA. 10/19/2010.

I saw bros Broken Social Scene play last week. I took two pictures. The first one was what it sounded like. The second is how it looked. A big ball of radiant light? It's pretty much how I feel every time I hang with these dudes. Making the most. Toasting to life. I couldn't believe I was watching The Sea and Cake (who is opening on this tour) at this point in my life. The tones were womb-like and precise. I was INTO it. I am so glad BSS's music is finding it's way to me more now than 5 years ago, when most others were privy. How could 2 performances in 1 month both have church like qualities for me? This time, more in the form of light and celebration. I don't go to church, but if I did, could they please make sure to book bands that sound like this? Thanks.

Sounds and feelings. Part 1

2010-10-27T11:04:00.000-07:00

I do believe this guy is one of the best performers I've ever seen. Jamie Lidell, ladies and gentlemen.

I went twice. That almost never happens. He took us to church. Rubies had the pleasure of opening for him for a couple shows in Germany. I still remember the feeling. Zeus, that opened this time, are this incredible band from Toronto. Felt like I was 17 and seeing The Kinks in the 60s. Listen to 'I know' in the dark.

Ferry circle

2010-09-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I've never ridden the ferries in San Francisco. New favorite thing. Vanessa took visiting friends and I on what would appear to be, a date. The day(t) started with 1. Coffees and fruit crumble from her pal at the Blue Bottle roastery then walked to get 2. Bahn Mi from Cam Huong in downtown Oakland 3. Hopped on subway to SF 4. Walked to North Beach to Washington Square park and drank bubbly Spanish wine 5. Another bev hang at 15 Romolo 6. Ferry to Oakland at sunset (high light!) 7. Then the second highlight, "Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon." Incredible tiny saloon for sailors. 8. Burrito's. Best date ever.

leaving

arriving

3D and the past

2010-09-09T14:10:00.000-07:00

It's weird how 3D was a new phenomenon in movie viewing back in the 1950's. It was to bring the experience to the next level. The 'take me out of reality' sentiment behind movie watching got even more extreme. Now it's back. Is it a response to something? Do we need to escape our now/reality so much more now because of all the media/social networking distractions? Our brains our rolodexes. The 3D graphics that I'm most fond of is in tangible form. 3D lettering and objects! Pop up books! I've been trying to solve riddles with my graphic design for a few years now. Trying to stay analog as much as possible. Some of those efforts were noted in a book that was just released called, 3D Typography. Here are some snapshots of the book and some of it's pages. I can't stop staring at some of the work in this book. I love it. You can buy it at most modern art museum shops and here. Also something I recently made inspired by a piece my buddy Joseph Heidebrecht made out in Joshua Tree years ago, using light to create the message.
Ps. 3D glasses on the top. New 3D glasses on the bottom. What is up with the new 3D glasses looking just like glasses people wore in the 50's? The 50's are sooooo back. I saw a guy in Paris last week wearing a leather jacket, white tshirt, rolled up levi's, greased back hair, and penny loafers. He wasn't really owning it. It was a total costume. He was so removed from the origin of what that fashion was....but I guess at this point, it's all up for grabs. I find it terribly interesting to take note of what happens culturally/politically during a certain era and the response it generates with music, fashion and art. Remember when there was a total 1960's obsession in the 80's? Remember the response of the 80's in the 2000's? Now look at the 90's coming through in todays fashion/music (look at my sisters blog post about this). So what happens next when the last few decades have already been covered? Are we going to start tapping into fashion from the 1700's? Let's get all cave people fashion. Talk about old school. Chants and wraps. I guess since we don't have enough documentation of the true days of yesteryear, we can't exactly replicate it. Let's invent something new for once. Please?

That moment really sparked some things.

2010-08-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

Hilary lives across the street. Look at the opposing body language between her face and body. I feel like that sometimes.

Sneak Show

2010-07-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

Back to work on artwork for the documentary on music, light, projects, and Feist. There's talk of holographic printing. I found a dude in China that can do it.
Sneak peeks.

Things I want to make, Part 1,294

2010-07-29T02:08:00.000-07:00

I have the will to want to make these shelves. I also think an ordinary object like a shelf can quickly become so extraordinary. How about an 'infinity' shelf, anyone? How about an 'infinity' everything? P.s. I can't stop saying 'let's do this' in Swedish. P.P.s. I think I'm falling for a new color palette. P.P.P.s. Is there such a thing on color cheating? I'm cheating on my old faves. P.P.P.P.s. People are growing up, finally.

Pure Room

2010-07-26T16:25:00.000-07:00

I saw this poem in a book on the artist Fariba Bogzaran during a recent hang in Inverness, Ca. It is referring to the 'Pure Land' school of Japanese medieval Buddhism. I read it on a day where it made so much sense because of the environment, time and space surrounding me at that moment. Redwood trees on a ridge. Hot water in a tub. Strange Koala-like creatures on the road and the quiet of Tomales bay. All potent because of my current state of 'new space making' in my new room. ROOM.
/
'Pure Land'

In Pure Land
There are no dreams
concepts, or thoughts.

Is just IS.

Gate into space of Emptiness
where creation unfolds.
/
So I think I just made a room. A brand new room! Living with 2 sisters in an old blue house has been the best thing I could ask for. After 4 years of vaga(bonding), I've stayed put. There's a garden with roots, a bed with pillows, a piano with keys, a guitar with strings, and smiles with teeth. Made a bed, shelves, desk, and revamped an old dresser. I finally feel like I can really MAKE things again.
Stuff is so good right now. Office hours! Here is my office zone. Thanks to Heather Goodchild for the motivational screenprint she sent from Toronto. Went straight on the wall. "I'd rather be working." Thanks to Nat Russell, Kyle Field, Africa, Turkey, Denmark, Desert plants, Marshall wood, and Chris Johanson for the ephemera. The lost cat flyer is up on a pole in downtown Oakland. Upon looking at the flyer, I first thought the flyer was about me. Not really noticing the 'cat' part. The cat in the photo on the bed is the neighbor's cat who is feeling super comfy in the house lately. I wonder if it's because we are feeding her Julius's left over cat food. Well cool. Here are some shots of the how-to's and the did-do's. Come visit..there's a guest room upstairs.

you can cry here

2010-06-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

The only way to look is to see. The only way to see is to feel. The only way to feel is to know. The only way to know is to cry, sometimes. This is what I woke up to from a nap the other day. I had 1 minute to take this picture before the light/tear disappeared. Don't let your tears disappear.

opposites attract & a light leak

2010-05-29T15:54:00.000-07:00

Been finding myself in opposing environments quite often lately. Here are some recent filmy shots to prove it. Ocean, meet the desert. Desert, meet the ocean. Redwoods, meet Andreas Söderström. The light found it's way through my old clunky 35 mm which I don't always dig, but the leak on these shots seem to celebrate the silence. In the first 3 shots, look for the pink line. Light!

This is near Vanessa's families house in Joshua Tree that Neil built. These are tangerine's picked earlier in the day from her other family house in Ojai. Ojai tangerines are diamonds.

Out in the Sunset. San Francisco beaches.

These shots were taken during a week where Swedish buddy Andreas Söderström came to visit us in California. We were helping Terri make a video for a song off his new album 'Salt Marsh' while hanging out in Joshua Tree, Ojai, and San Francisco. A hint for the video vibe? Dominoes.

Johansing for Short

2010-05-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

In celebration of today and it's goings on.... Today is the album release party/show for my buddy Kacey Johansing. I met her on a plane from Berlin to Paris last fall. That meeting resulted in some next level dancing, singing, slo-jam talks, and late night walks. Also, I did the artwork and some photography for her new album. Below is the stuff. Also, I wanted to share with you more artwork I did for friends "Franklin for Short"- who are about to tour with Norwegian buddies- Kings of Convenience. Starting June 1 on the east coast of the USA. I introduced the Kings to 'Franklin' when I asked Franklin for Short to play a party the night before my sis got married in Ojai almost 2 years ago... So glad to have worlds collide. Venn diagram!
I asked Kacey to give some personal totem items that she felt really connected to. I got a box of feathers, some redwood tree clippings, and a lock of her hair. This is the result.

I spent an afternoon with Seth and Trevor from Franklin for Short recently... They picked me up while I was down in Santa Barbara at my folks place. I took them up the mountain and we talked about how I should approach the artwork of their new record 'dark cloud.' These were the words-of-consciousness. Colors of sounds, purple, bacharach, light, butch cassidy, my dress, california, the beach, lightning, bob seger, a bull, rock formations, the desert, color contrast, sunrise and sunset, winds from the east, sunset, the magic hour, and M*A*S*H. The front cover photo was taken from inside a wave. In the ocean.

Wood is Wonderful.

2010-05-04T13:53:00.001-07:00

I've always thought wood was good. I think my career as a graphic designer has been an excuse to navigate a way to express myself through shapes and forms. Lines and empty space. Nature and contradiction. Telling vs showing. The 'not' there vs the 'there'. My own little world where I can enjoy putting things in their place and learn from the process. I've never felt quite satisfied though. I want to explore a bigger space. I'm ready. The thing that first hooked my desire of design was wood and fashion. Specifially chairs and men's suits/women's shoes from the 1950's-early 60's. I got my first book on chair design when I was 18. I used to collect chairs from dumpsters, streets, thrift stores. I saw so much character in each form. There they were, to hold us while we did absolute everything. This obsession was the spark of something bigger. The big thing. Noticing everything and seeing how it took up space. I was very sure that people should not live in right angled houses. I became very interested in curves and circles. In nature, in food, in old magazine, on album and book covers. I still am convinced that even though the right angle is a very strong structural motive, when I sit in a room that has rounded corners and arches...mixed with the right angles, this is the ideal space for ideas and internal thoughts to not get stuck. The conversations in that room have an open ended life. Unsure of what I really wanted to study in college besides art and music, I thought I would end up an architect or a furniture designer....then after sharing a dorm with architecture students, I saw the science behind it and somehow thought that the science and rigid math was in no way going to work for me. I've almost always thought that science destroyed something very spontaneous and able about the instinctual first head-to-hand gesture. The making of things. I'm impulsive. I get a lot done and some of it doesn't work. I usually do a small amount of research and then try it. Try it again and then see if I enjoyed the process or result enough to keep going with it. I regret not making more wooden objects. This is going to change. I've recently become aware of the J.B. Blunk House (and residency program) after hanging with the daughter of J.B. Blunk, Mariah Nielson and her dear friend (and my current roommate) Vanessa Gates. At a dinner at the Blunk house in Inverness, I met a lot of resident artists that have been inspired to make wooden scupltures. Since then, I've had the pleasure to visit one of the coolest wood mills in California. Surrounded by tissue-thin ribbons of wood everywhere, this was a place to get things done. Maybe my time with wood has finally arrived. Naturally. The best way.
Above, the first chair that ignited the excitement for chair design and molded plywood. Design by Norman Cherner. The arms!

Above, a chair by J.B. Blunk- "invisible presence"

Lounge chair by Londoners 'Sixixis'
The 'Topos' chair by Mark Naden
Wooden block house by Sou Fujimoto.

Summer rolling house!
My drive through the redwoods to Marshall, Ca.

Japanese hand planes. I couldn't believe how thin the shavings were from these things. Redwood tissue paper.
On the way home...Tomales Bay.

How it feels to look into a friends eyes: more 35mm film

2010-04-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Erlend Oye at Boyd Ave.

A Story in Three Parts. Part 3.

2010-03-30T15:44:00.001-07:00

A Story in Three Parts. Part 2.

2010-03-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

A Story in Three Parts. Part 1.

2010-03-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

Once you find the light, what do you do with it?

2010-01-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

I found some light during a rainy week so I thought it was a perfect time to take more film pictures. Still trying to find the right place to develop in Oakland. Here are some Larkspur redwoods and collected ephemera courtesy of Kacey J. I'm thinking of using maybe the feather shot for the inside of her album design.

Make Something Every Day in 2010

2010-01-10T15:04:00.000-08:00

What a great idea. Have fun making something cool every day. Turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. I recently have been gold-leafing everything. Mainly leaves. Here are some examples. (Thanks Molly for directing me to these images by Brock Davis, who made something cool every day in 2009)

Papa smurf gets angry, turns into the hulk.
bert and ernie make out while the cookie monster watches.

Shattered banana.
Yarn threaded through sprinkler.
Googly eyes on cotton
Googly eyes on gum
Anti fingerboarding signs
No rules. Thread on tape.
Keep it real.

Surprise Words

2010-01-07T11:41:00.001-08:00

Best Christmas present ever. Then I hid them in the shower for people to find down the line...

Alexander Girard pillows are entering the lounge! We've been watching movies in here and talking about the real stuff.

California Thymes.

2010-01-05T18:22:00.000-08:00

More film! Thanks to my tuttle-buddies, I've been spending some time down in Laurel Canyon...The ideal spot in the middle of Los Angeles. Some recent film shots of that canyon hang-house and the Oakland house on Boyd and the people that connect the dots.

sophie is my buddy. she recently got hit by a car and now has a big casty-bandage on her back leg, but she is doing a lot better now. we've bonded.

The keys to the leave (s) and everybody just seize their beliefs

2010-01-01T23:04:00.000-08:00

trees *
leaves *
freeze *
leave (s) *
seize *
sees *
seas *
make believes *
keys *

This is what two people's somethings/everything lists look like. Burned for 2010.

Sounds & Chords = ESL

2009-12-13T02:16:00.000-08:00

For a few years now, I've had this magical draw to Sweden & Norway. Not for reasons that maybe most people have. Mine main reason was from meeting some Norwegians in Georgia. They kept visiting California after that...and I couldn't fathom going that far north for the longest time. Then one day I decided to just go there. Play a show in a few towns with local musicians... and learn about the people making this beautiful music that I couldn't get out of my head. The main thing has been noticing the similarities and types of people that I've met. There really is something to be said about finding the 'you' in different cities. Having energy-based connections to people that have not been raised speaking your native tongue. But rather have been raised conditioned on learning English as a tool in hopes that it will be useful to you to benefit from. In Sweden, English is their official second language. ESL. Obviously it has been helpful to me- but I've also met many a Swede that doesn't speak English very well (as well as other foreigners).... It's those people that I've connected to the most, which is strange- but looking at it in this way- makes sense. The people have mostly all been musicians. Being a musician as well, I think we all belong in this 'club'- where we've chosen to slightly live in this other plane. The place where sounds are words. Where emotions are chords. The chords and sounds have been the conversation. I am a magnet to the ESL folks. I have figured out the way to speak that doesn't involve all of the slang. It's difficult, Californians are sooooo into slang I've realized. I'm back in California. After 4 years of moving around every 2 months and collectively spending 8 months in Scandinavia, I am yearning for all of my friends over there to come and experience California. Slowly, people are making their way over here. So happy that by being a musician, this also allows you to travel so much. Thankfully, my friends are able to tour and this brings all of us together in strange cities and odd times. I had a discussion yesterday with a friend from Bergen, and he was saying that he felt that there was something missing in his life. I have also had this feeling for months now. We both agreed it was the feeling of missing a community- a 'village.' Like college, where you are surrounded with people chasing the same tiger. The self-education tiger. Together, we will be the ones. We also discussed this idea that it seems the more we travel, the more we see how much we're missing out on. It brings loneliness. On the opposite side of loneliness, the traveling, the touring, the exploring, brings together so many like-minded people that it's difficult to come down from that. People, perhaps, are not meant to see this much. So let's continue to build a village. Remember to stay in touch. Thankfully, I just got an email this second from Jenny Wilson in Sweden saying that she will come to California for the first time in March. Look for a Rubies/Jenny Wilson show that will bring people together by sounds and song. I hope we sound like a village. I'm on the 'staying still' plan. Come to California.
I'm posting this picture again. A picture I took in Bergen in 2007 after recording some songs and riding a bike along the water.

Jenny Wilson. Coming to California!

Cheese, Please.

2009-12-09T21:23:00.000-08:00

So there is this phenomenal food store up the street here in Oakland called 'Market Hall.' I go in there every day. Incredible selection of cheeses! I recently went in there to buy a bunch of cheese for a cheese course that I was in charge of at a big dinner last Friday. I really wanted to focus on mountain cheeses- similar to the cheeses I grew up eating from Switzerland. Sharp, smooth, crystally, sweet, and so good that you cry one single tear. Here are a few of the cheeses I picked out with some description. The only mountain cheese that isn't pictured here that really needs mentioning is an American cheese- 'Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve'- it's from Wisconsin and might be one of the top 3 cheeses from America in my opinion and you can buy it online! The 2 families that make this cheese uses centuries-old techniques that originated from the alpine region in France. You can taste the fresh grasses, herbs, clovers and wildflowers that the cows graze. The cheese counter at Market Hall might have one of the biggest selection of cheese in all of California. On a fateful evening last week, I had some peeps, Terri, Jamie, and Lauren over at 3am to try the cheese and last weekend I was at a karaoke bar and served cheese from the trunk of my car to a girl from Grindelwald (in Santa Barbara!). I felt like a pusher. Ps. My dad made cheese in his little town of Grindelwald. P.P.S. My twin sisters husband Adrian was a cheesemonger there at Market Hall. I guess we got a thing about it. Tell me about your favorite cheese. Cheese, please.
Everyone loves this one! It won. It has Fenugreek in it. Fenugreek is a herb and seed that has a maple-like smell and taste. Nutty, fresh, no lingering aftertaste. A super gouda.

A cheddar from the UK. Super aged, tangy, sweet. Such a different flavor profile compared the the sharp mountain cheeses from Germany and Switzerland.

Wowzers. Imagine your favorite Gruyere- now times it by a million.
Super aged German mountain cheese. Aged cow's milk cheese. This cheese was introduced the the San Francisco area a couple years ago by a German woman whose Grandfather was a master cheesemaker in the Allgäuer alps where this cheese is from. It's very similar to some cheeses from Grindelwald. There is a timeless practice where cowherders lead their herds up the mountains in spring to graze on the new grass, then bring them back down in the fall to the barns for the winter. Around September 18 marks the official start of "Almabtrieb" (descent), where the farmers decorate their cows with flowers and the prize cow with really elaborate bouquets. It's a rad thing to check out if you are in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. Hirtenkäse literally meand 'herdsman cheese.' Superyum.
Another cheese from the Allgäuer region. A washed rind artisan cheese. Semi-soft- super creamy, buttery, and somehow still bright and fresh. Earthy flavor and begs to be melted. I had a BLT toasted sandwich on a great loaf of crusty bread with this melted on it. Really good raw or melted.

Circles Are Everywhere

2009-12-07T23:28:00.000-08:00

Have you ever deliberately noticed EVERYTHING? I've noticed circles everywhere. Tennis, food, nature, toys, eyes, shapes, emotions....circular living, people. A friend of a friend has turrets. It's no laughing matter- HOWEVER - the funny part is that his 'trigger' word is 'balls.' Balls, Balls, Balls.

The Dog of the Sea (El Perro Del Mar)

2009-11-23T14:49:00.000-08:00

A star is born. These shoes tell a story somehow. They belong to Andreas, Simone, Sarah, and Vanessa. What an incredible performance by Sarah Assbring and the dudes (El Perro Del Mar).I felt so good watching them. The sound and lights were perfect. Some of their recent songs have been a soundtrack to my life. 'Change of Heart' for one and 'Inner Island' (from her last record). I had seen her perform a couple years ago at Södra Teatern in Stockholm with Taken by Trees. It was soooo different and I only caught 2 songs. These new songs and vibe are so incredible. I have been in a little song writing slump and these shows got me feeling inspired again. The production is chorusey and flangey in the best way. Live, however, the songs have outdone themselves. Watching them, I felt that the songs we re-writing themselves as they moved through each track. Plus, Andreas's father made his guitar! My favorite guitar player in action. Hung around a music-cast online thingy and might have been my favorite moment. In an awkward studio at 1 in the afternoon with green screens. That second show, Rubies and Bart Davenport got to sing with 'Peter, Bjorn, and John' on a song called 'Stay That Way.'Peter made a solo record with Joachim Ekermann, who also recorded 'Explode from the Center'- and shares love with the wonderful Jenny Wilson, whose album came out earlier this year 'Hardships!' where I sing on 2 songs. She just played in NYC recently. Her first time to the states! I want her to tour here. Piecing together the puzzle here, people.

My current roommate Vanessa with one of my main swedes Andreas Söderström...

Christmas list: I want these

2009-11-23T14:35:00.001-08:00

People need colors & light

2009-11-17T14:18:00.001-08:00

This posting is inspired by you Erlend. You sent me this monochromatic 'mayor of browntown' pic....(although the original mayor was Nat Russell, you can have the Norway title)...Listen to Erlend and Eirik's new album "Declaration of Dependence" (Kings of Convenience)- front cover of the album shot by my sis Danielle Rubi down in Mexico where they worked on the songs for the album. I'm in Santa Barbara today. Been down in the Laurel Canyon for a few days and digging it there. Making new plans. A new life. New ideas. New collabs. Blank slate. Learning about art vs ego. I want to hole up and work this winter. I'm not allowed to travel for 6 months. I'm not allowed to have crushes. I'm going to stay still. Tough times ahead. Portfolio, learning after effects, and new songs are calling me. Stay close though. I can't imagine you disappearing.

Plants can hurt & Japanese gentleness also a rad logo

2009-11-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

My friend Mary just sent me this photo of how I looked in August after helping Terri with her yard- by tearing out a huge plant that gave me this:and made me feel like this.
I got on a plane in LA and arrived into NYC and the heat made the poison come and give me a punch in the body. But later that first day I saw this and I laughed:
I also finished a track yesterday collaborating with Japanese musician Miyauchi Yuri. I found these photos of us from the Rubies tour in Japan a couple years ago and thought it to be quite relevant. He's in Tokyo and I'm in Oakland.
Also from the archives. This is from a letterhead that my dad had. A letter from 1981 from one of the best restaurants in the world in Geneva, Switzerland. From the chef Fredy Giradet. I get my mind so blown by the logo and font. Blind deboss. De Boss. The Boss.

Here and Now/And Nowhere & The Auerglass

2009-10-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

If you haven't been at Deitch Projects in NYC, now is the time! I went to see my new pal Tauba Auerbach perform with Cameron Mesirow (check out her music 'Glasser') on the wooden organ Tauba designed. They do this every day at 5 Tuesday through Saturday. We played a gig in NYC recently and we all ran over to Deitch to catch the performance. It was a mind blower! Just watching how this thing works and to have 2 spirit girls playing these guided melodies like a ping pong game. Watching them back and forth- and their bodies helping the organ find it's breath. You can really hear the air being breathed into the organ to create these beautiful tones. Check out Tauba's work, there is so much to feel from. I am a big fan of her alternative typography and word plays. Later, they came and danced at the Rubies gig and it felt like tying the life knot.

I have finally met Geoff McFetridge. It involved a secret light orb.

2009-10-23T22:55:00.000-07:00

So thanks to a top secret glowing object that Adrian made and working with Erlend and the Whitest Boy Alive - I have finally met Geoff McFetridge. I feel that my work and lifestyle has had me running around in circles and in one of those circles has been the amazing talent of this dude sitting there, shining, and inspiring. People said it was a matter of time. Thyme. There was talk of a vortex. A dark vortex and the circle of radness. Meeting of the minds. I had met Yongki up at the Solitary Arts (the company of the skateboard kind that Geoff and Yongki run) headquarters (see their blog post on Rubies) with Nat and Dan recently and achieved instant bro-dom. Yongki is Captain Good Vibes. I gave him a Rubies cd and tripped out on his radical jukebox while being surrounded with some Geoff creatures in 2 D. Cut to 2 nights ago. Yongki, Geoff, D, Adrian, and I. Glowing see-thru-ness, Tacos, stories about Calgary, Nanaimo bars, Skiing, and the best way of getting to know someone. At a dinner table. I wanna go skiing with Geoff while eating a Nanaimo bar. I'm picturing the tracks made by our skiis would end up being mind blowing geometric designs. Mainly because it will be Swiss snow. Helvetica anyone? Tell me this is possible.This is the light orb that lives in the mirror. Only can survive in a room with silver & zodiac wallpaper. 2 people can collectively conjure this dude.