Underground
Artist Association member
Garrett Skindell talks about
Blue Cat Cubed
-interview
by John Johnston
Blue
Cat Stew, or Blue Cat Cubed as this year's event is called is one of the premier
music/art/performance events in all of Pennsylvania! Last year's event captured
some of the best local and regional talent around. I felt like I could have
walked outside and been in San Francisco or New York...that's how good everything
was inside. And we're not just talking music here...poetry, art, performance,
dance...it's all there. For the unfamiliar what follows is an interview with
Blue Cat brain child, Theremin and sample wizard of Hello Kitty Death Squad
(formerly of Nostromos), promoter, pimp and all-around strange-voiced guy
(the one at all the shows with the gravelly voice) Mr. Garrett Skindell.
JJ - So
another year, another festival...first off, for those who aren't familiar,
give us a brief rundown on what the heck Blue Cats Cubed is?
GS
- Blue Cat Cubed
is a three day show featuring the most diverse mix of local and regional acts
you will see all year long...BC3 is the third in a series of shows that the
Underground Artists Association (UAA) has organized. The idea our first year
was to present a show featuring the best of local live music and art. In between
bands we had spoken word, performance art and one act plays... we called the
show Blue Cat Stew. The concept of 'stew' seemed to fit... a bunch of different
ingredients that, by themselves, aren't a full meal... but when brought together
they compliment each other and satisfy a wide range of tastes. We got a great
response that year...and after throwing some smaller scale events the rest
of that summer & fall, the UAA started planning the next move... having
learned lessons from the first Stew, the follow up, 'Bleu
Kats 2', was a weekend full of even more amazing acts. This year, we wanted
to do even more, be more ambitious and pull out every stop we could to make
this year the premiere showcase of local and regional creative talent around...
so being the third year, we are expanding this event exponentially, thus we
are calling it 'Blue Cat Cubed'. Even though it starts on April Fools Day,
it is certainly no joke... the Cube is for real...
JJ - Where
is this year's event being held? There are rumors that BC3 will actually be
taking place in 3 different locations...
GS
- Yes, that rumor
is true...when I mentioned 'expanding exponentially' earlier that is one of
the aspects we looked at improving upon. Instead of having all the events
take place at Forward Hall, this year the BC3 will be held at three locations:
Forward Hall, Norb's Bar and the Urraro Gallery. All three venues are within
100 feet of each other. The event will also be expanded to three days. In
the past it has only been two...Thursday April 1st, Friday April 2nd and Saturday
April 3rd are the ironic dates for the Cube. Each venue will have its own
unique focus. At Forward Hall the focus will be music... Of course there will
still be the second stage acts in between every band. We have even placed
a third stage in Forward Hall for viewing spoken word artists... At Norb's
the focus will be on Independent films. Last year we were fortunate enough
to have the Great Lakes Film Association involved and are proud to have the
GLFA involved again. There will be a happy hour band at Norb's on Friday April
2nd and there will be a band each night after the films are complete. At the
Urraro Gallery the focus will be Art... the UAA will present a juried exhibit
featuring artists work from around the region. There will also be live music
each night and interactive workshops all afternoon on Saturday. We are trying
to provide the audience with a month or two worth of creative events rolled
into one weekend at the lowest price possible. You can park, pay one fee and
have access to three different venues all within 3 seconds walk of each other.
JJ - How
is this years' event different from last year?
GS
- The name of the
event has changed as the event has evolved, but I think the concept of everything
in threes is starting to sink in with the public. Otherwise, we have really
gone all out to make the Cube an unforgettable weekend for everyone involved.
In addition to the three stages, three venues and three days we wanted to
allow the public to participate directly and for the event to be truly interactive.
So in typical UAA fashion we came up with three ways for anyone who is motivated
to be involved in the Cube. The Urraro Gallery will feature a juried exhibit
open to all artist for submission and a photography workshop entitled '33
Hours of Erie'. Also at the Urraro Gallery, we will have the Interactive Underground
Experiment. The IUE is a series of workshops open to the public all afternoon
on Saturday. The last three workshops (Art, Spoken Word & Music) will
culminate in a cooperative piece to be performed on the Main Stage after Moon
Boot Lover's set. Other workshops include a photography workshop called "33
Hours of Erie", comic book creation, improv/comedy, body art, medieval
crafts and theater. The other interactive aspect will be tied to the Great
Lakes Independent Film Festival. We will be showing films from past festivals,
but the special event will be when we screen three films to be a part of this
year's festival. The audience will get to vote for which film will receive
the People's Choice Award at this year's Great Lakes Film Festival in September.
And remember, this is all in addition to the 25 musical acts we have on the
bill, 21 of which are local. The whole concept of having the audience be active
participants in the show and, in a sense, become 'part of the art' was inspired
by the success former Erieite and founding UAA member, Brad Ford, had with
his award winning Sling
Paint exhibit at the Utah Arts Festival.
JJ - How
bout' sponsorship, has that increased dramatically over the past year, or
has it stayed the same?
GS
-
The sponsorships have grown as the event has grown. Our first year we had
almost no sponsors (a couple of close friends pitched in). Last year, we had
a much bigger production and attracted a few sponsors to support the local
music and art scene. This year we have expanded to such a degree that we have
had to expand our sponsorships. The sponsors enable the UAA to put on a show
of this scope & size. We've built up some credibility over the past three
years and have a reputation for throwing high quality, well attended shows.
Sponsors like WERG Energy FM 90, Playerie.com and Labatts see that and choose
to support this event and by doing that they help the local scene improve...We
love our sponsors and everyone should make a point of supporting those businesses
that support the local scene... otherwise, we might not have a scene at all,
let alone a healthy and vibrant one. Playerie.com has always been a great
supporter of the UAA and the local scene in general...it really is a great
source of music information for the area...
JJ
- Do
you guys have a website?
GS - yes, its www.artgodz.com
...you can get all of your BC3 info there... there is a schedule of events
that has the most up to date list of what's on tap with links to all the acts
that have websites. That's also how you can access the Art Submission page
to email or upload your art & be part of the Cube. The mission of the
UAA is to support, promote and cultivate a rich and creative arts scene here
in Erie. Our definition of "Art" is anything that is a form of creative
expression. Obvious forms of art include music, dance, and visual art, but
other forms include film, comedy, theater, spoken word, poetry, photography,
technology, and other types of creative expression not so easily categorized.
The UAA is a collective of individuals that strive to improve the quality
of the local music and arts scene. We are creative and proactive in organizing
unique ways to showcase the best that this region has to offer. UAA events
juxtapose various art forms and music styles that may not have similar audiences,
so that each can be exposed to the other...and maybe... just maybe, be inspired
by the other and gain an appreciation and respect for something new. Our aim
is to expose people to art forms they may not otherwise have supported; to
take music and art off of its pedestal and bring it to the masses. By uniting
these divergent forms into one event, we hope to enrich the community and
promote appreciation for the arts in all its forms.
JJ - Are
the bands and artists that participate in this event paid?
GS
- We will be compensating
all 25 bands and all the other acts in a myriad of different ways that have
been arranged with each act on an individual basis. In the past the bands
played for free. It was a chance for a cooperative group of bands and artists
to perform on a great bill in a great environment at a great hall through
a great system in front of great crowd and help renew & revitalize an
otherwise stagnant scene. That has always been the main goal of the UAA, to
create an environment by which the local artists and musicians could flourish
to push their own creative limits. We aim to provide a professional setting
and top notch equipment so the artists can put their best foot forward. We
do our best to give performers the royal treatment. Unfortunately, the overhead
to throw a show like this is enormous. The costs for sound systems, technicians,
lighting, operators, projectors, screens, laptop rentals, printing, promotions,
security, hospitality and beverages for the performers etc. etc. etc. have
reached the thousands and thousands of dollar stratosphere. The UAA makes
no money off of any of the events it organizes. Every dollar we make above
our costs is utilized to fund other smaller scale shows over the summer and
fall and a portion is donated to charity. This year our charity is SafeNet.
The musicians and artists keep 100% of everything they sell at our merch table.
Normally, the promoters get a cut or charge a fee for vendors. We don't. I
understand that some casual observers thought we made a mint off of Bleu Kats
2 last year, but the truth of the matter is that we barely broke even. Actually,
after one of our sponsors fell through last year I shelled out from my own
pocket to make sure all the performers had icy cold adult beverages throughout
the weekend and to make sure we didn't have to dip into the money we had earmarked
to donate to charity. This year we have four different sound systems, lighting
systems, two different slide shows on three different screens, and the technicians
that have to run all the technology for three nights straight. This is quite
a large undertaking. Breaking even would be a huge success... Regardless,
the weekend will be truly special.
JJ
- How
is the art being displayed this year and how does an artist submit work to
be considered?
GS
- We have the Digital
Slideshow at forward Hall again this year. It was an enormous success last
year. You can view last years' virtual gallery here.
We will be projecting digital files of local artists onto two 10X10 screens
from a laptop while the whole show is going on. The brainchild of local artist
on loan to the Pittsburgh branch of the UAA, Todd
Scalise, the Digital Slideshow enabled the UAA to display more art than
we could ever fit on the walls of Forward Hall. Last year we had over 480
files cycling throughout the entire weekend. We hope to at least double that
total this year. To be part of the Digital Slideshow just go to the UAA
website and click on the Art Submission button, then upload your digital
files to us... It's that simple...To submit art for the Urraro's juried exhibit
you can bring your work directly to the Urraro
Gallery on Saturday, March 27th, Monday, March 29th or Tuesday, March
30th... To be part of the workshops all you have to do is show up Saturday
afternoon and participate...
JJ - We
hear the RollerGirls are going to be involved with the Cubed this year, with
security and selling merchandise...How does one get thrown out of this event?
GS
- That's just another
one of the many, many extra added perks of coming to the Cube this year...
The Erie RollerGirls will be acting as our security for the weekend. They
will be working the BC3 merchandise table as well as stationed at the entrances
of all three venues. The ladies will be there to answer questions about how
to become an Erie RollerGirl as well as how to get involved in their Rock
& Roller Derby bouts this fall. They will be on their skates, rocking
and rolling all weekend long so feel free to ask them about what exactly this
revival of roller derby is all about...As far as getting ejected, I wouldn't
advise anyone to actually try getting thrown out...We do have extremely large
gentlemen on staff to escort you from the premises if someone decides to bring
a bad attitude or violate the rules. I do know what you mean though about
the Erie RollerGirls, I have often thought of how I can get myself roughed
up by some hot & sweaty RollerGirls without getting hospitalized. I haven't
come up with any ideas yet...but give me some time.
JJ - Is
the event all ages?
GS
- The Blue Cat
Cubed is indeed an all age's event. Norb's, however, will remain the lone
21+ venue involved. Forward Hall and the Urraro Gallery will be open to patrons
under the age of 21 all weekend long. Adults will still be served adult beverages
at Forward Hall and able to enjoy all three venues as adults. We worked very
had this year to make this event accessible to the youth of Erie. There is
a huge under 21 audience that is essentially locked out of a major part of
the local music scene because so many of the venues being over 21 bars. The
first year when we had Blue Cat Stew, Forward Hall hadn't yet gotten its liquor
license so it was an all age's show. Last year at Blue Kats 2 we were unable
to properly staff an all ages show so we couldn't do the under 21 thing. It
was really the only regret in all the years we've done the show. Our hope
is that this will be an event that will be attended by both parents and teens.
Each gaining a respect for the others style.
JJ - What
is the cost of the event? Single day? Weekend passes?
GS - We've broken
it down so you have options and each night is packed with month's worth of
acts. You can pay as you go for each individual night or you can purchase
advanced weekend passes for the whole weekend. There will be a surcharge of
$2.00 for under age patrons as is customary. Weekend passes are $20 in advance
and not subject to the surcharge. Thursday April 1st admission is $5. Friday
April 2nd admission is $8 and Saturday April 3rd admission is $10...
JJ - Will
there be more nudity this year? I believe you promised some last year and
really, we were kind of disappointed...
GS
- I know, me too...Sorry
to disappoint you though. As I mentioned earlier with regards to the Digital
Slideshow presentation, we opened submissions to the public and had some files
that were nudes. All totaled, I think there were maybe ten or fifteen nudes
out of 480 plus files of art and all were very tastefully done. We just wanted
to put out a disclaimer of sorts so that even the most fragile of sensibilities
wouldn't be offended. As was the case at Blue Kats 2, this year the former
UAA Art Director, Todd Scalise will be viewing all the files. We don't anticipate
anything that you couldn't see at, say, something like the Super Bowl...
JJ -
What's your vision with Blue Cat? What drives you to keep doing it?
GS - Good
question. I think I outlined the vision and mission of the UAA earlier and
the BC3 is really the culmination of that vision. We are trying to unite the
community and show anyone and everyone that Erie is a great place... a talented
a creative place... Lots of people here complain that there is nothing to
do in Erie. We are being proactive and positive in an attempt to destroy that
myth and change the mindset here. We strive to make a difference here and
make Erie a place where young artists & musicians will want to stay and
make a living doing what they love rather than leave Erie and take their talents
elsewhere...As
far as what drives me...I'm not quite sure. I joke with friends that the BC3
is just an elaborate ploy to meet cool chicks, but really I just want see
Erie thrive and for people to be exposed to the immensely deep talent pool
we have here. The UAA aims to motivate those in the community to take control
and do something to better them or to make their own scene rather than the
pessimism, the UAA offers optimism. The Erie RollerGirls is a good example
of that same ethos and that's why we support them so ferociously... plus they
are hotties!
JJ - Lastly,
you're on an island...there's a Battle of the Bands and Blue Cat Cubed...the
only two things to do on this lonely island...which one do you go to and why?
Plus do you bring Ginger or Marianne with you as a date?
GS
-
Hmmmmm... Well, I am a little biased for the Cube, of course. The Battle of
the Bands, with all due respect, is a scene killer... There are 17 'losers'
at the end of the event. Hardly unifying. It seems to promote more division
within the music community than cooperation. In addition, it would seem that
with one completely shredding Cheap Trick encore, Black Rose Diary delegitimized
this years 'battle' when they were disqualified. Props to Super Number Seven
and congratulations are in order and all because they did rock, but there
will forever be an asterisk next to their name in my book ... So I guess the
real question is Ginger or Marianne. If I can't take both, I'd have to say,
Marianne. Ginger seems a little too high maintenance for me. I think Marianne
has a wild side...a perfect candidate for the Erie RollerGirls...
JJ - Thanks
GS - And thank you and everyone at PlayErie.com who helped us pimp the Cube...