Little Black Tree

We've moved locations people

2011-01-18T17:57:00.001-08:00

www.positivegreaterthannegative.com

I Can't Believe it's NOT Couture!

2010-12-20T16:06:00.000-08:00

Here is a video I just did. Have a look! xx ammo

Blue Microphone treats us soooo gooooood...

2010-12-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

Found ourselves thoroughly enchanted, when Tyler and Blue Microphone invited Black Flamingo to the Esquire House to record a podcast. They got some killer recordings in their amazing studio- of songs to be released on our new EP. Keep your ears and eyes peeled!

New Etsy Stuff

2010-10-11T18:35:00.000-07:00

making movie magic....

2010-10-11T12:37:00.001-07:00

Movie Making Website finally up.....
www.TheSeeingMachine.com
check us out!

good times.

2010-09-28T21:39:00.000-07:00

supersize

2010-09-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

everything is supersized in texas.

fighting the sickness that is overtaking everyone.

hearing heat horrors from the west, makes me feel a bit better about being so far away from home.

bug bites on my arm. no sleep til San Antonio.

Tour Diaries: Denver to Dallas

2010-09-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

the drive from salt lake to denver is a long and winding road of yellow fields.

arrived in denver around 4.

the ogden was one of the first venues i ever saw a band play at.

every time i come to denver i like it more and more.

my dad came to see the show. it was so good to see him. its weird, the older i get the more i really miss being close to my family. it makes sense why everyone seems to be moving back home. there is something completely comforting about being within driving distance of your immediate family.

the denver show went really well. melissa and nick came to the show, as well as her brother and his girlfriend.

i can't believe its been ten years since melissa and i first met. i can't believe i've actually managed to keep a friendship for that long.

we went out afterwards and met everyone at gaboars, this little bar close to the venue. it was nice to hang out with old friends and i left denver in high spirits.

yesterday we drove 13 hours to dallas. the boys are road warriors.

arch ate 10000 hamburgers. and a hot dog. i ate vitamins, apples, nuts and toast.

when we arrived at the comfort inn, there was a law and order marathon on USA, and the shower had amazing water pressure.

its funny what really starts mattering on tour.

here's some photos.

archi and chris in SLC dressing room

ogden dressing room

archi watching the cult backstage

me and my papa

oldest and dearest friends

one of the most beautiful ladies i know.

i look like melissas brother.

seriously.

Jake !

Tour Diaries: Spokane to SLC

2010-09-24T16:27:00.000-07:00

watching the world pass by through the windows of the van.

finished family guy, and have moved onto breaking bad.

everyone is getting sick, and I am fighting it to the bone. 15 vitamins a day, no joke. it's not easy being vegan on the road.

went out for archies birthday last night. started out at a sports bar, went to the most horrible dance club ever, and ended up at a rad bar called the Twilight Lounge.

ended the night with a facemask, room service and american hauntings on the laptop.

walked through salt lake city today looking for a thrift store. ended up under the freeway, by the train tracks. caved in, called a cab.

feeling the tour blues a bit, having a hard time sleeping anywhere but in the van.

missing the black flamingos, and little princes and los angeles.

trying to play guitar and keep creative.

loving my black ryder/cult family though.

salt lake city is strange. were playing at a venue called The Great Saltair. It sits right on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, and there's definitely a beautiful eerie vibe in the air.

i can feel the salt in the air, i can taste it on the tip of my tongue, i feel like i should be next to the ocean, but there's desert all around me.

in montana, on our way to slc

hanging with the boys in SLC

secret hippie

archie imitating kimi

drummerz

hotel fun

dont ask dont tell

lake shore

spokane.

2010-09-22T19:43:00.001-07:00

i watch as we float through lakes. toast and avocado for breakfast. fruit for dinner. feeling the midwest draw near, butterfly knots in my stomach that are released nightly into the audience.

spokane seems a lot like san diego,faceless and without anything to anchor it.

can't sleep in hotels but the van's steady rhythm rocks me to sleep on the long drives.

towns and cities pass us by, and i am watching them from my seat, as family guy blasts from the mini-tv.

i think about your fingers dancing across the guitar, and it seems far and gone now, january has become october, and time is not our friend.

los angeles seems like forever, and its only been three days, and these are the best of times and the slowest of times, and i have come to know what waiting means.

silvertone is becoming my love. strings and open chords and ideas are churning.

the little prince curls into my ribs before i stop breathing and start dreaming.

meet me by the snow-covered tree in the field of green

Tour Diaries: San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle

2010-09-21T18:02:00.001-07:00

Sunday night saw us playing the Warfield in San Francisco.
The six hour drive from Los Angeles was lovely. I was so immersed in an Iggy Pop biography that I barely noticed the endless fields of Cowschwitz or the rolling,golden hills that line the small towns inbetween here and there.

We arrived the venue at around 5. The Warfield is located downtown, at 6th and Market, right across the street from where I used to live. It's not the nicest of areas, actually it's quite dark and menacing, but the rent is cheap, and the melancholy air of the Tenderloin can be oddly inspiring.

Our soundcheck was nice and long, the first real one of our tour, and I think it ultimately drove our performance to our best yet.

It was such a trip playing there. It was one of the main venues I wanted to play in SF, the other being the Fillmore (which Lilofee had the honor of playing at in March).

My lovelies, Nico and Domonique came out, and my friend Crispin lent me his 65' Jazzmaster to play.

Which by the way is my current obsession. Jazzmaster. 62' Reissue. American Made. Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes.

a 63'. LOVE OF MY FUTURE LIFE

Anyways, Nico made me an AMAZING pair of earrings.

"Tribal goth", she smiled as she handed them to me, reciting back to me the two words I had used earlier in the week to describe my current fashion influence.

Each earring has three long gold chains, bearing feathers, gold claws, and solid metal beads, and were indeed tribal goth.

I have watched Nico spend the last three years building up her jewelry design business, going from making her friends unique pieces to wear onstage, to selling out in every boutique store San Francisco. She has a knack for knowing what people want, and her attention for detail is impeccable.

I'm sure I'll post photos of the earrings up here soon. Meanwhile check out her webpage here.

The show went off really well, its quite different playing in a band that isn't mine. The pressure is definitely significantly less, but there is also something missing. It's so inspiring to be a part of this journey, and its definitely making me excited for when I get to do this with my own band!

Israel, the sweet security guy...

...super sweet on Dom

Nico and Doms

Crispin!

The Ramones sign the Warfield

Jerry Garcia's door

domonique is going to hate me.

Kurt's signature in the Warfield

After the show we drove to Sacramento where we stayed for the night, before heading to Portland the next day. I fell asleep to Law and Order: SVU in the background. Obviously I've already seen every episode ever, so there was no need for me to stay up.

The ten hour drive to Portland is laced with Family Guy, dreaming, and reading a book about Laurel Canyon in the 60's and 70's. It makes me hunger for things that I can't quite put my finger on.

Portland is green and beautiful, and perfect in a way I knew it would be.

We stay with one of Scott's friends in this beautiful gothic style mansion. The house reminds me of a medieval castle, all dark wood, and velvet blood red upholstery, with 16th century classical music drifting in the background.

We eat take-out Thai on fine China. Rich curry and brown rice, and the scent of candles in the air

Stories of days gone by float through the room, and I can't help but feel that I am once again too late for the good old days.

Or maybe these are them.

After dinner we go to a bar. Maria meets me there, and I've forgotten how vibrant she is. Full of energy and constantly changing.

I think about staying in Portland, coming to hang out for a while, changing scenes. I could do with tree-lined streets and rain for a bit.

Until I miss the sunshine.

Today I'm in Seattle. Sitting at the venue waiting to go on. Grunge is still alive here, flannel and beards and lumberjacks.

Hayden in the castle

Archi in the castle

Castle life Portland

Black Ryder Tour: Vegas and San Diego

2010-09-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a minute since I've posted up here. Good thing my roommates have been inspired enough to post some eye candy.

As some of you may know, I've been tapped my good friends Aimee and Scott to go on a US tour with their band, The Black Ryder as they open up for The Cult (Fire Woman....Electric...yeah that CULT).
I'm playing keys, guitar and some percussion as well as singing backing vocals for some tracks. So stoked.

As some of you may recall, I stayed with The Black Ryder in Sydney this January, and had the most amazing time. They recently relocated to LA, and their dark, washed out dream music is sure to bleed into everyone's ears by next year. They're definitely some of my favorite people in this world, and I'm sure the next couple of weeks will be a blast.

We started the first leg of the tour in San Diego. It was definitely a bit nerve wracking, Hayden (drummer ninja) and I had only had two rehearsals under our belt, and it was our first show playing together, but it felt good!

Archi, Black Ryder's bass master

Magic Transportation Module

Miss Aimee

San Diego Sights

Land that I love

Pre Show Cigarettes

Hayden and Aimee

Ryder's Rider

Thursday was Vegas times. We drove there Wednesday night, and got in at around 4AM. I went to bed, the boys went out for a night cap and some gambling.
We stayed at the Palms Casino and Resort, which was very Vegas. (I have a feeling there is nothing NOT Vegas about Vegas).
It was my first time really being there. I've driven through Vegas many times, but this is the first time I've actually stopped and smelled the plastic flowers.

We played the Pearl Theatre (which is located in the Palms, and was huge and gorgeous).
I spent the day reading by the pool and hanging out backstage before soundcheck. I could get used to this lifestyle, I tell you.

Anyways, the show went great. We stayed up until 6AM going to strip clubs and dancing to cock rock. Yeah, it was everything I thought it would be. Here's some photos of everything:

Arriving in Vegas: 4AM

Vegas OUTfit

Vegas Dressing Room

Archi playing my Silvertone

Black Ryder Ladies

Vegas Outfit

Tour Life

Best Diner Ever

Hard Time Hangover

Not in Kansas

Goats and cars and spam...oh my!

2010-09-08T01:03:00.000-07:00

scarred sheep.

wobbly goat.

pink cast.

deserted.

new mexico.

to arizona.

colorado.

indian lands.

dirty men.

breakfast, lunch, dinner.

road show.

sun down.

sun up.

metropolis.

night.

118 degrees.

city.

lights.

how we entertain ourselves....

2010-09-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

chris vick magic at the roosevelt

+>-

2010-08-27T13:50:00.000-07:00

As some of you may have heard, we started a business.

We have a website. It rules. Go Check it out.

http://positivegreaterthannegative.com/

Black Flamingo Video Shoot Snaps @ The Wilcox Sessions

2010-08-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

I spent my food money to get these developed. So please enjoy them to the best of your ability!

Also, I fixed the comment box on the blog so feel free to comment away. Annnnnd if you feel so inclined to send us anything, like money, poems, pictures, etc... You can do so at band@weareblackflamingo.com.

rosetintedglass!

2010-08-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

adventures of late- magic captured- last 6 months! Been running around w the 7D and a couple of sweet lenses... photocreepymagic....

We have Vintage STORE

2010-08-20T15:42:00.001-07:00

Guess What We're Doing Tomorrow

2010-08-14T17:20:00.001-07:00

DC DC DC

2010-08-08T10:25:00.000-07:00

DC was a well needed break.

I got to hang out with one of the coolest people in the entire world, miss liz.

she's basically far out. we hung out at her pool, drove through dc, watched inception (which is probably one of the best movies i've seen in a while), talked about EVERYTHING (EVERYTHING), and just had some QT with one another. Here's some photos.

New York New York

2010-08-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

New York in the summer always makes me forget why I moved away. At least for the first two days.
Wandering the streets, day and night, watching the beautiful people move about (seriously do they put something in the water), seeing the ghosts of my pasts still racing along.

East Coast vs. West Coast.

Well, anyone who talks to me long enough, will realize that my dreamy misdemeanor, and my (now fulfilled) goal of living in an endless summer vacation, definitely puts me in the "California Girl" cheering section. What can I say? I love LA. Can you blame me- I'm part of an amazing band/household/cult/commune, my friends are all doing brilliant things, its almost always sunny, and we have mexican food that doesn't taste like cardboard with hot sauce on it (Seriously brooklyn, how does one fuck up rice and beans?)

That being said, I do have a soft spot for NY. Buying Baklava at 4am and walking around the city as it sleeps with one eye open, watching people spill out of bars and clubs, walking from the West Village to China town....its all quite lovely.

And then there are my amazing friends,and my lovely little sister, who are the sole reason I keep coming back.

Trip Highlights so far:

Coney Island with my little sister
Punjabi revisited with Alex
Hanging out at Cobra Guitars- the future of rock and roll guitars.
ZAZA at the Knitting Factory
Caveman at Mercury Lounge
Hanging out with the amazing Zana Bayne (whose harnesses are slowly but surely blowing my mind)
walking everywhere
Lindsey Thornburg's fall collection. She is by far one of my favorite designers out there right now, not to mention a magical human being.
Adventures with Charming Charlie

I'm currently on a bus to Washington DC to visit my friend Liz. A bus with WIFI- yeah I'm as stoked as you are.
Anyways that's it for now.xxx to my Best Coast fam.

Black Flamingo - "All That She Wants" Shot By The Wilcox Sessions

2010-08-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

Wilcox Sessions - Black Flamingo (All That She Wants) from Wilcox Sessions on Vimeo.

The Amazing and Delightful Wilcox Sessions

2010-08-02T13:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, So Black Flamingo is feeling pretty blessed and lucky and super happy. Our minds got collectively blown today when we walked into filmmakers/Wilcox Sessions' wonderful loft in Hollywood where we were to do a quick live recording/video of us performing a couple songs. We had no idea what to expect - and couldn't even have dreampt up the magic they had in store for us. We were put in a kiddie pool full of balls, given bloody mary's, bombarded by balloons dropping down on us, and filmed by an amazingly talented crew - and... there were a whole lot of hot dogs... and mustard. We'll get those videos up once they're done... But in the meantime, suffice to say, 'We all had the best time ever and are thoroughly in love with all the amazing people that are The Wilcox Sessions. YOU GUYS FUCKING RULE!!'

We took some shots of the magic... and took some shots of the shots Laurent Weber took...
(those are all the amazing polaroid lookin ones). More stuff by him here.
www.LaurentWeberPhotography.com

rad stuff awesome people made and let us wear....
The deliciously designed garb you see us rollicking in- is designed by the insanely talent Grant Doolittle www.PleaseDressUp.com
Beautiful leather work supplied comes from amazing Carson Marjamaa
www.CarsonLeather.com or dcarson@gmail.com

_______
And of course... please check out/support the great filmmakers & the musicians they introduce
THE WILCOX SESSIONS http://www.wilcoxsessions.com

--

Being in a cult really isn't that bad.

2010-07-31T21:37:00.000-07:00

You know, people have always told me that cult life is bad, but I'm pretty sure that we're having the best time ever.

(photos by Dustin)

Black Flamingo Dashiki Brothers

2010-07-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

So, Megan FINALLY got here. Reunited and it feels so good. It's been a crazy couple of days at the Dollhouse. We've been playing with our other drummer, Paul ( since Alex is not able to make these shows):

we play at 10. its good times.

As always, half the fun of going out last night was getting ready. Obviously, a photoshoot had to happen.

The best part of the night, was dressing Dustin, Chris and Anthony in my Dashiki/dress collection. Megan's warrior/New Guinea inspired warpaint topped it off. We're never leaving the house looking like normal people again.

I wish I could just have a video of people's reactions to the Dashiki brothers... kind of like those youtube videos that people post of themselves reacting to watching Bambi for the first time....(seriously though, youtube has ruined 15 minutes of fame for anyone actually worthwhile...and why am I so addicted to watching videos of people watching rainbows and little fat children singing weird songs.....)

There was obviously a lot more that happened, but I was so busy taking it all in, that I forgot I was carrying around my camera.
Weeee