4 years ago on this day, I launched According2g.com. At the time, I had no idea where the path would lead, but I just put one foot in front of the other, took out my camera, snapped some photos and started writing – 7 days a week!
Flash forward 4 years later and because of this blog, I am now friends or friendly with so many of my heroes. I’ve had the oppotunity to see and meet nearly all of my living heroes in the realms of music and art. My stories have been reposted on home pages of internet titans and some of my favorite bands, which continues to blow my mind. Earlier this year, a video I took of the closest thing we’ll probably ever get to a Smiths reunion and the went viral and landed me on Rolling Stone and NME’s website, two publications I’ve been reading ever since I was a child! Because of this blog, I had the opportunity to host an episode of “Weird Vibes” for MTV, a channel I’ve been watching since it launched in 1981. Because of this blog, I’ve had the chance to talk to hundreds of my idols and for all of these things and so much more, I am eternally grateful!
In addition, since I launched this blog, here’s a few “by the numbers” statistics:
- I’ve written approximately 700 posts about encounters with some of the world’s biggest celebrities, artists and rock stars.
- I’ve written close to 800 concert reviews.
- I’ve written over 800 posts about art exhibitions.
- There are 1460 days in a 4 year period and the only counting these reviews and experiences, in 6,300 plus posts, I’ve experienced over 2,300 events, which equates to over 2 events in a day, 7 days a week!!! I challenge ANY blog in the world to live up to these standards: taking your own photos, experiencing the events first hand and writing about them, 7 days a week. Many other blogs are much more successful than me, but they are nowhere near as hard working. And that is a fact!
I will not lie and tell you that this blog has helped my bank account as of this writing (but it’s coming, so I’m not worried), but no matter what happens, these amazing life changing experiences can never be stripped from me and that is something you cannot put a price on.
I would also like to put it out there in the world that I am looking to host or appear on more art/rock/celebrity based shows and also would love to collaborate with artists on songs. If you didn’t know, I’ve been known to write some pretty kick-ass song lyrics (however, I cannot write music, so I need your help!) I would also like to work with artists on a new line of T-shirts that I have brewing in my head, so if you or anyone you know can help me achieve these goals, please get in touch.
Back to the blog…
I thank all my readers for sharing these stories in their social media circles.
I thank all the artists whose works have inspired me to keep writing even when it seemed like there was no light at the end of the tunnel, and when you think of all the technical glitches and stress that comes with blogging 7 days a week, this feeling happens a lot!
Last and certainly not least, I thank YOU for reading this.
If you can see this, you’ve survived the Mayan apocalypse. 2013 is here! I took a brief survey of some of According2g.com’s All-Stars in the fields of art, music and publishing to find out what their 2013 New Year’s Resolutions are. For those, like me that don’t make resolutions anymore, I asked them to tell us what they are looking forward to in 2013. Click on their name to be directed to their websites to learn more about these great minds. Thanks to everyone that participated and I hope 2013 exceeds your dreams, goals and visions!
Mark Kostabi in front of his art.
“I’m looking forward to a continuing Obama Presidency and an improving global economy due to less wasteful, more intelligent and focused behavior. I’m also looking forward to spring weather.” – Mark Kostabi, Artist.
Jill Jones (right) performing with Jeremy Gloff
“I am looking forward to being the bitch I always knew I could be and to just go rogue this year!” – Jill Jones, Singer
Michael Musto
“My resolution is to let go of old grudges and start developing some new ones. For the new year, I’m looking forward to human rights, cultural enchantment, and social bliss, but I’m not looking forward to any action film sequels.” – Michael Musto, Writer
Don Porcella
“1. I am looking forward to the rest of the country realizing that all people have the right to love who they want and to celebrate that relationship in marriage.
2. I am looking forward to the rest of the country realizing that Muslims are not to be feared and in fact they are just like us.
3. I am looking forward to alternative forms of health care that utilize what is already here on earth. We are cutting down the rain forests and yet there are a lot of plants that can benefit mankind.
4. I am looking forward to humans embracing nature in everything we do. I want advertisements (ie., car commercials where the car dominates nature) to embrace nature not destroy it. We need this planet more than it needs us and if we don’t embrace it and take care of it, it will get rid of us for it’s own survival.
As far as new years resolutions… those are hard because most people who make them don’t keep them and then they feel guilty. My New Year’s resolution is to be nice to nature and humans and to lead by example. My job is to make new things and to not copy others. I want people to celebrate the hand made and to value it over technology. I want people to start talking to each other again instead of texting. Let’s return to the real next year.” -Don Porcella, Artist, Musician, Coffee Maker
Kenny Scharf at the West Hollywood Library
“I’m looking forward to continuing health no matter what happens in 2013. If you’re not healthy and feeling good you can’t enjoy the good times or battle the bad. I’m having a show in late April of new sculptures and paintings at Paul Kasmin Gallery (in New York). Also I’m involved in a futures show at the Museum of Art in Mobile, Alabama, which will include murals, installations and paintings, and a large outdoor mural in Santa Monica, California, as well as other fun and big stuff (more work) that I don’t want to announce just yet. Most of all, I hope the world makes the huge changes (wean off petroleum, for example) that need to take place in order for the children to inherit a better place!” – Kenny Scharf, Artist
#CLOUDZbyTY
“I am finalizing on designs for a t-shirt, cell phone cases, sticker sheets and the Summer 2013 Graphic Sunglasses! I’ll also be honing in on a location to paint my first public mural as well as my first public art show on my own in Manhattan. Some important first steps for the burgeoning artist – ALL of which G will be present and covering…i hope.” – TY, Artist
Jon Burgerman
“I’m looking forward to making more stuff, being in New York more, traveling a little less and meeting more people – friends, neighbours, peers and pizzeria owners. My Visa will expire in 2013 so I need to make the most of being in America before I’m shipped off back to the UK. Cheers + happy holidays” – Jon Burgerman, Artist
Painting (and photo) by Ari Lankin
“My New Year’s resolution is to eat healthier” – Ari Lankin, Artist
Nir Hod
“2012 was an amazing, special year. I wish 2013 will be a year of correction - we have to discover new things and understand that many things we like or want are not necessary any more. We have to wake up from some dreams and create a new one better and powerful one. I want to be surrounded with great people in a beautiful places that will bring me inspiration and magic always to touch other people’s hearts and minds. I want the summer to be longer and time to be slower.” – Nir Hod, Artist
Scooter LaForge
“My Resolution for 2013 is to surpass my creative limits and to learn to speak fluent Spanish! Also, to have my project at the Bronx Museum (fall 2013) blow people’s minds! Hope to see lots more of you this coming year too!” – Scooter LaForge, Artist
Eric Eyeball Richardson
“My resolution for the New Year is less porn and more painting or is that backwards damn it!?!
Happy New Year’s, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa!” – Eric ‘Eyeball’ Richardson, Artist
Thanks again to everyone who participated and I hope 2013 exceeds your goals, dreams and visions!
What are you looking forward to in 2013? What are your New Year’s Resolutions? Tell us in the comments section and most importantly, HAPPY 2013!!!!
If you can see this, you’ve survived the Mayan apocalypse. 2013 is here! I took a brief survey of some of According2g.com’s All-Stars in the fields of art, music and publishing to find out what their 2013 New Year’s Resolutions are. For those, like me that don’t make resolutions anymore, I asked them to tell us what they are looking forward to in 2013. Click on their name to be directed to their websites to learn more about these great minds. Thanks to everyone that participated and I hope 2013 exceeds your dreams, goals and visions!
Art by Nathan Sawaya
“I resolve to rock the art world by creating art unlike anything the world has ever seen before. Also to eat less trans-fats.” – Nathan Sawaya, Artist.
St. Paul Peterson
“I am looking forward to creating new music for fDeluxe in 2013!” – St. Paul Peterson, Singer/Musician
wall by Skinner
“I’m looking forward to a year of health and new creativity, emotional understanding of myself and others. Doing more murals, ripping super hard and letting the universe be the complete exponential train-wreck that it is without taking on the negativity that comes with it! Also trying to get my cats to not pee on top of each others pee in the house.” – Skinner, Artist
Peter Davis (photo courtesy of Peter Davis)
“My resolution is to drink less coffee and finish a photo project that I am doing for The Coalition for the Homeless, my favorite charity. And also, when not editing my magazine SCENE, finish my book so my agent is happy.” – Peter Davis, Editor-in-Chief of Scene Magazine
Art by Free Humanity
“My New Year’s resolution that I have had for about a zillion years is to treat every day like New Year’s, every day like Christmas and every day and every moment as special as the next. With every breath, I remind myself of the infiniteness and momentariness of this moment that is always with me. Shit if i could only be that poetic all the time (laughs).” – Free Humanity, Artist.
Matt Gross (photo courtesy of Matt Gross)
“I’m looking forward to these albums in 2013:
Autre Ne Veut – “Anxiety”
Ulrich Schnauss – “A Long Way To Fall”
Indians – “Somewhere Else”
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Title TBD (due in spring)
Sky Ferreira – Title TBD (due in spring)” – Matt Gross, Editor-in-Chief, A Heart Is A Spade
Eminem by Borbay
“I always end my year with a recap, and begin with goals… though the latter are usually kept to myself. In 2013, I’ll make an immediate splash with the Kick Ass Actors in Kick Ass Roles exhibition, and while it’s like telling a pitcher he has a no-hitter going in the 4th, I’d like to sell out. Beyond that, I want 2013 to be to 2012, what 2012 was to 2011, a major step in the right direction — new collectors, great press, creative progress… Beyond the easel, I want to be the best husband I can be for my wife Erin, a true friend to the good ones, and continue living an honest life of passion.” - Borbay, Artist.
Rob Shuter (Photo courtesy of Rob Shuter)
“Laugh out loud EVERY SINGLE day” – Rob Shuter, Entertainment Columnist
Isengart
“To continue living a creative life, to concentrate on work and friendships, and to not let the greed, stupidity and vulgarity of our time have too much of an impact on the time I’ve been given.” – Isengart, Singer/Performance Artist
Paul Zepeda (photo courtesy of the artist)
“For 2013, I have resolved to go bigger and bolder in my work, which is my life. That includes exploring more of this beautiful planet we are on for inspiration, as well as creating new worlds on canvas and expanding their international reach. After an amazing year in 2012 of establishing myself in NYC (thanks in large part to a stellar group of friends and colleagues) and achieving dream after dream, I look forward to all that the new one has in store for me. Keep an eye on my progress here: http://www.Zepeda.us” – Paul Zepeda, Artist.
Phillip Lumbang
“I gotta think of a resolution first. Haha” – Phil Lumbang, Artist.
Stay tuned for 10 more resolutions and 2013 goals!
A dream of mine came true yesterday at the CMJ music marathon in New York as I had the opportunity to interview Interpol’s lead singer Paul Banks for MTV’s show “Weird Vibes.” (Air dates and links will be posted as soon as I know, so stay tuned to the site and tell all your friends). Paul Banks is taking a brief break from Interpol and will be releasing a solo album called “Banks” on October 23, 2012. Long time readers of the site know I am a huge fan of Interpol so this was a huge thrill for me (and it was my first ever on-camera rock star interview. Not too shabby)! Before the interview, Paul performed a 30 minute set that included tracks from “Banks” including “The Base” and “Summertime Is Coming” and also “Games For Days” from his Julian Plenti solo album.
Paul Banks
I asked Paul important questions such as his feelings on the fact that my world exclusive live video of “Not Even Jail” that I posted on According2g.com failed to go viral. It made absolutely no difference to him at all, moments before denying the site access to exclusive mp3s. Ha! We also talked about hanging with rockstars and he revealed he’s good friends with Britt Daniel of Spoon. He never got to meet Amy Winehouse and though he hasn’t met Gotye, he likes “Somebody That I Used To Know.” He did reveal that once touring commitments and promotion are completed for “Banks” he will get back with Interpol and they will record again. Thanks again to Paul Banks for being such a good sport and also to MTV for this great experience. And also, thanks for the photo op! “Banks” by Paul Banks is out on October 23, 2012. Get it!!!
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