On a walk through the streets of New York City, you’ve probably seen and stopped to look at the trippy and visually pleasant art of Street Grapes. Maybe you didn’t know the artist, but now that all changes!  Read on to find out more about Street Grapes!

The Energy Field by Street Grapes

According2G: Tell us a little bit about your background.

Street Grapes: I immigrated to the states about 5 years ago from Russia and have been living on the East Coast ever since.

Street Grapes

A2G: Can you tell us some of your heroes/influences?

SG: I am influenced by many art forms, ranging from Russian folk art to classic graffiti art. A lot of my artwork is done for rather aesthetic purposes, though I do try to put meaning into all of my work. Some of my art you could call illustration. Stickers though, are my way of getting my work out.  It’s my propaganda – easy and convenient.  All artists of the world [are inspirations]. There are those individuals, of course, who stand out on my list, but I don’t like to consider anyone my favorite; every artist has something beautiful to offer. The images, the sounds and the people which I encounter every day inspire me. Everyone has a story to tell.

Stack of Street Grapes stickers

A2G: What’s on your Ipod/Netflix?

SG: I listen to music all day,every day.  Not a day goes by when I don’t listen to a song.  My music library ranges from The Beatles to The Chemical Brothers and J-Live, I like variety. Some of the movies you could find in my library are Fearless, Smoke, Fight Club and many more.

Street Grapes

A2G: What’s the best thing to happen to you as a result of your art?

SG: Meeting many enthusiastic and interesting people throughout my journey in art. Making connections, discovering new perspectives. It’s like constantly digging for records, searching for new things.

Street Grapes & BilliKid collaboration in NYC

A2G:  Any memorable moments from doing street art?

SG: I remember once hanging out with a few friends on a warm summer night, and later going out to put up some posters around town. I spotted this really nice place near the local hipster hangout area; the place, the crowd and vibe were all right. As I started to glue away, a girl came up to me and asked me what I was doing, and that she really liked the artwork. She told me that she has seen my work all around town, and has been supposedly looking for me for a while. She said she really wanted to know who the person behind Street Grapes was. She pointed out her stickers right next to mine on the back of a sign right near us. We talked for a while. It was nice meeting a fan on street while out and about.

Street Grapes

A2G: Any close calls?

SG: Oh yes, some very close calls. No matter what you do in life, there will be risks.

Street Grapes and Stickman in Philly

A2G:  Is street art a crime?

SG: Today everything is a crime - isn’t it? Some people do really feel that way, that street art is a crime, and nothing else. That doesn’t bother me; people can have their own opinions. I feel like in the end, the majority appreciates what I do. I love doing what I do, and I love sharing my art.  I just happen to be doing it in an unconventional way. The thing with street art is that sometimes it can become a thrilling sport. Sometimes you get caught up; we all do at one point.

Street Grapes sticker in Philly

A2G:What is the message you are trying to convey in your art?

SG: I just want to make people question my work. The more intriguing I can make my artwork, the better.  There is no particular message. I have never tried to take on the political or rebellious agenda. I want to inspire people with my work – whether it is through my eccentric stickers, or though my more thoughtful design and painting work. I want to motivate people to look for more, look further.

Street Grapes painted paddle from Pongtopia! art show

A2G: What is your favorite medium for art?

SG: All of my work has hand drawn foundations.  I don’t think I would ever want to switch over to a digital pad.  There is just a special feel to doing things by hand. All of my design, I first hand draw with India ink pens. I love the possibility of a pen, a simple, yet such a useful tool. Acrylics would have to be my favorite medium though; I love painting. When I paint I am less worried about perfection and perfect, clean lines unlike in my design work. Painting allows me to focus on expression while keeping my style.

Street Grapes

A2G: Any rituals before going out at night?

SG: I like going out with friends.  I hate going out by myself.

The Tree of Balance by Street Grapes

A2G: Future plans?

SG: Keep doing my thing, while exploring new things and taking on new journeys. Hopefully becoming more professional and organized about my art career. I want to take on new projects, bigger projects, try new things. Sometimes I get tired of my graphic and digitalized art work. I want to set aside more time for painting; move on to bigger scales.

Street Grapes

Thanks again Street Grapes!  You can find Street Grapes’ work on the streets of New York and you can also stay connected to Street Grapes on Facebook and Flickr.

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Cate Le Bon

On February 9, 2012, Welsh singer Cate Le Bon performed at New York’s Mercury Lounge.  Telling the audience how much fun she was having seeing us “hot pieces of asses,” Cate Le Bon played an hour long set that featured songs from her records “Me Oh My” and 2012′s “Cyrk.” If you are unfamiliar with Cate Le Bon’s music, here’s a brief primer.  First off, she’s not related to Duran Duran lead singer Simon Le Bon (ha!)  Musically, she is a folk/pop singer who has a unique, haunting and powerful voice (think Florence Welch mixed with Bjork) and her subject matter is dark and is heavily influenced by her young experiences of pet death.  She’ll be playing in Hoboken, New Jersey tonight and invited everyone to come “on tour” with her, so check her out if you are in the area!

See the set list after the jump.

Cate Le Bon Set List. Now property of the G Archives.

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Deborah Harry at WIP wearing a "Jesus Looks Like Me" T-Shirt!

In the wee hours of the morning of February 8, 2012, Deborah Harry stopped by the club WIP in New York to perform with Miss Guy of The Toilet Boys, whose new video was premiered tonight.  In other amazing news, the Toilet Boys will be opening for Guns N’ Roses at their shows this weekend in Manhattan.  Back to tonight - Deborah Harry performed 2 songs including the disco classic “New York Groove” with Miss Guy.  This was my first time at WIP and the club is really cool.  I saw art from several street artists including Dick Chicken on the walls and the crowd were dressed to the 9s in a scene reminiscent of the old Studio 54 days.  The nearly impossible to get into show was also served as an unofficial kick off party for Fashion Week.

Miss Guy and Deborah Harry

Deborah Harry - Dropout Poster

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Humpty Hump (aka Shock G aka Greg Jacobs) of Digital Underground

I’ve loved rap group Digital Underground for 20 years!  They played a concert at New York’s BB King’s on January 22, 2012 and I was there to catch all the action.  Original members Shock G (aka Humpty Hump) and Money B brought the funk!  Flowing as great today as they did back in the day, Digital Underground opened the show with “Packet Man” from their amazing debut “Sex Packets.”  Early on in the show, huge singles from DU including “The Humpty Dance,” “Kiss You Back” and “Same Song” were played.  For the late 2Pac’s verse on “Same Song,” an audience member rocked the mic.  Shock G started off the show dressed as Humpty Hump with fake nose and goofy voice.

Money B of Digital Underground

After a few songs, he introduced his alter ego – Shock G and continued rapping to songs such as “Freaks of The Industry,” “Sex Packets,” “Underwater Rhymes,” and even threw in the verse that Digital Underground raps in the 90s charity single “We’re All In The Same Gang.”  “I Get Around” by 2Pac was also played as a tribute to the late rapper who got his start as a member of Digital Underground.  “I Got 5 On It” by Luniz was also played as a tribute to the absent rapper and Shock G mentioned that he’s got 2 and a half more years of a jail term to serve before he’s released.  The song “Doowutchyalike” was not played, which was a big hit for the group, but it mattered not because after the show was over, Shock G bought a round of tequila shots for those of us that hung around after the concert to get our buzz on how we like!

Shock G of Digital Underground

Money B of Digital Underground and Geoffrey Dicker

Shock G (aka Greg Jacobs aka Humpty Hump) of Digital Underground and Geoffrey Dicker

From one G to another, thanks Shock G and Money B!  What a fun night!

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David Best of Fujiya and Miyagi

On January 21, 2012, British electronic band Fujiya and Miyagi played a sold out show at New York’s Mercury Lounge.  If you are unfamiliar with the music of Fujiya and Miyagi, here’s a brief primer:  the band gets their name from a brand of record player as well as a character in the film “The Karate Kid.”  They’ve been around since the early 2000s and their music features playful lyrics over delicious electronic grooves.  Their songs are all mid- to up-tempo and they’ve mastered the art of moving on to the next song before the groove has a chance to get boring.  What you will find in Fujiya and Miyagi’s music are carefully constructed 3 to 4 minute tracks with a bass line and a beat that will definitely get you in the dancing mood.  Taking that formula to the live stage made for a great night as the audience got a chance to dethaw from the first New York snow storm of 2012 in an all out dance party.  Fujiya and Miyagi played a generous helping of tracks from their 2011 album “Ventrilloquizzing” with songs such as “Cat Got Your Tongue,” “YoYo,” “16 Shades of Black and Blue” and “Minestrone.”  Fan favorites such as “Uh” and “Knickerbocker” were also played as well as “Ankle Injuries” which features the band shouting out “Fujiya and Miyagi” at the end of the song.  What a fun night!  Thanks to F&M!

See the setlist after the jump.

Fujiya and Miyagi Setlist Mercury Lounge on January 21, 2012

David Best of Fujiya and Miyagi and Geoffrey Dicker

Matt Hainsby of Fujiya and Miyagi and Geoffrey Dicker

Steve Lewis of Fujiya and Miyagi and Geoffrey Dicker

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