We wouldn’t be surprised if Colin Nance dreams in zeros and ones.
Nance is a mainstay in the Okie electronic band The Gentle Art of Floating and his recent solo projects are like a one-man band M83.
So, it didn’t come as a surprise when Nance hopped into the Spy Van with an iPad and a boombox in tow.
The combination of cassette tape and his friend Pilar Pueyo made for one of the most inventive sessions we’ve had to date.
Check out some stills from the shoot after the jump…
Phillip Danner is an artist with a knack for texture.
Little did we know that he wanted to create textures inside the Spy Van with office tape, spray paint and even fire. The only thing hotter than the cruel July sun was Danner’s art as he took one of his older pieces and transformed it into something new. This doesn’t come as a big surprise because the artists working at The Society are quite the creative whizzes.
It has been a couple months since we’ve had an Okie artist jump into the van for an Artist Interview Session, but we hope this episode starts another wave of sessions at Live on the Plaza. If you’re unfamiliar with Live on the Plaza then please check into the free art and culture explosion that takes place every second Friday of the month.
Keep on trucking, readers and watchers.
Check out some stills from Danner’s session after the jump.
Tyson Meade doesn’t write songs.
He writes postcards.
We’re not saying that because Meade spends most of his time pursuing music adventures in Asia. It’s because his songs capture a time and place. Meade’s lyrics tell stories like an old, dusty postcard message would. They have a rambling start, descriptions that make you wish you were there and they finish with a warm goodbye.
We felt lucky to catch Meade in Oklahoma and have him share two songs with us. It’s not often that he makes trips to the U.S. and when he does it’s usually for not very long.
The Bartlesville-native singer/songwriter not only lent us his songs but also his stories. He talked about falling in love with China and the new album he’s working on with students throughout Shanghai. Indie director He remembered working with Spike Jonze on the director’s first music video. Meade has lived a very rock and roll lifestyle.
“Some people have acid reflux,” he said in the van. “I have acid flashbacks.”
Sounds like a story fit for a postcard.
Be sure to check out Meade in Tulsa this week. He’s performing a show at Dwelling Spaces on Thursday.
Also, Meade has a Kickstarter. Help him make more tunes like these.
Check out some stills after the jump.
John Fullbright pushes music to a new level.
Seriously, Fullbright helped push the VDub Sessions van when it broke down before his session last week.
We were blown away from his generosity when he not only helped with the van but also belted out this amazing track from his new album.
Fullbright said nothing surprises him at this point.
That’s funny coming from a musician full of surprises.
The Okemah native recently landed an interview on NPR’s Weekend Edition and a feature on Paste’s website.
Not to mention this impressive write-up from the LA Times.
Fullbright’s about to embark on a tour across the country. You better catch this Okie before he’s too folkin’ famous for his own good.
Check out some stills from the shoot after the jump.
Change doesn’t happen by itself.
Lucky for Oklahoma City, we have Kristen Vails working her tail off. She’s spent the better part of four years promoting and revitalizing the district.
Vails is the executive director of the Plaza District. If you haven’t noticed, the Spy Van makes a special trip to every Live on the Plaza event to not only have fun but also to film interviews with Okie artists.
You can thank Vails for setting up these interviews.
For some reason, we’ve waited this long to chat with Vails about her artwork. A lot of her work is based on Vails’ favorite hoofed animal.
Take a minute to learn about an Okie that’s all about artwork.
Check out some stills after the jump.
You know that saying, “They don’t make ’em like they use to.”
Well, it’s time you meet John Paul Keith.
One part Buddy Holly and the rest parts catchy as hell.
That’s the best way to describe the rockabilly songs coming from Memphis-based artist.
The good people of Okie Dope records invited Keith to perform at VZD’s, and he was kind enough to share a song from his latest album.
Enjoy this blast from the past because they do make ’em like they used to.
Check out some stills after the jump.
Every so often, a band passes through Oklahoma and there just isn’t excuse to greet it with the van.
Folkie Chris Bathgate caught our attention with his soulful, dusty Tiny Desk Concert on NPR.
We met him outside of The Blue Door.
Although the Michigan native is stripped of his powerful, electric backing band in the van, Bathgate’s passionate lyrics and musical talents burn brightly.
“Ain’t it good to be alive,” he repeats in the chorus of “Calvary.”
We think so too.
Bathgate is a reminder of the simple beauty and charm hidden within music. His music is one of those things you don’t know you miss until it’s gone.
Hopefully, we can expect him back in Oklahoma before too long.
Make sure to look out for his new EP “Old Factory.”
Check out some stills after the jump.
Last month, we caught up with Okie via Germany artist Jeremy Watson.
It was one of his first showings in our state, so let’s give him a warm welcome and check out what he has to say about his creations.
Check out some stills from the shoot after the jump.
When it comes to art, Dusty and Tanner know their shirt.
If you’ve been to a Thunder game or have any Oklahomacentric friends then you’ve probably seen designs from Tree and Leaf Clothing.
Dusty has been running the apparel store for about six years.
Design is in his blood. His grandfather’s claim to fame is drawing Pistol Pete, a symbol famous throughout the country. Dusty still has his grandfather’s old design notebooks and its influence doesn’t seem to be fading any time soon.
Dusty and Tanner had quite a big challange facing them last month. They had to create enough artwork for a Live on the Plaza gallery showing in two weeks time. The two tirelessly collaborated and ended up with plenty of quality work.
Except plenty more good stuff from the duo in the future.
THE VDUB SESSIONS 