2015 in review

2015 has come and gone! Rather than prattle on wistfully about the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of existence, let's focus on some of the highlights from the past year!

Antho and I were both pretty busy this year! Between our trip to Hollywood to perform at the Whiskey a Go-Go, and the subsequent backpacking across L.A, the Holi-festival of colour, Blinking Man bike ride downtown, our trip to San Francisco (01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23...), our multiple tie-dye sessions and all of our liquid light performances (01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16...) combined with my volunteering with Critical Care Comics, art gigs (01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06...), private commissions, tutoring and blogging it's been an enlightening and mostly enjoyable year full of learning, colourful creations, travel and nesting.

We moved into our adorable little townhouse around Valentine's Day and our lease is rapidly coming to an end... I had originally planned on moving to Korea (and Antho following!) for work, but due to the passing of my grandmother I've had to postpone as I attempt to get her affairs in order. I've started a GoFundMe campaign trying to raise funds to get her buried...if you can contribute anything, anything at all, I would be so grateful! It's awful knowing she's just sitting there, stuck somewhere in Florida, when her last wishes were to be buried next to the man she loved in Ohio and there's little to nothing I can do about it at this moment. That put a real damper on the end of the year for me, as I struggled with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness on top of mourning the loss of my last grandparent. Creating the campaign helped me to feel like I'm at least trying, so I've been slowly crawling out of the depths of my depression of late, but it hasn't always been easy. Antho lost his grandpa a month later which left us both rather down and out during the holidays...

As heartbreaking as it is to lose someone, it's an unfortunate consequence of getting to exist at all, isn't it? Normally I prefer to focus on all the good experiences we shared and the memories they've given us, which helps, but the lack of closure in this instance is especially difficult for me to deal with. Antho's grandpa is already having his service later this month while my grandma's is still unknown, unscheduled, despite her having departed over a month prior and it pains me. Our bodies aren't intended to last forever, especially once we've evacuated the premises... *sigh* every day that passes is another day she sits alone and lost.

Well, look at this.... After starting this post with a vow not to prattle on about life, the universe, and everything, here I am waxing philosophic. Oof. 

In the end, 2015 had a lot of good in it. There were some truly beautiful, exhilarating, eye-opening moments that I will be forever grateful for having the opportunity to participate. The year ended on a real downer note, but that doesn't mean the entire year was a bust. You have to try and take the good with the bad, right?

Hope your 2015 was a good one guys.

Much love.

XOXO Nau

Candy Warpop & 710 Visuals performance 11/2015

Candy Warpop recently put on a righteous show at 11th Street Records in Downtown Vegas and invited us to throw light at them. We happily obliged, and here's some of the results!

Josh, their guitarist, was a bit under the weather but still managed to do an excellent job of it. He even threw in a pretty rad solo later on!

"Exterminating Angel"

Vegas: 710 Visuals @ Halloween House Party

 This year we were asked to provide visuals for a private Halloween house party orchestrated by Germ of Ossum Possum, and we obliged. Live music, free beer, festive costumes and scary movies are generally a winning combination. 

Naturally, Ossum Possum performed, as did Sojourner, and I've got plenty of videos after the cut for you! 

Las Vegas: Electric Coronation w/710 Visuals @ the Womb Room 2015-10-03

And to the headlining band, Electric Coronation!

This highly talented group was celebrating the release of their album, so naturally 710 Visuals had to bring the lights for this momentous occasion.

Electric Coronation is comprised of: Joshua Chévere Cohen & Brian Gathy - Guitars, Assorted Trickery Ethan Gathy - Synth Torture Ramy Almerie - Percussive Time/Space Manipulation

Las Vegas: Periskope w/710 Visuals @ the Womb Room 2015/10/03

Antho and I have done several shows at the Womb Room now, and it's one of our favorite venues. Being somewhat small, the intimate vibe encourages people to mingle and meet one another on friendly terms. We've met some truly amazing people there!

There's less pretense and I've yet to see any arguing as none of the bands want to ruin their good standing with the hosts. It's an invite only kind of shindig, so if you lose your invitation you're out!

And with so many talented acts coming through on a frequent basis, that would truly be a shame. 

Talented acts like these guys, Periskope!

A self described "psycho-surf-rock instrumental reverb-disco" band featuring:

Sonia Verde on Bass 

Brandon Fansler on Drums 

Jake Lasky on Guitar 

Justin Ptak on Guitar 

and Hank, the Band Dog.

While some members weren't really visible during the show due to lighting angles and proximity, they all did their part and put on a great show. 

More photos and video below the cut!

Las Vegas: 710 Visuals performance at First Friday 2015-10-02

Oh, Photo Bang Bang, I should write a love ballad to thee.

The photo gallery/studio/event center/stage/lounge/artistic haven is a bustling hub of creativity that brings people of all types together. Lying on the outskirts of the official First Friday event, there is a lot of foot traffic that filters through, but on other days of the month the venue still attracts musicians, photographers and make up artists.

As 710 Visuals, Antho and I have been collaborating with them for several months now and are always happy to participate. 

Las Vegas: Candy Warpop Show at the Double Down Saloon 2015-09-11

Candy Warpop, in case you've been orbiting Pluto and haven't heard of them, are a badass group of musicians who craft some glorious angst anthems. With Anisa on drums, Josh on guitar, Jonas on bass and Amy on vocals, they combine their individual talents into a passionate performance every time they do a show. We've actually done a show with them before, back in the early days of 710 Visuals!

Trust no one who dislikes the song White Rabbit. 

It's fun seeing these old videos as it really demonstrates how far we've come since then! 

This show was at the Double Down Saloon, which is renowned throughout Vegas for their ass-juice and punk-rock aesthetic. The show went really well and we had a great time!

Check below for more photos and videos.

Vegas: 710 Visuals performance at the Womb Room

One of the most gratifying aspects of life is when things come full circle. Good writers often include examples of this karmic turn around in their media be it through visual gags, narrative, or character development. 

It was with special pleasure, then, that 710 Visuals accepted an offer to perform at the Womb Room, the same venue where we'd originally witnessed liquid light art in action and been inspired to invest our time and energy into the medium ourselves.

Photos and video below!

Light Show: Fourth of July show with Toxic Dump

Performing as 710Visuals we've collaborated with musicians from a wide array of musical styles and tempos and that's a huge part of the fun as every show is something different with each band bringing something new to the table. 

For the Fourth of July we collaborated with my friend Marcus to do a show with his band, Toxic Dump. Between it being Antho & I's anniversary, the fireworks, BBQ and festivities it was an all around great evening.