News
6/27/08 - California Vacation in Humbolt County
I'm not always the kind of person who likes to visit California. While working with Habitat, Iv'e done a little work there, but because I often see the crowded, dirty parts of the state it turned me off from taking any vacations there. Also, people move much faster, the traffic is bad, and it's expensive. So, though I never really wanted to go before, my girlfriend sort of convinced me after watching a special on the Redwoods in Northern California that we should go for a weekend there.
So, after some thought and a couple of cheap plane tickets, we jumped on a Virgin flight from Vegas to San Francisco, rented a small car and did the 5 hour drive to Humbolt county, home of the Redwoods and California wilderness. We decided not to stay in a hotel, but instead, pitch a small tent in Humbolt State Park. It was going to be fairly warm and not rainy.
I've seen a lot of wilderness in my life. I've been to remote islands in the pacific that have little other than military bases. Yet, standing in the Humbolt County State Park and looking out over the ocean was incredible. There's something about being in the most populous state in the entire country,the cultural center of western culture, and literally being in the wilderness. I could almost hear the Interstates of the big cities below being hushed by the giant body of water before me. Mother Earth and all of her great power becomes almost ironic. The air is clear (and even coming from Vegas, this is a big one)and fresh, smelling of pine and rock wet with dew.
Later in the day, I sat on a rocky outcropping along the beach and let the sandy air wash through me as I played the guitar. The strings sound different against no sound at all, sailing through un-polluted air. I wanted to write a song there, but I couldn't. It seemed that I was just contributing to a melody that had been playing there for hundreds or thousands of years, one that couldn't be claimed, or even understood by anyone who wasn't there. I was just a moment of time for the rocks and old redwoods that had seen so many people and animals before me.
The hiking was wonderful. We'd tent at the same place each night, but took about three different trails over the three days. There were lots of large birds, some of which were the magnificent turkey vulture. We did a few of the Americana type things that popped up along the roadside on our way from San Francisco, including a tree that ou can drive through. I don't remember what it was called, but I do remember getting a great t-shirt of the place that will serve as the perfect memory.
We also ate at the Eel River Brewery, in Fortuna, California which was on our path. The place was started by a couple of home brewers who realized they were making great beer and that they should share it with others. Besides the great beer, the food was excellent. I had some battered fish, chicken and shrimp that would usually be a mess of grease, but was instead a very light and airy.
I have to remember next time I go to take my little recorder. For the life of me, I cannot remember any of the songs I started writing in the woods that weekend. Maybe that's better? Maybe that's just the way the woods wanted it.
Joseph Karsner
Goodbye, Robert Rauschenberg
I can say that here in the Karsner household, it is a sad, sad day indeed. One of my very favorite artists, Robert Rauschenberg, has passed away at the age of 82. This man was not just another Pop Artist. His work was simply splendid, collages of shapes, things and feelings that wrap around you. His ability to use found materials to create a masterpiece has inspired me beyond the convential idea of art and the boundaries we are faced with.
Being that I am a print artist, I've spent years studying his famous silkscreens. For those of us who have worked with the media, we understand the incredible temperment of the screen and the moody disposition of water-based ink. Bringing them together is a talent few can truly master, and he did.
Rest In Peace, Mr. Raudcheberg. You'll be remembered.
-Joseph
4/25/08
Spring is good. There's so much happiness around Vegas. Everyone is twitterpated, or something like that. I've been doing a lot of photography and capturing the people around me.
Joseph
4/18/08
I'm happy to say that I'm nearly finished with the album and will be hopefully releasing it within the next month.
Joseph
3/25/07
Joseph Karsner’s new Album, “The Sugar Police” is almost finished and will be, hopefully, downloadable within the next few weeks.
Joseph Karsner will not be selling the album in any stores. He doesn’t believe in tangible media, and thinks all music should exist within the realm of digital freedom. There’s a mystery to music you cannot hold. When it lives only on your computer or MP3 player, it roams a dimension humans can never enter. There, it stays exactly how it was, never scratching or decaying. It will be perfect forever.
For those of you who love album art, don’t you worry. There will be art. Joseph is planning on creating a very beautiful spread for the album, in which he’ll hopefully incorporate Joseph the II and Warhol.
The album will be available on MySpace and possibly Amazon. Stay tuned for details!
-Ana
3/20/07
Joseph Karsner’s song, “Give a Hoot”, has been chosen by Sophia Lane as the theme song for her upcoming Art show. Check out her MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/calicocurves
Sophia Lane is a wonderful print and found artist based in Las Vegas. She’s been a friend of ours for many years, and Joseph is glad to lend his music to her show. I haven’t heard the for sure word about a party, but it’s very possible there will be one and it’s possible we’ll be putting on a show. I can’t say for sure and I definitely don’t want to get any emails about it because people I really don’t know what’s going to happen. Know that you’ll all be the first to know.
-Ana
3/1/07
Make sure to add (Joseph Karsner as your friend at Myspace.com!) His new songs are posted there as well.
-Ana
2/17/08
Life is good in Vegas. Just wanted to drop a note and say that Joseph and I have finally moved in to our new apartment and the view is spectacular.
Warhol is doing well after having a relapse of respiratory disease. He’s still doing all his rat art.
-Ana
1/3/07
There’s been tons of emails about the new Joseph Karsner album and please let me assure you it’s happening. Do not worry your little bodies about it my friends.
Honestly, the fact of the matter is that Mom and I have had some really great work going for us over these last few months, and we were lucky to spend time in New Orleans over Christmas. If you people want to make a difference that it is visible fast, please look in to Habitat for Humanity. I’m not going to go in to the crap that happened down there because what’s done is done. But know that the people still need our help and are accepting with pride and the feeling it gives you is amazing. Anyway, we’ve had a lot to do and I’m not going to apologize for the lack of musical stimulation because I think you’re all going to be pleasantly pleased with the results of my long silence.
I saw some jaw dropping music down south. Boy, there’s a reason the blues call New Orleans home. I never got in to blues music, and OK, well, that was then and this is now. I think I never gave the music enough of a chance, or maybe, I just didn’t get dirty enough. I’m in love though. Don’t be fooled by what you hear on TV – NO is still the-place-to-be. No matter what the devastation, the people are still prouder than hell and playing their guitars, jugs and voices. Go down there. See it for yourself.
I’m back home and taking about 2 weeks off from work and hoping to get through most of the new stuff. Those of you who have emailed wondering where I am-thanks. I really love getting that love. It helps when the days are long and I’m surrounded by sadness and grief.
-Joseph