Eli and the Sound Cult

Is the name of a good buddy's band. (Jason Bove- artist who Luke helped with the wall art project is the bass player). We were at this absolutely incredible artist studio/loft/space place above some warehouses on the outskirts of the grid last night and it felt like we had entered a completely different realm. Apparently the space had been a speakeasy during the prohibition times and it still maintained a sense of mystery and magic. The place was jammy packed with twinkly lights, hanging sheets, three bands and 120+ hippy/yogi/artist/musician/cyclist/hipster/rock climbing/peace loving/good vibing people, and one gorgeous dog, Townsend, who was making the rounds trying to beg fresh baked pretzels from people... Not to mention the innumerable knickknacks ranging from flying wire birds to countless doll heads, a clown collection, sugar skulls, nude dummies, harlequin masks, dripping candles, and antique cameras, bikes, books, skulls, as far as the eye could see. It was a trip, trust me. Almost creepy, but what made the night special really was the kind hearted crowd. This wasn't a real concert venue, this was a variety of artists' studio space and bands' practice space (perhaps someone's living space as well). There was no security. No one that actually "worked there", nonetheless nothing was tampered with. Nothing was disrespected, and on the contrary, there was an honor box of cash sitting at the top of the stairs for people to leave a $2 suggested donation for the live tunes. If you had some extra dough, there was another beer box in the kitchen left out to collect cash if someone wanted to put some money in after they grabbed a (freakin glorious) home baked pretzel. Holy crap. Sounds like a scene from another time I know, but it happened and it was awesome. Especially cool was being able to look out the window over the truck yard and see beyond the car lights traveling over the highway and the city lights.

A photographer friend, Nicholas Wray was shooting both video and stills so check out his blog. He also made a rad music video for the band, Eli and the Sound Cult.

www.nicholaswray.com/2013/02/eli-and-the-sound-cult-2/


Ps
Again this might shock you, but I am still NOT a professional photographer. ;) and I took all these with my shitty iPhone in the dark, but I think they are kinda rad, so here they are.