12 replies to this topic

[MurmursAdministrator]

A new story entry has been added:

Quote

West Seattle residents David Belisle and Corianton Hale will be joined by members of seminal rock band R.E.M. at Easy Street Records on Tuesday, June 24, to celebrate the release of their collaboration,

[The Wrong Child]

West Seattle, lived here all my life!  Home to Vedder.  We flock to Alki Beach.  We love Easy Street Records.  Glad to know that the "Hello" artists are fellow Westside residents.  I'll be there!

[Avalon]

If anyone finds out more details on this, please post them here. I emailed the store to see what the rules are, but no answer yet. Can we bring our own books or do we have to buy it from the store, etc. I was at the NYC signing so it would be nice to be able to get the same book signed, though I don't mind having to buy another if need be.

[The Wrong Child]

I GREW UP IN WEST SEATTLE

Such begins the afterword by R.E.M. photographer David Belisle.  He goes on to say he grew up on 47th avenue.  I grew up 39 blocks to the east.  West Seattle, which is within the city limits of Seattle, is still its own entity.  It is a metropolitan quirk with small-town flavor.

At the heart of "the Westside" is a stretch of road known as The Junction.  Easy Street Records sits on the NW corner of the main intersection.  It's fairly well-known, especially to all the music insiders.  Eddie Vedder (another West Seattlelite) shops here.  Pearl Jam did a live show here and released an EP.  It has history.

http://www.murmurs.c...85&d=1214376050

And on this day - a rather hot evening by Seattle standards -  Peter Buck, Belisle and another West Seattle resident Corianton Hale were signing the new "Hello" photofolio, an astounding and intimate look at R.E.M. onstage and off.  Many of the photos here, you will recognize.  Most you will not.  And the impact of Belisle on the artwork by the band will no longer be a side story.

http://www.murmurs.c...80&d=1214376023

Peter walked in about 45 minutes earlier than the scheduled start.  I chatted with him for a bit.  This wasn't the first time I had met him (he gave me his autograph on a Minus 5 CD at Sonic Boom Records 5 years ago), but in his eyes this was the first he had ever seen of me.  I told him that Sasquatch was a great show, although he shrugged because he felt there were a few mistakes.  I let him know how much I like "Harborcoat" live, and he said "yeah it's good to do that one."

So it was a great turnout all in all.

http://www.murmurs.c...81&d=1214376023

That pic above of Peter and me was taken by none other than David Belisle.  When Belisle found out I also lived in West Seattle, we discovered that his s.o.'s dad was one of my teachers in middle school.  Like me, he was "born and raised" (per se) here in the Westside.  When he signed my copy of "Hello," he made sure to emphasize the West Seattle aspect of things.

http://www.murmurs.c...82&d=1214376023

That pic above of the two Davids (Belisle and Wu) was taken by none other than Peter Buck, who after taking it stated "I'm not much of a photographer."

http://www.murmurs.c...83&d=1214376050

Peter was in great spirits all throughout.

http://www.murmurs.c...84&d=1214376050

... and I met Avalon!

[Leilani]

Thanks for the update David, I'm glad you got to chat with Peter and David.

[eva83]

great story and great pictures! Lucky you!

[Avalon]

Hi David! It was great meeting you too and thanks for posting those wonderful photos!

When I got to Easy Street, it was a full half hour before the signing and David was in front of us (my husband and I) in line making a purchase. I did see Peter sitting in the back of the sitting area, but decided to leave him be. There weren't really all that many people in the store and even once the signing got under way it was a smaller crowd than the NYC signing. Definitely a cool, small town laid back feel all around. Peter said that he recognized me from the Jones Beach and Philly shows, which I think is pretty damn cool. He signed for me page 161, a photo of him that I picked out, as well as the same photo for fellow Murmursian Lynda J. I'll be sending out her copy this week! I also asked for him to sign my Accelerate cd cover and the set list for the Boston/Mansfield show since that's when they played Maps and Legends, and I showed him my tattoo.

All in all it was a nice way to spend a few hours on a beautiful Seattle evening. Thanks guys!:D

[OldManRay]

Thanks for the reports on the signing - I'm sorry I missed it.  I had thought about going, but it slipped my mind until sometime last night.

[auctioneer69]

I got there about 7.35 picked up the book, got it signed and then hung out with my g/f and a couple of friends shopping. When the signing was done Peter was gracious enough to get his picture taken with me and my friends.  I had the chance to thank him for all the great music through the years and all in all it was geeky but brilliant to meet my favourite member from one of my favourite bands for over twenty years.  

For those of you interested in getting the book you are in for a treat.  The level of photography is consistently excellent and there are lots of interesting and cool photos.

[lyric girl]

Thank you David for the wonderful report. It sounds like it was a great time.

A huge thank you to Avalon for getting the book for me. I owe you big time.

Also David, I got to share Maps and Legends live with Avalon in Mansfield as she was in the row in front of me.:D

[RamblingRob]

Dang.. Wish I could have made it.  Was swamped and sick.  Looks everyone had a great time.

RR

[jerrylin]

Was there as well (good to meet you, Avalon!).

Not sure if Peter was amused by my suggestion that he forge the other guy's autographs (he didn't do it).

Requested "Flowers of Guatemala" in Europe, which he said he'd bring it up with the guys.