Category Archives: Photo Essays

Camiesha Cassanova, A Wilder Fire

I met Camiesha in an Uber pool in Manhattan. I got into the car and was immediately struck by her beauty. I told her so. “Are you a model?” I asked. She said, “No, but I want to be.” We exchanged numbers and two months later she agreed to meet me in Rockaway on theContinue reading “Camiesha Cassanova, A Wilder Fire”

Karina Rykman, Bass and Beyond

I met Karina in 2011 when she accompanied Alex Skolnick on bass for an “UnBlock the Rock” fundraiser in Jersey City. She wasn’t even 21 yet, we had to ask for permission from the bar to let her in. Five years later, she’s touring with Marco Benevento, filling in for usual bassist Dave Dreiwitz when he’s on tourContinue reading “Karina Rykman, Bass and Beyond”

Rockaway Beach, Hurricane Hermine

Maybe it’s because my mother was born there or that it has such a huge Irish history, but I feel at home at Rockaway Beach. To me it’s the perfect mix of a rooted, working class community and surfers. Of old world class and grit with just enough places to get a good cup ofContinue reading “Rockaway Beach, Hurricane Hermine”

Communism and the Art of Detachment

I tried to find my zen initially in July of 2003, at a meditation camp in Thailand. At this world renowned Buddhist training camp, you cannot talk, you cannot write, you cannot read. You meditate for 10 days straight. It supposedly changes your life. The night before I left for meditation, I went out withContinue reading “Communism and the Art of Detachment”

Statement for Briant, Rockupation of City Hall, June 1, 2012

In dreams I see myself flying…                                                         –Invisible Wounds (Dark Bodies), Fear Factory I know introducing a photo exhibit on Cuban metal with a Fear Factory  song is strange.Continue reading “Statement for Briant, Rockupation of City Hall, June 1, 2012”

Cuba, Heavy Metal and Pope Benedict

Benedict said the “ambition and selfishness of certain powers” took “little account of the true good of individuals and families,” and added that it was impossible to “continue in the same cultural and moral direction which has caused the painful situation that many suffer.” (Wall Street Journal, on the Pope arriving in Cuba) As theContinue reading “Cuba, Heavy Metal and Pope Benedict”

Socialism is Lame, Capitalism Sucks

*Originally written in January 2012. When I was 25, my second first true love of my life and I broke up and moved out of our 1 bedroom apartment with the closet that was too shallow and the kitchen with linoleum floors. I was convinced that the psychosis driving us apart stemmed from the factContinue reading “Socialism is Lame, Capitalism Sucks”

Spain, Stocks and Rock UnBlocked

When I read the news of Spain’s youth taking over the streets, I had my typical these days reaction which was to bounce up and down in my seat and contain the energy surging in my veins that wanted me there, now, into the hopeful and encouraging FB status and link that maybe some wouldContinue reading “Spain, Stocks and Rock UnBlocked”