The Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival

SO YOU WANNA BE A ROCK AND ROLL STAR – An After School Rock Band Program

Bill — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:23:32 +0000

SO YOU WANNA BE A ROCK AND ROLL STAR? The Low Key Arts After School Rock and Roll Program will offer 24 hours of instruction over the course of four weeks including jam sessions, seminars, recording, video, performance and pizza too!

JAM SESSIONS Students will form a band with other musicians and under the direction of a producer, will write original songs, and learn a cover song or two. Jam Sessions will be 2 ½ hours long, two days a week. Sessions will be held at Low Key Arts.

SEMINARS Students will attend 1 hour seminars guided by industry professionals that will give young musicians an in depth look at the ever changing music industry. Topics covered include; songwriting, booking shows, touring, record contracts, promotion & more.

RECORDING Bands will record their original song in a multi-track environment and have hands on opportunity to learn Logic 9 recording software, microphone placement, mixing and mastering.

VIDEO Bands will shoot a MTV style music video using concepts that the bands create.

PERFORMANCE Following the four week program the bands will perform their original and cover material at a concert for family, and friends.

SCHEDULE Final scheduling for each band will be announced at a later date when registration is complete.

PROGRAM runs September 27 – October 22nd. Final Concert is Friday, October 22nd at 7PM

Monday and Wednesday Jam Session
Band One – 4:00PM – 6:00PM
Seminar/Pizza Party– 6:00PM – 7:00PM
Band Two – 7:00PM – 9:00M

Tuesday and Thursday Jam Session
Band Three – 4:00PM – 6:00PM
Seminar/Pizza Party – 6:00PM – 7:00PM
Band Four – 7:00PM – 9:00PM

COST
Cost for this intensive 4 week program, which includes 24 hours of instruction, a copy of each students CD single, a copy of each student’s music video, nightly pizza and a t-shirt is $400. The program is very limited, so please register soon. Pre-registration deadline is September 17, 2010. E-mail or call for more information. Make checks payable to Low Key Arts, 118 Arbor Hot Springs, Arkansas.

STAFF
Bill Solleder is the founder and program director for Low Key Arts. Bill has over 20 years experience in the music industry including lead vocalist for MCA recording artists, The Blue Meanies, who have traveled around the world sharing the stage with Sublime, Blink 182, Alkaline Trio, Rise Against, NOFX, Yellowcard, Less Than Jake among others. Bill also created and produces Hot Springs’ very own Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival every March. He is also the Head Director of The Power Chord Academy, an intensive rock and roll Summer program based in Los Angeles since 2005.

Bobby Missile is the owner of Ballistic Missile Booking Agency, Bobby books North American tours for over a dozen bands including his own projects; Attractive and Popular and Cold Mold. Bobby is the talent buyer for the downtown Hot Springs all ages venue, The Exchange. He is primarily a guitar player but excels on bass, drums and vocals. Bobby has worked with the Power Chord Academy as band producer in both 2008 and 2010.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE LOW KEY ARTS AFTER SCHOOL ROCK AND ROLL PROGRAM OR FOR AN ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PLEASE EMAIL bill@valleyofthevapors.com or call Bill at 501-282-9056

ARKANSAS SHORTS – Call for entries!

Bill — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:07:05 +0000

ARKANSAS SHORTS – Call for entries !!
LOW KEY ARTS is preparing for the 4th Annual ARKANSAS SHORTS – a night
of short film on January 8th, 2011. Short film / video submissions are being
taken now. SUBMIT YOUR SHORT FILM !!!

WHO: Arkansas filmmakers
WHAT: Arkansas Shorts – a night of short film
WHERE: The Historic Malco Theater
819 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR.
WHEN: January 8, 2011

THE RULES: 10 minute max
running length, including
credits. Aspect ratio must be
16:9 DVD Format. Submit
(2) DVD copies.

Include a short description of film,
name of director, city of residence,
length of film, date of film. Films
must be directed by a native of
Arkansas or current resident
of Arkansas. Submissions
must be received no later
than December 1, 2010.

MAIL ENTRIES TO:
Low Key Arts / Arkansas Shorts
118 Arbor, Hot Springs, AR. 71901
NO SUBMISSION FEE.
Final selections will be announced
on December 20, 2010. Contact
bill@valleyofthevapors.com

Get Your Rabbit Foot On – Friday the 13th at Low Key Arts

Bill — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:50:05 +0000

Low Key Arts will host an entire evening of forward thinking entertainment on Friday, August 13th. Early rock show with Off With Their Heads, The Arrivals and The Weisenheimers. Three classic punk rock bands with power, grit and sing-a-long anthems from the old school.

The Late show will feature the debut of DJ Shaun Lee of the infamous Cool Shoes Little Rock dance party’s in Hot Springs. Spinning along side of Dan Anderson’s cinePLOSION!!! begins at 11PM – ????

FRIDAY THE 13th
LOW KEY ARTS, 118 Arbor in Hot Springs
8PM – all ages punk rock show with Off With Their Heads, The Arrivals and The Weisenheimers
11PM late show with DJ Shaun Lee and cinePLOSION!!!

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS VIDEO….

July 2nd Gallery Walk – stay gold…

Bill — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 22:31:13 +0000

Friday, July 2nd brings another gallery walk to beautiful and historic downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas and Low Key Arts will be the spot for the “after gallery walk party”. The night will be dedicated and inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 classic film, The Outsiders. Art inspired by the film will be on display, including work from Michael Shaeffer. In addition, California punks, Kepi Ghouli will headline a live performance along with the psychadelic sounds of West Coast duo, Pets. Admission for the event is $5 and doors open at 9PM with a screening of the film.

Come dressed as a greaser or a socs…. all ages – byob.

Friday, July 2nd – 9PM
Low Key Arts, 118 Arbor
performances from…
KEPI GHOULI (california)
PETS (california)
film at 9PM
all ages
by

Thomas Petillo – Just A Way Out at MOCA – Hot Springs

Bill — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:45:24 +0000

During the last couple of years, Thomas Petillo has travelled to Hot Springs from Nashville for family and inspiration. He found both. Often escorted by Marc Byrd, one half of the ambient band Hammock , the two scouted locations and models for the show that would become “Just A Way Out”, which will open at The Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Hot Springs. The show, which by the way, will share the museum with Ansel Adams , takes a very close look at the female form. Some may scoff at the images of nude woman hanging on walls (nails?) like objects, but it is in the eye of the beholder, is it not?. Petillo means no mysogony but calls the show a celebration of the female form.

This will be a very important night for the downtown art community to showcase a young, contemporary, forward thinking artist and at least for one night turn away from Hobby Lobby frames and paint-by-numbers water colors that look so nice over the sofa and in most gallery’s that line Central Avenue. Kudos to Thomas and to the fine folks at MOCA. This one should be as explosive as a golden grenade.

THOMAS PETILLO – Just A Way Out
Opening Reception 6:30 to 9PM
at The Museum of Contemporary Art – Hot Springs

Free Summer School Workshop!!

Bill — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:27:06 +0000

Low Key Arts Seminar – 77 secrets to great Short Film Making
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
at The Art Church – 311 Whittington
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Free and open to all ages and skill levels

77 secrets to great Short Film Making

Join John Cooksey for a fast paced entertaining hands on seminar , that takes you through everything you need to know to make a short film your audience will find entertaining.From Camera techniques, staging, lighting and story structure. You will learn dozens of tips and tricks to propel your camcorder movie making to the next level.
Bring your camcorder if you have one but it is not necessary. Come ready to have fun and grab a lot of information in a short period of time.

June 8th at The Art Church - FREE

John Cooksey is the owner of Elite Video, Since 1991 has been creating training videos for the industry on camera techniques, lighting, sound and more. He has created many short films including his latest “Kindness of Others” (available on youtube) made in Hot Springs. John Trained Nick Candy, a director on the show CSI in 2009 and currently one of the assistant directors of the hit doctor show “House” on NBC.

This will be a great chance to get the gears rolling for Arkansas Shorts 2011

The 4th ARKANSAS SHORTS – a night of short film has been schedule for January 8, 2011 at the historic Malco Theater in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas – please mark your calendar. Last year’s event was viewed by a sold-out and very receptive audience. From what started as a mostly local Hot Springs event, Arkansas Shorts has branched out to film makers from all across the state. The last Arkansas Shorts featured pieces from directors age 5 to 65 and many agree that the quality of the shorts has improved tremendously. If you submitted for last year’s screening, we thank you and hope you will put a short together for ARKANSAS SHORTS 2011.

If you have any questions for suggestions to make Arkansas Shorts a bigger and better event, feel free to call or write. And, please pass this message along to anyone you think might be interested.

Bill Solleder
Low Key Arts Inc.
501-282-9056
bill@valleyofthevapors.com

ARKANSAS FILMMAKERS – Call for Films

Low Key Arts and The Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (HSDFI) have scheduled

the fourth “Arkansas Shorts” for January 8, 2011 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

We are looking for filmmakers to submit a short film for the event.

ATTENTION Arkansas filmmakers, video buffs, media freaks!

Low Key Arts and The HSDFI have scheduled the fourth annual “Arkansas Shorts” an evening of short films. Submissions for the event are being taken now.

Read on…

WHO: Arkansas Filmmakers

WHAT: Arkansas Shorts – a night of short film

WHERE: Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute’s Historic Malco Theater, 819 Central Avenue Hot Springs, Arkansas

WHEN: January 8th, 2011 – 7PM

HOW MUCH: There is no submission fee

The Rules:

Length: 10 minute maximum running length (including credits)

Aspect Ratio: must be submitted in 16:9 DVD Format

(2) DVD copies

All formats including music videos are acceptable

Please include a short description of film, name of director, city of residence, length of film and date of film. Films must be produced or directed by a native of Arkansas or current resident of Arkansas. Submissions must be received no later than December 1st, 2010. NO EXCEPTIONS.

MAIL SUBMISSIONS TO:

Low Key Arts/Arkansas Shorts

118 Arbor

Hot Springs, AR. 71901

THERE IS NO SUBMISSION FEE!!

Final selections will be announced on December 20, 2011

contact bill@valleyofthevapors.com or 501-282-9056

www.valleyofthevapors.com www.hsdfi.org

VOV 2010 In Pictures

Bill — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:40:54 +0000

A look back at an amazing VOV 2010

The VOV Kids!!

Andrew Anderson

Ryan Power

Tumbledown

lucero at opening night of The VOV

Lucero's Ben Nichols

Mother Hug - everybody needs one

Colonel JD Wilkes of The Legendary Shack Shakers

Duane Denison rips while JD Wilkes hips

Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, JD Wilkes

Fang Island

Bethanie does Stevie Nicks better than Stevie Nicks

Bobby Missile and JD Wilkes talk soda pop

The Jukebox Romantics

Jukebox Romantics from the waist down

The Heat Machine at The VOV

Japan's, Uzuhi

VOV festival goers feeling it

VOV Volunteer, Trista Reon

The Memphis Belles plate spinner

Big John Bates and The Voodoo Dollz at The VOV

The VOV loves Kids!

Kian does the robot

Maxine's owner, Agnes and her son take in the sounds

Luna Mae and Eureka show the grown ups how it's done.

Cletus Got Shot gives a bit of bluegrass

Frown Pow'r, hands up!

[caption id="attachment_133" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Frown Pow\'r gets natural"][/caption]

Projexorcism - eight 16mm projector freak out!

The Bitter Tears get wierd

[caption id="attachment_137" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="The Bitter Tears get really wierd"][/caption]

Shea works the raffle

zac and chris head up the production team

Cole works merch

Bill stays chill

Spirit Family Reunion kicks of VOV Sunday

Spirit Family Reunion

Brazil's, The Name

The Blacklist Royals

The Blacklist Royals at The VOV 2010

James Husband, not afraid of the woodwind

Grandchildren at The VOV 2010

Grandchildren close out The VOV 2010

[caption id="attachment_151" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Low Key Arts"][/caption]

VOV Sound Engineer teaching the tricks of the trade to our high school Intern

Dig a little Deeper – The “don’t miss” list

Bill — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:34:41 +0000

The Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival has some high caliber and house hold acts that are easy to name drop, Lucero, Legendary Shack Shakers, Memphis Belles and Mountain Sprout. These are all must see VOV shows and a chance to see these bands, who normally command large venues and/or festivals, in the intimate confines of Low Key Arts and Maxines is a rare treat. Dig a little deeper in the VOV line-up and you will find a few sleeper acts that I strongly suggest you put on your not-to-miss list. Mike Herrera who was throbbing teenage hearts with his band MXPX during the Blink era, has reinvented himself by taking pop-punk and pouring some good old cow punk gravy all over it and calling it TUMBLEDOWN (3/17 at Low Key Arts). Chicago new wavers Bang-Bang shot out MY GOLD MASK (3/17 at Maxine’s) who’s Siousie Soux meets White Stripes approach make this duo one of the festivals must sees. It seems that all eyes and ears are turning to Brooklyn to watch scenesters turn into celebrities. I doubt Brooklyn’s FANG ISLAND (3/18 at Low Key Arts)

FANG ISLAND

is going to get a good 15 minutes of fame, but the bands super positive and fun sound that is self-described as “everyone high-fiving everyone” is sure to install a perma-grin on all the faces they rock. The VOV has a reputation for hosting international artists with bands from Canada, Brazil and Japan represented this year. UZUHI (3/19 at Low Key Arts) brings its punk/metal/circus sound to life at this years VOV.

The Japanese Are Coming!! UZUHI

There will be a whole lotta vintage flesh and flare at Maxine’s on Friday night with The Memphis Belles making there second showing in The Spa, but look for Canadian openers BIG JOHN BATES AND THE VOODOO DOLLS (3/19 at Maxine’s) to lay down some agrressive psycho-billy sounds complete with upright bass and burlesque dancers.

Big John Bates and The Voodoo Dollz

Both Saturday and Sunday will be marathon runs at Low Key Arts with 8+ bands playing each day. Don’t miss California’s RED PONY CLOCK (3/20 at Low Key Arts) who bring a very unique approach to indie rock and mariachi music.

Red Pony Clock - VOV Saturday

THE BITTER TEARS (3/20 at Low Key Arts) are back for a second act of their crazy clown vaudville wierdness.

Chicago's Bitter Tears

GRANDCHILDREN (3/21 at Low Key Arts) are one of the most innovative and versatile songsmiths today.

Grandchildren - VOV Sunday

SPIRIT FAMILY REUNION (3/21 at Low Key Arts)

Spirit Family Reunion - VOV Sunday

open the Sunday show with a old tymey folky string band who circle one old skool condenser mic like to good old days of radio – not to be missed!!

Schedule subject to change.

Rockers from Brazil, CANJA RAVE to play VOV Fundraiser – Fri, Mar 12

Bill — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:41:46 +0000

The Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival relies on the support of an amazing group of volunteers, individual contributions, and grants to provide an outlet for Arkansas to see some super sweet rock from all across the world. It should also be noted that the bands often perform for much less than they would normally be compensated. That sometimes might only amount to some free tacos and some tasty New Belgium beer. Why? Because everyone from the artist, donor and supporter BELIEVE in what The VOV is doing.

CANJA RAVE who can be called Brazils answer to The White Stripes bring their garage rock sound to Maxine’s this Friday, March 12th for a VOV Fundraiser. Also performing are LANDREST who call Hot Springs home. The show is only $5 and proceeds go towards The VOV which will commence just five days later.

VOV 2010 Poster Artist Revealed

Bill — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:04:46 +0000

Traditionally, six year milestones are celebrated with candy and iron. This being The VOV’s sixth annual festival we presented the idea of “Candy and Iron” to Get A Clue Design who was chosen from a group of 25 designers to create this years limited edition silk screen poster and his brilliant brain gave us robots and lollipops!! Get A Clue follows in the footsteps of past VOV poster designers such as Aescetic Apparatus, Nate Duvall, and Jay Ryan.

VOV 2010 Poster - detail image

Matt Pfahlert, a.k.a., Get A Clue Design lives in a small town in North Carolina much like Hot Springs. He has worked with Wilco, Band of Horses, Gomez, Blondie, The Black Keys, and Crowded House to name a few. You will the opporunity to view and purchase his work at the upcoming Hot Springs Gallery Walk on Friday, March 5th. Limited edition (65) VOV prints will be on sale for a mere $10 and other band prints including Wilco, Decemberists and Spoon to name a few will be going for $20. The opening show will be held at Speak Up Child Gallery, 801 Central Avenue (2nd Floor) in beautiful downtown Hot Springs from 5 to 9PM – all ages welcome. Following the gallery walk event, the show will move to Low Key Arts for the duration of The VOV, March 17-21.

You can check out Get A Clue’s work here