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The World Watercolor Month 2020 – Day 26


– Favorite Song –
Day #26 World Watercolor Month 2020

Robert Smith “THE CURE” ©CarolinaRusso

 #WorldWatercolorMonth2020

Day 26  – Robert Smith THE CURE
Prompt: Favorite Song (A Forest)

Today painting is not a new painting but one very dear to my heart 🖤 My favorite band is THE CURE and my favorite song from them is “A Forest” my painting is the portrait of Robert Smith with the words from the song A Forest lyric hand written around the portrait. I made this painting time ago if you’re a follower maybe you remember to have seen it already.  I think  fit perfectly for today Prompt, so I decided to share it again ♥️

❤ Limited Edition Prints of this portrait hand enhanced are available without the written lyric, I do accept custom requests, if you like few words of your favorite song on it. You can see my listing here > Etsy Shop

Details about my watercolor paintings:
 I used  French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier  l’Aguarelle,   Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches . Outlined with Micron pen Black, dark red inks #01.

All my watercolor paintings for the World Watercolor Month would be available for purchase  as Limited Edition signed Prints hand enhanced by me with inks.
If you like you can  Shop the World Watercolor Month Collection on my ETSY Shop!

❤  You can see all my painting at the World Watercolor Month 2020 >>> Gallery

Join us and use hashtag  #WorldWatercolorMonth

This is going to be a wonderful month stay connected and keep painting!

Wish you a wonderful day!

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art For Music, Charity, Community, Events, Featured, motivational, Music, My Paintings, One of a kind, Uncategorized, Videos, Watercolors, World Watercolor Group

Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell is hosting a Music – Art Charity Auction for the Deaf Academy

Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell – Photo credit: Burak Cingi / Redferns via Getty Images

Music and Art together for Charity…

Wonderful Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell, 90s Shoegaze pop music artist, has organized a Charity auction fundraising for the new UK, Devon’s Deaf Academy project to open on April 2020. Rachel Goswell is personally involved with the Academy and sensitive to the problem of hearing impairment because affect her 9 years old son Jesse.  Rachel and her husband Steve Clarke recently formed “The Soft Cavalry” released their debut album which includes the song “Bulletproof” and the interesting and beautiful Video  performed by the duo in sign language.

The Soft Cavalry – Rachel Goswell and Steve Clarke performing in Bulletproof Video

Rachel Goswell expressed her motivations behind the Bulletproof video in a press release: “For a long time now I have wanted to do a video that incorporates BSL (British Sign Language) due to my son being Profoundly Deaf with no hearing. He also has additional needs with CHARGE Syndrome that brings many added complications. I live within two worlds both Hearing and Deaf; and have learned a lot in the last nine years about the many barriers Deaf people can face in our society. One of the main points I was taught very quickly is how music is accessible to Deaf people. Of course music can be felt through vibration but visually I feel so much more could be done to enhance the experience. We made this video with the support of Sign Up BSL to translate ‘Bulletproof’ so that the song flows properly in BSL. Sometimes with signing videos – they can be a literal translation of the words (Sign Supported English) which will make little sense to the Deaf viewer. Our hope is that we have achieved this and also that one day as my son gets older and develops his language skills he will be able to understand this song.”

During the past couple of months since Rachel announced the donation of one of her guitars, numerous bands and artists connected with her. She gathered and will auction off amazing generously donated items from great bands, musicians and creative artists. The auction lots  includes unique Music and Art collectibles, memorabilia signed items, screen prints, set lists, shirts, jewelry, signed albums and lots more.  Just to name a few, Rachel Goswell donated one of her loved guitars signed by Slowdive members, the band also donated a variety of rare items.  A long still growing list of over sixty unique items is ready for the upcoming auction, includes donations from The Cure, Cocteau Twins, Mogwai, The Cult, Low, Ash, My Bloody Valentine and many more.

I am honored that I was able to contribute and donate my art for this great cause, give help for deaf children to have a new beautiful place. I have donated two prints a “One Of A Kind” Limited Edition Fine Art Prints of my recent watercolor paintings a portrait of Robert Smith “THE CURE” and of Frightened Rabbit -Scott Hutchison Tribute. Prints are OOAK Hand Enhanced with gold ink and feature hand written words from favorite songs! Since Rachel shared them on her Instagram I can share them here in preview.

Robert Smith “THE CURE” ©CarolinaRusso

 

Scott Hutchinson Tribute ©Carolina Russo

Auction will take place in few days on eBay. Bidding open on 14 November through 24 November 2019, you will find a direct link to the auctions on the Deaf Academy website  at newdeafacademy.org.uk all the proceeds are donated for this great cause 🖤

Auction will be run via eBay, and lots will go live between 4pm-11pm UK time on 14 November

>>  Follow This Link To View All Lots Once They Go Live

Here there is the list of almost all the wonderful unique items up for auction including mine.

Alabama Shakes  – set list
Alcest – bundle including LPs, book and distortion pedal
American Football – tuning chart, set list & handwritten signed lyric sheet for ‘I Can’t Feel You’ (signed by full band and Rachel Goswell)
American Football – tuning chart and signed LP
Angel Olsen – ‘All Mirrors’ limited edition clear vinyl
Ash – bass drumhead
Ash – set list
Ash – signed snare head
Beach Fossils – vinyl bundle
Carolina Russo – Robert Smith fine art print
Carolina Russo  Scott Hutchinson fine art print
cEvin Key – bundle including Skinny Puppy tour poster, signed t-shirt and Download LP
Chapterhouse – Die Die Die t-shirt
Chapterhouse – Freefall t-shirt
Chapterhouse – Mesmerise tour poster
Chapterhouse – signed Pearl 7″
Chapterhouse – Whirlpool poster
Chas n’ Dave – signed poster
Cocteau Twins – framed poster
David Bowie – ‘Ziggy’ screenprint, by Argentinian artist George Manta
Dead Oceans/ JagJaguwar/ Secretly Canadian – vinyl starter kit from these 3 labels, including signed LPs from bleached, Shura, Slowdive and Alex Cameron, and LPs/7″s from Angel Olsen, Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band and more…
Devendra Banhart – screenprint, by Argentinian artist George Manta
Ed Harcourt – set list
Editors – Black Gold vinyl test pressing
Erased Tapes – the bundle from this independent record label includes a selection of signed records & sheet music from Penguin Cafe, Hatis Noit, Douglas Dare, Peter Broderick, Nils Frahm, Ben Lukas Boysen & Masayoshi Fujita
Foals – screenprint
James Bates prints – ‘Trust in me’ screenprint
James Bates prints – ‘Smiley Smile’ screenprint
James Bates prints – ‘Transmission’ screenprint
James Bates prints – ‘The Soft Cavalry – The Soft Fuzzlets’ screenprint
Japanese Breakfast – bundle includes baseball cap, two pins and signed CD of Soft Sounds from Another Planet
Keane – bundle including signed 37″ drumhead, tour poster, eco bag, water bottle and badge set
Low – bundle consists of Mimi’s signed mallet and brush, End of the Road set list and End of the Road screenprint poster
Lush – lyric book
Manic Street Preachers – Leeds set list
Manic Street Preachers – Newport set list
Middle Boop fine art prints – ‘Be Excellent to Each Other’ screen print
Middle Boop fine art prints – ‘If you put your mind to it’ screen printMiddle Boop fine art prints – ‘Stay Out of Trouble’ screen print
Middle Boop – Weird World Cup coasters
Mogwai – signed cymbal
Mogwai – signed Vox Phantom guitar
My Bloody Valentine – bundle consisting of signed white label vinyl remastered release of Loveless, a black Loveless t-shirt, a signed vinyl copy of the re-mastered Isn’t AnythingIsn’t Anything t-shirt, signed copy of mbv on vinyl, mbv screenprint tour poster, and a Devi Ever FX Vintage Fuzz Master pedal signed by the band
Nick Mason – signed poster
Peter Hook and the Light – signed set list and drumsticks
Pet Shop Boys – USA edition of Pet Shop Boys, ‘Actually’ vinyl, signed.
Richard Hawley – set list
Sharon van Etten – Leeds Uni screenprint poster
Sharon van Etten – bundle including Remind Me Tomorrow vinyl and CD, and signed art print of album cover
Slowdive – Gordon Smith guitar, signed by the band
Slowdive – 2017 tour poster signed by Rachel
Slowdive – Green Man festival screen print
Slowdive – Green swirl t-shirt
Slowdive – Just for a Day t-shirt
Slowdive – photo print by Drew Reynolds
Slowdive – ring and candle bundle
Slowdive – Slowdive Buenos Aires screenprint
Slowdive – Slowdive Souvlaki long-sleeved t-shirt
Slowdive – Slowdive Souvlaki short-sleeved t-shirt
Slowdive – rarities bundle – highly collectible from Rachel Goswell’s personal collection.
Comprises of: Original Press Photo from Souvlaki era for SBK Records; Sunday Records – Blue Flexi disc featuring “Take Me Down” & “Beach Song” originally recorded in 1988; Very early Slowdive Demos Cassette, featuring ‘Love Me”, September Chills” and “Jesus”. (All items signed by Rachel)
Slowdive – ‘Sugar for the Pill’ 12″, signed
Sonic Cathedral Singles Club – limited edition subscription of 7″ singles, artists include Slowdive, Luna and Andy Bell
Sylvaine – Bundle of: Silent Chamber, Noisy Heart signed LP, Wistful and Atoms Aligned, Coming Undone signed digipak CDs, Silent Chamber, Noisy Heart limited edition signed cassette tape, & Sylvaine art print, complete with lyrics of “Mørklagt” handwritten on the back
Tanya Donnelly – Handwritten signed lyric sheet for ‘Christopher Street’
Tanya Donnelly – Handwritten signed lyric sheet for ‘The Bees’
The Black Ryder – bundle consisting of limited edition Vinyl of both albums – The Door Behind the Door & Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride (Plus CD) (Included are hand written lyrics by Aimee for songs on both records), and two t-shirts – 1 x Medium (Ladies), 1 x Large (unisex)
The Cult – She Sells Sanctuary signed 12″ with lyrics written by Ian Astbury on the inner sleeve – from Ian Astbury’s private collection
The Cure – two anniversary box sets, signed by Robert Smith
The Fall – set list from Exeter Phoenix gig 29/11/2010
The Soft Cavalry – bundle consisting of a vinyl test pressing of the debut album by The Soft Cavalry signed by Steve & Rachel, and hand painted artwork ‘The Soft Fuzzlets’
The Specials – The Special AKA Supersize artist proof by Morgan Howell
Trafford Parsons – Princess Leia Rebel Rebel silk screenprint by this UK-based artist
Wayne Hussey – Zoom A2.1u pedal, signed
Will Young – set list, Plymouth 25/11/2011

All items have been kindly donated and all proceeds from this sale will go directly to Exeter Deaf Academy (registered charity number 1124523). Monies raised will go towards the building and fit out of a new world-class Deaf academy, providing a unique deaf friendly designed learning and living space for Deaf children and young people, supporting them to thrive.

I am sure this Charity event would be a great success!
A Special Thank You to Rachel Goswell

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

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My Art Published in Scotland on Razur Cuts VII – Just Released!

RAZUR CUTS VII – Photo Credit ©Derek Steel

My Art Featured on Magazine “RAZUR CUTS VII”!

A new issue of “Razur Cuts VII” is now out and released!

Once again I am so proud to have my Art published in Scotland, UK.  This issue includes and feature my watercolor painting a fanart Tribute to “Robert Smith THE CURE” I am honored to have a full page dedicated to my painting in this great publication. The new issue of  Razur Cuts VII is available just released few days ago!

Razur Cuts is an indie magazine that supports and give exposure to artists, writers, music artists, photographers and creative people. It is created and published in Falkirk, Scotland by Editor Derek Steel and his team. The magazine is published only with few issues during the year. Featured are international and local contributors that submit their work. Razur Cuts is locally distributed and sold online by contacting directly via email (details at bottom page). Derek Steel discovered my Art a year ago, kindly invited me to collaborate and create the Front Cover for the past issue #VI released last December, it was fantastic to see my art on the front cover. If you missed my older post, you can see my artwork for the front cover here. I loved the opportunity and great experience taking part to this indie project as a contributor artist. I am once again honored to be featured in the new issue!

For this issue I have submitted my Tribute painting “Robert Smith THE CURE” I have created this painting in celebration of the 40 year Anniversary of The Cure iconic band.

Robert Smith – Art For Music Series – ©CarolinaRusso

❤ Limited Edition Prints of my watercolor Painting “Robert Smith THE CURE’ are now available for Pre-Order in my Shop Here!  
❤ Available also in my Carolina Russo Art – ETSY Shop

If you’d like a copy of RAZUR CUTS VII – please request via email to: deeko1963@googlemail.com  pay £4 through PayPal using the friends & family option – worldwide shipping.

I hope that you like to discover Razur Cuts publication and if you’re interested to support them get a copy, and if you would like your work checked out try a Submission getting in touch with Derek Steel. Down below you find his links!

Follow  Razur Cuts on social media:

>>Facebook Razur Cuts
>>Twitter @razurcutsmag

Disclaimer: As Blogger rule I have to make the statement that my work was freely submitted. I have not being paid by Razur Cuts to be published and not to write this review, these are my own words and thoughts. 

 

A Special Thank you to Derek and Razur Cuts VII wish you success!

Have a great day everyone, I appreciate if you share thank you!

hand-signature-logo-copyright copyCopyright ©Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art, Challenge, Creativity, Ethereal, Haiku, Illustration, Indie, Music, My Paintings, Nature, Poetry, Senryu, Uncategorized, Videos, Watercolors, Writings

Inspired by a Song – Haiku 5.7.5 – Dark

Wind In The Trees – Original Watercolor Painting ©Carolina Russo


Dark

There is a dark Forest
Run into the trees following my eyes
I hear a girl voice…

-CR

Haiku 5.7.5
Inspired by the words of the song “A Forest” Written by ©Robert Smith -THE CURE

 

Hope the New Year found you all well!
Today post is my first Haiku of the 2019 and I have to say that I wrote this Haiku in a whim right after I read the Haiku posted by my dear friend Cyranny, you can read it at her Blog Cyranny’s Cove!  She inspired me to create my Haiku using the words of one of my favorite songs, I also illustrated the Haiku with  one of my older watercolor paintings (Prints available in my Shop!)  I loved to do this and to write my Haiku I actually played a bit with the words and I have changed the sequence from the official lyrics but I was able to keep the sense and meaning of the words in the original song!   Check it out this is the beautiful song “A Forest”  of The Cure…I found a video that has the lyric on screen!

I think this is a great idea if you love music and love to write Haiku it is pretty challenging to create a Haiku from the words of a song…Sure it is a good practice I suggest you to pick your favorite song and try!  What do you think?

Thank You!

 

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

 

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Art For Music, Avant garde, Creativity, Custom Portraits, Drawings, Ethereal, Illustration, Indie, Ink, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, Music, Music Concerts, My Paintings, Photography, Sketch, Uncategorized, Watercolors, World Watercolor Group

Art For Music Series! New Release: Robert Smith “THE CURE” Portrait

 

Robert Smith – Art For Music Series – ©CarolinaRusso

ART FOR MUSIC Series!

New Release
– Robert Smith “THE CURE” Watercolor Painting Portrait –

Today post feature the release of my new watercolor painting a Fan Art portrait for my Collection “ART FOR MUSIC” a series inspired by music artists and by my passion for music. In this series I like to create artworks using several media, traditional watercolor paintings, ink drawings, digital art, photo manipulation and any other media that will inspire my creations.

The New Release of my watercolor painting is the  Portrait of Robert Smith the musician lead singer, guitarist, lyricist, songwriter  and the only consistent member of the iconic UK band “THE CURE” co-founded with Lol Tolhurst in 1976.  I am a lifelong fan of this amazing band, their music has been and still the soundtrack of most of my life. From a long time I wanted to paint a portrait of Robert Smith but it didn’t happen until yesterday. For some bizarre reasons I felt the wish and urge to paint since I haven’t painted much during this week. I wanted to paint, I was searching online for inspiration and I got inspired to paint Robert portrait right after I came across a nice photo  shared in one of the various Fan Groups of The Cure that I’ve joined on Facebook. That was the magic moment when I came across the color photo posted down below. I said to myself “today I am going to paint him!” I sat down and started to paint peacefully for hours listening my favorite albums of the band until the portrait was done! Isn’t amazing how creativity and inspiration works? Most of the time it strikes when you don’t even expect it! It’s fantastic! If ever Robert see my portrait I hope he likes it! ❤

Robert Smith “THE CURE” – Photo Credits ©Mauro Melis

The 2018 is a great year and a milestone for The Cure band because they are “Celebrating the 40 Years Anniversary 1978 – 2018” last July in Hyde Park,  London, UK they celebrated with a great concert and more to come in 2019! They are such a wonderful band is great that they are playing better than ever and still together! I am so happy that I was able to  paint my portrait during this milestone and commemorative year. I have attended their Concert in 2016  they came to US, Los Angeles during their North American Tour and I wrote a very detailed Blog post about that unforgettable and magic 3 hours concert I can’t wait to see them again. If you like you can read my wonderful experience of that day at The Hollywood Bowl read it > Here

This is the photo of “Robert Smith” that inspired my Portrait! What I loved is that he look you straight in the eyes!

Robert Smith ” The Cure”

My Painting Details: The portrait is a watercolor and ink  painting in my signature style. I am very pleased and happy I really love how the portrait turned out. I think I was able to capture Robert Smith essence and especially his charismatic eyes expression as it is one of the focal points in my portrait. I love to hear what do you think? Leave me comments! ❤

Artist Details an supplies used:
The Original Portrait is painted on a watercolor paper size 6 x 9 inches (approx 15×22 cm) I used Bee Paper Aquabee 100% Cotton, Cold Pressed Acid free Archival quality. French Artists Watercolors  Sennelier l’Aguarelle,  Pentel Aqua Brush. My Ink drawing is outlined with ink pens.  Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #03 and 05, Micron dark red ink #1. Sakura white Gelly Roll pen #08.  A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil.


>>>>PRE-ORDER PRINTS<<<<
the Special Collectors Limited Edition Prints “Hand Enhanced” you can only order it here!


Portrait Prints are now available in Limited Edition Fine Art Prints “Special Collectors” edition run of #60 Prints, size 5×7 inches (approx.12x17cm) Price is $39 plus shipping.  Each print is  “Hand Enhanced” numbered, dated and hand signed, printed by me in my studio on heavy acid free paper, a Certificate of Authenticity is included.  On the back of the prints I will hand write “Robert Smith “The Cure” 40 Year Anniversary 1978 – 2018″. 

If you would like to Pre-Order one of these exclusive and unique prints please complete the “Order Form” you find down below.  If you have any question or request don’t hesitate to contact me.

***When the “Special Collectors” run of #60 Prints is sold out, there would never be another “Hand Enhanced” run of this painting! Don’t miss it be one of the lucky 60 in the World ❤

Price Chart
Prints Price and Size:

Size 5×7 inches (approx.12x17cm) Price $39
Shipping: Via USPS First Class Mail prices USA $4 – International $6
Payment PayPal: An invoice would be sent via email as order confirmation.

ORDER Form (required)

Copyright Notice
All images, original paintings, illustrations and fine art prints are Copyright by ©Carolina Russo All Rights Reserved. Cannot be reproduced, redistributed, modified, duplicated, or otherwise used for any purpose without the artist permission. Copyright does not transfer with the sale of the art piece and infringement is against the Copyright Law.
You can see more of my Paintings visiting my  GALLERY  there are several Galleries find them in the drop down menu under Watercolors.

❤ Please follow me on Instagram  @carolinarussoart

 

#ArtForMusic #carolinarussoart #robertsmith #thecure

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Emotions, Events, Life, Love, Music, Music Concerts, One of a kind, Photography, Reviews, Uncategorized, Videos

The Cure and The Twilight Sad – Hollywood Bowl Los Angeles May 23, 2016…Amazing!!!

The Cure
The Cure

Today post is about my thrilling experience attending the concert of one of the greatest band of all time UK iconic and legendary “The Cure”. Their music amazed millions of fans worldwide during last forty years and I am one of them. This concert is one of the most beautiful experience I had.

On Monday May 23, 2016 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles best known as a historical venue whethe-cure-2016-tour-dates-photo-500x516re great music names of all time has performed.  I was lucky to be able to have a ticket on the second day of the three “Sold Out” shows. The Cure  also performed on Sunday 22 and Tuesday 24 as part of their North America Tour 2016 the first US full-fledged tour in eight years with 33 Shows in US and in Autumn they will be touring in Europe with 26 Shows.

The Cure Tour 2016” will present Robert Smith (voice/guitar), Simon Gallup (bass), Jason Cooper (drums), Roger O’Donnell (keys) and Reeves Gabrels (guitar).

This amazing tour also features another of my favorite band that I discovered quite a while back that I follow and love.  Their music is unique and intense with great sounds and dark atmospheres, it is a magical combination with the beautiful voice of charismatic and intense singer James Graham, front man of Scottish post-punk band “The Twilight Sad”.   They are  the “Special Guests” supporting The Cure on almost all the dates of this 2016 Tour. The Cure couldn’t make a better choice on bringing The Twilight Sad out in the light for an exposure very well deserved, they are an awesome band rising up in our contemporary music.

The Twilight Sad
The Twilight Sad

The Twilight Sad band is based in Glasgow Scotland and was formed in 2003. Since then they released four studio albums, the latest is “Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave.  The band members are James Graham (vocals), Andy MacFarlane (guitar), and Mark Devine (drums). Touring members include Johnny Docherty (bass guitar) and Brendan Smith (keyboards).

The Twilight Sad - James Graham
The Twilight Sad – James Graham
13055399_1358009517546130_7722298815493810579_n
Headline

The Twilight Sad will also be performing some headline shows during the tour, one was scheduled in  Los Angeles at the “Teragram Ballroom” on Wednesday May 25. Sadly, I couldn’t attend this one. I really wanted to go to see them perform in their own element in the darkness of an intimate place where you can feel their music shock you deep inside your soul. I won’t miss them next time they come back to L.A. that for sure!

Teragram Ballroom Los Angeles - Photo ©The Twilight Sad
Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles – Photo ©The Twilight Sad

 

 

I couldn’t be more happy to attend this lifetime wish come true concert and to be able to see two of my loved bands  live in one day! This is truly amazing!

The Cure Robert Smith

When I discovered The Cure  I was in Italy, my native country. A friend went to a summer vacation in London and came back with several vinyl albums from a band that at that time we didn’t know so well yet…The Cure! I have to say that after I listened their albums, I was hooked to their music. “Seventeen Seconds” was the one for me iconic and epic album that signed my love life for The Cure.  The beautiful dark timeless sound that distinguish the uniqueness of this band is contained in all the songs of this album and in more to come.  Included is “A Forest” one of my all time favorite songs that give me goosebumps each time I listen to it.

Finally time has arrived…
On May 23, after months of waiting, my day started pretty early getting ready to go to the Hollywood Bowl a 50 minutes drive from where I live.  Exciting feelings were anticipating the concert that I have been waiting for all my life. This day was a very special day for me, it was filled with intense emotions and a “Surreal Surprise”. I am so happy that I was able to attend, I never wanted to miss this. The weather was sunny most of the day and later on turned a little gloomy with an appealing breeze.

 

Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl – Photo ©Carolina Russo

When we arrived to the Hollywood Bowl was great to see the big sign saying  “The Cure – The Twilight Sad – Tonight 7:pm – Sold Out” another great concert was about to be written in the history album of this venue. Things were getting real now!
We decided to pass the Hollywood Bowl to find an alternative parking area since the Bowl parking is known to be very crowded. So we drove down the main street at a decent walking distance from the Bowl.

Welcome to Hollywood
Welcome to Hollywood – Photo ©Carolina Russo

There is a church with parking that I knew would let people park for events at the Bowl. We drove in looking for someone to ask if was possible to park early since the time was around 3.30pm and the gates of the Hollywood Bowl didn’t open til 5pm. Right at that exact moment when I turned my face toward the street I was stunned! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing!  Walking passed us in the street I see The Twilight Sad singer “James Graham” and the band manager John-Paul Mason, just at that precise moment! They appeared to me out of the blue! Oh Wow!!! That moment was so surreal! How could this be possible??? Instinctively I said, “That’s James!!!” He heard his name because he turned his face looking around trying to figure out who was calling him lol…I couldn’t believe what was happening, everything happened so fast like magic! That was one in a million chances. I kept calling James name and quickly got out to the car so that he could see me. They stopped, turned around and approached me by the fence.  James came close smiling and surprised. I told him that I am a fan.  Then they kindly came around the fence into the parking lot where I was. We started to talk and laugh, we hugged surprised from this amazing moment, it was fantastic like meeting old friends that you haven’t seen in a long time. James was super cool and very friendly, and so was John Paul. While talking we took some photos that I will cherish forever. Here is James! The impressive and intense soul of The Twilight Sad! I love this photo!

James Graham and Me
James Graham and Me – Photo ©Carolina Russo

It was definitely one of the most surreal moments I’ve ever had! I couldn’t believe what just happened, this “encounter” alone made my day before it even started. I felt so great and happy!

Surreal and so cool!
Surreal and so cool!  James Graham, John-Paul Mason and Me – Photo ©Carolina Russo

resize_1413626067One of The Twilight Sad beautiful songs that I love is “There’s a Girl in the Corner,” track from 2014 latest album “Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leaveawesome album! This song is also offered as
Exclusive Free Tour Download you can get it here.

I guess today “I was the girl in the corner” 😉 I can only say that it was a fantastic experience to meet James and John Paul, the best things happen when you don’t expect them. Thank you for stopping your walk and taking your time with me. Going to the concert, of course, I was hoping to be able to catch James and the band after the gig at the merchandise booth, but I knew that in L.A. wouldn’t be any easy in a sold out venue like this concert.

So my wish got fully granted with an amazing  unexpected surprise that I will never forget. Thank You for your kindness James!

After of all this we had a little time before the Bowl opened the gates. There were so many people everything was  well-organized and went smooth. While waiting I could hear The Twilight Sad doing their sound check and James voice resonate in between the Hollywood hills very beautiful. It was getting really exciting!

 

 

Outside Hollywood Bowl
Outside The Hollywood Bowl

Around 5.30pm we were able to get inside the arena of the Bowl and had some time to kill after we got our seats. We went around the venue and  to the merchandise booths to buy my  The Cure Tour T-Shirt lots of people and I haven’t seen The Twilight Sad T-shirt that I wanted too!

My The Cure Tshirt
My The Cure T-shirt  –  Photo ©Carolina Russo

Around 7pm was still natural sunlight, the arena wasn’t full yet but people were coming in. The concert started with The  Twilight Sad opening with the  beautiful notes of “There’s a Girl in the Corner” another great surprise for me! This song did bring together The Cure with The Twilight Sad for their collaboration. Robert Smith, recently recorded a beautiful cover for this song.

The Twilight Sad
The Twilight Sad

The Twilight Sad delivered a great  performance with  7 songs on their Setlist, James Graham always deliver exceptional intensity and passion while singing becoming one with the music and dominating the stage with a distinctive, impressive presence. The 7 songs performed were: 1) There is a Girl in the Corner –  2) Last January – 3) That Summer at Home I Had Become the Invisible Boy – 4) It Never Was The Same – 5) Seven Years of Letters – 6) Reflection of The Television – 7) And She Would Darken the Memory.

The Cure Concert Begin
The Cure Concert Begin

The sun was almost down by 8pm. The arena of the Hollywood Bowl was full and exciting.  Clouds were invading the sky creating the perfect shade of darkness and gray atmosphere for The Cure to take the stage. The show opened with the beautiful and distinct sound of the guitars and Robert voice singing  “Open” the first song of a long beautiful and insane Setlist featuring 33 amazing songs, 4 encores and two new songs performed Step into the Light and It can never be the same . The Cure gifted us with 3 hours of an amazing and spectacular show.

After playing 19 uninterrupted songs, the band left the stage for the first time.  Watching The Cure live is stunning!
They are better than ever. Robert Smith has amazing stamina, he can sing and play his guitar forever. In between songs Robert gave us few kind and cheerful words. Roberts voice is as fresh and powerful like time hasn’t passed, the same for  his unique look, the only difference is that he is letting his hair color natural. Besides that, his black eye-lined eyes, lipstick, black dressed and heavy boots all still there. He is “The Cure” the founder and heart of this amazing band and it’s so great to see that unity as band that make them amazing like their music.

After 23 songs and at the end of the encore 2 my favorite song  “A Forest” blown away  the Hollywood Bowl! There are not enough words to describe how this song effected me and everyone else there.  This song has been with me almost all my life. No matter what has changed growing up, or going through life experiences and I think when this happens that’s what great music is all about, you become one with it, and will never leave you. Was an incredible experience to hear it live!

After this great moment, we had encore 3 and encore 4 more beautiful songs were played.  The Cure wanted to give us everything they could in 3 hours time and still a lot more of amazing music from their discography were left un played. Robert & Co.  enjoyed play their music with us very much it was like they never wanted to stop until the grand final with the song “Boys Don’t Cry”. This concert was outstanding and fantastic for so many reasons.  I have seen two amazing loved bands and I would love to see them again and again and again…

A special thanks to The Cure and to The Twilight Sad for this unforgettable concert and for their timeless great music!

 

Late in October 2016 I have created a watercolor ink painting dedicated to The Twilight Sad
1st Release Collectors Limited Edition Fine Art Print are available on pre-order Here 

Featured Photos by Photographer  ©Mauro Melis
Thank you Mauro for let me use them!

(Videos Source YouTube)

 

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©Copyright 2018 Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com