Australian film-maker, photo journalist and musician Andrew Kidman has been lurking in the New York area since late September enjoying the unusually good waves and hopefully not writing any more pieces about the Island. He’s had tacos at the Tiki Bar, escarole soup and Grandma slices in a booth at Gino’s, eaten the Laurel’s bacon and slept in Island Park. Andrew has even been caught spreading local NY gossip so watch what you say to him.

He has a new movie out called Last Hope which is a compilation of shorts by Albert Falzon (Morning of the Earth), Richard Kenvin (Hydrodynamica), Patrick Trefz (Thread), Monty Webber (brother of shaper Greg) and Jon Frank whom Andrew made Litmus with back in 1995. A revolutionary movie with a strong sense of board design and history without compromising a contemporary level of performance (shred), Last Hope references the dreamy, immersive qualities of Litmus and Glass Love, bound together by a heavyweight soundtrack featuring the music of Andrew’s band The Windy Hills plus Mogwai, My Morning Jacket, Will Oldham, Vetiver and others.

Andrew has two upcoming New York shows in support of his 2007 fine art edition ETHER which compiles twenty years of his photographs, writings, drawings and paintings done in association with Kirk Gee’s Consafos press. The interviews located in the back of the book are better than anything featured in a surf magazine or journal.

-Wednesday December 16th at 303 Gallery. The photos of ETHER, recent NY work and a Last Hope installation. 6-8pm.

-Saturday December 19th at Secret Project Robot. ETHER, recent NY work, film projections and live musical accompaniment w/Andrew, Hamish Kilgour (the Clean) and Peter Halasz (Star Strewn and Tattered). Cupped beverage service and vinyl vibes by Dubstar and Matchy.

The interview was conducted one afternoon in early December.

MM: What is ETHER?
AK: ETHER is a 252 page, limited edition, fine art book that Kirk Gee and Consafos Press published in 2007. It contains twenty years of my work, photography, artwork, writing and interviews with surfer/shapers. The photography was all shot on film, which is kind of interesting now that the digital age has arrived. Jim Newitt, a fine designer from England/Byron Bay/Santa Cruz designed it with me.Jim has a very subtle take on things so it was good to work with him. He really let the work breathe.

When I toured California with the book back in 2007 I wanted to bring it to New York and present it with some of the photography, but we never had a chance. Lisa Spellman from the 303 Gallery in Chelsea, contacted me a few months ago about my music and films. We ended up spending time together here and talking about how we could present the book. She agreed to a one night show at 303 to exhibit photographs from ETHER and some recent ones I’ve taken of New York’s coastline whilst on this trip.

MM: The surf has been unusually good here lately…
AK: There have been some incredible storms and swells. The Island has been pretty epic, I got to surf a six day swell off the back of one storm. Each day got more perfect as the low moved into the ocean. The surface conditions were so glassy on the final days, like California glassy. That was memorable for sure, lots of barrels. Last week we went on a run to Jersey, it was just like Kirra breaking below sea level. I showed my daughter a picture of one of the tubes and she said it looked like the cannoli her brother had sucked the cream out of. It was pretty funny.

MM: When was your first time in NY?
AK: 1999 maybe, sometime around then. All I remember is getting woken up by garbage trucks and walking over the Brooklyn Bridge. I was having lady problems so I couldn’t wait to get out of here.

MM: Did you surf?
AK: The first time I surfed here Brian Lentini took me out to Montauk and I surfed under Peter Beard’s house, which was a trip. Lentini was Beard’s printer and wanted me to meet him. It was pretty classic,the US open was on and Beard kept commenting on how good-looking Sharapova was, “I could watch her all day,” he said. “I love the way she grunts when she hits the ball.” He was a funny guy. He loved surfing and told me he thought the only two art forms left were surfing and bullfighting. I showed him some of the art I was working on and he told me I should write all over it.

The beach below his property was incredible, it’s like the last point in Montauk before the state park, it’s has a beautiful headland that reminds me of the headlands and beaches in Victoria. The surf wasn’t great but the reefs look like they could get epic. Peter had a bunch of flash-filled photos of surfers that he caught sneaking onto his property. He’d set a trip camera up on his property to shootphotos of the deer at night, sometimes the surfers would set the camera off, he loved the photos, in the photos the surfers were smiling, kind of laughing. ”I love that,” he said, “look at the spirit on their faces.”

I eventually started spending time here with my family. My girlfriend was born and raised in Queens. We’ve got kids together and come home to NY so they can spend time with their other family. It’s a big Italian family so it’s pretty awesome. I’m like the Mel Gibson, white boy, it’s always entertaining hanging out with them, great food and a lot of love. We live out near Rockaway so I’m always out there sniffing around. It’s interesting how it’s changed in the last few years. I like the winters here, I don’t think there’s a better place to be in the world than NY in the winter.

MM: What do you like about it here?
AK: I like hanging out at the beach, it’s very different to home. This year the waves and weather have been incredible. I like Central Park and walking around the city, the art and looking at people, any of it really, there’s nothing bad, it’s fascinating. I mean you can’t get a $3 cabbie curry where I live at four in the morning. You can’t even get one at four in the afternoon.

The food…for me it’s different every time, you can’t beat lox on a bagel, we don’t get them at home. NY is the kind of place that you feel like your going to need an eternal existence, because there so much to see, do and be a part of that no matter how long you lived you’re never going to be able to do it all. Every time you step outside something blows your mind and you have to check it out, sometimes that takes years, just to check out one thing that’s happening. I like it, it takes you outside yourself.

MM:What boards have you been riding?
AK: I borrowed boards when I first got here. I rode Tyler’s 6’9” Josh hall long fish for the first few swells, it went good, easy to paddle and surfed a bit like a wild horse, which is always fun to try and control. I rode Franco’s 5’11 Mabile keel, which went great, nice soft rails, easy to surf. I rode your 6’4 Maurice Cole thruster which was really good in the tube and Franco’s 6’5 Bulkey thruster which is one of the better thrusters I’ve ridden. It has big fins so it was super tight. Also rode Franco’s 6’9 Parrish single fin which I got my first barrel of the trip. Rode a Mandala single fin that Clams has with a super flexi fin and these flat panels on the bottom that ran along the rail. It was interesting, worked really well in small waves. Your performance 6’0 Lis keel which as you know is pretty good and now I have my own 6’1”version which I’ve pretty much ridden since the big swell. It handles it all, the ten footers with the ten foot wind bumps, the glassy small stuff, the Jersey barrels, it’s a pretty special board, worth the wait. You guys have a lot of great boards here.

MM: Tell the Cross Bay wig story…
AK: I was in the supermarket in Howard Beach, which is nowhere near the beach, and this older fellow comes up to me, and he’s in shock, and he points at my hair and says, “Dude, is that wig? Where did you get that?” and I looked at him and his hair and it was dyed and combed into a quaff and I said, “Yeah, it’s a wig, what about you?” and he’s like, “No man, this is no wig, it’s all mine…” and he walked off just shaking his head…its was pretty mind-blowing.

MM: What about the ‘This land is your land’ incident?
AK: It’s been interesting here, because every time I’ve changed to go surfing, I put my stuff on the sidewalk so I can get into my wetsuit, and every time I’ve done this someone has come up to me and told me I have to move it and I’ve got no right to get changed on the sidewalk. I mean, that’s pretty uptight. It’s different where I’m from in from Australia so I should respect the customs of this country and I do, but I can’t help thinking about the Woody Guthrie song, “This land is your land…” because it’s not really like that. I guess that’s why Woody wrote the song.

MM: Any new projects on the way?
AK: Yep, new record, new film, new book…hopefully some of it comes out next year. I’ve been working on my aerial flips and digital photography. It’s been blowing my mind. Also, cloning my hair gene for balding men.

On Saturday, November 14th, The Tommy Brull Foundation will host its 2nd Annual Fundraiser to benefit at Cannon’s Blackthorn in Rockville Centre. Tommy Brull was a local surfer who passed away almost ten years ago in a tragic accident and the foundation, which bears his name, aims to provide direct assistance to individuals with mental, physical or emotional challenges in our broader community (Nassau and Suffolk).

Don’t forget to bring your old boards for the swap. If your board sells you get a store credit.

Pretty simple, come by and check it out.

The 2009 Unsound Pro finished up on Sunday afternoon in an
increasing SE swell provided by an approaching cold front. The surf
on the final day of competition slowly grew throughout the day,
culminating in waist to shoulder high waves at Lincoln Blvd., in Long Beach, NY.
While the surf did not quite match the quality of the past few years,
it was big enough to provide the local community with some exciting
surfing action.

The Mens Pro Final was dominated by last year’s champion Jeremy
Johnston. The Floridian’s front-side attack proved to be too much
for Jersey standouts Brendan Buckley and Sam Hammer, finishing 2nd
and 3rd respectively. Virginia Beach’s Phillip Goold had one great
wave but struggled to find another good wave for the backup score he
so badly needed.

The Unsound Pro jr. title was taken by Virginia Beach standout
Mike Dunphy. He surfed a great heat, taking down Zach Humpfries,
Brendan Buckley and local standout Balaram Stack. Dunphy took the heat
pretty easily and left the other contestants in a tight race for 2nd,
3rd and 4th.

Other notable results: Mikey DeTemple won the Longboard Pro, Alexis Engstrom
took home the Womens Pro title  and John Ratzenberger won the first ever
Unsound Grom 12 and under title.

For full event coverage tune in to NBC’s “World of Adventure
Sports” October 31st 4-5pm EST. And MSG network’s “Transit
Chapters”, airing October 18 on MSG.

The 2009 NYSFF, held September 25TH-27TH, featured an unprecedented arrangement of 36 films from around the world, intimate Q&A sessions with the filmmakers and lively parties with libations courtesy of Wild Rock Wine and Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer.

At the awards ceremony, festival co-founder Tyler Breuer acted as the emcee presenting the winner in The Best Feature Film category to “Sea of Darkness”, directed by Michael Oblowitz, a modern day pirate tale portraying the ship Indies Trader and the men who sailed it.

Special recognition was also given in The Best Short Film category, awarding director Joshua Berry for “All Points South”, a film about how surfers and fisherman in Southern Chile are joining forces to fight against the rampant pollution from the pulp industry.

The esteemed Viewers Choice Award For Best Feature Presented by Jet Blue and The Dominican Republic deservingly went to “Out of Place”, directed by Scott Ditzenberger. “Out of Place” is an insider’s perspective of the small, underground community of Lake Erie surfers in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Viewers Choice Award For Best Short Presented by Jet Blue and The Dominican Republic went to “Runman’s Groms: Lil Ray and his Friends”, Runman’s latest about Lil Ray the grom, other groms, and adults that act like groms.

Other highlights of the weekend included a question and answer session with legendary surfer Rob Machado, live performances by Beau Young, Denny Aaberg and Andrew Kidman and the Brown Birds from Windy Hill, and a photography gallery presented by Tcolla and Jack Brull.

At the Awards Ceremony there was a surfboard raffle to benefit The Surfrider Foundation’s NYC Chapter, Surf Aid, WAVES for Development and Surfers Healing. A surfboard was shaped for each cause by local and Californian shapers Josh Hall of Josh Hall Surfboards, Mike Becker of Nature Shapes, Mark Petrocelli of Faktion Surfboards, and Joey “Clams” Falcone of Grey Ghost Surfboards. The NYSFF happily accepted a generous donation from the George C Fund to support these charities.

2009 Festival T-shirts are still available for purchase online @ www.okoto.com. A portion of net proceeds from the sale of these shirts goes directly to Surfaid International.

The New York Surf Film Festival brought together avid surfers, legendary surf photographers, film buffs and New York City audiences fascinated by the sport. It was a celebration of both the East Coast surf community but also the artistic integrity of the surf film genre. Be sure to continue to check in at http://www.nysurffilm.com/ for images of the festival and updates on the 2010 installation.

Born and raised in Southern California, Chris Cutri has always been drawn to both surfing and the arts. Formally trained with a penchant for Italian films and garage sale thrusters, Chris brings his passion passion to life in “Hanging Five”, following the lives of five artists all connected through the Sea. “Hanging Five” has its East Coast Premiere at the New York Surf Film Festival on Sunday, September 27th at at 6:00PM.

What inspired you to make a film about the connection of art and surf culture?
I’ve been very interested in the peripheral aspects of the surf culture. Over the last few years I’ve noticed how the notion of making art, doing shows, etc has become increasingly part of the culture. I personally enjoy the art and like making it myself-so it was a combination of those things that attracted me to the project. I also wanted to try to discover why the culture is so connected to the arts. The film also tries to answer that question.

Your surf sequences are beautifully filmed. Did you grow up surfing in Southern California? How did you get into film and particularly surf film?
I did grow up surfing in Southern California. Like many kids, I started off body boarding and when I turned fourteen started getting into surfing. I bought my first board at a garage sale for $25. It was a McCoy thruster. When I was in college, I took an introductory film course. I was really attracted to the notion of being able to do something artistic and at the same time proclaim a message or idea that could possibly be a benefit to others. It was a combination of both of those things that got me interested in film. I minored in film at BYU as an undergrad and then went to grad school at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, CA where I received an MFA in directing. My first surf film “Riding The Wave” is all about the commercialization of the surf culture. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m much more interested in the peripheral aspects of the culture versus just the act of surfing.

What were some of your early influences?
I’m really into foreign films. I like a lot of Italian cinema. Any type of film where everything is not completely spelled out for you. Films that make you think and where you have to be an active participant. I hope that at some level my surf films are intellectually stimulating. That may be a little presumptuous, but that’s what I’m hoping to achieve.

How did you select the cast?
As I was following this art movement, these were the people whose work I really enjoyed. Their approaches all vary as do their personalities. They all represent a different corner of this movement and they all happen to be talented surfers.

How long did it take for you to make the film?
The production took about a year and a half. Since I don’t live in Southern California anymore, there was a lot of traveling involved. It was pretty much my director of photography and I. There’s definitely some benefits that come with a small crew. We spent 2-3 days with each artist.Sometimes at their studio or at a show. I didn’t know any of the artists beforehand, so it takes time to develop the relationship. Once that’s established though, the filming takes a life of its own and becomes more effective. It was a lot of fun hanging out with these artists, getting to know them, and seeing the process of how they create. There were two good friends of mine who helped me edit the film. I also did quite a bit of editing myself.

Any memorable moments?
Every visit was memorable, but the moments that really stood out where when the artist would talk about something very insightful in relation to their art and their life. Andy Davis and I talked a lot about being a father and husband and an artist and the challenges that come with that. Family comes first, but to provide for your family you need to be able to provide with your art and to be able to create your art you need to be alone and get into the flow-so it’s a real interesting paradox that of the father/husband artist. That problem never goes away. You just got to learn how to adjust and deal with it properly. It’s one of my favorite parts of the film.

What’s on the horizon?
I’ve been thinking a lot about my next project. I’m not interested in doing surf films just to do them. I really have to be super passionate about the subject matter. I have a few ideas floating around, but nothing solidified yet.

The unofficial surf week in New York may have officially started yesterday down in New Jersey at the 17th Annual Manasquan Longboard Classic, but it gets back on this side of the river on Wednesday for the start of the 11th Annual Unsound Pro in Long Beach, NY which runs through the week and weekend and overlaps the 2nd Annual NY Surf Film Festival which opens on Friday, September and runs through Sunday, September 27 at Tribeca Cinemas. The waves better show up to the party.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21:

Unsound & NY Surf Film Fesitval Kickoff Party: Tiki Bar, Long Beach NY, 7-11PM (Free)
Join the event staff and competitors for drink specials and a buffet as well as a premiere of “Spectacular Adventures” starring Cory Lopez , Asher Nolan and more. For more information call (516) 608-0018.

A Rising Tide Charity Event: Bar 13, New York, NY, 7-10PM ($20 Door/Charitable Donation)
Please join WAVES FOR DEVELOPMENT at Bar 13 as we celebrate the diverse work of surf-related nonprofits and kick-off the 2nd annual NY Surf Film Festival and Unsound Pro surf competition. A sick space with 2 for 1 drink specials and a 400 person capacity roof top lounge. Join various other surf-related non profits (Surfrider, SurfAid, Stoked Mentoring, Waves of Health and Life Rolls On) who will provide information on their respective causes. There will also be raffle prizes and a NYC premiere of “Spectacular Adventures” starring Cory Lopez, Asher Nolan and more.

——————————————————————————–

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24TH

Unsound PRO, Long Beach, NY: 9AM-3PM
Mens Round One Surfing @ Lincoln Blvd.

Unsound Pro Party, Long Beach NY, Swingbelly’s, 8-11PM
Free Buffet and Drink Specials all night. Giveaways from Unsound, Oakley and Skull Candy. Meet Unsound and Red Bull Team Riders Ryan Carlson, Balaram Stack, Ian Walsh and Evan Giesalman

——————————————————————————–

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25TH

Unsound PRO, Long Beach, NY: 9AM-4PM
Mens Round 1 or 2 Surfing @ Lincoln Blvd.
Junior Pro Surfing @ Lincoln Blvd.

2nd Annual NY Surf Film Fesitval Opening Night, Tribeca Cinemas, 6PM-12AM:
Feature Films Screening: Andy Kessler Opening Tribute, Powers of Three, A Pleasant Surprise, The Drifter, Searching for Michael Peterson, Waveriders, Last Hope
Short Films Screening: Madera, EPIC: A Savage Journey, Runman, My Toys, Board to Death, Montauk House
(Click Here for Film Groupings, Tickets and Schedule)

Trailers | Feature Films | Short Films

——————————————————————————–

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26TH

Unsound PRO: 9AM-4PM
Mens and Junior Pro Action and Round 1 Womens and Long Board Pro @ Lincoln Blvd
DJ “Vynl Ritchie” Spinning on the Beach from 12PM-4PM
Autograph Signing with Unsound Team Riders Balaram Stack, Ryan Carlson and TJ Gumiela and Giveaways all day long from Skull Candy, Unsound and BP Fuel.

NY Surf Film Festival DAY 2 @ Tribeca Cinemas, NYC, 6PM-1AM
Feature Films Screening: Clay Marzo: Just Add Water, The Women and the Waves, White Wash, Beyond the Dream: The Joey Buran Story, Innermost Limits of Pure Fun, Modern Collective, Sea of Darkness
Short Film Screenings: Hindered Root, Dark Fall, Lets Boogie, I’d Rather Sink Than Call Brad for Help, All Points South, Tear Devils, Gum for My Boat, Inundation.
(Click Here for Film Groupings, Tickets and Schedule)

Trailers | Feature Films | Short Films

——————————————————————————–
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27TH

Unsound PRO: 9AM-4PM
Semi Final & Finals Action for all Divisions @ Lincoln BLVD, Long Beach NY
DJ VYNL RITCHIE SPINNING 12PM-4PM with giveaways from Skull Candy, Unsound, Oakley and BP Fuel.

NY Surf Film Festival DAY 3 @ Tribeca Cinemas NYC, 3PM-6PM
Feature Films Screening: Surfing 50 States, Out of Place, The Endless Summer, Hanging Five

(Click Here for Film Groupings, Tickets and Schedule)

Trailers | Feature Films | Short Films

AWARDS PARTY FOR THE NEW YORK SURF FILM FESTIVAL AND THE UNSOUND PRO TO FOLLOW @ THE RED BULL SPACE 40 THOMPSON NYC, FROM 6PM-???

Surfing has inspired many individuals to take action in the areas of film, conservation, sustainability, education, health, and humanitarian aid. This event, in conjunction with the New York Surf Film Festival will bring together representatives from organizations such as WAVES for Development, Best Day Foundation, Stoked Mentoring, Waves of Health, Surfrider, SurfAid, . . And More to Come!

In addition to learning about these organizations and how you can get involved, the event will feature:
*2×1 drinks specials
*Amazing Raffle Prizes
*Meet the Filmmakers Lounge
*Trailers of films from the NY Surf Film Festival

As an added bonus, it will be the NYC premiere of SPECTACULAR ADVENTURES, starring Cory Lopez, Ben Borgious, Gabe Cling, Asher Nolan and more!

All proceeds will go to these amazing organizations! For more information and to purchase tickets:
http://arisingtidecharityparty.eventbrite.com

“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!”  - Jack Kerouac

“Searching for Michael Peterson” which opens its US Tour at the NY Surf Film Festival on Friday, September 25th at 8:20pm takes off the rose colored glasses and offers a deeply personal and honest film which explores something of the darker side of the early ’70s Australian surf and social revolutions. Arguably the greatest surfer of his time, MP won virtually every pro surfing contest in Australia from 1972 to 1977 before his mind and body succumbed to heroin and undiagnosed schizophrenia.

It was on these trips that I first heard, from the older surfers we met, the stories of Michael Peterson, this mysterious character and incredible surfer. We’d sit around the campfire and they would speak with reverence while we listened in awe. It was like a surfing ghost story in many ways.

Years later I decided to throw the boards on the roof and the cameras in the boot and head out to the point breaks, beaches and carparks to capture all these wild, weird and magical stories.

How difficult was it for you to gain access to the archival footage which makes up so much of the film?
It was and it wasn’t. All the surf filmmakers were really helpful and supportive whereas the networks were difficult to deal with. We ended up having to pay substantial amounts of money for the footage from the ABC. I’m still sore about that as they are completely funded by the Government in Australia, but then most of our funding came from the Government via Screen Australia, so swings and roundabouts.

Luckily the generosity of old school filmmakers like Dick Hoole, Alby Falzon, Steve Core and Mex Sumpter made it all possible. These guys are at the core of Australian surfing and keep the flame alive. I’m really grateful to them. I particularly enjoyed spooling through Dick Hoole’s outtakes in his garage one day.

I was also lucky that Steve Core’s film Ocean Rhythms had just been transferred to digital after 40 years sitting in film spools. It is some of the best stuff of MP ever filmed and a stroke of timing and luck on my part. A shout out should go to Warren Delbridge too – he’s Australia’s unofficial surf film archiver and helps restore the old films like Ocean Rhythms. He’s working on Bob Evan’s films now. Bob Evans is the original surf filmmaker in Australia and it’s going to be really cool to see when it’s finished.

Searching for Michael Peterson addresses the subject of mental illness. What were the challenges you faced while dealing with the subject of schizophrenia?
I was always really aware that I’m not a doctor and don’t really understand the illness so I tried to steer away from any specifics or making any judgment calls e.g. did the drugs cause the illness or was it already there? I’m just happy if the film raises awareness of mental illness, particularly among surfers. I think we are a restless breed and have more than our fair share of mental illness, luckily for most of us we can go and wash it away in the sea.

Your interviews, particularly with Rabbit, were very candid and emotional. Can you talk about the interview process?
Yeah thanks. Rabbit’s a great storyteller and having watched the whole journey from grommit to adulthood he was obviously really affected by the story.

My idea with the interviews was to head to the carparks and pointbreaks along the coast and to dig out some of the old time surfer’s who remembered the times and then film them in their own environment. I always try to run long interviews, up to 3hrs, to get beyond the standard sound bites and any nervousness.

Was his family receptive to the film?
I was in contact with Michael and his mum throughout the process and screened a short version for them one night with a few of their close friends and they seemed to like it. Unfortunately that relationship has broken down now. I’m sad that it has and I’m hopeful that we can pick it up again. I think they (Michael & his mum) thought the film would make money, but really it’s been done as a tribute to MP and to document a piece of Australian surfing history. I doubt very much if it will ever make any money, but if it does MP will be the first to get some.

That said I’m really proud of the film, I think it’s very respectful to Michael and I know that he (secretly) enjoys watching it.  It’s all pretty complicated and it must be incredibly difficult to deal with the illness, for him and for his mother.

He watched it?
Oh yeah, Michael’s comment when I asked him what he thought of the film went like this:

Me (nervously) – “What did you think of the film Michael?”
Michael (long pause before mumbling) “It’s different.”

I wasn’t sure whether this was a positive or negative response but later on I thought “yeah he’s right, IT IS different and that’s what I like about it so much”.

One of the comments after the opening screening was “ …a fitting and emotional tribute…” That kind of sums it up.

What’s next for Jolyon Hoff?
I’ve started making a little film tentatively called Surf Stories; it’s going to be a compilation of weird, wild and wonderful stories from the ocean. I’m really fascinated by the way surf stories are passed up and down the coast and want to try and capture a bit of that oral history.

I’m also about to make a film about Chuck Brown. He’s the godfather of Go-Go, a type of music listened to in the Washington DC underground. It’s an awesome story and he’s a great character. It’s a long way from the coast though and I’m going to miss the production technique of “boards on the roof, cameras in the boot. Let’s head up the coast.”

Other than that, spend some time with the kids and try and find quiet surf somewhere as often as possible.

Searching for Michael Peterson opens its US Tour at the NY Surf Film Festival on 9/25. Additional screenings are scheduled for:

MON. 9/28 ROCKAWAY BEACH, NY – THE TAP AND GRILL
THURS. 10/01 VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – WATERMAN’S SURFSIDE GRILLE
FRI. 10/02 ASBURY PARK, NJ – THE CAROUSEL BUILDING
WED. 10/07 SAN FRANCISCO, CA – VICTORIA THEATER
THU. 10/08 SANTA CRUZ, CA – VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING
FRI. 10/09 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – LA PERLA DEL MAR CHAPEL
SAT. 10/10 SAN DIEGO, CA – DEL MAR FAIRGROUNDS
THU. 10/15 VENICE BEACH, CA – THE STRONGHOLD
FRI. 10/16 SANTA BARBARA, CA – VICTORIA HALL THEATRE
SAT. 10/17 LONG BEACH, CA – SHELTER SURF SHOP