Written by: Ash Catcher 
Last week I had a thought, Ash…. What is your bucket concert? Like last wishes final goodbye to the human race and all that is and was music, who would be on that list? Well in the great still very much alive  words of Eminem Here is the order of my list: ​

Opening Band: Tigers Jaw, every time I mention this band I feel like the room splits in two, it's either oh yea I am remembering them from like 2012 I saw them with that one band TitleFight, or I get a what band now kinda response. Think more moody Matt and Kim, or a straight heterosexual Tegan and Sara. They are just all around some feel good tunes, I put them on a lot when I am in the car and driving around. 

Why did I choose them? Their music just does something for me, I am not sure how else to describe their sound really. Their music videos are really fun and highlight some local places that I have actually been to, so it's easily super relatable. They seem like someone who would be real genuine friends. Their stage presence is humble, and I am always excited when they do a tour, which is really not that often. It makes it all that more special. I feel like they’re a great opening band, they got the years to prove it and have opened for some cool ass bands in the past. Always going to be a favorite band that I reserve a space for. Plus I got their whole discography on vinyl, translation: I am more of a fan of them then you. 

My fondest memory of Tigers Jaw: I’ve seen Tigers Jaw a few times, they had a few different band members, and have really transformed as a band, I am happy to say that I am about supporting more local artists in Philadelphia, I have even managed to run into Ben, one of the band members a few times, when I go out around Northern Liberties. They’re just normal people, and something about that really appeals to me. The last time I saw them back in November was great, it was just kinda weird to go to a concert alone, I had a good time but I know it could have been better with a friend. 

#2 Fugazi, I have never seen Fugazi live, but if I did I would insist that they play with Suicidal Tendencies. Fugazi is just one of those bands, I don’t know that like you wouldn’t bring home to meet your parents at least right away, you got to take your time, and feel out that shit. Fugazi was one of those bands that I had to kinda grow to like. I had a lot of friends play their shit when we hung out, and I just about fell for any punk rock guy who can play a bass line or 8. So why did it take me a bit for these guys to grow on me, and my daily playlist. 

Why did I choose Fugazi? Because I want to deck the shit out of somebody before I go, and I feel like that if Fugazi is not playing in the background for at least 10 to 15 minutes, well then just take me here. They are like one of the best examples of more avant garde-ish punk, just like them as all. The DIY scene has always been near and dear to my cold dead ass heart, and I am a true believer that it's better to do it yourself, or try to and fail then shell out an arm and a leg for something you can do yourself. Yes I go to expensive ass stores, take pictures of it, think about it really hard, then walk out of the store and do it myself. If you’re not making something, and creating are you really doing anything with your life, or are you just a complaint negative POS? 

My fondest memory of Fugazi was in high school, I am talking like 2007 or maybe 08. I was younger and someone put them on while we were in one of my art classes. It stuck, and struck a chord with me I guess. Didn’t help that I was neck deep (lol) in my Hot Topic “phase”. I feel attacked. 

#3 My Chemical Romance ( Height of the Black Parade, but I am a huge fan of their first album) My Chem was not only my first Electric Factory show, it was also the first time I was going to a show with a bunch of friends. The impending social pressure when I was 15 was astounding let me tell you. I wouldn’t say I am the poster child for addressing the impending mental illness collapse that was about to ensue. But let's just say I am aware of the stereotype of liking this band. It's just a thing about me idk let me have this shit. 

Why did I choose My Chemical Romance? They’re my fucking favorite, when I heard they were having a reunion tour, ummmmmm I am not gonna tell ya what I did. 

My fondest memory of My Chemical Romance was when I owned a signed copy of The Umbrella Academy Graphic Novel. Also, lots of late night drives listening to their albums. I love their early stuff. The new stuff is also hard, just okay with me. It's a mixed bag. 

#4 The Beach Boys, I have seen 2 of the original Beach Boys, I am kinda proud, and also that's probably not what a lot of people know about me. But wouldn’t it be nice if people did know that Ash. I am always going to the beach, so naturally I play the Beach Boys, I like them a hella more than any boy band in history, they are a huge guilty pleasure of mine. 

Why did I choose The Beach Boys? They remind me of my grandpa. He’s still kicking, him and my Grandma are still kicking it and love each other very much, it's a great story of how the two of them met, The Beach Boys have always kind of solidified in that, it's the kinda stuff I imagine playing in like a soda shop or something bizarre and on the west coast at the time. Reminds me of summer, romance, throwing all fucks out the window and breaking from the norm, at the the time the Beach Boys were punk as fuck. 

My fondest memory of The Beach Boys: This summer actually, I did the drive from Philly to Belmar in under an hour in 10, a good portion on that ride, the Beach Boys kept me in some much needed company. Shit is the best to cruise to when you're hurling through the Pine Barrens. 

#5 Headliner: Coheed and Cambria. I don’t even need to explain myself it is fucking Coheed and Cambria, I have seen them play every summer for almost 10 years, I have seen them on all kinds of stages, on all kinds of substances, with a bunch of different kinds of people.  

Why did I choose Coheed and Cambria? This is a band who really helped me thru some tough fucking shit. I am not going to pretend like my life’s not a bit chaotic, that I have trouble maintaining a normal sense of a handle on things, Coheed was just a band that literally floored me with their stage presence. The visuals at their show are awesome, and I am so pissed that this was almost the first summer in just about a decade that I wasn’t going to be seeing them.  It felt weird, just saying. 

My fondest memory of Coheed and Cambria: When they played with Mastodon and they played Crack The Sky in its entirety from start to finish I was on a tab and a half of acid at the time, and had literally one of the best nights in the pit of my life. It was something I'll never forget. 

I am gonna be kinda sorta busying myself with a few photography projects in the next week or so, but I am very excited to post my next piece next week! Big thank you to my editor Todd, he is a great dude! 

-Ash Catcher ​

Written by Ash Catcher.

It's no secret I lack direction, surprise surprise. In this new Covid order what does it take now to secure a job? To my utter shock all it took was answering an instagram story, and well the rest is recent history? It's pretty safe to say quarantine was kinda a drag, and as a result the food and restaurant industry has taken a huge dive, lay offs, full scale big corporate franchises reduced to renting out single space kitchens just to save a few bucks, Yea I am looking at you ghost and cloud kitchens. I still think the very concept to be some sort of pipe dream, but as it I have found myself in the service industry temporarily until school is a bit safer this shit interests me greatly. 

So what is it like to serve right now during a worldwide pandemic, and while the whole world seems to be on the up and up when it comes to Covid, America for some reason is falling a bit short? There is a bit of a draw back, people are starting to come out more, and craving a bit of normalcy. So yea I get it treat yourself with a 24oz Cold Brew every once and awhile, but I am seeing the same people every damn day, sometimes multiple times a day. Clearly my town ran out of coffee makers or something because I have apparently been supplying everyone with French Vanilla, Oat Milk Lattes for the past few months. 

I have also as always made a few notes about what it's like to be a barista at a local small business, which I am so pleased to see that slowly the town I am living in currently has been slowly opening back up. It was a lot of hiking and bike rides, now that's replaced with picnics and trips to vegan bakers, fuck it if I am gonna die soon I am gonna live it the hell up. Work has kept my mind steadily busy, and a slight sense of normalcy, not that I am craving it but it's nice to get out and get to know more people. I am trying to learn the names of the people that come in regularly and half the time they’re shocked I remember them, along with their drink orders. 

So here are some things that I found while at work, prior to this I have had over 2 years of bartending experience, if you think I can't make a cup of coffee or a frappe macchiato bastardization of a traditional espresso, then let's throw down in the kitchen, come at me. At work it gets super busy, and I’ve been sleeping a-lot, like I have been sleeping great! Aside from the growing addiction to espresso I am actually doing pretty well for working 7 days in a row without a day off. 

• I think that if you order a latte as an adult, first of all you’re ruining our espresso by drowning it in steamed milk, and secondly I am willing to bet good money you were one of those cereal  kids that needed a cup of milk to get your day going, apart of a balanced breakfast my ass, now look at you[,] you're halfway to getting diabetes. 
• Caramel Macchiatos are a made up drink, they are a myth they don’t exist, if you order one, I’ll make you one, but I am talking shit about it to my coworkers after you leave. 
• Everyone at my work is an artist of some sorts, you put a bunch of creative something or others together and add steamed milk, bet your ass your gonna have a Latte Art competition when things are slow. I am partial to the maple leaf. Shits pretty easy once you get the hang of things. 
• There are a plethora of cis white males that flirt with me, even in jeans and a T shirt you bet your ass I get hit on, take your extra dry cappuccino and talk a walk dude. 

-If you're trying to pay for your coffee and your so deprived of sleep that your inserting your credit card the wrong way, it aint me, or my register, you are just a fucking idiot. 
Things I don’t mind when you order:

1. You have a really complicated order, but know just what you want.  Sweet cool fine talk as fast as you want I am still going to ask you to repeat it because I cant hear you over the 1) the grinding of espresso beans, 2) my coworkers talking about last night Flyer’s flop and 3) that cool fucking dude on a motorcycle that revved his engine as soon as you said a medium Mocha latte, like bitch yea you can have that fine sure, but I got some questions before you settle up, You want that HOT OR ICED? It's still like 70 degrees, you're not being a hero by ordering a hot cappuccino at 2pm on a hot Sunday afternoon, what size cup? 12, 16, 24? Don’t throw me with a medium, or a small, tall whatever, I don’t work at Mcdonalds, or Starfucks, We serve primo beans my good sir. Give me ounces, or give me death. 
2. You are completely lost, but ask questions to make sure you get what you want. Cool ask away let's have a full on convo about your prospective drink, I know for some people this can make or break their day, so again I am gonna ask you are you sure you want 7 shots of espresso in your 24 oz cup of milk, that's a bastard of a drink, and you’re not a coffee aficionado if you ask me for a Breve Brah okay.  You don’t know what a cappuccino is, or what any other drink is, but you ask, I’ll allow such stupidity once. 
3. When you say “What would be the equivalent to a frappuccino from Starbucks, or what is equivalent to a vanilla cappuccino from the gas station?” We will tell you, we don’t mind. Here is a hint it's more than just the quality of beans, and milk, quality will cost you, don’t act like you’ve seen a ghost when I ring you up and your drink cost has reached over 10 dollars, you want extra shots you pay for extra shots, with your wallet or your life, I will take either. You can and will overdose on caffeine if you exceed 14 shots in one hr. Don’t be a hero that says "Death By Coffee", shits legit. 

Things I DO mind when you order:

1. When you think you know how to order, and would rather get the completely wrong thing than ask a question. When you look like a fucking lost puppy when I hand you the drink that we previously discussed, and tell me you asked for a large, no you 100% did not take that shit out of here, you’re acting like you got caught cheating on a test, ill call your ass out and show you on our order history exactly what you agreed to. Take your coffee and bounce. We can try again tomorrow. 
2. When you say you want a cappuccino, and when you get it you say “Hey, this drink is only half full!” That’s what a cappuccino is! It is half froth, and half milk, this isn’t the gas station down the road, we have real cappuccinos. Small drinks still can pack a punch, btw no we don’t do drinks with whipped cream, do you want an afternoon pick me up or to go into cardiac arrest? 
3. When you order, and it sounds like cappuccino, or when you say iced coffee with A LOT of milk, and I call it a latte,  and I repeat it as such,  and you agree, but when I give you the drink you say “Hey, this isn’t a frappuccino.” Well no shit, this isn’t Starbucks so no, this isn’t a frappuccino. Do you go to Burger King and ask for a Big Mac? No! Only idiots do that.Take 2 seconds out of your busy schedule to read the menu, and ask simple questions. Know what you want when you come up to the window to order. You have had 20 minutes to think about your poor life choices and don’t you think you can take a few minutes to figure out your drink order prior. 

I'll keep you posted on more to come. 
Happy Wednesday! 
​
-ASH

So I guess this would be kinda a not well known fact about me unless you have hung out with me recently at a gathering, don’t worry I am keeping it small with all that COVID shit and all, But 999999999.999999% of the time you're prob gonna see me with my hydro flask in my hand. Sure, it’s black so it matches everything else that I own but what's in it? When I am with other people what's in my flask? It's always water. I am always drinking water, I don’t drink haven[']t in almost 2 years in October, I see nothing wrong with it, it's just not for me anymore, and I am happy it makes others happy but they always either give me that nod of the your cool bro, or they ask me “ So what happened that you don’t drink anymore?” Usually my mechanical response is because there are better ways to get a buzz on, dude, and they usually drop it. But lately things have been kinda shaping up differently I am like kinda sorta just above all of these mind altering things in life. As far as recreational drugs I really don’t even do that anymore unless offered. It's rare. 

With the world shutting down, and people turning to alcohol more, and more to cope I see a-lot of my friends either going down two roads: they’re either drinking more then usual to numb out of what's been transpiring these last few months or, they are beginning to abstain from alcohol altogether, and instead take up better habits for their health, like running, or my current favorite has been hiking lately. My brother and I just finished a 10+ mile hike up a mountain and we saw over 20 waterfalls in Ricketts Glen PA. I've wanted to go to this place forever and I have to admit there were times I had to stop and times I got out of breath but we made it through and the car ride home you bet your ass I almost passed out. It felt amazing, it was better than runners high, better than a night out with my girlfriends, and way better than any date I've been on in the past year. 

How has hiking helped maintain my sobriety from alcohol? That's an easy one. It's way more feasible for me to spend my time out in nature or even a walk around my neighborhood that sits back and kills a six pack. I feel better the next day knowing I am not going to have a hangover, or the anxiety of driving places impaired. I mean I sort of just keep things more low key now because of Covid. I felt a ton of social pressure to please and be there for everyone, even people who couldn’t really care less about my feelings, or my comforts, or personal beliefs. I don’t have time for anyone who dismisses me like that or doesn’t even show me the courtesy. I cannot stress this enough, something switched in me when I stopped numbing out and just going along with the motions of well pretty much surface level interactions. Now I have a great much smaller group of friends. I don’t post as much as I once did on social media because, except for promoting my art, I have chosen to keep my private life on the super DL..

     Ash, c'mon, focus, you always do this so what is it about hiking that I really like? I haven't had proper health insurance in almost 3 years and with the state of things in this country I'll be lucky if I get health insurance by my mid 30s at the latest. But I feel fine, I am sure I have a cavity or two but I am not gonna die any time soon. I like hiking because like yoga and meditation it keeps me in check with my body and It is an easy and often interactive way to spend a proper amount of time outside which I know people my age don't get the allotted amount of vitamin D they should. It boosts my mood, helps my depression when it creeps up from time to time, and resets me for when I do need to switch off and get back to factory settings I guess you can say, I also recently just purchased a Tongue Drum and I can't freaking wait to play in outside when it's nicer out. The weather is still really hot, and I am really looking forward to when it cools off, fall I have a good feeling you have some cool places and people coming my way. Call it intuition. Call it whatever you want. I am happiest when I disappear for a day in nature, as much as a love where I live I love the feeling of having no cell service and literally the feeling that anything can happen to you. 

See ya next week I got something cool in store! Like always! 

Make sure to visit Ricketts Glen if you haven't already! 
Or hit me up and we can go on a hike! 

I got a lovely opportunity, and a chance to visit the awesome, super talented, Lexi Spino hailing from York, PA. Lemme tell you she is one heck of a tour guide. Her kindness, and generosity  knows no bounds, plus I got to visit some pretty cool places, given that Covid is still a thing.  Two artsy ladies taken on the town of York! Ya got some really cool little stores, coffee shops, and art galleries. Like a New Hope, if you’re from my area on steroids. I loved all the art I saw at Ironic Coffee House, my lavender Oat Milk Latte was bananas! Minus the bananas that shit was good mannnnn! The soap place too was awesome. I am really all about that self care, cold brew coffee, and soap life. Also a huge thank you for hooking me up with some cool chats, tarot cards, vegan food, and one heck of a game night! I can't wait to return your immensely kind gestures next month when you come to Philly! I got some cool stuff planned for us! ​

York Pa I have never been, also ironically did not know you were named after the York Peppermint Patty Candy.  I should have known better, I have lived in PA since I was 13, that's like practically an expert at this point, but please don’t ask me I don’t know any PA counties aside from Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Philadelphia,  I know there is a much bigger world than that.  But sometimes it's good to step out of the bubble. I got to see some awesome Murals, and as someone who lives in Philly, I love my murals! The drive was super beautiful. I try to avoid highways anyway it takes away from the “gonzoness" of journalism. I think preserving the arts have been super important, especially now. ​

If you haven’t read some of my previous articles, I mention Lexi Spino’s work on a fair amount of occasions. She is a cool sassy individual that has a great perspective on life, and it was nice to have someone to talk to about music, art, and just all around stuff I had no idea other people liked aside from me. We both listen to Ben Howard, and have low key respect for the Twilight Soundtracks, BUT NOT THE MOVIES! How you can have a great soundtrack to a movie franchise, but the movies are crud are beyond me.  Again I digress, I had a great 24hrs in York, I felt so well taken care of, and it was so nice to spend some good times with someone who has some good vibes! ​

Check out Lexi Spino’s Book The Electra Complex I got a copy, and I highly recommend her poetry, she is a pretty rad gal! Her work is  available on Amazon.com. Link down below: 

https://www.amazon.com/Electra-Complex-Lexi-Spino/dp/165242203X 

-Ash Catcher

Okay! So I love music, on average I listen to about anywhere from 5 to 8 hrs of music, podcasts, youtube videos a day…. I got my headphones in a lot these days. C’mon you all know that kid…. But yea I like variety but I am also that bastard that listens to the same like 25 songs on repeat,  So here goes nothing be gentle if you're reading this feel free to find these songs and listen along. 

The Morning: 
I usually wake up before my alarm around 5:30, the alarm is set for 7:15 am. I meditate for 15 mins, because it is hard as balls, and do yoga for 30 mins, then go on a 5 mile run on the canal It usually takes me a little less than 45 mins, but it's been really hot lately so lets clock it at an hr. 
The Drums: I listen to: Days. 
The Space Gurus: Their new song Pressure Point is really cool, and it's 7+ mins so that's an easy mile. They are like a cool fusion kinda jazz funk band. My friend Cole kills it on the guitar. 
The Beach Boys: I have been going to the beach by myself a-lot this summer! You know you are listening to hell-a good vibration on full blast, while flying down the NJ highway. It’s what Brian would have wanted me to do. I also listen to a ton of Dragonforce and Rob Zombie when I am in NJ. I am still not sure why. 
Tiger Jaw: is my favorite band! And semi local, they are out of Wilkes Barre, but I've ran into Ben on south street in Philly pretty often. He is really nice! I listen to: Planes vs. Tank vs. Submarine and I Saw Water. 
Circa Survive: I am biased, local to the Doylestown area, and they just remind me so much of high school, and post college, I am happy to call these guys my friends. Anything Anthony does is pretty cool in my book.  I listen to: The entire On letting go album usually every few days. 
Tasha Sultana: I found her on facebook one day, I was blown away this lady has some serious talent. I Listen to: Notion
Bright Eyes: makes me feel all the feels before breakfast, I listen to: Train Under Water and First Day of My Life. Duh something about it idk. 
Sure Curse: I love this band, I have tried to see them every time they come my way, I think that has been like two or three times now. I listen to: Freaks, and Forever Dumb on the Sad Boys Ep. Cause you know I want my daily dose of sad boy. 
Some Ghosts: I did some album art, and merch ideas for this local band out of Bucks County, they kinda remind  me of that midwestern emo stuff. They were really nice to work for as well. I listen to Sleep Soon. 
Delta Sleep, I have been finding a new appreciation for math rock, I love that shit it's great when I am doing art, or studying for School.  I listen to: Lake Sprinkle Sprankle. 
Mom Jeans: My friend Meg showed me this band and I nearly cried. I loved it. So fucking sad, and reserved only for the finest Dr. Seuss weather …. I listen to: Death Cup. 


The Afternoon: 

Giraffes? Giraffes!: Anytime they come on my Spotify I almost lose my poops. I listen to: I Am S/H(Im)E[R} As You Am S/H(Im)E[R] 
Moon Hooch: This is my friend band from Brooklyn, I saw them play with this band called Not Blood Paint. Deff look them up: I listen to: Number 9 ( They play for a field of cows in one of their music videos!  *Not Blood Paint: I listen to Promiscuous. 
Cavetown: I love anything by Cavetown, not my usual type of music, but my brother got me hooked on him :) I listen to: Lemon Boy, and This is Home, I was at an open mic and someone covered this and I nearly cried my head off. 
Daughter: I saw them live with my mom, she didn’t really appreciate it. She said they were too slow for her and I felt uncomfortable with how much she drank that night. What I listen to: Smother and the song No Care, the music video is pretty cool, lots of red lighting. Much panoramas! 
Soccer Mommy: I listen to: Your Dog. 

Evening: 

Jank: I listen to General Tso What 
Thick: I listen to: Your Mom. 
Beach Bunny: I listen to: Prom Queen
The Frights: I listen to: You Are Going To Hate This. 
The Taxpayers: I Love You Like An Alcoholic. 
Fugazi: Waiting Room 
Pup: I listen to: Scorpion Hill, and Closure - This band was BANANAS to see live! I am glad I did when I had the opportunity. They played with AJJ too which was bizarre but so cool. 

Late Night: 

Spilled Milk Society: I listen to Turtleneck Boy. It just popped on my daily one day, Thank you Spotify for replacing that one friend I had who had a strong taste in music. 
A Great Big Pile of Leaves: I listen to: Snack Attack and Pizzanomics. I love this band whose shit is really hard to find on vinyl. I am still keeping an eye out for them, but limited runs. 
Camping In Alaska:  I listen to: dragon ball z budokai tenkaichi 4. 
Zolof and the Rock & Roll Destroyer: I listen to: argh…. I’m a Pirate. 
A SHIT TON OF RUSSIAN HARDBASS, I blame my stint I spent in Northeast Philadelphia. 

See you next week glucose tushies! 

- Ash Catcher 

I am not too open about my family, and even me, writing things, right there typing this...ooooof Ash the hell are you doing? I mean very, very few people know about the vagina I fell out of. If I could get away with I was adopted I would, but I look way too much like my dad to pull that card.  People are even kinda surprised I have a sibling. I guess, I just scream as an only child to some people. I love being single because then I don’t have to worry about A) people leaving me when reality sets in, and B) I become a codependent people pleasing infant in most monogamous relationships. Thanks, Mom, Dad.  I rarely invite someone I am dating to meet my parents, lately the last few relationships, it felt like an obligation, I am really not looking to put myself or anyone else for that matter in that situation again. They never go well. As a kid, I spent A LOT, and I mean a lot of time alone[. A]t first, I solely blamed the Harry Potter novels[.] I remember pre ordering all of them from Goblet of Fire to the end of the series. When they came in the mail[,] I would grab them out of my moms hands, and disappear in my room from anywhere from 2 to 5 days at a time. I wouldn’t come out. I had to finish, and see this book all the way through. More like I needed to check the fuck out for about a week, and dissociate like a mofo. Ya know, being 10 I wasn’t exactly rolling in vacation funds. I did what I could.  When I finished all the Harry Potter books, I moved on to a few more series, and then I found Art to be my new flavor of escapism. I escape often these days. 

I either have two modes in life: I either bounce around to a bunch of different projects, and eventually get them done, or I stay in something WAY too long. It could be anything… but 99% of the time it's a one[-]sided relationship. I just don’t know when to give up, or leave the party. Now I make sure all my projects, logos, whatever are what I call "quick hit projects” If it takes more than 2 days, it’s probably never gonna get done. I don’t let anyone know what I am doing or working on until it is already done, edited, and published.  I am just like an all or nothing kinda gal. So why would I hide my artistic talents from my family? That's an easy one…. We are all in some weird shape or form an "interesting" creative family, my brother makes costumes and shoots videography, my mom did art, and plays the flute almost professionally, and my dad…. Welp… yea he lives like he is in a movie. I am not going to go into real detail about that, it’s just bizarre.  I literally have no set direction on how I want to take my art. I never did. There are some days where I hate it, I hate the process, or lack thereof, because I never know what I make until it's done. I have been writing more because it is easier for me, and a little more cleaner than setting up a canvas and paint, although I did just do a quick hitter real quick I’ll link that boy down below. 

In addition to being an artist, I have taught kids and adults painting, drawing, and ceramic classes. I have been doing this since I took my first drawing class, If I am interested in something I fucking go dick deep into it. I never forget anything, and have a borderline photographic memory. I tend to put myself in a bubble sometimes when I am creating something. You literally wouldn’t understand it unless you have ever been that kid to shut themselves inside your room for hours on end. I love being by myself. I go almost anywhere, and everywhere alone, I go hiking, I run at night alone, and I became bilingual in Russian by myself. I just recently started doing my taxes alone too[;] I am very proud. Suck it, TurboTax.  I am not sure if I like learning more, or teaching something. I have been teaching art for a really long time. I really enjoy connecting, and having kids super excited to attend my classes.  That whole quote, about  those that can[']t do, teach or whatever the fuck it is… yea clearly you had a shitty experience with teachers. I loved all mine, and yea I saw them as weird pseudo academic parental figures. I am still in contact with all my  Art college professors. Even got a few jobs through them. It pays to be nice, and make friends. 

One of my many "quarantine quick hits”  I also kinda low key think we are just in a black mirror episode…. And it kinda blows. 

Ash fucking focus, okay, yea, so, art: I’ll never admit this out in the open, but I am pretty sure my best art was in high school. You can stereotype me all you want, but I bet you would have dated me in high school too. I was the most passionate about art more than anything else. Nothing mattered to me more, I am so surprised I graduated high school, honest to god there were days I didn’t even show up. I missed about a month and half of school before my parents were even notified. I got caught up hanging out with a few art friends at a local community college, we just created all day, It was more up to my speed then sitting through 9 classes a day then going to work until 9pm at night, walking home in the dark than doing it all over again. I just had it. When I went to collage I fucking thrived, I survived critique days, made some bomb friends I still talk to today, and got my art out there and started fucking around with gallery and museum studies. I am not sure why I took a hiatus, post college was a no go. I feel like my life was a series of waves, I would always crash and burn- for as long as I can remember I want to say maybe since 17 or 18 I have always had a multitude of jobs, side gigs, projects, that was just who I was I had so much creative ideas, that I would end up sitting there in a pile of papers getting jack shit done. Talk about frustrating. 

Art helps me with my depression. I have SADS, and a few other little things, but for the most part but, like, hey, what child of the 90s fueled with nothing but Saturday morning cartoons, and cereal came out without a few screws missing, but still being a part of a nutritious breakfast. If I start to zone out chances are I can hear the X-Men theme song in my head, I can't be the only one that happens to, right?  From about November to it is about mid march now, that is when things are usually the worst for me - I still am not sure why, because well global warming has been making my SADS strangely better, but the Corona Virus was kinda a curve ball this year but it’s cool, I am adapting thank you very much. 

Art has always been there for me, when people get frustrated with my constant mood swings, or my sudden disappearances. (My uncle is a magician, you can blame him.) I firmly believe that the pain, like the kind you inflict on yourself on your first critique day in art class, the kind that tears away at just you slowly over time. When you can confidently tell someone something traumatic about your childhood, and you just say “But it’s all good” after that kind shit. Now I addresses all my insecurities, and flaws yea that dark shit, that is where all that good fucking art comes from, don’t ya know?  You have to do a deep dive, props to you if you can handle doing that sober too btw. I am coming up on almost 2 years without any alcohol, I don’t really talk too much about that but apparently it blows everyone's mind when I can be so social and be drinking nothing but Pellegrino. You need to go deep into that feeling well, reach in, and shake it, tell it to get bent, and make something out of it. Literally it has been my saving grace. I am pretty sure most of my family has nor will they ever see any of my art. I have had art shows, I have had pieces in galleries, I just sold a piece for close to 1000 USD AND they will probably never know, and I am kinda okay with them and people not know what I do, what I create, or how I live my life. I just do me, and I am really okay if nobody ever sees it. It is out there in the world, call it a free for all. 

See ya next Wednesday losers. 

-Ash Catcher 

I also learned that to survive the obsession, and it's dark consequences, you need to love deliberately.  Love yourself, and your loved ones and pay special attention to doing so.  Sleep, eat right and relax when you need to.  Take time to be who you are, rather than being owned by your obsession, and take time to be with those you love and to do the things you love to do.  Finally, be courageous, emotionally honest and open hearted enough to admit to your vulnerability. If a project is taking too long for you to take a break, nobody will know but you. I almost never tell anyone about my personal creative projects until they are already conceptualized, and on the wall. You’ll be surprised at how much you can create when you pace yourself. 
      Is there such a thing as loving your craft too much? Can you lose yourself in your own passion, even if you create something about yourself for yourself for other people…. How deep do you have to go before you go down the rabbit hole and your purple pills deep? Developing creativity, and realizing creative ideas usually take some degree of obsession. But is it on the borderline of a disorder? Is it some sort of pseudo artistic bullshit obsessive compulsive disorder? Is it a weird cocktail of anxiety and repetitive ritualized behaviors? Why the fuck do people even make art anyway? ​

I certainly think there is a darker side of creative obsession. Artists are OBSESSED with detail. Every artist I know has a form of OCD, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, and a mixed bag of personality disorders. There is artsy, and then there is borderline insane. Sure it is a creative rainbow sliding kinky Kinsey scale. 
     Just like with everything in life there are extremes, The Artist is their own biggest fan, and worst critic.  Whether we are aware of It or not, balance is out and obsession is in. People now more than ever are expressing their own beliefs, passions, obsession, and views. Let’s just chalk it up to a shitty year for humanity as a collective. 


So, my artistic friends, if you are engaged in an obsessive pursuit, beware of the dark side of the obsession and make time to maintain your own psychological health and that of those around you.  It’s important. ​

This house, the one you should have grown out of,  and left years ago is stale. 
The people seem nice at first, but ya’ll are fake as fuck. Mask wearing anti socialites. Mommy- Daddy ( issues) playing house money hungry. 
This  music scene is dead, long live the “scene”.  Long live the growing debt, of all the money you spent. Broke too many guitar strings. 
Gone are the boys, now forgotten, this club sandwich, that's been in your section of the fridge since the 7th, has all gone a rye. THROW IT OUT. IT’S TRASH. 

The mental health issues have all come to light, the distractions are all gone, 
The beer, and liquor all drunk up. Should have squirreled some away for another day. 
I bet there are aluminum soda cans littered all over your room. And pizza makes me think of you. I haven’t had pizza in almost a year. 
I wish I got to watch all the Star Wars films with you before it was too late. But at least we ended it watching Empire. 

Back to bedroom guitar playing, picking through the past. Window sills were made for rainy days. 
Would you go back? Would you start fresher? Why do people sleep with fans on in their fucking face. You’re draining. 
I haven’t seen you in awhile, and I want to keep it that way. Unless you’re coming fucking correct. Is it capable of apologies? 
I don’t think I could see you so miserable. I know you have fathered a gnome. I bet it has your soulless eyes. 

The aftermath, after the party. 
Because as you know it’s always your party, {MINE}. 
I want this show to end. I am tired, we need to pack up still, load up, and I need to drive your drunk ass home. 
It’s the same dance, and songs, I am tired of it. 

The world is quiet here. 
I can feel you, watching me. 
Aren't you tired of staring at me through the window, or a screen. I know something you don’t know. 
It rains a lot now these days, have you been crying lately in your car?  

I know you aren’t sleeping because I have been awake (end) 
Sandwich King, I am getting tired of waiting. The service here, it kinda blows. No stars! 
Who died, and claimed all condiments communal? 
Communist condiments, make for great substitutes. A lovely mayo manifesto. 

How is my sub? I bet they taste…. Stale? 
You look like a sad sandwich boy. 
Your house is crumbling, the bread soggy. 
I cut carbs out months ago, I thought you should know. 

I eat salads now, because I am trying to grow. 

- Ash Catcher 

Guys, listen the fuck up. I am so sick of the lack of female presence in the DIY Philly Music Scene. I. Am. Sick. So, I guess it’s a great thing that my badass friend, Megan Negron- Dalton dropped not only her first E.P. but the lady did it all herself, the writing, the recording, the amount of effort, love, pain, and passion that she put into this project has been nothing further than amazing. I am such a proud frickin' friend of hers! Megan’s EP is titled Bruised Peach. We touch upon self discovery, that with great pain comes some great fucking art and that, hey, at least we can always capitalize on our memories even if the past is long gone, dead, and buried back in Brooklyn. Meg’s got some raw talent that the music scene has been preaching for years, but I swear to all that was once a closed hole. If I hear another song about a car crash or glorifying a drug addiction it will be too soon. Megan’s EP offers none of that. There is just her and her guitar, I can’t wait to hear this live, with the slow rise to places opening back up post Co-VEE, this will be something for everyone who claims to DIY or die to get on their Spotify. Check out Megan’s EP Bruised Peach, my personal fav songs are At "War," and "Baby Johnson ( Brooklyn)" Check them all out!  Also a nice Artwork lady! 
-Ash
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4CaTMD9qhTNX6SnjVFps0f?si=_8SlsKkxRoGRD1FwmF_aZA     ​