Saturday, December 2, 2017

Ride in this Point of Light: Ötzi and their latest video "Ghosts"


On the one year anniversary of the Ghost Ship tragedy that happened in Frutivale last December, I still can't articulate the right words to say. I feel clumsy, fumbling over my words and overly vulnerable whenever I do. However, many artists can articulate the pain, confusion and utter emptiness that I certainly still can not. So, I think I would rather let them do the talking.  From the title track of their latest album (available from Near Dark, Last Hour Records, and Bat-Cave Productions) we have the premier of Ötzi's video "Ghosts": 

The "Ghosts" video was created in memory of those who died in the Ghost Ship fire in Oakland last December 2, 2016. Some of those lost in the fire were friends, some were acquaintances, and some we only knew through their art. On the anniversary of their passing, we are joined by their loved ones and survivors in creating tribute to them, and speak to them in the way they spoke to us. This video is about anger and regret, the intersection between public and private mourning, and the thinning of the veil between the living and the dead." 



The song itself is gripping and haunting. It's echoing, polished goth punk tousled in Riot Grrrl with precise, moody and most certainly addictive string work, sometimes reminiscent of the darker side of the 90's. Akiko and Gina blend together vocally to make a new school Skeletal Family/Vice Squad sound: bold, somber and raging. It's a chilling, passionate work and it's some of their best to date. 


The primary camera work was done by the über talented local photographer that is Kevin Brown (bandseyescene) and the upcoming videographer Rissy. With additional camera work by Post-Consumer and even Akiko herself, it is visually lucid in eeriness with great use of layering and lighting, creating many a hold-your-breath moments with its' symbology. 

When the song ends, the lyrics sit with with me and they can speak for aspects that I feel now yet can not formulate into words. They resonate deeply with the reoccurring thoughts and feelings I've had in light of those that I have lost this last year.  

 "In the darkness I can't see all the voices following me...I'll wait for you in a dream...I'm falling over...I'm sinking further...Where are you?"

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For those who would like to be amongst community and friends at this time for support here is a list of memorial gatherings. Thank you, Akiko, for this compilation. 

Ghost Ship Pop-Up Memorial Dec 2, 5pm - 9pm at Ghost Ship Site

Ghost Ship Fire Memorial 2017 Dec 1-3, 8:30am  - 5pm at Chapel of the Chimes

Sound Reflection tonal drone event Dec 2, 5pm-8pm at Vintage Synthesizer Museum



Hybrid Veils : The Artwork of Jsun Adrian McCarty Dec 1-8, all day at Pro Arts Gallery

Ghostship Memorial Dec 2 9pm-2am at Starline Social Club


Ships in the Night benefit for Ghost Ship qt/poc survivors & fam Dec 2, 9pm-2am at the New Parish

The Hanging Garden Dance Party Moment of silence and remembrance of Introflirt. 
Dec 2, 11:15pm at The Uptown. 


Ghost Ship Fire: Moment of Silence at SF Dance Clubs on Dec 2nd Dec 2 between 11pm and midnight at various dance clubs iin the Bay Area and beyond https://www.facebook.com/events/917830935031583/

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