Art Revolution Podcast

S2 EP7: Annie Rugyt

Annie is a talented illustrator, author, painter, singer/songwriter and musician performing under the stage name Helena I Hear You. She wrote, illustrated and self-published her first children’s book, “The Three Things” in 2015 and her most recent project “Sometimes It’s Bright” in 2021. She has illustrated other children’s books as well for other authors “Camshaft 10”,  “I, Lincoln Did Not Ask for This” and a zine called “Finding Home”. She resides in Mendocino County and works as a freelance illustrator as her day job while also being an artist, mother, wife and musician. She blesses the Art Revolution Podcast with an impromptu acoustic performance of one of her original songs and shares stories of the journey that led to her planting roots in Mendocino County.  From working at Disneyland, to illustrating on the Cartoon Network hit Adventure Time to living in New York City dodging traffic and dealing with the endless honking of car horns, she’s traveled a circuitous route back to her Northern California roots. Art Revolution talks books, music, creativity, the power of imagination and the healing power of artistic expression on this special episode featuring another talented and creative artist who has chosen Mendocino County to call her home. https://annieruygtillustration.com/ [https://annieruygtillustration.com/] Helena I Hear You (Annie’s Music) https://helenaihearyou.bandcamp.com/ [https://helenaihearyou.bandcamp.com/] https://open.spotify.com/artist/2EJwWYIQfhgMxFRJ1rELtg?si=4ANVvvQ7QxaQUBishdA4DA [https://open.spotify.com/artist/2EJwWYIQfhgMxFRJ1rELtg?si=4ANVvvQ7QxaQUBishdA4DA]

S2 EP 6: Mendo Utopia Summer Solstice Concert

Summer has arrived and Art Revolution rides this heatwave right into this weekend’s festivities at Mendo Utopia’s 1st Annual Summer Solstice Concert at the Lot on Main this Saturday June 20th 11:30am-9pm. Jared talks a bit about the future of Mendo Utopia and also its humble beginnings as a dream to build a Community Center for Mendocino County. Alex talks about an event on July 11th at the Medium Art Gallery called “Music Within Our Worlds Matter.” that he is organizing featuring art by Neuro-divergent artists and music by Weird Year and an Oakland band headlining called Sour Widows. The guys talk about the 1st Sundays in the Park with Third World, MetalFest, Reggae music, Rastafarianism and advocating for people with disabilities to “be out of institutions and into the community” and receiving the support that is needed to do so. Enjoy this episode of Art Revolution and try to stay cool. Summer is here! We’ll see you this Saturday at The Lot on Main for The 1st Annual Summer Solstice Concert. It’s supposed to be 83 degrees and beautiful.

S2 EP5: Bryon C. Stiky Co-Founder of Redwood Metal Fest

This week we sit down with local music promoter Bryon C. Stiky ahead of Redwood Metalfest at Alex Thomas Plaza on June 13th and Agent Orange with The Drowns and ARPH at The Pub in Ukiah on June 25th (Tickets $20 in advance). He tells us about the outlaw origins of his nickname and the inception and growth of Redwood Metalfest from a small “practice festival” at the Mateel Center in Humboldt county to the annual Ukiah institution that people from all over California, the Pacific Coast, and even Australia anticipate with ferocious joy. Who among us hasn't gotten Death Angel to play at their first festival for just over 100 people?! In this conversation, we get into how the Metalfest team got the city of Ukiah to enthusiastically support heavy music outside in the heart of downtown, the electric energy that happens when people have a mentality of “compliment, not competition,” the fierce individuality and true friendship in heavy metal culture, and Bryon’s cornerstone ethic of treating people with the respect that we all deserve. As he puts it, “I don't have ‘connections.’ These are my friends, people I work with, people I respect.” We think you’ll really enjoy this conversation with a truly valued friend and community member. Turn it up !

S2 EP4: Hillshaker

Hillshaker rumbles through the Art Revolution Podcast for a special episode where they share stories of their individual journeys which led them to the Mendocino County line. Clay Hawkins and Andy Robertson met 15 years ago and formed a kinship revolving around their love of music and performing live. ”Blending rapid-fire slide guitar, grooving upright bass, warm harmonies and heartfelt songwriting, Hillshaker create their own unique brand of Americana music. Featuring Clay Hawkins on guitar and Andrew Robertson on the upright bass, the duo's fast, upbeat style swings from psychedelic roots/country to heavy old-time blues.”      Clay shares about his online artist and venue space that he created called OME (Open-Music-Exchange) This online, social network for artists, promoters and venues is accessible for all to create their own websites, virtual event calendars, online marketplaces and promote their upcoming shows. Andy is a multi-instrumentalist and talented singer/songwriter originally from Fairfield, Ca. Before moving to Mendocino County, he played drums and toured with a Bay Area punk band called The Dairy Queens, polishing his skills as a musician and performer. Both these talented musicians have logged their 10,000 hours and then some. They perform a live set at the end of the episode which gives the listener a little taste of what is to come this Friday June 5th at the Lot on Main for this month’s 1st Friday Art Walk in Ukiah (5-8pm). There’s no need to run for cover, but you will find yourself running to the dance floor when their soulful harmonies and driving rhythms resonate throughout your body. Without further ado, enjoy Hillshaker. Link to OME: https://ome.audio/ [https://ome.audio/]

S2 EP3: Nova Medina

It was an honor for Art Revolution to welcome Nova Medina to the podcast.  Nova is the powerhouse behind The Lot on Main and a mixed media artist. A graphic designer, flower farmer and champion giant pumpkin grower. This small town multi-hyphenate brings together art, nature, and technology to bolster her community. She teamed up with with our Co-host and founder of The Lot on Main, Nick Johnson early on in the Lot’s evolution and together they formed a 501 (c) Nonprofit by the same name, showcasing local artists and music in our community and providing a local hub for family-friendly, all-ages events and an outdoor artisan marketplace. Being dubbed “The Lady of the Lot” she truly is the backbone of The Lot’s social media presence and its evolution into an official Nonprofit. So, get to know the woman behind the Instagram reels who put The Lot on the digital map. Nova also co-founded Pajaro Flats Farm with her family in Covelo, Ca where they grow beautiful bouquets of flowers for events. You can find her booth every 1st Friday Art Walk at The Lot on Main in Ukiah. https://www.instagram.com/pajaroflatsfarm [https://www.instagram.com/pajaroflatsfarm]