CONNECTIONS

Sally Irvine, an indie filmmaker from London, has begun working on a documentary about Scarce. Sally and I met for the first time in London at our show last fall at The Islington Bar Academy. She had just finished reading my book, Aching To Be, and seeing Scarce live brought the book into the present. The show had brought the sounds and sights beyond the words on the page into a sweaty mess of rock and roll. She and I began a conversation that night after the show about bringing the story into film. As an artist she told me she appreciated my honesty in the book and the personal touch perhaps a woman adds to being in the rock and roll mix. We connected as females, but also as artists who love music.

As the project began to unfold, we talked about the pitfalls of rock band documentaries. How stupid rock bands sound when they talk about music, and how rock documentaries are usually about famous bands. Then Sally began talking about making the documentary more like a visual book. A visual story with sounds and voices—more like a piece of artwork. The painter in me connected with that completely.

I got excited the way I do when I sit down to begin a painting or a write a song.— that kind of initial excitement that allows a a work of art or music to move from your mind into motion. I began delving through my old tour diaries and sketchbooks, and my paintings searching for pieces of visuals that Sally could use to express the visuals of Scarce. I wanted to find things that would allow Sally to paint a picture of Scarce in video.

The connections in a band starts inward from the music and the people creating it, and move outward through a recording or on a stage to the listener. Chick, Joe, and I connect every time the music hits the air. There is a sensuality, energy, and drive that we all feel together. It is motion and being. It is feeling alive. Any kind of artwork is about that feeling.

Thanks to all our friends in London, Halifax, Australia, and America for joining and being a part of painting that picture with Sally by talking about Scarce in front of her camera, sending photographs and live footage. Chick, Joe, and I are so thankful to have people who share that connection with us when we play and make music—it is the pulse of what keeps this band in motion.

We look forward to touring in the fall to promote the documentary. Sally and I are talking about a tour, Velvet Underground style, where we show the documentary and then Scarce will play live afterwards. A Warhol party of sorts—Scarce style. Coming to a theater near you this fall.