Hey what’s up ya’ll?

Jafe and I (Gian) came down to New Orleans abot a week ago to work with an organization called Common Ground Relief. It has been such an amazing trip so far and we will definitily tell you more about it as well as upload pictures when we get back. However, a few days ago we received some pretty unfortunate news.

Common Ground Relief is made up of 20 to 30 individuals from all over the world. It is based out of the Lower Ninth Ward, a historically black, working-class neighborhood. It is also one of the neighborhoods that saw the most devistation from Hurricane Katrina and the most neglect since. There are still many houses that need to be rebuilt as well as many people that are still without a home. A few days ago, we were informed that another hurricane was headed our way.

Hurricane Gustav is curently around Cuba and is a level 1 storm. It is predicted that it will hit New Orleans Monday morning as a category 3 storm with winds over 110 mph. For those of you who don’t know, Hurricane Katrina was also a catagory 3 storm.

New Orleans is not ready for another hurricane. The past few days we have been preparing for this storm by boarding up the house, asking people in the community if they need help, cleaning storm drains, and working with other organizations to best prepare. Any donations as well as aid will be kindly accepted. For more information, you can visit Common Ground Relief online, as they will be updating their website periodically. We will also try to post more information as the storm approaches.

Visit Common Grounds Relief online at:
www.commongroundrelief.org

Also, if you have any questions about ways you can help or wish to learn more about Commong Ground Relief, you may email us at info@vivamayday.com or
commongroundsvolunteer@gmail.com.

Jafe and I are leaving New Orleans Saturday morning but are planning on returning whenever our schedules permit. Please help spread the word and do what you can to help.

Peace.

I haven’t had any time to post something on here in the past week. I have been producing an album for the first time, doing band related stuff, and getting ready for my trip to New Orleans. I am probably not going to be able to post anything on here while I am away, but I am planning on taking pictures and posting when I get back. Stay cool. Peace

I just met up with Salehe of Duane NYC to pick up some gear and talk about some future projects we will be doing. He hooked me up with the Manhole Tee which is my favorite tee from their past line. It can be purchased on their Online Store. Also, I just finished doing a website update for them. It entailed adding one of their most well-know t-shirt graphics to the Collection section on their website… the Most Wanted Tee. They will be releasing it very shortly so stay tuned. Go Duane! www.duanenyc.com

I just finished the long-awaited VIVA MAYDAY website. Go check it out. www.vivamayday.com

This week has been non-stop crazyness. I had work all day Monday and some of Thursday, had many website updates to do for clients, and played A LOT of music. Brian Letiecq, who many of you readers may know, was the music teacher at Beacon and is also a good friend of mine. Two years ago when I graduated Beacon High School, Brian Letiecq, Emiliano Ortiz, Gabe Cummins, Jafe Paulino, Gabe Luce, and I, formed the Brian Letiecq and Friends Band. We played a show at Arlenes Grocery that turned out to be a huge success. We haven’t played a show since and the band kinda’ died out.

Last week I went to dinner at Brian’s house and we discussed playing some music again and rehearsing some of his tunes. So I met him at the Beacon Music Studio and we started playing. The tunes are damn’ good! He said that he wanted to record an album and asked me to play drums on it. This was a huge honor for me because he is someone I look up to and has taught me a lot over the years. So, we spent days setting up microphones and trying to get good drum and guitar sounds. Finally, today we started recording and everything sounds really good. We got a few of the songs done, but still have a handful more to go. We are hoping to finish all the drum, bass, and guitar tracks by next week. I am really excited to hear the finished product. Brian has done a great job with these songs and I am sure something good will come out of it.

Also, VIVA MAYDAY will be playing a show at the Cake Shop this Sunday for a showcase Blacksheep Records organized. Its an early show so I expect to see you all there. Try to arrive between 5:30 and 6 because we will be going on around then. More details on the show will be posted soon. Peace.

Last week I started working on the Official VIVA MAYDAY Website which will drop next Wednesday, July 30th at 12am. I’ve been spending night and day working on this site, getting next to no sleep. I had a really good weekend though. It was nice to get away from my computer for a few days. A bunch of people and I went up to Hoover beach house in Asbury Park, New Jersey to celebrate Dukes birthday. We had a damn’ good bbq, an intense dance party, and a lot of fun cleaning up the next day. Haha. So yeah, I’m right back where I started, sitting at my computer, working on this website, listening to a Kinks album I purchased in Jersey, all while trying to stay awake. Be sure to peep the website on the 30th and until then… I’ll be on my grind. Peace!

Julez (Julian B.) is one of the coolest kids I know. This is why I am taking a second to wish him a happy birthday. All of you should do the same.

Yesterday Jafe, Duke, and I (VIVA MAYDAY) met up with Julian Goldstein of I SHOT NY to take some band pictures. We are trying to finish up our press kit to send out to labels, managers, agents, and whoever else might be able to help us. Julian did a fucking amazing job. He has done a lot of photography for the clothing company ONLY NY as well as running his own store, located on 77th street just off of Broadway.

We ended up going to shoot at about 6 different places. Took some rooftop flicks, then went down to the Amtrak Tunnels (Freedom Tunnels), then over to 125th and finally ended up at a more comfortable location, our practice space. Check out more of Julians work at his website www.ishotny.com as well as his cool Photoblog. I strongly recommend him for any band or company looking for a professional photographer. Thanks again Julian!

Rooftop on 114th


Freedom Tunnels on 125th


Boarding down Riverside


Our Practice Space