3.20.26 KODIAK.DAN.RAURY.ERIC

HAPPY FRIDAY

So most of you have probably heard me talking about the Backwoods Boys.

All shot in Maine.

All with a threat of dangerous redneck violence lurking just below the surface.

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Luckily the real Backwoods Boys are just about the sweetest bunch of guys possible.

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This first batch of zines features four Dead Boy BANGERS.

Kodiak, Dan, Raury and Eric.

All of them are a dream to shoot and sooo much fun to create with.

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And somehow, without any planning or forethought, all four of them ended up coming to visit in Maine over the last month.

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So I thought I’d share the covers of the (still in progress) BACKWOODS BOYS zines and some shots from their Maine visits.

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Kodiak tends to stay in character while he’s in front of the camera - as you can see from this shot of him on the deck.

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He’s the guy whose Backwoods Boy character has the roughest edges. If it were a yearbook contest he’d be Most Likely To Get Violent.

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I hadn’t heard from him in a couple months other than a quick dm on IG, but I got a text earlier this week while I was watching the Oscars with a friend. THINKING OF DRIVING TO MAINE TOMORROW ARE YOU’RE AROUND…?

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I’m in full on movie prep mode, but as you may know I’ve also been fighting the winter blues so I said Sure, c’mon up.

It was a quick visit, but the perfect antidote for a snowy, muddy, melancholy week.

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Dan is probably the Backwoods Boy whose been to Maine the most.

He’s in New Hampshire part time so it’s a quick trip and not only is he a great ‘muse,’ he’s also become a good friend.

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One thing to know about Dan…

(other than the fact that he stars in many a Sal Salandra thread painting)

You can’t turn your back on him for a moment without him stripping naked and taking some pictures.

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I had a quick meeting the morning he arrived and came back to find he’d done a hole selfie shoot in the living room while I was away.

I’m not complaining.

Just sharing.

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:)

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Raury was here at the end of February.

He brought his viola so we could record some stuff to play around with once I get into the edit room with HEADLOCK.

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He’s a full on trained musician and trying to convey what it was I was thinking proved way more difficult than expected since I quite literally don’t speak music.

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But we managed.

And when I listened back to what we recorded the other day, I was reminded how fucking cool it is that I get to collaborate with so many talented, creative artists who I never would have met if it wasn’t for ALL THE DEAD BOYS.

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I also took him to check out the (freezing cold) beach where he proceeded to strip off his clothes, get on all fours and say “Take my picture?”

Are you sensing a theme here?

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Gotta love the Backwoods Boys.

Sorry to destroy any illusions surrounding the rough and ready characters I create for shoots, but yes, sometimes they even smile.

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Here’s proof.

Raury at Cook’s Lobster House.

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And last but not least there’s Eric.

He’s the guy I’ve known the longest (almost 4 years… maybe more) and he arrives in Maine tomorrow.

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He’s coming for the HEADLOCK shoot.

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I wrote one of the leads with him in mind. An island local who was heavily inspired by this shoot we did last Summer while he was here.

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I knew I wanted to make a film with Eric from the very first time we met. I wrote SUCKERS with him in mind as the lead, and though that one hasn’t happened (yet) I’m soo stoked that one of my favorite Dead Boys is gonna be one of my HEADLOCK leads.

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I’m very excited for you to meet his character in the film.

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And since Eric doesn’t arrive til tomorrow, I figured I’d dip into the photos on my phone.

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I never really share selfies (I’m waaaay more comfortable behind the camera) but the only shots I have are of the two of us after a happy day of shooting so here you go.

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Some ALL THE DEAD BOYS shoots are pretty straight forward.

A few hours creating together and not a whole lot more.

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But sometimes, what starts as a simple shoot ends up as the type of friendships and creative collaborations that are what I love most about ALL THE DEAD BOYS.

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There’s nothing more magical than finding a kindred spirit (sounds soooo cheesy I know) to create with.

Like Kodiak, Dan, Raury and Eric.

Especially when the stories that start as seeds at a shoot grow and morph and declare that they are more.

A film. A zine. A haunted house. A series of haunting viola vibratos.

I think they’re called vibratos but I dunno for sure :)

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Has anyone read any interesting books/articles on the (male) muse? There’s a whole lot written about the feminine version but I’d love to discover a deep dive into the passion and obsession of artists with their male muses.

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So the BACKWOODS BOYS zines aren’t ready quite yet, but my plan is to release all four of them once HEADLOCK wraps.

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So consider this little survey a ‘hand raise.’

If you’re interested in getting one (or all) of the BACKWOODS BOYS zines let me know.

I’ll save your email onto my zine soft launch list.

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As usual, thanks for being here. I really do appreciate it.

Hope you enjoyed this peek behind ‘the curtain.’

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Carter

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P.S.

You can find these guys on IG, where you’ll no doubt fall down the rabbit hole of their assorted links.

Kodiak. Dan. Raury. Eric.

You’re welcome.

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And here’s one more of Eric from our very first shoot together.

Just because.

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P.S.S.

It’s been a fucking intense, busy week (with an unexpected Kodiak visit!) and I haven’t sent out my 🍌🍌 replies yet.

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IYKYK

I’ll get em out soon.

I promise.

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