Rubin Recommends

(Part of The Weekly Check In series)

I don’t remember why but I think it was freshman year or sophmore year of highschool I went to a Planes Mistaken For Stars show in the basement of some kids house in Lawrence, KS. I saw this book there called The Unheard Music (which I talked about last week) and I was like, this is it. The book, The Unheard Music had photos of every band I’d liked at the time (and still do.) Live photos, portraits, it was amazing because I never got to really see a lot of them, and a lot had broken up by the time I got into them.

Chrissy Piper is the girl who took those photos in that book. I started writing her when I was started getting more into photography in highschool. I’d just check in to see where she was, what bands she was shooting, loved it all. I finally got to meet her when she moved to Los Angeles in like 04 or 05 and now we’re buds for life.

You can view her work at http://chrissypiper.com and her Flickr (new photos daily.)

RR: What are you currently working on or just finished that you’re excited about?

Piper: Oh man, I have a million things that I am excited about these days! I found a REALLY good deal on printing so I have been printing a ton of postcards and other random paper products. In the process of finishing my second issue of THREE RECORDS fanzine- a zine where I have friends name three records that have changed or inspired their lives. It’s really interesting to see what has changed people over the years! Work wise, just shot another catalog for Free People out in NYC-they are always a great crew to work with!

RR: Where have you traveled so far this month?

Piper: Hmmm, besides being in NYC, I’ve only been out to Mojave for a location scout. Lots of time at the beach though. It’s October and we’re still surfing! Shooting another catalog down in Tulum, Mexico at the end of October- I’m VERY excited about that!!! Mayan ruins on the beach!!!

RR: What’s your favorite music right now?

Piper: Oh boy, that’s a always a tough one Rubin! A constant favorite is always Billy Bragg. Shit cannot be beat! Emotional AND Political. SO good! Especially in these days! I also love the band Complications from Canada. My taste in music are SO random these days- Stiff Little Fingers to Patty Griffin. Go figure.

RR: Best food you’ve had in your neighborhood lately or while you were traveling?

Piper: My neighborhood has a really great vegan restaurant called Flore. It’s the real deal, you walk out of there feeling great unlike many of the other places like it in LA. HA! HMMM, NYC– Angelica’s is always good as well as a place called Snice. Silly name, great food.

RR: Anything Else You Want To Mention?

Piper: Send me your address, I’ll send you a postcard. Seriously, I’m obsessed with sending postcards!
Be good to each other and a big THANK YOU to Rubin.