UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Apologizes for the lack of postings.

THR3PPL is under construction until mid-December.

Please check back around that time for a bigger and better thr3ppl.

THANK YOU. GOD'S SPEED.

Duck Nation

In Portland, Saturdays in the fall can entail going to the Farmer’s Market, the kids’ soccer game, shopping centers, watching cartoons or just sleeping in. Not in Eugene. This Saturday THR3 was in Oregon’s second largest city on business. Coincidently there was a football game between the Oregon Ducks, ranked #4 in the nation, and the Arizona Sun Devils, ranked #5. Duck Nation as it is known in those parts, was out in full force. And these cats --- ducks --- were wildin' out. A blinding amount of lightening yellow and forest green blanketed the area around Auzten Stadium. With the aroma of Pasts, car exhaust and bacon in the air, THR3 wandered through the sub-culture that is college football tailgating to get a better understanding of what made these loyal fans so excited about their Ducks. Soon, THR3 spotted a group of fans who looked too official to pass by. With the short bus painted green and yellow, one could tell there was truly some "special" about these Ducks. Quack. Quack.

TIME: 10:45
KICKOFF TIME: 16:05
DATE: Nov 3, 2007
LOCATION: Eugene

THR3: What do you think the score is going to be today?

DN1: 42 – 21

DN2: Yeah pretty close to that, I would say 38 – 5. [laughs]

THR3: How long have ya’ll been out here today?

DN1: Since 6:30 in the morning.

THR3: Wait. Where are you guys from?

DN1: Sutherlin.

THR3: So when did you leave Sutherlin to get here?

DN1: Five, five-thirty.

THR3: You plan on going back home right after the game?

DN2: Not until all the beer is gone!

THR3: Man, you have a sweet spread, what are you cooking over there?

DN1: Beef sandwiches.

THR3: Mmm, delicious. Are you a season ticket holder?

DN3: Yep, 17 years.

THR3: What do you guys do for money these days?

DN1: We are all in concrete.

THR3: Mmhhhmm. If the Ducks make it to the national championship will you go?

DN1, 2, 3: HELL YES!

DN2: I don’t care where it is, China, Africa, Alabama. I will be there with yellow and green on.

Philadelphia Sports Fan

In Oregon, and on the West Coast in general, sports are viewed as a intriguing form of entertainment. With a variety of outdoor activities to participate in, professional sports are second fiddle. However, this sentiment is not shared by our East Coast counterparts. Back East, sport is a way of life. The lifestyle of the East Coast sports fan parallels that of the religious fanatic. Nowhere is this truer than the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. For the typical Philadelphian, every game day is judgment day. Every win, an orgasmic high, every loss is a crippling blow. From preseason to regular season to the playoffs, the intensity level of the city itself builds to almost unimaginable levels. Even on an occasion like Halloween, a Philadelphian can never fully disguise their true face which is colored with years of premature hopes followed by inexpressibly devastating disappointments.

[WARNING: This interview include excessive profanity, which is entirely normal for the Philadelphian sports fan, but may not be suitable for young children, conservative religious types or respected elders. Please proceed with caution]

TIME: 1:01
DATE: Oct 28, 2007
LOCATION: Southeast Portland Oregon

THR3: What about the cats from Cleveland?

PSF: Fuck Cleveland. Seriously, if you are from Philly all you have is sports…That is ALL you fucking have. The city is so shitty, it sucks. And like, all we have is our sports, and you live and fucking die by that. And we have not won a championship in any major sport for 25 fucking years.

THR3: Yeah, but Cleveland’s drought has been longer.

PSF: But Cleveland is like a fucking third the size of Philly. Look, I don’t doubt that Cleveland fans have heart, but in Philly sports are so ingrained that it is life, it is who you are.

AC SLATER: Cleveland is wack.

PSF: Fucking Philly lives, everyday, the Rocky mentality. It is the Rocky mentality. When they release a new fucking Rocky film, the city has week long celebrations about that shit. Like, Rocky, fuck yeah. Just like Rocky, we will lose every fucking time, but we will never, ever fucking give up...ever! That is the Philly mentality. There is shit to do in Philly, but sports.

THR3: What about when Allen Iverson led the Sixers to the championship series.

PSF: Fuck that. One, we didn’t win. Two, when AI turned into a fucking jackass, we were like “get him the FUCKING hell outta here.” We don’t give a shit about AI. He is a jackass. Philly doesn’t care about our athlete’s talent, we care about the character of who they are.

THR3: What about Terrell Owens then?

PSF: Oh, DOUBLE FUCK T.O.! You don’t fucking disrespect Philly like that.

THR3: He did play in the superbowl game injured though, that has to show you some heart.

PSF: That shit was nothing special. It’s fucking Philly, that shit is expected.

SuperLover69

Online social networks: You cannot escape them! While cold chilling at a festival of spook, the Robert Murdoch owned online friend community myspace.com was still visible. Myspace is in many books is the most ingenious invention of the early 21^st century. And who's to argue? Bigger than blogging, bigger than youtube, bigger than online gambling, feeling apart of a community is essential to most folks sense of well-being and survival. How man lives have been saved due to myspace.com? THR3 would wage A LOT, more than one would think. On this night THR3 ran into a young man was taking it to the streets searching for new friends to add to his online network of love, happiness, and wellbeing. The message is clear: Myspace saves! Jesus, you can add me as a friend if you’d like, but you’ll have to wait on my confirmation.

MEMBER SINCE: 4/27/2005
TIME: 0:22
DATE: Oct 28, 2007
LOCATION: SE.P.

THR3: How many hits have do you have on your page?

SL69: Dude, I don’t know I don’t have my counter on there bro.

THR3: Well, how many bulletins have you sent out lately?

SL69: Dude, I got bulletins going everyday dude…"come to my party," "suck on my johnson," "let's get drunk and do it," "come with me to Poundtown," everyday I send out something new, its wilin’ bro.

THR3: How many hotties you have sending you comments?

SL69: Dude, it is all big butts all day, dude.

THR3: So that is how you roll? No love for the front but a woody for the junk?

SL69: Just bitches with trunks and pumps…big butts all day…I am the SupermanLover69, bitches I am here to lick and stick!

Jules

Yes sir. Halloween is here and THR3 was out scoping the digs. The great thing about this special time of year is that it allows the public an opportunity to be their true selves. For women, it is the slutty-whatever that screams inside all year long. For men, it is that guy who finally has the confidence to pick up the slutty-whatevers. Well, THR3 saw a baller navigating his way through the crowd at a recent Halloween celebration. He was “making it rain” like is was nothing, and the party goers were going buck wild. The man had style, class, sophistication, and clout - to say the least. THR3 was able to chop it up with this wild cat for a few...eventually finding out his secret to stacking chips.

AGE: million$
TIME: 23:59
DATE: Oct 27, 2007
LOCATION: Southeast PDX

THR3: What do you do?

J: I do megabucks…powerball sometimes.

THR3: How much you make?

J: You know, I get a hundred here, a hundred there. I do scratch-its on the side, you know, whenever I have some downtime…but my big thing is KENO.

THR3: What are your lucky numbers in KENO?

J: I can’t tell you. Why should I tell you that?

THR3: Well, give me your first one then.

J: My first lucky number?

THR3: Yeah.

J: My very first one was, it is a dead number for me by the way,…29. It’s a dead number. For me. Dead. You can use it though.

THR3: Why is it dead?

J: I will never use that number again. I’ve used it too much. It was too lucky. Way too lucky.

THR3: How much did 29 net you?

J: Ahhh, man, that shit got me like 8 bucks.

THR3: What did you spend it on?

J: Mostly more lottery tickets.

THR3: More?

J: Well I got another KENO for a dollar. Then a two dollar powerball. But they didn’t work out. Then I got a couple dollar scratch-its. I got the bowling pins and….what is that fucking guy...pac-man...pac-man madness. Those were like two dollars a piece and I got a few dollars from both of those, so I am making returns…slightly

THR3: You think it is better than the stock market?

J: Well, at least it is stable.

THR3: The stock market is too volatile for you?

J: Well, I am still living off my big bet. I had a big winning off of megaball madness scratch it. It was a four dollar one, I don’t normally dip that deep.

THR3: WOW. That is big baller status.

J: Yeah I know. I got like 800 bucks off that, you know?

THR3: What did you put that into?

J: Basically I am still playing on it.

THR3: How long have you been playing on it?

J: Five years.

THR3: Damn. That’s outta control.

J: That was on Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles. I went to this newsstand over there, my sister had loaned me some money and I went to this stand and I started hanging out with this guy, we were watching lions on TV and I thought, “hey, I am rolling kinda fat,” my sister had loaned me 50 bucks, so I did the four dollar thing and what do you know, 800 bucks. And I am still rolling on that shit.

Andrea, Maya, & Sarah + Two Feathers

This was by far one of THR3’s more interesting encounters. Outside of Tony Bento, just off Hawthorne, I was able to persuade three ladies into an interview. With time to kill before their meal, they answered my harmless questions with a high degree of disinterest. As I was about the wrap things up a Native American gang rolls up. The leader, Two Feathers, then starts showing off his new belt to us. I abruptly ended the interview with the group to speak with Two Feathers. As I go to retrieve my camera from my bag he literally disappears into thin air. For five minutes, I look all over Hawthorne for him but to no avail. I began to wonder if he was real. Indeed his voice is still on my cassette recorder when I went to write the transcript of the interview but there is a nagging part of me that still questions Two Feathers existence.

AGES: 24-25
TIME: 16:32
DATE: Oct 23, 2007
LOCATION: Tony Bento off Hawthorne

THR3: Well, the weather is really amazing today. Some have offered that it is the nicest day of 2007. Would you agree? Or is there another day that sticks out in your mind? Maybe September 3 or August 1^st or May 4^th.

A: I think any day when there is sun is great.

M: I think today is beautiful.

S: I don’t know. I just moved up here, so I haven’t seen many days to compare.

THR3: Where did you come from?

S: Eugene, where everyday of summer is perfect.

THR3: So what have you done with the great weather today?

A: Walked around and shopped! [laughs]

THR3: Remember last Saturday went it was cold and rainy and miserable? What did you do then?

ENTIRE GROUP: Party!

THR3: Rad. Any Halloween plans?

A: We are having a party at our house – we all live together.

THR3: Sweet. What kind of costume ideas you have cooking?

ENTIRE GROUP: Slutty!

Enter Two Feathers.

THR3: So you made this belt all by yourself?

TF: Yeah.

THR3: Out of what material?

TF: Leather.

THR3: Where did you get the leather from?

TF: A friend.

THR3: A friend?

TF: Yeah, downtown.

THR3: So you didn’t skin a cow or anything.

TF: No, no, no.

THR3: How long have you had the belt?

TF: About…three weeks.

THR3: How long did it take you make to belt?

TF: About…I’d say…about a half a day.

THR3: That is pretty quick.

TF: Yeah, look at it. [He shows me the belt. On the inside of the buckle, in LAGRE white print, reads: MADE IN CHINA]

THR3: Wow. That is a quality belt!

TF: I only make the best, man.

Stephanie & Alex: PDX Fashion Week

Yes, yes, yes ya’ll. If you didn’t know, Portland Fashion Week took place last week. Monday was the most anticipated show of the week, entitled, “The Collections.” An expert from the night’s pamphlet explains: “The Collections is a Portland, Oregon-based group of 10 designers with a unique history and aesthetic. Since the first small Seaplane fashion show in 2000, this group has been crucial to the development of Portland’s creative community and economy. The Collections designers consistently produce fashion that inspire and challenges.” THR3 was there as a credentialed photographer. With only a modest Olympus FE-190, THR3 was working hard, along with the professional photographers; during the show to get a few shots which best represented the evening’s collections. Afterwards THR3 was able to get a few onions from some of Portland’s fashion goers.

NAME: Stephanie (in white, right)
AGE: 21
TIME: 17:19
DATE: Oct. 22, 2007
LOCATION: PDX Fashion Week After-Party

THR3: What brings you to the PDX fashion show?

S: I am a student at the Art Institute of Portland, in fashion design. I came to see what was out there.

THR3: Do you have any friends or associates who are designers? Did any of them display their collections this evening?

S: My teacher, Sharon Blair. Her label is named Blairwear. And one of my friends works for Ana Cohen.

THR3: What was your favorite piece this evening, or favorite collection?

S: I had a lot of favorites, it was an amazing show. However, I absolutely loved Elizabeth Dye’s collection. But really, all the collections were great. It is hard to choose.

THR3: Was there any one piece in particular that blew you away?

S: The “Glass Slipper” [from Kate Tower’s collection, see picture below] was simply amazing.

THR3: It is fair to assume you want to get into clothing design then?

S: Yes. I am graduating this fall.

THR3: Congratulations. What is next on the horizon for you?

S: Not sure…wherever designing leads me.

THR3: Aside from designing and fashion, what else in going on in your life that is reason to celebrate?

S: I just got married. July 14^th.

THR3: Congratulations again. Sounds like you are winning at life.

S: [laughs] Yes, I guess I am.

At this point Stephanie’s friend entered. Curious, she wanted to know to whom her friend was speaking. However, to her surprise, she ended up being coaxed into an interview.

NAME: Alex (in black, left)
AGE: 22
TIME: 17:25
DATE: Oct. 22, 2007
LOCATION: PDX Fashion Week After-Party

THR3: Do you go to the Art Institute too? Along with your friend?

A: I did. I actually I just graduated. Well…I kind of did. I have one class left until it is official. The dreaded Senior Seminar.

THR3: What brought you to tonight’s show?

A: I designed the logo for PDX Fashion Week. I was able to get to know the people that were running it, and I wanted to come and check it out. Also, I am interested in the fashion scene because I am an aspiring fashion designer myself.

THR3: Are you from Portland?

A: I am actually from Eugene. I left Oregon for a while, and then when I decided to come back to the Northwest I moved to Portland and went to the Art Institute. Most likely, I will stay here from another year or two, and then I want to venture off and experience different things. But, I can see myself ending up here because I like it a lot.

THR3: Why is that?

A: It is a cool place. It is so laid back and anything goes. I think a lot of people are attracted to that.

THR3: You said you were an aspiring fashion designer. Where do you take your inspiration from?

A: Basically anything I see can inspire me. It changes everyday. I never have one source of inspiration that I look towards. I look at fashion magazines a lot. However, I do not look at the designs necessarily; I look at the style of photography, and placement of products, etc. I really like everyday life. I can be inspired by anything. Even walking down the street I can see a rock and think, “Wow. That is a really cool rock.” And draw a variety of ideas from it.

THR3: What is next on your plate? What do you have cooking in that pot of yours?

A: The next thing cooking is to find something that can make me some money. Eventually, I want to have my own line. But it takes a lot to get there. In the meantime, I am looking for a job so I can get some money under my belt until I am ready to start my own thing.

NIAYH : The Band

Wondering though the streets of Portland allows for a variety of circumstances. For instance, when one travels via bicycle and hears a soothing melody come blaring from an open basement window a simple dismount can transfrom an everyday commuter into an impromptu concert goer. As I listened, I became awe struck by the raw emotion vibrating from their instruments. Clearly, this group of extraordinary gentlemen have an clear passion for their art. Their bodies are merely vehicles as their hearts and souls spew forth an enchanting gospel of inexplicable truth. This is Niayh: the band.

TIME: 13:47
DATE: Oct 21, 2007
LOCATION: a stone's throw from Buckman Elementary School in SE Portland

THR3: You guys a band or just jamming?

D: Oh, we are definitely a band. We are in the preproduction process of our record.

THR3: First record?

D: Yes.

THR3: You have a name for the album?

K: “HOPE.”

THR3: What song did I hear as I was riding by?

D: That was the titled track… “HOPE.”

THR3: Oh, so that is what hope sounds like.

D: [laughs] Yes.

THR3: You guys have an gigs recently?

D: Actually, we are waiting to release it all simultaneously. So when we play we have the record in hand for fans.

THR3: You have any dates/venues lined up?

D: It is all on the hush, hush right now. Top secret. We can’t really talk too much about it.

THR3: I understand, you cats are looking to pounce and when you do you want to make sure it is ferocious.

K: Yeah, exactly.

From left to right: David, 22, Kenton, 19, Adolfo (aka Lydian), 22

THR3: So when did you guys form the band?

D: About two months ago we began playing as a full band but the whole operation started about five months ago, when the singer and I met. Since, we have been working to make it all happen. Adolfo, the bass player, moved all the way across the country from Miami.

THR3: Miami?

D: I am from Miami as well and somehow I ended up meeting Chris [lead singer, who was not present for the interview] here and I got Adolfo to come out too. We all just kind of swapped in and out of different bands and now we have ended up as one.

THR3: What are your respective instruments which you each play in this band? And how long have you been playing it? [The bass player Adolfo, whom some call Lydian, enters with a cup full of what looks like a rice and bean mixture and enters the interview.]

D: Mostly drums and I have been playing that for 18 years, it has been quite some time.

K: Mostly guitar. I have been playing for about 5 years.

A: I am the bass player. I have been playing for six.

THR3: Who is the lead singer?

D: Chris, who, unfortunately, just took off. He had to get a passport photo to his mother.

THR3: Do you guys doing anything else? Other jobs? Is there anything else going on in your life beside the music thing?

D: Our deadline is approaching so quickly that there is scarcely enough time to breath. We have pretty much resigned our lives for the next month to the album. All day, every day we are recording and working on the preproduction of the record.

K: We are working at least 12 hours a day on the record. It’s a full time job in itself, plus.

THR3: Yeah, you cats are working as much as Wall Street brokers. At least it is what ya’ll love.

ENTIRE GROUP: Yes!

D: It is what we have been working for all our lives. We finally have this great opportunity to make a real record. And we have to make the best out of it.

THR3: What label is this going through?

D: It is entirely independent. We have private investors. So there is no middle man interfering with the artistic process.

THR3: Do you have a website?

D: Not yet, but we are working on it. It should be up soon.

K: We have a programmer who is working on the website right as we speak so we are hoping it will be up next week. Currently, we are recording at Falcon Studios with our producer Sean.

Micheal

I was riding my bike back from a job interview when I see the black Lance Armstrong zooming down the road. After a full out sprint for three blocks I catch up to him. Immediately it was apparent that he had no intention of slowing down or stopping to conduct an interview, as he was a man on a mission. Nonetheless, as long I did not impede his progress he was happy to converse. Although luckily he was forced to dismount at Portland’s longest traffic light at the hectic intersection of NE Sandy/E Burnside/SE 12^thAve, which granted the opportunity for the photo op.

AGE: 35
TIME: 12:55
DATE: Oct. 22, 2007
LOCATION: Heading East on E Burnside

THR3: Where you headed today?

M: Downtown.

THR3: What’s downtown?

M: Work.

THR3: How long have you been working downtown?

M: Shit, as long as I have been here.

THR3: How long is that?

M: Thirteen years.

THR3: What neighborhood you represent currently?

M: Hollywood.

THR3: Where are you from originally?

M: Chicago.

THR3: Nice, the city of big shoulders. Where did you go after Chicago?

M: The Army, South Carolina, and Georgia.

THR3: So what is your favorite place in this world?

M: Portland! That is why I am here.

THR3: Besides being in a great city, what is the best thing in your life right now?

M: My art and happy people.

THR3: What kind of art do you do?

M: It’s a mix between Dali and Escher.

THR3: Any shows coming up?

M: No, but I got stuff on the web: http://stoneflowersutra.tripod.com

THR3: Respect.

Gustav Sculptor

As I was finishing up a meal at the ever affordable and delicious Portland based Mexican food restaurant "OLE, OLE" I see a wagon filled with jack-o’-lanterns being pulled by a man with a dog and another man and woman following behind. The similes on their faces are as wide as a mile and the aura radiating from them is of pure delight. Maybe it was the warm glow of the jack-o’-lanterns, or maybe the sight of a wagon, or maybe the outrageous head wear, but something told me that these people have IT. The ringleader of the Halloween goodwill collective, Gustav Sculptor, center in orange, who is also an accomplished sculpture (click his name to visit his web page), happily welcomed THR3 a glimpse into his autumn color glowing soul.

AGE: 35
TIME: 17:59
DATE: Oct 21, 2007
LOCATION: E Burnside & 21st

THR3: You say you’re spreading Halloween cheer tonight, how did this come about?

G: I had a little party last night. It was a pre-Halloween mask making party. It was the 3^rd Annual Devil’s Den.

THR3: Third Annual? How did this event begin?

G: I love Halloween. I like getting out and creating costumes, craving pumpkins and having a good time. It’s the harvest season, the smell of cinnamon is in the air, leaves falling, and it’s really nice. I think it is a good time to connect people and have more parties celebrating life.

THR3: Since it was the 3^rd Annual Devil’s Den Party, one would hope you saw your biggest turnout yet. Was that the case?

G: Definitely. It was the best and the biggest. This one was…I got the invitations out earlier this year, it was on myspace.com and tribe.com, I was using the internet, calling everybody and it paid off. We had a really great turn out. There was music, drink, lots of food – we had a full spread on our table, and there was art and dance. We started at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, so kids came and carved pumpkins with their folks. It was great. In the future I would like to have more volunteers and involve some organizations to help bring people who might not have access to pumpkins every year, so they can come and crave without buying a pumpkin.

THR3: Awesome.

G: Yeah. I like to have a nice little party celebrating the fall because it is such a beautiful time of the year: with the leaves turning, the amazing colors swirling around, the variety of smells in the air, it’s just a good energy. We are pulling this [wagon of jack-o’-lanterns] around tonight to spread a little cheer and kick start the creative juices. Hopefully, this will get people thinking about what they will be for Halloween and they will get some costumes on and go out there and crave pumpkins and celebrate this great time of the year.

THR3: What was your favorite Halloween ever? The Halloween of 1997? 1982? Which one just stands out head and shoulders above the rest?

G: [Loud thoughtful sigh]…You know, I love Halloween and I am really extravagant with my costumes, so honestly every year gets better. As the costumes get more elaborate, I enjoy more and more getting in character and entertaining folks. It is really fun to be entertained. I like to entertain people because I know when I’m entertained I think, “Oh…there should me more of that!” So, why not get outrageous and do performances?

THR3: Halloween certainly allows such an opportunity. Now, the million dollar question …what are you going to be for Halloween this year?

G: I am going to be a Turn-of-the-Century-Man. I have a pair of mobile metal wings that I am building that fold out, fold down and fold forward too. I am going to have a pair of knickers on, with a leather cap and goggles -- kind of like the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur. Really the apparatus is like the personal crazy flying machines that were common to that era [turn of the 20^th century]. You see these black and white videos of these guys all dressed up and jumping off cliffs, trying to fly but just ending up breaking their necks.

THR3: Wow, sounds like you have really attempted to integrate history into costume this year.

G: Yeah, definitely. It going to be another good year, I know it is. For me it is about entertaining people, having a good time and getting everyone happy and smiling and excited and having fun.

Wes

On my way into the library I notice a curious stare from a young gentleman and his cohorts. He offers, "Wow, man, you are really bright." Bright? "Yeah, the yellow you are wearing, your blond hair, your complexion." Quickly one realizes this is no ordinary young man. Rather, someone with a keen awareness for the colors, textures, smells, and sounds around him. Black and white can wait a few minutes as THR3 sought out the reason for this individual's keen awareness towards everyday vibrations.

AGE: 20

TIME: 12:41
DATE: Oct. 21, 2007
LOCATION OF INTERVIEW: Multnomah County Central Library steps

THR3: Ok. Why are you wearing red today?

W: Because I think it looks very cool on me and people seem to agree.

THR3: Is there another color you fancy? Purple maybe? [He is wearing a purple backpack.]

W: No, sky blue. Sky blue ‘cuz, ya know, Sky is my uncle. My favorite bird is a blue jay and it is blue…ya know. And I like earthly colors. Red is the fiery passion that burns in my heart – I am poet, I’m really deep. Yes, the red is the passion that is within me. Blue would be the coolness of the world that surrounds me.

THR3: How long have you been a poet?

W: Oh, you know, my whole life, ever since I could remember. I remember kindergarten there was a D.A.R.E. parade. I came up with the slogan that my whole class chanted.

THR3: Really?

W: Yeah. Here it is: “Drugs, drugs they’re not cool/If you do them you are a dead fool. Dead, because you’ll die.”

THR3: That is pretty profound for someone in kindergarten.

W: Yeah, well that how I am….Should I recite a poem?

THR3: Please.

W: I look outside the window
I see the spare crazy thought of an idea of a free world
Where people don’t die of death
What IS death?
A release from this pain and agony
A release from this horror called life
The Jaws of life cut through the chains of repression
Which restrict us from a better place
Scared.
What is scared more of life is scared more of death because it is different
But if death releases us from this horror called life
Death is life.
We strive to live and fight to survive
But death will take us.
She makes me feel like death
Live, scared of being free
But she doesn’t feel the same for me
So I must suffer through life without her here
The harvester of sorrow, the pain inside
The tears I’ve cried, the silent time drifting by
Without her I slowly die, I am scared for life
This deepest soul is as deep as a never-ending pit of despair
A rat, a plague, the soul is dead, the blood of my pain,
The end of darkness, the end of my fear.

THR3: What is that called?

W: “Crazy Hearts.”

THR3: When did you write “Crazy Hearts?”

W: 2002.

THR3: So why are you here sitting in front of the library? You should be at a coffee shop or something, performing your art for the ears of the people.

W: Well, I came here because I can’t pay all my rent, and I got this pamphlet from this lady in the library and I guess they have resources here. So I hope I can find someone who can help me. I got really sick last month, I missed a lot of work, so I am $250 short on my rent this month. And I figure if I can get that paid then I’ll be all right. Otherwise it’s going to be a cold winter.

THR3: Agreed. I suspect it is hard to make a living with poetry. In America movies, TV, and music, are the forms of "art" which rule supreme while a beautiful form of expression like poetry silently undergoes extinction.

W: Yeah, they’re all brainwashed, but its OK.

Brandy

As I was traveling down NW Couch Street I hear the sweet sounds of an uncommon instrument -- an accordion. Posted up against the street light is a beautiful musician who is wooing the posh Pearl District crowd, winning as many smiles as she does donations. THR3 couldn't help but stop and inquire how a young woman comes about playing an accordion in Portland's most upscale shopping neighborhood.

TIME:12:27pm
DATE: Oct. 21st, 2007
LOCATION OF INTERVIEW: Corner of NW Couch and 11^th, across the street from Powell's Books

THR3: So why are playing an accordion on the street corner today in downtown Portland?

B: I am trying to make money for my junk raft. It’s on the Mississippi river – we have to buy a motor.

THR3: How much does the motor cost?

B: Well, we want a big motor and it costs $2,000. But…we might get one that is not as expensive.

THR3: When does this trip take place and when was the idea for it hatched?

B: I am originally from Portland, but I now live in New York and it started last year with a big collective – it is call the Miss Rockaway Armada. And we’ve been traveling down the Mississippi. We started in Minneapolis and we’ve traveled all the way to St. Louis, which is where we are right now. Last year’s project ended and we are starting a new part to go all the way to New Orleans. One of the boats is new that we are currently building and we have to put a motor on it. This project has been going on for the past 2 years – I think.

THR3: Where in New York is this operated from?

B: Just in the city all over. I lived in Brooklyn but it is, like, people from all over the city. Just a bunch of artists from around there. Like Cali. She does street art and stuff like that. She helped start the project. And this kid Harrison, who is from San Francisco. Just kids from all over.

THR3: So why are you back in Portland?

B: I actually came back for the weekend for my friend's wedding. It took place yesterday. And while I am here I am trying to make money.

THR3: How was the wedding?

B: It was awesome. She was my first best friend ever. But we are way different now, but it was still really fun.

THR3: Were you a bride’s maid?

B: No. I probably would have if I had stayed in Portland and been in closer contact. But we have kinda gone separate ways. But I saw a lot of my old friends, which was good. She had the traditional wedding, in a little church and the long white gown.

THR3: When did you learn to play the accordion?

B: Last year. But I have played saxophone and guitar. My friend Thomas pays the accordion. A lot of kids are playing the accordion now. So, I learned from my friends. And I taught myself how to play the piano.

THR3: This boat trip is the next big thing coming up for you?

B: The rest of this year is focused on getting to New Orleans. Hopefully we can get there before Mardi Gras. And then after that I think my friends and I are going to try and go to Europe. My friends Rocket and Lulu -- we are in a band together. Lulu plays violin and Rocket plays guitar. And we are going to go over there and play music and see the world.

Kristen

AGE: 23
TIME: 17:44
DATE: Oct, 20, 2007
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Vancouver, Washington
LOCATION OF INTERVIEW: Shallow Northeast Portland

THR3: You said earlier that you have an intense love for dogs. Why is that? What experience created that passion?

K: I had a collie that was my only friend, believe it or not. I was a sad child with no friends.

THR3: Single Child?

K: No. I had a brother.

THR3: Sounds like he wasn’t a good brother.

K: He was a pitcher and used to throw baseball shoes at me.

THR3: Older brother?

K: Younger.

THR3: Wow…Have you always been in the Couve, or did you live in Portland and then moved to the Couve when you got older?

K: I started life in Dallas, TX, and then went to Oklahoma, then back to Dallas, to Minnesota, to California and finally here.

THR3: Intense…so where did you go to college? Did you go to college?

K: I didn’t go to college. All my higher education is from the internet.

THR3: Awesome. Are you currently employed?

K: I am a corporate whore. I work for a licensed Starbucks store inside a Target, I am the manager.

THR3: In Vancouver, WA or Portland?

K: Vancouver.

THR3: What is really splendid in your life right now?

K: Rock climbing. I started rock climbing again after a 5 year hiatus. I think it is the most physically and mentally challenging thing I have done for myself in a long time.

THR3: So where is rock climbing going to take you next?

K: I want to climb Mt. Hood next year.

THR3: Respect. How do you go about climbing Oregon’s biggest mountain?

K: I plan to go through a technical course, learning everything for myself so I can lead my own trip.

THR3: Wow. That is THE spirit. Good luck.

K: Thanks.

MC Radiation

MC Radiation is a highly respected artist in the Southeast Portland (Oregon) underground hip hop community. He has been solely a "studio" rapper for the last 5 years, recording numerous hit tracks, however, to his fans disappointment, making zero live appearances. This reclusiveness came to an end Saturday night as MCR made his debut performance in front of a lucky audience of 70 or so avid underground music fans. This low key, low budget debut delivered high quality lyrics laced with extraordinary high energy from the artist and the crowd. His ferocious set kicked off with his underground cult classic "Argyle Socks" and continued with tracks that showcased the wide scope of his melodic excellency. Crowd favorites included "Mouth (the Tina Fey Song)," "The Tri-Met Song," "Larun's Song," and, the night's finale, " The Zima Song." THR3PPL had a chance to speak to MCR after his set.

THR3: MC Radiation, how do you feel about your debut concert?

MCR: I felt like it was good. I felt strong. I got stronger as the night went on. I got a semi-hard-on at one point and I just sort of rolled with it. Ya know? I felt good...really good.

THR3: What song did you think really brought the house down?

MCR: Lauren’s song. I think the crowd enjoyed that one. I heard a bit of laugher.

THR3: Why has it taken so long to give a live performance to an audience?

MCR: I really wanted you to be here and you went to Columbia for four years and that put a hiatus on it. And now that you are back in Portland you keep traveling, going off to places like Japan and shit. I just had to wait for you to be here. And tonight we were able to get it done.

THR3: Can we look forward to more shows in the recent future? Any venues you would like to play? Any particular artists you would like to perform with?

MCR: A buddy of mine met TEC-9 at a party last summer. [laughs] True story. He met Tec-9 and I guess he got Tec-9’s AOL email account or whatever. So he has been emailing him for a couple month now about me and [Tec-9] doing a gig. So I waiting on that. Also, have you heard of Devon the Dude? I don’t know him but I would like to work with him. I really don’t know at this point I am just trying to absorb today. But seriously, John Clarke said he would put me in one of his shows.

THR3: What is really, really good in your life right now?

MCR: Uhmm, I have been really depressed lately. I have been trying to get at some girls and they are not interested. This one girl I invited to the show tonight and she was like, “I am going to a wedding, so I don’t think I will be able to make it.” I was like, “Is the wedding at 8 o’clock at night? -- Probably not.” So that is not going to work out. And this other girl I didn’t even bother calling her because I know she would say no. There is really not a whole lot going on in my life that is positive.

THR3: So, the most important thing I can summarize from your answer is that you like bitches.

MCR: I do like bitches. I have a couple of potential bitches in my life right now. One is 17, the other is 30. [laughs] True stories. This is my plan right now -- and Elliott I already told about it. This is a true story. The 30 year old and I -- I am going to get with her first. And then she will help me seduce the 17 year old and sort of just hook up the threesome angle. So I am excited to work on that.

THR3: How do you prepare for a threesome with a 30 year old and a 17 year old?

MCR: Alcohol is good. Condoms. Lube. I haven’t really thought about music yet, I am going to need to put some time into that.

MCR’s friend Nathan: Like R.Kelly would be a really good choice.

MCR: R.Kelly? Really? You heard it right here. R.Kelly.