Every time I visit OPEN, Joshua’s hands are perpetually covered in bike grease. When I see him, we dance through our customary social greeting which habitually begins with him saying, “Sorry man, my hands are dirty…” — followed by a hand slap that tightens into a tug-of-war style embrace, which leads into a shoulder-to-shoulder connect for the finish.

The fact that Joshua’s hands are always grimy is comforting to me. His greasy hands are symbolic of Joshua’s creative passion for what he and Zack, both, hope to bring to the familial and collaborative space they have created with OPEN.

For Joshua’s hands, gloved in filth, hardened and sometimes scarred from a day spent repairing and building bikes, the grease represents his pencil and is the one tool that feeds [your] creativity and is so essential that without it [you] feel naked and unprepared (Tharp, The Creative Habit).

What is the pencil for your creative habit? For me, quite literally, it is a pencil. True to my hustle, it is called the perfect pencil. As a writer, my pencil helps capture the world around me through finished narratives, or by sharing the fractured elements of stories without a voice.

Where’s your pencil? What creative spark to your habit will it bring to keep your fire burning? I suspect that once you discover the tool, the only thing left to pursue is your passion. Like Joshua, with his hands perpetually covered in bike grease, this is one habit you will never have a need to apologize.

The smooth sounds emanating from the speakers are a perfect complement to the laid-back but creative and focused vibe here at OPEN. Like DYKC says, music for “grown-ass people.” Thanks, Clarence!

Here is a sample from J.D.O’s album TALENT

Title: The Come Up

…ME

Wearing my first hat... before I got my sewing machine!

… here goes nothin’…

‘music musings’

There are concerts that make you think of the money you spent and how many beers you could have had for the same price or how many falafels or even how you could have replaced that worn out seat or chainring on your bike or snagged yourself a handmade cycling hat; all of which can be obtained at OPEN. Well, minus the falafel. Then there are those concerts that make you say, “That was worth every penny!” A few nights ago was the latter and then some. I would have gladly paid $50 to see these guys, but it was only $10 upstairs at the Middle East.

Hailing from Chi-town, IL, this septet (yeah that’s right, 7 of them… sometimes 8 ) razzle-dazzled me from opening feedback drones to the parting peace signed thank yous. There were horn playing percussionists, harmonizing drummers, glockenschpiel tapping bassists, synthesizing females, hand-bell ringing everybodys and a show that left me torn between wanting to be lost in the music and darting eyes, trying not to miss a thing that was happening on stage as the whole group shifted and shuffled about, playing each others’ instruments and like a clock, kept in time and step with one another with superb fluidity.

Anathallo (Greek for refresh or renew) is the band and Canopy Glow is their latest album. Released in November of 2008, Canopy Glow features bone hollowing harmonies and heart stopping percussion. All of the seven member band sings and the only one who stays in place on stage is the drummer behind his kit, but even he had his chance at the front of the stage as he was singing back up vocals on one of the songs they played. It is rare for a band to have a unique style, deep and socially aware lyrics, and stellar musicianship to boot. Rare as it may be, a few nights ago I found it, held it and then watched it fade into the distance as I rode home with my wife.

I have been listening to Anathallo for a few years now and up until a few nights ago at the Middle East, I had never seen them live. I ran into an old friend before the show and he told me I was in for a real treat, a musical experience that will shatter your top 5 favorite concerts. It did just that! Buy their album, see them live, sing along, read their blog… they have a little something for everyone.

Keep on, keepin’ on my man – you know Boris and I will always hold down your fan club in Boston!

     I got a text the other night that read, “I murdered the podcast,” which kept me awake for a few hours frantically checking my email, waiting for something to appear in the inbox.  In order to fully understand why I was this way, you need to really understand who Frank “The Butcher” is.  Before I give you the rundown on Frank, here’s a note he wanted me to pass along: 

This is not a test! It’s Frank The Butcher here for the OB Crew… This is a special edition Butcher’s Block podcast for your Weekly Commute. I did it how I’m supposed to do it, the way you’d expect it and definitely how you needed it to be. Big shout to my co-d Paul Mighty who will be joining for on the “Block” from now on. “Don’t front you know I got you Open…” 
Peace
Frank The Butcher | TBB 
 
And now for the rundown…
     After repeatedly writing and erasing sentences, I’ve settled on this as my introduction to The Butcher:  Frank is a cultural voice that lacks the bullshit that has become common within our daily encounters.  He’s an honest writer, cornerstone within the music industry, established creative-mind, intelligent businessman and most importantly a humble, hardworking family man.  While keeping his chin-down and pulling more cultural weight than Doctor Dre did with Ed Lover, Frank has fun – much like we’re trying to do with our bicycle shop.  Meet Frank:

     As one of the few truly credible authority-figures on classic hip-hop, graffiti and street culture, there is no question to why he is partly responsible for helping turn the things we’ve grown up doing for fun into a legitimate way of putting food on the table.  After all, that is the American dream isn’t it?  I’d like to think that Frank has grown fond of what we’re doing with this bike shop project, because its all in the same family: hard work, real passion & cultural progression.
    If you want to seek a little more education on The Butcher, pick up the next issue of Vapors or Sneaker Freaker, check in with the HighSnobiety columns, listen to one of the many episodes of the Weekly Drop or try to catch him while he’s keeping Concepts under control in Harvard Square.  Frank’s got a lot going on, so keep an eye out for more from The Butcher Block.

Peace Frank, Thanks for the mix!

In other news…
Website coming soon.  And for those of you on TWITTER, follow me here and get put on game!
If you haven’t already, go grab last week’s Notorious-inspired Weekly Commute mix here.
Easssssy.

Notorious hits theaters Friday, this mix should get you in the mood.  I know the Open Crew is planning on hitting up the first showing!  Listen to it here or throw it in iTunes & on your iPod, right-click & save: Brek’s Weekly Commute #3

 I’m going to be rockin’ REVOLVER this Saturday night with my man DJ Ghostdad downtown at Goodlife. We’ve got a crazy headliner this week, Pase Rock!  He’s a monster with a solid rep across the globe and backing from Dim Mak & Fully Fitted.  If you aren’t familiar with us, we held down the Bicycle Film Festival party & boldsprints this past summer in Revolution Bicycle’s backyard.  We’ll be bringing the same 1-2 punch Sunday night for Open’s Boldsprints at Middlesex.  Peace – Brek.One

A shout-out to Zack for hooking up this flyer, good looks!

Here’s the newest mix for all you bike cats…. enjoy!  -Brek.One

You can stream it above or download here (right-click, save) : Brek’s Weekly Commute #2