Interview with Richard Daley of RD Horology

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I recently saw really gorgeous photos of watches popping up on my Facebook and had to investigate. These watches were not only made by hand, but they were being made locally. RD Horology is watchmaker based in Albany that is returning the age-old art of the hand-built mechanical wristwatch.

I took some time to talk with Richard Daley, the man behind RD Horology to learn more about his product and process.

Horology, as an art and science, has a very in-depth and deep history. Is the historical element what drew you in? If not, how did you get into it?

RD: It is a mixture of both I would say. 5 years ago I never really wore a watch, I was given one as a gift and that is what sparked my interest. I have always been interested in the mechanics of how things work, so it felt natural to do research on the topic. I became obsessed in a way with mechanical watches, particularly complicated pocket watches from the 1800’s. After that, I began looking on auction sites for old, cheap and simple pocket watches to start disassembling and understanding.

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Artist Spotlight: Persephone Pomme

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This past summer (which feels like it was ages away, while this summer’s also feeling like it’s ages away), I sat down with C. Amanda Boutahorse to talk about the art of burlesque, how she got into it and where you can find burlesque in Albany.

Since our interview, C. Amanda Boutahorse has put on a handful of events in her series Cult Classics and tonight is hosting a tribute to Kevin Smith’s very first film, Clerks, in celebration of the 20 year anniversary of its release. Tonight’s events will feature acts from Persephone Pomme, Pam Demonium, Brodie Lazzo, Corvina Underwood Nottingham Tate, C. Amanda Boutahorse, William Hughes, Lulu Madly, Baby Dead Girl with GoGo by Noelle Reign. You can find details and RSVP via Facebook and hit the jump to check out a Q+A with a relatively new performer to the world of burlesque, Persephone Pomme!

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Artist Spotlight: C. Amanda Boutahorse

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This Friday (tomorrow) is the debut of C. Amanda Boutahorse’s Cult Classics series, which will be kicking off with a sexy burlesque homage to Hedwig & The Angry Inch.

I’ve been fortunate to have had several opportunities to catch C. Amanda Boutahorse‘s performances in the past and recently sat down with the performance artist to learn more about the craft.

Hit the jump to check out our full interview!

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Artist Spotlight: An interview with Nate Osborne

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Earlier this week, I was browsing through a random fashion blog when I came across a photo of someone wearing a novelty t-shirt that read, “No Time For Art,” across the front. I hated it. If anything, it was a reminder that it is absolutely imperative that we make time for art, regardless of in what form, creating or observing. I understand that people get busy (or feel ‘too busy’) but the idea of ‘not having time’ to appreciate the infinite array of visual elements in our culture in general just made me think that we must reevaluate how we are spending our time and what we are placing value on. Plus, I really hated that t-shirt for making me think so much about it. Anger, on multiple levels, really.

My friend Sev Statik pointed out something a couple months ago that has continued to stick with me and also accidentally makes me feel better about that bullshit novelty t-shirt slogan. He said, “I want to meet you in the act of your craft – I want to meet you while you are writing, performing, on stage, at your art show, in your studio, at a record shop, on the field, wherever. That’s where I want to meet you.” It makes me feel instantly grateful, because when I break it down for myself, I really have met so many people I call my friends through catching them in the act of doing whatever it is that they do.

Nate Osborne is no exception to this. I first met Nate at an art show years ago where he was showing his work in conjunction with First Friday in Albany. His work instantly drew me in, mainly because of how clear it was that his work was his passion preserved on paper. I truly believe that when people put serious time and dedication into their work, other people will take notice. Nate’s artwork, in my opinion, has only gotten better with time and with each new piece, all while showing no signs of slowing down.

Currently working full time at Full Effect in Troy as a tattoo artist, Nate is constantly churning out new, quality pieces of artwork and someone seriously needs to get him a solo art show of his own stat. You can next see Nate’s work displayed and available for sale this Sunday, June 16th at the Holiday Inn on Wolf Road for this year’s 6th Annual Albany Comic Con.

Hit the jump to read our full interview and check out more from Nate. You may also view his work on Instagram and in his digital portfolio at Nate Osborne Artworks.

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KAB Interview: Hans Leibold

Full disclosure: For four years, Hans and I played together in End of a Year. We’ve got history; we’ve got memories. As that band evolved into Self Defense Family, Hans left to explore other interests he’d neglected—among them, DJing. Lately, he’s been shaking up the Fuze Box’s weekend playlists; if you’ve heard 1000 Ohm’s “Love in Motion,” Malcolm and the Bad Girls’ “Shoot Me,” or countless other great obscure tracks as Saturday night becomes Sunday morning (anything that makes you pause to ask, “What is this?”) you can be sure Hans was manning the booth. But he’s also begun hosting a few events of his own.

Billed as “a night of unknown champions,” NO DJ is the latest of these—a chance for people to share their favorite tunes in public without worrying about their skills. It’s a cool concept that debuts next Thursday; hopefully, it’ll prove to be the first of many such get-togethers. On a recent brisk Sunday, Hans and I chatted for an hour about NO DJ, his recent accomplishments, and his wish to use art to encourage a renewed sense of community in Albany.

You’ve been pretty busy over the past couple of months: DJing Eighties Night at the Fuze Box, hosting a couple of movie nights, and so on. Any of these you want to talk about? Am I missing anything?

Sure. Eighties Night is just a fun thing where I can be a human jukebox for a night. I guess I’m a club DJ, if you will, but I don’t do anything flashy or acrobatic. I just fade songs into songs. I think that’s where I’m more of a selector than anything else. I lean on my rather robust knowledge of 1980s music to sort of lay the path for the evening. I don’t have a predetermined set or anything like that; I just play whatever people seem to be enjoying, then I collect money and go to sleep at 5:00 AM.

I’m also slowly getting involved with public access television via Channel Albany. I’m developing a show where couples resolve, or further screw up, their disputes in front of a camera and green screen backdrop of my choosing. Compelling TV, I think. I’ve made more progress on my homage to the Night Walk and Night Drive programs that used to air on Global TV in Toronto back in the eighties. I just walk or drive at night with my VHS camera, documenting whatever happens. Usually nothing.

Hit the jump to check the rest of the interview! Continue reading…