Ony's Bands - Jackson Spells

Ony Ratsimbaharison is a local musician, writer, and blogger and member of the band fk. mt. Jasper asked Ony to write a regular feature profiling local bands — getting at what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and how it’s going. If you’d like to see your band profiled in What Jasper Said, send Ony a message at JasperProjectColumbia@gmail.com with the word ONY in the subject heading and she’ll, you know, take it under consideration.

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Local psych-rock group, Jackson Spells, aims to embody the subconscious, subjective reality in their recently released full-length titled 2.5, reshaping the format of their band as a two-piece with keys and drums. They first formed in 2014 as a trio, after John Watkins’ and former member James Wallace’s band, The Unawares, disbanded. They intended to take their music in a new direction, and after adding Rob Cherry as their drummer, they decided to change the name to Jackson Spells. Currently, the band consists of Watkins on keys and vocals and Cherry on drums, a change that prompted the duo to write a new album.

Their sound is a mix of arty horror with a grand piano sound, a choice that Watkins says makes him able to bring out the bass notes more. He is no stranger to eccentric and unconventional bands. “In the late 1980’s to early 90’s,” Watkins says, “I had a jazz rock band called Brainchild. We thought we were bad-asses. We had long hair and wore robes. Wow.” He tells us more about his current band and their songs in the following interview.

You can catch their unique sounds on September 18, along with Boo Hag and Los Perdidos, at Tapp’s Arts Center for the book launch of The Incredibly Strange ABCs by cartoonist Tommy Bishop.

How did you come up with the name Jackson Spells?

I was relearning the piano at the time, and I just imagined a kid, named Jackson, learning how to spell.  Then I thought about Jackson Spells having multiple meanings, and that appealed to my more mystical side, like a town named Jackson having to deal with witches spells. So I pitched it to the mates, and it stuck.

What is your songwriting process like?

When writing a new song, I begin with piano or guitar, and if it’s the guitar, I transpose it to piano before being superimposed with the vocal melody and lastly, I work on the lyrics. Then I take the song to Rob, and that’s where we work out an arrangement, and sometimes at that point lyrics may need to be edited to fit with the finalized arrangement.

My love of horror films often colors my lyric choices. My lyrics are led by suggested vowels and consonants that come to me when I’m writing the vocal melody. So from there, it’s kind of like a crossword puzzle, filling in the blanks with the right words. For the past year or so I have been using William Burroughs’ “cut up” method to help me write lyrics.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

David Bowie, Nick Cave, and John Cale.

My music has been compared to a lot of bands and artists that I never listened to. And that’s OK with me.

What is your overall philosophy as a band, if you have one?

Our philosophy is: Write. Record. Perform. Repeat.

Where can people find your music?

Our sophomore full-length album, entitled 2.5, is now available on Bandcamp.com.

The first album is also on Bandcamp and available on 12” vinyl.

Cartoonist Tommy Bishop Returns to Columbia to Launch First Book

"Albert the Appleworm absolutely adores accounting."

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When he left for the West Coast in 2008, cartoonist Tommy Bishop left his mark on Columbia via quirky album cover creations and his unique brand of almost otherwordly illustrations. After much encouragement, the artist is finally releasing his first book of drawings, and he's starting simple -- simply creepy, simply bizarre, simply strange. The Incredibly Strange ABCs by Tommy Bishop is a children's book with illustrative art adults are going to both appreciate and get a kick out of sharing with their children.

A two-part book launch that has every member of the family covered is going down on Sunday, September 18th, and like Bishop's work, it'll take you for a ride.

At 3 pm, bring the little ones to Tapp's Arts Center where they can (literally) sit at the artist's feet as he reads to them with musical accompaniment from Reno Gooch, and then enjoy a cookie and lemonade reception while Bishop signs copies of The Incredibly Strange ABCs for the children.

Then return at 7 pm (sans children) for a launch party with performances from Boo Hag, Los Perdidos, and Jackson Spells -- a cash bar, snacks, and continued signing of The Incredibly Strange ABCs. Ten dollars admission includes price of book, concert, and launch party. Afternoon attendees who purchase a book will receive a voucher for admission to the concert and launch party on Sunday night, and the publisher will provide a convenient signing and storage system so patrons won't have to pick up their purchases until the end of the evening.

Bishop is looking forward to returning to his old stomping ground where he left his mark on Columbia's media art scene. "I used to put out music zines, bootleg comps, and a music blog under the name Force of a Revolving Toilet," Bishop says. But he may be best remembered around Columbia for creating art-inspired album covers for such bands as the Unawares, Boo Hag, Los Perdidos, and more.

The 36 year old cartoonist wrote and illustrated The Incredibly Strange ABCs as both a gift for and a way of sharing his art with his 17-month-old daughter, says Bishop, who is expecting another daughter with his wife, Nassim Lewis, later this year.

A founding member of the Greater Columbia Society for the Preservation of Soul, as well as the Christmas in July celebration at The Whig, Bishop returns from his current home in Portland, Oregon, after a stint in California, to a number of friends and family members who look forward to his visit and the launch of his first book.

"Tommy was in attendance for our very first live performance and approached us asking if he could design our flyers. We agreed, but could not ever have imagined the visual/design creative brilliance that was to follow for the duration of The Unawares run," says James Wallace, formerly of the Unawares. "That run included hand inked covers for three CD's, one LP, and dozens of flyers. A newly designed flyer for each show. He refused payment for his generosity, so we sent him steaks and whisky to show our deep appreciation for who we referred to as 'Our Genius.' We had folks interested in our music just from seeing his artwork. Thank you, Tommy Bishop!"

Musician and long-time friend Scott Tempo agrees. "I've watched Tommy create state of the art work for about 20 years now. I've seen how he labors for hours over the smallest details. I've always been a big fan and have come to Tommy numerous times for band artwork over the years. He's always delivered unique pieces that stand out above the crowd,” says Tempo, whose band Boo Hag is one of three bands playing for the book launch concert. “To be able to be a part of his book release is an honor.”

In advance praise of the publication, Julia "Liz" Elliott, author of The New and Improved Romie Futch and The Wilds, writes, "Combining the subversive silliness of underground comix with the elegant grimness of Edward Gorey, The Incredibly Strange ABCs will enchant both children and adults with addictive tongue twisters and surreal scenarios. Roused from a stupor produced by reading too many humdrum alphabet  books, parents will laugh along with their tots as they explore Bishop's absurd and wondrous world."

Filmmaker and segment director of Drafthouse Films anthology ABC's of Death 2.5, Steve Daniels, writes, "As a father of two budding weirdos, Bishop's The Incredibly Strange ABCs was a revelation; far more fun that the stuffy, homogenized alphabet books I grew up with as a kid. These strange illustrations and clever wordplay never fail to illicit giggles or downright maniacal laughter from my children. The weirder, the better, and this book has it covered."

Published by South Carolina boutique publishing company, Muddy Ford Press, The Incredibly Strange ABCs is being printed as a limited release and the author will be on hand at both events on the 18th to sign and personalize the book. Pre-orders are available at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.