The Avocado Jungle » Photography

Photography: Angela Richelle shoots Red Light Go

Angela Richelle — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 01:17:05 +0000

Last month, Dana Castaldo, aka Aldo—guitarist, lead singer, and creator of rock band Red Light Go—brought one of his songs to the recording studio for the Avocado Jungle. He was joined at PRS in Pasadena by his wife, Claudia, on vocals; AVJ music blogger Dan Rickabus on drums and ukelele (no, not at the same time); and bassist Kevin Kubota. The AVJ’s Jeremy Olsen engineered, and Stephen Puella was second engineer. Avocado Jungle editor-in-chief David Kronnmiller showed up with his video camera.

And I took some stills.

: “Aldo Sings”, photograph by Angela Richelle. From the Red Light Go recording session at PRS in Pasadena March 12, 2010. Aldo is pictured here adding his voice and guitar work to the AVJ exclusive music track, “America, Inc.”

: “Claudia Sings”, photograph by Angela Richelle. From the Red Light Go recording session at PRS in Pasadena March 12, 2010. Claudia is pictured here adding her voice to the AVJ exclusive music track, “America, Inc.”

: “Dan On The Uke”, photograph by Angela Richelle. From the Red Light Go recording session at PRS in Pasadena March 12, 2010. Dan Rickabus is pictured here contributing ukelele to the AVJ exclusive music track, “America, Inc.”

: “Rhythm Section”, photograph by Angela Richelle. From the Red Light Go recording session at PRS in Pasadena March 12, 2010. Dan Rickabus and Kevin Kubota are pictured here contributing drums and bass to the AVJ exclusive music track, “America, Inc.”

The music that came out of this session (a mostly-acoustic reworking of the band’s song, “America, Inc.”) will be up on the site soon. So will David’s behind-the-scenes video. Stay tuned.

Photography: “Let’s blow this popsicle stand…” by Angela Richelle

Angela Richelle — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:42:19 +0000

On our recent theme of friendship, here’s a photo from the archives of the first ever Avocado Jungle Artist In Residence, Angela Richelle, entitled, “Let’s blow this popsicle stand…”

"Let's blow this popsicle stand...", photograph by Angela Richelle.

Photography: “Dissolution of Marriage” by Angela Richelle

Angela Richelle — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:06:08 +0000

Dissolution of Marriage, photo captured and digitally manipulated by Angela Richelle.

I’m a recent divorcee from a marriage of 5 years, now a single mother to a 3 year old daughter, and a woman just trying to heal some emotional wounds. I suppose no one really begins a marriage with the intent that one day things will end up this way, and I’m sure the list of reasons can go on a mile long. But after it’s all said and done, for me anyway, it’s more than just about surviving the divorce. For me, it’s about facing the reality of the wounds that were created from decisions of both parties and finding some sort of acceptance. It’s about finding peace in knowing that I did all that I could do and it still wasn’t enough to make a square peg fit into a round hole.

I’m not exactly sure how it works, but, somehow, instinctively I know that in order for me to deal with it, I need to face it head on. It seems logical to me that if I shelf it, I’ll just have to deal with it later. In the meantime leaving me with bitterness and resentment — baggage that will no doubt haunt me and any future relationships that I might have (romantic, mother-child, or otherwise). The healing process for me is more than just a temporary band-aid where there is a risk of it falling off at some inopportune time. I’m on the path of making my heart whole again, most likely with a scar. But as with all scars, you still have the memory of what happened, but somehow not the sting.

So I press on with the strength of my family, my friends, and the love of my daughter. And somewhere along the way, I’ll find the strength and courage inside of me that I never knew was there. Or so I’m told.

Angela Richelle

* * * * * * *

For those who know a little about photography, here is my EXIF data for this shot:
Nikon D300, 50mm f/1.2
ISO 400
Aperture f/1.2
Exposure 1/80