TuneTrek-Old Coast Guard Station

TuneTrek-Old Coast Guard Station-Virginia Beach, VA

August 31st. 2012

The first person I spoke to when advancing Virginia Beach was Darcy Nelson at the Old Coast Guard Station.   This was the first time that i didn’t have to make any more phone calls.  She embraced the project from the get go and we arranged a time for me to film.

I decided to take the shuttle bus that went up the main drag.  As I approached the stop, I saw the aftermath of a car hitting a woman on a bicycle.  She was being attended to and seemed ok but all traffic was blocked.   

Just as I decided to start walking 20 or so blocks with my gear in the summer heat,  the police began letting cars around and the bus came.   The driver sounded just like Mos Def in 16 Blocks.  Crazy.

The station sits nestled next to a tall beach front apartment building. I almost missed it.

I began by interviewing the local Docet Jim Phillips who gave me all sorts of history about the station. Very informative, so much that he had to take a rest midway between the tour.  Thanx again Jim.  

Darcy showed me the Lookout Tower which has a live beach cam.   

Very cool but I couldn’t compose the shot i wanted.

The main room where they kept the surf boats and apparatas wound up sounding and looking great. 

Blue Man was my focal stand in.  He's cool.

Thanx Darcey for all the help and time.   

Click here to watch the episode.

http://youtu.be/aByPlTfcG-k

On to the next.

Trek it!

MP

TuneTrek-USS Olympia

TuneTrek-USS Olympia-Philly
 
Aug 4th.  2012
 
So I’d been doing my usual research and hadn’t been able to find a location that worked into my time frame.   I’d pretty much given up hope when I received a call from, and you’ll never believe this, Hope!  She was the Director of Marketing for the Independence Seaport Museum and she was excited about the project and wanted to see if I could come to the Olympia on the next day.  "Absolutely", I replied.  She even picked me up and drove
me back after the shoot.  Thank you again Hope. 
 
I got a full tour of the ship and a lot of history.   This ship still had 2 masts with sails because the steam engine technology was so new.  

Incredible engine room.

 
I got permission to film in the captains quarters.   Incredible blend of nice furnishings and massive 5 inch guns.

 
Very humbling.
 
Check out the episode and stay tuned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0pX2uTVjc
Peace,
MP

TuneTrek-Union Station-Indi

July 12th.  2012

So I arrived in Indi with a couple days free for advancing and scouting out locations.

I'd done a bit of research and was most excited about trying to get into Union Station.

The first of it's kind in America.  Built to handle multiple trains arriving into one central location.  1849.

The Headhouse with the tower was built in 1866 to help accommodate the volume of passengers coming in and out of the station.

I couldn't get a hold of anyone over the phone so I decided to head over and see if I could find someone.

Luckily, the first person I saw had a clipboard and looked official.  Her name was Jen Wilson and she took care of the events that were booked in the main space.   She was very interested in the project and took a bit of time checking on when there would be a window for me to get in and film.

She then got me in touch with her boss, Doug Allison who was very helpful and wanted to make sure I wasn't doing a project that involved nudity.  Apparently, he allowed a photographer to come in and later found out that he was shooting pictures of naked models...while there were tours going on....with children.   I assured him that I would be keeping my clothes on.

Here's the incredible room I performed in.

Check out the episode here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH0pX2uTVjc

Peace,
mp

TuneTrek-Red Rocks

July 15th.  2012

So arrived in Morrison, CO with no real site in mind.   I knew that I was looking for a great outdoor location and luckily, Red Rocks has plenty of those.

I started out looking at a map of the park and decided to ask some park staff about Cave Rock.
They told me how cool that site is but it had been closed to the public because some inconsiderate people had decided to deface the rocks with graphitti.  Come on people.   We have precious history in America and we need to educate our population to preserve, not destroy.

Anyway, enough preaching.

So I went into the Trading Post welcome center and became friends with Suzanne.   She gave me some suggestions of which way to hike and got me pointed in the right direction.

I suited up with my gear and headed out.   

I decided to keep it a 20 minute or so hike because it was hot and I could feel the elevation workings it's fingers into my lungs.

Luckily, I came around a bend and saw my spot.  There was this large flat rock that I could face and perform.  It would act as a natural echo.

 
And behind me was a plain of grass with a super cool rock formation in the background.  Perfect.

I met a couple other travelers as I began the set up process and they stuck around and listened for a bit.    Always nice to share the experience of TuneTreking with a person or people at the site.

Red Rocks was the first outdoor shoot for me and it'll be hard to beat it.

Check out the episode here:

TuneTrek-Red Rocks

On to the next!

peace,
MP

MikelParis TuneTrek

I'm excited to give a sneak peek of my new travel and music show "TuneTrek"

I've been traveling all over the US since June and have filmed a bunch of episodes in really cool historical spots and amazing scenic vistas.

When I've found a location, I gear up with UnderArmour clothing and footwear, Pentax camera gear, my Wechter Pathfinder acoustic guitar, Zoom H4N audio recorder, and Maui Jims.  Without the help of these companies, this project wouldn't have been possible.

I then document my trek to the location, shooting pics and vids using the Optio WGII of interesting things I see.

When I arrive, I meet up with my contact person and hope to get them on camera giving a little history of the site (I've convinced most...).  Then I'll scope out a performance shot and set up the gear.

I've been playing songs in the episodes that I plan on releasing on the next bunch of MP solo music releases.  The acoustics and visuals of the spaces have been incredible.  I'm so excited to share.

Then I'll walk around the site and gather pics and vids of the building or landscape to help tell the story of the location.

Season 1 begins Sept 25th.  TuneTrek Tuesdays.  7pm.  EST.