Yr My Favorite (Lady)Bird.

Cooper Sanchez is from THE SOUTH and will be the first to let you know it. As impossibly humble as he is commited to his geographic roots, this here dude is one the most inherently gifted fine artists of our generation. He’s an old soul picture maker with more depth and breadth than most of his creative contemporaries; equal parts sensitive and aggro, wild and tame, brilliant and bananas. He’s made tour posters for Built to Spill, the best indie rock band ever ever and has even phone-chatted with Doug Martsch, their lead singer, about religion and the meaning of life.
Cooper Sanchez is an extra terrific person.

Someday if you wanted to, you could have a job just like his.

********

My first exposure to you as a human was most unusual. Might you be able to describe it to the readership? List yr version below, and then I am going to list mine right after it. Overlook no details; this is the VERY BEST STORY of friendship in my entire friendship back-catalogue!  You/I/We must use the following words:  Jerry, poop, serendipity, amazing, and poop (again.) Or not, it’s ok either way.

Yrs/Coops:
Well, alright. I was a front man for a punk band around 96-97 living in Savannah, Georgia and I was sort of insane. There was this sleazy guy who was a "talent" scout for the Jerry Springer show. He had some lame scenario ideas that he wanted me to do for the show. I said no to them but then came up with one that I thought was better. I was The Diaper Boy on a show themed "I Have a Bizarre Sex Life". My friend Mike was also on the show wearing a bra and panties.  We tore shit up. It was very unbelievable and over the top. I was drunk and disrespectful to Jerry.

The show really jumped the shark after that episode. See, you have to understand that when I did this the show was still somewhat mysterious. No one knew for sure what was going on and people actually watched every day.

I come from Rome, Georgia - a small Southern town, so my performance really went over like a fart in a submarine. People there thought that I actually wore diapers and that I was going to hell. Also, all of these baby fetish guys wanted to kill me for making a mockery of their gig! The whole thing was a big mistake that I am a little proud of: http://www.aby.com/springer.html




Mine/Teets: It was many moons ago; I was bored and had just finished rollerskating my way across lower Manhattan. I barreled into my West Village apartment, popped on Springer and began to melt in front of the blue glow of the Tube. First thing I saw was this skinny pixie boy with giant messy brown hair, eyes and chops, striped tube socks yanked up real high-like, wearing old Saucony sneakers - stomping about the stage, yelling at the audience in a thick Southern accent. I was immediately fascinated and remember thinking to myself “Geez, this boy looks like the very kind of boy that could be my very very good pal.” I never forgot that episode, but never really spoke about it again. Until…

********

How did we finally end up meeting in real life? Again, list yr version and then I am going to list mine after!  Fair and balanced!
 
Yrs/Coops:
We were both in Hoboken to see Built to Spill and you were behind me and kept poking me with an umbrella. You'd never met a stranger, huh?

Mine/Teets:
While I don’t remember poking you with an umbrella, I do remember walking into Maxwell’s (note: legendary NJ rock venue) and seeing you all crouched in the corner of the room by yrself.  You looked extra cute/superfamiliar yet I couldn’t place you fer the life of me. Later in the evening I cruised up, all chatty style, and asked you a bazillion questions to try and put you into context in my brain. Then I realized you were The Diaper Boy from Jerry Springer and my mind was completely blown. For the remainder of the night you stomped about the streets of Dirty NYC yelling at my sisters and I in a thick Southern accent about yr loyalty to cheap beer and how we shouldn’t think we’re better than everyone else. I was immediately and permanently yr bestie for life.


********

So we hung pretty tight during the short time you lived in Dirty NYC. Clearly one of the many things that we connected on was how effing mind-bendingly powerful and awesome and double brilliant Built to Spill was. Discuss yr feelings about this band.
(OMG I LOVE THEM SO BAD EVEN STILL WHY DO I HAVE NO MUSICAL LETTING-GO SKILLS?)

Perfect From Now On is still my favorite album ever. I have never heard anything so huge. The lyrics really capture infinity and religion and questioning God and such. It still gets me. Doug Martsch (previously mentioned BTS lead singer and lyricist) is a really interesting person, too. We crushed hard on that dude, right?

********

As previously mentioned, yr a born and raised Southern Boy. (Whattup, Rome Georgia!?)  Talk about how being from the South has shaped you.

The South is funky and old and insecure. The culture is very unique and full of dark hocus-pocus. Atlanta cracks me up sometimes because it tries so hard to be cosmopolitan and big city but it is still surrounded by the South no matter how chic it tries to be inside the perimeter. It bums me out that a lot of Southern creatives feel they have to flee to NYC in order to have a successful career. Quality of life is key. We might even move back to Savannah!

********

Though you'd be hard-pressed to admit it, yr one of our generations most talented fine artists - and a total Atlanta area art superstar. Cause yr so darn stubborn about realizing how fameous and crazybrains talented you are, yr brilliant, beautiful and equally talented wife, Michelle, is going to answer this question, posing as you: Cooper, how did you go about creating such an amazing name for yourself and yr art?

 (Realnotreal) answer: I work hard and I keep a busy schedule. 

Example of a typical day:


********

What advice would you give to someone looking to be a full-time artist? Are you represented by a gallery? How does that even work?  And "don't be an artist" doesn't count as an answer!  Nor does laughter as a reaction to the phrase "full-time artist."

Well, I am still feeling this out for myself. I keep trying to do what's best on any given day. Representation can be a hindrance. If you deal with a gallery, they should supply more than wall space and show invitations. Make your own decisions and make sure there is always a fair exchange. Other than that, be honest in your work.

********

Somehow my band, LadybiRdS, got lucky enuff to have you and Miss Michelle, yr amazing ladypartner-in-crime, create the artwork for our debut record. It is so very beautiful it makes me want to cry. Please tell me what yr and Lady M's speech would consist of if it wins a Grammy for Best Package Design Ever of All Time Ever Ever, like I want it to in the fantasy netherworld of my brain and heart.

K, so I'll set the stage: You guys are at the Kodak Theater, nestled snugly in yr seats between Joey Fatone and Jenna Elfman. Cooper, yr wearing a cream colored tux with an old-man tartan plaid cumberbun and dirty Saucony sneakers. Michelle, yr wearing yr ill-fitting Jessica McClintock prom dress from high school with black Converse low tops and black laces - the universal sign of punk rock - and yr hair is huge-n-crimped. So, like I said, Wilmer Valderamma calls yr guyses names as the winners for Best Record Package Design Ever of All Time Of Any Package Design Ever Made Ever Ever and the two of you, with yr dog Hank in tow, roll up to the front, hand in hand, and say:

"Thank you Wilmer.  I'd like to give love to Teeter and Jesus for this amazing opportunity. LadybiRdS are the most important band since the Eagles and we are just thrilled to be a part of this entire LadybiRdS experience."  "Woof!"

********

 What are some of yr most favorite projects, commercial and personal, that you've worked on?  (You can say LadybiRdS, I won't be embarrassed.)

Well, the LadybiRdS package design is the only thing that comes to my mind. Really, that overshadows everything else.

********
 
I was a way late musical bloomer. You were the very first person to teach me about T. Rex and the MC5, didja even know that!? Probably not cause I bet at the time I gold-fronted like I already knew about them. What musics are you loving these days and in life in general?  (Again, LadybiRdS is a totally feasible answer.)

Michelle is rockin' Bob Seeger and LadybiRdS.
I have been listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival B-sides. We saw Arcade Fire play this month, which really made me a fan. Will Oldham, The Black Lips, Brass Castle, Bob Dylan. Also, I can’t help but think that the White Stripes just keep getting better and better. Lil' Jon, too.

********

What can we expect from yr geniusness in the future?

Not really genius but I’m working on self-publishing a picture book and painting a lot. We went to London recently and I saw A TON of great old art, so I am really inspired.

********

Cooper –
I am so glad I know you guys, please always continue to be two of my besties fer life. Kthxawsm. Also, I was totally kidding about all three forced LadybiRdS mentions! Sware!
Love, Teet


Teeter –
You have always been one of my most favorites and you know it. You made NYC hospitable and fun for my narrow ass. Sperbers rule! Hank's coming to visit you at Goonie Beach.
Love, Coop

********


(Coops (and Michelle!) made our (LadybiRdS) album cover. We could not love it more.)

http://www.coopersanchez.com/