At the Surfrider Foundation in San Clemente! Come one, come all… gonna be a good one. Ando will be announcing the winner(s) of the contest and you can view all the amazing entries. Be sure to visit the Facebook People’s Choice Gallery to vote for the “People’s Choice Award.” Event is at 942 Calle Negocio ste 350, San Clemente, CA for a map. Stay tuned to the site for more event info. We can’t wait!

for more information head on over to Ando’s colorful site and below are some of OUR favorite entries.

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Review by Courtney Hawkes

Hello Echo are friends Sean Aylward (vocals, guitar), Mike Sarno (bass), and Mike Silva (vocals, drums), all hailing originally from the Boston area; the band’s sound contains the moodiness of New England winters combined with the lighthearted sunshine of their West Coast relocations. Aylward spent two years touring and recording with Apollo Sunshine, moved to California, and Hello Echo was born on a surfing trip with an impromptu jam session among the three friends in a bar in Baja.

“Hello” is their debut full-length where the band explores its knack for spinning interesting lyrical phrasing and guitar work, punctuated by satisfying shouted along accents. “The Coming Days,” presents the listener with an anthem sure to get pleasantly stuck in her head. The band smartly chose to include an updated version of “Stone,” the standout jam from their EP (and a prior selection in Drift’s inaugural playlist).Even the slower, moody songs present some serious guitar jamming and memorable melody lines, like “Intently” where drummer Silva takes a turn on vocals. “Close Your Eyes and See” is the record’s piece of worn down sea glass amongst a pile of shattered beer bottles with its orchestral flourishes and clean production. It’s interesting to hear that the band can polish itself up, but I find the jagged edges most compelling.

At first listen, the band’s sound could seem sloppy, but they really are producing well thought out, albeit noisy, rock music, guided by Aylward’s songwriting and guitar playing. This band has the sound of everyone’s favorite local band- hummable melodies, loud guitar, fuzzy edges. Right now, they are Santa Monica’s favorite local band - sorry Santa Monica, but these guys deserve to stray beyond the zip codes of your local pubs. You can’t help but smile at the fun the band is obviously having during their live performances, so check them out during one of their upcoming CD release parties - such as at Pianos NYC.

other dates:

September 9: Pianos, New York, NY

September 11: PA’s Lounge, Somerville, MA

September 25: The Joint, Los Angeles, CA

And while you are here… take a listen to The Coming Days

The Coming Days

Last Light - Limited Edition Print Available.

Jack Brull is a New York-based surfer and photographer focusing on the use of lo-fi photographic equipment. He has received his photographic training as an apprentice with Ron Terner of Focal Point Gallery in NY and International Center of Photography in NYC. Jack has had numerous solo and groups shows and has recently been interviewed for a soon to be released Art/Photography book entitled “ToyCam: Lo- Fi Photography”.

WHY? An Artist’s Statement

“While the act of surfing and the process of taking photographs vary greatly in the experience of physical sensations, I would argue that the acts do have a defining common point. Both pursuits require an attitude of bare attention and a high level of mindfulness. It is through this mental perspective that we truly open up to the continually changing qualities of our experiences, whether it be the ever changing dynamic experience of a wave-riding or the “seeing” of the subtle qualities of our visual landscape…

“WHY LO-FI AND ANALOG EQUIPMENT?

“The use of lo-fi photographic equipment is an incredibly freeing experience. The tools allow for spontaneity, impulse, and happy accidents. The images produced can look ragged while maintaining a simplistic beauty, Moreover, the images seek to retain both post-modern and pictorialist qualities. Images from these lo-fi cameras attempt to resolve the rather large discrepancy that exists between the two artistic aesthetics.” ~ Jack Brull

The following images were made available exclusively for Drift in a Limited Edition Print Series. Editions of 10 only - each signed and numbered by the Artist. You can view and purchase each print in The Drift Store, and you view more of Jack’s photography at his photoblog Salt Stained Eyes.

Fish Dream - Limited Edition Print Available

Lost Log - Limited Edition Print Available

Sense of Stillness - Limited Edition Print Available

Raked - Limited Edition Print Available

Scattered Like Lost Words -  Limited Edition Print Available

50/50 Time - Limited Edition Print Available

Winter Walk - Limited Edition Print Available

We’re big geeks for surf and surf lifestyle photography and while it’s not the newest idea ever to print pictures on shirts, the selection out there now has never been better.

Kassia Meador’s photography covers dresses and bikinis in their entirety as part of Roxy’s “Core Collection” for Holiday.

The Aussie label We Are Handsome prints are vivid and sharp on swimsuits.

The Critical Slide Society scribbles on its photos and the Perini tee by Rake has legs for seasons to come.

Double Retro with Hippy Tree’s use of film and carousel slides and a classic snapshot of Tony Alva taken by C.R. Stecyk III is frozen in Vans‘ “Downhill” tee.