Drew Christie

Inspired by a photograph in the book Monte Cristo by Philip R. Woodhouse. The book was recently given to me by Ed Miller and it is a fantastic account of the town-plus its got a ton of great drawings, maps and photographs.

Chris Knutsen was a harp guitar, harp mandolin, ukulele, and steel guitar maker in Port Townsend, WA between the years of 1887 and 1900. He was at the forefront of harp guitar making at that time and later became a pioneer in Hawaiian steel guitars, even influencing Weissenborn and his design of Hawaiin guitars(famously played by Fahey and Bob Brozman as well as others with deep pockets). While in Port Townsend, the lovely and talented Amanda Moore found a little pamphlet on Mr. Knutsen for me- she already knew of my abiding love and respect for harp guitars- but little did we know harp ukuleles and harp mandolins were being made by Mr. Knutsen as well. Soundtrack is Bob Brozman doing New Vine Street Blues from Hello Central…Give me Dr. Jazz (1985)- an album that features a harp guitar prominently on it’s cover.

Fire, Fire I Heard the Cry is playing this week at the Northwest Film Forum with the film Bass Akwards by Linas Phillips. Also, my first post on KEXP DJ and all around nice guy, Greg Vandy’s blog, American Standard Time is up- go check it out. Also, here is the trailer for my next animation The Man Who Shot The Man Who Shot Lincoln (it’s about Boston Corbett) Original score composed by Spencer Thun.

The Man Who Shot The Man Who Shot Lincoln (Trailer) from Drew Christie on Vimeo.

Inspired by three books I am reading at the moment- Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez, Tracks Across America, and American Railroads. Oliver Evans was an American inventor who pushed for railroads and steam engine carriages in America as early as the 1700’s. He was also the inventor of the Oruktor Amphibilos, the world’s first self powered amphibious vehicle.