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Palka’s view from the road looks bright
YOUNGSTOWN — Matt Palka has received a Hollywood star.
Not a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, but a plaque from the Hollywood FAME (Film, Art, Music, Entertainment) Awards for winning Best Independent Motion Picture.
A musician-filmmaker-author-actor with strong ties to Youngstown, Palka received the honor in a red-carpet ceremony Nov. 12 at the Avalon Theater in Los Angeles for “VW Bus Tour: Americana Bohemia.” The film captures Palka’s 2008 cross-country trek in a refurbished VW van. It explores several themes: freedom and adventure, following one’s dreams against all odds, and the search for a soul mate. Palka not only stars in the film, but he filmed and edited it as well.
“Americana Bohemia” includes footage at several Youngstown locations, including Youngstown State University, the Butler Institute of American Art and Cedars Lounge.
Much of the film takes place on the road in the expansive West. Palka, who was alone, had to act as his own director, cinematographer and cameraman.
“I had the camera on a tripod between the seats [to film himself while driving],” he said. “I would also set up the camera on the road, get back in the van, drive through the shoot, and then go back and get it.” During the van’s frequent breakdowns, Palka would film the smoking engine as it ran, all the while hoping it wouldn’t blow up in his face.
Palka is in negotiations for a distribution deal for his film. Plans call for a world premiere — hopefully at the South by Southwest Festival in March — and a possible limited theatrical release. That would be followed by a tour that would include a screening and a concert by Palka and a backing band. Youngstown would be a stop on the tour, which Palka hopes to begin before summer.
Meanwhile, the FAME Award has already paid off for Palka; he has been hired as editor of a documentary about rock ’n’ roll insider Al Bowman, and will begin work soon in Phoenix.
On the cusp of a career breakout, Palka is excited — and a little antsy. “For me, nothing happens quickly enough,” he said. “But in hindsight, it really is.”
A native of Haskins, in the western part of Ohio, Palka will be at Cedars on Saturday for an acoustic show — his first Youngstown performance since February.
Shortly after graduating from Ohio University, the theater major took a solo bicycle trip from Ohio to California, which he chronicled in a book, “The Life of Riley.” That bicycle trip would also become the template for his artistic life, as well as the inspiration for his VW bus tour.
Since that bicycle trip, Palka has lived a wayfaring lifestyle, exploring the country and performing. In this way, he has made his own life into an art form. “I am the product,” he said.
The singer-songwriter has also released a CD of original music, “Down the Road,” which won the 2008 Los Angeles Music Awards prize for Hot Adult Contemporary Album. The stories told in the songs were culled from his life on the road.
While he spends a lot of time in Los Angeles and New York, Palka has adopted Youngstown as a second home, and he’s found a niche in the local arts community.
He edited “Americana Bohemia” at Ampreon Recorder, a studio owned by local rocker Pete Drivere in the Ward Bakery Building in Youngstown. His CD was recorded there, as well.
“Americana Bohemia” includes contributions by several local bands and musicians, including the Zou, the Devotees, Drivere, Chris Leonardi and Joe Falleti, as well as the art of Billy Danielson. Segments were shot and directed by local filmmaker Chris Rutushin.