For some time “punk” (both the music and the look) has been inspired by the idea of pirates. A symbol of anarchic tendacies and rough characters– the jolly roger will probaly always grace the flag poles of punk-type-houses and those of a more ironic frame of mind.

The idea of a boat, and sailing away from society to live on the free waters similarily has a universal appeal to all artist/musican types. Raft travel also means freedom to most of us, having read or watched a filmed version of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn at some point in our lives. Indie Rock’s obsession with rafts and rivers made an appearence in the emergence of the slightly-to-high pant leg, often worn sockless with slip-on shoes. Bandanas/hankercheifs worn about the neck, and cut-offs also have a root in the fashion of longing for the high-seas.

The current gas prices actually make sailing a viable alternative to road travel and two instances of a nautical adventure of this type have made recent news:

Multi-folk songstress Jana Hunter, Peter and the Wolf and Castanets are currently touring by means of sailboat.

And, Miss Rockaway Armada–a raft, conceived by the street-artist Swoon and completed by a group of about 25 brooklynite volunteers, was launched into the Mississippi River and according to all the reports I can find–it is still on the Mississsippi.

Actual blogger reports of the river journey include this quote:

“I wouldn’t be caught dead on that thing. . . that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a lot of fun.” Read more here.

So amazing it makes you hate yourself, your job and your life: