It looks really good. The Sia "Breathe Me" single isn't on there, I'm wondering why. It's blowin up everywhere after they played it during the finale of the season episode on Sunday. Personally I think it needs to go away - it's been out for such a long time - driving me crazy.
This is amazing, if a little disturbing. People mail in their secrets on the back of a postcard...
Last night was a screening of "Freestyle" at the Fairfax silent movie theatre, as well as magazine release party for Beautiful Decay. Freestyle was released in 2000 but is still an excellent film to see if you love or want to learn more about hip hop. Kevin Fitzgerald (the director) was at the screening and let us know that he's releasing a directors cut pretty soon with tons of cool features - keep an eye out for that towards the end of the year. The film focuses more on the LA scene, highlighting events like The Good Life and Project Blowed. For a more concise history of hip hop culture you should check out "Can't Stop Won't Stop" by Jeff Chang - gives a broader, more in-depth history (in all fairness -that only a book can do).
As you may or may not know, Apple faced a class-action lawsuit by those who had enough with the faulty iPod business. If you own a first, second, or third gen iPod with a faulty battery, you can file a claim to receive 50% of the amount you spent replacing the battery or $50 in store credit. Which is lame because the cost of replacing the battery is 99.00 not including shipping -they still won't cover the whole cost of replacing the faulty product. Sigh.... (see above link for more info)
The Cabana Club is not all that. The "pool" is this concrete hole of green water that doesn't have anyplace to sit near. It takes forever to get in even if they're expecting you and takes a dog's year to get a drink. Overall - It's great to be outdoors, but there are spots way cooler than this one.
So last night was insane. Melissa and I went to the Viceroy in Santa Monica for drinks, only to stumble into a private Courvosier tasting that was happening at the pool. We ponied up cabana-side, sipping XO and having a great dinner of crabcakes and shrimp thingies. We then traveled down the street to 1217 where an restaurant/industry event was happening. The owners and designers of Sushi Roku, Boa, Mood were there, along with KCRW DJ Jason Bentley on the decks. In a champagne induced haze I'm always attracted to those spinning platters, so of course I wandered over. He was wondering why no one was on the dance floor so I suggested playing some Killers. He says "good idea" and plays that remix of Mr. Brightside by Jacques Le Cont. The few people who were on the dancefloor immediately scattered. Whoops! We hung out much longer than the 11 o'clock curfew we set on the evening, but hey whateva! it was worth it.
Mobius Band's new release is getting so much hype. It's an excellent record, fusing alt rock with electronic sensibilities. Although I wish they would branch out more with the percussion and get a little crazier - but that's just my broken beat background talking. I'm looking forward to seeing them perform live in LA towards the end of September. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/mobiusband .
You need to hear this record. The PR spin indicates that Lidell is fusing electronic with classic funk and soul elements. It's really a soul record, with hints of electronic music thrown in (try 'When I Come Back Around", "Multiply"). This record is significant because it's Lidell's newest release on Warp - it's marketed to the hard-core electronic kids. The electronic reviews are awakening to funk, soul, blues and other organics - which I think is going to spark an epidemic in production within the electronic realm. His live performance is supposed to be amazing. Check out the feature in this month's The Wire. Lidell mentions how lame live electronic shows are he doesn't want to watch producers up there "checking their e-mail" - I couldn't agree more.
Many of the reasons why I love Los Angeles can be summed up in two words - Roosevelt Hotel. It's such a great spot to hang al fresca during this hot and humid week. Granted, I could dip in my pool like on Wednesday - but can I crane my neck to watch David Spade pick up chicks or cruise the next faux-Libertine? I don't think so.
Amazing - but a little scary given the status of the Patriot Act. It's almost a little too big brother for my liking.
So ironically enough I traveled to Mexico for the 4th. Several of us traveled to La Mision which is 30 miles south of Rosarito in Baja. We ate loads of cheap lobster - 3 for $15! - and washed it down with trays of delicious margaritas. Besides eating and drinking a ton, it was very relaxing and nice to get out of crazy LA (athough we definitely let out a sigh of relief after crossing the border back into the U.S.). Pictures coming soon...
So this past week was crazy - lots a-crackin on the left coast. Firstly, I moved on Sunday - to a one-bedroom in the Miracle Mile neighborhood. I love it! And the neighbors are so friendly.
Monday night, the girls and I went to Cinespace for a Music for Robots party. Good bands, chocolate cake, a great scene. Tuesday night was pilates, then Wednesday went to "Toontime with the RZA" at the LA Film Fest which was great. We got free seat cushions from Target which I snagged for my apartment - nothing like product placement in your own home.
Thursday was The Red Garter, my new favorite dive on the west side at the Santa Monica/Venice border. God bless velvet wallpaper and Ms. Pacman! Friday was ye olde tour of Hollywood - we went to the Reebok Concept Store launch party, Tokio, Louis XIV show @ Avalon, The Concorde, and Star Shoes...no celebrity sightings, only a beefy orangy guy telling me that if I don't know who Brent Bolthouse is, there's no way to get into the Spyder Room. Saturday night I threw a barbecue then we went to Daddy's and Star Shoes again. Star Shoes on Saturday night is amazing - it's Stones Throw's night and they most definitely hold it down. Yesterday I played some v-ball at Del Rey beach...thank goodness summer is here-
More stickers, culture, art, and culture-jamming...
http://www.woostercollective.com
Recovering from a long holiday weekend, and wondering about the scorching amount of "remixed, remastered, and re-interpreted" albums that are currently hitting the market. What does this say about music these days - remix culture is prevalent, there's no good music out now so we need to revive the past, or a little bit of both?
Saw Sharon Jones and the Daptones last night at The Knitting Factory - she's amazing! Check out the cover of "This Land is Your Land", and "My Man is a Mean Man". Soul music is back baby - big time! Also caught BoyGirl perform on Tuesday night @ Monroes which was good in a kitsch-pop sort of way - and Thievery Corporation last Friday which was amazing, despite the replacement of the lead vocalist who took her own life a short time ago. As for right now, it's Friday night and I've got a glass of red and am wearing my PJ's - what's better than that?
Back from Coachella! What a weekend. Saw lots of great acts, took in lots of beautiful scenery and sandy desert air. I have to say my favorite shows were The Futureheads, Bloc Party, MIA, and The Arcade Fire. Also really enjoyed The Kills, Wilco, Bloc Party, and New Order. Coldplay was good but we think Chris Martin had a few too many before hitting the stage. And a fight broke out during the show! Not exactly fight-inducing music, but whatever...the drummer from Bloc Party is my new hero!
