Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

22 September 2010

Speakeasy Night at The Talking Stick in Venice 9/23


This Thursday lovers of all things vintage are invited to The Talking Stick in Venice to sip cocktails and dance to music of the teens, twenties, and thirties for Mikal Sandoval's Speakeasy Night.

Musical performance by Dutch Newman and The Musical Melodians, featuring vocalists Douglas Rogiers, Cary Farnsworth, and a special surprise guest.

Admission: $10/$5 for students with ID

Thursday, September 23
7:30pm
Come early for vintage/Halloween costume boutique
The Talking Stick
1411 Lincoln Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
310.450.6052

09 June 2010

Spotlight on Arthur Ganson

Mr. Ganson is a mechanical sculptor, or as the Wall Street Journal calls him more plainly, "an artist and engineer." I discovered his work while perusing Dead Man's Bones music videos. (Those boys have turned me on to a lot of cool things... like the theremin). Anyway, check out his walking wishbone for the "Dead Hearts" video below. Further down is his TED talk about kinetic sculpture. His sculptures are unlike other kinetic sculptures I know in that they are more sustained in the reactionary motion... Whereas something as simple as a wind chime stills as soon as the wind dies down and gravity brings the pendulum back to center, Ganson's sculptures seem to have a life of their own.




08 June 2010

Eerie Summer Playlist

June Gloom is in full gear - nothing quite like the looming cloudcover to remind Angelenos of the mounting troubles of our time... But I'm embracing the eeriness of the summer's dark and cool commencement by indulging in some spooky tunes, new and old, and rather enjoying my brooding commute down the coast - I feel like I'm in a '60s spy film!

In no particular order, here's what I'm listening to right now:
"Come On Let's Go" by Broadcast
"Dance They Way I Feel" by Ou Est Le Swimming Pool
"The Ghost Inside" by Broken Bells
"Silver Soul" by Beach House
"Temecula Sunrise" by Dirty Projectors
"Everlasting Light" by The Black Keys
"Human" by Goldfrapp
"O Morro Nao Tem Vez" by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stan Getz & others
"Paper Ships (feat.the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Children's Choir)" - by Dead Man's Bones (I think I hear a theremin on this one!!)
"Incense and Peppermints" by Strawberry Alarm Clock
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum
"I Feel Free" by Cream
"Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine" by Country Joe & the Fish
"The Duck (O Pato)" by Charlie Byrd
"Caroline, No" by Matthew Kaminski
"Tighten Up" by The Black Keys
"The Only One" by The Black Keys
"Mood Indigo" by Nina Simone
"Ooh La La" by Goldfrapp
"Dead Hearts" by Dead Man's Bones (Wow, check out this video!)
"Runaway" by Del Shannon
"In the Room Where You Sleep" by Dead Man's Bones

Right now I'm really into the whole Brothers album, as well as Antonio Carlos Jobim's samba classic Wave, some Dead Man's Bones, Dirty Projectors' Bitte Orca, and anything with heavy fuzz, creepy keyboard & theremin. I've got a groovy 60's Palm Springs cabana/Los Angeles heist/backwater angst/stolen kisses in a graveyard vibe going on...

21 May 2010

"Tighten Up" Official Video

Happy Friday.


17 May 2010

"Cosmic Love" Video

I saw Florence + The Machine live last fall. What a thrilling performance! Her presence is so powerful and engaging; definitely one of the best shows I've been to. This song and "The Dog Days Are Over" are my favorites.


13 May 2010

Cotton Candy for Your Eyes & Ears

1963 film by super avant-gardist Jeff Keen, titled "Flik Flak". (via Art Forum)


09 May 2010

For Kicks: Leon Russel "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Young Blood" Medley

I heard this on the radio recently, and fell in love! The talent on the stage for Bangladesh is awesome. Enjoy!

03 May 2010

The Black Keys Are Hollywood Bound

My whirlwind weekend of Black Keys delights has reached its zenith: Jason Bentley announced this morning on KCRW (89.9 FM) that Dan and Pat will play at the Hollywood Palladium September 27th. Tickets go on sale Friday on Ticketmaster. Wonder if there is a fan pre-sale? The list of recently added shows just went up on their website. San Diego show at Soma on September 25th. Scenestar also reports.

Can You OD on a Good Time?

Because that's what this feels like, and it feels good.




And here's why you should brave the sweaty, hot masses of music festivals:


What an absolute DREAM. See Florence + The Machine live if you get the chance. She is so powerful! And man, Cold War Kids... "Audience" is my favorite song of 2010 so far. So happy it's actually getting airtime! (Even if it is only on the obscure stations). Music makes me happy.

02 May 2010

INCOGNITO With Jason Bentley

After I graduated college, I was an intern at the Santa Monica Museum of Art. Every now and then I'll stop by GRACIE to check out the funky jewelry and merchandise or help out at an event. Last night I volunteered for SMMoA's annual exhibit and benefit sale INCOGNITO, which features what is definitely the coolest way to sell original artwork (made specifically for this event). Over 700 artists - big name, emerging, local, and international - submitted an 8" by 10" two dimensional piece and signed the back. The fun part is, the identity of the artist isn't revealed until after the piece has been purchased! The whole point is to "trust your instincts" and just buy what you like. Most of the pieces, which were selling for $300 plus tax, sold, and there is a sale of the few leftovers going on at SMMoA today with $10 admission.

Anyway, I was working near the DJ booth, which was manned by none other than KCRW's Jason Bentley, he of the melted-butter voice on "Morning Becomes Eclectic". I geeked out a bit when he arrived and actually did a double hand wave to greet him. (I KNOW.) He said "Hi" and quietly set up his Macbook, while I regained my composure. A couple times throughout the evening I chatted with him a little about some of the songs, and it was so great to talk to somebody who knew way more about music than I did. At one point, though, the thrill of his presence was eclipsed by the sound of a familiar voice streaming out of the speakers...

I hadn't heard this song before. But I could distinguish "howlin'" in the lyrics. OH MY GOODNESS, was it the B side track of the new Black Keys single that had just arrived in the mail that very afternoon? (As I mentioned previously, I love The Black Keys' music so much that I bought the 45 so I could hear it in all it's glorious vinyl goodness. I still need to get a record player...).

Sans record player, I have't gotten to play it yet. I had seen the unofficial video for "Tighten Up", but I hadn't even heard a bootleg of the B side track, "Howlin' for You." Barely containing my excitement, I asked Mr. Bentley if this was indeed that song, and of course....IT WAS. The best part of the story is that this song is UN-EFFING-BELIEVABLE! What a great night. :)

Here's a nice review here of the 12" single for "Tighten Up"/"Howlin' for You". I'll see if I can find a decent version of it online. UPDATE: The Deluxe version of their new album Brothers, out May 18th, is available for order here. Oh yeah, see you on the road.




01 May 2010

Eco-Friendly Swimwear


I recently discovered the clothing line LOYALE, and am so excited to have found it! It's ecologically-conscious clothing that is actually chic. I so applaud its designer Jenny Hwa for her philosophy and community-outreach. Did I mention that this line includes swimwear? I am not talking generic bikinis here; the Hermosa suit is so cute, eco or not, I want it! It has a flirty, retro vibe without looking like a costume. According to the website, the S and M sizes have sold out, (no word on larger sizes), so all that is currently available is size XS. Also, after having seen $100+ swim suits set the standard for years, I'm happy to report that this one retails for $84. What a steal!

I also love that the collection galleries are preceded by a blurb about the inspiration for the look, and followed by the mood soundtrack. Happy to see Goldfrapp's Seventh Tree featured in the Fall 2009 gallery.



Addendum: Apparently I don't keep well enough tabs on Vogue, because this very suit was featured in the March 2009 issue. That was a year ago! Oh, well.


Oh, so apparently I'm REALLY not alone on this one. Wow, I'm usually not so aligned with other fashion weighers-in. Here LUCKY magazine declares it their "obsession":

30 April 2010

Kings of Leon announce their tourmates

So... if you check some of my previous posts, you will see that I am a bit of a superfan when it comes to the brothers Followill. My poor roommates in college had to put up with me blasting "Trani" and "On Call" and "Milk" on repeat, when everybody was into Beyonce and Fergie. Yes, they are good-looking and sure, they have an interesting story, but I just can't get enough of their sound. The blood in my veins pulses to a rock 'n' roll beat. I can't be cured.

Thus afflicted, I naturally have tickets to see them this summer at the Hollywood Bowl. I'm very excited, as I couldn't think of a better venue to see them. The point of this post, though, is to underscore the momentous event that I've just learned, which, in fact, proves that a better scenario DOES exist: KoL has just announced that throughout the month of September, The Black Keys will be opening for them. Now, allow me to elucidate the significance of this revelation: Last week I bought the Key's new single "Tighten Up". On vinyl. Yeah... I don't even own a record player. At least not yet. They are my second favorite band. Yep, just let that all sink in. Get cozy with that.

The Kings of Leon and The Black Keys will be touring together from September 3rd (Indianapolis) through September 24th (Dallas). Unfortunately the Keys won't be in California at all this summer, but no matter, I WILL be at one of these shows.

Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention that today is the last day to enter the "King of the Lawn" ticket giveaway sweepstakes. Enter here.

A review of the as yet unplayable record is available here. You can add to your record collection, too: Click here. In the meantime, here's something to tickle your ears and wallop your soul:

29 April 2010

Adriana Lima & Benny Bennassi's Remix of "Purple Haze"

I love this! Adriana Lima is a knock out in Russell James' "Come Back" video. Definitely makes me want to go box. Reminds me of my friends who did Baraka Bouts in college, which supports women in East Africa. Check last fall's bouts out below.

[from Modelinia]



02 April 2010

Last Night's Music: Bardot

Great weekends start with great beats! I particularly liked what the DJ was playing last night in between live performances at Bardot, so here's a recap for your dancing pleasure.


The band opened with the ever-sexy intro from "L.A. Woman", and then called Todd Morse up to join Mya for a rousing "Gimme Shelter", complete with some Jagger-esque showmanship. He later performed one of my personal favorites, Spacehog's "In the Meantime." Sum 41's Deryck Whibley did a fantastic sneering "Rebel Yell" that had everybody grooving. The band peaked when goddess vocalist Mya did an amazing rendition of "Flashdance... What A Feeling", that people stopped smoking to shake it to. Highlights from the turntables:










24 November 2009

LISTS

The following is an exercise inspired by Umberto Eco's guest curation at the Louvre, on view in Paris through December 13, 2009. In a fascinating interview with SPIEGEL, Eco attests to the "irresistible magic" of lists and explains the paradoxical manner in which the list is both a liberating and limiting tool, used to express the infinite in a finite way. Here's a cool video featuring Eco and his interesting take on lists.


A List of Lists: Men Describing Qualities of Women

1. Cake, "Short Skirt, Long Jacket"
I want a girl
with a mind like a diamond
who knows what's best
who gets up early
who stays up late
with fingernails that shine like justice
who's fast and thorough and sharp as a tack
with a short skirt and a long jacket
    2. Kings of Leon, "Milk"
    She saw my comb-over
    Her hourglass body
    She had problems with drinking milk and being school-tardy
    She'll loan you her toothbrush
    She'll bartend your party

    3. Bob Dylan, "Just Like a Woman"
    She takes just like a woman, yes, she does

    She makes love just like a woman, yes, she does

    And she aches just like a woman

    But she breaks just like a little girl.

    4. Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, "Home"
    Well, hot and heavy, pumpkin pie,
    Chocolate candy, Jesus Christ,
    Ain't nothing please me more than you

    5. Tom Jones, "She's a Lady"
    Well she knows what I'm about,
    She can take what I dish out and that's not easy
    Well she knows me through and through,
    She knows just what to do, and how to please me
    She's a lady. Whoa, whoa, whoa, she's a lady

    6. Elton John, "Tiny Dancer"
    Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
    Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man
    Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
    And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand

    7. The Rolling Stones, "You Got the Silver"
    You got my heart, you my soul
    You got the silver, you the gold
    You got the diamonds from the mine,
    That's alright, it'll buy some time

    Perhaps a list is the best way to approximate je ne se quois ...?

    18 May 2009

    Bring on the Euphoria

    So, thanks to my handy-dandy ads to the right of my blog, I am the newest holder of concert tickets to see Kings of Leon in San Diego and L.A. in August!!!


    I have purchased in the past from Ticketmaster and then realized the good seats are all on Stub Hub, but then I realized (thanks to a helpful ad on my own page) that Ticket Tango is the same deal as Stub Hub, but since it's seemingly less well known, the "cheap" tickets don't go as fast.

    So - check there first for your concert needs.

    Anyway, I'm excited about seeing KOL back to back.... first in SD then LA. They are FANTASTIC live.

    For any KOL fans out there, here's a video from their concert at MSG on January 28th. It was so cool to be there for what felt like a homecoming of sorts. Until this latest album came out, they didn't have much of an American fan base, though certainly they had pockets of devoted followers. MSG seemed like the first time they felt some recognition on their home turf, and it was touching to hear Caleb (who is the only one who really talks during concerts, and really, doesn't say much at all) express his appreciation. I was in the pit up close, so I could tell from his expression that he was deeply moved, seeing the sold out Garden. He always seems so open and honest, and it's refreshing to hear him speak.

    Anyway, they finished up with some of their big rockers, and "Trani" is one of my favorites. Hope you enjoy! Check them out if they tour near you.


    17 May 2009

    Regent Theater

    I keep falling even more in love with Downtown!

    Went to MOCA Thursday to help with a special young alumni group initiative they're starting (ask me about special discount membership to MOCA) which began with a tour of Dan Graham's Beyond, and then the DT Art Walk.

    Happy to see soo many people out and about for the walk! Only really stopped into Deborah Martin's gallery, which was packed! Even had a band playing and a bar set up. Jammed with people - it was so hot. Couple cool leather and jewelry vendors set up, too. Bumped into a guy who agrees that the Crocker Club would be amazing if only the owner would go back to West Hollywood. Then ran into the bohemian parents of one of my middle school friends... who were checking out our high school photography teacher's show at the Museum of Neon Art.

    Met up with my friend at Little Radio (after managing to slip into the Regent Theater for a quick listen to some crazy dancing/drum beats). We headed over to Varnish (you're surprised?) to see our favorite bartender and have some Eastsides.... and he introduced us to the Angel Face. Though I don't remember leaving, I do know we went back to Regent to catch Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. What a fun troupe!! My friend went to school with the accordion player, but if I hadn't known that, I could have totally believed they were a gypsy circus of players from the early 70s transported in space and time.... such a fun show! I counted I think 11 players on stage. And the Regent! How lovely it's become - gone are the concrete floors and how welcome are the red carpet draperies and the newly carpeted floor. It's by no means gorgeous, but I like that they've spruced it up. It is such a great little venue!


    Ended the night with my first overnight at The Standard.... and the decision that I need to start saving for a personal chauffeur. Ha! My cab from the hotel to where my car was parked at Disney Concert Hall was $5.... if that was half a mile... what would it have cost the whole way home? Lord.

    19 April 2009

    Great Remix to an Already Fantastic KOL Song


    08 April 2009

    Take This Pink Ribbon...


    No Doubt's new song has been leaked! Check out their cover of Adam Ant's "Stand And Deliver."

    Yay! So glad SoCal's favorite band is back!

    I may even have to check out Gossip Girl for ND's guest appearance. The band will perform on the May 11th episode.

    06 April 2009

    Glossy! Glossy! Easter: The Remix

    So! Silver Lake's own GhettoGloss gallery is hosting LIVE AT LA CITA on Wednesday starting at 9. Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros will be there, along with Project Runway's Santino.

    Cocktails and chocolate bunnies? How can you go wrong??
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