The Wiltern – Los Angeles
Live Review: 6/8/09
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Whether it’s for their laid-back policies, their enviable health care, their Celine Dion, or just the fact that they’re not Americans, Canada has always fallen into the standard repertoire for jokes. But if there’s one thing we should actually commend our northern brethren for, it’s their booming indie music scene. Canada is the birthplace of numerous indie bands including Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, The Unicorns, Wolf Parade and The New Pornographers, just to name a few. →

I recently spent an evening with Colin Bailey (Drums of Death), while his tour with Peaches was stopped in LA for two nights at the Henry Fonda Theatre.  His maniacal live show and pension for face melting dance music has quickly slapped him on the map of musicians you won’t soon forget.

EM: Having grown up playing in hardcore and metal bands, how did the transition into Drums of Death take place?
When I was still pretty young I moved form Scotland down to London and that’s pretty much where the transformation started.  I started getting into the techno scene and djing and taking handfuls of drugs.  I’ve only been doing this character for a little more than a year.  It’s been a crazy ride.  The ninth gig I ever had as Drums of Death was at the Wiltern.
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“The A-Z of Change”
Carmichael Gallery of Art
1257 N. La Brea, W. Hllywd, CA
07/09

London’s most audacious Man of Letters is coming to LA! On Thursday, July 9 Carmichael Gallery will play host to The A – Z of Change, the debut LA solo exhibition of Eine. Internationally recognized for his super-sized lettering in urban areas, Eine will unveil a new body of works on canvas that combine his trademark typeface, vivid color palette and provocative imagery to powerful effect. →

The face of torture: Former Khmer Rouge torture chief Kaing Guek Eav aka 'Duch.' Photo via Telegraph.co.uk

Back in the summer/fall of 2005, I was working on what was intended to be a short article for Swindle magazine (which Evil Monito later republished). It was a piece that was going to look at the significance of Parallel World’s Cambodian Rocks compilation of garage/psych-rock from the pre- and post-Vietnam War era. The compilation featured music performed and recorded by Cambodian musicians channeling the style of American and British rock acts of the day, mostly to cater to U.S. servicemen frequenting small clubs and bars on the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. The recordings were lo-fi but displayed impressive musicianship and raw energy, not to mention stylistic twists that foreshadowed a burgeoning rock scene in Southeast Asia. →

Paper Tiger just released their newest print from Julian Callos.

Julian Callos is an awesome artist who is new to the scene and is already hitting the ground, running with shows all over the world as part of the “kids are alright” tour, as well as shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He may have just graduated from Otis College of Art and Design, but Julian is not wasting any time. With a ton of shows and projects coming up, Julian is definitely an artist to look out for. →

Woodgrain iPhone 3G (S) Slider Case
Incase and Arkitip have launched the latest installment of the Curated by Arkitip project with New York-based HunterGatherer. The brainchild of Todd St. John, HunterGatherer is an award-winning design, illustration, animation and production studio.St. John and frequent HunterGatherer collaborator Gary Benzel created the woodgrain pattern and have applied it to products ranging from furniture to skateboard decks. The signature design has been reintroduced for Curated by Arkitip, ornamenting two products by Incase: the MacBook® Sleeve and iPhoneTM Slider Case →

LeBasse Projects is hosting an Artists Reception for “Seasonal Change,” a group exhibition which opened during the Culver City Artwalk. While close to 10,000 people visited during the 4th Annual Culver City Artwalk, we are opening the doors for our collectors and artists for an Artists Reception showcasing work from a group of artists including Tessar Lo, Nate Frizzell, Joe Black, Alexandros Vasmoulakis, Thomas Doyle, James Roper, Morgan Slade, Edwin Ushiro →

If money’s tight and you’ll be in Brooklyn this 4th of July weekend, go see Vivian Girls, Woods, Crystal Stilts and Blank Dogs across two days for $25. Woodsist and Captured Tracks collaborate to put on one of the best (and most affordable) lineups yet. Advance tickets are available now. Full lineup after the jump. →

The Magno Wooden Radio is made of an ebony casing that’s clean with a natural wood grain finish. Designed by Indonesian designer Singgih Kartono, the radio comes in two sizes and is compatible with current MP3 players and AM/FM radio. All goods sold on Design Public work to directly benefit craftspeople around the world.

Check out some of Kartono’s other designs here.

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This July, LeBasse Projects will host artists David Flores and Lisa Alisa for a two-person show. Both Flores and Alisa’s work revolve around iconic pop images and are painted in a superflat style.

David Flores has been busy as lead designer for a major skate brand, as well as working on recent collaborations for companies like Disney, Oakley and Medicom. Lisa Alisa has been focused on participating in shows in Tokyo and New York as well as working as part of Scion’s current Installations Tour. →