Ok, ok, I know, what the hell is with all the shoe posts lately, right? Can’t this chick find anything else to write about? Well yes, and no. See, I spend a good amount of my life perusing the internet in search of strange and beautiful things to balance out the utter banality of some of my days and lately it seems that I just keep running into a lot of really freaking cute shoes. I can only imagine that this is either some kind of Baader-Meinhof crap or perhaps, just maybe, there is an influx of great shoes happening in the world right now. Whatever the reasoning behind it is, I do know that the last thing I expected →

Last week brought the biggest swell of the summer, by far, to Southern California and Central America.  Puerto Escondido, the mexican pipeline, went absolutely insane during the swell (video after the jump).  One of the biggest in the U.S. was the ever-dangerous wedge in Newport Beach.  The swell was so big that a bodysurfer was died from being crushed against the breakwall, which normally ricochets waves into the surf creating massive wedge-like peaks.  From the video, it’s easy to see how.  Rest in peace, Monte Valantin. →

Girls&Boys w/A-Trak 10,000 LB Hamburger Tour
Webster Hall- NYC, NY
7/31/09
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A-Trak, Brooklyn-based label boss of Fool’s Gold, producer of Kid Sister, and one half of Duck Sauce, has definitely earned some recognition. You can probably catch him working on numerous artist projects, remixes, and collaborations and it should be no surprise he’s been such a hot topic these days. In fact, as he is reaching the last lap of his 10,000 Pound Hamburger Tour, DJ A-Trak is joined by Treasure Fingers, alongside special guests, Theophilus London and Jack Beats. →

A Myspace Exclusive of Passion Pit Live Recordings
Check out MySpace Music’s latest Transmissions session featuring Cambridge-based electro pop band Passion Pit. Since first emerging onto the music scene in late 2007, Passion Pit has been met with support and encouragement from the MySpace Music community and has received consistent exposure on the site through featured artist promotions, the exclusive premiere of their debut album Manners and even a special segment in the launch episode of the MySpace Music Feed, the company’s weekly news program. →

Skylights Books Presents the Sweaters
Skylight Books – Los Feliz, CA
7/31/09
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Come down and see Sweaters rocking a different kind of set with new songs at Skylight Books in Los Feliz. Come early and buy Sweaters’ favorite books at an incredible discount and make an ass out of yourself discussing Didion and Kenzaburo Oe.

Also Featuring Aisling + Arlo at 9:30!!!

Big City Forum and Evil Monito present – Mas Entradas!
Evil Monito HQ – Echo Park, CA
8/18/09
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An event featuring Shizu Saldamando, Gary Garay, and Josh Kun in a conversation focused on issues of cultural identity and narrative, and the complex interplay of authenticity, fluidity, and cultural crossover. The event, moderated by Kun, will feature Saldamando’s painting and drawing series and Garay’s mixed media and DJ projects, highlighting significant concepts in each participant’s body of work. →

In 1974, a hot-headed 19 year old named Michael Peterson decided he wanted to make a name for himself and so, with a homemade sawn-off shotgun and a head full of dreams he attempted to rob a post office. Swiftly apprehended and originally sentenced to 7 years in jail, Peterson has subsequently been behind bars for 34 years, 30 of which have been spent in solitary confinement. During that time, Michael Petersen, the boy, faded away and ‘Charles Bronson,’ his superstar alter ego, took center stage… →

Steeped in the titular color imagery of the deep South, the Builders and Butchers stake out the less-tread path in the indie-rock arena.  This time they took on an epic cinematic approach to their single, “Golden and Green,” utilizing bold narrative sequences and period costuming that bespeak of dust-covered wagons and bowlegged men borne from out of a saddle.  They’ve even resurrected the Vivian Girls!  All in good taste of course, and quite aligned to the strong Southern aesthetic of their latest offering, Salvation is Deep Dark Well.  →

Keep’s Sizzlin’ Summer Sample Sale
Chinatown HQ – Los Angeles, CA
7/31/09 – 8/1/09
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For those of you enduring the summer heatwave in Los Angeles, will gladly find some respite from the baked asphalt and concrete at Keep Company’s sample sale this weekend!  We’re talking amazingly hot deals and even hotter footwear with a smart and unique street aesthetic fitting for the fashionable guy or girl.  As the recession brings the prices down, it also makes us better informed consumers; so for those of you who truly knows what’s up, don’t sleep on this sale!  Its happening this Friday and Saturday only, so be there early to beat the crowds! →

The Maestro Release Party
La Cita – Los Angeles, CA
7/30/09
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Obey Giant x MFG present Dance Right, an evening of music and celebration of DJ Troublemaker’s solo debut The Maestro. With DJ Klaw (Denver), J-Logic (Soundlessons) and special guests.

21+ | 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. | RSVP: www.danceright.net

LOCATION:
La Cita
336 South Hill Street
(between 3rd and 4th) →