Punk  Thursdays in February at The Cinefamily Theatre!

It’s tough to imagine now, when viewed through the meat grinder of 21st-century perspective, but when punk first came into being, it scared the living s… out of people. Its raw power, obstinate attitude and three-chord rhumba formed a sharp slap heard ’round the world, and just as soon as it was codified, it splintered into a thousand different scenes and subcultures–all with their own influences, wants and needs. →

Drop-in Distraction, Ball-Nogues Studio, 2009
Photo credit - Joshua White

Benjamin Ball & Gaston Nogues
Ball-Nogues Studio- Los Angeles, CA
02/04/10

Artists and architects Benjamin Ball and Gaston Nogues of Ball-Nogues Studio created a suspended sculpture, Drop-in Distraction, for the Southwest Building and Safety Permit Office lobby where engineers, architects and contractors, among others, apply for construction permits.  Drop-in Distraction expresses the artists’ desire to blur art and architecture. Composed of over one thousand individual nickel and brass plated bead chains hanging from custom-made aluminum ceiling panels, the work exemplifies the artists’ experimental and inventive approach to sculpture. →

Over the last year, more than 20 of American music’s most exciting artists traveled to Preservation Hall in New Orleans to collaborate with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band on classic New Orleans repertoire.  The end result is a timeless and joyous celebration of New Orleans music. The mission of Preservation Hall, to showcase and nurture one of America’s greatest indigenous national, cultural treasures – New Orleans Jazz – is as important today as it was when Preservation Hall officially opened it’s doors in 1961.

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Toro Y Moi is from Columbia, South Carolina, where his parents–two former New Yorkers who took in the cultural influences of the seventies and eighties–decided to settle and raise their family. One can hear the musical influences in Toro Y Moi’s music. The bouncy synths, funky guitars and R&B production may be culled from his parents’ records, while his psychedelic sounds and vocal harmonies sound closer to contemporaries like Animal Collective. In this video for “Blessa,” the 23-year-old Chaz Bundwick (Toro Y Moi) sings hazily at a party in this chilled-out track from his forthcoming Causers of This record. →

Paste Magazine brings together musicians of all backgrounds for the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. “Songs for Haiti” features the music of Ludacris, Hansen, Of Montreal, Andrew Bird, Low Anthem and more. Given the over 200 musicians on the compilation, it’s more than likely that donors will find some music to their liking. All donations made to Paste will be divided equally →

Lola: Ipsum Factum
Corey Helford Gallery – Culver City, CA
3/27/10 to 4/14/10

This March Los Angeles artist Lola unveils her magic at Corey Helford Gallery with a new collection of works entitled “Ipsum Factum.” Lola’s second solo exhibition at the gallery is her most highly anticipated to date. Through the artist’s unique process of visual storytelling, Lola explores catalysts for new beginnings as well as the forward momentum of positive change to be the best that one can be. Lola’s enchanting mini-vignettes blossom from the vibrant challenge of discovering newness and liberation of finding one’s authentic voice. →

The Bloggomist: The Local Boy
Fashion Opinion

Yuki Matsuda has a look about him.  He has a disarmingly gentle smile that only disappears when engrossed in particularly passionate topics.  His long black hair bears wisps of grey, neatly tied back in a short pony tail.  His arms are crossed across a crisp button down that looks comfortable and well-worn.  But it’s his eyes that bear the unmistakable mark–a look of genuine satisfaction that can be neither feigned nor manufactured.   →

After a precipitous rise in popularity last year, Brooklyn’s Xylos is set to release their debut L.P. Tropical rhythms and boy-girl melodies make up the band’s recognizable sound thus far, although they’re just as inspired by Fleetwood Mac as they are to Swedish pop group Abba, making their music rather unpredictable and surprising. In this Q&A, founding member and lyricist Eric Zeiler talks about living in Brooklyn, some lessons learned as a band and the suggestive power of cover design. →

Youth lifestyle brand Hurley is championing the underground through its clothing collaborations, Hurley Art editorial brand, and gallery shows, demonstrating its long-running commitment to outsider and cutting edge art.

In August 2009, the artist DALEK created a giant mural for Hurley’s 225 Forest store in Laguna Beach. In December, he created an all-new mural for the space. In November, graffiti artist PUSH painted a mural in Hurley’s new store in Irvine. Full time at Hurley are artist Jason Maloney (who handles artist outreach and whose own work can be seen in many new Hurley stores), and Adrian Nyman, →

I never thought in my wildest dreams I would live to see this. Adidas and Darth Vader, two unacquainted parties have now come together and joined forces and in the year 2010, Adidas Originals and Star Wars ™ is collaborating for the first time to bring you the hottest collection of sneakers and apparel which was inspired by the characters and crafts we’ve all grown to love. C’mon, you know you have a lightsaber or two still lying around in your closet somewhere. Those crazy epiphanic moments and beloved figures from the Star Wars saga are captured by the collection of Adidas Originals footwear and apparel so now you can be  Luke or Vader in →