Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945 – 1980
Various Locations – Greater Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs
October 2011 to March 2012

This upcoming fall and winter are the first in which the regional arts community, from San Diego to Santa Barbara, is working together to showcase the history of art in California. If you’re not familiar with Pacific Standard Time, it’s a six month-long series of exhibitions demonstrating the wide breadth of California artists from the post-war period to now. There’s no prevailing narrative in the series, just as there’s no geographical center to the region. The series sweeps across the full range of artists working from different regional, ethnic and conceptual backgrounds. →

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Grover Washington, Jr. – “Mister Magic” (mp3)

Each week I rip a song from vinyl and post it up here. This week’s song is “Mister Magic” by Grover Washington, Jr.

We all seek happiness. Books and thinkers ruminate on what brings us joy, whether it be the yearly 100K salary, falling in love or spiritual nirvana.  Ideas like moderation, freedom and faith have offered philosophical solutions; self-help books recommend eliminating clutter, meditation and a focus on positivity. The TV documentary, Laughology (directed by Albert Nerenberg), suggests that laughter may be one of the key factors. →

The Stepkids Preview w/ The Horrors
El Rey Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
9/15/11

A Connecticut three-piece, The Stepkids, are bringing their own brand of futuristic soul and funk to Los Angeles this next week as they play with the Horrors in their extensive North American tour. →

Iconic Teenage Rebellion at Cinespia
Hollywood Forever Cemetery – LA, CA
9/10/11

James Dean’s electrifying performance is the embodiment of the teenage rebel. Sometimes cool, sometimes searing, Dean’s compelling talent blazes across the screen. A rebellious young man with a troubled past comes to a new town, and must prove himself to his enemies, his friends and the most beautiful girl in town.A stunning Natalie Wood shines as the rebelette, equally misunderstood by the parents in town. Dean didn’t live to see Rebel open in theaters, but his impact and image resonate today more than ever. One of only three films he ever made, this performance forever catalyzed him as one of the most talented stars the world has ever known.  →

Dublab + LACMA Muse til’ Midnight present Listen to Art
LACMA – Los Angeles, CA
9/10/11

On 09.10.11 radio collective dublab turns LACMA into a sonic adventure with this exclusive, after-hours event. Tour the museum’s galleries with a tailor-made soundtrack, with performances and interactive projects along the way. Then check out an exploration of sound, both amplified and silent, in front of LACMA’s iconic Urban Light sculpture. This event is curated by dublab and presented by LACMA Muse, the museum’s premier group for young art patrons. →

Cinefamily and Cinespia continue their France Goes POP! series with Serge Gainsbourg
Cinefamily at the Silent Movie Theatre – Los Angeles, Ca
9/2/11

Coinciding the release of Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life and the Serge Gainsbourg Tribute concert last Sunday (curated by none other than Beck), it seems that this past week had to do with all things Serge with the addition of the Stateside release of Gainsbourg And His Girls brought to us by the good folks at Cinefamily. →

Art is subjective by nature, resonating with its admirers on a personal level. Scott Campbell’s art style masters this. Detailed brush strokes contrast with endearingly simple designs, giving his work a nostalgic feel. Scott’s vast and varied body of work includes art direction on popular games such as Psychonauts and Brutal Legend, Double Fine Action Comics, illustration work on the recently released children’s book Zombie In Love, and artwork that has appeared in exhibitions worldwide. His upcoming book is a monograph, Amazing Everything: The Art Of Scott C., which collects some of his finest work. →

Photo by Abe Ahn

I can’t believe this amazing act flew under my radar until I caught them at FYF Fest. They were happy to oblige Evil Monito with an on-site Q&A, which you can check out below. It was definitely an electrifying show. The extent of frontman Samuel T. Herring’s charisma did not occur to me until the set began and he demonstrated a physically demanding repartee of movements and gyrations that drew in any cursory glance. In conjunction with Gerrit Welmer’s synth beats and samples and Will Cashion’s bass lines, they laid it down with amazing force. →

FYF Fest – LA State Historic Park
Live Review: 9/3/11

This year’s FYF Fest managed to take care of the logistical nightmares of festivals past. More food vendors, ample water, accessible shade and prompt set times appeased the almost sold-out crowd at LA’s State Historic Park. Putting together a lineup of seminal punk and indie rock bands, FYF also pulled off one of the summer’s most affordable and memorable music festivals. EM writers Solomon Sloan and Abe Ahn covered several of this year’s acts, including local newcomers Touché Amoré, Elephant 6 legends the Olivia Tremor Control and the reunited Death From Above 1979. →