“WATER: OUR THIRSTY WORLD” Photographic Exhibition
Annenberg Space for Photography – Los Angeles, CA
3/27 to 6/13/10

People accurately surmised that many of the modern-day conflicts would take place over oil.  However, few really speculate on the likelihood of future world wars being fought over fresh water.  A limited resource that Californians generally take for granted as the drought periods lengthen in the stolid face of global warming.  “WATER: OUR THIRSTY WORLD” is an exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography, organized in partnership with National Geographic Magazine. →

Winner of the Cannes Special Jury Prize, NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT PERSIAN CATS is a film about Tehran’s underground indie music scene and while the political themes of the film are engaging, eye-opening and supremely important the overarching theme of the film is the shared love of rock & roll music. →

Inspired by the Minutemen song, Evil Monito’s “Tour Spiel” highlights the musician’s life on the road. Each week, we’ll check in with some of our favorite artists touring stateside or abroad. We’ll provide an intimate look into what it’s like to be packed in a van or waiting for a flight with the same people for hours on end. It takes a certain state of mind to survive any lengthy tour. Yet it’s the memorable experiences that make life on the road ultimately rewarding, if not interesting. This week we highlight the band, Editors, the Birmingham rockers who are currently playing to sold-out shows across the world. They confide in their affinity for greasy diner food and 10-pin bowling as they open for some of the greatest bands today in vast rock arenas. →

Photo Credit: Piper Ferguson

Inspired by the Minutemen song, Evil Monito’s “Tour Spiel” highlights the musician’s life on the road. Each week, we’ll check in with some of our favorite artists touring stateside or abroad. We’ll provide an intimate look into what it’s like to be packed in a van or waiting for a flight with the same people for hours on end. It takes a certain state of mind to survive any lengthy tour. Yet it’s the memorable experiences that makes touring ultimately rewarding, if not interesting. This week we highlight romantic troubadours, The 88, who had their share of ups and downs.  Whether it be experiencing a spiritual moment with Pink Floyd or a rowdy bar brawl during their set, life on the road for these guys is anything but predictable. →

Photo Credit: Ian Witlen

Inspired by the Minutemen song, Evil Monito’s “Tour Spiel” highlights the musician’s life on the road. Each week, we’ll check in with some of our favorite artists touring stateside or abroad. We’ll provide an intimate look into what it’s like to be packed in a van or waiting for a flight with the same people for hours on end. It takes a certain state of mind to survive any lengthy tour. Yet it’s the memorable experiences that make life on the road ultimately rewarding, if not interesting. This week we highlight the charming band, Surfer Blood who profess their adoration of SF culture and divulge in a music playlist that keeps them from nodding off while driving. →

“This Is Where We Live” by 4th Estate
Any distraction is welcome during this show-stopping storm that weather forecasters have mentioned could rival El Nino’s torrential onslaught in ‘98.  Thus in my quest to kill time, I’ve found this painstakingly detailed stop-mo animation by the ridiculously talented 4th Estate Publishers.  It is interesting to note that they’ve constructed everything themselves by hand.  A wondrous effort that hearkens the pre-CG glory days of my childhood hero, Jim Henson, Gumby, and even further back to the myriad of hand-made endeavors by gifted Russian animators. →

Inspired by the Minutemen song, Evil Monito’s “Tour Spiel” highlights the musician’s life on the road. Each week, we’ll check in with some of our favorite artists touring stateside or abroad. We’ll provide an intimate look into what it’s like to be packed in a van or waiting for a flight with the same people for hours on end. It takes a certain state of mind to survive any lengthy tour. Yet it’s the memorable experiences that make life on the road ultimately rewarding, if not interesting. This week we highlight the Khmer psych band, Dengue Fever who braved a strange cult commune in Sedona and food poisoning in Cambodia in their quest to bring a unique brand of rock to the world music circuit. →

Nao Bustamante’s “Filmformance”
Sundance Festival -
Park City, Utah
1/24/10

Filmmaker and performance artist Nao Bustamante returns to Sundance with a deliciously outrageous and ambitious new work; her short film Untitled #1 (from the series Earth People 2507), starring her toy poodle as a herd of buffalo, appeared at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

Silver & Gold combines film, live performance, and original costumes into a self-proclaimed “filmformance” that evokes the muse of legendary filmmaker Jack Smith →

Mikal Hameed’s First SF Art Exhibition
Medicine Agency – San Francisco, CA
1/8/10

Medicine Agency is proud to bring the breakthrough artist, Mikal Hameed,  his first show in San Francisco.  Join him tonight, January 8th, for a night of fun, art, sounds, friends, and an interactive audio experience!  Mikal creates original large-scale sound sculptures and mixed media sound paintings using a combination of reclaimed mid-century modern furniture and vintage electronics.  His sound baths are aesthetically pleasing to both the eyes and ears! →

Bring in the New Year with LA’s Reggae Soul Revivalists
Commonwealth Lounge – Fullerton, CA
1/7/10

With bold aspirations of bringing dusty reggae soul back to the LA music scene, the Lions (Ubiquity Records) have successfully championed a sound that is as much their own as it is a nod to the past.  Receiving critical acclaim for their cool aesthetic, tight musicianship and crackling funk; they’ve earned a coveted place in the underground scene. →