Mia Doi Todd, Mauricio Tanaka + Friends
Bootleg Theater – Silverlake, CA
3/21/10

The winsome singer/songwriter, Mia Doi Todd blazes a strong trail of self-assured folk with her latest album GEA.  Now the L.A.-based musician will be playing with the amazing Mauricio Takara and friends from Sao Paulo, Brazil and the Rebekah Raff Harp Ensemble!  They’ll be playing the Bootleg located in the Silverlake/Downtown LA region.  Please check it out if you’re in the neighborhood!

LOCATION:
Bootleg Theater
2220 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA  90057

***
http://www.miadoitodd.com/inner.html

“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.

The exhibit is based on and will coincide with the release of the April 2010 single-topic issue of National Geographic on the precarious state of the world’s fresh water. “WATER: OUR THIRSTY WORLD” will present imagery by a selection of National Geographic photographers examining the local and global challenges of our planet’s dwindling fresh water resources. This event will also offer the first look at the high-resolution digital programming of the exhibit: in-depth interviews with National Geographic photographers and editors, a behind the scenes peek at what it takes to produce National Geographic Magazine , and a program on NASA’s recent moon mission in search of water.

Artists featured in the exhibit: Jonas Bendiksen, Edward Burtynsky, Lynn Johnson, Paolo Pellegrin, Joel Sartore and John Stanmeyer.

LOCATION:
Annenberg Space for Photography
2000 Avenue of the Stars
Century City, CA 90067

***
http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/

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.

***
Check out the site for film screenings in your area: http://www.ifcfilms.com/videos/no-one-knows-about-persian-cats

EM’s film review of No One Knows About Persian Cats

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.

EM: What is your favorite song to play live? And why?
The Editors – “Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool”

The best song in our set at the moment, is off our new record and is called ‘Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool’. Its our interpretation of a twisted pop song, and seems to be making the crowds move the most during our recent gigs!

EM: What city did you most enjoy playing on tour?

I’m a big fan of San Francisco and have played in some truly brilliant venues with a magnificent history – such as the Fillmore, where if you sell out a show, they create these great one off posters for you. I have ours hanging in my house, it’s got a huge spider on it.

EM: What was the strangest town you’ve played in?

We pled in a town in Kentucky a few years ago, Covington I think it was called, and that was a generally a strange day. Tom and I went into a local themed chicken restaurant, and the girl on the till got all giggly and asked for our autographs. It was not because she knew of our band though, but because we had English accents.

EM: What kind of vehicle do you tour in?

A bus.

EM: Who was your favorite band to play on tour with?

We played with REM on our first support tour for years, and it was so different to doing our own shows. We only played for 40-minutes in these great big stadiums with lovely backstage and catering, then watched one of the greatest rock bands in history do their thing whilst slowly turning ourselves drunk.

EM: What obscure band did you recently “discover” while on tour?

A band called Big Scary from Melbourne, Australia. They played some great Smashing Pumpkins-esque melodies over these dirty, dirty rock n’ roll tunes.

Photography by Anne Struther

EM: What is your favorite venue to play in?

Brixton Academy in South London is the greatest rock venue in the world that I have seen. The room can feel as intimate or as vast as you would like it to, depending on the mood of the music, and it looks spectacular when you walk out onto its big old stage.

EM: While on tour, what is the band’s consensus as the favorite spot to eat?  Where is it located?

Well, everyone is partial to a bit of grilled chicken, spicy rice and sweetcorn – so it isn’t classy, or too healthy, but we love a bit of Nando’s.

EM: On nights off in-between shows, how do you like to occupy your time?

We enjoy 10 pin bowling, so at some point on the upcoming tour we will challenge the touring party to some competition. It should be a healthy night off, but we always end up drinking too much and feeling less than fresh in the morning. Couple that with our limbs aching like we have been in a fight, it makes the following day rather more difficult than it should be.

EM: If you or the band had to agree on one “must-read” book for the long trip, what would it be?

I am terrible at keeping my nose in a book, so the other guys don’t ever bother telling me what they are reading.

EM: What is the most interesting thing you’ve found or bought while on tour?

When we were just out in Australia, and someone threw this brand new Aussie rules football on stage. I squeezed it into my bag and brought it home with me, as I’ve wanted one since I was at school when I used to watch crappy Australian teen dramas – all the cool kids used to play with the bright red oval ball.

EM: What are some of the best records to listen to on the road?

I like a bit of rock personally. And I’m never far away from putting on a Deftones record, but as a group, we can rarely beat a bit of Talking Heads.
(Picture to right is the Talking Heads album, More Songs About Buildings and Food)

EM: What’s the most unique piece of equipment on your tour?

Chris uses a Suzuki Omnichord on one of our tracks. That usually has some people in the crowds scratching their heads as to what the funny kidney shaped, beautiful sounding bit of kit that he is stroking with his fingertips.

EM: What comfort items are a “must” when embarking on a long tour?

I just got some awesome slippers. They are like fluffy bear booties, and they will be joining me everywhere until they fall to pieces. There is not much better a feeling, than playing a sold out show, having a steaming shower and getting into your comfys with a glass of wine on the tour bus.

EM: What is the hardest thing about being on the road?

It has been said a million times before, but being so far away from loved ones is really the hardest thing. That, and watching football.

EM: What’s one amazing location that you fantasize about playing live?

I cant believe we have been right around the world on a number of occasions and not even stepped foot in South America. I would love to experience the passion of Sao Paulo or Buenos Aires. Playing on a tropical Island doesn’t really appeal – the crowd would be way too relaxed for our music.

***
http://www.editorsofficial.com/

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.

EM: What is your favorite song to play live? And why?
The 88 – “This Must Be Love”

One of my personal favorite songs to play live is “This Must Be Love” which is on our last
record.  I like that one because it’s different every time we play it.  It’s always very loose, it has
great harmonies, and the choruses are very dynamic.

EM: What city did you most enjoy playing on tour? And why was it memorable?

One of the most memorable shows we played was at The Opera House in Toronto with Matt
Costa.  It was our first time playing in Toronto, but the crowd was incredibly responsive and
everyone was just having a great time. That show was a lot of fun.

EM: What was the strangest experience, while playing on the road?

We were in the middle of playing “Coming Home” and a bar fight broke out.  People were
getting pushed up against the stage and punches were being thrown.  It was very surreal,
especially during that song.

The 88 & Kate Pierson of The B52’s (11/16/08 at Club Nokia – LA, CA)

EM: What kind of vehicle do you tour in?

We have a 15 passenger Dodge Van.  We make sure it gets all its tune-ups and oil changes when
needed, and so far it’s been great!  We’ve seen a lot of beautiful places and had many laughs in
that vehicle.

EM: Who was your favorite band to play on tour with?

We’ve been lucky to play with a lot of great bands.  One of my favorite memories was when we
were asked to open for Elliott Smith at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa, CA.  At the end of his set,
he invited us on stage with him to play, “Can’t Make A Sound” which was a dream come true.
He had a big smile on his face when we were playing that I will always remember.

EM: What obscure band did you recently “discover” while on tour?

In September, we played a Tuesday night residency at Spaceland in Silverlake, CA.  A friend
recommended that we invite Daniel Brummel to play on one of the nights.  His set was one of
the best live performances I have ever seen.  He is an incredible guitar player, and I highly
recommend everyone to check him out.

EM: What is your favorite venue to play in? And why was it a great experience?

Last Spring, we toured with the B-52s, and all the venues that we played were amazing.  One
that stood out in particular was the St. George Theatre in Staten Island, NY.  The way that the
theatre was designed and decorated was unlike anything I’ve ever seen.  Every inch of that place
is so beautiful.

EM: While on tour, what is the band’s consensus as the favorite spot to eat?

We definitely have a few favorites, but one of them is called Adrift which is in Anacortes,
Washington.  I’m the only vegetarian in the band, and they have a great selection there for me,
but the other guys in the band say that this place has one of the best burgers they’ve ever had.

EM: On nights off in-between shows, how do you like to occupy your time?

When we have free time, we like to visit the local record and book stores.  It’s always fun to
walk around, explore the town, and find good places to eat.

EM: If you or the band had to agree on one “must-read” book for the long trip, what would
it be? And why?

Curious George, because he’s everyone’s favorite monkey.

EM: What is the most interesting thing you’ve found or bought while on tour?

It’s not easy to find a toy squirrel on the road, but one day while walking around in Lawrence
Kansas, I had a feeling that this one store I was standing outside of would have one.  Sure
enough, they did.  I purchased it, and for four years Anthony the Squirrel has been velcro’d to
our dashboard ever since.

EM: What are some of the best records to listen to on the road?

I’ll never forget driving through Texas listening to Dark Side Of The Moon at night during a
crazy lighting and rain storm.  Before sunset, the world turned a dark yellow, light orange tint.  It
was like driving on a different planet with lightning every few seconds.  It was definitely the
right moment to put on that record.

EM: What’s the most unique piece of equipment on your tour?

We have a handheld recorder made by Edirol that is one of the best things we have ever
purchased.  We record all of our rehearsals and some shows with it.  It captures a great sound and
the songs are extremely easy to import onto your computer.

EM: What comfort items are a “must” when embarking on a long tour?

I can’t imagine leaving home without our iPods.  The music we listen to really makes traveling a
lot of fun.  I always take my video camera and document as much as I can.

EM: What is the hardest thing about being on the road?

The nights when we get to bed really late, but then have to wake up early the next morning are
always a little difficult.  But once everyone has had their coffee, everything is fine.

EM: What’s one amazing location that you fantasize about playing live?

There’s so many places I’d like to see.  I’d love to go to Japan or Australia.  I’m looking forward
to going to the UK this Spring.  This will be our first time there, and I’m excited about that.

***
http://www.the88.net/

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.

EM: What is your favorite song to play live? And why?
Surfer Blood “Floating Vibes”

‘Floating Vibes’ is my favorite live Surfer Blood song, maybe because we have consistently opened with it.  I’ve started to associate it with that initial rush of adrenaline you get at the very beginning of your set when the lights come on.  Its also the first song on Astro Coast and I consider it some of our best work.

EM: What city did you most enjoy playing on tour? And why was it memorable?

San Francisco was amazing, we stayed with some old friends who took us around to the Mission District,  Grand Central Park and a ton of other cool spots.  It was my first time spending any real time on the west coast and I fell in love with Northern California.  It has so many hills, at any given moment you can be looking out over the entire city and it feels really magical, especially at night.

Photo Credit: Ian Witlen

EM: What was the strangest town you’ve played in?

That was probably Bellingham Washington; we played in a bar called Cap’s and everyone was eating dinner while we played.  It was so weird, it seemed like they didn’t even realize a band was playing, no one clapped between songs, no one was even looking at us.  By the end of the set I was lashing out for attention, I started climbing on tables and taking handfuls of people’s food.  It felt like no one there had ever seen someone from outside their own town before.

EM: What kind of vehicle do you tour in?

A 2005 Dodge Conversion band with a trailer behind it.  It’s actually kind of luxurious.

EM: Who was your favorite band to play on tour with? And why?

Japandroids and Art Brut were both awesome sets of dudes, it would be too hard to pick a favorite.  We had a lot of fun with both of them.

EM: What obscure band did you recently “discover” while on tour?

I had never heard Titus Andronicus before our last tour.  I don’t know, maybe I was living under a rock, their album has been out since 2008, but they are a really cool band that I had never heard of before.  Their song ’Your Life is Over’ is simultaneously the funniest and saddest song I’ve ever heard.

EM: What is your favorite venue to play in? And why was it a great experience?

Club Sandwich in Lake Worth is my favorite venue, it’s an awesome warehouse space that can maybe hold fifty people.  We used to use it as a practice space before someone we were sharing it with stole a lot of our equipment (we found it at a pawn shop later).  After that we moved out in a hurry; our friends moved in and the guy who stole our stuff went to rehab, after that they started using the space as a place to have shows.  Its really small and intimate; extremely intimate.  Its my favorite place to watch a band for the first time.

Image Courtesy of Swell Vegan

EM: While on tour, what is the band’s consensus as the favorite spot to eat?

Ecopolitan in Minneapolis.  Some of the members of Surfer Blood are vegetarian/vegan and the rest of us try and eat healthy when we can.  Tom (our guitarist) is on a mostly raw diet, so this place is perfect for him, they grow all of their food on site and everything there is vegan friendly and delicious.

EM: On nights off in-between shows, how do you like to occupy your time?

Usually just wandering around a city and hopping in and out of bars.  When we were in Pittsburgh we found a dollar movie theater just outside of town, we were all broke so it was great.  We saw ’The Hangover’ and I walked out two-thirds of the way through.  We were the only non–retired people in the theater.

EM: If you or the band had to agree on one “must-read” book for the long trip, what would it be?

Thomas got me into Haruki Murakami, he read The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle on our last tour and I just started reading Norwegian Wood. I think tour (or any time) is the perfect time for a coming of age novel.

EM: What is the most interesting thing you’ve found or bought while on tour?

I bought a trapper hat on Canal Street in New York.  I thought that was pretty cool.

EM: What are some of the best records to listen to on the road?

Here are a few:

Grooms – Rejoicer: We listened to this record pretty much non-stop.  We played a show with them at CMJ and we were all totally blown away by how incredible they were.

Girls – Album: I can see why everyone is talking about this band, Christopher Owen is a really good songwriter.

The Smiths – The Queen is Dead : I usually listen to this record at least once whenever we have to drive through the night.

Holiday Shores – Columbus’d the Whim: This album has some really solid songs, my favorites are ‘Reruns,’ ‘Phones Don’t Feud,’ and ‘Bradley Bear.’

The Zombies - Greatest Hits: I have a real weakness for the pop music of the early sixties, The Zombies are one of my favorites.

Dinosaur Jr. – You’re Living All Over Me: One of my all-time favorites!

EM: What’s the most unique piece of equipment on your tour?

Probably this crazy Moog synthesizer we picked up at a small music store in Minneapolis.  It only has three controls, but it sounds pretty awesome when you start tweaking the cutoff filter.

EM: What comfort items are a “must” when embarking on a long tour?

Pillows.

EM: What is the hardest thing about being on the road?

I’d say waking up early after a long night, we had some pretty grueling drives on our last tour (some as much as twelve hours) and we’d have to wake up around six in the morning to get started.  I had to take on some of those early morning drives and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without gulping coffee the entire time.  It’s also tough being cut off from the rest of the world.  I finally got a phone that has internet now, maybe that won’t be such a problem anymore.

***
http://www.myspace.com/surferblood

SURFER BLOOD UPCOMING TOUR DATES
01-25 St. Augustine, FL – Cafe Eleven &
01-26 Orlando FL – Backbooth &
01-27 West Palm Beach, FL – Respectable Street Cafe &
02-03 London – Hoxton Bar and Kitchen
02-04 Kingston – Hippodrome
02-05 London – KOKO
02-09 London – Scala
02-16 Orlando, FL  – Backbooth  %
02-17 Deland, FL – DaVinci %
02-18 Tallahassee, FL – Engine Room %
02-19 Atlanta, GA – Drunken Unicorn %
02-20 Nashville , TN – The End  %
02-22  Charlotte, NC – Snug Harbor – %
02-23 Morgantown, WV -123 Pleasant Street %
02-24  Washington DC – Dc 9 %
02-26 Hanover, NH – Dartmouth College  !
03-01 Philadelphia, PA – The Barbary *
03-02 Allston, MA  – Great Scott *
03-03 Providence, RI  – AS220 *
03-05 Montreal – Il Motore *
03-06 Toronto – Sneaky Dees *
03-07 Geneseo, NY – Suny Geneseo College *
03-08 Meadville, PA – Allegheny *
03-09 Detroit MI – Magic Stick  *
03-11 Bloomington, IN – the Bishop  *
03-12 Columbia, MO – Mojos *
03-13 Lawrence, KS – Replay Lounge  *
03-14 Oklahoma City – The Conservatory *
03-17 Austin, TX – SXSW
03-18 Austin, TX – SXSW
03-19 Austin, TX – SXSW
03-20 Austin, TX – Mohawk  [ Panache Booking SXSW Showcase ] *!

* w/ Turbo Fruits
^ w/ Holiday Shores
& w/ Monotonix
# w/ Drums
! w/ Small Black
% w/ Turbo Fruits & Holiday Shores

“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.

EM: What is your favorite song to play live? And why?
Dengue Fever – “One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula”

“One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula” is one of my favorite live songs to play because it’s always slightly different and there is room to improvise.   I like driving the organ tone with a little delay while [David] Ralicke freaks out on one of his horns.  When the groove kicks in it reminds me of some Hendrix rhythm section.  The lyrics are heavy, based on a Khmer Rouge horror story about a Cambodian female singer who was forced to strip naked and sing in circles under the hot sun until she dropped.  The singer was from Battambang, Cambodia, where Chhom Nimol came from.

EM: What city did you most enjoy while on tour? And why was it memorable?

Istanbul. Half of the city is in Europe and the other half is in Asia.  It was the first time I’d ever bought fresh squeezed pomegranate juice off the street.   There were street cats everywhere, roaming around the city brushing up against my legs.  Cobble stone alleys full of musical instrument shops and good Turkish music blaring out of the houses.

EM: What are some of the strangest towns you’ve played in? And why?

Sedona, Arizona.  It was a weird cult that booked us.  They slaughtered a goat for dinner.  I understand that there are vortexes there, and it is a beautiful place, but this was just a little creepy.  We had to secretly drink our whiskey in the van.  On each bunk bed a book of their beliefs was placed next to the pillow.  The only people at our show were members of the cult.  They all did the high ponytail hacky sack dance with a strange look in their eyes.  I don’t know, maybe I’m just an asshole from LA?

EM: What kind of vehicle do you tour in?

In the states we usually rent a Dodge Sprinter.  In Europe we usually fly around and hop trains, and buses depending on where we are.  In Cambodia we ride scooters.

EM: Who have been your favorite bands to play on tour with? And why?

Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80.  It’s Fela’s original band and they kill it live.  I also like touring with Chicha Libre, and Jonathan Richman because you don’t have to worry about wearing earplugs and they sound so good.

Dengue Fever European Tour.  Photo Credit: Joel Searles.

EM: What is your favorite venue to play in? And why was it a great experience?

Slims in San Francisco is always nice.  It’s got the coolest stage, with levels, you feel like you’re in Sinatra’s band or something.

EM: While on tour, what is the band’s consensus as the favorite spot to eat?  Where is it located?

In the states we usually go for Thai food, in London it’s Indian or a kabob.  In Norway we fast because it is so damn expensive.   If its fast food I like Panda Express or El Pollo Loco.

EM:  What’s the worst spot you’ve eaten at?

Two spots come to mind.  I had some chicken sushi at a Chinese restaurant called Lin Bo in upstate New York.   The other was a plate of Crab fried rice I mistakenly ordered in Cambodia.  We were hours from the ocean and the crab was off.  It nearly killed me.

EM: On nights off in-between shows, how do you occupy your time?

It just depends what part of the world you are in.  On a day off in New Zealand, the entire band went surfing.  In Oslo we checked out the Vigeland Sculpture gardens and the Contiki museum.  Usually we are pretty busy on tour always trying to make it to sound check.

EM: If you or the band had to agree on one “must-read” book for the long trip, what would it be? And why?

For me it would be the novella, Switch Bitch, by Roald Dahl.

EM: What is the most interesting thing you’ve found or bought while on tour?

I bought this neat silver ring from Mali that has a scribing on it meant to protect the bearer.

EM: What are some of the best records to listen to on the road? And why?

Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, Ratatat’s LP3, Chico Sonido and Charlie Wadhams.  But more than that, I like listening to Coast to Coast AM radio on long late night drives.

EM: What’s the most unique piece of equipment/instrument on your tour?

Chhom Nimol.

EM: What comfort items are a “must” when embarking on a long tour?

Ear plugs and an eye pillow.  A laptop.

EM: What’s one amazing location that you fantasize about playing live?

We want to do a west coast tour using a blimp.  We’d like to record in outer space.  I wouldn’t mind playing a show in Madagascar.

EM: What is the hardest thing about being on the road?

Public restrooms.  Being with the same people for weeks on end.  Having a thousand mile drive in the snow.

EM: What is the best thing about being on the road?

Getting to see the world and playing music.

***
http://www.facebook.com/DengueFever

http://www.myspace.com/denguefevermusic

Nao Bustamante’s “Filmformance”

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 and his tribute to 1940s’ Dominican movie starlet Maria Montez in a magical and joyfully twisted exploration of race, glamour, sexuality, and the silver screen.  Featuring Daniel Eduvijes Carrera as the “Shadow Dancer”

Showtimes:
Sunday, January 24, 6:30pm
Tuesday, January 26, 6:30pm
Thursday, January 28, 6:30pm

LOCATION:
New Frontier on Main
333 Main St. (lower level)
**Free and open to all Festival Credential Holders and the general public as space permits.**

***
http://www.naobustamante.com

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!

Based in Brookly, NY, Mikal’s sound sculptures recently received worldwide acclaim by top taste-makers Juztapoz, Hypebeast, Slamxhype and many more.  Attendees are encouraged to bring their MP3 players & even vinyl in order to get the full experience of his work.  Drop by the gallery today from 7 to 10 pm.

LOCATION:
Medicine Agency
1262 Mason Street
San Francisco CA 94108

Eames Sound Sculpture

***
mikalhameed.com/

medicineagency.com/

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.

On Thursday, January 7th, the band along with their special friends will be playing live at the Commonwealth Lounge.  The set will feature Deston Berry (of Hepcat/Ocean 11), Malik Moore (of Hepcat/Ocean 11), Alex Desert (of Hepcat), Black Shakespeare and all-star cast of tight musicians.

Resident DJs: Jameson (Beat Ventriloquists),  Deejay Cocoe (of Abstract Workshop/Ubiquity Records) and Bobby Soul (Boogaloo Assassins/Soul Hustlers) will be spinning some musical segues between sets.  Don’t miss out!

9PM-2AM / 2 SETS / 21 & over
CRAFT BEERS / FINE WINES / $5 LATE NIGHT MENU

limited capacity / early arrival suggested
$5 door cover / no advance tickets

LOCATION:
COMMONWEALTH LOUNGE & GRILL
112 Commonwealth Avenue
Fullerton, CA  92832
Reservations: 714.525.8888

***
For more info, visit:
www.commonwealthlounge.com

myspace.com/lionsbread

Shizu Saldamando’s Solo Exhibition

Steve Turner Contemporary is pleased to present There is a place…, an exhibition in its project room featuring new works by the Los Angeles based artist, Shizu Saldamando. Her show entitled, There is a Place is taken from a popular Morrissey song, “There is a Place in Hell for me and my Friends” and it documents Shizu Saldamando’s friends, who are also artists. In her work, Saldamando translates her snapshot photographs into drawings and paintings that depict her friends in social situations that she observes in bars, dance clubs, backyard parties and art galleries. She simplifies, and in some cases, completely eliminates the background to decontextualize the specific setting. In so doing, she has created multi-layered portraits that are both spare and complex.

Please drop by the gallery between 6 and 8 pm for solo exhibitions by Maya Schindler (The Two-Body Problem) & Shizu Saldamando (There is a place…). Two food trucks (India Jones Chow Truck & The Sweets Truck) will be parked in front of the gallery and there will be cold drinks inside. See you tonight as The Steve Turner Gallery opens their 2010 exhibition schedule.

Shizu Saldamando was born in San Francisco in 1978 and grew up in its Mission district. She received her B. A. from UCLA’s School of Arts and Architecture, 2000 and her MFA from California Institute of the Arts, 2005. Her work was included in Phantom Sightings, the traveling exhibition organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2008.

Steve Turner Contemporary is a contemporary art gallery based in Los Angeles that represents the work of emerging and established contemporary artists. The mission of the gallery is to present works by artists of under-represented communities, and to help promote their careers within the mainstream of contemporary art.

Gallery hours: Wednesday–Saturday, 11– 6.

Steve Turner Contemporary
6026 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(across from BCAM at LACMA)
http://steveturnercontemporary.com

***
Please contact the gallery for further information:
Steve Turner, steve@steveturnercontemporary.com, 323.931.3721

Lasting Impression of 2009
As we anticipate 2010 with all its unsettling uncertainties and the tenuous promises of fortune, I’d like to reflect on the past year during the eve of the New Year.  I chose this ice polar bear sculpture as the memorable image of 2009.  A bit of irony, to say the least, that the lasting image is a transitory piece of art that melted in front of the recent Copenhagen Conference.  Mark Coreth, a master sculptor of animals in motion, carved a 1.8 sculpture of ice over a metal skeletal structure of the bear as a clarion for the world powers to wake up from their carbon-smudged dreams.

Of the Ice Bear scupture, Coreth had a very potent message to convey: “This might be in the form of a polar bear, but actually it’s a sculpture of the Arctic. If you touch the bear, you’re touching the Arctic.”  As the environmental policy stalemate between China and the U.S. drew on and the negotiations grew wearisome to the few and privileged spectators, the bear melted revealing a glistening metal network of skull and ribcage.  This powerful image is seared into the back of my retinas, for it represented the global nations’ inefficiencies in the wake of worldwide environmental disaster.

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 decided to highlight Rachel Flotard of Visqueen, who flew out to Laos with a philanthropic purpose.  She set out with a few thousand dollars to pave the school’s floors and twenty suitcases full of school and medical supplies for her return trip to aid Ban Na Mouang. 

EM: What is your favorite song to play live? And why?
Visqueen – “Beautiful Amnesia”

I love playing “Tall Grass” because I get to watch Barb shred up an electric cello like the street scene in Fame.

EM: What city did you most enjoy playing on tour? And why was it memorable?

I liked to play Van Advertising Agency, or Van Think Tank. Kicking around Brain teasers like the game “What would you rather do”. An offshoot example, “what would you rather have”. Options: barbed wire hair, or a 10 foot thumb. Permanently.

Photo Credit: Kristy Cameron

EM: What was the strangest town you’ve played in? And why?

Johnson city Tennessee, if by strange you mean great. They have private man dancers that wear grey one-piece sweatsuits like balboa and jazz up the floor right in front of you. Whole set.

EM: What kind of vehicle do you tour in?

I rock a stretch dodge van complete with bungee cord paper towel roll holder and all the comforts of a gas station.


The band, Shonen Knife

EM: Who was your favorite band to play on tour with? And why?

I don’t know. The GBV shows were pretty standout, mainly because I’ve never seen that much beer pass through a group of urinary tracts.  Shonen Knife ruled, because they were smiling, nodding, bowing…and that’s all before we played.

EM: What obscure band did you recently “discover” while on tour?

Uh, I think the James Gang rediscoverd me. I am their dusty highway servant. I’m forwarding them my speeding tickets.

EM: What is your favorite venue to play in?

I love the Triple Rock in MN.  They are hearts with a club built around it, and have tater tots and a juke.

EM: While on tour, what is the band’s consensus as the favorite spot to eat?

The supermarket.

EM: On nights off in-between shows, how do you like to occupy your time?

We play, anyway.

EM: If you or the band had to agree on one “must-read” book for the long trip, what would it be?

Fast Food Nation (by Eric Schlosser). You wont be able to give away your  McBucks fast enough.  Or, The Notebook. We just love romance.

EM: What’s the most unique piece of equipment on your tour?

My poster of cats cleaning (with brooms) adhered to my fender supersonic pro.

EM: What comfort items are a “must” when embarking on a long tour?

Laptop. Earplugs. Eye bandana.

EM: What is the hardest thing about being on the road?

Being away from home.

EM: What’s one amazing location that you fantasize about playing live

Angkor Wat (I just climbed to the top of a temple last night and watched the sun go down.)
Love, from Siem Reap, Cambodia

- Rachel (of Visqueen)

Photo Credit: Kristy Cameron

***
http://www.visqueenonline.com/

http://www.myspace.com/visqueen

When Dibb goes to Mali on January 2 Deacon wants to support stopping slavery there and help the region, by bringing $25,000 from music and Animal Collective fans. You can help abolish slavery by donating $10 to $25,000, and get a CD with new music from Deacon in the process if you donate $50 or more at kickstarter.com.  Especially at the holiday times it is a chance to give directly to people who REALLY need help. TEMEDT is the Mali organization that the money will go to to create a law that abolishes slavery of the black Tuareg people, set up legal support services for them, create economic development in black Tuareg communities, and give them educational possibilities.   It is a true anti-slavery movement. All Ashoka projects are cutting-edge social entrepreneurs, using innovative approaches to create systemic change.

Deacon will bring his music, heart and soul to Africa.  He will be making music, bridges between cultures, and a CD and Book that will make Animal Collective fans and others aware of the plight and beauty of Mali and Africa.  He will document the richness of the music, the cross-cultural exchange, the building of relationships, the pointing toward visions of wholeness for the future.  Deacon will be playing completely new music at this event.  Africa is a country ravaged by Aids, disease, civil war, genocide, poverty and hunger.  This festival is an opportunity to celebrate and enhance the beauty and gifts of africa, and to bring healing internally and with the world.  Deacon is thrilled to bring music and Animal Collective fans into this healing.

The funds need to be raised by midnight on December 31st, and it has been set up so that we need to reach the goal of 25,000 or it won’t happen.  We can do it!  Happy Holidays!

For more info, visit: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/legupmgmt/deacon-animal-collective-at-the-festival-in-the