It was truly a Family Affair last Sunday night at Zanzibar in Santa Monica. Arriving to the club on a three wheeled extended Harley, Sly Stone stepped on to the stage with his youngest daughter, Novena Carmel, of BabyStone. Even his sister Rose Stone, who still with a powerful voice, joined on stage for one song. It was amazing to see the legend in funk– Sly Stone– in such a small club. Sly seemed very frail and needed help to complete his songs. The enthusiastic crowd gladly picked up when Sly stepped aside. He would stop singing, smile reassuringly and say to the crowd–”You know the words…”. They did. The crowd sang You Gonna Take Me Higher pointing high in the air, bouncing up and down off the floor and the bass kept the beat going as Sly appeared and disappeared from the stage. Novena, small but spunky, kept the band going and carried on the show with covering for her father’s limitations. When he did appear his eyes sparkled and his spirit shown through– still the self proclaimed boss of the band– but clearly ready to step aside and let others take up the night. Then the “Sly Search” part of the show began… Three people were selected from the audience to sing an original lick and during the break Sly wrote music for each riff. Each singer joined him on stage to sing with his arrangements– which he had set on his mac. Imagine singing with Sly Stone on a Sunday night. He seemed to beam with delight just as his fans did. He announced that he would use one of these lyrics on his next album. The mixed race crowd, young and old –some like me–still treasuring the memory of purchasing the 1973’s album Fresh– rejoiced in coming together in these new times. During each break people shouted out “Obama!”. When Sly first hit the scene along with a new black power and civil rights movement– no one had imagined a black president. Sly sang about that racial divide and brought people together with Everyday People. When everyone is dancing and smiling as people did years ago, and last night– all races become one. Although it was wonderful to see a legend up close– I am glad to hear that a new generation of funk bands have started playing in L.A. caring on the family affairs and down to earth funk to the next generation.
Don’t know what to do for New Years in Los Angeles? Not like anything will top our ‘08 party with The Histories, Nephews, [Post-foetus] and Your Majesty, but here are several options.
In addition to these, there will also be a Travis and DJ AM show, the first since their plane crash. If you missed Mark Hoppus’ blog post on his site, himynameismark.com, he let fans know that he, Travis and Tom have hung out for the first time since Feb ‘05 and buried the hatchet. Leaving an air of possibility for a reunion, Mark mentioned that the idea has not been brought up so there is no way to tell. Unfortunately when blatantly asked by paparazzi in Calabasas, Travis said “no.” When I spoke to Tom last October at the MTVu Woodie Awards he told me that Blink didn’t know what they were doing, they were immature and he even went as far as to tell me never to listen to them again. When Mark appeared at the MTVu Woodie Awards he casually brought up Blink as if they were still around. Who knows…as long as they’re hanging out I’m happy.
Will Wiesenfeld ([Post-foetus], Nephews, Geotic) has posted a new EP of Winter Loops under his Geotic moniker. Clocking in around 14minutes, all loops were created Christmas day. You can also find the EP on the Geotic facebook group.
Both of these releases are outstanding. There has been a noticeable difference in Will’s music since he acquired his Akai somethingthousandsomethinghundred, but loops of rich memories and a knowledge of story telling have left that underlying and inexpressible feeling intact. I am a huge fan of Will’s and could not recommend these enough, plus they’re free!
Noah -- December 29, 2008 -- Uncategorized. Tags:zomes.
Zomes is a new solo project by Asa Osborne (Lungfish, The Pupils, Tear Jerks). A lot of people don’t know this but Asa punched Keith Levine in the face a few years ago and uses one of Levine’s teeth as a pick on this album that straddles the valley between Seesselberg and library music…
Zomes is the new solo project of Lungfish guitarist Asa Osborne, who for this debut album strings together a number of misshapen lo-fi loops and miniatures across an album that references Vincent Gallo-style rundown melancholy, stargazing kraut rock, and a selection of organ-driven passages that bring to mind a miniaturised Religious Knives. Osborne is at his best on pieces like ‘Night Signs’, a beautiful, hiss-coated guitar phrase, repeated in a sombre, ambiguous fashion over a couple of minutes. It makes no associations or attempts at narrative, but there’s undoubtedly something quite moving embedded within its diminutive frame. Elsewhere Osborne gets rocking a little harder, marrying overdriven chord sequences with rowdy, furniture bashing beats on the likes of ‘Crowning Orbs’ and the progged up ‘All Together’.
I saw Zomes open for Brightblack Morning Light as a three-piece last month and was left completely speechless. This year’s self-titled release combines the diverse texture of Black Moth Super Rainbow with the repetition of Boards of Canada in a sound quality that could have been captured by anyone’s bedroom. Osborne has put out a very surprising album, sounding radically different yet incredibly related to his work in Baltimore’s “prog-punk” veterans, Lungfish. Sixteen hypnotic jams of emotional underscoring have made Zomes one of my favorite albums of the year. If you find yourself interested, please check out Religious Knives and Expo ‘70.
Nearing 2015, as made culturally significant by Back to the Future 2, will we begin to see similarities to the film in our own lives? Probably not, but at least Nike hooked us up with 350pairs of the Nike Hyperdunk McFly winning FMLY’s clothing accessory of the year.
Over Summer, Santa Monica’s Undftd (located next to the American Apparel on Main Street) became the place to be for the footwear elite. According to a Nike press release the shoe was designed specifically for athletes in the Beijing Olympics. Anyways, Kobe showed up in a Dolorean and signed some shoes, met some fans and hopefully kept his hands to himself.
A good friend of mine over at Vice designed the cover art for the new Black Lips CD, 200 Million Thousand, due out February 24. I don’t have an image of it, but I do have a song off the album for ya. If not for the obvious difference in production, “Starting Over” could be a Good Bad Not Evil b-side. I’m feelin’ the track, but I’m hoping that BL take their energy-driven spirit further. The last 30 seconds of the track give me great hope, maybe a dash Liars-esque?
Bringing his soulful brand of folk back home is Los Angeles’ own Apple Orange. Tim will be playing two shows in the next week; the first being with FMLY FRNDs Koalacaust and Blackblack at The Smell and the second out in nature the day after! Highly recommended. I’ve also got to mention the conflict of January 2 – great show at the Smell, but Jack Littman just impresses the hell out of me. Your call.
Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating, I’m personally playing PS3, baking brownies and jamming with some friends. I thought I’d drop a video and some songs to brighten your day, so here’s a video with Dave Hill and Little Michael Jackson called “Seasonal Unemployment.”
The Waitresses’ “Christmas Wrapping” was my favorite Christmas tune growing up. I’d wait all day long listening to KROQ just to hear it, so here ya go – much more convenient. The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping
And if you rolled out of bed, saw the sunlight and forgot what time of year it was, this one is for you. Thanksgiving – Year, Seasons
You read right. The legendary Sly Stone will be playing this Sunday in Santa Monica at Zanzibar and tickets are really reasonable. You can get them presale here for $15 or you can try your luck at the door for $10 before 10 pm and $20 after.
Who says nothing good happens on the westside?!
“‘Change’ has many meanings these days, and on this night, in addition to the cover charge, you must bring a handful of CHANGE to get in. Your change will be donated to Reading To Kids, a Los Angeles non-profit, making a CHANGE by inspiring underserved children with a love of reading, thereby enriching their lives and opportunities for future success!”
The end of the calendar year has reached us and it’s time for FMLY’s Best of ‘08 to be revealed. For the past few weeks I’ve kept lists, re-written them, created categories and I’m STILL sure that I’ve left albums out that deserve to be here. However, as of now, here is the Best of ‘08, FMLY edition.
Worst Album of the Year, So Bad It Shouldn’t Even Deserve A Category 01. Steve Aoki – Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles
Favorite Live Sessions 06. Grizzly Bear – Live On KCRW 05. Meals for Children – Live On FMLY Radio 04. Avey Tare, Deakin, Kria Brekkan – Live At Glasslands 03. Animal Collective – Live At Pitchfork 02. Wingnut Dishwasher’s Union – Live In Plattsburgh, NY 01. Nephews – Live On FMLY Radio
Some Favorite Live Performances 20. Les Savy Fav @ Coachella 19. Rumspringa (w/ Ninjasonik) @ FMLY’s Breakfast of Champions 18. Nephews @ Milo Ward’s, Sprawl Benefit 17. Pattern is Movement @ Piano’s 16. Health @ El Rey 15. Dan Deacon’s Ultimate Reality @ El Rey 14. Unicorn Dream Attack @ Blip Fest 13. Ninjasonik and Japanther @ Alphabeta 12. Lucky Dragons @ Whitney Biennial 11. Zomes, Fursaxa, Brightblack Morning Light @ (le) Poisson Rouge 10. Department of Eagles @ The Bell House 09. Lemonade, el Guincho @ (le) Poisson Rouge 08. Koalacaust @ Culver Veteran’s Park Bleachers 07. Yoni Wolf @ anticon.’s third annual ten year anniversary 06. Anamanaguchi @ Blip Fest 05. Line C3, ARP, Kieran Hebden (Four Tet) & Steve Reid @ (le) Poisson Rouge 04. Why? @ Bowery Ballroom 03. Paul Baribeau @ Elliot Babin’s Garage 02. cLOUDDEAD @ anticon.’s third annual ten year anniversary 01. Jack JohnsonAnimal Collective @ Coachella
worth mentioning: Best Friends Forever and Muggabears were awesome live
Favorite Commercial Appearances 03. Cool Kids – Rhapsody on TiVo 02. Dan Deacon – Crayola 01. Spank Rock – Wishbone Salad Dressing
Favorite NY Venues 05. The Bell House 04. Glasslands 03. Todd P & Interns & Friends Affiliated Venues 02. The Cake Shop (downstairs) 01. (le) Poisson Rouge
Best High Movies (i probably only saw like, 10 movies this year) 05. Cloverfield 04. Tropic Thunder 03. Forgetting Sarah Marshall 02. Pineapple Express 01. Jumper
Couple of the Year 02. Devendra Banhart and Natalie Portman (RIP to that) 01. Joanna Newsom and Andy Samberg
Favorite Albums 35. Subtle – Exiting Arm 34. Yo Gabba Gabba! – s/t 33. Slaraffenland – Sunshine EP 32. Brightblack Morning Light – Motion to Rejoin 31. Zach Hill – Astrological Straits 30. Flying Lotus – Los Angeles 29. Wavves – s/t 28. Noah23 – Rock Paper Scissors 27. Daedelus – Love To Make Music To 26. Ninjasonik – All Our Friends Are In Bands 25. Grouper – Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill 24. Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours 23. Air France – No Way Down 22. No Age – Nouns 21. The Field – The Sound of Light EP 20. Ratatat – LP3 19. cloud. – Pimp Steak 18. Zomes – s/t 17. High Places – s/t 16. Beach House – Devotion 15. Fuck Buttons – Street Horrrsing 14. Andrew Jackson Jihad – Only God Can Judge Me 13. Rafter – Sex, Death, Cassette 12. Ponytail – Ice Cream Spiritual 11. Department of Eagles – In Ear Park 10. TV on the Radio – Dear Science, 09. Hot Chip – Made In The Dark 08. Dosh – Wolves and Wishes 07. Lucky Dragons – Dream Island Laughing Language 06. Okay – Huggable Dust 05. The Octopus Project – Hello, Avalanche 04. Animal Collective – Water Curses EP 03. Deerhunter – Microcastle 02. Tobacco – Fucked Up Friends 01. Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs ha, just kidding 01. Why? – Alopecia
Very deserving to be among this list is Geotic / [Post-foetus], I have not been back to Los Angeles to purchase my copy of The Fabric but when I’m there in Jan it’s on my to-do list. Also, Black Moth Super Rainbow’s Drippers EP and Drippers were awesome, but not qualified for this list as they were collections of older music. Technically el Guincho’s Alegranza came out last year as well. And as far as No Age, well Nouns was fuckin’ fantastic, but didn’t leave the impact on me that Weirdo Rippers did. If you’d like to see Girl Talk’s Feed The Animals on that list then go ahead and throw it in.
Have a Happy Christmas and a Merry Channukah, enjoy the holidays and go see Yo La Tengo if you’re in NY or Jersey. 2008 has been an incredible year for both Cameron and I and we couldn’t have done it without you guys. If you came to a show, bookmarked this blog, downloaded a song, supported one of our friend’s bands or even if this is your first time here – thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We love FMLY and are so excited to share our plans for 2009. Don’t forget, it’s never too late to get involved! We’re still looking for bloggers and pals to help out at shows. I’ll be in New York for another couple of weeks but I’ll catch you guys in Los Angeles come January. I’m really interested in hearing what your favorite albums of ‘08 were so if you feel like sharing then leave a comment or send me an email. Happy Holidaze.
Thank You Come Again
Lady Bird Lake Trail
March 20, 3PM
w/ dead gaze, easyboy, mistlefinger, big whup + pizza!, white fang, jonesin', tempo no tempo, dream panther
FMLY Group Hug
Dominican Joe, 515 South Congress
March 20, 8pm
w/ MillionYoung, Truman Peyote, Michael Parallax, Wampire, Idiot Glee, I Am The Dot, Magic Man, Philip Seymour Hoffman fbook event
Los Angeles
Kria Brekkan & Drawlings
McWorld
March 24th fbook event
Evan Voytas, WAMPIRE, Battlehooch, Pizza! + Afterparty for Tobacco (of Black Moth Super Rainbow) and The Hood Internet
McWorld
March 25th Fbook event
FMLY RIDE
April 3rd 2010
Dinowalrus, Tempo No Tempo
May 1
Santa Cruz
FMLY RIDE
April 3rd 2010
Pacific and Water
Boston
FMLY / Breakfast of Champs Fest
PPALMM's Chinatown Loft
April 16
New York
FMLY / Breakfast of Champs Fest
April 18
Tobacco (of Black Moth Super Rainbow) & Philip Seymour Hoffman
The Knitting Factory
April 24 fbook event
IcyDemons, Truman Peyote, Trouble Books
Glasslands
May 2
San Francisco
Thank you Come Again
The Neighbors, Wes Leslie, Shaw, Maus Haus, Mistlefinger, Goliath the Giver
March 21st
Dolores Park f book event
Questions? Comments? Want to play a FMLY event? Want to learn how you can play an integral role in your FMLY? Shoot us an email anytime, we're usually around. We also accept demos, songs you're into, songs you've made and bribes.
