FOLI, the Mandinka word for rhythm, has become an eleven-minute film about the Malinke tribe in Guinea who acknowledge rhythm into all aspects of their lives. This definition of rhythm is without musical-academic context, and introduced as the patterns and movements of daily life. Common Western practice has become removed from these inherent acts of collaborative sound-making and assigned these traits to an abstract realm of primitivism and tribal cultures. That is incorrect, empirical, and selfish. When you’ve absorbed this a few dozen times we recommend exploring the related videos.
Archive for the 'inspirations' Category
Back in April of last year I posted about the Do Lectures that take place annually in Wales, and recently I became pretty infatuated with one of their talks from photographer, musician, surfer Mickey Smith. With great humility Mickey presents his zest for life that too often goes unacknowledged, and around 10:40 he shows his short film, Dark Side of the Lens. I hesitate to tell ya any more because his words are too precious to summarize – carrying these in my heart pocket forever, “If I only scrape a living at least it will be a living worth scraping. If there’s no future in it at least it’s a present worth remembering.”
Make sure to check out more Do Lecture videos like Indy Johar’s “do it for (y)ourself,” about building communities around things, and Zach Smith [founder of MakerBot] speaking on “the joy of making something.”
VerBS – Feelings Getting in The Way
VerBS is the Homie. I wish that James Brown was still alive, because I’d love to set up a challenge between the two of them to find the true “hardest working man in show business.” The last time I saw VerBS was at Home Room. He was closing out my video release party, but he had to jet over from a photo gig in some far-off part of town. He showed up without a set, slapped one together on his laptop in just a couple of minutes right as he was scheduled to begin playing… and then laid down a spot-on performance that belied the rushed preparation.
VerBS is one of the hardest-core DIY cats out there, and also one of the most open-minded. His Bananas nights in Leimert Park have done more than continue that neighborhood’s tradition of true, intelligent hip-hop; they’ve expanded that tradition to include alternative acts and elements from all over the LA underground.
Of course VerBS will be at FMLY Fest this week, and if you want to shake your ass I’d recommend that you watch his performance. In the meantime, follow the link to see some video inspirations provided by the man himself.
“Spiritual metal” instrumentalists POWERAXE, made up of brothers Ryan and Brian Randall, have been melting faces all year. They’ve become fixtures of FMLY Rides – watch them slay in this video from July – and a spinoff of the band, BROHAMMER, stole the show at the LA Lottery League this past February. If you want to get a taste of the chaos they bring, check the above video of the band terrorizing the parking lots and side streets of LA via Uhaul.
Poweraxe is going to rock the shit out of FMLY fest. I figured that y’all would want to prepare yourselves in advance, so I asked Ryan to share some inspirations that will help everyone get to know the group better. Follow the link and get poweraxical.
FMLY friends and scene stalwarts Magick Orchids have a reputation for free-form, trance-inducing psychedelic live shows that utilize improvisation and group collaboration. The duo’s upcoming album, Origins of Grinding, finds Rhea Tepplim and FMLY Fest poster artist Champoy Hate combining their penchant for being etherial and experimental with somewhat more “pop” influences on DIY dance jams like “Bad Acid” and “Bored in da Burbs.”
The album will be released early new year via Vanity Projects. While you wait for the album to be released, you can download this free remix EP as a preview. The duo is also performing at KXLU’s Holiday Party this Monday, December 19. It’s hosted by Sean Carnage and Pehrspace, and Magick Orchids will be joined by W-H-I-T-E, Batwings Catwings, Casy and Brian, and Sea Lions. You can RSVP on Facebook.
I asked Rhea and Champ to share some videos that have inspired them. Here’s what they shared.
Kid Infinity is the most banging electro party rap group in Los Angeles. While they’re known for their envelope-pushing 3-D light shows, exceptional videos, and clever product presentations, the duo’s music is anthemic and pounding enough that it doesn’t need any of that stuff to grab audiences — anyone who has witnessed K.I. at a FMLY Ride knows that they can get it done just right with only a generator and PA (if you haven’t seen K.I. in person, you can “take a taste” by watching that video up there).
K.I.’s Nathan Huber and Ryan Pardeiro have been integral to the planning of FMLY Fest this year, and the duo is performing. I asked them to share some of their inspirations with me so that y’all could get to know them better before the Fest. Follow the link to see what they shared…
Daniel Trudeau is Pregnant, and Pregnant shouldn’t be a stranger to FMLY members. His music has been a favorite in this community since long before his exceptional new album Life Hard: I Try was released via Mush Records this past September. We’re excited that he’ll be celebrating FMLY Fest with performances in both LA and Oakland!
I asked Daniel to share some inspirations with the site, and he obliged. Follow the link to see what’s been floating his boat!
AIDS Wolf – Please Hold the Line
Montreal’s AIDS Wolf has been touring behind their assaultive new album, Ma vie banale avant-garde, for about three weeks. They’re finishing this weekend with shows in DC, New York, and Boston. These are the dates.
After that,member Alexander Moskos continues touring as Drainolith, his disconcerting, cold, yet oddly inviting electronic noise project. That tour will hit LA for a few days, including a show at Dem Passwords on the 25th. You can RSVP on Facebook.
I asked Alexander and his fellow AIDS Wolfers, Yannick Desranleau and Chloe Lum, to share some video influences. Here they are!
High Castle photo by Dalton Blanco.
High Castle – Crustaceans Demise
High Castle, who’ve been tearing it up in Oakland for four years now, have just released their debut album Spirit of the West on Zum Records. Featuring longer songs and a more expansive nature than its predecessor, 2009′s taster EP You’re on Your Own Way, the album is a powerhouse of fuzzy tone, angular delivery, and a pissed-off spirit.
The band has just set off on a monthlong tour throughout the US. You can see all of the dates on their website, and you can feel free to lend them a hand with booking shows in any of the dates where they still need help. They’ll be in Los Angeles at the Smell tomorrow night, Thursday September 1, with Precious (ex-Amazements), Piles, and Ancient Animals. You can RSVP on Facebook.
On the cusp on the tour, I asked member Erin Allen to show us some things that have inspired the group. Follow the link to see what he shared…
I know that LA has a long and storied DIY history, but I have a hard time imagining it without Sean Carnage. He was already well established as a promoter when I played my first Sean Carnage Monday at Il Corral, and that was 4 1/2 years ago.
Since then, Sean has become a hero for the weird and experimental in Los Angeles. Many of the bands he’s championed at his shows, which are now hosted at Pehrspace, have gone on to bigger and brighter things. More importantly, a community has coalesced around Mondays at Pehr that is remarkable not only for its creativity and open-mindedness but for the quality of the friendships and collaborations that have been forged within it. Sean has expanded his reach too, and is now more than just a promoter — he co-hosts Demolisten, directs documentaries, maintains a monthly DIY concert listing, and engineers social experiments.
I’m honored to have been invited to play Sean’s show this Monday, August 1, at Pehrspace, along with the Monolators, Sisterfucker, and Mind Cemetery. It’s the release party for my new album Princess. You can RSVP on Facebook!
Monday is also exciting because it kicks off a whole month of celebrations to commemorate Sean’s sixth anniversary of Monday shows. On Mondays, he has stars like Fancy Space People, Essay, and the Strokes (not a cover band). He’s also piloting a ten-event series at Sancho Gallery called LA’s Got Talent, featuring “one-of-a-kind art + music summits all organized around different themes like Craft Night, Totally Gay Night, Anarchists’ Black Banquet, and more.” Many of the events are free, and all of them are interesting. Here’s a listing that describes all of the festivities in detail, with rad flyer art.
Sean’s been incredibly inspirational to me over the years, so I thought it would be fun to do a feature on the things that inspire him. In typical fashion, he gave props to a handful of his favorite local artists. Click the link to read what Sean Carnage has to say about his inspirations…
Hausu is a band from the Pacific Northwest that is currently on tour throughout the West Coast. Their song “Makiadi” features a cool blend of sinister, swallowed baritone and shimmery, early-REM style arpeggiated guitars. They remind me a bit of Orange Juice. You can download a couple of other songs by them over at their website.
Here’s their week of California shows, beginning tomorrow in Davis:
- July 14th – Davis, CA at Davis Bike Collective w/ Psychic Feline & Loftons
- July 15th – Stockton, CA at Empresso Coffeehouse w/ Surf Club, Loftons, Fine Steps and Monster Treasure
- July 16th – Oakland, CA at Mama Buzz w/ Twin Steps
- July 17th – LA, CA at Lot 1 Cafe w/ Yohuna, Cobalt Cranes & Sunken Ships
- July 18th – Van Nuys, CA at Take Off! w/ Tan Dollar, Sea Lions & Sweater Girls
- July 19th – Whittier, CA at Half Off Books w/ No Paws (No Lions), Summer Twins & Dirt Dress
I asked the band to share a few things that inspired them and got some pretty interesting responses. Click the link to see.
