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BURNING BRIDGES June 24 2011
When we went to the Shop Share Love event a couple weeks ago, Mike - one of T&A Showroom’s brand architects - showed us a Portland, OR based brand that he’s been working on called Bridge & Burn. If I can compare it to another brand, it’s much like Carhartt, but with more details in the fabric. Before the end of the night, Mike offered to lend some pieces to the Rhythm Natives if they ever needed it.
The band is working on a visual project that will be coming to fruition by the end of the week. So Glen and I went back to the showroom yesterday to take Mike up on that offer.
The elevators at 824 Los Angeles Street.
T&A Showroom.
Bridge & Burn.
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BACK AGAIN June 23 2011
We were back at The Roxy last night, but this time as fans. This is how it looked for the for the Thurz, Strong Arm Steady, and Pharoahe Monch show.
Thurzday. He performed his new track, “Prayer”. Check it out here.
Strong Arm Steady.
Pharoahe Monch killed it with his entire camp.
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CACTUS COOL June 22 2011
One of the good things that actually came out of the night at Little Temple was the post-show meal. Glen suggested El Taurino, but it was too far for Christine and I. So she remembered Cactus on Vine. If you know anything about me from this blog, you know that I’m a sucka for 1) hole in the wall joints, 2) Mexican food, and 3) hole in the wall Mexican joints. I’m in the perfect city for all three. I’m not going to get all foodie right now. I’m just going to say that while I didn’t try their signature tacos on my first visit, their burrito did me just fine. I mean, how technical can I really get for a shack of a spot that’s situated on the corner of a strip mall? I saw they also serve fish, shrimp, and goat tacos. I’m gonna try those next.
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TRUTH BE TOLD June 21 2011
Last night, some of us went to the Blu show at Little Temple. Straight up, it was a bust. But it didn’t start off like that.
The support included Cool Roy, Marz Lovejoy, Polyester, and Stevie Crooks. In my opinion, all were great. They each did their thing for 20 minutes or so, and the transition from artist to artist was seamless. I’ve been to a lot of shows – as a fan, as a manager, and even as a producer – and that already makes for a good night.
Until the headliner was up.
I like Blu. I like his music, especially his Lifted EP and his collaborative work with Exile. Needless to say, I expected something good. Polyester introduced him on stage, and when Blu came out he immediately went to his computer and started playing some beats. I thought, ok, maybe he’s just soundchecking or something. But that lasted for a half hour with little crowd interaction in between. Anxiety settled, enthusiasm narrowed. And then the promoter interrupted and made an apology announcement that went something like “You came here to see a show”, “Blu was supposed to perform”, “This is whack”, etc. Blu’s response? “I knew I wasn’t gonna perform tonight, I was just gonna play tracks”, “I’m a rapper, but I don’t perform”. WHAT??
I don’t consider myself being part of the “music industry” as most people understand it. I generally work with independent artists; those that are often overlooked, those that are playing at small venues, those that are handing out CDs from the trunks of their cars. Being in that environment has allowed me learning experiences that always goes back to the fan – the true foundation of any artist’s career. They make sure you don’t get overlooked, they pack those small venues, they buy the CDs you’re slangin’.
I know Blu doesn’t owe anyone an explanation. There may be a good reason behind this, after all. I’m just saying that for an artist that has since relied on every other resource besides huge corporate backing to get his message out, he could’ve at least made some kind of fan connection to ease the angst.
Ironically, this is the only picture I have from his “performance”. A blur.
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SENSES June 20 2011
I headed out to the Fox Theater in Pomona to catch JustPudge and Bojo in another one of their DJ/Drummer mash ups at Senses, thrown by The Noise Academy. Fox Theater starts a block of other music venues, bars, restaurants, and free parking lots on Third Street. I rarely make that hour trek, but when I do I enjoy it. The people I encountered seem more real, more concerned with just having a good time. Super different from Hollywood Blvd on a Saturday night!
The Noise Academy DJs.
Look closely and you can see a clip of Back to the Future II projected on the wall. Boj and I were geekin’!
Primetime hour.
Our attempt at a photobooth shot, reppin’ Rick & Ray.
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