Owley Patrol

You Don't Own Me

2012-01-08T21:37:00.000-08:00

I can't stop listening to Klaus Nomi's cover of "You Don't Own Me" off of his 1981 s/t album. His rendering has everything but the kitchen sink thrown in -- cabaret Queen-like theatrics, Thin Lizzy double lead guitar harmonies, middle of the road pub rock revivalist bummer, and Martin Duffy-like organ swells. It's probably the latter two, echoes of Denim and Felt, that draw me towards this version.

And the original and classic Leslie Gore version from 1964's TAMI show --

This American Life: BREAK-UP

2011-12-30T17:06:00.000-08:00

In celebration of tomorrow's NYE, have a listen to TAL's Break-Up, act one of episode 339. Starlee Kine's wonderfully produced story features my beloved song, Against All Odds, and Phil Collins is a total mensch! One of my favorite favorite episodes...

Hansel from Basel MIX

2011-11-08T18:11:00.000-08:00

I made a mix for my friend's site - Hansel from Basel. It's inspired by Felt, Anna Karina and girls who wear tights.

She Lives By The Castle Mix - Click here to download.

Tracklisting:

Bel Canto - The Glassmaker

Berntholer - My Suitor

Cat's Eyes - I'm Not Stupid

Emma Tricca - Paris Rain

Helene Smith - Willing And Able

Joan Armatrading - Only One

Judee Sill - The Kiss
Kendra Smith - Iridescence 31

Laetitia Sadier - Summertime

Lijadu Sisters - Come on Home

Lucie Eyenga - Yaka Mama

Madredeus - Oxala

Mazzy Star - Common Burn

Poly Styrene - Dreaming

Purity Ring - Ungirthed

Sibylle Baier - The End

Susanna + The Magical Orchestra - Condition Of The Heart

Taken by Trees - No Letting Go

This Mortal Coil - Mr. Somewhere

Wanderléa - Te Amo

SKOOL DAZE (ABD)

2011-11-03T00:39:00.000-07:00

Here are three outtakes from the photo shoot I had the pleasure of working on with my favorite dudes. The whole thing is at 01 Magazine. Real-life PhDs featuring the brutalist architecture of the UCLA campus.

2011 Mix 3: Piano Works

2011-09-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the autumnal change of season and my first Terry Riley live performance at Blum + Poe a couple of weeks ago, I compiled this mix consisting of piano works. Great to listen to while making soups, finding clarity or attempting to finish a crossword!

Click on image to download:

Hands of Russian piano virtuoso Sergei Rachmaninoff, New York, 1943

by Eric Schaal for Life Magazine

Saigon 1948

2011-09-19T00:11:00.000-07:00

"Il parait que les français menaient une vie pas mal agreable n'est-ce pas?"

- Photos courtesy of my Uncle Bob

Dafna Maimon: Carbochondria

2011-09-18T22:39:00.000-07:00

Untitled from Dafna Maimon on Vimeo.

via Hidden Pictures

Princess Stephanie of Monaco

2011-09-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

As a child, I was obsessed with this song, "Ouragan," by Princess Stephanie of Monaco. It was also released under the title of "Irresistible" stateside.

2011 Mix 2

2011-09-01T15:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since the last mix but here are 20 deep cuts I've been enjoying this summer. Click on the image to download (btw, you only have 4 more days to see the great Gertrude Stein exhibit at SF's CJM). I tried to make this a Spotify mix but half of the tracks are unavailable. Oh well... You know it's a good one then! (פ') ליהנות

Cinéma du look: Subway

2011-07-06T23:58:00.000-07:00

I have this thing that I say - "I only want to watch Memphis-inspired films."* Well, I finally got to see this Cinéma du look film by the great Luc Besson. So inspiring - the cinematography, the art direction, the styling, the Memphis-inspired colors, Isabelle Adjani, Christopher Lambert, and the most incredible song by Eric Serra, "It's Only Mystery." It's currently on Netflix stream.

Cinéma du look. Memphis-Milano Movement. An aesthetic kinship between two contemporary movements.

*I find that I have a hard time finding Memphis-inspired films. Do let me know if you can think of any.*

Upside Down: The Creation Records

2011-06-21T15:57:00.000-07:00

Upside Down: The Creation Records Story - New Trailer from Upside Down The Movie on Vimeo.

Doing this. If you're in LA this Sunday or SF on Monday, come see the west coast premiere of this documentary on my all-time favorite record label. The director will be there. Mark Gardener from RIDE will perform. And it's free. Can't wait.

LOLs Will Tear Us Apart (2011)

2011-06-12T21:26:00.000-07:00

Unchi Neko VI (aka Matt Damhave's) new film, LOLs Will Tear Us Apart (2011) >>

Note from Neko: For an "optimal" viewing "experience," please use HEADPHONES. K? thx, bai!

Felt : Ballad of the fan, by JC Brouchard

2011-06-03T13:16:00.000-07:00

My handsome copy of JC Brouchard's "Felt, Ballad of the fan" just arrived all the way from France. You might want to get your copy before it sells out (just like Foxtrot Echo Lima Tango's did very quickly last year).

What Happened to Fanuelle?

2011-05-17T23:23:00.000-07:00

Almost a decade ago, I fell in love with Matthew Fanuelle's self-releases. They were simply titled C, D, 1 or 2... The proper release, self-titled in 2005, fortunately included one of my all-time favorite songs, "I've Been Killing, So."

We've lost contact in the last few years. And then I found him incarnated as Nunzio Fattini. Fanuelle to Fattini. Nice surprise. Enjoy Album Primum by Nunzio Fattini here.

One could say "Cousin" is a masterpiece.

Sanya Kantarovsky

2011-05-15T23:19:00.000-07:00

Sanya Kantarovsky is my favorite new painter.

Selfish Lazy & Greedy

2011-05-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Holy Shit + John Maus tonight in Los Angeles. Can't wait.

Cat's Eyes

2011-05-05T21:32:00.000-07:00

Enthralled. Crushing hard.

Nuts in May

2011-05-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm helped organized this event that is happening tomorrow!

NUTS IN MAY

Sound + performances by JON BRUMIT
and DAVID SCOTT STONE

Dance performance by WIFE

Readings by WOLFBOY
JOHN TOTTENHAM
and ALEXANDER ZEVIN

Dancing with DJ DINER

plus FARMER DAVE'S HOT NUTS

FREE

ABOUT HUMAN RESOURCES
Human Resources is an art/performance space that is currently located at 410 Cottage Home St in Chinatown, 90012, at the former Cottage Home Gallery.
Human Resources is a team of creative individuals which seeks to broaden engagement with contemporary and conceptual art, with an emphasis on performative and underexposed modes of expression.
Human Resources is entirely volunteer run and seeks to foster widespread public appreciation of the performative arts by encouraging maximum community access. Human Resources also serves as a point of convergence for diverse and disparate art communities to engage in conversation and idea-sharing promoting the sustainability of non-traditional art forms.

Lately...

2011-05-02T17:21:00.000-07:00

Bill Callahan's Apocalypse (2011)

Vanessa and Jane as Julia and Lillian in Julia (1977)

Matt Connors' Correspondences (2011)

Durutti Column's Lips That Would Kiss Madeleine (1990)

Bless Safety Pin (2008)

Paul Heyer's Jangly (2010)

Carl Williamson Vessel (2010)

Gang Gang Dance's Eye Contact (2011)

RIP Madame Nhu

2011-04-26T22:08:00.000-07:00

Read here and here.

Sauve Qui Peut (La Vie)

2011-04-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of seeing the rarely screened Godard film, Sauve Qui Peut (La Vie) at LACMA. Considered his "second first film" (after Breathless), I was instantly blown away by the soundtrack. With a little searching, I found the Gabriel Yared scored soundtrack here. So ahead of its time, highly recommend.

Joytown Mix

2011-04-04T16:32:00.000-07:00

I made a teen mix for Matt Wolf's Teenage film blog.
For the tracks and the story behind the mix, click on the below image of my 8th grade graduation (mom made my dress!)

2011 Mix One

2011-02-13T11:06:00.000-08:00

(click on image to download)

The Lady From Shanghai

2010-12-03T19:14:00.000-08:00

Trip out to the last bit of this Orson Welles film -

Two Rene Clair films

2010-11-15T00:27:00.000-08:00

Dolly Mixture

2010-11-14T18:15:00.000-08:00

The Dolly Mixture documentary is finally coming to LA! I only wish this screening is paired with Lawrence Of Belgravia...

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 16TH, 8PM
ooga booga presents the u.s. film debut of...

Take Three Girls: The Dolly Mixture Story
london filmmaker paul kelly's documentary focuses on dolly mixture, one of the best yet highly under-appreciated indie pop bands. formed in 1978, the all-female teenage trio released a few legendary singles and the classic double album "demonstration tapes." tours and shows followed with bands like the undertones, the fall and the damned, to name a few. though dolly mixture disbanded in 1984, the group's influence has been far-reaching and is heard in bands like beat happening, vivian girls, heavenly, unrest, and countless others.
Dir. Paul Kelly, 2010, UK, DVD, 40 minutes, with director in attendance!!!

film screening is this tuesday 8pm
at cottage home

Dick Hebdige

2010-11-10T16:36:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow evening on the west side - Dick Hebdige: "After the fall: from punk to pornetration to 'let's be Facebook Frendz!!'

Attendance Mandatory

2010-11-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

Very proud of my neighbor. The Poet Upstairs, now Painter.

John Tottenham
Paintings & Drawings

Read more about Mr. Tottenham at Las Cienegas Projects.

Do you remember the first time?

2010-11-08T23:30:00.000-08:00

The reunion!

Santa Ana Winds 2010 Mix

2010-11-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the disappearing act. To make it up, here's a mix I made for Zero 1 which you can download here.

The September Issue

2010-09-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

Dusting off the records for this Sunday...

Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express

2010-09-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

"So many stars..."

The Temple Built by Gods

2010-09-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Thirteen years ago when I was living in Saigon, the highly anticipated expedition to Angkor Wat never materialized due to the coup d'etat. Thirteen years later, this wonder is a sight to behold. Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world, is the supreme masterpiece of Khmer architecture. The radiant pink sunset, the hushness and dignity of the people, and the hypnotizing smell of hot air infused with dirt and burning wood are things one shall never forget...

Pre-Fall Mix, Part 2

2010-08-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

This is quite embarrassing considering how I obsess over my playlists to no end but somehow one crucial song (Mick Karn's "Sensitive") is missing from this Pre-Fall mix. I've fixed the link or you may just download the song itself. You can't lose either way! When I was filling in the missing years for each song, I realized how much I've been into 1982 and 1983 lately. GREAT YEARS.

September's Not So Far Away...

2010-08-29T22:41:00.000-07:00

Four great looking ladies in four great looking films I saw this summer to go along with this Pre-Fall mix.

Clockwise from top: Nine 1/2 Weeks, Bonjour Tristesse, Against All Odds, Johnny Guitar

*Click on image to download.

Peau d'Ane and Johnny Guitar

2010-07-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

Great soundtrack. Beyond psychedelic... I don't know where to begin to tell you how much I love these two films:

A Whale of a Tale

2010-07-07T01:02:00.000-07:00

Quite looking forward to this Sunday ---

Stephin Merritt (of the Magnetic Fields) to perform his new live score to the rarely screened and epochal 1916 silent film version of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea!

Sorta wishing that it'll be in the same spirit as this Disney approved 1954 remake with the dreamiest of cast ---

2010 Mix 4

2010-06-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

Missed this past Spring but here's the first of my Summer mixes - - -

Hang cool this summer Teddybear . . .

(Click on image to download)

Foxtrot Echo Lima Tango

2010-05-23T00:17:00.000-07:00

The time has finally arrived...

Foxtrot Echo Lima Tango is a fanzine for Felt and all things Lawrence. You must check out the accompanying blog here. And the launch is on Sunday June 6th from 2pm at London's The Hangover Lounge, located at The Lexington on Pentonville Road. The afternoon will feature writer, record mogul and former Felt bassist Phil King DJing and live tributes from some very special guests to be unveiled shortly. And of course, the zine will be available for the first time! I so wish I can be there... In spirit...

And Holy Shit and I have contributed a collaborative piece to it!

***

Feeling fine but it must be the wine cuz' it's April 27th...

2010-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Frederic Edwin Church
Rainy Season in the Tropics (1866)
Oil on canvas
56 1/4 x 84 3/16 in. (142.9 x 213.8 cm)
M.H. de Young Museum, San Francisco

While on a NW tour to support the last record in 2006, Tom and I looked at this painting for a good while. Rainy Season in the Tropics was symbolic of many a great things for us --- our love of wanderlust, discovery and treasure --- but most famously amongst our friends, the different usages of the painter's last name which Tom cleverly and absurdly came up with...

And on this same tour, we both discovered Destroyer. We listened Destroyer's Rubies everyday on the road. It changed my life. I think it did for Tom as well.

I can't listen to this album without thinking about that time now. I still can't believe what has just happened. You didn't know it Tom but you were my most loyal friend.

And miraculously this song popped up this evening --- Destroyer's The Music Lovers.

Farewell Sir Thomas.

Viet Nhac 1

2010-04-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the first mix of my Vietnamese music series compilation - songs mostly from the 60s and 70s... POPular songs as that's what I'm into...

(click on image to download)

The second mix can only be heard at the delectable An Choi Eatery in NYC... so you best make your way there in the near future!

These are achingly gorgeous songs --- pure poetry --- you don't have to know the language nor understand the lyrics - you can just feel it...

- - -

Here is Viet Pop Music 101 from this period (one of the endless and oh so essential lessons from the Pops) -

The three main players:

Trinh Cong Son: He used the music to write the lyrics.
Joan Baez once dubbed him the "Bob Dylan" of Vietnam because of his anti-war anthems. My dad disagreed, "He is beyond Bob Dylan. He means so much more to the Vietnamese people than Dylan to this world. Trinh Cong Son is a genius."

Pham Duy: He uses the lyrics to write the music.
Before Trinh Cong Son, Duy was the only one worth listening to...

Albums should start with a spoken word Intro but the Outro is optional. Well in this case, I have both just to be sure I'm doing it right... (here is the suggested order)

And most importantly, Khanh Ly was born to sing Trinh Cong Son's songs...

- - -

Oh My Darling Clementine

2010-04-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

Pham Duy - a total genius.

All I can listen to is Vietnamese Music since I've been back... Almost done with the first mix!

Unknown Treasures, Part Deux

2010-04-09T01:02:00.000-07:00

Here we go again (repost from R4TH) --

Our almost famous triple team yard sale, now quadruple (Ricky/Lesley, Violet, Nastasha and moi) is happening again this Sunday, April 11th with extra loot from 2 household moves - call it necessary editing!.. this time it's back in Highland Park and all details on craigslist here.

*This chap went straight for the grey felt stetson last time, it looked great on him, I hope it's getting some sun.

**One of the many stacks I sold last time.... Don't worry, there's plenty more...

Saigon Signs

2010-04-08T00:05:00.000-07:00

"The sign brings customers."
- Jean de La Fontaine

Quan Oc Thanh Long

2010-04-06T23:47:00.000-07:00

If you happen to make your way to District 3 in Saigon, please make sure to stop by Quán Ốc Thành Long to "ăn chơi" --- a bit of a gluttony will never hurt you..

You can almost never go wrong with red chairs -- in Vietnam or in France, it's a good thing.

A good sauce goes a long way...

Best razor clams I've ever had...

And it wouldn't be what is it (which is completely out of this world) unless you down it with Biere LaRue (for the discerning connoisseur).

dac biet

2010-04-04T23:53:00.000-07:00

Currently only found in the mornings on Phạm Ngọc Thạch street (near Điện Biên Phủ) in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ---

Tiem Banh Mi Phuong

2010-04-03T23:22:00.000-07:00

This is enough reason to go back to Vietnam. Tiệm Bánh Mì Phương is located on Hoang Dieu street (the shoe street where you can design your own customized Adidaboks), just at the eastern end of the central market in Hoi An. The proprietors consist of a very lovely man and woman making the best bánh mì I've ever had in my life. It is always busy and understandably so...

You know it's good when it's Bourdain approved...

What is unbelievable to me is how Anthony and Philippe can just split one bánh mì. I attacked two whole ones back to back...

The sandwich -- three special sauces: mayo, pâté and blood sausage spread with pickles, salt, pepper, herb + salad mix, tomatoes, cucumbers, chili peppers, ground beef, headcheese, pork, pork and more pork... and you top it off with a fried egg on top! And I'm probably missing at least 5 other ingredients. This is really special.

This is my history.

2010-03-31T22:48:00.000-07:00

Keep on Music

2010-03-15T00:23:00.000-07:00

So sad I won't be in town for this reunion... Read the most amazing interview I found on the Amoeba blog about the Vietnamese New Wave Revival.

Vertical Ray of the Sun (2000)

2010-03-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Cyclo (1995)

2010-03-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

The Scent of the Green Papaya (1993)

2010-03-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

The Lover (1992)

2010-03-11T12:00:00.000-08:00

13 years ago...

2010-03-08T22:58:00.000-08:00

I found these photos tonight from when I was last living in Vietnam thirteen years ago... Going back home next week and I can't wait to see what it's going to be like now...

The healing waters of Vịnh Hạ Long.

The standard mode of transportation in Saigon.

As found in the original 36 streets of Hà Nội. Words to live by: Green, Clean, Beautiful.

Đà Lạt Market.

Mekong Delta.

Close to the Chinese border, the verdant tea plantations of Cao Bằng where my dad was born.

Just grilling some shrimp on the beach at Mỹ Sơn.

Heading into awe inspiring caves of Ninh Binh.

The art deco designed Phy Tho racecourse in District 11.

The Cao Đài Temple.

My favorite billboard in Saigon.

The silkworm factory near Huế.

The view from my window during the tropical monsoon season.

Pre-Spring Vacation Mix

2010-03-08T00:02:00.000-08:00

You know it's that time of the year... Say goodbye to those winter blues and hello to the rest of the year...

Warm sand between my toes -- swimming with the dolphins -- dancing in the moonlight -- the best food in the world -- catching up with long distance friends (and they are the bestest friends) -- turning off the 'puter AND the phone (no data whatsoever) -- I'm going back to where I was born...

Here's what I hope to see at night all next week. This is the soundtrack to my holiday... Click on the shooting star to download (I usually prefer *shuffle* but why don't you try sorting it by genre this time around, a-z...)

If you haven't planned yours yet, now is the time to take a break and relax... x

Save BBC 6 Music

2010-03-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

Repost from J+J's blog:

We listen to BBC 6 Music every day in our studio/flat. We believe it is one of the most important sources for new and experimental music in the UK, and thus contributes to the culture of the nation at large. Today, BBC director general Mark Thompson publicly recommended, amongst other cuts, the closure of BBC 6 Music. But there is hope: The Guardian reports that "BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said that if there was a big enough public response about the cuts, he would ask management to rethink its strategy." Please get in touch with the BBC Trust and ask them to save BBC 6 Music. Send an email to srconsultation@bbc.co.uk and join the Facebook group Save BBC 6 Music (There are links to various petitions on this page.) In a humble effort of our own, we have designed this little logo.If you have a blog, flickr, tumblr et cetera, please post this logo to help spread the word. So far, the BBC has received thousands of complaints about this decision. It's not too late: The trust has opened up the discussion, and our numbers can help save this important music institution.

***

This is true. I've been in their very cozy flat sipping on rooibos tea (with milk of course) and making dinner only to discover a whole new world of music I would never ever get to hear anywhere else... Have you heard Jarvis' Sunday Service yet? My old band even did a session there many moons ago... It would be an absolute travesty if BBC6 Music was no longer... You have a voice, make it known...

No surprises here...

2010-02-28T18:56:00.000-08:00

I know I can be repetitive but I can't help talking about these bands again and again. This week, four of my all-time favorite favorite are playing in LA and I can't wait to see them.

Magnetic Fields

Magnetic Fields - Long Vermont Roads from chris parker on Vimeo.

I'm just dying for Wednesday: a co-headlining show with Taken by Trees and El Perro del Mar. Just add Camera Obscura and I'm done.

TAKEN BY TREES in series Live At Other Music from Dig For Fire on Vimeo.

El Perro Del Mar "Shelter" (by The XX) from The Control Group on Vimeo.

The Clientele

The Valley of Death

2010-02-24T20:59:00.000-08:00

Here's what Death Valley looked and sounded like this past weekend:

The last bit of civilization at Zzyzx Road.

The saltbeds of Tecopa.

Badwater, the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet below sea level.

Furry salt crystals

The Artist Drive

Zabriskie Point

Dante's View

20 Mule Drive

Sand dunes

Mosaic Canyon

The desert

2010-02-18T12:12:00.000-08:00

"Why are you going to the desert again?"
Someone asked me this today.
I replied, "because I want to and because I can."
Next question, "What are you going to do in the desert?"
"I'm going with my dream guy who's visiting me... Unfortunately he's gay... But we're still going to have a good time."

Wonder Valley two weeks ago:

Death Valley in two days:

A GIRLS' Valentine

2010-02-16T23:11:00.000-08:00

Photo: MF

San Francisco this past weekend:
Family, friends, food, and GIRLS = TOO. MUCH. FUN.

A welcome home.
It was the last night of the tour.
It's fun seeing a band in their hometown.
The fans... the friends... the hugs... and the love.

Was quite pleased that a keyboardist was finally added into the mix... The Wurly sounded beautiful.

GIRLS attract girls... and they were the loveliest!

During Lust for Life.

Lust for life.
I certainly do.
Happy New Year.
x

Jeremy and Jamie, A Love Story

2010-02-14T01:14:00.000-08:00

A true reason to believe in love...

In between Z's "Music for Sensuous Lovers" and Hollywod Brats' "And Then He Kissed Me," have a listen to J + J's love story as read by Jarvis Cocker in his weekly BBC6 Sunday Service* show. Today was a special Valentine's affair...

Happy Valentine's Day.

*If you can't spare the time to listen to this entirely exquisite show, their story begins a little after 1:20...

Krautrock

2010-02-08T00:58:00.000-08:00

Really feeling Germany these days:

Here is part one. Part six is just so frustrating without audio! Highly recommend though...

Winter 1:2 Mix

2010-01-31T01:11:00.000-08:00

A day early.
Click on Steve to download.
Many thanks to the Neighbor Upstairs for introducing me to some great stuff, perfect for this promising Winter.
Why don't you start with Bill or Pete and end with Nico or Dino?

Elton or Bertrand?

2010-01-28T00:07:00.000-08:00

Trying to decide which version to put on my mix for next month:

ATP

2010-01-21T23:11:00.000-08:00

The crowd during the Pastels at the MBV curated ATP 'Nightmare Before Xmas,' Dec 2009

I told myself that last year's Coachella was going to be the last music festival I would ever go to (but I had said that the year before as well...) Well, at last year's Coachella, I left early (again) because it just became too painful. As much as I love going to see bands play live, I like quality, not quantity. My spirit was slowing breaking after the 99th band and I was feeling a bit claustrophobic...

Lately, going to see a band is more about the intimate experience and less about being with the general public. Yes this doesn't sound right but all I care about is seeing what the band sounds like live, how well they play their instruments, and whether or not they are dripping with charisma. The best place for this is not in the front or amongst the folk, it's leaning against the back wall or the preferable corner.

But when my band was invited by MBV to play this past December's ATP at Butlins, how was I suppose to refuse this ultimate honor? What's one more show right? Especially as something as special as this... MBV did an excellent job curating the festival. Best music festival experience ever...

I've never been to ATP but it's the kind of festival made for someone like me: it was relatively clean and not muddy whatsoever, all three stages were within one minute of each other, the on-site accommodation was not too shabby, and most importantly, I only saw one drunkard being taken away from the venue the whole weekend... Absolutely civilized. ATP is really about the music, well the kind of music I like and grew up liking. It felt intimate enough and being amongst the folk, who were just as into it as I was, there was no other feeling like it. Kindred spirits.

Do you know how fulfilling it was to have gotten the chance to finally see Television Personalities and The Pastels at last, two of my all-time favorite bands?

TVP's Painted Word is pure genius.

Pastels' Comin' Through is pure pop.

Ulrike Meinhof

2010-01-18T00:12:00.000-08:00

Germany has never been my thing. I tried getting into krautrock in my teenage years and only got as far as Neu!*

The Deustch aesthetic encompasses a different kind of sensibility for me. I've found it challenging, ambiguous, and a little too intellectual and serious for me.

Perhaps I've heard of Ulrike Meinhof before but during this past holiday, I was formally introduced to her in Chris Kraus' first novel, I Love Dick. An epistolary novel, I Love Dick was very thrilling and fun to read. I loved how cultural theory and criticism were used to drive the plot. Now I'm reading Kraus' second novel, Aliens and Anorexia, which further delves into the life and activism of Meinhof. It's a pretty wild book.

Without realizing what it was about, I went to a rare screening of Yvonne Rainer's amazing Journeys from Berlin/1971, which also explores Meinhof and her gang. At times super abstract and dense, this film was so unwavering in its examination of personal and political identity and power. I was in over my head but learned a lot and left a little bit bewildered and light-headed which was very exciting. And the word "terrorism" was never mentioned once in the film.

The next day, I told my precocious filmmaker friend about it and he was like, "Oh, you don't know about the Baader-Meinhof Gang? They were really hot."

He's totally right. They were dangerously hot and sexy. I wished someone had told me of their handsome countenance years ago because I would of instantly read up on them (or in this instance, google imaged them).

Here is Andreas Baader and his equally hot girlfriend, a fellow RAF member, Gudrun Ensslin.

And here is Ulrike Meinhof. Smart and sexy.

Weirdly, Meinhof died on the same day as my birthday.

ALL HOT.

---

*I believe this genre was more of a British conception which was not found amusing by those making said music. I find the term a little disconcerting and derogatory for my taste. Would people be okay with "chinkrock"?

Hippo Facto

2010-01-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

How amazing is this?

From Why Travel to France blog:

"The last year or so in L.A. has proven that food trucks not only have evolved far past their “roach coach” days but also have inadvertently contributed to reducing people’s carbon footprints. These roaming restaurants that come to you, offer anything from gourmet Korean tacos, grass-fed beef hotdogs, cupcakes, Banh Mi, BBQ, sushi, crepes – you name it, you can probably find the meal on wheels you’ve been looking for. I like the idea of the Green Truck running on vegetable oil, using biodegradable containers and serving organic food. The only glitch is that the food is not local, which is understandable in L.A.

France has had food trucks for many years in the form of pizza trucks in the south and French fry trucks in the north, not to mention the awesome cheese trucks, butcher trucks, bakery trucks… oh! and roasted chicken trucks and more. Aside from the pizza and fries trucks, I haven’t seen much innovation in rolling fast food until recently, and this one is pretty cool.

Taking food trucks to a whole new level and incorporating today’s “green” needs, Christopher Mauduit and Fabrice Vanderschooten launched Hippo Facto last November near the city of Caen, which is located in north west France just about 10 miles inland from the English Channel. What’s not to love about it? Pulled by Percheron draft horses and dedicated to sustainable living and organic, local products, Hippo Facto couldn’t be more brilliant. Respecting the environment and serving fast organic and local fare that’s simple, healthful and creative, you can order fruit/vegetable juices, tartines, soups among other offerings. The containers are also compostable.

You’re right, I can’t imagine a food truck like this in a megalopolis such as Los Angeles. Picture the road rage of people behind the horse and buggy! Hippo Facto seems to work where they are. Of course, it takes them two hours to get to Place de la République in Caen. That’s all good considering there’s no fossil fuels involved, they don’t live in a speedy world and besides, some people commute longer than that in cars every single day. Now THAT’S crazy."

***

Something New

2010-01-16T23:11:00.000-08:00

It all came together a couple of weeks ago:
my favorite hike in Elysian Park,
my new favorite song,*
and
my favorite thing I've yet to experience: the airship.

*Expect to hear more of Dino Valente on my next mix. My neighbor just introduced me to him and I can't get enough of Dino. And it all makes sense now; he wrote my other favorite song, "Something on Your Mind" by Karen Dalton.

Team Conan

2010-01-12T23:59:00.000-08:00

10cc - I'm Not In Love

2010-01-08T10:09:00.000-08:00

Everything about this song and video is just perfect. The choral backing, the rhodes, the bassist!

I'm so in love. Best song ever.

repost from Bestest Song Ever.

20 years ago...

2010-01-03T23:11:00.000-08:00

Back in 1990, I was absolutely obsessed with these 5 English bands and had the good fortune to catch them live in Los Angeles...

Year of the Tiger

2010-01-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

The standout track on this mix is Be Not So Fearful by the exceptional Bill Fay... Words to live by in this new year...

Alina and The Book of Sounds

2009-12-27T23:11:00.000-08:00

Two albums keeping me company on this Sunday as I wrestle with writer's block:

http://rapidshare.com/files/59469213/alina.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/154162339/BofS1.zip
http://rapidshare.com/files/154164830/BofS2.zip

The White Diamond

2009-12-26T00:38:00.000-08:00

Herzog.
Airships.
Beauty.
Lighter than Air...

Thanks KM for the suggestion.

Yard Sale Details

2009-12-10T19:31:00.000-08:00

Repost from RFTH:

All the details for our Unknown Treasures yard sale now up on Craigslist (a small grab of my loot pictured above). Selling a bunch of things previously posted on R4TH plus other flea, antique mall finds and wardrobian exiles. Also dapper vintage clothing from Tim, kicks and vintage/designer ladies clothing from Les, Violet and Owley, + Indie records to boot. All in one place, do drop by.

Unknown Treasures

2009-12-08T16:37:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, I've been invited to participate in my friends' annual group YARD SALE. It's this Sunday, December 13th somewhere in Silverlake (address to be announced later this week)! Tim and Violet will be selling clothes/wares again, Matt will be selling some amazing things (which I'm not sure what they'll be yet but amazing no doubt) and Ricky and Leslie will be unloading some of their unknown treasures.

Some highlights of Owley's treasures:

*New and vintage designer pieces (Margiela, Comme des Garcons, Sonia Rykiel, APC, Vivienne Westwood, Band of Outsiders, Pendleton)

*Mint conditions records featuring early 90s indie rock

*Various musical instruments

*Vintage pottery from Morocco, Denmark, Mexico and Vietnam

*Vintage books featuring music biographies (first editions)

and Ostwald Helgason masks, Romanian Byzantine eggs, English rose-shaped candle holders, precious gems, rocks and crystals...

Everything is shockingly reasonably priced and erm, negotiable!

And for those who personally know me, I'm taking appointments this week for a presale "open house"!

Here's what it looked like last time... here and here...

And from bread itself comes bread sauce...

2009-12-07T23:03:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was an absolute whirlwind for me. After an unforgettable experience at ATP's Nightmare Before Xmas at Butlins, I ended it with a rather amazing and cozy Sunday in Londontown. What can be better than an intimate acoustic performance by the exquisite The Clientele, followed by a delicious traditional Sunday roast (both at The Lexington) and crowned by a proper English bath?

They were out of the roast beef but I settled in nicely with the roast chicken. The bread sauce with its velvety, creamy concoction of milk and breadcrumbs delicately flavored with bay leaf, nutmeg and cloves was the highlight here... Bread sauce is one of the oldest British sauces, dating back to medieval times. A foundation of nearly all other sauces, this is considered one of the "mother sauces," as the French say... Apparently, the use of slightly stale bread is optimal, making it an economical way of using up leftover bread. Indeed! It was the perfect accompaniment to my roast poultry dish..

“If thou tastest a crust of bread, thou tastest all the stars and all the heavens.”
Robert Browning (1812-1889)

fall mix, part three

2009-11-29T18:10:00.000-08:00

Before winter makes its arrival, here is the last of my fall mixes, beta 3... a bit random at times but these gems have been keeping me company these last couple of months. x

Griffith Park

2009-11-26T22:59:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Day.
Los Angeles.
80°F, 26°C.

El Perro del Mar

2009-11-23T23:11:00.000-08:00

These ladies really did it for me this year... First there was Camera Obscura's My Maudlin Career, then Taken by Trees' East of Eden. Now it's El Perro del Mar's Love is Not Pop.

I'm a sucker for sad songs sung by sweet voices... and Sarah from El Perro del Mar can make even the worst song sound heavenly. When I first heard her new album, "Gotta Get Smart" was it for me.

Then I found comfort in "A Better Love." These two songs absolutely encapsulate the last couple of months for me.

I think the last time I cried during a show was at Acoustic Mainlines.

Seeing El Perro del Mar play tonight nicely rounded off this year for me. Don't you love it when the music you love listening to at home comes alive right in front of your eyes... complete with the best musicians with the most beautiful guitars, backing up a beautiful singer with the best outfit on, singing like there's no tomorrow? Things have changed since I last saw her a few years ago. She's in a different place now. So am I. Our timing is great.

Ooga Booga Mini Shop opens!

2009-11-22T22:55:00.000-08:00

Unstoppable. This past weekend, two formidable figures of Los Angeles, Una and Wendy, joined forces to create the Ooga Booga Mini Shop within the Keep shop in West Hollywood. This just makes me so giddy. I love these girls. 'Tis the season...

Charley Harper goes well with baby Keep shoes.

Look Jeremy, it's the Atherton Lin 2010 Stand Up Straight Calendar prominently displayed!

Keep + Ooga Booga have made fresh fruit preserves and pickled beets in honor of their collaboration. These limited edition jams and pickles used sustainable produce only.

The ever useful JanSport backpacks.

I learned about "Secret Male Hypotism" in Melissa Ip's zine.

The ribbon cutting ceremony courtesy of the Los Angeles Police department.

A Hottie: Ideal for Cold Winter Nights

2009-11-14T22:44:00.000-08:00

I had such an unbelievable time in London Jeremy. Thank you.

You and Jamie completely spoiled me; it was so comforting waking up to homemade granola and the wonderful smell of coffee on those chilly mornings.

I told you that the one thing I wanted to get on this tour was a hot water bottle and London seemed like the perfect place to get something like this. As I much as I adore my Teddy, I need a hottie to keep me company for the coldest nights of the year.

You took me to Labour and Wait to see if there was a nice one. Sadly, my new favorite shop isn't carrying hotties this season (though I did find a lovely Armor Lux Breton red stripe top...)

But Boots have everything don't they? I found a nice basic red one and since I've been back in LA, it's been keeping me warm all week. No more earaches, backaches, muscle aches, tummy aches...

Hot water bottles are common in Europe but not so much in the States. I reckon it could be a liability if the thing pops and someone ends up suing someone else for cause of injury... So American of us innit? BUT a hot water bottle is a great energy-efficient way to stay warm during the winter months. It uses less energy than an electric blanket, a space heater or central heating... And in the mornings, I feed my plants with its lukewarm water. Nostalgically old-fashioned but thoroughly modern with its uses, it's a classic. When I go back to yours in a few weeks, I think I'll buy a few more as Xmas gifts...

An Englishman who is currently living in LA told me this week that the trick to keeping a hottie warm all night is to get all the air out of it before sealing it. His mum taught him that.

In my dreams, the best of both worlds...

A civilized kind of tour

2009-10-27T00:51:00.000-07:00

It's been three years since I quit touring. I was beat up at the end of the North American tour and when I finally got home, I canceled the European tour due to "exhaustion." I had it with playing live. Had it with sound check. Had it with looking at the band. Had it with eating shitty random food on the side of freeways (though I did love the truck stops). Had it with sitting at the merch table... Had it with waiting around 23 hours of each day for that one hour we would play. I was done. I was bored.

And then somehow this tour materialized out of nowhere. Last month, I decided to plan a little mini European solo tour for First Husband, Mr. Bickerson, erm Darren Rademaker! This is an "inspirational" tour, greatest hits mixed with new "soon to be recorded" hits! It will mainly be Darren and his electric (in his short shorts) but I think I'll be accompanying him on some Tyde tunes... only if it feels right. The London show will be a special one. We have lovely friends from Fujiya and Miyagi, The Loves and Comet Gain joining in that night. Very loosey-goosey... Part tour, part holiday, I think this might be the best way to go from now on... I'm genuinely excited about playing again... See you out there somewhere Owley fans? And this time, no merch whatsoever...

***

The Short Shorts Euro Tour 2009

30 Oct > Paris @ Panic Room + DJs Magickrew

31 Oct > Paris @ Ground Zero Records
31 Oct > Paris @ Tigre + Deejettes Magickrew

01 Nov > Paris @ La Maroquinerie

03 Nov > Stockholm @ Last Waltz, Bonden Bar

04 Nov > Göteborg @ Woody West, Pusterviksbare

05 Nov > London @ The Lexington

Pandemonium

2009-10-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

Jeremy, didn't it seem like another lifetime when we went to see Pet Shop Boys' Pandemonium Tour at the Greek Theatre? And that was around two weeks ago. It was a hot and humid Indian Summer's evening. Our timing was perfect. We made it to the Redwood Lounge and just had enough time for a drink and barely a second at the mediocre buffet. Then the show started. I'm sure it reminded you of how weird LA music fans can be. Similar to the phenomenon of Latino Morrissey obsessives in Southern California, the mix at the show consisted of drunken sorority girls dressed up to the nines which gave us a good chuckle and a nudge but mostly it was the bears and otters that I was most fascinated by... especially the one standing to your right.

But the show. What a show. We were wowed. We were giddy. The Greatest Hits Tour. The Greatest Art Installation. It was a proper show. True entertainers, Neil Tennant and Christ Lowe are masters at bringing together the high and low, the refined and camp, all with a fun sense of irony. The production value was like no other. It was a visual homage to the masters of contemporary art and their eccentricities. I saw obvious references to Gilbert and George, Derek Jarman, Ellsworth Kelly, Rei Kawakubo, Warhol, Albers, Hockney, Richter and Archigram. Phew. That's a nice nod to a major list.

Josef Albers, Study for the homage to the square

Gilbert and George, Existers (1984)

Gilbert and George, The Wall (1986)

Ellsworth Kelly, Colors on a grid, Screenprint (1976)

Rei Kawakubo's CDG Spring/Summer 09

David Hockney, Mother I, Yorkshire Moors (1984)

Archigram, Instant City Airships (1968)

Gerhard Richter, for the Köln Cathedral (2006)

Derek Jarman's Prospect Cottage

PING!

2009-10-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Okay I can't help myself. I seriously was not going to blog on Owley Patrol for a while as I focus on something much more important, much more life-changing and stimulating than erm... this... but this is special...this is precious... I needed to follow up on this... This will complete the cycle.

This morning, a fellow LOS told me about Ping! for the iPhone. Remember how I went on and on about BBM and that's why it's been so hard to fully embrace the iPhone in this last year? Well... Have a look at this application. It is totally Awesome. And it actually works! I've Ping! four friends (John, Amy, Sam and Bob) just in the last hour. I'm hooked! Just like when I was addicted to BBM.

Don't ask for my Ping! ping... You should know that already you dolt... dolt! It's a given! And remember to keep up okay?

Less is More...

2009-10-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

And more exists elsewhere now...

Lately, I've been feeling disconnected with Owley Patrol... A break is needed.

But for now, I may be found here sometimes... www.dotcomdotcodotuk.com
(The search engines are not going to be pleased about this.)

Last weekend at El Matador, Malibu. The last of the warm summer rays.

And so I leave you with this song: El Perro Del Mar's "God Knows (You Gotta Give to Get)."

See you soon.
I already miss you.
x

fall mix, part two

2009-10-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

Normally my mixes are not made in any sort of order, I prefer "shuffle by song." But somehow in this instance, try playing it in reverse alphabetical order upon first listen.

a bit heavier... it's really fall now...

Bestest Song Ever.

2009-10-01T00:24:00.000-07:00

Really? Another blog? I'm in deep now...

http://bestestsongever.blogspot.com/

Somehow, out of nowhere, I got invited to contribute to BESTEST SONG EVER. How did they know? Thanks Duskin... Have fun in Paris. x

The Most Beautiful Swiss Books in the Universe

2009-09-28T18:30:00.000-07:00

The most elegant (and Most Beautiful) lady I know, Ms. Cynthia Leung will co-present the Most Beautiful Swiss Books 2008 this weekend.

***

The New York Art Book Fair
Oct 1: (VIP Preview)
Oct 2-4
@ P.S. 1

With a giant bottle of sake and "The Present Issue" for sale.
The winners of the Most Beautiful Swiss Books (2008) will be exhibited, with Cynthia's (!) essay included in "The Present Issue" catalogue...

Only for the true (Most Beautiful) book nerds!

Do You Love Me?

2009-09-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

This made my morning.

via Tirado/Thrown via Filastine Frequency.

"I mean it's the nineties!"

2009-09-26T23:59:00.000-07:00

Jeremy reminded me of how relevant this song is still today...

I used to think Neil Hannon was such a babe, still do...

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

2009-09-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

My friend Mary's blog is pretty cool. And her Still Life Installation was pretty cool too (from what friends told me). Too bad I'm too late in posting it but I truly feel that everyone needs some Slow and Steady in their life (especially me)...

TIME-OUT

2009-09-21T17:30:00.000-07:00

This is how I feel today. Insane. Crazy. About to snap! Out of control and no one is stopping me! Friend said it's Mercury Retrograde and I keep fighting it. I guess I'm supposed to be planning and getting things in order and not communicating or trying to resolve things with other people. I don't know if I can be patient enough until September 29th. Do I roll with the punches? Time-Out...

Traceyanne and Victoria

2009-09-16T00:12:00.000-07:00

Can't get enough of these two....

Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything more recent.

Farmer Dave Scher

2009-09-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

Gonna get to see Farmer in all his glory tonite!

Farmer Dave Scher at the Silent Movie Theater from Farmer Dave Scher on Vimeo.

fall (white label) mix

2009-09-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

But my favorite was Ghost Mouth...

2009-09-11T22:10:00.001-07:00

I went to see Girls last night. I loved it. I haven't been this excited about seeing a band live in a very long time. I stood in front the whole time, took arty pics (what an atrocity) and swayed my head back and forth to each song (and freaked out to "Hellhole Ratrace" and "Lust for Life"). Even a dumb albatross of a girl (who moved like she was on E) spilled red wine on my virginal white BOY (Band of Outsiders) dress * didn't make a damn difference.

There's something about stripes... I couldn't take my eyes off Christopher.

His timing was something to see... How many times did Christopher jerk his left knee up? Like it was some kind of uncontrollable, endearing OCD tick...

I'm growing out my hair again and am dedicating it to Girls.

* (The dress is all cleaned now.)

September is the new January...

2009-09-08T22:10:00.000-07:00

The fires are waning... The air is cooling and becoming more bearable. I can go back to the hills for my hikes again... My favorite thing to do is to listen to music (really loud) during these hikes. And I'm in my own little world. It's invigorating and it clears my head (which so clearly needs clearing).

New MAJOR releases this season: The Clientele, Atlas Sound, The XX, Girls and Taken by Trees ...

(Non) Seasonal Music

If I like a song, I'll have it on repeat until I'm satisfied (which could take ages). Click to go to their site for a listen. All gorgeous. All essential. Daily staples.
What can I say? I'm trendy.

There's nothing I wouldn't say to you...

2009-09-08T00:12:00.000-07:00

Ask and you shall receive Jeremy. Here's the track you requested. 1993 was a pretty good year for us I reckon...

Doods dig Girls, girls dig Girls... Yes (!) Girls do rule... a lot!

"Sometimes you've just gotta make it for yourself.
Sometimes Sugar, it just takes someone else.
Sometimes you've just gotta make it for yourself.
Sometimes Baby, you just need someone else."

Sunset (Sequoia + Yosemite)

2009-09-06T00:12:00.000-07:00