May 1. The big day has arrived. For what seems like a year now, a citywide buzz campaign has advised LA to get ready because, this May, LA would get real. I don’t know about you, but since I saw the first billboard, I’ve been getting ready to get real. But I have a confession: I couldn’t wait until May to get started getting real, so I did a little googling to get a sneak peak of the reality for which I was getting ready.

To start off, the founder’s mission statement has been out there for a little while on the (beta) realtalkLA.com. It contains their promising, ambitious premise:

…to unmask an LA most of us don’t know about and to do so for an audience whose needs are largely neglected by existing media

I’m all all about unmasking an L.A. most of us don’t know. Some more then:

Our LA society and region have evolved into an extraordinarily dynamic creature that is under the radar of traditional media. The region is multileveled, intricately subcultured and infinitely textured. It extends far beyond the grasp of marketers and social analysts—and yes, it is more complex and diverse than even poets and novelists have captured.

I’ve been telling this to Ron for awhile now, but he won’t buy it: Our region is multileveled, intricated subcultured and infinitely textured. Maybe now you’ll believe me. I’m right there with you, RealTalk LA. Go on:
»continue reading Ready to Get Real, RealTalk LA!

»continue reading Mando Diao @ 2007 Coachella Festival

»continue reading Kaiser Chiefs @ 2007 Coachella Festival

PICK OF THE WEEK
FROG EYES @ Spaceland
It came down to an Eyes band vs. Eyes band battle this week–Bright vs. Frog–and the Frogs won out. Frog Eyes isn’t for everyone but those that do get them will hold them close to heart and just might have their life changed by them. NPR likened them to “the controlled chaos of early Roxy Music or early Pere Ubu.” That’s a pretty good start.

THE LIVING SISTERS w/ Watson Twins & Chapin Sisters Echoplex Tuesday, May 1 [ENTER TO WIN]

ACUTE w/ Parson Redheads Silverlake Lounge Thursday, May 3 Entry has ended & winners notified. Tickets here.

*Include your full name when entering. Include a mailing address when entering for Acute tickets and you’ll get a copy of the CD as well.

Ben Frank’s, 1962

A brave pedestrian jay walks across the legendary and very busy Sunset Strip. Behind him a man hangs his arm out of a two-toned 1959 Chevrolet Station Wagon. It has gull-wing fins, cat-eye tail lights and a two-tone paint that coordinates with one of LA’s greatest coffee shops in its first year of business. Ben Frank’s sophisticated yet snappy harvest gold and orange color scheme is way ahead of its time. And that smart and sassy asymmetrical a-frame looks like a relaxed Der Wienerschnitzel or House of Pancakes
»continue reading Charles Phoenix’s Slide of the Week: Ben Frank’s, 1962

You can’t spell Coachella without Hell. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen.

You’ve probably heard that the set times have been announced for this weekend’s big event. I am referring, of course, to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, taking place at UCLA over Saturday and Sunday. Below, you will find our editorial picks for which discussion panels you should attend. Match these up against the program guide and you will know where to be and at what time. –Ed.

Saturday

10:00 am
The Great American Novel:
What Font To Use?

10:30 am
Is The Novel Dead?

11:00 am
Is The Author Dead?

11:30 am
Is The Reader Dead?

12:00 pm
Book Fair Panels: Proper Placement of Microphones and Water Bottles
»continue reading Losanjealous Book Festival Picks: April 28-29

The Jesus and Mary Chain
“Just Like Honey”
w/ Annie Hardy of Giant Drag
Glass House, Pomona
April 26, 2007

»continue reading Mute Math @ House of Blues, 4/25/07

The Losanjealous Benevolent Society gathers a weekly list of strange happenings and fun events in LA–the more ridiculous, the better. Visit our events calendar for the full list. And if you’re organizing or know of an event you think belongs on the list, send us info at tips@losanjealous.com.

FRIDAY

Dirty Found
Underground Magazine FOUND brings a multi media evening of the naughtiest found art from around the globe.

Not For Tourists Party
Come help Not For Tourists celebrate their 2007 Los Angeles Guide! Hundreds of LA residents will come together this year at Footsie’s, Friday, April 27, 6-9pm (no cover charge/open to public) to officially toast the latest version of the guidebook and the City of Angels as locals (not tourists) know it. Oh, and by the way… THIS PARTY IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Now you have to go. Be among the first couple hundred to arrive and receive a free 2007 Los Angeles Guide & a free can of PBR. Nice!!

The Origins of the Rainbow: Violet @ Machine Project
Through eight monthly installments, ing will reveal the origins the rainbow through an original creation myth. We respectfully request that viewers wear the specific color of the month. All color coded guests will receive a special prize that will be used during the eighth show.

»continue reading Losanjealous Benevolent Society Events: April 27-May 3

It is easy to take Blonde Redhead for granted. 14 years—what is that in indie band years? 37? —and seven records into their career, this band has never disappointed. One might have preferences and favorites of course, but just about every record they release, every show they perform is delivered with an integrity rare for today and, more times than not, genuine artistic genius.

The songs are built using familiar parts—guitars, keys, drums—but they don’t sound remotely like anyone else making music today. Unusual spidery riffs, washes of noise, warm electronics, major/minor shifts, distinctive male and female singing. On the new record, 23 , they sound like the ultimate 4AD artist, as if the 25+ years of the 4AD lineage have been leading up to them. Cocteaus, Lush, Pixies, Muses… Blonde Redhead—a logical evolution. (Sidebar: I hate the label “art rock” that gets bandied about with 4AD bands because it’s redundant; all rock worth a damn has some element of “art” to it. )
»continue reading Blonde Redhead @ Glass House, 4/26/07

Got a couple of new Art Brut tracks here. Especially For MVPete, since he missed the Troub show. Tunes are great, but that new album cover… eh?

Check ‘em out.

“Pump Up The Volume” - WMA | RealPlayer

“Nag Nag Nag Nag” - WMA | RealPlayer
 

Annuals, a six piece out of Raleigh, are up to, well, something tonight at the Glass House. I say “something” not derisively, but because I can’t quite put my finger on their thing and I’m not even convinced they know what their something is, but it is a special something and they are only too glad to share it with us and we are lucky to have it.
»continue reading Annuals @ Glass House, 4/25/07

Historically reclusive self-help author shows his face at last! From DrPhil.com:

If you live in Los Angeles or will be in the area this weekend, Dr. Phil will be making his first ever appearance at the largest outdoor book festival in the country, The Los Angeles Festival of Books, Sunday, April 29 at 2:30 p.m. at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

Admission to the festival, which is in its 10th year, is FREE but there is a parking charge of $8.00. Tickets are available in advance and at the venue, and if the event is sold out, there is also a stand-by line which assembles prior to the panel at Royce Hall.

Here’s your chance to see another side of Dr. Phil, when he joins in an unscripted, free-wheeling up-close and personal conversation with best-selling author Mitch Albom (One More Day, Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven).

Directly after the panel, Dr. Phil will sign copies of his hardcover bestsellers, which can be bought at the festival. Please note: Dr. Phil will only be signing for an hour (3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.), so first come, first served.

Public appearance verified at the the Official Festival Site:

PANEL 2053 2:30 PM
Dr. Phil McGraw in Conversation with Mitch Albom
Interviewer Mr. Mitch Albom
Dr. Phil McGraw
Note: Dr. Phil McGraw will only sign hard cover books following this session.

Even though we had it on the show calendar since word of this show first slipped out, honorable mention for this hot tip goes to f.a. Since Spaceland is coyly listing “Reel To Reel”, we guess it’s OK to fully shake the cat out of the bag on this one.
»continue reading Tapes ‘n Tapes @ Spaceland This Thursday

Yesterday Our Frank broke news of the small Arctic Monkeys Troubadour gig this Sunday, 4/29.

Here’s the update on how score tickets…
»continue reading Arctic Monkeys @ Troubadour — Ticket Info