Dim Mak parties almost really do feel like the touch of death. Their outdated website tells you to RSVP, you have to wait in line though the place is empty, and even though door guy #1 is checking names, door guy #2 inevitably gives you shit and you end up having to sweet talk your way into getting in at the advertised price, leaving you mentally exhausted before you even get in the place. But nevermind all that. My last Dim Mak experience was atypically enjoyable, all because of two dudes from Seattle who actually give a damn about the art they’re putting out there.

Head Like a Kite (aka Dave Einmo with Trent Moorman) gave an inspired performance at Cinespace on one of their last dates of a month-long cross-country tour. A multimedia-phile’s dream, the duo churned out lush indie soundscapes infused with bright blipping beats, packing the stage tight with an insane amount of gear – a sampler, some synths, guitars, a drum kit as well as an electronic drum setup – while playing against a large-screen backdrop fielding Super 8 projections of Dave’s old home movies (“Look!” he laughed early during the set, “You can see my dad’s butt right…. now!”). »continue reading Head Like a Kite @ Cinespace, 5/8/07

Parris Patton never learned to play the piano. But it wouldn’t befit the artist to just take lessons and be done with it. No sir. To work through his aggression, Parris found it necessary to freeze an antique piano inside of a 13-ton block of ice, spend an entire day and evening hacking away at it with a number of sharp metal implements, and aimed to send it off to piano heaven by setting the traumatized instrument ablaze, appropriately dubbing the project “Because I Can’t Be Beethoven.”

Naturally, witnessing such a ridiculous and completely unnecessary endeavor seemed a good way to spend my Saturday night.
»continue reading “Because I Can’t Be Beethoven” @ Dangerous Curve

This past Saturday was my first time venturing into The Echo’s ominous downstairs space, The EXPLX. I must say, despite its massive space and zero level of light, it’s quite cozy. I especially like the high stage, which makes for good viewing wherever you are in the club.

I arrived just as Southern rockers Snowden began their set. By the number of SLRs clicking away in the front row, it was evident that every single blogger in Los Angeles was at this show. Snowden was frantically energetic and a pleasure to experience live, especially for that one guy in the front twitching around in an awkward attempt at dancing. Got to give him credit for at least moving, not just standing there with arms folded, eyes closed and head down in the universal hipster stance denoting he was “feeling” the music.
»continue reading Malajube @ The EXPLX, 3/3/07

Neil Hamburger served up drinks with his inimitable brand of humor last night as guest bartender at the Cha Cha Lounge.

Donning his signature formal tux, thick-rimmed glasses and greasy comb-over, Neil – the so-bad-that-he’s-good standup comedian persona of funnyman Gregg Turkington – approached me and my friend Nick with his curiously welcoming scowl as we took our seats at the bar. I asked for two Buttery Nipples, and Nick, who happens to be a bartender, proceeded to explain how to make the shots (butterscotch Schnapps and Bailey’s). Neil returned and sat four uneven shots in front of us. “I made a little extra,” he said. We asked if he’d like to join us in our first drink of the evening. Naturally, he accepted.
»continue reading How Neil Hamburger Made Me Drink Out of My Shoe