Andalucia, by Red Maids. Due October 23, 2009

From the opening notes, Andalucia fucked with my head in a good way. It drew emotions out of me like good sound is supposed to. This debut release by the Red Maids is on Victrola Songs’ label, due out October 23, 2009.

The first notes from an intro “Music Box” are a plea for you to drop your guard and trust that the rest of this album wants to be right there, where you are. Whether in your car, at your cubicle, studio or home, this album wants to roll with you as a silent partner. It wants you to think out loud in your own head. The lonely sound of Michael Corwin’s guitar will remind you that you’re not alone. The compositions will coddle you. (more…)

A row of palms on Cesar Chavez face off with a tenacious light pole.

Between the stuccoed homes
and potholed street of my fair Los,
grows traces of nature’s reminder
to reach for the sky.
Plant life extends its extremities to find a spot in the sun.
It stretches as high as it can
to get a taste of warmth,
a taste of heaven. (more…)

Looking North towards Pasadena (iPhonetography)

You know what ‘ey? I live in the hills of East Los, Las lomas. My canton is right there, where La Rowan, meets La Blanchard, en la esquina, by the tienda, where La China sells Coronas. Every time I drive home, I get a view of downtown from my ranfla. Or, if heading south, on La Rowan, I can see the Vincent Thomas Bridge, in Saint Peter. On exceptionally clear days, after a good rain, I can see Brown Beret Island, aka: Catalina.

On this particular day, Saturday August 29, 2009, the anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium; La Can-ya-da, is on fire. When I last checked, the fire was threatening Altadena and its surrounding neighborhoods.

This is the view that I saw today. As the Angeles Crest suffered the powers of fire, I sat in my car in awe at its  grandeur. (more…)

Jameson, rocks and Jim. (photo: Rick Mendoza)

Jim Marquez has earned his nickname, Beast from the East. He is a monster in size and personality. We’ve had our share of drinks at the bar together and I can now count him as a friend. But, I was a fan of Marquez, way before I met him.

The first piece I read of his was in an art magazine. It was about him waiting in line to meet, Hunter S. Thompson, two weeks before he offed himself. That piece got me to buy his book, East LA Collage.

I once described Marquez’ writing,  as compost. Yeah, compost! He writes about the wasted days and wasted nights. He tells the tales that most of us prefer not to repeat. In those tales of waste and the discarded there is the life of a beast growing and learning. (more…)

Colt 45, served cold and cheap, to willing droves at the Killsonic CD Release. (photogRAFA)

Someone at the headquarters of, National Brewing Company, decided to drop truckloads of complimentary Colt 45 on downtown artist’s events.

For the past two months I’ve been surprised at events with free tall cans of this brew. If it’s not free, they let it go for $2 a pop. Crazy right? Who would have thought that in, 2009, I would walk into a jumpin’ spot to find Billy Dee Williams’ image on a napkin under a cold can of malt liquor.

I’m not complaining. Those guys at headquarters are smart sons-a-bitches! It made me a fan. I would have never walked into a liquor store and put one of these (more…)

What:           Anda!

When: Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 9:30pm
Location: Mal’s Bar
Street: 2331 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA
Phone: 323-747-4993

NO COVER CHARGE AT THE NEXT ANDA!
Enjoy resident deejays:
Gazooooo (Descarga, Resident Fridays)
Mando Fever (Descarga, Real)
Gomez Comes Alive (Monte Carlo 76, Travel Tips From Aztlan)
Juan Lennon

(more…)

Rooftop lounging at 2023. (iPhonetography)

It’s Tuesday night and I said I was not going out this eve because I’m feeling sick. But after a having bottle of wine with my dinner, I’m feeling, “better.” Now I’m driving down Santa Fe, bumping the iPod, and heading to 2023.

What the fuck am I doing? I should be resting. But, driven by the chance to see a Dorian Wood set, I put on my blinders and proceeded with caution.

2023 is a loft on Santa Fe Avenue, near Washington Boulevard. I like to call this place; the outskirts, of the fringe, of the L.A. music scene. So far from all the L.A. hype, because that’s the way they like it. (more…)

The Golden Gate Theatre (1927) in East Los Angeles, now threatened with insensitive alterations; photo by LAC staff. Learn more about this issue.

Starts Tuesday, September 1

If you shop at Ralphs or Food-4-Less grocers, you have the opportunity to help the Conservancy’s preservation efforts. All you have to do is buy groceries!

Each time you use your Ralphs or Food-4-Less Rewards Card, a portion of your total purchase is donated to the Conservancy through the store’s Community Contribution Program.

Read whole article at: LOS ANGELES CONSERVANCY (dot) ORG
Learn more about this issue: HERE

“El Verde: Viva La Frita!”Only 6 more shows left.

Wear green and pay only $12!CASA 0101, 2009 E. First Street, L.A.;
Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru Aug. 30.
(323) 263-7684. (Martín Hernández)

RSVP at elverdereservations@gmail.com

Olmeca commands the stage. (iPhonetography)

In front of a packed house, in Boyle Heights at Eastside Luv, Olmeca owns the stage with his presence and handles the microphone with the skill of a linguistic samurai. Backed by, Eduardo Arenas: guitar, d.gomez: bass, and D.J. Dubtones on the turntables, they delivered progressive hip hop to the congregation. Chu’ch!

I showed up early for this gig so that I could grab a beer and pull Olmeca aside for an interview before the show. We sat in a couple of tiny vinyl chairs that were too small for my ogrish frame.

“I don’t drink, don’t smoke,” said Olmeca, as he sips a Coca-Cola (something he gets criticized for a lot) while sporting his trademark “keffiyeh” scarf.  I held firm to my, Dos Equis.
(more…)