Last Wednesday’s show at the Billy Shire Gallery in Culver City had all the elements needed for a typical Los Angeles VIP event – work by a world renowned artist (Tim Biskup), a celebrity host (JJ Abrams), sponsorship from two hip brands (Vanity Fair and Helio), and a roster of guests most people only read about in the usual arts & culture magazines (Matt Groening, Mark Ryden, Adele Mildred, and Shepard Fairey, among others). The... [continue]

Before heading out to your local Irish pub tomorrow night to partake in the St. Patrick's Day fiestas going on around town, you may want to sneak in some art just to balance things out. Paintings, prints, and a new handmade book titled "All Done But None" from local artist and fellow blogger Carol Es will be presented tomorrow night at the George Billis Gallery. The mixed-media show features quirky illustration and ironic childhood... [continue]

When the lineup for the Diamonds ‘07 tour was announced this past January, it may have left some indie and electronic music aficionados scratching their heads. In its first year of what will become an annual event, Diamonds ’07, sponsored by MTV Urge and Puma, featured a split-bill between indie-electro favorites MSTRKRFT and Mega-Superstar DJ Digweed. Although both acts are founded on the general groundwork of “music to dance to,” until recently, Digweed and... [continue]

Outside the Standard Downtown on Thursday night was a two-hour wait wrapping around the corner, a flashy red carpet, and huge security guards keeping attendees in order. With a quick passing, one would most likely think Hollywood’s A-list celebs and socialites were inside swanking it up, but in reality, the mega-event was in celebration of the release of Kidrobot’s new toy, the “Hello My Name Is Dunny,” seen above. Kidrobot has built an extremely... [continue]

It’s difficult to argue that KCRW, 89.9 FM, isn't one of the better things we, the citizens of Los Angeles, get to experience firsthand. Yeah, the station offers podcasts and streaming radio, but it’s not the same as actually living in the city the station is broadcast from. Not only does the station play some of the most innovative and unique music in the world, but broadcasts daily news and cultural information unable to...... [continue]

You have four more hours to get yourself downtown to take a peek at what some of LA's best art galleries are currently offering. On the second Thursday of every month from noon to 9pm, museums, galleries, and nonprofit art venues participate in the Downtown Art Walk, staying open late for those who might not get a chance to stop by during the weekdays. What better way to take the edge off the workweek... [continue]

We've been to quite a few shows lately at Safari Sam's, one of Hollywood's newest live music venues, but until Friday night's show had yet to see the man behind the scenes: Sam himself. Before the show began, Sam appeared on stage to tell the audience about how excited he was to have the Knitters play his venue; they (and X) have been one of his favorite bands for a very long time. Even... [continue]

We know Manchester is quite a distance from Los Angeles, but with all the differences between them, it’s undeniable that the people of the City of Angels and the people of the city also known as “Madchester” at least have their good taste in music in common. Producing some of the greatest and most eclectic names in British music, the chaotic, yet prolific Factory Records was formed in Manchester in 1978, giving the world... [continue]

It’s Tuesday night, which means you better “Check Yo’Ponytail” at Safari Sam’s. They knocked us out with their Los Angeles debut at Spaceland this summer, and with a bigger fanbase and nastier lyrics, we’re sure Spank Rock, Baltimore’s raunchy street brats, will do it once again. Bringing Miami booty bass, dirty east coast beats, and lottsa dirty words, Spank Rock’s mind bending hip-hop will show Los Angeles how to do it right. Check Yo’...... [continue]

The fact that Monday night's show at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood was completely sold out wasn't surprising at all; a show consisting of both The Rapture, an already established dance-punk band, and The Presets, an Australian electro duo slowly gaining exposure in the States, was designed for LA audiences; the night was a perfect balance of both old songs we've already danced to and new songs we'll continue dancing to. The night... [continue]

Watching Noel Gallagher playing on stage at the Wadsworth Theatre Thursday night was like hanging out with an obnoxious, older brother you haven’t seen in a few years. He definitely looked older, more mature, with an increased abundance of life experience under his belt, but once he opened his mouth, the same obnoxious jerk you remembered from years ago never left; Noel is still that same bratty Brit, and it’s comforting to know that... [continue]

After listening to the music and watching the accompanying videos from Sean Lennon's second full length Friendly Fire, it's easy to tell that he is an artist who values the creative process and takes genuine pride in the work he puts out. Monday night was the official screening of his film Friendly Fire at the Egyptian Theater, where he described watching the film to an enthusiastic audience made up of much of the cast... [continue]

Sean Lennon Friendly Fire Capitol (2006) Instead of being looked at as the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, famous for being famous like so many other celebrity kin, Sean Lennon has taken his birthright and talent passed on to him, and has used them to his advantage. Eight years after releasing 1998's Into the Sun, he's written yet another album which allows you to enter the world of Sean Lennon, not the... [continue]

Okay, we know we're a little late on the Lost recap from last week's season premiere, but hopefully you'll forgive us. For those of you who haven't gotten a chance to sit down and let yourself be consumed by the island madness and mystery, just know that we're slowly (very, very slowly) learning more about The Others and why they're so goddamn creepy. Lost is a show that will never please everyone at once,... [continue]

This August they brought us a party with DJs Junior Sanchez, Colette, DJ AM, Stretch Armstrong and Junkie XL at the Avalon, and tonight, LA based BPM Magazine brings us 2 Many DJs at the Vangaurd. For those unaware, Belgian brothers 2 Many DJs, also known as Soulwax, are the dudes who made the mash-up cool, remixing Destiny's Child with Nirvana, Salt n' Pepa with the Stooges, and The Strokes and Christina Aguilera. Highly... [continue]

Not to sound all feminista, but being a lady watching last night's performance by female-fronted bands Los Abandoned and The Oohla's made me feel full of girl power. I went into the Troubadour last night not knowing what to expect from either band. I knew that Los Abandoned were from LA, and I knew The Oohlas were on Ultragrrl's (of Vh1/Spin/NYC hipsterdom fame) label Stolen Transmission Records, but that was really all I knew.... [continue]

In 1978, psychobilly shock band The Cramps made the trek from New York City to sunny California, giving a free performance to the punk fans and patients alike at the Napa State Mental Hospital. One could only wonder how they were even permitted to do this, but from what can be seen in this lo-fi Target Video footage, the band seems to fit right in. Watching patients intermingle with members Lux Interior and Poison... [continue]

Taking footage from the Pitchfork Festival last month, the guys from The Human Giant made this video illustrating how the Tapes n' Tapes hype machine came about this year. Watch out for cameos from Ted Leo, the Inconsiderate Cell Phone Man, and of course, Handbone.... [continue]

Still not sure what to think about this movie, I've heard some good things, and some not good things, but overall it just looks totally ridiculous. It's a spoof on the riots of 92' and is narrated by Snoop Dogg, premiering tonight at Laemmle Sunset 5 at midnight. To see a trailer, just click here as it made the LAist Trailer of the Week last week,...... [continue]

photo by Brian Kittlety Not that the citizens of LA need any more reason to go out on a Thursday night, but La Cita, the newest eastside bar soon to be inhabitated by hipsters sick of The Shortstop, is hosting Dance Right, a new Thursday night party. There's good parking, an outdoor patio for all you smokers, and best of all, cheap drinks and good dancing. Plus, Shepard Fairey of Obey Giant fame spins... [continue]