Band practice
My friend Easton Millet recently invited me to assist with a photo shoot for the band Martian Horses at Black Box Recording Studios in Golden Hill. The seven-piece band was a pleasure to work with and it wasn’t half bad shooting photos while listening to some awesome tunes. Thanks to Steve and Jimmy Hilferty for their hospitality.
Eddie Vedder likes to “wet” his wetsuit
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder made a funny Friday night when he compared his sweaty shirt to the “joys of pissing your wetsuit.”
“Genius” is simply that.
An ode to technology and the wonderland of music that is my iTunes playlist. Ran the Genius gizmo tonight to make a quick workout mix and ended up with this masterpiece. Bring on the cardio!

Street Scene ‘09
For me, going to Street Scene is kind of like a visit to the dentist. I haven’t been in awhile and I’m hoping for the best, but deep down I know the whole thing is probably going to suck (and drain my checking account).
A free ticket and photo pass made it a little more tolerable. But then the heat…yeah, take two steps back. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200.
Fotos from the big day: (I skipped Saturday to attend my girl Aubs’ book release party.)

Band of Horses:


Dirty Sweet:


Devendra Banhart:

A willing fan…notice the braces and sketch of a topless girl:



Conor Oberst, before Jenny Lewis joined him on stage:

Anya Marina, former FM94/9 DJ and total cutie pie:


Nice shoes, wanna…?


Inside Wonderhaus:


Cake. I’d be pissed, too, if the Black Eyed Peas’ stage set-up was covering up my sweet slide show:


I think we can all agree that Girl Talk stole the show:


Fergie pee check! All clear so far…



Fin.

Sight & Sound
I saw, I heard and I mingled like a madwoman.
Last Saturday was my first time attending Sight & Sound in North Park, a monthly art/music event put on by Adam Rosen of “Walk the Walk Presents…”
I’m giving a shout out to the friendly and talented folks below in hopes that you’ll check out their websites and perhaps be as inspired by them as I was!
Save the date for the next Sight & Sound, going down Sept. 19.
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I won’t hold anything against Paris for not wanting his picture taken. His jewelry, bracelets and sculptures more than made up for it! And he really won me over when he gave me the cutest pair of dragonfly button earrings.





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When I walked into Planet Rooth there was a half-finished painting of a woman with wild white hair on display. Kai showed up a little while later with a bunch of paint and brushes and worked on the piece throughout the evening. I enjoyed checking on him from time to time, to see how much progress he’d made. His Myspace page says he does live art with the local band Silent Armada, where they mix together music and art on stage.



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Toni is a spiritual vocalist who describes her own work as being like “nothing you’ve ever heard…and then some!” I agree — her performance left me in awe. And who wouldn’t love that smile?!



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Another great smile here. And his paintings: amazing. We chatted about possibly giving him one of my photos to turn into a painting…I’m giddy just thinking about it.



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Jill Holslin, sdspace4art
Jill heads up an organization that develops designs for future affordable work/live space for artists and arts organizations. Through the sdspace4art project, local architects, artists, designers and neighborhood residents will work together at workshops (the first one is Sept. 11) to develop prototypes for six specific sites in San Diego. Um, where do I sign the lease?


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Jeff Donndelinger, San Diego Art Journal
Last but not least is Jeff, who is doing his darndest to round up some worthy volunteers for the San Diego Art Journal, a budding art event promotion website. Hopefully he didn’t mind my help with recruiting for the e-mail list…the thing’s not going to sign up itself! Only kidding, J.

All things Hollywood
I’m in L.A. for the third weekend in a row. And loving it.
For the longest time I was convinced that the City of Angels had nothing to offer me except gridlock traffic and poser slimeball wannabes trying to make it big in the music or acting biz. I’ve come to realize it’s a Disneyland of sorts for grown-ups, and wishing upon a star sometimes actually produces some pretty amazing results.
I’m here with Aubrey covering last night’s Blitzen Trapper/Jenny Lewis/Ray LaMontagne show at the Hollywood Bowl, and Incubus tonight, for LA2DAY. We’ve been talking about how different it is, going to shows to “work” instead of as a fan enjoying music. I’m not complaining, it’s just that with all the perks and access, there’s a lot of opportunity for breakdown.
Last night seemed to magically turn out in our favor. I got my shots at the show’s opening, Aubs got her Polaroid of the band hanging at their van after the show, and we were both granted wristbands for the after-show hangout with friends and family. Only in Hollywood, this includes guests Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhall and Kate Bosworth. Plus, of all people, Fran “The Nanny” Drescher and Blake Lewis of American Idol fame. We also passed Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel during the show as they found their way to their seats. *Drooling.*
Trying not to get my hopes up for another stellar evening.
UPDATE: Um, yeah. Dreams came true and then some. Uh-mazing (if I say so myself) photos of Brandon & co. coming soon.

Whistlestop with The Last Letter of the Alphabet
Z and me (ok, it should be “I” but that doesn’t rhyme) checked out a couple bands we’ve never heard of last week, including Jamuel Saxon, at the Whistlestop in South Park. Consider me a new fan, and not just because their name rocks.




























