My j-o-b.

I know I haven't mentioned it much here, but as of June, I started a new venture in the TV/Film industry.

SO, here's the cliff-notes version: I now work full-time as a producer for an entertainment production company (here in Los Angeles) that is in the process of launching a new "under the umbrella" sub-company. The new project is an ipad/iphone app and website that provides short-form entertainment news blasts and original segments. Additionally, the main company is the west-coast/Hollywood affiliate for Canal Plus Spain, a popular cable network in...you guessed it...Spain. Basically, what that means for my part is that I get to do international press junkets, interviews, etc. (for upcoming films), which has already turned out to be pretty interesting.

Some of the segments are typical entertainment news format, but others...well, we're working on exactly how much creative wiggle room we're going to afford ourselves. So far, it's been an incredible ride and I'm ridiculously lucky to be a part of this process.

ANYWAY, my new job covers a lot of different ground; one of those facets being that I often do voice-overs for the segments that I write and produce. Yeah, that's right; you will now get to hear my charming coos in the palm of your hand (iphone) anytime you please. BUT, the entire point of this entry, and I'm pretty sure the question on your mind as well as mine, is WHERE THE HELL DID MY SOUTHERN ACCENT GO?

Giving credit where credit is due.

Now, my only brother and I are very different in almost every way imaginable. You know, the little things in life; ie : careers, life paths, activities, interests, location, etc.

HOWEVER, this same brother of mine, who lives in the DC area (like I said - we're even very different in terms of location), recently turned me on to a new musician that's leaping onto the music scene in his city. (Baltimore, sure. But DC? I'm starting to notice, there's more creative presence coming out of DC than I've ever seen before, causing me to rethink my take on that seemingly linear place.)

His name is Matthew Hemerlein, and he recently landed the Young Performing Artist Grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to use towards recording his forthcoming album. A grant well deserved, indeed. I expect there will be an endless supply of amazing things coming our way soon, and I have every intention to follow this fellow, and his home, very closely...and perhaps you should too.

Matthew Hemerlein performs "Gyllenhaal Sandwich" :

Johnny on the spot.

Forest Fire :: Fortune Teller

Allow me to introduce my new favorite band...

...Future Islands, a post-wave/synthpop band out of Baltimore. They've been around for a few years, but have just landed on my radar; their latest album, "In Evening Air" was released in May of this year on Thrill Jockey.

I'm losing my mind.

Terry Gilliam directed Arcade Fire's concert at Madison Square Gardens this week, and partnered with YouTube for a new concert experience that is up for viewing: www.youtube.com/arcadefire. Aside from Terry Gilliam being a god, I can't imagine a better band for this project; in fact, I think it's safe to say that Arcade Fire is one of my generation's greatest products, ever.