Can Caroline come out and Playa?

{that's me in pdr, trick.}
I mentioned a few posts back that I've been spending quite a bit of time with a whole new crop of friends lately, which with no surprise has continued to be a wonderful investment of my time. It just so happens that the majority of this group lives in a little area of west Los Angeles called Playa del Rey, which is just a hop/skip down the road from where I currently hang my red knitted hat. (Technically, there are only 4.58 miles between my front door and the edge of the sand.) With all of the time I've been in and out of PDR lately, it's starting to feel as homey as my favorite yellow hoodie (which much to my chagrin, I recently misplaced, so if you see it, please tell it to call home.)

I have to admit, I'm starting to think this little alcove of a neighborhood is one of the best kept secrets of L.A. Sure, the east side has it's own appeal; it has some of the best little bookstores I've found to date. However, I've never desired to live in east L.A., which could be sub-consciously attributed to my mother's impression that anything east of La Brea is "where Cheech is from", though I chock it up to my intense desire to be within running distance to the water. (Note : I did not say beach.)(Also note : I don't run.) I've always had such a strong fascination and internal drawl to the Pacific Ocean, and being more than a few miles away just wouldn't feel right.

But I digress, per usual.

Playa is a tiny beach town that for some reason or another, is actually within reasonable financial reach. (Note : Something I've heard of but am unfamiliar with.) My friends whom call it home theorize that the affordablity is attributed to it's semi-adjacent proximity to LAX's flight path. But, all the days and nights I've spent in this little gem, I don't recall hearing anything at all (which says a lot for a soundie like me.)

One of my friends is gunning for me to take my little PDR-lust-affair to the next level and officially become a local. Who knows? Maybe I'll finally take the plunge, commit and settle into a little water-side property. (Again, note, I did not say beach.) But then again, maybe certain things are more enjoyable when you're not totally immersed in them. (Okay, no more puns, I swear.) Either way, I'm really glad I've been able to find another little nook that makes me feel at home, when I'm almost two thousand miles away from my own.

-C.

PS. Check this little nugget out - I have some inside sources that claim Huell Howser will be doing a Playa del Rey episode of California's Gold within the year. Oooowee! That's GOLD!

Consider an investment.

Real Estate - "Fake Blues"

Real Estate - Beach Comber

Posthumous.

The Aggregate.

Much to my surprise (and excitement), today I received an email from Drew Norton, the incredibly talented director of the Phantogram video I posted recently. Drew came across my site, and graciously took the time to thank me for the shout out (AND -- excuse me while I gush -- he even went as far to say that he loves My Bonnie & Clyde) as well as sending me some information regarding one of his latest music video projects.

Drew said that his The Soft Black video is the first in a ten-part series which will cover every song from their 2009 release, "The Earth is Black..." I can only imagine what an exciting project this must be for a director; having the opportunity to create a sort of visual discography for a collective album. Can't wait to see what the next chapter has in store...


Brooklyn, NY- May 10, 2010

Your toes might tap but try and hold on to your stomach, as today sees the launch of the long-awaited music video for acclaimed Brooklyn psych-rockers Soft Black.

The self described "folk-noir" collective have teamed with director Drew Norton (Micachu & The Shapes- Lips, Phantogram- Mouthful of Diamonds) to create a series of videos bringing to life each song of the critically acclaimed 2009 release, "The Earth is Black" (praised by Rolling Stone, Impose Magazine, Brooklyn Vegan).

The original album, designed as a ten-song-cycle documenting the vivid, psychedelic and horrific nightmares of singer Vincent Cacchione, proves itself to be excellent fodder for the deluxe video treatment.

The new video for the infectious title track "The Earth is Black" plays like a Beatle's movie beamed in from outer space, and molested by Ed Wood as it falls back to earth. The dramatic rural setting, aggressive editing, and layered storyline are tinged with shlock horror that match the ambience of this hit track's dream landscape. Watch for a bloody axe, spilling guts, bleak hunting watch-towers... and a tree stump drum kit.

The Director "loves working on this unique project with such a talented and inspired band, they've got me looking way past the starting gate, next up, "The Flesh of the Sky." Singer and lead guitarist, Vin adds, "It was a true pleasure to start our work with Drew on this project, he's an artist with a ton of simpatico and a totally authentic dude. I couldn't be more confident in our ongoing collaboration."

This summer will see both Norton and Soft Black hard at work. As the director completes his 10 part music video series, the band prepare to drop a swagger-filled new EP titled "We Scatter Light," and many more videos.

Watch "The Earth is Black" by The Soft Black - directed by Drew Norton :

It's always Sunny in Los Angeles.

I've said it before, and I'll shout it from the rooftops again, I have a lot of really amazing friends.

Recently, one of my fantastic gal pals has been integrating me into her group of long-term co-ed besties. I can't even begin to explain how wonderful these peeps are, and how they're everything I look for in good old-fashioned partners in crime. It's one of the biggest factors in what determines the quality of my life; the people that I surround myself with. At the risk of sounding like a curmudgeon, it's not always the easiest thing to come by in this town, necessarily. I've invested time in people that have seemingly redeemable qualities, and yet still turn out to be self-centered sourpusses in the end. I'm not sure if it's because they're jaded or indifferent, and frankly, it doesn't matter. I just don't see the need to carry a constant air of disdain and there is certainly no need for me to expose myself to it. My latest and greatest palsies are a constant reminder of what constitutes genuine friendship. Plus, they're WAY more fun than anyone else I know.

We're kicking off the summer this weekend with a big BBQ/pool/hot tub shindig. Lucky for me, the forecast is predicting perfect conditions for mirth and merriment. In fact, I have a feeling I should get used to this weather.

Do you believe in love at first sound?

Several months ago, I stumbled across a band that was starting to receive recognition from the electro-indie-pop music scene, Phantogram. Hailing from Saratoga Springs, NY, Phantogram consists only of two members; keyboardist Sarah Barthel and guitarist Josh Carter. However, I wouldn't let their seemingly modest presence fool you, for their sound is often as full as a 6-piece revival band.

Originally forming in 2007 under the name of Charlie Everywhere, the pair began to receive notice in their hometown and signed to a local record label. After a successful year of performing around upstate New York, in January 2009, the duo moved on to sign with BBE, changed their name (for legal reasons) and released their first major label EP in May of 2009. Phantogram spent the next few months opening for the likes of Ra Ra Riot, Yeasayer and Minus the Bear, as well as performing at SXSW music festival. Just 6 months after their EP released, they were signed with Barsuk Records (Death Cab for Cutie, John Vanderslice) which released their first full length album, Eyelid Movies, in February 2010.

Barthel has said of their sound, "We wanted to incorporate all our own influences and created our own sound that's a combination of Serge Gainsbourg, sampling and Detroit hip-hop." "Phantogram's music can best be described as a mix of organic and electronic sounds, with swirling guitar, spaced-out synths, and chopped up samples and rhythms."

Despite the variety of unique styles that Phantogram incorporates into each song, not to mention the fact that Barthel and Carter are both ridiculously shag-worthy, there is some sort of extra magic that is sprinkled across the top of this band that I can't quite put my finger on. One thing that is clear as day, however, is that Phantogram has a bright and shiny future ahead of them.

I present to you Phantogram's first music video from their debut LP, directed by Drew Norton :



- C.