Inspiration Gathering and RRL’s Spring 2010 Preview Party
February 15, 2010
Two days after a full day in Los Angeles, I was back again to attend Rin Tanaka’s Inspiration gathering. It was me, Alyasha and Vince en route to Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar. After various detours, unexpected traffic jams and New Order’s Age of Consent on repeat, we finally made it to the show to catch it’s last hour. I’m kinda bummed that they stuck to their 5 o’clock closing, I was really starting to enjoy myself.
Saturday’s Inspiration attracted a collection of vendors, collectors and artisans dedicated to [mostly] vintage American clothing and lifestyle. A melting pot of surfers, gear-heads, rockers, hippies, denim junkies and mid-century enthusiasts all congregated under one roof to not only showcase product, but also to share stories. So much fun. Cheers to a great show.
The well-respected, yet humble, Christophe Loiron (Mister Freedom) was an exhibitor at the show. His work is second to none. You must check out his shop in LA.
We built quite an appetite in our tangent-embedded drive up to Santa Monica and Pete from Craft recommended that we stop by Soda Pop’s off La Cienega to grab some of their sandwiches. Soda Pop’s owner, Dave Puopolo, was nothing but helpful and was determined that we didn’t leave without a lion’s share of food. After finishing our sandwiches, he brought out a round of Buffalo wings and a sample of their homemade oatmeal cookies on the house. A kind gesture! Great food and great service goes a long way. Highly recommended.
After dinner, we headed to RRL on Melrose to catch a peak of their Spring 2010 collection. The free booze and the endless supply of Korean-style tacos kept the conversations smooth as old colleagues caught up in an almost high-school-reunion manner. A sales associate was kind enough to show me some of their 60’s inspired denim; which seemed to be one of their proud additions for the Spring collection [couldn't take photos though].
There were a lot of visitors that flew in for the Inspiration show and RRL seemed to be the perfect ending for the event. They sure know how to put on a great party.
Bull Taco, Monocle Shop & the residence of TK and DJ Mark Marcelo
February 15, 2010
Last Thursday, Vince and I headed to LAX to drop off our good friends, Ren and Juli. Headed north, I couldn’t help but suggest brunch at Bull Taco in Encinitas. There’s a ton of great places to get Mexican food in San Diego, but few have a scenic view as good as this location.
After parting ways at LAX, Vince and I made our way to Brentwood to visit the Monocle Shop. I tried visiting once before but the shop was closed due to building maintenance. You’ll find the expected selection of curated goods that are carried within their web-store—with an exception of a few signed [by Tyler Brule] issues from earlier volumes.
These obscenely large sinks at Brentwood Country Mart are pretty awesome. White sinks, white floor.. all white everything. Taking notes for my future home.
Before heading home, we made our way to to visit TK (Victory Nightlife) and Mark Marcelo. There are few people that I know that work as hard as these two [as they are shown working in the photo below!]. They’ll be working with me to put on the BLENDS 5 Year Anniversary party on the 26th. Save the date!
TK has has recently developed a love for hyper-real action figures. I think he actually plays with them when no one is around. Pretty cool though, actually.
Kristján Gudmundsson at Quint Contemporary Art in La Jolla
February 10, 2010
Kristján Gudmundsson’s work is defined by the essential, both in form and concept – working as he describes “within the tension that exists between nothing and something.”
I made my way to the Quint Gallery in La Jolla to visit Kristján Gudmundsson’s Paintings in Gray and White Frames exhibition. I wasn’t able to attend the opening last week and thought that it would be a perfect day to visit since the weather wasn’t cooperating. In this exhibition, Gudmundsson studies the ranging values between grey and white using a collection of mass-manufactured perforated grids. The varying diameters of the perforations, from a distance, create different values of grey to the viewer’s eye. Have a look!
This is the always insightful, Ben Strauss-Malcolm, Gallery Director at the Quint. He was kind enough to float me a copy of Ryan McGinness’ Arkitip issue. He revealed that installation artist, Robert Irwin, will be showing at the Quint beginning March 19. Care to join me anyone?
Niederfrank’s Ice Cream in National City. Since 1948
February 7, 2010
Niederfrank’s is a National City institution. Since 1948, they have been the mecca for those looking for the best ice cream offerings in San Diego. For over 60 years, they’ve maintained an everything made on premises policy using all-natural ingredients. I had the pleasure of enjoying a cup of their French Vanilla… and it was damn good.
Groundhog day in Los Angeles
February 3, 2010
I had the day off of work today and decided drive up to the lovely city of Los Angeles. A great time indeed. It’s always cool to see new places and reconnect with old ones. And described in a Twitteresque rant, my day went as followed; LA’s Raid Projects to pick up Neill Orje, Visited Origami Vinyl in Echo Park for the first time, Mad traffic on Sunset Blvd, Fairfax Ave, Melrose Ave, La Brea Ave and Eating Jumbalaya for the first time at the Farmer’s Market.
On the way up, we made our first stop just 20 minutes into the trip and grabbed some food along the historical Highway 101. In spite of the coastal overcast, it was pretty warm outside. Nothing like a great lobster burrito with a view like this. Life is good sometimes.
A day in LA wouldn’t be complete without visiting Neill Orje. He had moved into a new studio within the Raid Projects complex and was working on his latest piece that he says would take him well through most of the year. Neill was recently featured within the Design Log of LA’s respected design firm, Commune — who coincidentally, just a few weeks ago, opened up their second Community Shop at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs.
Origami Vinyl in Echo Park is rad. This is Sean manning the fort. I picked up Christmas Island’s Self Titled 7-inch release on Captured Tracks. Vinyl records are fun!
And around the corner there was a wall. And it was a magenta wall.
The Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax is a real treat.
The Casbah turns a tender 21 years old
January 21, 2010
I felt a little under the weather last night before heading out to The Casbah to celebrate their 21st anniversary. Art Fag Recordings was hosting the night with Nude Boy, Heavy Hawaii, Beaters and Christmas Island playing the bill. Definitely glad that I made it out.
And this is what you see above as you watch shows at the Casbah.
Mr. Mira Mesa turns 28 at the Tower Bar
January 19, 2010
I spent last Saturday on a mini pub-crawl to celebrate the birthday of Mr Mira Mesa himself. We started the night at Tower Bar’s Lurkville Saturday to listen to Alyasha, Question and Julian play an audio stew of psych, garage and RnB. In spite of their long affiliations with each other, Alyasha told me earlier that day, that this was his first time DJ’ing with Question. The tower bar is always a great time. The pairing of sexploitation films and PBR was a real treat while watching my friend Torin annihilate the punch machine. Roll over images for captions.
Abe Vigoda, Best Coast and Zola Jesus at the Soda Bar. San Diego, CA
January 9, 2010
Moments before making my way to El Cajon Boulevard, I was at O’Brien’s local beer night, putting down a pint Alpine Brewing’s, Pure Hoppiness. The hoptacular ale made the perfect segue to enjoy the most important show in America (click image above). The night’s bill at the Soda Bar was presented by Art Fag Recordings, and included a lineup with Abe Vigoda and Best Coast along with Wisconsin’s own, Zola Jesus.
Zola Jesus opened the show with an amazing set. I wished that it was a little darker in the venue to make it easier to soak-in the Zola Jesus experience. I’m still kicking myself in the head for not taking the chance to snap photos. Her latest album, The Spoils is out now via Sacred Bones. A future classic. Go buy that shit, homeboy.
