music or lose it. @junemusechallenge-blog - Tumblr Blog

EPILOGUE.

as i sit here in the cleveland airport, my office for the day, i am attempting to wrap up what has been a seriously radical month. i've laughed, i've learned, i've met SO many awesome people, and seen some incredible music. and yes, i do appreciate my city more. that was the goal. as i think about it more, i realize that this may be the happiest point in my life to date. the friends, the music, the opportunities, have combined to propel me to an extremely high point of euphoria and confidence.

booking at the house of blues is just a start - a great one at the that - and i am already having the time of my life finding people to help me rock the joint. its a lot of work, but its work that i love.

it wasn't easy documenting every day of the month. some days i was crazy inspired, others it seemed like homework. the entries materialized from notes taken on my phone or on paper while i was at the event, or random passages written the morning later that i then edited and posted. that being said, i am immensely proud of saying that i was going to undertake this challenge, and finishing it now with this post. did i see live music every day? no. there were a few days that i missed. but i still did something that day that would further either my career or my knowledge & love for music. june is over, but i am not going to stop going out to the music. more than ever now, i have to create a network of musicians & business people to further my booking exploits.

thanks to everyone that helped me, rolled with me, or inspired me. this is a beautiful city. i can feel the love all the way from cleveland.

email me if you feel like getting in on the party: [email protected]

over and out.

#living

it's not easy being this awesome.

the best way to go out. 6/30

is to grab four of the coolest girls in LA, hit a nice sushi spot for minimal sushi & maximum drinks, hit a "networking event" that we thought was a club that was actually a place from the 30's that we traveled back in time to embarrass ourselves, and end the night with some awesomely bad karaoke. that's how i ended the month, and it was brilliant.

kiley invited us all to this "event," and we didn't ask questions because i can't remember the last time i got dressed up and hit the city with my girlfriends. supposedly, god love ya kiley, it was some a-list celeb event that Dave Grohl was involved in planning. not that that was the reason why we wanted to go, we just wanted to have a good time. i think we started offending people right when we walked in, when we realized that this was definitely some pin-up themed party that we clearly missed the memo on. our black dresses and heels were all but vintage. so i taught the little bartender how to chill a tequila shot (that happened) and off we flew. i don't remember the name of the place, and i'm actually wondering if it will even be there if we try and go back. it was some alice in wonderland sh*t.

we had to get out of there before we got arrested, so the belmont, and then rockin reilly's called our name, or maybe it was just more tequila. kiley needed to sing karaoke, and i definitely did NOT, but i did anyways. i attacked my fear of singing in public on the last day of this music challenge, with an award-winning rendition of my go-to: Proud Mary. (disclaimer: deeply sorry for those who had to witness it.) we were the best wingwomen ever though, as when each of us sang, and no one else there paid attention, the other four were dancing like we were at EDC. it was quite the night, the most fun i've had all month, maybe longer, and i came out with a few ride or dies. and a large hangover.

music you can laugh to. 6/29

acoustic rock party week #3. i laughed my ass off. i booked Michael Minto a few years back to play a set at saddle ranch and either i had too many dranks, or my memory is just awful, because i totally forgot how funny he is. he was a boss and hooked me up with a few other musicians to play the night. it went better than i expected, and after a long day of work, i ended up having more than than i anticipated. Austin David & Matt Sullivan kicked off the night with two separate acoustic sets. the Cotillionaires, my new favorite people, really commenced the party. while they are all great musicians, their banter is what really got me. when they said "get on the floor," they meant it, as you will see in the photos that follow. they balance legit lyrics with ridiculous ones, and have awkward conversations between songs that had everyone laughing. they have a history of performing at house parties, and i can see how that works. they're an all around good time, and i look forward to booking them at the viper room or a similar venue where they can really rock out and bring the party.

Michael Minto & Matt Mattson finished the night with more laughs and comedy. it was basically improv put to music - two of the best things ever in one. luckily they made up an entire song about my trusty friend josh, who was the best and stayed the whole night with me, laughing all the while. i wish i had the "Bob Dylan" and "Randy Newman" stint on video. uncanny. the best part about booking these nights is making such cool and talented new friends like Michael & Gian Molina (drummer of Cotillionaires.) i look forward to working with them all again.

dirty.

#aeges

punk rock in the LBC. 6/28

mobbed down to long beach tonight to see my friend's band AEGES at alex's bar in long beach. supposedly, it is a punk rock institution. it's in the middle of long beach suburbia, and a pretty dope spot inside with great beers, cool art, & a very "red" vibe. there was one scary man there with tattoos all over his face & overalls that i think laughed at me when i ordered a beer, but other than that wierdo, everything was kosher. i introduced my bff lillard to delirium tremens, my favorite beer, and hilarity ensued. at first he hated the taste but when he realized it's like "three beers in one," party lillard was in town.

AEGES' frontman is Kemble Walters, a musical prodigy who i've seen play in multiple bands and steals the show every time. his Kurt Cobain vibe is like none i've seen, and whether he's got the mic or smashing the drums, it's always a good time watching him throw down. AEGES is a mix of punk & metal, and a sound you can't help but thrash to - especially after a couple of deliriums. alex's bar is a unique venue and fun bar that's definitely worth the drive. i'm glad i got to check out the scene in the LBC, and had a great night acting a fool with some legit friends.

#aeges alexsbar

spoken word poetry by one of the coolest men alive.

Michael C. Ford on his homemade trumpet, with Robbie Krieger on guitar.

kickin' it with Robbie Kreiger. 6/27

the majority of those who read this won't know who Robbie Kreiger is. that's cool, but listen closely - i'm going to teach you. he is the guitar player of The Doors, and one of the only two members that are still alive. a good friend of mine & fellow Doors lover invited me to Michael C. Ford's poetry reading at the new hen house studios in venice. Michael C. Ford is a very well known poet, and a member of the Door's inner circle since day one. i went to a couple events with him years ago, and was excited and taken aback when he remembered who i was. he is seriously the coolest, most outgoing, & best dressed 75 year old that i know, and i am ecstatic to officially be able to call him a friend. John Densmore, the drummer for the band, was supposed to be there as well, but couldn't attend due to stomach problems. i was bummed out about that because i had seen Robbie play before, but never seen John. i saw Robbie Kreiger and Ray Manzarek shred at the house of blues two years ago, months before Ray passed away. it was a part of the sunset strip music festival. that year it was a tribute to The Doors, and it was an incredible show at the HOB. the two men, both well over 60, were just rocking out. i went alone, obviously, and was the youngest person there. (a trend, i know.)

i LOVE the doors. what a cool scene, to be hanging out in the same studio, still under construction, in venice beach, where the doors formed, with the likes of Robbie Kreiger, Michael, & who knows who else was present. the man is royalty in my eyes, and though i wished that i had gone over to say hi, the smile he flashed at me was cool enough. i suppose he doesn't get a lot of 27 year old girls at his events. i would love to tell him how badly i wish i owned a time machine & that the doors' music is a huge part of my life; that i relate to him more than i relate to the musicians of today. someday.

always rollin', i unfortunately had to leave halfway through the performance to catch keleigh's improv show in noho. at least i got to see Michael throw down a bit of post-modern, cali prose, and see Robbie do his thing on the guitar. kel's show was great; i laughed the whole time. we got drinks at nobar after, which looks like a dump but is totally acceptable inside for some beers & catch up time with two of my best friends.

i can't wait to see Michael, and potentially Robbie again. i have a strange feeling that a unique friendship is in the future.

http://www.michaelcford.com/

roadtrip to torrance. 6/26

clearly, this month has revolved around my music escapades. matt has been wonderfully patient, & my PIC on many adventures. so tonight it was time to experience his art - movies. his coworker is a successful director of independent films, so we shot down the 101 to the booming metropolis of torrance, CA. "La Guapa" is an intense film about an urban latino community, centered around "la guapa," a woman forced to be a hit-woman for her ex in order to win back custody of their daughter. the movie focuses on relationships that spring up one by one and are all manifested at the end. it was a powerful movie, very well written, and i felt fortunate to be invited to the premiere. we got dinner with my best friend & her boyfriend after, who also made the trip down. that made me happy & was a long time overdue. but not a double date, obviously. i'm not allowed to say the DD word. as far as my boyfriend is concerned, its just friends hanging out;)

http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2033821721/

we also woke up at 8 am that morning to watch the USA soccer game. i can't get enough of the world cup this year. anything that includes sports, fun people, and a few casual mimosas in the morning - i'm not mad at.

#laguapa kennethcastillo

girl's night. 6/25

wine & girlfriends just had to be the agenda tonight. we hit stella barra to catch up over a couple glasses of wine & more than a couple pieces of pizza. seeing my three best friends in this city is something that needs to transpire way more. in fact, seeing all of my friends more is something i've been working on. it makes me a happier person when i'm around the people who have helped me survive in this city.

honestly, christy & i headed to the other door in noho after to try & catch the last band, but they were packing up when we got there. i heard it was a cool speak-easy type place to see music, so at least i got to check it out. it's pretty much the only bar or place with lights on in that area.

although i missed the live jams tonight, i did attend the black market yoga class before i hit the proverbial town with the girls. "Abbey Road" was the soundtrack, and ergo, i felt like i was on drugs. there are few better combinations than beatles & yoga. that class is so exhilarating, and such a fun, substantial workout. yoga, especially that class, have already had a major influence on my mind & body, and i don't even practice as much as i should. it calms my nerves and motivates me to stay positive, not to mention i feel like i lose a few centimeters in my waist every time i do it. powerful stuff.

#blackmarketyoga

magical!

i went back in time today. 6/24

big thanks to LA weekly for this gem of a morning. FINALLY found music during the day: on tuesday from 10:30-12:30pm there is an "ALL STAR SWING BAND" playing jazz music in northridge at a random mexican restaurant. tuesday morning at las hadas is a friday night at a club for people over 70. these party animals were dressed to the nines, and having the time of their lives swing dancing at 11:30am. matt & i stuck out like sore thumbs. us & the bass player in the band (awesome) were the only people there not considered senior citizens. so naturally, we made like eight new friends. "Johnny Vana's Big Band Alumni" is my best find so far in los angeles. it's not for everyone, and the people who saw my video on facebook probably think i'm wierd (nothing new.) but that morning of swing music & dancing over breakfast in the middle of nowhere was the absolute coolest! they ain't lying, its a big band. its alumni drums, horns, violins, piano - an orchestra, really - of huge singers & writers from back in the day. these men played with Benny Goodman, "The King of Swing," back in the 30's, Glenn Miller, the best-selling recording artist from 1939-1943 before he went missing in action in WW2, and so many other icons from the 1930's big band era. (to be honest, i just looked all these guys up. but they are absolutely the biggest names of that generation, and i did recognize some of their songs.) like country, this a genre and a musical period that i have minimal knowledge about, and after breakfast it was fascinating to look up all the names that were dropped.

it was $7 to eat breakfast amongst all the music. i spotted a booth in the corner, but no, matt led us right into the think of things and we took a seat at my new friend sheri's table. she was so nice! she introduced herself right away. sheri was one of the younger patrons, but even she had been coming to the shindig for years, and we immediately received her blessing. a bunch of people came over and introduced themselves, and we felt like celebs. clearly they don't get a lot of mid-20 year olds at their party. there was as guy teaching people how to swing dance, but we remained in the back seat for this one. we ate our amazing breakfast (omelettes should always come with rice & beans) and took it all in. i felt like we were in midnight in paris, totally back in the 30's when people got together for some good, wholesome dancing & music. we promised sheri we'd be back, and for less than $20 each for music & a bomb breakfast, i think we can easily follow through with that.

#johnnyvanasbigbandalumni #lashadas

jazzed.

french style furs. 6/23

last night was by far the best night of music this month. finally went to the satellite to catch the last night of French Style Furs' monday night residency. the band is a side project of Cold War Kids, approximately my ninth favorite band of life. there was a line to get into the satellite, and i think a lot of people were actually there to see Chasing Kings, the band before. that's ostensibly because people are dumb. my friend matt that i was there with had gone to the first night of the residency and said there was almost no one there. either the band wasn't promoting the residency that much, which was fine with me, or people are just too lazy to get out to see such a talented & popular group of musicians for free. but Chasing Kings was pretty good; the lead singer had an old school Peter Gabriel type voice and their songs were catchy.

am i not raving enough? French Style Furs is FANTASTIC. the singer/guitar/piano & bass player are the same from Cold War Kids, with a different drummer, an added female badass tribal drummer with long blue hair, two hipster looking chicks also with colored hair on backup vocals, a trumpet, & a sax player. kill me now. the combination of nathan's already incredible voice (i've only seen CWK once, at FYF a few years ago, and i cried), the horn section, and the pretty girl going nuts on the drums in the back was just incredible. it was more of a rock symphony than a band. my heart was beating with the bass drum, and i was too mesmerized to take more than one video of the masterpiece in front of me. that's a good thing.

FSF's tracks don't do the band justice. they're good, but the live show emphasizes the horns & the vocals more, combining indie rock with an incredible jazz vibe. i honestly wish i had gone every single monday night this month. and did i mention it was FREE? i would have paid $30 to see that show. i can't believe the place wasn't filled to capacity. it was comfortable, the sound was great, and we were rocking out. matt loves music as much as i do, so he's the best to hit the clubs with.

before the satellite we went to second city to check out a friend's short play, "hypothesis: now." i always try to support my friends in their artistic ventures, and it was pretty funny. friend & musical missions both accomplished.

serious love to these three.

#realmusic #acousticrockparty

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