#nothingtodoinep @nothingtodoinelpaso - Tumblr Blog

Behind the Facade

Here is the first entry for a series I am writing for The Texas Trost Society called Behind the Facade. It focuses on the people responsible for building downtown El Paso's historic architecture and the visionaries who are re-purposing these structures today. I wanted to focus on our city's rich past and grant readers a glimpse of it's bright future.

While on the site, please take a moment to sign up for our newsletter. Thanks for your time! Support the cause, like and Share!

http://texastrost.org/news/blog/behind-the-facade-the-people-who-commissioned-trost-trosts-architectural-masterpieces/

#nothingtodoinep #texastrostsociety #trost #history #awesome #writing

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p-k62SOn-Q)

Justin Bieber - Sorry (Cover): Vocals - Katelynn Dubow Guitar/Vocals - Christopher Gonzalez

#justin bieber #sorry #bieber music #bieberfever #nothingtodoinep #loudwriterproductions #cover song #music #acoustic

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-3crbO4aiw)

Katelynn Dubow and I covering Lean On by Major Lazer & DJ Snake. Please like and share!

#dj snake #major lazer #lean on #nothingtodoinep #loudwriterproductions #coversong #music #acoustic

The Hero our City Deserves: An interview with Chris Jones

By Christopher Michael Gonzalez

When it comes to Chris Jones, local writer, director and actor of the gilded web series “Save Me”, the term “dedicated” doesn’t quite do him justice. When fans watch the show, they are witnessing the product of over a decade of work from a man with deep convictions in pursuit of a dream. Under the moniker of “New Hero” Chris has gathered a talented group of actors, film enthusiasts, writers, and those in pursuit of similar aspirations to see this project through. The first season marks a triumph for all those involved, a rallying call for his crew and others in El Paso to show that with the right amount of vision and devotion anything is possible. This is not to say that the production of the first season did not come with a few hurdles along the way, or that there isn't room to provide a more refined product for fans. Chris Jones is ready to tackle these issues head on. In the interview that follows Chris touches on his past, the series future, and hints towards what fans can expect in the season to come.

Nothingtodoinep: “Give me a little background on yourself, were you born and raised here in El Paso?”

Chris Jones: “I was born and raised here in El Paso. I went to High School in Van Horn, Texas. My parents, my mom and my step-dad, opened a restaurant over there so we moved. As soon as I graduated I came right back. I love El Paso, its the perfect place for me. Not too big, not too small, it's got everything I need. Anywhere else is a vacation for me if I get to go, but I always like to come home.”

“I'm usually pretty quiet. In the production world, you have to get used to being around a lot of people but your also very secluded because your writing or editing. Sometimes you just have to be by yourself.”

Nothingtodoinep: “So while we are on the subject, what were your major motivations in deciding that you wanted to pursue film? When was the pivotal moment when you realized this is something you wanted to do professionally?”

Chris Jones: “Well, since I was young I've always been into movies and television. When I was young, back in the 80s, it started with the old He-Man cartoon. He was always saving people. All of the movies my dad used to show me, everything had a larger than life hero. Back then Stallone, Schwarzenegger, even Eddie Murphy were all a big deal. For example, take 'Die Hard', it was all about the right guy in the right place getting stuck in a crazy situation and trying to find a way out.”

“I always loved karate, and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were a huge thing back then too. I always wanted to take karate but we could never afford it. I think where it all really started was after I saw 'Bloodsport' with Van Damme. I saw the last fight scene where he was doing helicopter kicks, and I had never seen that before. From that point on I was always at the video store, rentals were 50 cents back then, and I was always taking his movies home. I had all of them memorized, and I found myself emulating him. I wanted to be that guy. I didn’t tell people, and I kept it a secret because I thought people would make fun of me. Back then my goal was to graduate, buy my own camera, and start making my own stuff.”

“So by the time this became a possibility I already had my daughter, which was even more motivation to make this all happen. One day I walked into Best Buy and saw a copy of Adobe Premier, the tag line on the box said 'make your own movies' or something like that. I didn’t even have a computer at the time, and to think that something like that was possible for the average consumer was mind boggling. So I convinced my Dad to help me out and I got a small loan to by a computer, a decent camera, and that software. I figured I wasn’t going to have anyone to teach me, So I started filming weddings and quinceaneras and stuff to learn different techniques.”

“Now around this time 'Mission Impossible 2' came out, and it was handled by John Woo, one of my favorite directors...Well, I have two favorite directors. As ridiculous as it may sound the second one is Michael Bay. His movies are kind of hokey, but his use of lighting, scenery, and his ability to frame a scene is amazing. Back to John Woo though, when you watch one of his movies 75% of it is in slow motion, and hes equally gifted in capturing to scope of a scene. What blew me away about M.I.2 was the fact that it featured Tom Cruise, who is by no means a martial artists, doing all of this crazy John Woo inspired stuff. That’s when I realized that if a director sees something in an actor and can get that actor, who is not necessarily fit for the role to move a certain way, they could edit it into being whatever they want. So I began to broaden my horizons. I figured if Tom Cruise, who is obviously very talented, could be made into a martial arts expert on film anyone could be. I thought 'Forget the quinces, forget the weddings, I need to start now.' ”

“This must have been around, like, 2000 or something. In the process of shooting my first short I sprained my ankle. I didn’t want to stop filming so I ignored it for a couple of months, which only made the situation worse. Eventually I went to the doctor, and they gave me one of those ridiculous Robocop boots, so I was kind of restricted in what I could do. During that time I saw that a director here was filming something called “Lagrimas”, it was a little novela. They were casting for a cholo looking kid to sit in a scene and eat beans.”

“So I called the guy and told him I was interested. I told him I had the boot but I could definitely sit there and eat. They cast me, and we shot the thing one day after midnight. In my eyes, the director was the real deal. Through the use of lighting and the angles he made a room in the middle of the night look like it was shot in the afternoon. This guy became my mentor, and he got me a job as an editor. That's where the road to what would become Save Me really got started.”

Nothingtodoinep: You have been able to collect a group of dedicated actors to star in your show. What is your perspective on the local acting scene, and what type of qualities do you tend to look for when recruiting new talent?

Chris Jones: “Well, the nice incentive aspiring actors have here in El Paso is the fact that its still a growing scene. If you were to attend a casting call here, turnout would be around 20 to maybe 100 people max. In Los Angeles that number skyrockets to the thousands. Basically, the dream isn’t as common, and someone who decides they are going to start here tends to be hungrier for the opportunity to make something for themselves. They are probably always thinking about it, and if they are given the chance to do this, they are going to take it and run. If you can get people to believe in you and vice versa I don’t think there is anything you can't accomplish together. Talent is everywhere, you just have to be willing to look for it. We are all actors at some point in our lives, we all have to tell a story, and we all have to be someone who we aren’t necessarily from time to time. Everyone is an actor, you just have to find a way to pull it out.”

Nothingtodoinep: El Paso is rife with potential material to center a fictional story around. What made you decide to center Save Me around the issue of domestic abuse?

Chris Jones: I felt that other issues would generalize El Paso. I wanted people to watch something where they felt like they could be looking at any other city. The drug war was, and still is, a big problem. And at the time anyone trying to do anything involving film out here was focusing on it. I wanted a broader audience to look at the city and believe that it was a place where anyone could live. I just didn’t want to portray something that was isolated to our region and extremely heartbreaking.

Nothingtodoinep: I see that you have brought in more talent in a couple different areas, your Facebook page welcomed a new cast member, can you give your audience a slight hint as to her new role?

Chris Jones: Of course, I had the chance to work with Anna Ranoso on another project about 5 years ago that never got completed. Shes an amazing martial artist, and I wanted the chance to bring that to the show. Shes also a very talented actress and her character is going to have a deep impact on one of the main characters this season. She's going to act like an anchor of sorts, and I want to use her character to illustrate the depth in which the other ones are connected to one another.

Nothingtodoinep: In addition to new actors, your page states that a new composer has stepped on board to help with the soundtrack for the second season. What kind of dynamic do you think this will provide?

Chris Jones: Music is 90% of my creative process. I like to gather a soundtrack for whatever idea I have in my head before I put it on paper. It helps me organize my thoughts and set the mood for the product I want to present to my audience. A good soundtrack also brings with it a higher level of legitimacy in the eyes of the consumer. So much emotion can be conveyed through music, and I want to make sure this coincides with the depth of the material I am focusing on for this season. I've never met Ulrich Hilbel face to face, all of our correspondence has been through email. We've collaborated a few times before and have both had the chance to kind of grow artistically over the years. I think he has a great idea of what I am trying to accomplish. I would also like to incorporate a wealth of local bands and artists, along with music from anyone that I feel matches the overall vibe of what I would like to convey.”

Nothingtodoinep: “Alright, last question. You said that the new season will be bigger and darker. Given the mood and the scope of the previous season this is a bold statement. What direction do you plan on taking the series this second season to deliver on that promise?”

Chris Jones: “Basically, I wanted to establish a fictional unit operating within the El Paso Police department that was created strictly to handle cases of domestic violence, let's call it the DVU. If we had a unit that was made strictly for that purpose, I think it would help a lot of people, but obviously it would have to be run right. In the second season we will have a few characters returning, and I want to focus on the ripple effect of the event that ended the first season on the lives of these characters a year later. The main thing I want to emphasize is the concept of accountability, and the consequences of thus. I want to show the lives of those involved in these situations after they are able to escape them, or the repercussions suffered as a result of their actions. There are going to be a lot of new faces and situations, but what I've described is going to be the heart of this season.”

“Also, I think the social media renaissance puts our lives out in the open, its hard to hide anything anymore. Everything that occurred in the first season was to some degree based on the real world. On that note, given the fact that we are so constantly connected to one another no one is ever really alone. As dark as everything sounds, I want to give the audience and those who may actually be in these situations a sense of hope.”

Hope seems to be the true theme behind everything Chris and his production team have leaned on so far. The hope that they can accomplish something greater for themselves, their city, and those they love. So long as they maintain momentum, it will only be a matter of time before they are able to reach their goals.

For more news on save me be sure to check out their Facebook page. The team posts updates daily, and Chris strives to offer deeper insight to his cast and crew, all of which can be found here.

https://www.facebook.com/SaveMeSeries?fref=ts

Also, domestic abuse comes in many forms, If you or someone you know has become a victim of domestic abuse you are not alone. Reach out to others for help, below are various resources for those in need, and as always never hesitate to call the police.

The National Domestic Abuse Hotline: http://www.thehotline.org/

Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, El Paso, TX : http://www.casfv.org/

#nothingtodoinep #savemeseries #new hero #el paso

My good friend Anthony Buonvino of Snappy Crotch Kicks will be preforming a free show tonight at The Lowbrow Palace alongside Emily Davis, Ghetto Tactix, and Cheeky Orange! If the free show isn't incentive enough there will be drink specials till 11pm for all you alcoholics.

#nothingtodoinep #el paso #lowbrowpalace #snappycrotchkicks #emily davis #ghetto tactix #cheeky orange

Official Announcement for Save Me Season 2

Critically acclaimed El Paso web series “Save Me” is about to begin production on it’s highly anticipated second season. Director Christopher Jones aka “New Hero” promises that the sophomore season will be bigger, better and darker. This man is extremely dedicated, talented, and details obtained so far all indicate that the direction in which the show will be taken will push his limits as a director, writer, and actor.

“This season, we really wanna take things to a whole new level. El Paso is ready and so are the people involved. Season 2, episode one, "You are not alone” will resume with our returning characters and where they are now. It’s been a year, and a lot has changed. As their stories progress, each episode after will introduce a new domestic situation/character. Our focus for the season is “accountability”. What happens behind closed doors is no secret anymore. It’s all over the web, in our cell phones, our jobs, family…victim or abuser, we are all responsible. Things will be bigger, they will be darker. We’re ready…I’m ready.“ - New Hero

The series is currently in consideration for Best Drama at the Miami Web Fest, and can also be chosen as part of the festivals Peoples Choice Award, fans can vote for it here:

http://miamiwebfest.com/vote/

For the unindoctrinated, here is a link to the entire series as well as various promotional material. The series is poignant and deals with an epidemic here in the Southwest that for some is all too real:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk0IxbUx8WtshIuhJ728WPQ

On the subject of domestic abuse, silence breeds apathy. Abuse comes in many forms, If you or someone you know has become a victim of domestic abuse you are not alone. Reach out to others for help, below are various resources for those in need, and as always never hesitate to call the police.

The National Domestic Abuse Hotline: http://www.thehotline.org/

Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, El Paso, TX : http://www.casfv.org/

Thanks for reading, these are some very exciting times for our city and for this blossoming local drama.

Stay tuned.

#nothingtodoinep #savemeseries #el paso #new hero

Official Announcement for Save Me Season 2

Critically acclaimed El Paso web series “Save Me” is about to begin production on it's highly anticipated second season. Director Christopher Jones aka “New Hero” promises that the sophomore season will be bigger, better and darker. This man is extremely dedicated, talented, and details obtained so far all indicate that the direction in which the show will be taken will push his limits as a director, writer, and actor.

"This season, we really wanna take things to a whole new level. El Paso is ready and so are the people involved. Season 2, episode one, "You are not alone" will resume with our returning characters and where they are now. It's been a year, and a lot has changed. As their stories progress, each episode after will introduce a new domestic situation/character. Our focus for the season is "accountability". What happens behind closed doors is no secret anymore. It's all over the web, in our cell phones, our jobs, family...victim or abuser, we are all responsible. Things will be bigger, they will be darker. We're ready...I'm ready." - New Hero

The series is currently in consideration for Best Drama at the Miami Web Fest, and can also be chosen as part of the festivals Peoples Choice Award, fans can vote for it here:

http://miamiwebfest.com/vote/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk0IxbUx8WtshIuhJ728WPQ

The National Domestic Abuse Hotline: http://www.thehotline.org/

Center Against Sexual and Family Violence, El Paso, TX : http://www.casfv.org/

Thanks for reading, these are some very exciting times for our city and for this blossoming local drama.

Stay tuned.

#nothingtodoinep #savemeseries #el paso #new hero

Parks and Rec.....and Roads.....and Buildings....

by Christopher Michael Gonzalez

The morning of Saturday. May 30th marked a couple of historic firsts in my life. It was the first time I had ever been to a police station on my own accord, and it was the first time I had ever taken any interest in local politics. I sat in the small meeting room of the West Side Regional Command Center on Osborne street, maniacally eating the free Krispy Kreme doughuts the hosts so cordially provided. A few minutes before the debate, the crowd of merely 10 people swelled to a modest 30. As one would assume, with the exception of a couple members of the press, I was one of the youngest individuals in attendance. At the ripe age of 28, that says a lot.

You know all that horribly inconvenient roadwork that messes with your daily commute and never seems to end? That halfway built, whatever it is, in the park across the street? The library you take your kids to filled with cold empty steel shelves? All of the beautiful historic buildings and untapped potential downtown that has yet to truly come to fruition? I know at least some of you out there bring up these topics in conversation relatively often. My friends are always coming up with ideas for improving the overall quality of life here, and despite all of our talk, the ability to make some real change in El Paso starts in places like this one. With debates held in school cafeteria style meeting halls at times in which no self respecting 20 something would ever dream of waking up on a Saturday.

The two candidates I was about to watch duke it out for City Council District 1 couldn’t be more different from one another. Al Weisenberger was born in Hope, Arkansas. After graduating from law school he served as an officer in the army during Vietnam. He moved to El Paso in 1972 and eventually became a successful business man and criminal defense lawyer. He raised a family of 3 here in District 1, and vows that if he is elected he will only serve one term. The values and experience gained from this wide range of expertise pervades his platform and was evident throughout the debate. His website with further information about him and his political goals can be found here: http://www.alfordistrict1.com

His opponent, Peter Svarzbein, grew up here in El Paso. He is a 35 year old returning resident who obtained a bachelors in English and American literature and went on to earn a Masters of Fine Arts in Photography and Video from The School of Visual Arts in New York City. His appreciation for the arts was something he made clear during the meeting, and he placed a large emphasis on assuring the crowd that what he lacked in experience he would make up for in tenacity. He made a point of ensuring that his attitude throughout the debate exemplified that statement, for better or for worse. Peter's website contains similar bells and whistles and can be accessed here: http://www.peterfordistrict1.com

The candidates chimed in on a wide range of issues, but Ill focus on a few that drew about some of the most heated discussion. Their differences were only further highlighted through these particular questions, and in all sincerity I believe both candidates provided some interesting solutions. On the topic of the lack of funding for the 2012 Quality of Life Bond (here's a link, don’t worry, I didn’t know what it was all about either: https://www.elpasotexas.gov/building-tomorrow-together/quality-of-life ) they each provided their own unique take on the matter.

This whole debacle is apparently the result of a clerical miscalculation mind you, people got fired.

Weisenberger proposes taking funding set aside from two projects that that were part of this initial investment but did not see the light of day, and relocating these assets to the remaining projects that will in his eyes most greatly benefit the community. “There was a 2.8 million dollar park somewhere by Coronado.” he stated “I don’t even know where you would put a $2 million dollar park in that area, now that’s not going to happen. Then there was a million dollar park in another place that was not really welcomed by that neighborhood in particular.” He believes that the Hispanic Cultural Center and the West Side Aquatic Center could use these resources most efficiently, and would like to obtain more funding if necessary through philanthropic donation. He believes that these projects aren’t completely centered around attracting perspective citizens to the region, but could greatly impact the lives of those who already live here. Instead of focusing on a shotgun spread ideal of small projects across town, resources should be moved to projects that will most deeply effect the community. This isn’t the sexiest answer, but its logical and provides some clear cut goals that would undoubtedly produce results.

Svarzbien stated that he “Does not believe in taking parks from parts of the city which historically do not have many parks to begin with.” He believes that that taking cash from one park for the completion of another is unfair. Peter states that the whole purpose of the project is to make the city more culturally appealing and help attract a highly educated and skilled workforce from the rest of the nation. A joint effort between citizens, the city, and corporations here in town should be created to “think outside of the box” to help reach a resolution. In respect to the prospect of attracting new people and ex-patriots to El Paso, he proposes having a larger presence at various events occurring throughout the state, such as South by Southwest, to show off the cities allure. That something as simple as showing the price of a house here in comparison to Austin would be enough to attract newcomers. Considering progress on these projects thus far its a bit of a gamble. In such circumstances the house usually wins, but it could yield big rewards.

In response to a proposal for an independent audit of the cities streets department to ascertain as to why our roads are in such poor condition, and why projects to fix them continuously run over schedule Svarzbien offered the following. According to him there was $208 million allocated to a proposed 122 various street repair projects across the city in 2012, and out of those projects only 4 have been completed. He feels that this represents a gross abuse of leadership, and that the fact that there has been little advancement shows extreme disengagement by those in charge. He believes the people deserve someone who is willing to be there full time to ensure this will be completed as long as such oversight is necessary. If such an endeavor should take more than one term to see through, then so be it.

Al states that he will only serve 1 term if elected, and that he has no intention of becoming a career politician, during that term he promises to work to gain drastic results on this matter as quickly as possible. He mentions the construction that had taken place on Country Club road ran well over schedule and that in attending the meetings for said project the citizens were not given what they were promised. He believes that contractor development on work that has gone over the proposed time-frame for completion needs to carry heavier monetary penalties. That the current standard of fines around $1000 a day for each day over scheduled should be raised to $15 -$20 thousand, and that projects completed on time or before schedule should be rewarded. $20 grand a day is a daunting figure, and if such heavy penalties were levied on various slow moving contracted projects across town he believes we would see results much more quickly. The same could be said about financially rewarding projects completed on time.

Then the topic of historical preservation came up. Our city possesses some extremely beautiful architecture, and the topic of its demolition has been a huge matter if debate over the past few years. Each candidate has taken a stance on historical preservation and the potential for heritage tourism. This may sound like a lost cause, but the potential benefits are very real. Take New Orleans for instance, and granted we are light years away from having something akin to their level of tourism, but they were able to earn a total of $6.47 billion from an estimated 9.28 million visitors in 2013. New Orleans embraces its rich historical background, and packages it into something people are willing to pay for. The same potential is here, and downtown is the best place to start.

This topic also brought up the somewhat tender subject of campaign funding. As you may or may not know, records for contributions donated to candidates are open to the public and can be accessed here: http://legacy.elpasotexas.gov/muni_clerk/2015_05_09_general_election_campaign_records.asp. The candidates were asked the following question “Did you accept campaign contributions from any developers who were responsible for recently demolishing seven historic buildings along East San Antonio Avenue? If so, do those contributions contradict your declared position on historic preservation or could they in any way compromise your capacity to make objective decisions about our city's historic downtown architecture, should you be elected?”.

Svarzbien stepped up to the plate first, he stated “So, first and foremost, any contribution I have received would never in any way effect, either positive or negative, the affect I would have on historic preservation. I have been involved in historic preservation projects in this city since I've been back. I’ve been a member of preservation societies in this city. I’ve held a gathering in one of the historic buildings in downtown El Paso. There are a lot of people in very different circles of this community who have supported me, and they supported me not because they are expecting any sort of favors whatsoever. They support me because they remember when I was this big,” he continued as he held his hand out below his waist as an example “when I was in kindergarten at the El Paso Hebrew Day School. Or they support me because I graduated from high school with one of their children. I don't apologize for taking any sort of contributions from anybody. I treat every single person in this district fairly, respectfully, and equally. I also have a complete open door policy, my website lists some of my goals and my priorities. Almost every single piece of campaign literature I have has my own personal cell phone on there where you can give me a call to talk about any issues. So again, thank you.”

Weisenberger responded with the following “My quick answer to that question is no. I have not accepted campaign contributions from anyone that has been involved in the destruction of those historic buildings. So I don’t have to say ''the money I got from them will not impact my decision making.' when they come before council and want to destroy other buildings. The one real substantive item I have on my website about my decision, and I have this because it is very important to me and to our city, is that I want to protect those buildings. I want to make sure that they are not torn down. I want to make sure that they are put in a position so that they don’t deteriorate more. I will do everything that I can as one of our city representatives to try to promote our architectural tourism which I believe down the road is a great asset to this community. We have some beautiful, beautiful buildings in downtown El Paso. They need to be preserved, and you have my word that I will do everything that I can to protect them and move that part of the cities economy forward. Thank you.”

Svarzbien went on to state during his rebuttal that he is dedicated to “meeting with stakeholders and preservationists to come up with common sense solutions to how these buildings, these beautiful historic gems can actually be activated once again into properties that are giving both financially and culturally as well.”

Despite whom you may choose to vote for, if you even choose to vote at all, both of these men have clear cut and distinct ideas as to how to improve the overall quality of life for this city. The whole job of any government representative is to look out for the general welfare of the people. As a result they are going to take the interests of those who put them into office into consideration. On the local level we dictate the political climate more then we would like to consider, and financial contributors only help to further the odds of whom they support and believe in to accomplishing their goals. If we want things to improve, the first step is to go out and vote. In a run-off election in this city, your vote may as well count as 100. Arm yourself with as much information as possible. This way, a couple years down the line, you'll know whose fault it when you’ve been stuck in traffic for an hour while trying to get to Santa Teresa.

#nothingtodoinep #el paso #alfordistrict1 #teampedro

Modern day hip hop legend and Loiter Squad star Tyler The Creator is preforming TONIGHT at Tricky Falls! Tickets can be purchased on ticket fly for a meager $25. Doors open at 7. For lack of a better way to put it, this fools dope. He's extremely talented, introspective, creates his own instruments, and has a dark,scathing sense of humor. Fans of Earl Sweatshirt, who recently preformed at Neon Desert, will feel right at home with this guy. Hit it up, here's a sample for those of you who may not be familiar, this is his 2013 single IFHY.

#nothingtodoinep #tricky falls #tyler the creator #el paso

The Holydrug Couple, dream-hop duo from Santiago Chile will be preforming a free show tonight in El Paso, Tx at Monarch on 204 Rio Grande at 10 p.m., 21+. They released their latest LP, Moonlust, this month. Here's the link for the album on bandcamp. Definitely worth checking out.

https://theholydrugcouple.bandcamp.com/album/moonlust

#nothingtodoinep #the holydrug couple #el paso #monarch

A Guide to Neon Desert 5.0

#nothingtodoinep

http://nothingtodoinelpaso.tumblr.com/

A Guide to Neon Desert 5.0

by: Christopher Michael Gonzalez

With an absolutely amazing lineup, a turnout of over 30,000 fans last year and attendance expected to double, Neon Desert 5.0 is the only thing you should have planned for the Memorial Day weekend. Every musician featured deserves your attention, as do the local artists, entrepreneurs, and restaurants that have come together to make this possible. I have prepared a crash course on who is worth seeing (In my personal opinion) and when each group is playing. I've also collected the latest and greatest from each artist here on this page for the uninitiated, as well as a brief description on why they should be worth your while. In each case, I think that you will agree that the music speaks for itself.

My nefarious band of land pirates and I will be there. We will be covering the event, and if your looking for some good people to hang out with or new friends, follow the yellow brick road I am about to lay out for you.

DAY 1: Friday 5-22-2015

5:30- 6:15: The D.A.

I went to high school with some of these guys, they are extremely dedicated and talented. I'm sure many of you reading this know them personally, and its not hard to show some love for a local band of this caliber. Here's a video for their song “Pastels”.

The D.A.- Pastels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSN2ZoSUL6s

6:15-7:15: Bondax

Future garage duo from Lancaster, England. Their tracks are full of thick heady beats and entrancing melodies. “Gold”, one of their more popular songs, captures and distills this essence.

Bondax- Gold https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF_caNY4RM8

8:00- 9:00: People Under the Stairs

“Underground” hip-hop legends out of Los Angeles, Califronia that have been at it since 1997. These guys handle every facet of their music production, resulting in a smooth riding experience that hails back to the time of the early 90's hip-hop greats. Try out “San Francisco Knights”

People Under the Stairs- San Francisco Knights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjZN_adJKv8&index=3&list=PLa7d1xEwmXTfcaZFh0-okNL0e823iV-i-

8:45- 9:45: Slightly Stoopid

These dudes describe their music as "a fusion of folk, rock, reggae and blues with hip-hop, funk, metal and punk.". They are from Ocean Beach, California, and I couldn’t think of a more suiting environment to produce something like this. Here they are live from The Catalyst with “Anywhere I Go”

Slightly Stoopid- Anywhere I Go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K4cBv5KO3Q

9:45-10:45: Robert Delong

Indietronica artist Robert Delong released his latest EP in November of last year. If I were to describe him to a newcomer, I would say he sounds like a combination of Chet Faker and The Postal Service. Dark and catchy, here's the single “Long Way Down” from the identically named EP.

Robert Delong- Long Way Down https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdHKIx6smag&list=PLASRAaTDf1OYI8XqOCC-skfdUEsV_qoYC

10:45- 11:45: Cypress Hill

If I have to explain why Cypress Hill is worth checking out you need to reevaluate your life. Here's one of his classics “Hits From the Bong”.

After reading that statement, perhaps I need to reevaluate my life.

Cypress Hill-Hits From the Bong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyqVVfj5qE8

11:45-12:45: Toro y Moi

This artist is considered to be responsible for the rise of the “chillwave” movement, and this particular song has accompanied me on many a long night playing Grand Theft Auto V. Simultaneously dancy, laid back and insightful here's their aptly named single “So Many Details”.

Toro y Moi- So Many Details https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0_ardwzTrA

12:45-1:45: Girl Talk

Apparently this guy left his job as an engineer to pursue a career in music, and you should be happy that he did. As a millennial, the following is a conglomeration of a ton of the stuff I grew up with. Perfect for a high school reunion or a riot, here is his full album “Night Ripper”

Girl Talk- Night Ripper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSoTN8suQ1o

Day 2: Saturday 5-23-15

This is where things begin to get complicated. I’m going to see every one of these artists, and despite their slightly overlapping schedules you should make the effort to do so as well. If it comes down to having to choose, there is no wrong answer.

6:15-7:15: SOHN

English musical renaissance man Christopher Taylor hails from Vienna, Austria. I cannot stress how much I enjoy this guys music. Everyone whom I have shown agrees as well. If your a fan of The Weekend, SBTRKT, or Bonobo you will love this. Here is my favorite “Bloodflows”

SOHN- Bloodflows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6zv_5zGEso

6:30-7:30: Tokyo Police Club

Bona fied indie rock in the best way, Tokyo Police Club visits us from Ontario, Canada. If you went to high school in the mid 2000's stuff like this dominated the mix CD's you gave to your crushes. They are like a slightly more melancholy version of The Strokes, and I believe this song captures the pinnacle of their talent. Here is “Frankenstein”.

Tokyo Police Club- Frankenstein https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqkPZjpTSRk

7:30-8:30: Big K.R.I.T.

Def Jam recording artist from Meridian, Mississippi, King Remembered In Time has produced a ton of music over the past ten years on his way to critical acclaim. Here is his song “Cadillactica”, if you don’t get it, ask your grandparents, they understand.

Big K.R.I.T - “Cadillactica” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIeuw1Ce5pk&list=PLL3xucJ7J83mwMXj-JZcalGB_18arFY8c&index=2

9:30-10:30: G-Eazy

Ill admit, I’ve been a fan of this guy for a sec. As exaggerated as it may sound his lyrics represent both his extreme arrogance and a scathing criticism of many of the motivations which drive modern American youth. I feel that this can best be observed in the following song, here is “Tumblr Girls”

Slightly NSFW, although a few boobs never hurt anyone.

G-Eazy- Tumblr Girls https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEWYwQR9jPE&list=PLmDDuJumCIZ9Lb8XZZS6T5OrLRDH-r8pN

10:00- 11:00: The Drums

Now, despite your potential perception of me as a music snob, I'm not a big fan of any of the new wave groups that undoubtedly influenced this band. I would actually have to say that these guys take the whole genre and produce something better. This is a group which you definitely cannot miss. Here is the provocative video for their lovely song “Days”.

The Drums- Days https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuC1bCoH2TY

10:30-12:00: J Cole

With 3 albums that reached the #1 position on Billboard charts with each successive release, J Cole has proven to be a dominate force in the world of Hip-Hop. He lists Tupac, Eminem and Nas as being his biggest musical influences, truthfully he reminds me of early Kanye West. His lyrics tend to carry a certain amount of personal weight to them, and the B-sides on his albums bear what is for the most part a positive message. Here is a single “G.O.M.D” off his latest album.

J Cole- G.O.M.D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHU6ZRQJ50Q&list=PL5ae7GWZduvPB9M60fyQf2ynEvIniYAsK

12:00- 1:30: Kaskade

Grammy nominated and hyper-prolific, Kaskade has produced hundreds of songs that you have either heard on the radio, Pandora, Spotify, or any nightclub here in El Paso. Seriously, this guy has released music seemingly non-stop since his debut in 2001. His resume does all the talking. Here is my favorite, and perhaps undoubtedly the song that skyrocketed both himself and his collaborator Deadmau5 to mainstream stardom “I Remember”.

Kaskade- I Remember https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUzVCw8BEXA

Day 3: Sunday 5-24-15

5:00- 6:00: White Fence

If you told me these guys had been around since 1967 I would probably believe you. They remind me of an even more heavily acid fueled version of The Beatles. Its like they were retro before you knew what retro was. Here is their slightly disturbing video for “It Will Never Be”. I’m not a freaking hipster I swear.

White Fence- It Will Never Be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drfIG6pe0K4&index=2&list=PLM4Bpy32Ps0ZWQiJTwBVSSSFR2K1bADDV

6:00- 7:00: Salva

Trap influenced rapper, DJ, and producer. Salva's music is perfect when you are overwhelmed with the desire to blast the most obnoxious stuff you can find on your playlist. Don’t let that description scare you off, its hard not to like. Here is his most popular track “Drop that B”, which grants the listener with some advice I should have taken several times.

Salva- Drop that B https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9MY7cVpGgw&list=PLiEpBI0RqPyREKPQfClrTeTQ4kjruYyWt

7:00-8:00: Ximena Sariñana

29 year old actress and singer from Mexico City, Ximena Sariñana reminds me of a Spanish speaking Fiona Apple. With her smokey voice and stirring melodies shes sure to grab your attention. Despite my inability to understand her (I know, I’m sorry), her music has a hypnotic quality to it. Here is her video for “Mediocre” with lyrics so you can sing along!

Ximena Sariñana- Mediocre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xste3Zw0klY&list=PLaYi0TzxZG3ngGZo0vEA3WnNfFM3MAgz2&index=4

8:00-9:00: Earl Sweatshirt

Discovered by Tyler, The Creator, 21 year old Thebe Neruda Kgositsile mirrors many of the qualities that made his mentor so popular. This stuff is dark, unsettling, and irresistible to listen to. I'd expect to hear a lot more from him in the coming years despite the fact that he has already made it. Here is a single “Chum” from his latest album.

Earl Sweatshirt- Chum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCbWLSZrZfw&list=PLwuWS5OAJKIn1WskFYvvx5ZrVFVLPMy_K

8:30- 9:30: Miami Horror

Another act featured on the GTA V soundtrack, synth-pop band Miami Horror visits us all the way from Melbourne, Australia. Their style draws heavily from the likes of Michael Jackson, Prince, and as strange as it may sound Pink Floyd. Here is a video for their single “Real Slow”, within 30 seconds of watching, I think you will get where I am coming from.

Miami Horror- Real Slow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDIJ-jqYulI

10:00-11:30: PARTYNEXTDOOR

Proclaimed as part of the emerging PBR&B (Pabst Blue Ribbon R&B, it's sold to hipsters) movement, PartyNextDoor has a lot to offer. The beats are a great combination of what makes EDM, Hip-Hop, and R&B attractive. This artist shares a lot of the qualities that make his collaborator and record producer Drake so popular. While I feel that several of you may be cringing as this review continues, its popular for a reason. Here is his single “Recognize- ft. Drake”.

PARTYNEXTDOOR – Recognize ft. Drake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsPfSXJaelk

11:00- 12:15: Passion Pit Yet another group that needs absolutely no introduction. Passion Pit has been belting out intoxicatingly infectious hits since their debut in 2007. You have most likely heard them today once already. Here is their single “Lifted Up (1985)” from their latest album “Kindred” Passion Pit- Lifted Up (1985) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeINWQDg7zg

12:15-1:30: Flume The following is going to be extremely biased. I bought tickets to this festival strictly due to the fact that I saw their name on the line up. I love Flume and have been listening to him almost daily for the past two years. Despite potentially being dismissed as run of the mill Electronica, his tracks have a quality that I feel is hard to find elsewhere, and its difficult to put into words. I’ve included 2 videos which I feel best showcase his talents. The first is a remix of “You and Me” by Disclosure, the second is a collaboration between himself and Chet Faker called “Drop the Game”. Enjoy.

Disclosure- You and Me- Flume Remix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zPlr-o-YEQ

Flume & Chet Faker- Drop the Game https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vopR3ys8Kw

Thanks for reading! Hopefully I have converted a few of you that were on the fence about attending. I'll be posting updates of our adventures over the weekend, and for those going to the festival I will see you there.

#nothingtodoinep #neondesert #elpaso #el paso #flume #passion pit #g eazy #bondax #sohn #jcole #cypresshill #partynextdoor #miami horror #earl sweatshirt #salva #white fence #kaskade #toro y moi