Music Monday - 1975

Last week, during my flurry of activity with Dena, we went to see these guys at the 987 Hollywood Tower Penthouse. It was pretty awesome and Kade and I have been rocking out to their EP in anticipation of their fall album all summer long. (Sorry/Not Sorry for those multiple screamy videos as we cruised down PCH on Fourth of July.)

When I first started listening to them, me and fave Brit, David, had to take a minute to assess A.) which vaguely Northern accent the guys had. (Google helped us out. Manchester by way of Cheshire) and B.) If lead singer, Matthew Healy-- who reminds me a bit of a young Dave Gahan-- was kind of putting it on with his accent. Like, ya know, milking it a bit. Turns out he's not and they were smart, witty and lovely to chat with last week. 

"The City" is my favorite song of theirs. Get into it. 

Full length album out September 2, UK, September 3, US.

If you wanna find love, then you know where the city is... 

Landfill Harmonic Orchestra

Make music however you can, people. This is fabulous. 

"The world sends us garbage and we send back music."

Music Monday - Nicholas & Alexandra

Did you notice we had a new logo? It's pretty, right? Thanks much to Heather Weiss for being amazing. Also amazing, recently, I found these two recordings of "Love Will Stay" posted on youtube. 

One, we knew about the performance-- by our fabulous friend Stephanie Gibson last summer. But I didn't know anyone had filmed it!

And the other wins the award for youngest person to sing this 11 o'clock number. Adorable Olivia singing a super vulnerable rendition at her school singing competition. Full-on broken heart people! 

Enjoy! Dena and I are off to check out some real estate with Brie in Santa Monica and cruise Abbot Kinney before our dinner at THE BAZAAR TONIGHT!! AHHHHH!!

Dena in LA Friday Links

My fairy godmother/family friend/Fergie & Fife all-star reader arrives from Georgia tomorrow! We have some pretty amazing girls-trip type activities planned (which I'm sure you'll see more of on here in no time) and I'm looking forward to checking out some of the places in LA I've always wanted to go, but lacked the means or genuine motivation (read: occasion) to make it a priority. 

I can't wait to spend some QT with Dena! I know my friends are about as excited as I am. She's pretty much everyone's favorite. 

Here are your weekend links. 

- One of the places we'll be perusing is the Danish Modern store in Silverlake.
- Another possibility. WINE!
- 5 Great California homes
- LA's abandoned city plans
- One of these, please. 
- This is old, but it needs to be noted... Fassbender. Macbeth. IN SCOTS. Mind = blown.
- Speaking of Scots with castles. GUESS WHO ELSE IS HERE! The Chief!
- This is NO JOKE some amazing science magic. But chemicals always have down sides. Wonder what this one's is?
- Interesting piece on abortion
- The elderly + the young person they remember
- Many of these were difficult... many were alarmingly easy. 
- I spent a lot of very happy time in TX, but in any turf war (& given some recent events there) I will ALWAYS pick NYC. I LOVED this video. "Remember the alamo? NEITHER DO WE!" 

Celebrating McC

Last week, we had a massive two-day celebration of McC's 30th. Her whole family was in town and we feasted at Eveleigh (can you say #chickensalmonsteak?!?) where I successfully ran the gauntlet between tequila, wine and bourbon. We also bobbed and weaved through samplings of chicken, salmon, AND steak-- as well as jalapeno peppers, radishes, salads and potatoes. AND. Donuts AND Cookies. 

If we've learned nothing in our 30+ years, McC, I think we can all agree it's this: More is more. 
(Well, and wait & see, please don't murder me and SIGH.)

Thanks for driving that point (and all those points, actually) home, Eveleigh. I could have eaten those donuts until I died from a diabetic insulin spike. 

We continued the next night in our own fire pit enclave of The Roof at Hotel Wilshire with one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen. No one even threw McC in the pool! Let's do this every year!

Well Done, Bessie.

Well done, you. You legalize that gay marriage.

Puppies!

I am puppy sitting for 5 adorable dogs at the moment-- including 3 newborn puppies. They're half Yorkie and half Maltese and they are the precious-est. I snuggle with them in my neck and they give me kisses. They give each other kisses too. Goooooo....so cuuuute. Happy Monday to you!

Maybe - Annie - 3 Year Old Singer

Happy Friday. You're welcome. Weekend Links tomorrow once I've recovered from McC's 2 day birthday extravaganza. 

Finding Vivian Maier

Here's a film I'd like to see. Uncovering the story behind one of my favorite photographers. The Mary Poppins of photography. A hoarder. A spy. The inventor of street photography. She never even developed many of her photos. They only came to light when someone unknowingly purchased them in an auction. 

Finding Vivian Maier. That's a story if I ever heard one.

Also, today is my dear McC's 30th birthday! If I were rich, I'd buy her a Vivian Maier. But alas, I'll just use my words. Here's how wonderful I think McC is. 

Sara Bareilles - The Blessed Unrest

Sara Bareilles straddles the line between the mainstream formula and the unexpected, the insightful better than pretty much any artist I can think of. Most everyone feels like they have to come down hard on one side or the other. Not Sara.

Her new album, The Blessed Unrest, is my favorite yet. With Brave & Manhattan, I knew we should be expecting something great. Filled with rich, textured pop songs, but also, songs about death and life set in one of the largest and most imposing cemeteries on Earth. And you know I love a good uplifting number about cemeteries. Always have. The above and below of it. Something about being uplifted by acknowledging the dark side, the impermanence of all of it. The etchings left behind that only hint at what once was. 

Here's my current fave track (Chasing the Sun) from the album, which is out next week, but you can stream on itunes now. If you know me, these are the kind of lyrics I'd write. And as a bonus, the vid has the lyrics in Spanish... ???


It’s a really old city 
Stuck between the dead and the living 
So I thought to myself, sitting on a graveyard shelf 
As the echo of heartbeats, from the ground below my feet 
Filled a cemetery in the center of Queens 

I started running the maze of 
The names and the dates, some older than others 
The skyscrapers, little tombstone brothers 
With Manhattan behind her, three million stunning reminders 
Built a cemetery in the center of Queens 

Vinessa Shaw for International Committee of Artists For Peace

For the past few days I've been editing footage of the beautiful memorial services for sweet Muzzy. Sharing the grief and joyful remembrances of my dear friends' mother/grandmother has been an honor. The Damante/Shaw family has been such an important part of my life, my faith, and my belief in myself. 

And so I feel like it's appropriate to share this wonderful video of Vinessa Shaw discussing overcoming her obstacles around belief in herself for ICAPeace. Founded by Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter & Patrick Duffy, the organization uses artistic influence for the purposes of peace and applies principles of Buddhism to art. 

Other fun videos include Steven Sater & Wayne Shorter talking about how awesome women are. 

In addition to always being amazed by Vinessa's beauty, humble nature, determination, etc, I'm glad that this video reminded me how fierce her fur suit was in Eyes Wide Shut. Get it, girl!

There it is, Take it

Hello. I'm back. I think I'm back for good. We'll see. It's been an interesting time in which I haven't felt like I had much interesting to say. But I'm back. And think I may have things to say in the not so distant future. 

In the meantime, here is some Los Angeles-- (by AM Bushe) a city I love more than I ever expected to-- and a place that's welcomed me in its own weird way like not too much else before. I hope you're having a great Monday and that your holiday weekend was as fantastic as mine. And that you weren't one of the 490 DUIs in LA this weekend... woof. 

There It Is, Take It... from A.M. Bushe on Vimeo.

A Surrogate Trip to Italy By Way of the Getty Villa

One of the first fun activities Brie and I got up to on the coast was a trip to Malibu's Getty Villa. It was like a quick trip to a small coastal Italian village. In fact, if you ever miss Italy, you should make the trip out to Malibu. And while there's not actually all that much to see in the way of interesting antiquities, tickets to the Getty Villa are free and there's some truly epic jewelry. That alone is worth the effort of the trip. I wouldn't have minded bringing a good book and parking on one of the benches for a few hours with huge shades and a sunhat.

This Is Martin Bonner - Official Trailer

Chad Hartigan has been raking in the awards at pretty much every film festival there is with his awesome flick, This Is Martin Bonner. (Including Best of NEXT Audience Award at Sundance.) Here's the official trailer. It takes place in Nevada (holla!) which is where I'm headed today. 

Monday Music - Pompeii - Bastille

Greetings from Santa Monica! I'm writing to you from 12 stories in the air overlooking the Coast to the North and Santa Monica pier in the distance. Despite the June gloom, it feels more like summer here. Perhaps because I've got some company. 

Reconnecting with one of my favorite childhood friends after 20 years has been pretty amazing. We frequently revert to childlike glee and laugh like hyenas about pretty much nothing. We meet up at her house many days and swim laps in her Olympic sized pool. 

Now that I'm back into swimming laps like when I was a teenager and dancing around like a spazzy kid, the quest for summer songs becomes even more important. I used to keep myself busy while swimming the mile in high school by singing songs in my head under water. Now, they have underwater listeners to help with that. But I've still been jamming out to this song in my head while I swim. 

London-based Bastille has blown up over in Europe, but I'm hoping this energetic business gets a fair shake here too. It's a pretty good kickstart to the week. Enjoy! Hope you have a great Monday!

TONY Weekend Jumbo Links List

You guys. You might have realized that for the past few weeks, I've been taking quite large gaps in posting. For this I am both sorry/not sorry. I should probably fill you in on a little bit about what's been going on. 

First of all, I've been kind of uninspired about the true purpose of this blog since leaving Europe. My readership dropped off a lot since I was no longer galavanting through castles and I toyed with ideas of revamping into something much different or ceasing to post entirely. I've tabled all those discussions for the time being. But I feel like I'm close to figuring out what this space will next become. 

In the meantime, I've been spending a lot of my energy normally reserved for this blog on a lifestyle e-mag/app platform that will bring the words and ideas to a much, MUCH larger audience and one that is both recognizable and super respected. It's been amazing so far to help launch what I hope this will become. More on that endeavor very soon. 

Until then, just know that there's lots in the works, lots to be excited about, lots to write about and so many interesting things on the internet. Here are some of them. And happy Tony Weekend, musical lovers!

- I can't believe this Mary Queen of Scots exhibit wasn't open when I was  there. 
- This amazing house in Russia
- Hard to believe these works of art aren't photos
- Yet another example of why the writings of Alex Williams are in my axis of evil.
- David Simon on gov phone tapping. He would know lots about wires. I heart him.
- SO much crazy rape talk on the internets. There was this....
- Which got SO ugly here. Lindy! Solidarity, girl. People make me really ill sometimes. BUT!
- This article about the distress of the privileged is one of the best I've read.
- Best LA places for outdoorsiness.
- Recently uncovered 1959 photos of Robert Redford (holla!)
- Almost RIP, Google Reader. Tear. Here's why it really got the ax. 
- Reading literature makes us nicer and smarter. No shit, Sherlock.
- TONY stuff. I like the analysis here. But I'm for Matilda all the way on everything. 
- Giada De Laurentiis's chocolate linguine. BOOM.

Music Monday - Frightened Rabbit - Late March Death March EP

One of my favorite anecdotes from the Frightened Rabbit concert back in March was Scott Hutchison's story of his 4 year old niece who, when asked what her favorite song of all time was, leaned in and whispered to her teacher [insert brogue] "Death... March."

It's also my favorite FRabbits song. Which is why I'm so glad they released an EP with an alternate version of the song. It almost sounds like this could be a CHVRCHES remix of the song (wink wink. That concert was fabulous btw.)

Unfortunately, said EP is not (yet) available for sale in the US, but you can listen to the alternate version below. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of the full EP to check out their collaboration with the full Manchester Orchestra. 

Hope you're having a great Monday!

The Caucasian Chalk Circle - Duncan Sheik & Bertolt Brecht

So many things, you guys. Sheik. Brecht. MARY TESTA. Doc from Back to the Future. This show has everything. New York's hottest club is Classic Stage Company on East 13th Street for the production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

For the love all holiness, someone please go see this for me before it closes!

New York Views 360

Someone get my check book! I'll take one of these, please. For only 18 mil, you can have the 360 degree amazing views from the Penthouse of the Brooklyn Clock Tour. Ooooh, it's pretty. I've been fighting off the flu. I wouldn't mind recuperating somewhere like here.

CHVRCHES - GUN

New CHVRCHES? Yes, please and happy Tuesday. I cannot wait to see these guys again on Friday. I'm gonna get real Scottish on everyone. 

Washed Out - Parascosm - August

Summer just feels lacking if there's not a Washed Out record. I'm sad we'll have to wait until Summer's almost over to have this new one, Paracosm. 

I grew up spending summers with the Sextons and the Greenes in Perry. Blair, Ernie's now wife, and her family are responsible for some of my favorite childhood memories. Her grandmother, Billie, is almost as important to my juvenile education as my own grandmother.  

I'm happy for this little teaser video, but wish we could have a little more to go on. A single perhaps? Either way, we know Ernie's experimenting with a lot more instruments. Fifty, from what I'm told. Maybe I'll write and ask for an advance copy...winkwink. Let the summer begin! I think I'm going to blast some "Amor Fati" on my way down PCH to Pacific Palisades today. Pool Party!

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

Memorial Weekend Friday Links

On my first free weekend in a long time, I plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. That's all I ask. Can one really ask more for Memorial Day Weekend? I won't even mind if I'm alone on some trails. My post-show depression is receding and I'm recharging for an intense summer of work and musical theatre. 

- My amazing Iona is writing for the Guardian now!!!
- Speaking of which, I'll be going here the next time I'm in NYC.
- The 5 most British Reactions to Honey Boo Boo
- Memory is malleable, dynamic, elusive.
- How to wreck your life with crowd funding.
- French children don't have ADHD. Interesting.
- The gangsta rap version of my blog is not too far from the real thing.
- My imaginary well-dressed toddler daughter, Quinoa.
- Annise Parker, ninjas!
- I do love beards.
- But this guy. He can do whatever he wants. Forever. Reddddddforrrrrrd. There can NEVER be enough Robert Redford appreciation articles. The. Ultimate.

The One and Only Our Lady J

One of the amazing side benefits of working with Shaping Sound was my chance to reconnect with Our Lady J. She also moved from New York in the relatively recent past and used to work with Steven at Rosie's. She's also one of the best live performers I've ever seen. Her concerts are truly something special and I don't know any musician like her. 

That's an all around statement, in fact. I don't know anyone like her at all, ever. Period. She has a breathtaking version of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," which Jaimie and Teddy dance to in Shaping Sound and I used the track in my favorite promo video. 

Her fans have been clamoring for a studio album for years and now we're finally getting one! (As long as everything goes according to plan. And that's where you come in.) She's raising money on indiegogo to do this thing RIGHT. And by right, I mean, ON PINK VINYL!! AH!!!!! I want one so bad I can't stand it!! 

There are also a million other cool things you get when you donate-- like a makeover from Lady J (also, I want.) and boob art!! 

I just came from lunch with the Lady herself and I am so inspired. I think she's going to teach me a lot about being a woman. 

Check out everyone else who's been inspired and lending a hand to help this amazing piece of work come to you! This video is star-studded to say the least. (And she was sweet enough to use a section of my video in the video as well.) 

Help fund Picture of a Man here. 

I was at this show:

This Kid

Want to See - Summer in February

Cornwall. Summer 1913. Just before the whole world goes to shit. I'm pretty plugged into this time period, both from Downton Abbey (duh) and of course Nicholas & Alexandra. And speaking of Downton, Matthew Crawley has been resurrected as Gilbert Evans, friend to artist Alfred Munnings in a Cornish Bohemian art colony. 

I've never read the Jonathan Smith book of the same name, but I've been assured its wonderful. Based on a book, based on a true story....and it's a love triangle! Released June 14 in Britain. How long do you think we'll have to wait for it in the US? Get on it. 

Music Monday - New Haviland - We Fly

So pretty. In every way. It might be my favorite yet! Hope you're having an awesome Monday! I am still decompressing from last night. More on that to come. 

In the meantime, We Fly with Haviland.
The story behind this song is so touching. In her own words:

A year ago today, my wonderful friend, artistic collaborator, and "spiritual advisor" as I called her, Janet Carroll, passed on. You all may know her from playing "every handsome movie star's mom," - including my fave, the crystal egg obsessed Mom of Tom Cruise in "Risky Business." My new song "We Fly" is very much inspired by her and how her light helped me to see myself. Honoring her today, and always.

Get it on tunes.

written by Haviland Stillwell, produced by Alex Tievy mixed by Mike Schlosser mastered by sonic house post photo by Sabrina Bringuier cover design by Heather Weiss 

My Message to Shaping Sound on Opening Night

Before Shaping Sound officially opens tonight, I want to take a minute to talk about the richness of what this experience has given me and what spending 5 weeks with a group of dancers like them has taught me.

I've always known that fundamentally, I lead a cerebral life. I'm a writer. I'm mostly by myself. And if you asked where life exists, I'd easily be able to answer  that life happens in the brain; in my mind. I barely use my body. In many ways, I'm uncomfortable in it. But at the very least, I largely see it as the vessel which stores and facilitates my mind. (Special thanks to hands and fingers for the typing skills.)

I don't live in my body. In fact, I rarely even experience physical contact with other people. But these guys... man. These guys. They live so fully in their bodies. In every way. The way they relate to each other, to the world. The hugs I've gotten these past weeks. 

And more than being inspired by the work they do-- truly one of the most beautiful things I've seen on stage, in 10 years of working in live entertainment-- they have inspired me to be aware of how I live in my body. And to live in it. Get out of my head and into the physical space I'm lucky enough to occupy with those 16 ethereal, funny, drastic, precise, beautiful beings. 

More thanks than I can say, guys. For the lessons, for letting me be a part of it-- one of the best professional and artistic experiences of my career. I'm utterly invested in your success. 

Saturday Intermission

Friday Links Brought to You by My Boyfriend, Albert Camus

Are you the busiest ever? That's how I feel. So bring it straight to the links. I'm off to have lunch with my old college girlfriend. Haven't seen her since her wedding in 2005!! Have a fabulous Friday!

- My friends in Edi alerted me that my church is for sale! WHAT!?
- I bet my friends say this about me.
- This sounds about right. Oh sleep. Oh depression. 
- Six Feet Under style end of The Office
- My buddy Mark Fisher's new website for Mark Fisher Fitness.                                
- 15 great Sylvia Plath quotes
- This. 
- Glad this whole mess got cleared up...at least on Disney's website!
- I like a lot of those dating shows, but I'd watch this one.
- Speaking of dating, my other cosmic boyfriend, Camus, is celebrating the centenary of his birth this year and even has a new book out-- The Algerian Chronicles. Not bad for someone who died in 1960. He's like Tupac.

London 1927

I think about place and belonging a lot. I often feel out of place. Or caught, maybe is a better word, between two (or more!) places. Not part of this, not wholly a part of that. And I suppose time and timing is another big component of the idea of "place" especially as it pertains to belonging. 

Perhaps my London near-miss of a life was all to do with timing. I wonder what it would be like if I went back now, or a year from now. And while I think living in London in 1927 might be a bit out of the realm of possibility, it's nice to daydream about-- especially if this footage of the Big Smoke from British film pioneer Claude Friese-Greene is any indication. 

The captions are almost as lovely as the footage. And in case you love the song as much as I do, it's "Parasol" by British indie-rock collective, Jonquil. 

Neil de Grasse Tyson at Rice's 100th Commencement

This past week, Rice graduated it's 100th class,  wrapping up a year's worth of Centennial celebrations. And Rice couldn't ask for a more fitting speaker to bring it all home than astro-physicist badass, Neil de Grasse Tyson. Not only did his wife graduate from Rice (Baker!) but he embodies Rice's marriage to NASA and the American spirit of exploration, commitment to the future, and to the great unknown. 

I don't feel like I live in that America. But I'm glad Tyson is around to remind us to keep pursuing the unknown, the spirit of innovation, of advancing, and of defining the universe-- and thus, the universal. That our pursuit of these things is tied to so many other important aspects of our perspective.

I often miss my time at Rice, and what it represents. But this was one of the most stinging. 

Congrats, class of 2013!

Tigerlily is THREE

Happy third birthday to my favorite human, the one and only Miss Tigerlily. No one on Earth makes me as happy, as easily as this crazy girl. I was with her on her actual BIRTH day, and I'm wishing we could hang out an invite some fictional characters to a tea party on military time today. But alas, duty calls. Rain check, Tigs! Hope your costume for the day is extra wacky!

Like The Ceiling Can't Hold Us - Pete & Suzie's Wedding

As you may have gathered, I've been to many, many weddings. MANY. Between 2003 and 2005, I went to 26 weddings in 24 months. And the hits just kept coming as I got older. But this little shindig was one of the loveliest and most packed with adorable details of any that I've attended. And one of the only weddings where I didn't have to travel! What a fun night! 

Food trucks, local jams, streamers and swirly straws, personalized chalkboard mason jar drinking glass labels and a venue with killer ambience. (I don't just mean the perfect LA sunset lighting and exposed brick. This was hardcore LA at its finest. I'm talking hoopties with floor-pounding bass rolling by during the vows.) All this, plus the most unbelievably statuesque bride, and what you had was and unforgettable night. The actual manifestation of the coolest Pinterest board, only better because it had my friends. 

Pete & Suz, I love you guys! I was so honored to be there celebrating young and life-long love! 

I'm gonna dance to this & this today and remember how fun Saturday night was. And all my people say Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah.... like the ceiling can't hold us. 

On Mothering Day

It's no secret I'm not a massive fan of this holiday for personal reasons. But I do like to mark this day every year by thanking the women who serve as my surrogate mothers. 

Since I moved to LA, Susan Damante has been a treasure. Having a Buddha-mom like her is a blessing. My Godmother, Lucie, is always shining with her special blend of bright golden love & F-bombs. 

And then there's Dena. What a funny little twist of fate to end up with a surrogate mom who knows me so well, helps me in just the right way, and often seems psychically plugged into my brain. It's no wonder my friends call her my guardian angel. 

Mothering is a verb to me. A lot of people are mothering and nurturing a lot of people all the time. This day is about that for me. 

Plus! For fun, check out this photog mom who dressed her kid up like all kinds of inspirational women.