Autumn Reading

So far this year, I've felt deprived of novels I was genuinely excited to read. Missing was that giddy, luscious feeling, knowing I'm about to devour one. Luckily, this fall, there's finally some stuff to look forward to on the novel front. Here's what I can't wait to buy:

Wally Lamb - We Are Water
Oct. 22
He gets a bad rap as too populist, but I still think Wally Lamb is the shit. And I can't wait to be knee-deep in it again.

Elizabeth Gilbert- 
The Signature of All Things
Oct. 1
Also getting a rap even worse than Lamb is Liz Gilbert. But I still think about how much I liked her first novel, Stern Men, and I'm glad she's back to writing on another subject besides herself. 





Donna Tartt - The Goldfinch
Oct. 22
I still have adolescent reader scars from The Secret History and I always come back for more trauma. 

Not novels, but:
Roth Unbound. A Writer & His Books
Oct. 22
Because... Philip Roth. Nuff said.

The Bernstein Letters
Oct. 29
Oh, Leonard. You are a man of wonder. 

For a longer list, check out this one compiled by The Daily Beast. 

For good measure, thought this headline is impossible, because you cannot qualify unique, here are some bitchin' libraries around the world. 

** also, I continue to feel ambivalent about posting links to amazon instead of other book sellers like Barnes & Noble. I think this is the last time I'll do it. Damn you, Franzen. But I have 3 more months on my amazon prime membership, so... ack. 

Music Monday Megamix

Since I've been away awhile, I feel it's only right to come at you with a whole truck load of musical tid bits. It's been a weird time, dear lovely readers. I encountered many opportunities (or what seemed like opportunities) that ended up being loaded with unprofessional folks, a few broken promises, and a failed television network. But hey, I ate, I paid my bills, and added a few new clients to my roster. Life goes on. 

And they keep putting out records. Thank god. 

- First of all, while the CHVRCHES album, The Bones of What You Believe (for the record, I don't like the title) isn't out until later this month, we can finally preview it thanks to the always good people at NPR. I heard most of this at their show at the Fonda. I like it as much as I remember.

- While we're at it, here's the Blood Diamonds remix of "The Mother We Share."

- Vegas homeboys The Killers pair up with M83 producing for "Shot at the Night"-- a combo full of promise with lackluster results.

- Kings of Leon covering Robyn for the BBC was a nice highlight of last week. 

- Speaking of which, stream their new album Mechanical Bull right now. 

- New Lorde. "Team." It's legit. 

- New(ish) Frighted Rabbit track, "Candlelit."

- These isolated Beatles vocals are killer. I keep listening to them. Just over and over. 

Giada - Inaugural Issue FREE

Hey everyone! So part of why I haven't been around as much these days is that I've been working on some other projects that are similar, but far more lucrative and have way more readers. (Props to you, core group of awesome ones, though.)

And one of those things launches TODAY! The inaugural issue of Giada, a digital weekly is available for FREE for your ipad in the itunes store. It's coming soon to other digital platforms. But for now, if you have an ipad, please give it a try. 

There's tons of amazingly delicious Giada recipes, music playlists, style and beauty tips, and tons and tons of travel stories so you too can live the good life. I've tasted these recipes, I've seen these tips in action, and I can tell you... WORTH YOUR TIME.

I want to be Giada when I grow up and this emag will make you want to as well. Super thanks to everyone involved for the opportunity to be a part of this. (Especially you, Ashley Reed!) 

Launching things, being there when it all starts is my most favorite part of life and especially of any sort of artistic/professional experience. With all your help, this can be the start of something really fun and special. We'll keep working hard; you keep reading. 

Radio Silence Friday Links

Still here in Vegas. Movin and shakin and whathaveyou. There were some good links flying around lately though, so I present them to you now. Haviland gets here later! Yay! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!! 

- Despite not being the biggest fan of Marisha Pessl, I still have high hopes for her latest, Night Film. There's also an app, which seems kind of cool. Her website for her first novel was one of my faves. 

- Aerin Lauder home collection, you excite me. 
- Also, these home items at Waiting on Martha. Good stuff here. 
- The collected wisdom of Chris Rock.
- Infinitely better casting for Lady M in this Scots version of the Scottish Play.
- Building creative confidence
- I love stories like this. Artefacts being returned. The human element.
- Cool video about the history of Santa Monica
- New Frightened Rabbit "Radio Silence." Preorder "Late March, Death March" EP.

Vegas Today

Me thinks it's time for a little Vegas, so I'll be in the car today, headed East into the desert for some Dad time and songwriting time with the Haviland. Being in Vegas is normally a pretty good motivator for me to do something with my life. Maybe I'll even stop tinkering with this pilot and cowgirl up to showing it someone. Giddy up.

(PS - I stole this picture from one of my friends. I don't remember which one. If it's you, thanks! And...hope that's okay.)

Music Monday - Dolly Parton Covers Herself. Sort of.

While covers and re-interpretations of this song abound, leave it to Dolly herself (well with the help of some basic technology) to be capable of perhaps the best rendition. Jack White, Ellie Goulding, Laura Marling, Mumford & Sons, Fiona Apple and even Miley Cyrus, you can all take a seat. Turns out, all you gotta do is slow the original down by 25% (33 rpm) and you get a soulful, amazingly organic sounding piece of music. I can't stop listening. 

I do have a weak spot for A. this song. I was very nearly named Jolene. (I think we can agree it's probably best I wasn't.) B.) The country music and C. The Dolly. She is everything. If I could be a version of Dolly for the new millennium, I could die happy. She's blonde, has big boobs, gives herself permission to be sweet and even a little ditzy, but she's laughing all the way to bank as the most successful female songwriter of all time. No need to cover Dolly. Just let Dolly do it. 

Beauty, boobs, and heart, Ladies & Gentleman. And SKILLZ.

Celebrating G-Dawg in Town with CHVRCHES

Because I'm about to go pick up the amazing Gretchen from the airport after her months-long sojourn back in the land of Scots (and other celts-- she was in Ireland jaunting around with Mr. B. Kearney) I'm going to post the new video from CHVRCHES. 

I know I know. Sometimes I feel like this is an all CHVRCHES all the time kind of channel, but to be fair, this is their first real video, and... as I mentioned, The Gretchen. I'm pretty jealous she was back in paradise and something about the lovely, spritely Lauren Mayberry makes me feel like I never had to leave. I plan on hugging Gretch, using the words man and dude a lot and remembering the happiest time in my life. 

The Mother We Share Out Now (UK out Sept 16)
The debut album The Bones Of What You Believe is out Sept 23 / N.America Sept 24.
Pre-order Standard: http://po.st/TBOWYB II Special: http://po.st/TBOWYBSpecial 

Music Monday - Capital Children's Choir Covers Crystal Castles

Do you like alliteration as much as I do? Let's hope so because here's London's Capital Children's Choir covering Crystal Castles. I think I prefer this version of "Untrust Us" to the original. 120 Children singing. Oof. This is some ethereal shit, people.

A Year Ago Today...

A year ago today, I cashed in my permanent resident alien card to the UK and flew back to the United States. I had no idea what I would do next. Heathrow seemed like home at that point and I remember fighting with my grandmother via email even as I stood in line to check my bag and say goodbye to London. 

I still hate that I had to leave the UK. But I'm happy I live in Los Angeles even more than I ever I thought I could. I recently rediscovered some thoughts I wrote in a journal around the time I left. I'd like to share them with you, but I'll wait until tomorrow since today is Friday and it's time for Friday links. 

- I want this. I'm starting to feel sad. 
- Get it, George Clooney. Eff the hedgefunds. 
- I'll always have a soft spot for my first job out of college. The End of Saks Fifth Ave.
- I feel like learning more languages. I miss Europe. 
- This bag is hot. 
- These pictures of my cousin, Tennessee Williams, are lovely.
- My next read is David Rakoff's final piece: a novel in iambic pentameter.
- Haim. The Wire.

Watch Out For Mattresses

So... I had a real blog post planned for today, but turns out, I ended up spending most of the day dealing with this disgusting mattress which got lodged in my wheel axel on the 105/405 junction. I didn't see it fall off anyone's truck and I didn't see it at all until it was too late because some giant SUV was blocking my view and veered away from it only at the last minute. Special thanks to the amazing Highway Patrol Officers who worked to free me and kept me company. 

(PS- Yeah, before you ask, I'm pretty sure that's urine.)

Mari Vanna - West Hollywood & My Russia Problem

Russia, Russia, Russia. You're killing me, Russia. But what to do when I've already got so much invested in you? Six years of my life writing a musical, learning everything I can about the culture, the politics, language and food... You're making it very difficult for Steven and I to take our trip there. Basically, you're an embarrassment. 

In some ways, what's going on over there with the INSANE LGBT laws-- which apply to VISITORS even, and not just gay visitors, but visitors they SUSPECT of being GAY SYMPATHIZERS!!-- is part of the strange cultural conflict and karma that interests me about Russia in the first place.

But let's table my desire to boycott all things Russia for the moment and celebrate Brie's birthday, which happened to be at new West Hollywood hot-spot (oh, the irony!) Mari Vanna. Named for a supposedly real Russian woman with a flair for cooking that turned her home into an un-intended scene, the ambience reflects a Russian cottage complete with knick knacks, garden boxes, and fluffy blankets to snuggle up in in case you get cold. 

The vodka was truly amazing-- the perfect buzz, no hangover. And while I didn't love the chicken and onion jello that is a Russian staple (Sorry!) their beef stroganoff was about the best I've ever had. 

Brie looked crazy beautiful and glamorous, as per usual. And Mari Vanna is one of those key-ed places where you have to have one in order to get into special VIP nights. I'm not normally into exclusive key type stuff, but I got one. And it comes on an adorable blonde matryoshka doll key chain. 

Okay, but seriously, I think boycotting Russian food and vodka isn't the way to go. I generally try not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. But I do think we should be pressuring events like the Olympics to relocate and sponsors to pull out of places with inhumane laws. Here's how you can get involved with that: 

Petition Coca-Cola, VISA, Procter&Gamble, Samsung, and Panasonic to stand for Human Rights and pull sponsorship from the 2014 Winter Olympics.

https://www.change.org/petitions/coca-cola-visa-procter-gamble-sams...


Petition Team USA/United States Olympic Committee to boycott the Winter 2014 Olympics in Sochi Russia
http://www.change.org/petitions/united-states-olympic-committee-boy...

Petition the UK to boycott the Russian Winter Olympics 
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/52656

 Petition to Boycott Winter Olympics 2014:https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/calling-us-boycott-2014-w...


Petition Winter Olympics 2014 Sponsors to condemn anti-gay laws
https://www.change.org/petitions/stand-against-russia-s-brutal-crac...

Petition the IOC to relocate the 2014 Winter Games to Vancouver

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/international-olympic-committ...

And listen, who knows how long this kind of disgusting lawmaking will last in Russia, or how long Americans with short attention spans will decide to boycott. But just, in the long run, can I say, whatever you do, please don't boycott any musicals about massacred Russian royalty. Okay? Thanks. 

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!