Why America is Fucked (Graphically, At Least)

America Is F*cked.......(Graphically at least) from Jess Gibson on Vimeo.

This video has been making the rounds lately, so I guess it's about time that it finds its way here. Art Director and branding guru Aaron Draplin provides anecdotal evidence on why America is going down the pisser graphically. In my opinion, you can say that about every aspect of the visual arts right now and it all pretty much stems from the lack of respect for history and the never ending chase of Cool. Dudes need to start sitting down and thinking about their shit. I only have so much time in my life and I don't want to waste it sifting through mediocrity. Oh yeah, I like Futura Bold, even though Wes Anderson pretty much owns it cinematically right now.

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Hot Episode: Post-It Show 3

Yay! While I'm sure it has more to do with Giant Robot's built-in base than it does the quality of my work, the latest episode of LA Is A Nice Place to Live has made Blip TV's list of Hot Episodes. The latest issue was shot at GR2's recent Post-It Show 3, where established and upcoming artists created over one thousand Post-Its. By Giant Robot founder Eric Nakamura's own admission, the idea is not a new one, but it is a great way for fans of art and illustration to pick up some cheap pieces for their collection. Anyway, check out the episode and look for one of the official GR doggies.

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SPACE: Hipster Runoff

Interesting. I was linked to this recent post over at Hipster Runoff that is basically a reaction to the fifth episode of LA Is A Nice Place To Live. While I think it's really funny and amusing that they watched it in the first place, reading the damn thing made me remember how valuable spaces such as the one GOOD provides actually are. A physical space where you can interact with human beings IRL and be productive and positive? You might as well be describing the El Dorado if you are at all entrenched in the smug and divisive hipster culture. I recommend everyone head over to GOOD or another space like it and participate in an activity or a workshop. It's actually nice to have a genuine good time once in a while, as opposed to ones brought about by cheap Pabst and $1 Dewar's.

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Back(b)log.

It's been a pretty crazy and busy (and crazy busy) week for me, thus explaining the lack of posts here but a number of posts elsewhere. There are a couple of show reviews up on The FADER blog as well as a new episode of "LA Is A Nice Place To Live". Links to the articles as well as the complete set of accompanying photos can be found after the jump. I'm going back to bed.

Friendly Fires at Spaceland. More photos at Flickr.

Little Joy at Detroit Bar. Even more photos.

New video at the recently opened GOOD space on Melrose. Seriously the most positive vibe I've felt at a space in a very long time.

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Macaframa

Macaframa, the long awaited high-definition track bike video has been making its rounds in various cities across the country past the couple of weeks and will finally be making its way to Los Angeles. I think the project has been in the works for almost two years, now, so it almost matches MASH SF in the amount of times its release has been delayed. I guess that makes sense, as the whole scene changes everyday, and footage gets obsolete the moment you throw it on your hard drive these days. You can RSVP for the whole deal by e-mailing the address on the flyer, then pickup tickets over at Blends. You can check out a couple of the movies many trailers and teasers after the jump.


Macaframa from MACAFRAMA on Vimeo.


MACAFRAMA Trailer from MACAFRAMA on Vimeo.

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J**z In My Pants

For those that can't wait another month for the new Conchords, this should help ease the pain.

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Miss Dior Cherie

In the interest of full disclosure I have to admit that, yes, I have seen one full episode of Gossip Girl. And while my taste in just about everything has admittedly become more inclusive over the years, watching it made me die inside a little. I would have gouged my eyes out had it not been for the show's (only) strength: babes in their late-twenties playing babes in their late teens. Anyway, apparently Sofia Coppola helmed the new commercial for the Miss Dior Cherie fragrance and it premiered on the show a few weeks ago. It's very Lost in Translation in its handheld, dreamy visual style, although very airy in content. Kind of like her wine. Zing! Obviously, I still like it or it wouldn't be on here.

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Thurston Moore @ The Smell

File this one under "crazy, shows that will be". After his stint in Europe for his day job, Thurston Moore will be coming to Los Angeles to play a show at The Smell. Some other bands will play before him, but who cares? Jesus could have come back to front an opening noise band act and that shit still wouldn't be as nuts. Be there or be L7. On a side note, some guy at the No Age show the other night was talking about how witnessing the emergence of No Age and their brother and sister bands is analogous to being in New York at the time that Sonic Youth was blowing up. I wouldn't go that far, but it doesn't seem like a coincidence, seeing as No Age idolizes Sonic Youth. Perhaps its no coincidence that Thurston Moore would take the time to hit up No Age's home base, then?

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Mike Mills @ The Selby

You just have to love The Selby. The whole residences-of-creatives thing makes me think of an unironic star map for hipsters (if hipsters were into anything unironic). One of the latest subjects to be lensed is Mike Mills, my mancrush subject and one half of my my favorite multi-hyphenated power couple. Looking at the photos of Mills' house in Silver Lake is realizing how this whole project is so much better than star maps. Instead of creepily cruising past a stranger's house at 5MPH, it almost seems like you got invited in and dude's about to offer you some sweet tea.

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Road To 'Till The Casket Drops

I know I'm posting this pretty late in the day: this shit probably went ghetto gold by the time I click "Publish Post", but who cares? Clipse came out with their long-awaited (by me, anyway) mixtape, Road To 'Till The Casket Drops today. Every time I listen to anything from those dudes for the first time, I'm always surprised that I even listen to Clipse at all. Do I secretly want to push 'caine and Gallardos? Of course not. Well, maybe the Gallardo. Get me one of those in black.

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