Unless indicated, I took all the pics posted on this blog. Feel free to repost – just remember to give credit. Cheers!

Cold War Kids at Fingerprints AND Ballast Point

Last weekend, Cold War Kids treated fans to both a show AND the debut of their collaboration beer with Ballast Point Brewery. The show at Fingerprints (the second time I’ve seen them there) had a line of fans wrapped around the building. After a bit of a wait, we were let in, and watched another solid set from the Long Beach natives. Since this was the record release for their new album, New Age Norms 1 (the first of three), most of the songs were from the new set. Towards the end, they still managed to cover major hits, like “First” and “Miracle Mile.”

Ballast Point was a trip. I’d been there a number of times in the past, but never on the roof, and never for a private party. The view of the Pacific was gorgeous, and their collaboration beer was legit. It was a lighter wheat-based beer, with a slight kick to it. Would definitely have it again! And while Cold War Kids were supposed to DJ, they ended up moving to the back, and hanging and signing with their fans. (I’d already met them for their last album, and got their signatures on a poster, which is still hanging in my living room). I ended up hanging out with a former student and her husband, which made the venture even more enjoyable. I posted a link to their new album in my last blog, so check it out!

New Music Spinning…

Champion – Bishop Briggs // The follow up to her debut is out, and I’m digging it. She gets personal on this record, and it pushes her art. Only complaint? I wish it were longer. Give it a spin.

 

Everyday Life – Coldplay // The third track to be released from their upcoming album, Everyday Life sounds like a throwback to their “Rush of Blood To The Head” era. I posted their performance of it on SNL last weekend, since I like the guitar on this version better.

MAGDALENE – FKA Twigs // The long-awaited follow up to her debut, I’m listening to it as I type, and the production is quite mind blowing. Give it a listen. Also, she’s doing an album signing later today at Amoeba Music in Hollywood. Here’s the info: FKA Twigs at Amoeba

Live Music

This weekend has not one, but two festivals occurring in southern California: Camp Flog Gnaw and Tropicalia. Thought I haven’t been to either, there are plenty of acts on each lineup that I’ve seen. My recommendations if you’re going?

Camp Flog Gnaw

Thundercat, The Internet, FKA twigs, Solange, Tyler The Creator, H.E.R., Daniel Caesar, Blood Orange…and Frank Ocean, if he happens to be the surprise headliner. 🙂

Tropicalia

Los Tigres Del Norte (a student just did a speech on them AND they are legends), Natalia Lafourcade, Kali Uchis, Chicano Batman, The Drums, Wallows, Fidlar, The Marias, Bomba Estereo, Homeshake, Oh Sees, and way more to list!

Peeps to Follow…

Syd Trip!

Last Friday, I had a chance to sit down with one of my favorite former students, Sydney, otherwise known as Syd Trip. Aside from sharing a love of psychedelic music, she’s also a photographer, and a stunning one at that. She took a moment from her very busy schedule to chat up everything we could muster in the time: the Desert Daze festival, Laura Lee (from Khruangbin), Tame Impala, and Kacey Musgraves (all loves).  Her shot of Alyssa Miller, of Primrose Forever Sanctuary is, as she describes their set, ‘ethereal.’ (Check it out: Alyssa Miller.) And that’s how I’d describe Syd’s style: ethereal. At times psychedelic, at times surreal, but always distinct Syd Trip. She’s mainly photographed local music acts here in Long Beach, including Not That Bad!, Melatonin Girls, Tetra Collective, and Honey Badger. She promised to give me a lesson on how to properly take pics, because I have NO CLUE what I’m doing, and I told her I’d make a list of more music for her to check out (#1…Radiohead). I’ve listed her Instagram. She’s a stylish photographer, but she’s also a considerate and incredibly nice human being. Give her a follow, yo!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydtrip/

Website: www.sydtrip.com

 

Here’s my ongoing playlist, updated weekly with both new and old tracks I’m listening to.