More Coachella homework: Mates of State

To my small but dedicated readership:

My next few posts will probably be pretty focused on the spring ritual known as Coachella.

My apologies,
Navin R.

COACHELLA!

Anyway, I'm trying to check out some new bands so that I can plan my itinerary at the festival. Today's assignment: Mates of State. Apparently, they are a husband and wife team from the Bay Area. I'm obligated to like them simply because they quit their jobs as cancer researchers to pursue music (their is hope for me yet!). And thankfully, their music is quite good: lots of keyboards and harmonizing vocals - this music just makes me happy.

Grade: Make an attempt to attend. Not quite a must see, but very interesting.

Regarding other Coachella news, I was pretty bummed today to find out that Hard-Fi just cancelled. A friend had just hooked me up with some tracks, and as soon as I had really started enjoying them, the lead singer has gone and contracted Ebola or something. A damn shame - I was going to award them "Must see" status.

Traffic school

Thanks to my no-good friends A. and S. who came out to visit in March, I got a speeding ticket near Buellton. (Honestly, it was their fault. It was certainly not my fault.)

Anyway, this being my first speeding ticket, I get to attend traffic school to remove the ticket from my record. Woohoo! Of course, I've been having fun taking the course. Here are some things that I've learned so far:

- Getting drunk is not a condition to be admired, laughed at, or taken lightly. Rude, destructive, or just plain foolish behavior triggered by alcohol use is socially unacceptable.
(But that's exactly why I like drinking!)
- This bill increases the duration of alcohol treatment programs after a first DUI conviction, where probation is granted from 6 months to 9 months and the required program activity hours from 45 hours to 60 hours when the blood alcohol content (BAC) is 20% or greater.
(I'm pretty sure you are clinically dead if your blood reaches 40 proof.)
- Throughout this course, the term "thumbprint" will be used to mean a thumbprint or finger print, if you have no thumbs.
(You're right - I shouldn't laugh at people with no thumbs. That's just plain mean)
- Sparky's favorite actor is Arnold Schwarzenegger.
(They insert these anecdotes about Sparky just to see if you're actually reading. Sparky is going to be on the final test - no kidding)

And my favorite part? The name of my "traffic school" is Cheap Easy Online. Cheap Easy Online - that could be a dating site, too. Wish me luck on the final exam!

UPDATE: I passed. I'm so safe.

Our nation's capitol

I had intended to write a scathing review of my trip to Washington, D.C., immediately after I returned to sunnny LA... but work, more work, and life in general intervened and delayed my post. (Yes, I know that by definition, someone who blogs has no outside life, but occasionally, I do try to go outside and enjoy the real world. Occasionally.)

So, instead of breaking down my impressions of the city bit-by-bit, let me just say these two things:
- I stayed in Pentagon City, and I found out that the Pentagon is big - really frickin' big. So big that it scares me. What are all the military minions doing in there anyway? Everywhere you go, there are military types in fatigues and stuff, acting like normal people (I tried not to stare, lest I be electro-tasered as a suspicious character), and I just find that strange. The Pentagon does, however, make for good panoramic pictures:
- People in D.C. dress poorly. As my embedded correspondent put it:

It's nothing but navy blue bureaucrat suits and underpaid 22-year-olds who can't buy clothes that don't make them look like homeless people.

Nonetheless, I still had a great time drinking... I mean, "attending meetings," in the District.

Starting my Coachella Homework

It's that time of year again: The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

I admit, I'm way behind on my research this year. Looking at the line-up, I'm like, "Well, I've heard of Madonna, but that's about it." OK - I'm kidding, but I'm still unfamiliar with so many of the bands that it's overwhelming. Where to get started learning about all this music?

Well, Tuesday night at The Troubadour I finally got a start with Jamie Lidell. Flavorpill described him as an "electro-soul songwriter [who] builds his live sound with layers of samples and vocal loops, while beatboxing and touting a killer falsetto," and that about sums it up.

He was really an incredible one-man show - so much infectious energy that he even got LA dancing (and that is a rare thing at LA shows!). Plus, Jamie wore a sweet pair of gold lapels. Apparently, that's his fashion statement.

If you haven't heard any Jamie Lidell, I'd recommend starting with the track "Multiply" on his website. Great song.

Reason #71

Reason #71 why I still love Guster after all these years: If you send them an e-mail:

They always write back (even if it's only one line):

Maybe someday, the boys (and Joe) will be too big and rock star to write back their fans, but for now, even a message as dumb as mine will still get a reply. Guster truly is for lovers.

Easter is near...

And that means Peeps. Seriously, I have always loved Peeps - my family is full of addicts who can't even walk by the Peeps aisle at Target. I thought I'd seen it all when Wrigley Field was re-created using Peeps last year, but this awesome display of the power of Peeps sets a new standard for creativity.

Barbie porn

I checked out a party / dj set / live music / art show last night at Hanger 1018 in downtown (gasp! downtown? Yes, LA does have a scene downtown, amidst all the industrial warehouses, nudie bars, and sketchy mexican restaurants).

And it was a great time. We had a little rain, but it was still a great crowd. Lots of mohawks, ridiculous hipster clothes, and cheap beer (although don't you think it's a little ironic to charge $3 for a glass of Two-buck chuck?).

But the best part was The Barbisms. Some seriously funny art, all involving the notorious Barbie, with a hint of the subversive. Check out my favorites here, here, and here. And for those of you who know my Cali friend M., this one is for her.