Los Angeles Times Festival of Books: The Digital Footprint: Privacy, Cyberterrorism and How We Live Now

Okay, this conversation really freaked me out. I couldn't help but wonder how many FBI and CIA agents were in the room, taking secret photos of everyone in the room. Oh well, if true, I have files with the FBI and CIA.

Here are some bios of the panelists from the LA Times.

Barry Glassner. The author of seven books on contemporary social issues, is president of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore. His book, "The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things," was a national bestseller and was named a best book of the year by Knight-Ridder newspapers and by the Los Angeles Times Book Review.

Karen Paget. Is a political scientist with more than 45 years of experience in academia, government, philanthropy, and public policy. She is a contributing editor to the American Prospect magazine and coauthor of "Running as a Woman: Gender and Power in American Politics." In 1998, the Open Society Institute awarded her a fellowship to write "Patriotic Betrayal."

Robert Scheer. Is editor in chief of the online magazine Truthdig, professor at USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and co-host of "Left, Right and Center," a weekly syndicated radio show broadcast from KCRW. He has worked as a national correspondent and columnist for the Los Angeles Times ad is the author of nine books, including his latest, "They Know Everything About You."

Kim Zetter. Is an award-winning journalist who covers cybercrime, civil liberties, prvacy and security for Wired. She was among the first jouralists to cover Stuxnet after its discovery and has authored many of the most comprehensive articles about it. She has also broken numerous stories over the  years about WikiLeaks and Bradley Manning, NSA surveillance and the hacker underground. She is the author of "Countdown to Zero Day."

Here are my notes (which might contain errors):

Karen Paget: Her husband was part of the National Student Association, which was a national college organization. Everyone in NSA had a CIA case officer. She was told by the CIA that her husband was doing important work against communism. After 9/11, there are suggestions we returned to similar covert activities, parallel structures that get instructions from the US government. The NSA/CIA tried to make a statement at an Algeria Youth meeting. They wanted to get an old USSR oil tanker and sink it off Algeria. Why? It would indicate that the USSR's economy wasn't good, because they couldn't afford new tankers. It would also indicate that the USSR didn't care about the environment. The problem of covert activities is the lack of accountability.

Robert Scheer. CIA attempted to discredit institutions. There was once an attempt to set him up via drugs. Many now view the government as benign. Assumption is self censorship. Our founders believed they needed to be checked. Why did they give us these freedoms? Freedom is a necessity in the worst of times. The Internet creates targeted ads, which disrupt privacy. Major Internet corporations were forced to give over this information. Corporations are the ones wanting privacy to matter. CIA is setting up companies that gives them access to your data. Apple and Google has a right to encryption. Government says Apple and Google will protect pedophiles. In some ways, the Tea Party is more concerned about privacy versus liberals.

Kim Zetter. In 2002, Iranian dissidents disclosed that Iran was building a bomb. Negotiations with Iran went on until 2005. Iran withdrew from the negotiations. In 2007, they installed centrifuges. In 2009, it was noticed that Iran was removing centrifuges at a rapid pace. Then computers were crashing. A 0 Day exploit was found. Research showed that this 0 Day was helping destroy centrifuges. This is a digital warfare. Successful attack can help prevent war. Problem: Don't know how far this can go. This 0 Day weapon was well designed, but that may not always be the case.

Barry Glassner. After 9/11, we heard it could happen again. The use of fear is counter productive. Politicians run on fear of crime. After 9/.11 fear of crime is external.

A Movie Review: Furious 7

Furious 7.  Unlike the last two Fast and Furious movies, this one felt lacking.  Did I have fun during certain parts of this movie? Sure. Why did I not have as much fun in this one? Maybe I was just missing the Gal Gadot (Gisele) and Sung Kag (Han) love affair that I thought really put some heart into the last two films. I'm not saying that the Mia (Jordana Brewster) and Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) love story is something to ignore, it is just that Jordana Brewster has largely been on the sidelines for many of the recent pics.

I think what really disturbed me was the God's Eye software. Why would borderline outlaws like Dominic Toretto and Brian O'Conner want anything to do with God's Eye even if this software allowed them to locate Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) who killed one of their family members, Han? And why would Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) the hacker also be so willing to allow the US government to have ownership of this. This is the last thing that should belong in the hands of the government. It drove me mad.

And there was at least one coincidence that went too far. Ramsey mails the thumb drive that has God's Eye to a friend who immediately sells it to a billionaire. Why exactly? It does set the scene for some awesome CGI sequences, but I think it is lazy writing so that those action sequences could get fit into the movie.

But what about those action sequences? Wow. Cars flying in the air from a plane and from building to building to building. Yeah.

As a note regarding Paul Walker: I have to admit, as the movie ended, my eyes did water up.

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books: Tommy Lasorda

USC Campus

I got the opportunity to catch Tommy Lasorda in conversation with Bill Dwyre.

Here's the biography write-up in the LA Times: Lasorda is a former MLB pitcher, coach and manager. He is best known for successfully managing the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1976 to 1996, during which time the team won two World Series titles. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, Lasorda is regarded as one of the greatest ambassadors of the sport. His newest book is "Tommy Lasorda: My Way."

Here's my notes (which might contain errors):

Bill Dwyre: Favorite memory of Tommy Lasorda was the 2000 Olympics. He was the team manager. The team was just cobbled together. Everyone figured the team wouldn't do well. He took his players and walked them down in front of reporters and introduced all the players by name. It showed how he cared about people. During a practice session, Dwyre walked into a section where reporters weren't allowed. He ended up in a room where Lasorda was telling his players that they were better than they thought they were. He saw Cy Young winners in the room. Lasorda had them believing. They won the gold medal.

Tommy Lasorda: Olympics was greatest thing that could happen to him. He took 24 guys he had never seen before. He convinced them that they could beat the Cubans. He told Ben Sheets that he was going to pitch his biggest game ever. Sheets asked, "Who are we playing." Lasorda knew he had picked the right guy. During the game, Lasorda was being told that Sheets' pitch count was getting high. He ignored the signals. Though he didn't get a medal as a coach, he got his medal by seeing the medals on his players. He got his medal when he heard the US national anthem.

He wonders why everyone talks about the Miracle on Ice, but no one talks about the Americans beating the Cubans. The Russians had lost before. The Cubans had never lost before.

Orel Hershiser. Orel gave up a home run during his first game. Lasorda told him he was the most negative pitcher he'd ever seen. He told Hershiser he didn't like his first name, Orel. He was going to call him Bulldog. He asked Orel if he'd let someone else take his hand in poker. Orel said no. Lasorda told Orel that bringing in a relief pitcher was like allowing someone to play with his money.

Why do the Dodgers hate the Giants? It goes back to Brooklyn. The Gaints had a a pitcher named The Barber, because he liked to pitch balls that came in as close as a shave. Once, The Barber threw a close pitch. The Dodger at the plate, followed up with a bunt. The Barber knew what that meant and refused to run to first. The second baseman had to run to first. The Dodger player knocked the guy down. A big fight started. Lasorda used to tell players in the minor leagues that Dodgers hate the Giants. He won't even take pictures with people who wear Giants' caps or shirts.

Steve Sax. People wanted Sax out of the lineup, because he couldn't throw to first. How did Lasorda get Sax to stop doing so? How many guys can hit 300, he asked? Not many. How many can throw the ball from second to first? Many. How many women can throw the ball from second to first? Sax didn't have very many issues after that.

Jokes. Lasorda had a pair of blue pants he loved. During the middle of a game, it was pointed out that his pants were up on a flagpole. Once he took a nap. Someone came into the office and changed the clock. When he woke up, the clock was at 8;30 p.m. He thought he was an hour late for the game.

Gibson home run. Gibson was always on the rubbing table. He would always be at the training room. But he just wasn't going to be ready for the World Series. It was the 9th. The Dodgers were trailing. The pitcher was in the 4 spot. Lasorda was told Gibson was in uniform. He could hit, but not play. Lasorda put a player up on deck who everyone knew couldn't hit. The A's walked the Dodger at the plate, because they wanted to pitch against the guy on deck. Then Gibson came up. There was applause. Lasorda got goosebumps. Gibson had two strikes. He never saw Gibson swing. He just saw the ball.

Piazza. Lasorda and Piazza's father grew up together. Piazza was a bat boy. Lasorda got him into Miami as no one wanted to draft him. He didn't play much as a freshman so Lasorda worked out a deal with a community college. Piazza was a first baseman. Dodgers wouldn't draft him. Lasorda ordered them to draft him in the 66th round. Then the Dodgers didn't want to sign him. Piazza even came out to Los Angeles, but the Dodgers still didn't want to sign him. Lasorda convinced them that Piazza could play catcher and so they signed him.

Baseball vs football: Folks can play baseball at any size versus football.
 

Dorothy with The Golden Hippie/Badflower

Dorothy

The Dorothy residency kicked into high gear on a recent Monday night.  Her whisky voice drives one into a frenzy.  She came onto the stage with a cigarette.  She then switched to an energy drink before settling in on whisky.  It didn't matter what she had in her hand, she commands the stage with a slightly wicked smile.

If a comment she made is interpreted correctly, she recently broke up with a famous boyfriend.
   
Badflower and The Golden Hippie supported the night.  Badflower has Sunset Strip vibes along with their fan base.  Yet, when I checked out their Facebook page, it would appear they play mostly on the eastside.  The Golden Hippie has vocals that can standout at Hotel Cafe -- hey, that reminds me that I haven't gone to Hotel Cafe in a very long while.

Comment of the set:  I need to go home to celebrate 420.



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Brokechella 2015: Adventures

Brokechella turned 5 this year. What could one expect? What else, but a great day of music and art. And I was there to cover it all. 

I got to Brokechella a touch later than I anticipated. For those who know me, I’m rather cheap when it comes to parking my vehicle. So I went looking for a free parking space. There was one section not that far from Brokechella that looked wide open, but then I noticed the street signs that said no parking between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – except for Sunday. Now why one can’t park there on a Saturday between those hours is beyond me, but whatever. I took a quick turn and found what I thought was the perfect spot. But when I got out of my car, I noticed that there were scattered patches of yellow paint on the curb.  Hmm, what are the rules with a yellow curb? In the back of my mind, I remembered parking at a white curb, which was in similar condition a few years back. I got a ticket that day. I decided I wasn't going to take a chance and that led for a hunt for parking that took forever – and eventually after driving in circles I found a parking spot about 50 meters from those two original spots. 

Note: Via my reading, yellow curb rules do apply on a Saturday (day of Brokechella), but not on a Sunday. 

I ended up missing one band I wanted to catch due to my obsession.

cARTel Outdoor Stage 

Jr.

Comment of the set: That was f*cking loud . . . start it and let’s see if it works.

Lyrics of the set: What do you expect from me? It doesn’t matter now.   

Jr. was a great way to start things off. Their Facebook page mentions aerobie rings and commercials as influences. So I guess that really means exercise and television?

Brownies & Lemonade Stage

Malcs

Comment of the set: You came here for new music. So I’m here.

Lyrics of the set: All damn day with the money.

As he rapped his way through his brief set, I became fascinated with his attire. He wore a cap with Japanese script and what I believe was the image of Mount Fuji. He also wore Stussy attire. What’s Stussy? I decided to look it up. It is a retail store. Personally, I couldn't help but think of a local band I follow called Pu$$y Cow.

 Award: Best effort to get the crowd involved.

cARTel Outdoor Stage

Death Lens

Lyrics of the set 1: I know it is not right.

Lyrics of the set 2: I am all alone in this world.

This band reminded me of two things. The Blue Star venue which is now shut down as a venue – it might still be open as a diner. Like the location of Brokechella, the Blue Star is in a hidden part of Los Angeles (though admittedly the Brokechella location is becoming less hidden every passing day. I also got the feeling that Death Lens is the male psychedelic version of Feels (previously known as Raw Geronimo).

During the set, I notice two volunteers doing a 50 meter (maybe 100 meter) dash outside the gates of the venue.  I wonder who won?

Smoke Season

Lyrics of the set: You got bees on your tongue.

I interviewed Gabrielle Wortman at Brokechella’s media day. So I was eager to catch their set. I’m happy I did. Their infusion of electro soul really got me in the photography mood.

I saw a Brokechella interview with Gabrielle where the comedian asked her about her jewelry. Well, I started to become fascinated with her tattoos and had this desire to ask her what they meant to her.

The first breeze of the afternoon hit during their set. It helped bring down the temperatures to a reasonable level. What was also cool was that it was that perfect time of day to do band photography, a couple hours before sunset.

Brownies & Lemonade Stage

Skye Townsend

Lyrics of the set: Did you play me?

Comment of the set: I’m sorry this started late. I was really nervous.

She didn't seem nervous. She had total command of the stage. She even had the awareness to tell her drummer (based on what Skye said, she’d only practiced with her bandmates once), “keep it soft there.” 

Award: Biggest surprise of the festival. Anita Baker II.

Mariami

Lyrics of the set: Open up the gates and let me in your life . . . open up the gates and let the angels sing.

Comment of the set: I’m from the Republic of Georgia.  It is a very small country in Eastern Europe.

She is the siren from the Republic of Georgia though she resides in New York City.

cARTel Indoor Stage

MRK

Lyrics of the set: Burn the money.

Comment of the set: Happy new moon. Happy Brokechella.

Like Smoke Season, I also interviewed MRK. After our interview as well as watching one of her videos, I was expecting something unique for Brokechella. And did she ever deliver it. She was dressed in red and carried a rod. Out of the end of the rod was a flower. Her duality of life. And with the flower coming out of the rod, I couldn’t help but think of the Biblical Aaron’s rod.

Shifty Rhythms Stage

Grimecraft

His bandcamp page states, “A humanoid Robot from a world beyond your monitor.”

He’s from San Francisco. It makes perfect sense.

My thoughts while hanging out in the Shifty Rhythms Stage: how long can folks bounce like they are in front of the stage before they become dehydrated? Okay, I had just gotten myself a bottle of water and drank nearly all of it in one gulp in an attempt to rehydrate myself. It didn’t really work.

cARTel Outdoor Stage

Babes

Lyrics of the set: Isn't it love.

Sarah Rayne, singer/keyboardist, for one of their songs screamed out, “Break down the gates.” She wasn't kidding. Midway through the song, she jumped off the stage and attempted to break down the metal barrier surrounding the stage.

The band had blow-up lollipops in various “flavors”: cherry, grape and strawberry. They tossed it out to the audience. I picked up one and tossed it into the audience and nearly ended up throwing one right into the face of a young woman. Luckily, she ducked.

Award: Best blow-up lollipop energy.

cARTel Indoor Stage

The Nieghbors

Lyrics of the set: Flow black river flow, think I found my home away from home.

I went to their Facebook page while writing this up to catch their music one more time. Hmm. Their music on Facebook page is so relaxing. This is the exact opposite of what I remember from the set. What I remember from the band was a big band jazz atmosphere. Everyone got their chance to solo.  Everyone in the audience gave each band member their due cheers. The Indoor Stage was packed and folks loved it.

I noticed a guy with a Babes blow-up lollipop. He put his jacket around it to make it look like a cherry skeleton. His girlfriend laughed, took ahold of the skeleton and started to dance with it.  Ha ha.

Anabot

Lyrics of the set: You will always wonder . . . so bit your tongue, this is what you prayer for.

Earlier in the day, I noticed a young woman walking around covered in metallic paint.  I couldn't help but think, “Wizard of Oz and is that good for you skin?” Well, wouldn't you know it, that person was Anabot. 

cARTel Outdoor Stage

Figs Vision

First thought: do you want to bounce to some music?

Comment of the set: If you like what you hear, take a CD and pass it back.

Lyrics of the set: It is time to say goodbye.

I want to know what is in the percussionist’s backpack. I also want to know if they like figs.

cARTel Indoor Stage

Hi Ho Silver Oh

Lyrics: my soul sleeps, my heart’s tired.

Their music is lyrical and soul searching with the occasional dissonance.


Around this time, the Brokechella staff was relaxing and no doubt dwelling on their accomplishment. A handful of them were hanging out on the couches in front of the stage.  

cARTel Outdoor Stage

OYLS

Comment of the set: My parents are here tonight. I need you to prove that I made the right decision to pursue music.

Lyrics of the set: Where do we go from here?

With midnight fast approaching, the weather was a touch chilly, but their fans pressed against the metal barrier. A projector projected OYLS against one of the Los Angeles River – as amazing as it sounds, we do have a river -- bridges.

They were having a bit of a problem getting things set up and so their set got cut short.  I think they only got through 4 songs. The police helicopter coming around shortly after midnight was the clue that it was time to wrap up the night.

Brokechella 2015 was a rocking success though I do miss photographing the bikers/skaters from last year. Can you bring them back for 2016!!!
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A Movie Review: Noah

Noah. This movie takes a rather horrid view of humanity.  Noah is based on the Biblical individual Noah.  Now Noah built an ark per God's command as God was going to destroy the earth in a great flood.  The movie follows this general story line, but what I found problematic is that Noah (Russell Crowe) comes across as a psychotic genocidal murderer.  Spoiler alert: here's a person who nearly kills his two grandchildren.  Essentially, anyone who considers this does not deserve to be seen as an hero.  This is a person who won't even save the most innocent of young women.

I will admit that Noah initially comes across as a caring human being.  He rescues a young girl named Ila (Emma Watson).  Something changes; however.  As the ark nears completion, he secretly walks into the equivalent of Babel and is shocked by the evil he sees.  This is supposed to explain the reason why he becomes a genocidal murderer.  Of course, he saw similar evil years earlier so why would he suddenly turn his back not only on the evil doer, but also on the innocent is unknown.

Ugh, this Noah is as bad as the evil doers he leaves to die in the flood waters.

The Weekend of April 18th/19th: busy busy busy and I loved it!

Sometimes you have a weekend that is just packed and you end it in a thrill of exhausted.  That's how my weekend was.

I went to Brokechella on Saturday.  A write-up will soon follow.  If you want to see a series of photos of the festival, you can head on over to this Facebook link.

I got home around 12:45 a.m. from Brokechella  Before heading to bed, I downloaded all my photos to my computer and had a little something to eat as I was starving.  I then set my alarm clock, because I wanted to head to the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

I woke up before my alarm went off.  I raced to the Hollywood Farmers Market to buy some fruits and vegetables before heading off to USC for the book festival.

I went to this one panel discussion called, The Digital Footprint: Privacy, Cyberterrorism and How We Live Now.  After about 1 minute of listening to Robert Scheer, I couldn't help but think, "I wonder how many undercover CIA/FBI agents are in here right now taking photos of each one of us."

Anyways, after spending the day at USC, I headed back home and soon after started to go through my Brokechella photos and tried to get a first draft done of my Brokechella write-up.  Of course, the need for sleep has hit.  I'm writing this quick Weekend blog just before I head to bed, leaving my Brokechella draft write-up only partially done.  I'll have to get back to it on Tuesday.  It won't be Monday, because Monday I'll be continuing my weekend by heading off to The Satellite to catch the residency band, Dorothy -- or at least that is the plan as of now.

Odessa and Marz Leon/Jennie Tran at Bootleg HiFi

At the Bootleg HiFi, April belongs to Odessa. I just have to say, can anyone strum guitar strings as sexy as Odessa?  I doubt it.  And her voice, they can calm violent ocean waves.  When she sang, "He’s what I want, he’s what I need, He’s everything in between," I think every guy in the audience swooned.

Comment heard as I was leaving for the night, "She's an angel."

Opening up the night was Marz Leon.  Marz Leon sang in near darkness.  Someone was videotaping her set and I suspect that the light was just too dim for him.  I notice that he asked someone to keep her smartphone light on during the set.  Marz Leon's set was brief and beautiful.  It didn't last more than 15 minutes, leaving one feeling like a tender embrace had ended too soon.

Jennie Tran changed it up after Marz Leon.  The lights turned up and the music went from meditative to the beats.  This is the type of music where you find yourself putting your arms above your head and then let the music control the rest.

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A Movie Review: Cinderella

Cinderella. Ella (Lily James) lives an idyllic life. She has a doting father (Ben Chaplin) and a caring mother (Hayley Atwell). Even though her family is wealthy enough to afford maids, she doesn't mind doing chores of her own such as selecting eggs for breakfast. She has the perfect parents and she is the perfect daughter.  Disaster  hits the family.  Her mother dies from a serious health condition.  This disaster brings the father and daughter closer together.  Years later the father marries a widow (Cate Blanchett).  Ella's new stepmother has two daughers: Drisella (Sophie McShera) and Anastasia (Holliday Grainger).  They are a spiteful trio.  Another family disaster hits.  This time, Ella's father dies while away on a business trip.  Ella soon finds herself being treated like a servant girl.  Will a prince (Richard Madden) arrive to save her from this fate?

This movie starts out a little corny.  Ella's life is just way too perfect.  There is this gag me with a spoon reaction.  This movie; however, just grows on you.  Ella becomes this lovable character.  To a degree, one even feels a touch of sympathy for the stepmother.  I say a touch, because even though she was also dealt an unexpected blow, her behavior towards Ella is deplorable.  Then as the film is coming to a close it feels that it is ending all too soon, because there is way more to explore in this fairy tale world.

Cate Blanchett does a wonderful job as the spiteful stepmother.  She is deliciously evil.

When Lily James looks upon her prince, there is just love in those eyes.  There is some great chemistry between Richard Madden and her.

What did sidetrack me slightly:  when watching Cinderella dance with her Prince, I couldn't help but wonder how many times Richard Madden stepped on that dress during filming.

What I found interesting.  So Ella is named Cinderella when her step family finds her covered in soot.  One of her stepsisters calls her Cinder-ella.  Towards the end of the movie, she introduces herself as Cinderella.  Why wouldn't she use the name that her doting father and caring mother gave her, Ella?  





 



      

Brokechella Arts & Music Festival: An interview with Gabrielle Wortman from Smoke Season

The Brokechella Arts & Music Festival is coming on April 18^th.  During Brokechella’s media day, I got to interview Gabrielle Wortman from Smoke Season and Madison from MRK.  Today, I’m posting my interview with Gabrielle.  If you are so interested, I posted a write-up on MRK yesterday.

Smoke Season will be playing the cARTel Outdoor stage.  I got to spend 15 minutes with Gabrielle.  I have to admit that I did some research on Smoke Season prior to our interview.  What did I immediately find out?  Gabrielle was in a band called Temp3st.  I saw Temp3st at Make Music Pasadena in 2012. 

Photo courtesy of Brokechella.  Photography
by Department 4.

How did bandmate Jason Rosen and you meet?  We shared the same rehearsal space via our separate bands.  We started to write music together and soon realized we wanted this to be our main project.

I noticed you majored in Music Media & Management at UCLA.  How has this helped you in your music career?  The major helped build the foundation of our marketing.  It also provided the understanding of how to manage the band on our own while we looked for the perfect manager. 

So what do you think of UCLA’s run in March Madness (note: I didn’t let her know that I’m a Duke fan and that later that night the world would know that order in NCAA basketball was going to get restored – hey, I’ve got to do a little bit of bragging)?  I don’t follow sports that much though I do know we won a couple games.  I showed up at the USC football game and my friends were surprised to see me there.  We lose when it counts.  We’re like the Bad News Bears.

I read about why you called your band Smoke Season.  Can you elaborate?  Both of us moved out to Los Angeles around the same time.  Things get strange in Hollywood.  People have smoke and mirrors personalities.  They come up with their business cards saying they know such and such music producer, but nothing ever comes of it.  A lot of our songs relate to this.

What are your musical influences?  Jason has a jazz background.  I have a classical piano background. 

Who’s your favorite classical composer – Gabrielle replied without hesitation?  Tchaikovsky.

So who’s your favorite classical pianist (I also love Tchaikovsky so I was really hoping she’d say her favorite pianist was Vladimir Horowitz)?  Tori Amos.  She’s a piano genius.  Her piano lines are so brilliant. 

I noticed that your Twitter tagline is “We prefer to have a foothold in your stereo.”  This is from a Temp3st song.  People want different things.  Some people want money.  A car.  A house.  I prefer to have a foothold in your stereo.

What do you do when not working on music?  Web development.  I also program the lights for our shows.  Both of us can also produce music.

Here’s the famous job interview question, what question am I not asking you?  What about Brokechella?  We’re excited to play. 

Note:  I took hand notes.  I apologize if I misrepresent anything that Madison said during her interview.  All comments are paraphrased to some degree.

Brokechella Arts & Music Festival: An interview with Madison from MRK

The Brokechella Arts & Music Festival is coming on April 18^th.  During Brokechella’s media day, I got to interview Madison from MRK and Gabrielle Wortman from Smoke Season.  Today, I’m posting my write-up on MRK.  Come back tomorrow and you can read my interview with Gabrielle.

Photo courtesy of Brokechella. Photography
by Department 4.

MRK (Madison René Knapp) will be playing on the cARTel Indoor stage.  Her early childhood was spent in Arkansas.  She moved around from there, but has spent the last seven years in Los Angeles.  She spent time in bands such as Horse & Buggy and One High Five, but is now making music as MRK.  She describes her music as alternative pop.  Our short conversation spanned a number of interests.

Her music video for River of Blood (see below video).   A major theme throughout is the self.  The video is filled with symbolism exploring the self and we got to discuss a few of those symbols.  Flowers and the color red explore this concept.  “Flowers represent the innocence of the life while red is the expression of self.  We see this alchemy of experience and innocence creating a full self.   We also have a scene of hands dipped into a watermelon, pulling out an egg.  This represents the fertile side of femininity, a kind of birth.  Reconciling innocence and experience really aren't that different.  The world often describes women as either virginal or whores.  These boxes just doesn't hold true.”

Literature.  Madison appreciates 19^th century literature, the Victorian era.  She loves that this “seemingly mundane, polite society really contains layers of meaning if one only dwells on it.”

Los Angeles vs Arkansas.  “Los Angeles is over-all more broad in its thinking, more expansive in terms of culture and lifestyles.  Those in Arkansas are polite and neighborly.”

What does she do when she isn't creating music.  She’s into herbal remedies.  Tarot card readings.  Astrology.  Crystals.  Spiritually minded practices.

Her current release is Blood, put out by Records Ad Nauseam. 

Her upcoming project is a video for 27, which will be released by LA Records.  If the video is anything like River of Blood, you’ll get to spend hours exploring the layers of meaning.

Note:  I took hand notes.  I apologize if I misrepresent anything that Madison said during her interview.  All comments are paraphrased to some degree.

Movie Review: Jupiter Ascending

Jupiter Ascending. So I heard this movie was bad. I decided to wait until it hit the $2 movie theater.  I'm glad I did.

Jupiter (Mila Kunis) works as a house maid in Chicago.  Unknown to her, she is the reincarnation of the House of Abrasax matriarch.  This House "harvests" planets.  Planets around the galaxies are owned by certain Houses.  After the population reaches a certain level, the planet is harvested.  Via some sort of production system, humans are turned into a medical liquid that allows those who drink it to return to their youthful selves -- not just in features, but also in health.  Jupiter's inheritance is Earth, which is reaching the point of "harvesting."

Now somehow -- perhaps it is explained or perhaps not -- the House of Abrasax's children find out that their mother has been reincarnated.  The children include Balem (Eddie Redmayne), Kalique (Tuppence Middleton) and Titus (Douglas Booth).  Via third parties, all three attempt to capture/kidnap her.

Jupiter ends up being kidnapped via various bounty hunters employed by the three siblings : first to Kalique than to Titus and finally Balem.  Admittedly, all three siblings are evil, being responsible for countless genocides.  Of the three, Kalique seems the most open to her mother coming back (mother being Jupiter).  But Jupiter's reunion with her daughter is short lived.  She is quickly shifted around between the two brothers, both of whom want her dead.  

I think this movie has a bunch of shortfalls that make it a disaster of a movie.

1.  The dialogue is awful.  Example.  Caine:  I have more in common with a dog than I have with you.  Jupiter:  I love dogs.

2.  The love story is awkward, see point #1 dialogue.

3.  Who is working for whom is very confusing.

4.  The symbolism is over-the-top.  Jupiter goes to get her eggs harvested to earn extra money.  The House of Abrasax harvests humans to create their life giving liquid.  Why do you need to pound me over the head with this?

5.  Jupiter is the reincarnation of royalty and yet she has to go through a Beetlejuice inspired bureaucratic montage to verify her identity.  Would anyone dare treat royalty in this manner?  It makes for some amusing moments, but it a worthless addition to the movie.

I could probably go on with a few more reasons why this movie is awful, but will stop there.

Wait, let me do one more:  the movie ends (spoiler) with Jupiter having the time of her life flying across the skyline of Chicago.  Wait, don't you realize that there is likely genocide happening across the universe.  Sure, one factory manufacturing this medicine was destroyed, but there are likely many more out there.  You, Jupiter, are a powerful person.  Why don't you use your power to stop this genocide?

Year at Silverlake Lounge

Year. This post rock-band gives you a wonderful 30 minute wall-of-sound set. They don't take a rest.  They just keep going.  To get their rest, they'll slow things down for a bit of meditation, but then they bring it back up.  The band focuses on their sound and you can see the sweat dripping as they aim for those perfect moments.  On this night, up on the screen were images of water swirling.  It fit perfectly with their sound.  An awesome way to end the night -- a night that started with Duke winning the national championship.



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Duke Basketball vs. Wisconsin Badgers: 68 - 63

First off, what about my March Madness bracket.  I selected Kentucky as the champions, winning against Duke.  I am so happy I was wrong.  Where did that bracket finish in the March Madness pool I was in?  Number 38 out of 183.  Honestly, not that bad.  If Kentucky had won it all, I would have finished in the top 20.

On to the game:  This game was intense.  I think I almost blew out a shoulder by swinging my arms so wildly around during various moments of the 2nd half.  There was a moment during the 1st half when it really felt like Duke was going to build a solid 15 point lead.  It didn't happen.  Duke went up 23 - 17.  Then Jahlil Okafor turned the ball over.  Quinn Cook missed a three point shot.  Other things happened and by half time the score was tied 31 - 31.

Then the 2nd half started and for the first 7 minutes of the game it looked like Duke was going to end up down by 15 points.  With 13:23 left on the clock, Duke was down 48 - 39.  The fouls were also piling up on Jahlil Okafor and Justise Winslow.  At that point, both were on the bench.  In comes Grayson Allen to save the day, scoring 8 points in a span of just over 1 minute.  It took a little longer, but by the 7:05 mark, Duke had tied the score at 54 - 54.

Just amazing.

Noticed:  Yes, Justise Winslow touched that ball going out of bounds, but I'm not sure it would have mattered.  Duke was in the driver's seat.  I think they would have found a way to win anyways even if Wisconsin had scored after the correct call was made.  And what about that Tyus Jones play shortly afterwards where he missed a layup?  If Wisconsin had scored, Jones never would have done something like that.  Tyus was trying to put the game away for good.  I think if the score had tightened up, Duke would have played differently.

Marshall Plumlee threw up a couple crazy shots.  Honestly, I suspect that he had honed those shots against Jahlil Okafor in practice.  I suspect we'll be seeing those types of shots going in come next  year.

I saw the player's media session on ESPN.  Amile Jefferson didn't get a single question until the very end.  How can  reporters ignore someone who basically shut down Frank Kaminsky?  Sure, ask a lot of questions of Grayson Allen, but only one question for Amile Jefferson?  Crazy.

Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan ripped Duke and CBS called him classy after the interview.  Are you kidding me?  Bo Ryan owes Coach K and Duke an apology.

One thing mentioned after the game was that all the points for Duke in the 2nd half were scored by freshman.  Of course, if I recall right, Quinn Cook seriously injured his finger during the 1st half, which probably had something to do with his lack of scoring.

Great great game.  Better than the Duke-Butler game?  That Butler team was touch and there was that last moment miracle attempt.  I think both games are classics.
 

Maceo Paisley and Zak Waters at The Satellite

It was a fun night at The Satellite a week back.  Maceo Paisley hit the stage first.  I couldn't help but think Bobby McFerrin with a touch of Kirk Franklin.  I loved the rapid fire lyrics that just made you smile.  The red jacket.  The red eye glasses.  The red NC State t-shirt (I think it would have been better if the t-shirt was Duke blue).  All combined made for a fashion standout.

Comment of the set.  Monday's a work night.  Sometimes you need a vacation.

Zak Waters (picture to the left -- I wasn't the only one taking photos of a white screen).  I can't help but think Zak Waters is a quirky kind of guy.  His whole set was played behind a white screen.  Also, before Monday, his Facebook and Soundcloud pages were available.  Now both are unavailable.  Anyways, as I was trying to figure out where I wanted to go on a Monday night, it was his Soundcloud page that convinced me to head out to The Satellite.  His music is so exhilarating.


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Duke Basketball vs Michigan St: 81 - 61

Michigan St attempted to blow Duke out at the start, hitting multiple three pointers in quick order and taking a 14 - 6 lead.  Then Duke found their defense and Michigan St started missing.  At that point, Duke just gradually caught up and gradually pulled ahead.  It really didn't feel to me that Duke went on any quick runs.  It was just a methodical type game.  I think it felt that way, because as with the Utah game, Duke didn't shoot many three pointers.  They were only 2 for 10.  So there weren't any moments where they just shot ahead by 6 or 8 points within seconds.  For example, to start the 2nd half they were up 36 - 25.  After a couple minutes, they were up 42 - 25 and I couldn't help but wonder how they'd build up such a big lead, because it all felt so gradual.

What did I like?

I liked how the reserves played.  I think their play goes beyond just the 11 points they scored.  Marshall Plumlee set a screen that opened up a scoring lane.  Amile Jefferson played some tough defense on an inbound play that resulted in a turnover.  As the clock was ticking down in the 1st half, Grayson Allen tipped a ball and then got the ball and threw up a prayer that wasn't answered.  It was just over-all great effort by the bench.

A lot has been said about Jahlil Okafor's play during the tournament.  He didn't show much against Utah and Gonzaga.  Of course, in those two games, he was nearly always double teamed and sometimes tripled teamed.  Michigan St decided not to go in that direction and they paid for it with Okafor scoring 18 points.  I think Okafor should be praised for his play against Utah and Gonzaga.  Duke doesn't have a plethora of big men.  If he had gotten frustrated and committed silly fouls, Duke might not be where they are now.

I'm happy this game wasn't competitive.  With Duke's short bench and considering how competitive the Wisconsin v Kentucky game was, maybe Wisconsin will be tired out for Monday's game.  One can only hope.