Order Matthew Hussey's New Book, Love Life
New York Times bestseller
Michele Reverte
Freelance writer, photographer, proofreader and editor.
The Little Blue Kite by Mark Z. Danielewski
Catching Up With Eddie Izzard Before He Takes Over The Hollywood Bowl
Nothing seems to be impossible for Eddie Izzard. He once ran 43 marathons in 51 days for charity. He performed his current show, Force Majeure, in three languages in three hours. And in five years, he'll be running for public office in the United Kingdom. His acting career has included roles in Hannibal, The Riches, Ocean's Twelve and Thirteen and Velvet Goldmine. But he's probably best known for his comedy specials, and whether he's in "boy mode" or "girl mode," the experience is both hilarious and insightful.
Johnnyswim Showcases Their Chemistry on Debut Album 'Diamonds'
When Abner Ramirez invited Amanda Sudano to write music with him in 2005, his primary intention was to get some alone time with the hottest girl he'd ever met. But as they spent time singing and writing together, they realized their musical chemistry was something pretty special. The years that followed saw them form the band Johnnyswim, release three EPs, get married in 2009 and move from Nashville to Los Angeles. Their debut full-length album, Diamonds, was released in late April, and the 12 tracks traverse genres and reveal the complementary talents of this duo.
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers' Benmont Tench Takes Center Stage With Debut Solo Album
Even if his name doesn't ring a bell, chances are you're familiar with Benmont Tench's talents. As a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers—and a member of its predecessor, Mudcrutch—his keyboard work is unmistakable. Add to that his contributions as a session player on albums by the Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Fiona Apple, U2 and scores of others, and his presence is near-ubiquitous. Earlier this week, he reached a major milestone with the release of his first solo album, 'You Should Be So Lucky.'
PAPA Talk About Their Debut Album 'Tender Madness,' Drumming Barefoot & How They Got Their Name
Even though their first full-length album, Tender Madness, won't be released until October 8, L.A.-based band PAPA has already established a presence as commanding as the capital letters in their name. LAist recently sat down with Darren Weiss (drums and lead vocals) and Danny Presant (bass)—who have known each other since childhood—to get the scoop on the new album, their must-watch video for "Young Rut," and the dangers of drumming barefoot.
Get To Know Phoebe Baker and Lou James of Six-Piece Australian Band Alpine
In looking at the music videos for Australia-based band Alpine, one gets the impression that frontwomen Phoebe Baker and Lou James would be a blast to hang out with. Yesterday, LAist confirmed that fact during an interview with the pair. We got the scoop on the band's debut album, A Is for Alpine, which was just released in the United States.
Meet The Olms: Pete Yorn And J.D. King's New Album Is The Perfect Summer Soundtrack
While the Olms may be a new band, Pete Yorn and J.D. King's vocal and songwriting styles mesh so well, it's as if they've been collaborating for decades. Each melody has the potential to stick in your head throughout the day, and the band's sound is a mix of their favorite influences—from Britpop to bluegrass—with a modern twist.
20 Of Our Favorite Finds From Unique LA's Spring Show
More than 14,000 people attended Unique LA's fifth annual Spring Show, which featured 350 handpicked designers and artists, many of whom are Los Angeles-based. The event, which was held May 11 and 12 at the California Market Center in Downtown LA, also raised $3,000 for the Downtown Women's Center. Some of the items we found during our shopping adventure were: the best strawberry jam ever, do-it-yourself school notebooks, backpacks that change lives, LA commute necklaces and playful cat silhouette bikinis.
'Arrested Development' Cast Dishes On Behind-The-Scenes Details From The New Season
Only a week remains until Netflix releases all 15 new episodes of "Arrested Development," and the coming days are sure to be filled with "Final Countdown" references, along with banana stand and stair car sightings. As we mentioned in an earlier feature, LAist attended the "Arrested Development" press conference on May 4, and it was sometimes hard to hear the actors' answers over the laughter in the room—which is par for the course when this group gets together.
'Arrested Development' Cast Reveals New Details About Their Forthcoming Netflix Season
Ever since Netflix announced the resurrection of Arrested Development—and with it, the dysfunctional Bluth family—people have felt more excited than Buster holding a juice box or Lucille discovering Gene Parmesan in disguise. (And if you didn't get those references, there's still time to watch the previous seasons before Netflix releases 15 new episodes on May 26!) Although the cast has been tight-lipped in recent months, LAist got some fresh Bluth scoop during their press conference on May 4.
Record Store Day at Origami Vinyl to Feature Silversun Pickups, Nick Waterhouse and 10 DJs
Vinyl aficionados have been counting down the days to Record Store Day on April 20, when independent record stores around the world hold one simultaneous party—complete with exclusive releases. As usual, Origami Vinyl in Echo Park has an incredible lineup for Saturday's event, including a Silversun Pickups performance. LAist sat down with store owner Neil Schield to learn more.
Bagavagabonds' Traveling 'Art Migration' Showcases Awesome Local Art And Music
In recent years, the local creative collective Bagavagabonds has hosted some of the best art-centric events in the city. This year, their popular Art Explosion has evolved into a three-city Art Migration that will hit Los Angeles tonight. Tonight's event will feature live art installations, screen-printing, an old-fashioned letterpress, interactive smart vehicle experiences (including a horn organ), a hosted bar and free haircuts.
Singer Tift Merritt On a Lifetime of Making Music, What's On Her Mixtape, and Her Favorite Spot In L.A.
Tift Merritt's fifth studio album, Traveling Alone, proves that she's a musician at the top of her game. Whether revealing the certainty in subtlety, or the question in a foregone conclusion, Merritt's music is arresting in the best possible way. In spite of the album's title, Merritt—who grew up in North Carolina and lives in New York—didn't go it alone, and she recruited musicians such as Andrew Bird and Eric Heywood to lend their talents to these tracks.
Magician Jon Armstrong & Writer Mike Costa Create Comic Book Magic in 'Smoke and Mirrors'
Watching people flip through an issue of Smoke and Mirrors is almost as entertaining as reading the comic book itself. It's not uncommon for a reader to gasp or exclaim, "How'd he do that?" Both the physical comics and the digital versions offer a fresh take on comic book magic and actively engage the reader in the tricks themselves.
Author Neal Stephenson On His Latest Book, Video Game Sword-Fighting And The Light In Los Angeles
In 'Some Remarks: Essays and Other Writing,' author Neal Stephenson describes Alexander Graham Bell and Lord Kelvin as the "supreme ninja hacker mage lords" of global telecommunications. Readers of Stephenson's work would probably agree it wouldn't be much of a stretch to apply the same description to him within the speculative fiction world.
Musician Blake Mills Talks About Opening For Fiona Apple, Getting Half A Manicure And His Favorite Local Guitar Spots
During a recent flight, we had the chance to sit next to a writer for a well-known music publication. When we asked him who he thinks will be the next big thing in the music industry, he said, "In the next couple years, it's going to be all about Blake Mills. No question." It's not hard to see why. A musician from a young age, Mills has honed his skills to the point that he's become one of the go-to guys for both guitar and producing expertise.
So Say We All: Highlights From The Battlestar Galactica Panel At Comic-Con 2012
Battlestar Galactica will celebrate its 35th anniversary next year, and enthusiasm still runs high. This year's packed panel at Comic-Con on July 12 delighted fans of the original series as well as the reboot. Richard Hatch—who played Capt. Apollo in the original and Tom Zarek in the later series—was the ideal moderator, and writer/producer Jane Espenson (BSG/Firefly/Husbands) could've spoken all day and still held the audience in rapt attention.
Comic-Con Photos: Colorful Costumes & Characters from Day 1
We're just getting started, but here are a few sights from Thursday, July 12, the first full day at Comic-Con 2012. Among other things, we spotted Waldo and caught Starbuck hanging out with She-Ra. Which costume's your favorite?
The Strange And The Sexy: Photos From Comic-Con 2012
We caught everything from a naughty Thundercat to a chill Rainbow Brite wandering the halls of the convention center Friday and Saturday at Comic-Con. As the event comes to a close today, and costumes go back in their closets, we're already looking forward to next year!
Load More Articles
