Features
- Higher State of Consciousness
A convoluted account of the protests surrounding the 2000 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles that is colored by my excitement over the post-"Battle in Seattle" protest movement. And by my losing faith in the idea that rave culture, or electronic music culture, might coalesce into an interesting political bloc. There are anarchist Web sites, there is a small riot, and there is a really good section focusing on a goofy rave-friendly political rally. From a fall '00 issue of URB.
- Why Haven't You Heard Of ... Dahshur?
A short article about a visit to the Dahshur pyramid complex at the south end of the Egyptian pyramid field. Originally published in the December/January 2005 issue of Budget Travel.
- Dark Days
Director Marc Singer sheds light on the unabashed optimism that helped turn "Dark Days" -- his subterranean squatter home movie -- into the DJ Shadow-scored darling of the American festival circuit. Originally published in the September 2000 issue of URB.
- The Orchid Chief
A trip to the tiny Mojave Desert settlement of Landers to visit a dirt-biker bar, a building constructed in line with Venusian blueprints and a horticultural festival hosted by one of the largest orchid nurseries in the United States. From the LA Weekly, October 10-16, 2003.
- Tijuana Techno
Tijuana, Mexico's Nortec Collective continues a tradition of country music about drug smugglers. Originally published by Miami New Times July 17, 2003.
- Shockwave Rider
Jennifer Herrema and RTX, thundering free. From the September 10-16, 2004 edition of the LA Weekly.
- Are We Too High?
My first real story was this lengthy analysis of "the cultural attitudes that have led to law enforcement and the media's scrutiny of rave culture's desire to get high." I interviewed drug dealers, DJs and promoters and managed to incorporate Roland Barthes. It was published in the September, 1998 issue of URB. I wrote this when I was very new to Los Angeles, so it's quite naive in parts. I am still proud of it though.
- Gettin' Grown
As a member of confrontational hip-hop group Company Flow, El-P became an iconoclastic hero known for apocalyptic production techniques, furious rhyme skills and a vicious sense of humor. In 2002 his Definitive Jux label was defining the gritty new sound of the underground. This profile of El-P was the cover story of the May, 2002 issue of URB.
- Standing On The Shoulders of GIANT
Prankster propagandist Shepard Fairey and the “interpretational latitude” of Andre the Giant’s multinational posse conglomerate. From the March 2000 issue of URB.
- Let's Put the Future Behind Us
My relatively entertaining essay from the 2001 edition of Sonar Text, the program of Barcelona's Sonar Festival, an annual progressive music and multimedia arts event held in Barcelona, Spain. Contributors were asked to respond to the question "What is the future of electronic music?"
- Ghost In The Drum Machine
An encounter with John Wood, the jazz pianist behind the "Drum Machines Have No Soul" bumper sticker campaign. From the May 28 - June 03, 2004 edition of the LA Weekly. Includes some surprisingly angry responses that the LA Weekly printed in a subsequent issue.
- Jesus Was A Luthier
A profile of punk mystic Henry Barnes and his hardcore folk music project, Amps For Christ. Printed in the LA Weekly, March 19, 2004
- Temple of the Dog
An interview with Jim Jarmusch and Forest Whitaker about Blaxploitation, Wu-Tang Clan and the film "Ghost Dog."
- Soft and Wet
A brief conversation with Drew Daniel of Matmos and Soft Pink Truth about gayness, shame and disco. Said conversation is folded into a party preview in the March 4, 2004 issue of Miami New Times.
- California Dreaming: Beck's Visual Artistry
An interview with Beck Hansen about music videos, Luis Buñuel and his experiences growing up in Los Angeles. From the September/October issue of RES magazine.
- Casino Versus Japan
Erik Kowalski made a lot of money licensing one of his song's for a Hummer commercial, but he'd rather talk about Russian satellites and seasonal change.
- Diamonds in the Rough
A trip to the earth science jamboree that brings hundreds of crystal collectors to the lonely mining town of Trona, CA. From the October 22-28, 2004 edition of the LA Weekly.
- Chris Cunningham
An interview with the director of Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker" and "Come to Daddy" videos.
- Marumari
Moody Blues, Aphex Twin and "hippie parents" all play a part in Josh Presseisen's lucid sci-fi lullabies.
- Fuck You Heroes
A profile of experimental electronic music artists Autechre wherein we sit together on a bleak British beach and take turns describing their music as folk, death metal and an inside-out lung sticking out of the ground. Read this if you're into the stoned rants of reclusive British dudes. First published in the July/August, 2001 issue of URB.
- Party Arty
A high-falutin' discussion with techno producers Sutekh and Matthew Dear about Terry Riley and the history of minimalist composition. From the September 18, 2003 edition of the Miami New Times.
- Prefuse 73
A conversation with Scott Herren about his debut album as Prefuse 73. From the LA Weekly, June 8-14, 2001.
- Mike Ladd
When the yuppies pine for Eminem, the true heads turn to Black Flag and The Lemonheads. Mike Ladd's Majesticons let you shake your ass to the shiny bling and dis Justin Timberlake at the same time.
- Ultra-red
Los Angeles-based ambient audio collective Ultra-red collaborates with housing activists in strategies against architecture. Originally published in the May, 2000 issue of URB.
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