RESTAVRANT ON ‘AT THE TAVERN’ TODAY AT 11:30 AM (PST)
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TODAY LISTEN TO INTRAFFIKRADIO.COM’S ‘AT THE TAVERN’ WITH AMANDA JONES AND SIRIA C. FOR A SPECIAL LIVE PERFORMANCE EDITION W/ THE BAND RESTAVRANT.
Much like the rest of L.A. we’ve had a crush on the live performances and music the two talented members (J. State and T. Murrah) of this band put on. A hot and sweaty Little Radio Summer Camp event over 3 years ago first put these guys on our radar and since that time much of L.A. has been won over as well.
The Texas native boys of Restavrant will be on a Texas themed show with the girls of “At the Tavern” performing some of their songs live over the air for you.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN (or go to www.intraffikradio.com and click on the big red link that says Click Here to Listen)
25 TIPS FOR SXSW (PART 4 OF 5)
As most of you know the SXSW Music + Film + Interactive Festivals and Conferences are fast approaching. This week, I have provided you with 5 different daily tips in various areas (lodging, driving, getting around Austin, etc.) that will hopefully help you maximize your trip based on my own personal experiences.
My focus has been mainly be on the Music and Media Conferences (March 17-21), but many of my tips and advice have been general enough that you can apply them towards any part of SXSW.
For Monday’s 5 Tips on Lodging click here
For Tuesday’s 5 Tips on Driving to Austin click here
For Wednesday’s 5 Tips on Getting Around Austin click here
Today’s tips are 5 General Tips for Your Trip to SXSW
Ok, so now that I’ve shared with you some personal experiences and tips from my own arsenal for SXSW in the areas of lodging, driving to Austin, and getting around Austin the time has come to give some advice that would probably be in line with the kind of advice that a parental figure might bestow upon you. However, since I am still in my 20’s, I hope it will be better received by you than if issued by someone who appears to be more far removed from the experiences you are currently encountering and making a part of your own personal trajectory.
These next 5 tips essentially stem from the one quality that I for better or worse possess an atypically high level of, common sense. It is this quality that has probably kept me out of trouble and drama free for most of my life. I, like the rest of you, may not always put it to good use, but it’s always there if I need to fall back on it.
With that said, here are 5 General Tips for Your Trip to SXSW
1. Carry Business Cards – Don’t forget to pack your business cards. If you don’t have any, you might want to consider printing some out on your own (you still have some time) or if you have some time (time is running out) use cheap printers like Vista Print or Got Print (they are located in Burbank where you can pick up your order personally) They don’t have to be fancy, they just have to have your current contact information. It’s not the best feeling in the world to have someone ask you for your card and you have to make up some excuse every time. This is one time in your life when you really should have them, as you will meet lots of people and you’ll want them to be able to locate you once you are all back in the “real post-SXSW world.” Most people won’t be bothered with searching for pens and paper to write down your number, and being as how you just met (and you might be one of tens, twenties, or hundreds) they probably won’t want to plug your info into their phone just yet (you’d be surprised how many people have never made it into my phone). The information on the business card is also what they’ll probably use to not only contact you with, but also research you with. So make sure that you provide the info (tools if you will) for what you actually want found on you.
Bonus Tip: When it comes to business cards, you actually may already have some from a company that you are employed by. You may be fine with using these, not wanting to take on the additional expense of getting new ones printed. However, take a minute to think if you will want all of those people that you meet randomly on the streets of Austin (some of who may not be legitimately in the business they say they are) contacting you at your place of employment. For example, I tend to constantly embark upon and take on new projects that allow me full control and the ability to exercise my creativity. However, I usually try to keep my personal endeavors separate from my professional ones as typically I have been employed by big
name entertainment companies that sometimes make people see stars (or at least think they will be getting closer to fulfilling some dreams by getting to know me better…or stalking me). For the most part, I would not want random people contacting me on my direct line while I am in the midst of a time crunch trying to make deadlines or seeing projects through.
For this reason, I always have business cards for my creative projects (front and back of my TRAffIK business card pictured left–sorry, had to blackout my cell phone number), so that I can be selective about whom I give which to. For most LA residents that attend SXSW this is their world as well. So I would suggest that you think twice before you hand out your professional business card to every person you meet.
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25 TIPS FOR SXSW (PART 3 OF 5)
As most of you know the SXSW Music + Film + Interactive Festivals and Conferences are fast approaching. This week, I’m providing you with 5 different daily tips in various areas (lodging, driving, getting around Austin, etc.) that will hopefully help you maximize your trip based on my own personal experiences.
My focus will mainly be on the Music and Media Conferences (March 17-21), but many of my tips and advice will be general enough that you can apply them towards any part of SXSW.
For Monday’s 5 Tips on Lodging click here
For Tuesday’s 5 Tips on Driving to Austin click here
Todays 5 Tips are about Getting Around Austin:
Based on my experiences in Austin, I still think taking cabs is the best way to go (unless you have a personal driver). Taking cabs and not driving around let you avoid the headaches of having to find parking (not to mention having to remember where you parked) and avoiding the possible fender benders that sometimes happen. Here are some tips for getting around:
1. Share Cabs – This is easiest to do when heading to the 6th St. vicinity from your hotel. You will soon learn that most people waiting for a cab have the same destination as you do. If you don’t have a large group of people with you already, you should consider asking some of the other people in the hotel lobby or that are waiting outside if they are heading to 6th St. and might want to share a cab. It’ll save all of you some money and also you might make some new friends or learn of new interesting parties to go to (we definitely did).
2. Get Digits – A good practice to get into is to get the number of the Cab drivers and Ricksha guys if they offer or even if they don’t and you trust them. It’s kind of amazing how much you can learn about a cab driver or rickshaw driver (cyclist?) in a 10 – 15 min. ride. I’m not talking about making a romantic connection, but they might come in handy. Many of these drivers/cyclists work all day and night taking on this job of cab driver only during the weeks of SXSW trying to make as much money as possible in this time frame. You never know, but you may get stuck at a party way out in the middle of nowhere and they could possibly bail you out and get you back to your hotel saving you hours of waiting around for a cab to be sent or one to drive by. As always trust your judgement on whom you ask for this info from.
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Adventures with Lady Di – What Rock ‘n’ Roll Looks Like
I Photograph Rock Stars…
Yes, Greg Watermann, you do.
Last Thursday, Lady Di and I ventured out to A&I Hollywood for the opening reception of the Greg Watermann Photo Exhibit “I Photograph Rock Stars.” Greg Watermann has a fairly strong following in the rock ‘n’ roll world from both the bands he photographs (Linkin Park, Slipknot, System of a Down, etc.) as well as the fans that get to enjoy these photos of their favorite bands, not to mention all of his peers in the field of photography many of which also showed up to show their support.
I tend to make it out to events like this with less frequency these days due to my sometimes crazy schedule, but always make an effort when my friends are involved. I still probably go out more than the average person, because it usually is my friends that are involved. If there is anything any LA resident knows it’s that LA is incestuous and it’s usually the same people who over and over make things happen (I’ll elaborate on this someday but not today).
Upon arrival it quickly became apparent that Dallas, TX would be the theme of the evening as Lady Di (a Texas native) instantly recognized an old friend named Steve that she hadn’t seen in years who also happened to be a member of one of her favorite Dallas bands. Steve is officially the first person I’ve ever met that lived in Antartica.
Although almost everywhere we go we are bound to know some people, this evening was no exception and it was nice to run into old friends instantly. There is nothing worse than being stuck at something that feels stuffy where everyone is trying to be overly cool and no one is having a good time. The lyrics “A room full of plastic smiles and an empty glass,” from “The Situation” by now broken up Ventura band The Return come to mind. Doesn’t that sound more like a nightmare than a night out?
We proceeded to grab some drinks and didn’t realize until midway through the evening that we had to purchase drink tickets to drink since the bartenders never asked us for any. Lady Di and I have a knack for many things like being ushered into secret rooms and for unintentionally befriending bartenders everywhere we go (time has proven that’s not such a bad thing as this equals free drinks, although we never ask for them), and this event was no exception as they tried to arrange a post-event hang out which we awkwardly laughed our way out of.
After doing a walk-through and taking a look at all of the photographs and watching a video featuring Watermann’s work with System of a Down, we quickly were back in the thick of a reunion and waxing nostalgia as a couple more of the members of the Dallas band Steve was in were spotted (they were all getting together to lay down some tracks this past weekend for a new project Steve has embarked upon), which included the drummer and one of Lady Di’s favorite people Joe Fulginiti. Joe also happens to be part of the A&I Hollywood team along with one of my favorite people in LA, Jason Costanzo, who because of busy schedules I rarely see despite the fact that he lives a couple of blocks from me.
A&I Hollywood regularly puts on photo exhibits at their Highland Ave. gallery such as the L.A. Nude 20 year Anniversary, which featured live nudes mingling through the crowds while showcasing photography from over forty photographers including Dennis Hopper, Douglas Kirkland, and Herman Leonard. I unfortunately had to miss this event when it happened as Brandy (BB) and I were putting on the “Unconventional” Fashion Show in Culver City in conjunction with Indie Collective and Seed Clothing that same night. The best part of the A&I Hollywood events is that A&I owner Baret Lepejian designates a charity which will be a recipient of any proceeds from each event. Baret is usually present at each of the events gregariously mingling with the crowd. If you happen to run into him, ask him what he likes to collect, and if you’re lucky you might get to see the actual unique items. I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone who collects what he does and doubt Lady Di had either.
It was a fun night filled with random multiple run-ins like The Woods owner and another of my favorite people Michelle Marini, AM (who is playing Spaceland with his new band Mondo Domingo this Saturday May 16), among many others.
Best dress of the evening award goes to the girl wearing this BeBe Studded Trapunto dress (retails at $249) that we would’ve never guessed was a BeBe dress. This was a perfect dress for the nighttime occasion just rock ‘n’ roll enough with the studs, gunmetal, and diagonal zip design completely avoiding the “stripper” look which I did see a couple of girls sporting.
I had actually almost forgotten all about this dress but happened to catch the Kellie Pickler “Best Days of Your Life” video and am pretty sure this is the same dress Taylor Swift is wearing in it.
It was a fun evening full of good people.
Please visit Greg Watermann’s official website www.gregwatermann.com to view his photographs. This exhibit will continue at A&I Hollywood from May 7 – June 10 and then at A&I Santa Monica from June 18 – July 24, visit www.aandi.com for more information.
You can also read more about the opening reception itself here.
Make A List Baby! Bottles and Cans – Just Clap Your Hands, Just Clap your Hands!
Since April is Earth Month I decided to start my list with my great recycling endeavor! For most of you recycling is probably as natural as wiping your ass. I too recycle regularly… drink some beers – a bottle of wine – throw the bottles in the blue city container that sits on the side of your house. This is what I normally would do as well, but since I decided that I wanted to really focus my efforts AND also make some bucks in the way of all the booze I drink- I started to collect all of my recyclables on the side of my house and not put them in the blue bin.
A couple of interesting things occurred when I began doing this. First off, I noticed – JESUS do we drink a lot of alcohol!!! I think I might have known this prior to me putting all of my bottles in one area but it doesn’t quite hit you in the face until you SEE all of those bottles turning into a glass mountain on the side of your home! Next, I noticed that the man that lives with me drinks A LOT of beer! A lot! Suddenly my little recycling endeavor is starting to look like perhaps we should join AA because all of those bottles were piling up. Of-course we do entertain a lot…which would add to our mountain of glass, but it’s a little alarming when you see bottles and bottles of wine and beer gathering like a sea of alcohol that could drown an elephant. I bet the neighbors think we are the most functioning alcoholics/diet coke addicts this side of Texas. This is the price that’s paid when you try to recycle for your own pocket book!
Next up was the fact that I started this recycling endeavor back in December. It was a moment of clarity if you will. I had the brilliant idea that since we spend so much money buying alcohol, good wine-good beer, and not turning the bottles into a recycling center on our own, the only way we were ever going to capitalize on that 10 cent CA REDEMPTION value that you see on bottles, was to take advantage of the money that could give back to our family vacation fund. The thing is in December I didn’t realize that when we moved – which we were planning to do – we would have to either turn in the bottles and cans then – OR – pack them up and take them with us. For anyone that’s ever moved, there are so many things that need to be dealt with that sometimes you skip the things that seem like an enormous effort because you are just tired! This turned out to be one of those things. So come February my annoyed partner packed up bottles and cans and moved them to our new residence. I felt bad – but when I have my mind set on something it’s best to just do what I ask. OR I’ll just bitch and bitch until you do it anyway. This was a PROJECT DAMNIT – IT HAD TO BE DONE! I’ll be damned if I spend all those months collecting bottle and cans to just put them in the blue bin and not be able to enjoy my riches!!!
The next big thing that one of my girlfriends pointed out was this: You can’t get money for wine bottles! WHAT!!!???
You mean all of those stupid freaking wine bottles that I’m been staring at for months and months have no monetary value!? Who decided that dumb ass rule!? It’s a bottle and its glass right? Why in gods name would you just ignore that? This is when I decided I needed to start doing some recycling research. I went on-line and tried to find information on what you can get money for and what you cannot. Turns out, they don’t have a lot of information about that. Rather, they tell you what you can recycle but they don’t tell you why and why not. I opted for listings of recycling centers so I could start making my phone calls and asking all of my questions. I really did want to do this to be good to earth and do my part –but what I really wanted more was cash! That vacation fund of mine has been getting harder and harder to fill as this recession strikes my overtime or lack thereof – so this was a good way to help out all parties.
I called a recycling center that was close to my home and started making my inquiries. Like a good detective I had my questions all ready – my pad of paper – and then I went to town on the poor guy that worked there! Why this and why that? How much and why don’t they do this everywhere? It turns out that some recycling centers will take the wine bottles – the only catch is that you have to turn them in with beer bottles and you get a lowered redemption value. Instead of the 10 cents you would normally get for bottles they will give you 8 cents and take all of your wine bottles as well, you just have to turn them in with beer bottles. You see for whatever reason the state of California doesn’t extend the redemption value to wine. I still haven’t figured out why? The major point in this instance was – where there’s a will there’s a way! My way was, I grab all of the bottles, cans, water bottles, etc into big black trash bags and head off to my near-by recycling center. The only part that bummed me out about all this was that ever since my girlfriend told me that you can’t recycle (for cash) wine bottles I’ve been putting them in the big blue city bin and being that I really like my glass of wine in the evenings – a lot of wine bottles have been excluded from my recycling plans.
So I make my plans for a Saturday morning and off we go to the recycling center! I don’t know what I was thinking would happen? Would I get $300 dollars for 4 months of recycling? I usually keep my expectations low in instances like this – that way when I’m paid $50 for all of my months of cleaning out bottles and storing them like scary recycling/alcoholic lunatic I won’t be disappointed. We loaded up the car with boxes and bags filled to the brim with bottles, cans, anything made of glass –and even some things that you aren’t supposedly allowed to recycle? We got the recycling center close to our home and began to unload everything. The men that worked there were very helpful. They brought us 4 bins to fill. When we had filled those they brought us 3 more. 7 bins in total!!! I felt triumphant and a little excited about making some extra cash. Staring at my bins get weighed I kept thinking to myself, “damn that’s a lot of crap that’s got to be worth some decent cash!!!” Then they handed us the receipt and my partner went to collect the money.
Four months of recycling, 7 bins of glass and cans – this has got to be good – right? Nope… I received a whopping $28!!!!! TWENTY EIGHT DOLLARS!!!!!! WHATTTT!!???? I laughed to myself about my previous estimate of $50 – what the hell did I know? The even funnier part was when I got back into my car that had plastic bottles lying around the floor (that I was planning on saving for my next trip to the recycling center) and suddenly I turned into Oskar Schindler – thinking, I could have gotten $2 more for those bottles there – and if I had not thrown out all of those bottles during February it could have been $5 more dollars. I was losing it! I started scrutinizing my receipt trying to make sense of it – but ten minutes in I just gave up. I got back to my house – grabbed my $28 and put it in our vacation fund.
I don’t know if there is a lesson to be learned but I do know this – it’s money I didn’t have and I think worth the little effort it took to pile crap up on the side of my home and drive it down to the recycling center. I’m $28 closer to a summer vacation and have done my part to check an item off my list and help the environment. I don’t know how much I helped but I suppose everything counts even in the smallest of amounts.