Grey Sweatshirt

Various styles and fabrics...for the most part but ALL still getting the job done.

South Willard

Band of Outsiders

Gap

J. Crew

Kaint Shrink

I found a 1950's baseball cap and this is the inside label. So cool.

NEW LCD

clip 1 from lcd soundsystem on Vimeo.

iPhone Happenings (part 2)

Been doin some fun but random things in 2010 and my trustee iphone has been there every step of the way.

the whites - new T from South Willard

the makings of a "Thug Passion"

old office

a domestic bank robber?

Farmers Market

Junior Lakers baller - notice the "Chucks"

O.G.

Elvis hydrating it up

Golden Years

It's my birthday today and I'm feelin pretty good. I've already gotten some really nice calls, e-mails, and texts from friends & family. I'm definitely grateful and hope there are many more like this.

Old But New Journal

old book rebound with old papers - found HERE

A Family of Artists

The Artigas family may hail from Mexico City but they are taking LA by storm (bad pun with this crappy weather) with their fairly recent store opening. However, it's not your average store as it's in a 1 story house that anyone would be stoked to live in. Actually, the Artigas family did live in this house at one point and after having difficulty with selling it, they decided to make the house their showroom.

Gabrial (Gabby) makes all the jewelry, Alejandro (Alex) makes all the furniture, and Teresita does the cooking. Even the mom helps out and sells her homemade salsa. Basically, there is nothing this family can't do.

If you don't see anything you want to buy, which I will find hard to believe, hold a meeting (back room available), go and hang out, eat, do yoga (weekend classes are held in backyard), or just use their computers to surf the internetssss. Basically, this is a safe haven for all.

House on Genesee

Chromeo's "Night by Night"

South Willard for Quoddy Chukka Boot

Of all the collaborations Quoddy has been doing, Ryan/South Willard are continuing to pop out more and more great kicks.

Mikael Kennedy

I found Mikael's work through my newest obsession (one trip pass) and his work has a definite east coast vibe to it, which is a nice change from my west coast photography postings. When I contacted Jay Carroll (the dude behind OTP), he told me they used to collaborate together at Rogues Gallery and that more joint projects are in the works as we speak. Should be cool indeed...

Ryan Conder's L.A.

I have always wanted to do something like this...an insiders city guide from artists/designers/musicians/etc. of people I like and admire. This is more of an "off the beaten path" city guide. Whenever I travel, I always think about where ______ would go if he was in this city. Hopefully, for those that plan on traveling to Los Angeles, maybe they will use this little guide to make their trip better.

I am optimistic that this will be a monthly thing so stay tuned for the next one. And, any recommendations are much appreciated.

Without further delay, the first person in this series, is none other then Ryan Conder aka South Willard. Ryan has always been someone I looked up to for many reasons. First, he has always been in ahead of the pack with labels, he was literally the first to carry Common Projects, Band of Outsiders, Crescent Down Works, Quoddy, and others. Aside from that, he is just as knowledgeable with interior design as well (books, furniture, architecture, etc.). Most importantly, in a business filled with a lot of shitty people, Ryan is definitely one of the good guys. I can't tell you how many times I have gone in to his store to talk/ask/inquire/ about numerous stuff and he has always had the perfect response. He is literally the encyclopedia of "cool," without trying to be cool.

So, here are some pretty basic questions I asked regarding the city that Ryan has called home for a long time - Los Angeles.

What's your favorite place to eat in L.A. ?

R.C. : I really like to eat. It's where I spend all my money. My favorite places for breakfast are Campinele, Julienne, Bob's Donuts, and Lil Doms.

Lunch, I like a lot of things in the San Gabriel Valley because you can avoid traffic that way. Din Tai Fung and Luscious Dumpling for dumplings, Vietnam House or Saigon Flavor (same owner) for Vietnamese, and 888 for Dim Sum because I like watching the carts go around and so does my wife and son. The beef roll at 101 Noodle Express is something special too.

For dinner, I like Osteria Mozza, AOC, Angelini Osteria, Church and State, Taylors, Musso & Franks, Houstons, Cho Sun Galbi, El Huarache Azteca, Asanebo, Shibucho, Shin Sen Gumi, Cho Sun Galbi, and also, there is a lady that makes bllue corn quesadillas on the corner of sunset and echo park I eat for a quick dinner often.

What's your favorite place to drink in L.A.?

R.C. : I like to get drinks with a bowl of soup at Pacific Dining Car, I also like to drink the beer on draft with the sausage and fries at Wurstkuche. Also, the beer on draft at Koraku with the meatballs. I don't really go to bars, but Footsie's is nice and so is El Prado. I used to love going to Tony's on the Redondo Pier but it's closed. Also, the bar at Yamashiro is pretty cool.

What's your favorite place to shop in L.A.?

R.C. : For shopping I frequent the same places all the time. (I go to ) Hollywood Farmers Market is every Sunday. For clothes, I buy my wife stuff at Mameg. I think as far as fashion goes, it's my favorite place in the world. I like Sam Kauffman, JF Chen, Rewire, Reform, and Peter Vanstone for furniture and lighting. I always looks at the shows Marc Foxx, Overduin & Kite, China Art Objects, Richard Telles and David Kordansky. I like the PCC and Long Beach Flea Market.

What do you like to do in your free time?

R.C. : Just whatever I feel like that day really. It's nice in LA because there are some many things to do. Weather isn't much of a dictator here. I like to work in the garden with my son the most.

If you weren't in the fashion world, what do you think you would be doing?

R.C. : I always wanted to have a bookshop.

What brand(s) would you most like to collaborate with?

R.C. : Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. I would try to return all the parks in Los Angeles to California Native Plants.

special thanks to Ryan for taking the time to do the interview!!!!

When They Fight, They Fight

Rob Heubel

I was fortunate to see Rob Heubel (I Love You Man, Human Giant, The Office) live in action at the UCB Theatre a couple weeks ago and the dude

is so funny beyond belief that my words won't do the man justice. Here are some of my favorite clips

of him but trust me, this dude will continue to rise in the comedic and acting ranks.

For those of us who live in L.A., Rob will be hosting the Shit Show on January 30th and I highly recommend

everyone going.

Gear Head

The older GC is making great progress for the next album. He did some recording at the same studio where Keith Richards and Tom Petty have laid down tunes. Here is some of the gear used to create the tasty tunes.

Nick Allen

beautiful prints of waves by Nick Allen. Available for purchase here & here

Ryan Bingham

X- rodeo clown turned singer-songwriter. He has the theme song for Crazy Heart and it's such a heartfelt song that it's damn near impossible to deny it. This song has remained on repeat all weekend long. The movie is great and this song is a big variable in the movie's awesomeness.

Carol Kaye

I did a little research on Carol Kaye after hearing Laura Veir's, "Carol Kaye" song on her upcoming album July Flame. First of all, Laura's album is so good and I highly recommend everyone to buy it.

What I found out about Carol was that she was somewhat of a phenom. At the age of 22, she was a studio bass player for Capitol Records working with Sam Cooke. I'd say her most notorious work was being the bass player on the Pet Sounds record for the Beach Boys. Other notable albums include David Axelrod's Songs of Innocence, Dusty Springfield's Cameo, and Zappa's Freak Out.

She also performed on many scores for film and some singles (on guitar) such as : The Crystals "Then He Kissed Me," Ritchie Valens "La Bamba," Jan & Dean's "Surf City," The Righteous Brothers "You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling," and Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On."

On Veirs' song, she sings "It would be so cool to be like Carol Kaye," which I think we all would given her track record.

Go here to learn more about Carol Kaye & her team of studio musicians.

The Stone Masters

aka Bad-Ass California rock climbers from the 70's. Buy book here.

sorta looks like this guy

These dudes could climb some mountains and looked pretty cool doing so.