Maestro Knows – Episode 2 (Mr. Cartoon)

Girls – Hellhole Ratrace (Official Video)

Skinny Singers :: Strike Again!

Skinny Singers is comprised of two of California’s most celebrated singer-songwriters. Together, they represent a musical force that is awe inspiring. They are also very skinny. Tim Bluhm is a member of the highly influential rock band “The Mother Hips” and Jackie Greene plays and sings original songs with his band and solo. Watch the Skinny Singers in action below.

Madlib Beat Konducta Vol. 5-6

Beat Konducta Vol. 5-6: A Tribute to… is a 42-track piece dedicated to the late J Dilla, and is set to drop on February 10, 2009 via Stones Throw Records. The piece itself is a dedication from Madlib and J. Rocc, who were arguably Dilla’s closest musical compatriots during his time spent in Los Angeles, California.

Rebelution :: California Reggae

http://www.myspace.com/rebelution

Little Joy

I know I’m late, but Little Joy is Binki Shapiro, Rodrigo Amarante and Fabrizio Moretti (Strokes Drummer), three friends who dropped their routine at their respective hometowns to make a record in Los Angeles, California. The album was produced by Noah Georgeson (Devendra Banhart). Fab named the band, Little Joy, after a popular local watering hole in L.A.’s Echo Park.

Pacific Division Gets Loud

Pacific Division was in NYC a few weeks ago to meet the Universal Motown family and they threw a show at LOVE to celebrate. John Public of Loud caught up with them outside the spot and they spit a few of their favorite verses.

Blu’s Rookie Year :: Johnson&Jonson Next

Has any other emerging artist in hip-hop had a rookie year as chockfull of material and schizophrenic artistic direction as Blu? While the LA-based rapper seemingly scored the most points with the underground hip-hop head demographic with his collaborative debut with producer Exile,Below the Heavens, he’s since been cranking out albums at an alarmingly rapid pace – his release with Ta’Raach as C.R.A.C., The Piece Talks hit stores months later, and now his latest project with producer Mainframe, known as Johnson&Jonson collectively, is set to be released. The self-titledJohnson&Jonson record drops on September 23, just a year and one month after the whole album cycle began.

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Save Trestles :: Fight The Toll Road!

The Surfrider Foundation has made relentless efforts to stop a proposed toll road that would wipe out Trestles, a world-famous surf break, and destroy 60% of the acreage at San Onofre State Beach, the fifth most visited state park in California. In February, the California Coastal Commission voted to deny the 241 Foothill South Toll Road. Unfortunately, the agency planning this Toll Road has appealed the Coastal Commission’s decision to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and that hearing is next Monday, September 22.

If you live in Southern California, please try and make the hearing. If you can’t make it, or don’t live in the area, visit Surfrider’s Action Network to voice your opinion.

WHO: Surfrider Foundation activists, surfers, hikers and everyone who opposes the extension of the 241 Toll Road.

WHAT: The U.S. Secretary of Commerce rescheduled public hearing regarding the controversial 241 Toll road extension.

WHEN: Monday, September 22, 2008 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM.

WHERE: O’Brien Hall at the Del Mar Fairgrounds 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Del Mar, CA 92014.

Visit the Save Trestles Blog for more information.

Source: The Cleanest Line

Jackie Greene :: The Prince of Americana

Dubbed “The Prince of Americana” by the New York Times, Jackie Greene is steeped in country, blues, jazz, rock and folk traditions, defying easy categorization. This Northern California native has been around for a while, but is slowly defying a new genre of music with his Bob Dylan-esque look and classic American sound.

“I’ve been writing, recording and performing non-stop. I’ve lived in cars, hotels, basements…slept on floors, couches, strange girl’s beds. I wrote lots of songs in those places. Some I’ll never remember, but that’s all part of it, I guess.”

Greene, who happens to be in his late twenties already has four albums out, a DVD, and miles upon miles of touring under his belt. Greene’s newest album, “Giving Up The Ghost” is by far his best work as an artist. He is currently living in San Francisco and touring various places along the east and west coast, although he is scheduled to play 14 shows with Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead) in New York City at the Nokia Theater beginning on Halloween night.

After visiting Jackie Greene’s MySpace I was instantly captured by his sound, but what lured me in even further was his past and his progression as an artist. If this isn’t good music, I don’t know what is.