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10. MUSIC MAP 12. BAND: Kitten 15. VENUE: On The Rox 16. ARTIST: Timothy Williams 18. GALLERY: Corey Helford
21. ART WALK MAP 22. IMAGE GALLERY: LA Street Art
24. ACTOR: Jena Malone 26. FILM: DVD’s to Check Out
30. DESIGNERS: Penny Stock
32. STORE: E.P.I.C. 34. FASHION: Street Scene 36. SHOES 38. ACCESSORIES: Go Green 40. CHEF: Marcel Vigneron
42. RESTAURANT: Mas Malo 44. FOOD SPOTS: Mexican 46. COCKTAIL: St. Tropez 48. BAR: Wellsbourne
52. GAME: Dragon Age 2
50. TECH: Spy Tech
54. INTERVIEW: Totally Rad Show
60. COMMUNITY: Eco Green 62. ADVICE: Ask JD 66. LAST LOOK: Augustine Kofie
8 LACANVAS.COM
Volume 1, issue no. 3March/April 2011
Publisher
Editors
Copy Editor
Arts Editor
FASHION EDITOR
Food + Drink Editor
Music Editor
Tech Editor
Account Managers
DISTRIBUTION
Marketing Assistant
dante colombatti
kevin hidalgoJustin Fitzwater
reno d. Picconi
shana nys dambrot
Vivianne Lapointe
kat odell
Ashley eliot
curt hutson
Amy dobbins, Jesse furman, Matt olson
Jeffrey hogeboom
Will Wallner
Copyright 2011, by LA CANVAS. All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro-duced or transmitted in any form without permission in writing from LA CANVAS. LA CANVAS makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but is not respon-sible for unsolicited or contributed manuscripts, photographs, artwork or advertisements. LA CANVAS is not held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.
WritersMarilyn chiu, Ashley eliot,
Max hurwitz, rAegan Payne, todd Mazer
Photographersemily Bradley, sergio estevez,
Luke Lovell
Our info1734 n. Main st, studio 1B
Los Angeles, cA 90031
P:(323) 352-3250
friends with Benefits
Internsdana eitches, dustin hedrick
OPENING RECPTION : APRIL 9TH
ON VIEW : APRIL 9TH - MAY 14TH
www.MARKMOOREGALLERY.com
JOSH AZZARELLAWORK: 2004 - 2011
LACANVAS.COM 9
10 LACANVAS.COM10 LACANVAS.COM
Sea W
olf
“Wick
ed B
lood”
The Belle Brigade“Sweet Louise”
White Sea“Overdrawn”
Foste
r The
Peo
ple
“Hele
na B
eat”
Kitten“Johnny, Johnny, Johnny”
Faded
Pap
er F
igur
es
“Small
Talk”
Local Natives“Who Knows Who Cares”
WHITE ARROWS“City Boy”
Fitz a
nd th
e Ta
ntru
ms
“Dea
r Mr.
Presid
ent”
Walt
er M
eego
“Star
light”
ROBO
TANIST
S
“On/O
ffThe
Ledg
e”
Warpaint“Shadows”
Stan
ding S
hadow
s
“One
Way
Ride (
G-dub
Rem
ix)”
Jenn
y O
“Well
OKHon
ey”
The
Smile
s
“Swim
ming”
GROUPLOVE
“Nak
ed K
ids”
He’s M
y Bro
ther
, She
’s M
y Sist
er
“Coat
tails
”
The H
enry
Clay Pe
ople
“Wor
king P
art Ti
me”
Le Switch“Hurky Jurky”
Light
FM
“Kee
pOnLook
ingOn T
heBr
ight S
ide”
Shad
ow Sh
adow
Shad
e
“Say
Yes”
Olin A
nd T
he M
oon
“Ter
rible
Town”
Joe
Gil
“Pac
ked O
ur P
ast”
The New Limb“Birds AndStuff”
Best
Coast
“I W
ant T
o”
Dum Dum Girls“Jail LaLa”
Evan Voytas“I Took ATripOn APlane”
Saint Motel“Do Everything Now”
EZ TIGER“AnyOther Day”
Francisco The Man“DoYou Remeber?”
Twilight Sleep“Run In Reverse”
Voxhaul Broadcast“Fact Or Fiction”
Walking Sleep“Let ItGo On”`
Dante Vs Zombies“Branded By Nuns”
Eastern Conference Champions“Single Sedative (Acoustic)”
r VFor mo e music, check out LACAN AS.COM
N
S
EW
... to get you through your work week
ar·chive–noun
1. a collection containing materials of historical interest: “PONY ARCHIVE” is a footwear collection of timeless Pony styles selected for permanent preservation.
SLAM DUNK MIDCIRCA 1982
WWW.PONY.COM
EST 1972
Archive_Ad_1_Filter.indd 1 10/15/10 10:15:26 AM
LACANVAS.COM 11
ar·chive–noun
1. a collection containing materials of historical interest: “PONY ARCHIVE” is a footwear collection of timeless Pony styles selected for permanent preservation.
SLAM DUNK MIDCIRCA 1982
WWW.PONY.COM
EST 1972
Archive_Ad_1_Filter.indd 1 10/15/10 10:15:26 AM
12 LACANVAS.COM
musician Focus
LACANVAS.COM 13
Photo Courtesy oF KItten
l ed by 16-year-old Chloe Chaidez, the indie pop
meets garage rock band Kitten might be young but
their catchy choruses and electric beats will have
you questioning the time spent during your teen years. With
comparisons to Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Jenny Lewis
(Rilo Kiley), the fierce Chaidez delivers a song with authority
and emotion that leaves a lasting impression. At 11 years old,
she shared the stage with Conor Oberst and Band of Horses,
and up until she was 13, performed in a cover band called Wild
Youth. A couple years later, Kitten was launched with Chaidez
(vocals, guitar), Andy Miller (guitar), Max Kuehn (drums) and
Zach Carper (bass). Also, Chaidez works with co-writer Chad
Anderson on the song writing.
The alluring sting of “Kitten With A Whip,” inspired by the
1960s film, spurts lyrics like “She’s out for kicks. She’s a kitten
with a whip. She takes the littlest steps from the prettiest lips.
She’s a kitten with a whip.” This is just one example of the
aggressive persona that Chaidez and the band’s sound gives off
in their recordings and on stage.
“The song writing is just one aspect of the music,” says the
home-schooled teen. “I would say my personality comes out
more on stage.”
And Chaidez isn’t shy on stage. With her Madonna-esque
attitude, she isn’t afraid to get lost in the music, which is proven
by singing and rolling around on stage at the same time then
jumping out into the crowd to shake things up.
A year ago, Kitten signed to Atlantic Records. This past fall,
the band released their debut EP Sunday School independently
and the plan is to release a full-length album this summer.
Though already an exciting first year for Kitten, it’s only the
beginning of their take-off. Thank goodness they have that
young, unstoppable energy to keep them on track. Check out
more music features at LACANVAS.COM. Story by Ashley Eliot.
KITTENTEEN ROCK BAND SHAKING
UP THE MUSIC SCENE
14 LACANVAS.COM
* Pollstar’s Nightclub of the Year - 2 Years in a row
* 2008 Pollstar’s Best New Major Concert Venue
* 2009 Zagat’s Best Live Music Club
LA Canvas readers get 25% off Private Rentals and
VIP Packages. Call or e-mail for more information
and to check availability. 213.765.7000 ext 6
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LACANVAS.COM 15
it’s been almost four decades
since legendary music venue
The Roxy launched with big-
time artists like Neil Young and
Bruce Springsteen performing first
on the stage. Over the years, rock
star acts, such as Guns N’ Roses,
Miles Davis and Pearl Jam to name a
few, have stopped through the Sunset
Strip club and today it still serves as
a hub for musicians, big and small.
Founded in 1973, The Roxy is
owned by Lou Adler and his son Nic,
who currently operates the venue.
Though The Roxy may be a spot
well known by the masses, there
is something about it that a lot of
people tend to overlook, yet many
are reminded of it being the place
where John Belushi was hanging out
before OD’ing, which reinstates its
reputation for major partying.
Upstairs, what has been termed
as an “after-hours facility,” is an
intimate lounge that is noted for
its Hollywood parties. But there’s
something else most people
wouldn’t have a clue about and that’s
this party setting also serves as a
place for music acts, whether signed
or unsigned, to get to know their
fans and friends a little bit better.
The cozy venue, above The Roxy,
brings in touring acts and local indie
artists sporadically throughout the
month. Recently, LA-based Internet
station HoundstoothRadio.com,
which showcases lots of local talent,
presented a show with Dante Vs.
Zombies and Chasing Kings.
As well as offering a more
exclusive feel, On The Rox also
features a full-bar, DJ booth,
incredible sound system and a stage
area for bands. Within the venue,
along the walls, are historical photos
documenting its legacy of past
performers.
The Roxy is still rockin’ with even
more momentum and providing
up-and-comers with an outlet that
is branded as a historic imprint of
the music industry. You never know
what celeb socialite or industry exec
might be stopping by to hang. More
music reviews at LACANVAS.COM.
Story by Ashley Eliot.
LOCATION: 9009 W. Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
venue FocusP
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artist Focus
LACANVAS.COM 17
surfing and art are the two hottest counterculture
things right now; the Europeans are going
nuts for it!” says artist Timothy Williams. “All
over Spain and France, they love Goth, and they’re
discovering surf culture and LA art at the same time.”
What they’re encountering is a powerful, eclectic,
quasi-underground strain of California indie culture.
“This isn’t happy art. Surf is a ritualistic, fiercely
environmentalist, competitive sport, rife with drugs,
sex, and crime.” And Williams has had a front row seat,
hailing from Ventura, where hard-core punks played in
Camarillo and Oxnard, and surfed at County Line. He
studied art at Pepperdine, where “Sophia Loren’s son
and I were the only people with long hair. We’d drive
to Venice, troll alleys for found junk, drag it back to
school, and make art out of it.” See, his dad restored
classic cars, and his mom was a choir director, so he
grew up in “a perpetual studio of fucked up things
being made beautiful.”
Williams art remains expressive and inventive,
deploying collage, painting, photography, performance
actions, minor arson, sculpture, video, and installation as
needed. Intensely tactile, arresting works like surfboards
riddled with buckshot and collaged and/or painted;
video projected onto animal skeletons; and burned
violins, painted doors, and naval portholes framing
painted personal altars and abstractly evocative ocean
views -- all of it made from reclaimed trash.
Surfer Noir is what Williams calls it for convenience,
kicking around his in-studio digs at Black Cat Gallery
in Culver City. Besides his own work, over the past
eleven years he’s presented artists like Sandow Birk,
Ray Pettibon, Norton Wisdom, Jay Mark Johnson, and
both Ed and Andy Moses -- along with musicians and
DJs that share the aesthetic of post-punk romance that
permeates all of Williams’ projects. And as art books
like Surf Story (Tim appears in the forthcoming Volume
II) and high-profile shows like 2010’s Tim Nye-curated
SWELL in NYC demonstrate, the darker aspects of the
surf-art continuum have massive appeal.
In fact, SWELL grew directly out of the wildly popular
Black Cat Gallery exhibition, Darkwave. It was a
group show that beautifully articulated the diversity of
approaches to art-making across this motley school,
and exploded the paradigm of surf art to include the
abstract, elegant, raw, poetic, and political.
USC picked it up right away, and it became
Darkwave: Eight Artist-Surfers Explore Surfing and the
Violence of the City, an expanded and recontextualized
installation keyed off the previous exhibition that came
to involve more artists, as well as an engagement
with the experiences of the student body and larger
community. And by the end of last year, the SWELL tide
had risen all the way to the galleries of New York City.
“SWELL really gave us our voices as a group. We’d all
been working on this stuff alone and together for years,
and that show made it solid. But true Surf Goths are still
rare. It’s hard to stay pale!” For more information on the
artist visit LACANVAS.COM, timothywilliams.org or
blackcatart.com. Story by Shana Nys Dambrot.
Photo by luKe lovell
18 LACANVAS.COM
a rtists, philanthropists, savvy
corporations, students, and scrappy
hipsters open art galleries all the
time. But some of the best, like Culver City’s
Corey Helford Gallery, are operated by
dedicated independent collectors. Owners
Jan Corey Helford and Bruce Helford started
with a fierce and prescient belief in the
cross-pollinated, genre-defying work being
made by a global generation of post-street
artists, and CHG has become one of the
most popular galleries in town, based
entirely on what Jan calls, “being a know-
what-I-like kind of girl.” That, and occupying
a gorgeously appointed space not totally
typical of their anti-establishment genre,
and presenting a rigorous and critically
acclaimed program of artists from the
virtually unknown to veritable rock stars like
Shag, Gary Baseman, and Buff Monster.
A lot about the LA art world has changed
in the five years since they opened, and,
at least aesthetically, Jan feels “it’s moving
away from art that makes you feel [like]
you don’t get it, towards more relatable
art, driven by popular demand as much as
museum validation. I’m not saying this is
good or bad, I’m just saying it’s happening.”
So who’s buying this edgier, but more
accessible kind of art? “We have actors,
rock stars, producers, writers, lawyers,
CEOs, and a slew of hip working class kids.
It’s a wonderful mix and they all share the
same passion for collecting. Some are quite
ravenous, God love ‘em.” And as for museum
nods, they’ve got that covered, too, recently
curating a landmark exhibition of American
urban contemporary at the progressive
Bristol Museum in the UK. Back here at
home, the gallery celebrates five years with
upcoming shows from Ron English, Ray
Caesar, UK street artist D*Face’s first LA solo
show, and a “very cool historically-based
graffiti exhibit coming up this Spring, but I
can say no more at this time. How’s that for
sneaky!” Story by Shana Nys Dambrot.
Photo by serGIo luIs estevez
Gallery Focus
“We have actors, rock stars, producers, writers, lawyers, CEOs, and a slew of hip working class kids. It’s a wonderful mix and they all share the same passion for collecting. Some are quite ravenous, God love ‘em.” - Jan Corey Helford
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1st ave. and alameda
Filipino town
sunset ave. in echo Park
rowena st. in silverlake
los Feliz
2nd ave. in the arts District
la Brea
sunset ave. in echo Park
washington Blvd. in culver city
Broadway in china town
LACANVAS.COM 23
Photos by eMIly braDley
24 LACANVAS.COM
i was jumped in New York a week before Christmas. I stumbled
into this altercation with a very angry, violent, Puerto Rican fat
man. He was having none of whatever I was doing -- which was
nothing -- and he basically picked me up and threw me headfirst into
the concrete. And then he drove away.”
Jesus, I gasp, are you okay?
“Oh yeah,” she chirps. “I’m fine.”
Thus began my sit-down with Jena Malone. You know Jena. She’s that
girl in that indie movie you like. Maybe it was Donnie Darko. Maybe
Saved!. Maybe Into the Wild. Or maybe you’ve just heard her band,
Jena Malone and her Bloodstains. Or her new band, The Shoe. Or
maybe you’ve just seen her in music videos, like those for Denko Jones,
Harper Simon, Sky White Tiger, or Dirty Vegas.
Or maybe you’ve seen her kicking ass and taking names in the
promos for Zack Snyder’s girl-power shoot ‘em up, Sucker Punch.
A quick glance through Malone’s credits is all it takes to identify her
most recent gig as a career outlier. This excitable, Lake Tahoe-born
actress has been starring in films since she was twelve years old, but
she’s never had a role like this.
“It was probably the most amazing experience of making a film I’ve
ever had,” Jena gushes, over a bowl of vegetarian ramen at a Silverlake
eatery. “No one looks at me and goes, ‘Oh, look at Jena, she can go beat
up forty men and actually win.’ No one’s ever had that belief in me.”
No one but Sucker Punch director Zack Snyder. After nearly
quitting acting, (“It was so dismal, the projects that were out there.
There are so many other things I want to do in the world”) Malone
landed the role of Rocket after an initial rejection. She was only
offered the part when Snyder himself caught a glance of her audition
tape and called her back in.
Malone joined Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens,
and Jamie Chung in what became the most physically demanding shoot
of her life. “We trained with these Navy SEALS for three months before
we even started filming. We came in for our first physical assessment
and I almost died -- red faced, crying.”
But progress came fast. “It changed my entire body -- my entire
outlook. I thought I was this strong,” she says, hands hovering four
inches apart above her noodle bowl. “Actually, I’m this strong” -- arms
spread like an albatross -- “It’s amazing what your body can do.”
Also amazing? No cat fights. “You put five young actresses in a film
together, and instantly you think there’s going to be all these temper
tantrums and flares. But because we all started in our workout clothes --
sweaty, dripping, crying, celebrating -- we bonded. I love every single
one of those girls so much. I would take a bullet for them right now.”
But just because Malone’s knee-deep in shell casings doesn’t mean
she’s abandoned her indie roots. She stars next in The Wait with
Chloe Sevigny, a film about two sisters who decide to keep their dead
mother in their house after being informed she will come back to
life. “It’s the exact opposite of Sucker Punch,” she admits. “It was the
most emotionally strenuous, strange, crazy experience… I don’t even
remember the shoot.”
Jena’s also starting to forget her SEAL training, based on the
“altercation” in New York. No self-respecting, machine-gun wielding
heroine would let herself get KOed so fast. “It wasn’t even a fight!”
Malone protests. “He just picks me up and drops me, I didn’t even have
a chance to do anything. Super cheap shot!”
Yeah, I agree. Basically a sucker punch. Story by Max Hurwitz.
Indie Bad Girl Turns Big Budget Badass
in Zack Snyder’s Sucker Punch
actor Focus
LACANVAS.COM 25
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Film Focus
SUNSHINE (director: Danny Boyle, 2007)
Danny Boyle is all over the map. His films span all genres, tones, demographics, and geographic locations. Even space, which is where Boyle takes us in this sci-fi psychological thriller about a group of astronauts sent on a mission to reignite the dying sun with a bomb the size of Manhattan. Sunshine stars Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, and Chris Evans, and asks larger questions about God, human nature, and the true make-up of dust particles (hint: they’re skin).
More Solaris than Arma-geddon, this claustrophobic space adventure starts out slow, but gradually builds to a satisfying thriller, with crew members turning on each other as the air supply dwindles. While it doesn’t pack the emotional wallop of Boyle’s next two films, Sunshine should thoroughly satisfy fans of thoughtful science fiction.
MEMENTO (director: Christopher Nolan, 2000)
Memento stars Guy Pearce (who also appeared in awards season favorite The King’s Speech) as Leonard, a brain-damaged amateur detective on the hunt for the men who murdered his wife and left him with “short-term memory loss,” a sort of reverse amnesia that leaves Leonard unable to form new memories.
Oh, and the movie plays backwards. The first of many time-shattering filmmaking tricks employed throughout his career, Nolan replicates Leonard’s memory troubles by showing film’s scenes in reverse order, so the audience (like the protagonist) never knows exactly how he got there or what he’s supposed to be doing. The perfect marriage of form and function in Nolan’s storytelling makes for a nail-biting thriller of unusually elaborate proportions.
THREE KINGS (director: David O. Russell, 1999)
Taking place at the end of America’s first foray into Iraq, Three Kings stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube as three soldiers who find a map (stuck in a prisoner’s ass) detailing the location of a secret stash of stolen Kuwati gold. They embark on a mission to “retrieve” (read: steal) said gold, but inadvertently involve themselves in the affairs of the native Iraqis, who desperately need their help when the United States decides to give up the hunt for Saddam. One decade and another Middle East-based war later, Three Kings still holds up as biting commentary on the press, the military, and what it means to “keep the peace” in foreign lands. Clooney, Wahlberg, and Ice Cube have never been better, and director Spike Jonze even has a small role as a dumb-as-rocks private who makes a strong case for Jonze getting back into acting.
PI (director: Darren Aronofsky, 1998)
Aronofsky’s first feature film, Pi stars no one you’ve ever heard of in a black-and-white, 16 mm mind scramble about Maximillian Cohen, a migraine-suffering mathematician who unlocks the secret pattern to the stock market in a number pattern that has something to do with (obviously) pi. But a few others have vested interest in knowing this pattern, and Max soon finds himself running from both a malicious Wall Street company and a Jewish cabal, all while battling his increasingly severe headaches and descent into madness.
Slow, ugly, and unapologetically hard to watch, Aronofsky sets the tone for the rest of the career. If you’re in the mood for some raw, unadulterated crazy-making, look no further.
RAISING ARIzONA (director: Joel and Ethan Coen, 1987)
A classic Coen brothers comedy, Raising Arizona stars Nic Cage and Holly Hunter as newlyweds (she’s an ex cop, he’s an ex con) who find they are unable to conceive a child, so they decide the best course of action is to steal a newborn quintuplet from furniture tycoon Nathan Arizona. But things get more complicated when Arizona’s baby turns into a hot commodity, and the mismatched newlyweds find themselves trying to protect the kid from a gaggle of people who want it for nefarious purposes.
The Coen brothers’ comedy credentials need not be listed, and Raising Arizona showcases them in their infancy. The mad-cap comedy has it all -- brilliant, bizarre performances, huge laughs, and even heart. If you need some Coen and can’t bring yourself to watch The Big Lebowski for the third time this week, look no further.
you’d never know it by the Golden Globes, but 2010 turned out to be a great year in film. Fortunately the academy of Motion Picture arts and sciences felt a responsibility to pick up the slack left behind by the star-fucking sell-outs of the hollywood Foreign Press, and the 83rd oscars proved to be a showcase of this generation’s best filmmaking talent in its prime.
but what if you wanted to see them before their prime? thanks to the magic of netflix, these directors’ earlier works can be in your mailbox in two days. so boot up your Macbook and dust off that queue, because these lesser-known films from this year’s oscar favorites are not to be missed. by Max hurwitz.
213.628.2772 CenterTheatreGroup.org/BurnThis
March 23 – May 1
Groups 213.972.7231
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213.628.2772 CenterTheatreGroup.org/BurnThis
March 23 – May 1
Groups 213.972.7231
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DesiGner Focus
Photos by serGIo luIs estevez
LACANVAS.COM 31
P enny Stock’s humble origins began in the mind of
John Moore, the man who basically invented Hollister
for Abercrombie & Fitch. Right. Not so humble. Moore
had long since left A&F, and Modern Amusement, where he
worked as Creative Director for some years after A&F, to go
out on his own, when the overwhelming demand for his talent
inspired him to launch POP (Pencil on Paper) studio.
Moore launched in 2008, just a few weeks before the
economy went to you-know-where in a hand basket. That
should have been the end of their story, but, as it turned
out, the recession worked to their advantage. While
consumers stopped spending, companies took a little
timeout to brainstorm.
Before long, he and his band of merry creatives joined
forces with some guys in suits (also known as Brand Sense
Partners, or BSP) to better enable the whole fashion world-
domination thing they had cooking.
Meanwhile, the recession continued, and Moore, bummed
about the effect it was having on the creative process at large,
wondered if there was anything interesting or inspired to
be done in menswear. Then, while watching a documentary
on The Great Depression during which a man interviewed
stated, “If I had 7 pennies, I could buy a loaf a bread,” Moore
found his ‘ah hah’ moment.
He wanted to bring meaning back to the penny.
So, he and partner/designer Michael Abbey (Joie,
Juicy Couture, Modern Amusement) set out to design a
contemporary mens line at an affordable price point, set
apart from the rest through their use of a pocket detail meant
to hold a penny. Gimicky? Could be, but in this case it’s all
part of the story-telling process. The designs, as Moore
best phrased it, are ‘democratic,’ even as the majority of
menswear has gone hipster. Hence their use of the phrase
‘Coast to Coast’ in some of Penny Stock’s branding materials
and designs. These clothes aren’t meant to appease the
fashion elite, though that’s not to say the fashion elite won’t
feel compelled to snatch them up regardless. The intent,
however, is inclusive. This is aided by the fact that price
points are in the $58-$80 range, which does not, as one would
assume, mean that the quality is shoddy. As Moore explained
it, Penny Stock is able to keep the calibur of their clothing up
and prices down through the use of strategic partnerships.
In case you’re wondering, and by now you most definitely
should be, you can pick up Penny Stock locally at Urban
Outfitters and American Rag.
Moore’s collective also plans to launch a second, higher-
end mens line called Copper Stock. The details are still
under wraps, but I did manage to pull the word ‘denim’ from
Moore’s sealed lips. I also spotted mood boards for what
Moore deemed a ‘top secret’ project, details for which I was
have not (yet) been able to glean. However, pinned to the
board were snippets of frilly, feminine vintage fabrics.
POP studio also houses an art gallery in addition to
everything else the 17 employees are somehow miraculously
managing to achieve. 100% of proceeds from the gallery go
to the artists themselves, with the only stipulation being that
they must pay the goodwill forward by donating some of their
earnings to charity.
For more on Penny Stock visit LACANVAS.COM or
pennystocktrademark.com.
32 LACANVAS.COM
t he Echo Park Independent Co-Op (E.P.I.C.) is
not just a boutique; it’s the ambitious realization
of the ideals of two very, well, ambitious and
idealistic people. Owners Rhianon Jones and Tristan Scott
(could they have cooler names?!), one formerly a writer/
shopper (“researcher”), and the other formerly a stylist,
think the “LA fashion scene is really misrepresented by
the mainstream brands that people normally associate
with Los Angeles” and that “there are tons of talented
designers living and working in this city, and we want the
world to know it!”
Working exclusively with local designers enables the
duo to apply eco-friendly standards to their inventory.
In fact, they are actively teaching their designers about
sustainable materials and ethical production practices,
an effort which led to the creation of a recycled leather
jacket capsule collection by Skingraft (sold exclusively
at E.P.I.C.). Among the many lines they consider to
epitomize all that is uniquely LA, the pair lists Howl,
Luxury Jones, and Roark as some of their favorites.
They’re also currently excited about Ai for Ai, Skingraft,
Smoke and Mirrors, Le Sang Des Betes, Ashton Michael,
and Dark + Dawn.
Jones and Scott chose Echo Park because they believe
it’s the center of the artistic community in Los Angeles,
a phenomenon due in large part to its thriving music
scene. Some of their favorite local haunts of various
stripes include Satellite, The Echo, Mohawk General Store,
Tavin, Flounce, The Warehouse, International Playground,
Confederacy, Cha Cha Lounge, Gold Room, El Prado, Elf,
Flore, The Park, and the Allston Yacht Club.
On what specifically sets Los Angeles’ fashion scene
apart, E.P.I.C.‘s owners say, “Since the Los Angeles fashion
scene is less established than the NYC fashion world, it is
freer from the constraints of expectations and traditional
influences.” They think that is a good thing. Judging by
their inventory, we tend to agree. For more fashion and
style tips, check out LACANVAS.COM.
store FocusP
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LACANVAS.COM 33
For this edition, we asked (Justin Daykin and Paul Lee) of thestreetsarecalling.com to lurk the streets of L.A. and find the most fascinating styles for you to peep.
34 LACANVAS.COM
name: steven shackelfordshoes: Black chuck taylortops: custom made vest (Hand Painted)Pants: skinny Jeans
shoes: etnies Jameson 2 ecoJeans : levi’sJacket: H&mscarf: urban outfittersshirt: H&m
name: Jason savvyshoes: vegeterian shoestops: army surplus Jacket, swans t-shirtPants: Dickies
name: Derek Brownshoes: ann Demeulemeester combat Bootstops: cassette PlayaPants: Ksubi
street FasHion
LACANVAS.COM 35
name: Faith smithshoes: Black Heelstops: BeBe stripped shirtPants: Black mini by BeBe
name: Jasmin Perezshoes: Jeffrey campbelltops: Forever 21Pants: 7 for all mankind
name: rodellee marieshoes: Black Heelstops: vintage 1900 vest with black topPants: shelli segal
name: natashashoes: aldotops: thift/skingraftPants: clothing swap, leggins
sHoe Focus
spiked Zebra by rodney P. Hunt
nike Black and Blue sneakers
supra Black sneakers
mens multi-color vans
Considering nobody walks in this town, l.a. stylish birds still find a way to rock pretty sick shoes. take a peek at some of our favorites, as spotted on Melrose.
sneaker Heel by ash
tall Black lace up Boots
vintage Gold egyptian Flats Paradox by Zalo
Beaded owl sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti Design
36 LACANVAS.COM
LACANVAS.COM 37
38 LACANVAS.COM
accessory GuiDe
Springtime is all about coming out of old habits and showing off a fresh new vibe in time for summer. Add some color to your wardrobe with this green hued accessories roundup featuring some of our favorite L.A. designers!
(1) the valkyrie vest $278.00 www.fleetjewelry.com; (2) Kr3w Green Filthy Freshman watch $39.95 from www.
factory413.com; (3) Green silk scarf, aJI by amanda Christine www.costellaanddonola.com; (4) CoMMe
Des GarCons large number wallet, $281.00 shop.tenover6.com; (5) shake Junt Green room sunglasses
$4.00 www.shakejunt.com; (6) Costella handbags Clutch $275.00 www.costellaanddonola.com
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cHeF Focus
LACANVAS.COM 41
LAC: First off, congrats on your new SyFy show,
Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen. How did the show
come to be and what do you want viewers to take
away from it?
VIGNERON: The show was originally conceived
four years ago when I met my producers in Rehab,
the pool party at the Hard Rock. We popped some
Dom in a cabana and discussed the treatment and
the rest is history. I want the viewers to not only
be highly entertained but also able to take away
knowledge about avant garde gastronomy. I want
the show to open up people’s minds and change
their food paradigms.
LAC: How would you describe the term “molecular
gastronomy” and would you use that word to
characterize your style of cooking?
VIGNERON: I would describe my style of cooking
as MODERN GLOBAL CUISINE. In regards to
molecular gastronomy, that’s a tricky question,
it’s a term that has been adopted by the public to
describe chefs researching the science behind
cooking and utilizing technology as a means of
developing new techniques. If you think about
the term literally it doesn’t really make sense
considering that all ingredients have molecules
and all cooking involves chemistry. But that having
been said, it does kind of have a nice ring to it.
LAC: Who, in the culinary world, would you con-
sider your mentor?
VIGNERON: I have a few; Ferran Adria for his
techno emotional cooking; Thomas Keller for his
finesse, technique, and restraint; Joel Robuchon
for his pursuit of perfection; Michael Mina for his
ability to build brand and expand while retaining
quality and control. He’s a great business chef!
LAC: Three ingredients always in your fridge?
VIGNERON: Edamame, Butter and Eggs.
LAC: When creating a menu, where do you look
for inspiration?
VIGNERON: I draw inspiration from everything!
First, I look to my guests and try to cater to their
palates, then I look to the market and wait for the
ingredients to dictate my menu, then I look to
nature and landscapes to help me with plating,
lastly I look inside myself to allow my emotions
and personality to come through my food.
LAC: Most recently you cooked at bar210 but left
not long ago. Why did you decide to leave and
where can diners find you next?
VIGNERON: I left 210 to allow for other
opportunities to present themselves and also so
that my food and clientele would not be confined
by the atmosphere at 210. I am currently in the
process of scouting locations in L.A. to open up a
restaurant and am also working on starting up my
own catering company.
LAC: When you’re not cooking or shooting Top
Chef or Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen, where do you
like to eat around LA?
VIGNERON: I love how LA has become a
gastronomic city to be reckoned with and there
are several restaurants that I like to frequent. If
I’m feeling carnivorous I like to head to Animal, I
enjoy to Itzaka-ya for sushi. I also really enjoy the
farm fresh approach of Fraiche in Culver City and
Tasting Kitchen in Venice. Lastly, if I’m in the mood
for a burger I like to go to Umami.
LAC: Do you have a favorite kitchen tool or
technique?
VIGNERON: I feel that all ingredients have
the same gastronomic worth and in regards to
equipment I think one should never underestimate
the power of a good peeler.
FROM BEHIND KITCHEN DOORS TO BEHIND THE CAMERA LENS, MARCEL VIGNERON STARS IN SyFy’S FIRST REALITy COOKING SERIES, MEANwHILE PLANING OUT HIS NExT MOVE. Story By Kat Odell.
Photo by luKe lovell
42 LACANVAS.COM
m itchell Frank and Jeff
Ellermeyer, driving forces
behind Malo in Silver Lake,
have a new child on their hands and
thanks to interior designer Tracy
Beckmann of Tracy Beckmann Design,
she’s an absolute stunner.
Welcome to Mas Malo, an updated,
greatly expanded version of its east
side sibling, simply put, there’s more
Malo. Enter on 7th Street downtown
through an intricately designed
wrought iron antique gate, does it feel
out of place? The building dates back
to the 1920s at which point the venue
served as a jewelry store.
Original design elements manifest
themselves throughout the three-floor
restaurant from Mas Malo’s grand
vaulted ceilings to its private tequila
tasting room that claimed the jewelry
store’s back vault.
Mas Malo’s ground floor serves as
the main dining room with a long bar
boldly displaying Malo’s signature
zigzag pattern from backsplash to
bar bottom. Toward the back sits that
small private tequila tasting room,
then a mezzanine level up above
offers a second smaller bar plus a
balcony view of the diners below.
From the ground floor follow a
set of stairs to a sexy subterranean
lounge boasting colorful oriental
rugs, modern furniture, two chairs
suspended from the ceiling, a non-
functioning fireplace, and, of course,
one last bar.
Start with a bevy of house-made
salsas and par-cooked chewy tortilla
chips, an early favorite was the chile
negro y chocolate, a savory mole-
esque salsa with a hint of spice
smoothed out by the presence of
chocolate. You’ll want to order a
cocktail, go with the Pinata Smash, a
muddled situation involving Serrano
chiles, cilantro, pineapple, tequila and
house-made sour mix.
Don’t miss the ground beef and
pickle tacos, a staple that carried over
from Malo. About 75% of this menu is
new and 25% diner mainstays.
Anyone looking for cheese should
try the enchiladas and carne asada,
grilled carne asada pounded nearly
paper thin with a slight char from the
grill served alongside two house-
made corn tortillas stuffed with jack.
Take in the surroundings. A
gorgeous space with gorgeous
people, it’s okay, pig out. More Dining
reviews at LACANVAS.COM
Story by Kat Odell.
LOCATION: Mas Malo, 515 W 7th St
Downtown LA, CA 90014
restaurant Focus
House-made salsas and par-cooked chewy tortilla chips
what to order...
Ground beef and pickle tacos
enchiladas and carne asada, grilled served alongside two house-made corn tortillas stuffed with jack cheese.
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44 LACANVAS.COM
1) La CeviCheria
La Cevichera embodies the true definition
of a dive. Its small, dingy teal green façade
is clad with prison-like metal bars which
protect the restaurant’s precious glass
windows. Inside the blue aquatic theme
continues from wall to wall. Don’t mind
that fish motif. Simple Formica tables and
mismatched metal and wooden chairs
provide the furniture. However don’t let
the modest decor deceive you. At La
Cevicheria one can indulge in incredible
inexpensive raw seafood served alongside
crispy full sized corn tortillas. The house
special, quite a unique and rare find, falls
to the Bloody Clams. Fear not, no real blood
here. Instead expect an oversized cocktail
glass filled with diced purple clams,
tomatoes, onions, avocado, a touch of mint,
and a splash of Worcestershire sauce. The
chewy Mexican mollusks, gushing a redish-
purple jus, taste succulent and salty, Crack
a tortilla in half, spoon the colorful ceviche
atop, close your eyes and feel that ocean
breeze. LOCATION: 3809 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90019
2) Frank’s
While The Original Farmers Market
offers a zillion dining options, just across
the street lies an untapped, dirt cheap
Mexican gem of a restaurant--another
hole in the wall with oversized tables and
rickety worn wooden chairs. Plop down,
try the warm tortilla chips fresh out of the
fryer accompanied by a spicy red salsa
(regulars know to ask for the hot green
tomatillo salsa too), and go for the tacos.
Don’t get swayed by the burger and fries.
The specialty at Frank’s is home-style
Mexican cooking, so you’ll want to try the
chicken tacos. Plan accordingly because
they’re small, chopped chunks of white and
dark chicken served on two layered corn
tortillas with a sprinkling of punchy diced
onion, cilantro and lime wedge on the side.
Use that wedge. The chicken is so perfectly
seasoned it doesn’t need additional
adornments. To kick up the heat factor, that
tomatillo salsa you ordered will more than
suffice. LOCATION: 363 S Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
3) MarisCos Chente
An outdoor mural across Mariscos Chente’s
exterior depicting a Mexican beach
scene (palm trees, dolphin, crab, ocean)
indicates what to expect within. Perhaps
the most “upscale” out of the three eateries
mentioned here, Mariscos Chente boasts
a handful of gray faux-leather booths
plus a smattering of four-tops, beneath
flat screen tvs and some fish netting for
decoration. Check the list of ever-changing
daily seafood specials that won’t break
the bank, but don’t miss permanent menu
staples, the shrimp with butter and cracked
pepper, and the shrimp with tequila.
Once plated, both dishes look almost
identical, the shrimp, heads on, bathed in
an orangey sauce served with a mound
of white rice and cucumber slices. The
perfectly cooked velvety shrimp with
butter bear a slight bite from the pepper,
meanwhile the shrimp with tequila offer
a deeper earthiness and just the slightest
memory of tequila. Not enough to remind
you of tequila shots from the night before.
LOCATION: 4532 S Centinela Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90066. Story by Kat Odell.
FooD Focus
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cocKtail Focus
ST. TROPEz RECIPE
Ingredients:2 fl.oz. Hendrick’s Gin1/2 fl.oz. Simple Syrup3/4 fl.oz. Lime Juice4 Dashes lavender bitters1 Ice cube made of cucumber juice
Steps:* Pour gin, simple syrup, lime, and bitters in cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously. Place ice cube in rocks glass and pour contents from shaker over.
m ixologist Kiowa Bryan started
bartending in New Jersey when she
was 19 in a busy local sports bar -
making Long Islands and Red Headed Sluts.
Fast forward years later, she helped to open
Soho House West Hollywood which is when she
began to appreciate the art of cocktail-making.
After training under Chris Ojeda of the
Varnish she became fascinated with the world
of hand-crafted cocktails using clean, simple
flavors and complex layers.
Fast forward again and Bryan lands at
Culver City’s Fraiche. Because the restaurant
has garnered such a positive reputation
for its food, Fraiche’s bar has fallen by the
wayside, not in terms of cocktail quality,
rather guests entranced by the food forget
that European fare sometimes pairs just as
well with a seasonal boozy elixir as it does
with wine. So, Bryan signed on to revamp the
restaurant’s bar program.
Bryan cites seasonal fruits and veggies at
local farmers market as inspiration in playful,
whimsical creations like the Turkey Dinner
which contains cranberry juice, Cynar, candied
orange peel, and clove-infused Wild Turkey
served in a beautiful gilded coupe glass. So
great. But, that’s not what we’re here to discuss.
Simple, delicious, and pretty, try the St.
Tropez. Inspired by the French Riviera, the
St. Tropez calls for a brilliant green cucumber
ice cube doused in a mixture of gin, fresh lime
juice, simple syrup, and lavender bitters. As
the cucumber cube melts, the drink continually
changes from a floral sour creation to a bright,
fresh, well-balanced potion. Not only does it
go down easy, it’s incredibly easy to organize
and looks gorgeous with that neon green block
suspended mid-cocktail. Story by Kat Odell.
LACANVAS.COM 47
48 LACANVAS.COM
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w est LA isn’t necessarily known
for its nightlife, but thanks
to The Wellesbourne, a new
watering hole designed by Spacecraft
and modeled after an English manor
house, Westsiders literally have a new
place to call home.
The Wellesbourne allows you
to pick your poison. The venue
itself, named after a small village in
England, is divided into three separate
rooms, each boasting elements of
English style. The three rooms are
joined together at the rear by a 30-
foot mahogany bar, behind which
bartenders wearing tuxedo shirts and
bowties mix and muddle away.
To the far left you might choose to
lounge on a brown or black tufted sofa,
to savor a classic cocktail, perhaps a
Grasshopper or Tom Collins, while
gazing into the roaring fire. Oriental
rugs, a hanging chandelier, and
paintings of the English countryside
create a sense of elegant comfort.
Moving on to the center space, you
find four deep brown lacquered wood
booths, lined from floor to ceiling with
books. You can now enjoy a drink in
the cozy comfort of the library.
The final nook serves as the gaming
space in which shuffleboard and
foosball as well as a few lounge tables
for lingering are available. And linger
you will over well-crafted cocktails
shaken up with fresh citrus. Additional
standouts include the Planter’s Punch,
a tropical mixed fruit concoction
boozed up with rum, or the elegant Kir
Royale, a Champagne flute filled with
bubbly and brightened with a splash of
crème de cassis.
Rather than trekking all the way
out to Hollywood, you just might find
Hollywood trekking here
LOCATION: 10929 W. Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
w est LA isn’t necessarily known
for its nightlife, but thanks
to The Wellesbourne, a new
watering hole designed by Spacecraft
and modeled after an English manor
house, Westsiders literally have a new
place to call home.
The Wellesbourne allows you
to pick your poison. The venue
itself, named after a small village in
England, is divided into three separate
rooms, each boasting elements of
English style. The three rooms are
joined together at the rear by a 30-
foot mahogany bar, behind which
bartenders wearing tuxedo shirts and
bowties mix and muddle away.
To the far left you might choose to
lounge on a brown or black tufted sofa,
to savor a classic cocktail, perhaps a
Grasshopper or Tom Collins, while
gazing into the roaring fire. Oriental
rugs, a hanging chandelier, and
paintings of the English countryside
create a sense of elegant comfort.
Hop over to the center space and
snag one of the four deep brown
lacquered wood booths which are
encompassed, from floor to ceiling, by
books. You’ve now entered the library.
The final nook serves as the gaming
space in which shuffleboard and
foosball, as well as a few lounge tables
for lingering, are available. And linger
you will over well-crafted cocktails
shaken up with fresh citrus. Additional
standouts include the Planter’s Punch,
a tropical mixed fruit concoction
boozed up with rum, or the elegant Kir
Royale, a Champagne flute filled with
bubbly and brightened with a splash of
crème de cassis.
Rather than trekking all the way
out to Hollywood, you just might find
Hollywood trekking here. By Kat Odell.
LOCATION: 10929 W. Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
LACANVAS.COM 49
As an international spy of mystery, you’re required to tackle the hard missions for the betterment of the world. Whether its surveillance or espionage, here is the essential gear to make those impossible missions possible. - Curt Hutson
50 LACANVAS.COM
(1) Spy Camera Video WatCh
Incognito, your mission is to capture video of your target entering a business front for money laundering. It’s getting dark and your video recording sunglasses are rendered useless. After all, only losers wear sunglasses at night. Up steps the Spy Camera Video Watch, which records up to 8GB worth of video and audio. It also doubles as an 8GB USB flash drive for holding cool spy stuff. $59.99 (http://www.thinkgeek.com)
(3) miCro Spy remote
Even spy’s need downtime and you decide to spend yours relaxing with fellow agents watching TV in the break room. Glee comes on and a heated debate erupts over why it’s won so many awards. You use this opportunity to try out a new gadget, the Micro Spy Remote. After finding the televisions signal, you start by lowering the volume and eventually changing the channels to more quality shows, saving your cohorts and perhaps the world from the evils of an auto-tuning disaster. $8.99 (http://www.thinkgeek.com)
(2) LoreXVue LSC001 Video SungLaSSeS
Alone at a café in Paris you pretend to read Le Monde, hoping to catch your target reveal some evil plot over afternoon tea. You’ve waitedpatiently for two hours, but thankfully your sunglasses will capture it all with up to five hours of full motion video recording with stereo sound. Hearing all you needed to hear, you quietly make your exit and accidentally record a kid crashing his bike into the parked car in front of you. You immediately upload the video to YouTube. Mission accomplished. $99.99 (http://lorexstore.lorextechnology.com)
(4) CeLL phone Spy
No information is truly safe in this digital age, especially when you’re equipped with the Cell Phone Spy. Your mission: break into the home of your target to retrieve messages exchanged between an unknown contact. Good thing you brought this trusty device as you slip in through the vents and into his office. Remove the SIM card from almost any phone, place it in the Cell Phone Spy and then plug it in to a computer’s USB drive to download text messages, deleted messages and contacts. Just don’t forget your laptop… $99.95 (http://www.brickhousesecurity.com)
(6) iphone Spy StiCk
You should have known! Your target doesn’t have just any old phone…they have an iPhone! Luckily you planned ahead and brought the iPhone Spy Stick. It does everything the Cell Phone Spy does but also gives you access to map history and location searches, notes, voice memos and deleted contacts and calendar items. The target bought a phone that holds more information with greater security, only to have more taken from them in the end. The irony is not lost on you. $199 (http://www.brickhousesecurity.com)
(5) hoLLoW Spy CoinS
Being a savvy spy, you know how to hide classified information and one of your favorite places is in plain site. With these Hollow Spy Coins, anyone can hide their teeny tiny secrets, such as SIM cards, micro SD cards or very small notes. When closed, it’s hard to tell that these quarters are actually spy quarters. Just try to remember when scrounging for change on laundry day. $20.99 - $24.99(http://www.thinkgeek.com)
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LACANVAS.COM 51
(9) mini Bug deteCtor Arriving home you get a strange sense you’re being monitored. Out comes the Mini Bug Detector. It has an LED signal display and audio tone that will help find those pesky bugs. It can be made silent when you need to be extra stealthy. Wireless microphones and transmitters are discovered and your spy sense tells you trouble is coming. $79.99(http://www.thinkgeek.com)
(7) SteaLth iBot Computer Spy
You notice the target’s computer is left on with no password to protect it. Grinning, you plug in the Stealth iBot and install a hidden program. You’ll be back tomorrow night for all the information it covertly records, such as keystrokes, passwords and up to 10,000 screenshots. More than enough intel to plan your next move. $129.95 (http://www.brickhousesecurity.com)
(8) Spy Video trakr
A leak has given your identity to your targets. The agency has prepared for this, however, and gives you the TRAKR, a sophisticated spy device that can see in the dark, memorize and retrace routes, as well as take photos and video. It’s fitted with an SD card slot, USB ports and 2.5 GHz radio for audio. The video remote control allows you to watch your targets live through TRAKR’s built-in camera. They’ll never see it coming. $129.95 (http://www.shopwildplanet.com)
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it’s just a lifelong passion for games,” summarizes Mike
Laidlaw on his involvement into the game industry. His
love and admiration for games is palpable as he fondly
remembers his childhood using a level creator in Lode Runner
for the Commodore 64, his head swimming with possibilities, “I
thought that was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.”
Mike played a myriad of influential games growing up. “The
one’s I would call formative, the ones that kind of left a dent: The
Ultima Series… huge, absolutely huge, especially Ultima IV, which
introduced the concept of morality”, a fundamental mechanic used
in BioWare’s storytelling. Mike joyfully describes a case at home
where those games are now proudly displayed.
Mike eventually found his way as a writer for BioWare, working
on games such as Jade Empire, Mass Effect and the first Dragon
Age. Now, as Lead Designer, Mike reveals some of the incredible
changes coming to BioWare’s finest RPG series.
The story is set in a separate part of the world from Dragon Age:
Origins, and tells the story of Hawke, a voiced main character, as
opposed to the silent protagonist in Origins, which limited your
ability to really speak out at key moments. Character customization
and choices are still ample, but they are now weaved into an
already replete character at the crossroads of destiny. Mike adds,
“It’s about a real person stuck in an almost unreal situation.”
This time, your companions make a more personal impact
to your hero’s story. Two notable members are your younger
siblings. “The point we’re trying to hammer home is that heroes
are made, they’re not born. This isn’t a child of prophecy; it’s not
some amnesia kid that washed up on a beach. He’s got family, he’s
got friends and actually having your brother and sister adventure
with you adds such a color to the overall story.”
Dragon Age II looks to be packed with amazing characters and a
rich, boundless story with infinite possibilities. It’s hard to imagine
topping the acclaimed original, but Mike Laidlaw’s track record
proves that making stellar games is just another day at the office.
Check out Dragon Age II on March 8, 2011. Read this preview in
its entirety and stay tuned for our upcoming review of Dragon Age
II on LACANVAS.COM. Story by Curt Hutson
52 LACANVAS.COM
it’s just a lifelong passion for games,” summarizes Mike
Laidlaw on his involvement into the game industry. His
love and admiration for games is palpable as he fondly
remembers his childhood using a level creator in Lode Runner
for the Commodore 64, his head swimming with possibilities, “I
thought that was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.”
Mike played a myriad of influential games growing up. “The
one’s I would call formative, the ones that kind of left a dent: The
Ultima Series… huge, absolutely huge, especially Ultima IV, which
introduced the concept of morality”, a fundamental mechanic used
in BioWare’s storytelling. Mike joyfully describes a case at home
where those games are now proudly displayed.
Mike eventually found his way as a writer for BioWare, working
on games such as Jade Empire, Mass Effect and the first Dragon
Age. Now, as Lead Designer, Mike reveals some of the incredible
changes coming to BioWare’s finest RPG series.
The story is set in a separate part of the world from Dragon Age:
Origins, and tells the story of Hawke, a voiced main character, as
opposed to the silent protagonist in Origins, which limited your
ability to really speak out at key moments. Character customization
and choices are still ample, but they are now weaved into an
already replete character at the crossroads of destiny. Mike adds,
“It’s about a real person stuck in an almost unreal situation.”
This time, your companions make a more personal impact
to your hero’s story. Two notable members are your younger
siblings. “The point we’re trying to hammer home is that heroes
are made, they’re not born. This isn’t a child of prophecy; it’s not
some amnesia kid that washed up on a beach. He’s got family, he’s
got friends and actually having your brother and sister adventure
with you adds such a color to the overall story.”
Dragon Age II looks to be packed with amazing characters and a
rich, boundless story with infinite possibilities. It’s hard to imagine
topping the acclaimed original, but Mike Laidlaw’s track record
proves that making stellar games is just another day at the office.
Check out Dragon Age II on March 8, 2011. Read this preview in
its entirety and stay tuned for our upcoming review of Dragon Age
II on LACANVAS.COM. Story by Curt Hutson.
Illustr
atIo
n C
ou
rte
sy o
FbIo
wa
re
Game Focus
LACANVAS.COM 53
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tecH ProFile
w e’re just interested in having a
conversation and in welcoming [everyone]
into that conversation with us. That was
always the goal; recreate the experience of hanging
out, having fun, and give it to people.”
The guys behind The Totally Rad Show, TRS, have
been “hanging out” with their viewers to discuss
movies, video games, TV, comics and more every
week since launching on March 27, 2007. Since then,
this review/variety show podcast has garnered its
hosts a Webby Award, their own panels at Comic-
Con and the Penny Arcade Expo and between
500,000 and a million viewers a month.
Alex Albrecht, Jeff Cannata, Dan Trachtenberg
and Mike Gaines film TRS right here in LA every
Friday out of Alex’s garage resembling a mini
green screen set, though most sets don’t come
with a Harley. They confess there really couldn’t
be a better place to film TRS where they’d have the
access to movie screenings, videogame companies,
events and other things they need to make the show.
Having all been part of the entertainment industry
for a while, they knew from the start they’d need
to create something different if they wanted to get
anyone’s attention.
“There are plenty of podcasts that cover similar
topics,” begins Dan as Jeff explains further, “We
were conscious of making it look different and
trying to push podcasts forward a little bit.” TRS was
one of the first to use green screen, HD and multiple
camera angles. Add to that special effects (like their
signature exploding fist-pound), an ever changing
format with a new intro every week and even re-
imaginings of scenes from their favorite movies.
The show’s content is just as important as it’s
look. Reveling in the things and experiences they
enjoyed growing up, with reviews that are more
personal than those found in traditional journalism.
Jeff explains, “It is as much about us as any of the
stuff we cover,” and it’s exactly that approach that
makes viewers feel more like they’re spending time
with friends as they watch each episode.
TRS has been a great platform for spreading the
word in support of some of their favorite charities.
Extra Life’s 24-hour Gaming Marathon is one;
requiring them to spend 24 hours playing games
to raise money for charities like the LA Children’s
Hospital. They also teamed with Comfort Zone
Camp, a weekend-long camp for kids that have lost
a family member.
TRS is a labor of love that’s become one of the
most popular shows online. With many more ideas
and hopes for where they plan to take the show, it
should be exciting to see what they come up with
next. For all things Rad, find new episodes daily
at http://revision3.com/trs or you can subscribe
through iTunes. Story by Justin Fitzwater.
Illu
str
atI
on
by
Ju
stIn
FIt
zwa
ter
LACANVAS.COM 55
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LACANVAS.COM 57
www.facebook.com/asahirisingsunGet Free Ringtones
rising sun
Please Enjoy Asahi Beer Responsib lyImported by Asahi Beer U.S.A., Inc. , Torrance, CA.
www.asahibeerusa.com
58 LACANVAS.COM
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CONCERTThe Dears @ The Troubadour
ARTDowntown l.a. art walk
CONCERT Starf*cker @ The Detroit Bar
ARTJames Jean: Rebus @ The Martha Otero Gallery
ARTCamille Rose Garcia: Snow White and the Black Lagoon Opens @ Michael Kohn Gallery
CONCERTTapes N’ Tapes w/ Dale Earnhardt Jr. @ The Troubadour
CONCERTNoah and the Whale @ The Troubadour
CONCERT State Radio @ The Glass House
DRINKOpening of Angel City Brewing
CONCERTPink Floyd Laser Spectacular @ Fred Kavli Theatre
CONCERTGirl Talk @ Hollywood Palladium
CONCERTRadars to the Sky @ LaBrie’s in Glendale
CONCERT Wakey!Wakey! @ The Hotel Café
CONCERTThe Strange Boys @ The Echo
CONCERTToro Y Moi @ The Troubadour
CONCERT Say Hi @ The Echo
CONCERTMen @ echoplex
CONCERTLady Gaga @ Staples Center
CONCERTRoyksopp @ The Wiltern
CONCERTTravis McCoy @ The El Rey Theatre
SPORTSDodgers Opening day
CONCERTLady Gaga @ Staples Center
LACANVAS.COM 59
1 2 3 5 6 8 9 12
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CONCERTUh Huh Her @ El Rey Theatre
FOODTruckit Food Festival @ Union Station
ARTMonth of Photography kicks off. www.monthofphotography.com
CONCERTneil Finn with Matt Costa @ el rey theatre
CONCERTPeter Yorn w/ Ben Kweller @ The Wiltern
CONCERTJohn Mellencamp @ Nokia Theatre
CONCERT30 Seconds to Mars @ The Gibson Amphitheatre, Universal City Walk
CONCERTChris Tomlin @ Gibson Amphitheatre
FASHIONLA FASHION WEEK begins. Check out LACANVAS.COM for more information.
CONCERTBright Eyes @ Pomona Fox Theater
ARTDowntown L.A. Art Walk
CONCERTJanet Jackson @ The Gibson Amphitheatre
FESTIVALCoachella @ Empire Polo Club (Begins)
ARTBrewery Art Walk
ARTArt in the Streets @ MOCA (Opens)
CONCERTRob Stewart & Stevie Nicks @ The Hollywood Bowl
ARTKim Boem: Animalia (Opens) @ REDCAT Gallery
CONCERTThe Airborne Toxic @ The Music Box
60 LACANVAS.COM
Though it’s celebrated on April 22 every year Earth Day always seems to sneak up like a
thong. Getting the jump on Earth Day, so you don’t look like an insensitive oil exec, should
be a major priority. You can always find a beach cleanup (HealtheBay.org) or tree planting
(TreePeople.org) to get involved with at the last minute, but here are some of the more
unusual and fun ways to volunteer for the environment on Earth Day or any day.
Story by Raegan Payne.
Swap-O-Rama-Rama –Recycle your clothes, get cool, custom-made new ones by taking part in Swap-O-Rama-Rama www.swaporamarama.org. To participate in a S.O.R.R. event in your area bring a bag of gently worn, unwanted clothes to the Swap venue. Your clothes will be taken for sorting and you will be able to choose between hundreds if not thousands of other hand me downs. Then take your new found items to the next room to have them fitted or customized by craftsman and seamstresses who donate their time to the Rama.
Earth Hour – Start the Earth Day celebration a month early
and take part in Earth Hour www.earthhour.org on March
26th at 8:30 pm (local time). Earth Hour started in Sydney
Australia in 2007 when over 2 million people and 2,000
businesses turned their lights off for 1 hour to take a stand
against climate change. Earth Hour 2010 included 128 coun-
tries, with many shutting down the lights on their most iconic
buildings and monuments. So turn the lights off at 8:30 pm
on March 26th and find something… fun… to do in the dark.
Wildlife Monitoring – Are you a biologist? OR… would you like to pretend to be a biologist so you can wear khaki cargo shorts and hiking boots? If so wildlife monitoring is your volunteer activity of choice. Monitor endangered populations of birds with the National Audubon Society www.audubon.org. The joys of volunteering with Audubon can include nature walks and sight-ing of baby birds that look like popcorn with legs.
community PaGe
Food Gleaning – Gleaning means to gather what’s left over.
Picking fruit from trees that would normally go to waste, donat-
ing excess veggies from your garden, or sending unsold baked
goods at the end of the day to a homeless shelter are all ways
to glean. It feeds the hungry, keeps food local, and ensures that
landfill space is not used up unnecessarily. Food Forward www.
foodforward.org is one of the best gleaning groups in LA and
they have easy online registration for events.
LACANVAS.COM 61
For more information and free stickers and DVDs, please visit peta2.com.
Phot
o: Je
ff Vo
gedi
ng
Download Steve Aoki’s new singles “Wake Up Call” and “Turbulence” on iTunes.
Facebook.com/DJAoki • Twitter.com/SteveAoki
asK JD Kain
i’m 28 and haven’t missed a Spring Break
in a century. Don’t look at me like that. As
far as I’m concerned it’s a national fucking
holiday. But don’t think because you have a “job”
and don’t have time for a trip to Florida that you
can’t join the fun. Here are a few places close
to home I’ll be checking out as March and April
bring warmer weather and fewer clothes. You
won’t even have to spend an arm and a leg…
though you might get some tail.
Forget the 7-day cruise that costs you a fortune.
How about a cruise around Baja Mexico for $300?
Just drive down to Long Beach hop on a 3-day
Carnival Cruise (food included!) That’s 3 days to
get to know your fellow cruisers, party it up and
make up some reason that hottie (or hotties) you’ve
been eyeing should check out your suite.
Do you love great music and wild, sex-driven-
partiers? Then maybe Coachella is for you. People
come from all over to the desert for this one
massive party. I went two years ago and stayed
at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. If you don’t find
someone to take back with you at the show, there’s
always time to scope one out poolside.
If you’re up for driving a bit further than Palm
Springs, there’s a little known place called Vegas.
After you’ve partied all night, poolside is again
the place you’ll want to lounge as you sleep off
your hangover. Hotels with great pools can be
expensive, but the Tropicana is great on a budget
and a perfect place to meet sexy co-eds while
playing a game of poolside blackjack.
Spring Break is a great time for singles, but they
won’t be single forever! If you see someone you
like lock them down fast, even if it’s just for the
weekend. If you already have a special someone,
be careful that someone else doesn’t swoop in
and steal ‘em. I’ve personally hooked up with
countless women in relationships, even some on a
“girls trip” for Spring Break.
Spring is a beautiful time in Los Angeles so live it
up to the fullest. Put on some fresh digs, get off your
ass (and out the door) and own the moment.
- JD Kain
LACANVAS.COM 63
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66 LACANVAS.COM
a bstract Philosopher,
Renegade Mechanic,
Postmodem Revitalist…
these are among the many terms
that fall outside of the dictionary
that come to mind when attempting
to stick a lid on Augustine Kofie.
Describing his visual style proves
even more difficult.
Perhaps, if you took Memento
on 3D Blu-Ray and synced it with
Darkside of the Moon chopped up
by EL-P on tape, you may arrive at a
modest starting point.
Kofie’s art is the dream you
wake up from and can feel in your
bones but can’t quite bring back
into focus. It’s that trance infusing
raw beat whose origin is buried
somewhere in the depths of your
record collection. It’s the realization
that a circles’ beginning is also the
closest point to its end.
Kofie’s cycle began in Hollywood
where he was born the same year
as Hip Hop, to a Choctaw/Creole/
Black Father and a German/Scottish
Mother. At a young age, Kofie’s
favorite toys were Legos, erector
sets, notepads and pencils. One
day while riding his bike to a local
arcade, Kofie passed through the
legendary “Motor Yard” and got
his head blown when he saw the
writing on the wall. “The lines,
the connections, the points of
perspective, the rounded turns and
the curves were all in graffiti and
that’s what I gravitated toward.”
Today Kofie’s work embodies the
precision of Hard Edge Painting
but remains personal; the detail
of a master draftsman but without
the singular purpose; the forward
thinking and motion of Futurism
but without the disdain for the past,
and the freedom and lucidness of
Abstract Expressionism but with a
profound instinct to create balance.
His textures, layers and bleeding
palette of colors create soulful
pockets and analog cadences of
time and space. “Subconsciously
I’m telling stories and I have my
storytelling style but I’m so deep
and involved in the process I don’t
think of the end result.”
The end result is also something
Kofie distances himself from when
asked to define himself. “I don’t
like being labeled. I make a living
from my hobby; I make a living from
being creative. If you want to call
me an artist call me an artist, I get
it but I’m just a mixed kid making
mixed media…whatever that
means?” Story by Todd Mazer.
last looK
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DATE FARMERS
COLOR T.V., 2010MIXED MEDIA ON WOOD PANEL97½” (H) X 97½” (W) X 5½” (D)
ON VIEW THROUGH APRIL 2011