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EXCLUSIVE video footage featuring Theophilus London at the release party for his STUSSY x LVRS Capsule Collection at the La Brea location on August 24th 2012. Limited quantities of London's capsule collection were sold at the launch event.
VIDEO NATASHA ENRIQUEZ
This year I was fortunate enough to accompany a friend of mine on his annual pilgrimage to SXSW. For those unaware, SXSW is a nine-day event that brings in film, music, and interactive media industries to Austin, Texas every March. This year, the music festival showcased 2,000 music artists at over 80 stages throughout the city. In the past SXSW was a platform for labels and emerging buzz bands to showcase themselves to the media, but nowadays it’s more of a “who-can-throw-the-sickest-party” free-for-all. What first started as a modest industry-only based festival has since evolved into an all-out spring break (woooo) for music execs and everyday Joes alike. This in turn transforms Austin into a chaotic theme park where one has to wait in line for over an hour to even catch a high profile showcase. This isn’t always a bad thing though; I mean it’s not everyday that you can catch a surprise performance by Jay-Z or Kanye in a relatively intimate - but packed- venue. And when was the last time you saw Fiona Apple perform alongside The Dream and Grimes at a church?
Amidst all the free parties and beer floating around, I was able to catch a number of amazing acts in my alcohol-induced haze. Some noteworthy performances included, but were not limited to, Purity Ring, SBTRKT, Trash Talk, Tennis, Action Bronson, Wavves, Doomtree, and an eclectic live performance by The Wizards (of Workaholics moniker). But what really makes SXSW such a unique and great festival is the freedom attendees have to just ‘play it by ear’. You are not obligated to see A-Trak at the Fool’s Gold Day Party, because you can just catch him with AraabMuzik and Diplo at the Turntable showcase later in the evening. The only other festival that really comes close would be CMJ in New York. But as opposed to having to journey from LES to Brooklyn to see another show, all you need to do is walk next-door -literally.
As amazing as it was, SXSW wasn’t short of its share of setbacks. For instance, a person can only live off tacos and vodka for so long. Then there’s the daily 3AM taxicab hustle. And really A$AP?.. REALLY?? But in the end good vibes offset bad ones, performances outweigh lengthy lines, and did I mention free booze and music?
Till next year Austin, I’m dead.
01 - AIRPORT 02 - SELF, HOTEL 03 - BLOUSE SHANGRILAS 04 - NATE PUMA 05 - CRO MAGS 06 - PIZZA EVERYDAY 07 - BACKSTAGE PITCHFORK 08 - BLEACHED 09 - SELF, REST 10 - ATRAK 11 - SELF, PORT 12 - BLOUSE 13 - KORALLREVEN 14 - DUDES I MET 15 - COOL KIDS 16 - WORKAHOLICS PARTY 17 - TRASH TALK 18 - RANDOM DUDE 19 - RANDOM FRIEND FROM NY 20 - MCDISCO 21 - TRASHER X CONVERSE PARTY 22 - DONEZO 23 - RAD CHICK 24 - DEAD 25 - HE DEAD TOO 26 - WIDOWSPEAK 27 - PUSSY 28 - SO WEAK 29 - SELF 30 - WAVY 31 - BYEBYE
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' | Words and Ph. by Diane Abapo
ANATOMY OF A 'SECRET SOCIETY' WORDS & PHOTOS BY DIANE ABAPO
There are some nights that are simply better expressed through photos. I shoot like I blink. Quick moments that I spot and the pressing of a button to help me remember later on. This past Thursday night was the first pop-up art event held by Illuminated LA at NOLA's A Taste of New Orleans in the Little Tokyo arts district as part of this year's first Downtown LA Artwalk. Organized by its two founders, artist Seth 'MeexOne' Wilder and food writer Adam Rubenstein, the restaurant served as the backdrop for a series of live art and musical acts including sketch/paint artist Nora Ann-Francis Martin-Hall, rapper Kyle 'Verbs' Guy, and Hawaii-bred group Analog Dive.
One goblet of Chimay and a glass $3 beer later (provided by District BBQ next door, also owned by restaurateur Jason Ha) found me surrounded by a flurry of friends and artist folk. DeVon, Arthur and Umi of our TDG x SR HOMME collaboration stopped by just in time to see VerBS freestyle on stage before Osa Virtuoso's live set. I introduced MeexOne to the guys before he returned to his large canvas to continue his signature black-and-white patterned piece. Next to MeexOne was artist George "iFryOka" Dominguez, hunched on the ground as he proceeded to master a drip-down painting with a crowd of onlookers surrounding him. Ironically enough, we met Dominguez's cousin Johnny Reyes of "Sh*t Latina Girls Say" YouTube fame by chance outside of NOLA's after using a reference from the original version to say bye to a friend.
On the way to indulge in some dessert at Pie Hole as an intermission to the night, we ran into MeexOne who moseyed his way along to a nearby liquor store around the corner to pick up an energy drink for a friend. Two slices of savory handmade pie later, we waltzed back to 'A Secret Society' through District BBQ to meet up with our resident videographer, Eddie Saucedo at one of the tables. While accompanying a friend to buy a pitcher, I stood next to rapper Yelawolf unknowingly as we both stood mesmerized by the footage of a man paragliding as it played on the projector screen behind the counter. Three minutes and a bucket full of regret later, the rapper made his quiet exit from the venue holding onto his beer.
Outside in the patio area adjoining District BBQ and NOLA's was a succession of Illuminated LA artists who were selling portions of their work - including new friend, photographer Denny Kim. Kim's scenic views from his travels of cities including Tokyo and Chicago instantly made its way to my memory bank.
Many thanks to Rubenstein and MeexOne of Illuminated LA for a memorable night spent in one of Los Angeles' hidden pockets. Sometimes all it takes for a good night is a pair of eyes and open ears. And a few rolls of film.
www.dianeabapo.comwww.illuminatedla.tumblr.comwww.vivalafoodies.comwww.nolasla.com