Photos from the Presidential Victory Celebration in LA

So as you all know by now, we have a new President-Elect, a gentleman named Barack Obama. Last night was a historic evening, and crazy celebrations took place all over the country - the largest being in Obama's hometown of Chicago. In FoundTrack World Headquarters aka Los Angeles, a bash was hosted by Senator Feinstein and Mayor Villaragosa at the Century Plaza Hotel Ballroom in Century City. Nasty Nass, Myself and FoundTrack political correspondents Shevin (aka little V) and Sheueskee decided to head down to party central and check it out.

As we expected we were met by ridiculously large crowds trying to get in and Police barricades:


We decided that there was no way we were going to wait in a 2 hour line, so after some quick thinking on our parts, we decided to play up our media/"talent" persona:


After doing just enough jive talking (luckily not much) to get us in with Mischa Barton's entourage, it was on to the festivities, where somehow we managed to get ourselves VIP credentials:


The "VIP" Section complete with open bar:


The "VIP" portion of the event was a little on the low key side so we decided to go and be one with the people in the main Ballroom:


As we entered the main gala we were met by an expectedly huge media presence:


And luckily, we made it in right in time for Mayor Anthonio Villaraigosa's speech, which was actually quite awesome and moving:



Once the Mayor's speech was over and Obama's victory speech was broadcast, the real celebration began. Two gentlemen and artists that put in a lot of their personal time into this election, Shepard Fairey (creator of the now iconic "Hope" poster) and DJ Z-Trip entertained the guests:


Fairey actually created a visual work live, while Z-Trip provided the tunes for the evening:


This guy was the star of the party in my eyes:



Former CA Govenor Gray Davis (former because we was "Governated" by Arnold):



FoundTrack Friend KCRW's Jason Bentley closed the night out- A night that I personally think had the best energy I've experienced in a long time:

"The Audacity of JOKE" by James Lillis

Here's a little somethin somethin inspired by Shepard Fairey's now iconic Obama "Hope" posters... Everyone's favorite clown prince of crime from "The Dark Knight," The Joker starring in "The Audacity of JOKE" by James Lillis. Read the full story over at Wired:


Source- Wired

Live Election Results Map

VOTE!

Hey Ladies and Gentlemen - don't forget to get out there and make your voice count today. It's still not too late- Polls don't close for at least a few more hours in every state... AND most states offer time off from work to vote (check if you state does, here). Find your polling places here:

Google Maps Election Site

Rock the Vote

and,
CNN Election Center for up to the minute results updates

Lots of businesses are giving away free election day treats - Free coffee at Starbucks, Free donuts at Krispy Kreme, and Free ice cream at Ben & Jerry's. And, AS ALWAYS, FREE MIXTAPES AT FOUNDTRACK !

FoundTrack's Fall '08 Collection (Track 3/20) - Juvelen - Hanna

Juvelen - Hanna (Track 3/20)
Album - 1 (Sample/Purchase)
Label - Hybris
http://www.myspace.com/juvelen



After a few unsuccessful attempts as guitarist and keyboardist in a number of bands, Jonas Petersson locked himself in a basement and started recording songs under the name Juvelen (Jewel in swedish). Overnight he became an internet sensation on myspace after hooking up with producer Patrick Berger (Robyn, Hillary Duff). Thus was born Stockholm's Juvelen, the R&B synth pop/electro funkmaster with a true falsetto in the style of the artist formerly known as Prince. Juvelen explains that his highly acclaimed debut effort, 1, is "about songs from the heart sung from the hip". Check out the video for our featured "Hanna" below with synchronized swimming directed by Yousavedme photographer Oskar Lundgren.

Movie Trailer Monday - New "Defiance" and "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" Trailers

Since we skipped Movie Trailer Mondays last week, here's a double feature for you guys- one serious one and one good ol' popcorn flick. The first clip we're going to feature is the new trailer to "Defiance" a film we previously posted the first trailer to. The film stars Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber and tells the the tale of Russian Jewish refugees during WWII that band together into a brigade which hides in the forest and protects their own, while also ambushing Nazi soldiers. The brigade start with three rebellious brothers and eventually grows to a group 1200 strong- A group that ultimately survives until war’s end. Defiance is directed by Ed Zwick of "Last Samurai" and "Blood Diamond" fame, and looks to be pretty fantastic. Daniel "James Bond 007" Craig seems to deliver an amazing performance as always:




Now that we've gotten our street cred with the definitely Oscar worthy film above, here's a little popcorn treat - the latest in the "Underworld" franchise, entitled "Rise of the Lycans." The film is a prequel to the first two films and looks to follow the same dark and stylized action formula. While Kate Beckinsale is no longer in the picture, equally gorgeous British brunette actress Rhona Mitra seems to step in nicely as a new lead female character. Kick back with a bag of pop secret and enjoy:



Source - Apple Movie Trailers (checkout high quality QuickTime HD versions of both of the above, here and here)

Ladyhawke - "My Delerium" music video

As you might have realised by now, I am currently addicted to the Ladyhawke album, and so to further feed my obsession, Pip has released her new video for one of my favourite songs from the album "My Delerium". Featuring the artistic talents of Sarah Larnach who also did the artwork for her album, its a mix of live action and animation, reminiscent of that video where a smouldering drawing of Morton Harkett reaches out to the lady in the cafe!



Ladyhawke (along with The Presets and Shy Child) will be playing the Nevereverland gig on the 15th of November at the Coronet Theatre in London. Come down and I might just see you there!

Weekly Events Calendar : F.I.L.A. (Found in LA) November 3rd-9th

*RECENTLY ADDED

Monday November 3rd
KCRW Presents Lykke Li, Friendly Fires, Grand Ole Party, The Mae Shi @ El Rey (SOLD OUT)
Last Shadow Puppets @ Mayan Theatre
Western States Motel, Marching Band, Wrong Way Driver, 13th Hole @ Spaceland (FREE)
Weave, Majestys, Warpaint, White And The Writing @ Echo (FREE)
The Spinto Band, Frightened Rabbit, Miniature Tigers @ Echoplex
The Monolators, Pizza, Kyle Mabson's Blown To The Zone, Zombelle @ Pehrspace
Mando Diao, We Barbarians, The Capshuns @ Troubadour

Tuesday November 4th (ELECTION NIGHT)
*Official Obama Election Night Gala @ Hyatt Century Plaza Hotel - Feat. music by Z-trip, Jason Bentley, Jeremy Sole, Shepard Fairey, plus live art installation - FREE with RSVP - http://ca.barackobama.com/ElectionNightLA
*Friendly Fires @ Cinespace (Dim Mak Tuesdays)
Mad Decent Tour feat. Diplo, Abe Vigoda, Telepathe, Blaqstarr, Boy 8-Bit @ Echoplex
HoneyHoney (Record Release), The Sweet Hurt @ Hotel Cafe
Royalties, Lisa D'Amato, Video Star @ Viper Room
IM Radio & Obama Phone Bank present: Election Day Party @ The Echo

Wednesday November 5th
The Faint, Dr. Doom (Kool Keith), Mika Miko @ Wiltern
Scion House Party Presents The Count & Sinden Soundsystem (First U.S. Live performance) , Drop the Lime, Sinden DJ Set, Acid Girls @ Vanguard - FREE with RSVP - www.scion.com/houseparty
RedBull Big Tune LA feat. Phonte (Little Brother), Foreign Exchange, Battle Cat @ El Rey - A Head to head hip hop beat battle
Low End theory feat. Nosaj Thing, Samiyam, Kutmah, etc. @ Airliner
Apes & Androids @ Spaceland (Club NME)
ExitMusic, Xu Xu Fang, Jon Brion, Voice On Tape, Musee Mecanique, Meaghan Smith @ Bordello (FOLD)
Royalties, So Many Wizards, Furcast, Other Lives @ Tangier (FOLD)
Belaire, Boxing Lesson, Liz Pappademas, Run On Sentence @ Silverlake Lounge (FOLD)
Los Cenzontles with special guest David Hidalgo @ Knitting Factory
Tehran Has No More Pomegranates @ Landmark Theatre - LA Premiere of acclaimed documentary

Thursday November 6th
TV On the Radio, Dirtbombs, Delta Spirit @ Wiltern
Future Sounds Presents The Rumble L.A. 4 feat. Birds & Batteries, The Blacks and The Yelling @ Three of Clubs - FREE with individual RSVP - http://sonicliving.com/therumble-LA
Launch of 55DSL Pop Up Shop @ South Coast Plaza (Level 3/Crate & Barrel Wing) - feat. DJ sets from Lykke Li, Bjorn (Peter Bjorn & John) & Dan Sena (The OC) ; FREE with
RSVP - www.bpmmagazine.net/55dsl
Squaregirls Presents The Black Kites, Health Club, Thailand, & Avi Buffalo @ The Scene
Filter Presents: West Indian Girl, Casxio, Hearts of Palm U.K., Roll the Tanks @ Spaceland
Correatown, Go West Young Man, You Me and Iowa, Davin Givhan, Kenneth Ishak @ Silverlake Lounge (FOLD)
The Royalties, So Many Wizards, Furcast @ Tangier (FOLD)
Ingrid Michaelson, David Ford, Newton Faulkner @ El Rey
Day of the Living Party - Saint Motel, The Ringers, Rumspringa, The Cheat @ The Viper Room
Happy Hollows, Strange Boys @ The Echo
Linda Rondstadt with Mariachi Los Camperos @ Royce Hall
Opening Reception: All That We Have Left @ Ghettogloss Gallery - Exhibiting the works of Tofer Chin, Dallas Clayton and Vanessa Prager
Tehran Has No More Pomegranates @ Landmark Theatre - Last night of special screening of acclaimed documentary

Friday November 7th
Van Morrison @ Hollywood Bowl (Performing Astral Weeks ; live webcast on KCRW.com at 8pm)
Tangerine Dream @ Royce Hall
Citizen Cope (Acoustic), Alice Smith @ Orpheum
KCRW Presents Brett Dennen, Robert Francis @ Hotel Cafe
Jedi Mind Tricks, Outerspace, Reef The Lost Cauze @ Henry Fonda Theatre
Dublab Presents Brainfeeder feat. Flying Lotus, Daedelus, Gaslamp Killah, Kutmah, Ras_G, Hudson Mohawk, Kode 9, Martyn, Samiyam @ Echoplex
ISGOODMUSIC.COM Benefit/Launch feat. Seasons, Shiloe, Death To Anders, The Transmissions, & Vaudeville (DJ set by Radio Free Silver Lake) @ Mr T's Bowl
KSCR Presents Castledoor, Xu Xu Fang, & The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra @ USC Fisher Gallery of Art Courtyard (FREE - 7PM)
Flow feat. Steve Beltran and Raul Campos @ Wokano (Santa Monica) - opening of weekly dj residency
Power Up feat. Mario Cotto @ Miss T's Barcade
The Heartless Bastards, The Broken West, Other Lives @ Spaceland
Apes & Androids @ Echo
Electric Six, Local H @ Key Club

Saturday November 8th
The Who @ Nokia Theatre
Van Morrison @ Hollywood Bowl (Performing Astral Weeks)
Future Sounds Presents Nico Stai @ Ghettogloss Gallery
Scissors for Lefty, Voxhaul Broadcast, Killola, The Vox Jaguars @ Knitting Factory
Jeans Team, Starfucker, Moonrats @ Spaceland
The Dodos, Dreamdate, Restaurant @ Echoplex
Pilar Diaz (Los Abandoned) @ Echo
Brett Dennan @ Hotel Cafe
Grant Lee Phillips @ Largo (Little Room)
Dead Meadow, His Orchestra, Moon Upstairs @ Troubadour
Den @ Good Hurt
Brian Zarin @ Comedy Store (Belly Room)

Sunday November 9th
The Who @ Nokia Theatre
Johnny Gill, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant (New Edition) @ Greek Theatre
KCRW Presents Natacha Atlas, George Sarah and String trio @ El Rey
Onyx @ The Echo
Terry Reid, Tony Furtado @ McCabe's Guitar Shop

Long-Running Events
AFI Film Festival @ Arclight (Hollywood)
(Oct 30-Nov 9th)

Resources
losangeles.ohmyrockness.com
KCRW Presents
LosAnjealous.com
Upcoming.yahoo.com
Going.com
Metromix.com
theguide.latimes.com

Meijin's Top 5 CMJ Bands

CMJ (College Media Journal) Music Marathon and Film Festival is an annual convention and festival that was held from October 21-25, 2008, in New York City. In addition to panels on the creative, marketing and legal aspects of the music world, the highlight was the performance by nearly 1000 artists at venues and clubs throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Here's my top 5 to make it a little more digestible.

1) SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS
www.myspace.com/semipreciousweapons
www.semipreciousweapons.com

Semi Precious Weapon's fashionable four have more going for them than just good looks and glamorous get-ups. Beyond the Fetty-adorned surface is a substantial musical foundation rooted in formal training and a penchant for grunge, metal, and classic rock. An astounding live show fraught with magnetic attitude and mesmerizing athleticism unfolds more like a Broadway performance set to rock steady songs, all which can be heard on the band’s recently released We Love You. Semi Precious Weapons, we love you, too.

(October 21, 2008 at Arlene’s Grocery)

(October 24th at Perez Hilton's "One Night in New York City Showcase at the Highline Ballroom)

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2) BLACK TAXI
www.myspace.com/blacktaximusic
www.blacktaximusic.com

Attire ranging from feathered masks, top hats, and patriotic capes, Black Taxi create a memorable image but leave a longer lasting musical impression with their bluesy riffs, blazing guitar solos, and thumping bass beats overlain by throaty vocals and jazzy trumpeting. Black Taxi’s immediately appealing swagger and biting bravado put them at the top of the CMJ music chain. The good news for the newly hooked is that Black Taxi will be releasing an EP on November 22, and celebrating with a show in their home city of New York at the Mercury Lounge.

(October 21st at Arlene's Grocery)

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3) THE WHIP
www.myspace.com/thewhipmanchester
www.thewhip.net

(October 23, 2008, at The Annex)

Although these Mancunians wail, “I wanna be trash…,”electronic experts know that The Whip will never attain the status of rubbish. Hypnotic synthesizers and samples, buzzing bass, and disco house beats merge into sultry and impossibly irresistible dance grooves. The Whip’s album X Marks Destination is available online and through Myspace. A variety of remixes composed by electronic contemporaries are downloadable on iTunes.

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4) OUTERNATIONAL
www.myspace.com/outernational
www.outernational.net

Outernational’s fusion of rock, punk, ska, hip hop, reggae, and Afrobeats, produces their very own hard world music genre. A band with a peacemaking message, Outernational bestows music for the masses and represents the ability to transform differences into a universally appealing sound. The low drop Crash Mansion ceilings could not put a lid on the band’s volatile vibe and the crowd’s equally frenzied response.

(October 22, 2008, at Crash Mansion “Downstairs”)

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5) LADY GAGA
www.myspace.com/ladygaga
http://www.ladygaga.com/

With a combination of complex hip-hop, robotic, and modern dance choreography, runway costuming, elaborate lighting, and infectious rhythms, this electro-pop princess takes performance art to a breathtaking level. Lady Gaga’s striking presence and staging make for a must-see live act that will make you want to “just dance.” Check out Lady Gaga’s debut album The Fame.

(October 24, 2008, at Perez Hilton’s “One Night in New York City” Showcase at Highline Ballroom)