The current is far too rough to sail in the direction originally planned.

I posted Passion Pit’s latest music video for “The Reeling” a couple of weeks ago, which blew me away, and their new album Manners undeniably makes them the “band to watch” this summer.  They impressed crowds at SXSW this year and have managed to sell out both of the LA tour dates.  Listen to “Moth’s Wings”, as recommended by Jack, which is a stunning (and quite epic) summer song.

Download:
Passion Pit – “Moth’s Wings”

I suggest that you download Coldplay’s b-sides release, Left Right Left Right Left, off of their website for free.  They’re playing in July and it is almost sold out.  Who wants to go with me?  I need three people to purchase a 4-ticket pack.

And… this week’s work agenda includes:

• One Eskimo EPK
• Delivery of The Maine and Jack’s Mannequin projects
• Meeting about a project for The Used
• Launch of The Media Collective website
• Music video shoot on Sunday

I’ll be working out of my new 2200 Main Street office.

I haven’t listened to The All-American Rejects in years, but the aesthetics of their latest video caught my eye. The colors are neutral, the imagery is simple and natural, but it still manages to leave a certain amount hidden. The close-ups are powerful. Check out Rich Lee’s video for The All-American Rejects’ “The Wind Blows”:

Shia LaBeouf made his music video directorial debut on his friend Cage’s new video. Music videos for Shia? I would have never thought. Hm..

The only surviving photographs from my 20th birthday dinner.

First off, I apologize for my lack of updates - I’ve spent this past week and a half getting back into the Los Angeles groove.  I had a single day to unpack, reorganize everything and hang out with family.  I also drove up the coast a bit and walked along the beach, met up with some friends, attended numerous Mexican dinners (Mexican food never gets old…) and spent a few evenings in Venice.  In between, I scheduled pick-ups of equipment and attended shoots.  So far, I’ve filmed a couple of pieces for Warner, purchased a brand new high definition camera (!!!) and sound kit, spent some time on commercial sets with family (learning about camera and sound techy stuff) and celebrated my 20th birthday.   I’ve also spent a great deal of time in the Shangri-La Music office helping organize their video content and setting up a workstation of my own!

Things aren’t slowing down just yet.  I’m running errands/delivering content tomorrow, filming with The Maine on Tuesday on their video shoot for “Into Your Arms”, editing a clip for Jack’s Mannequin and working out of the 2200 Main Street office for the remainder of the week.

Come visit me and let’s have lunch.

Music Download:
Gui Boratto – “Beautiful Life” 

WHAT’S WORTH MORE?

Must Listen To Song:
Band of Skulls – “Cold Fame”

No updates means that a lot is going on.  What an incredible start to a summer to die for.  I’ll expand later.

Photograph by Richard Avedon

I set sail heading east to explore a world that I had never seen.  [EDITED]

My father, the son of an RCA Records executive of fifty years, and mother, the daughter of a Cooper Union graduate, both grew up in middle-class suburban Los Angeles.  They attended public schools for both high school and college and found pleasure in slight rebellion.   My mother took almost a decade to get through college as she made a few detours during her journey.  She found herself using food stamps and an inability to pay rent on her Sherman Oaks apartment.  Eventually, she found her way out and graduated with of Bachelors of Science from California State University Northridge.  My father is now a television commercial line producer and mother splits her time between working on commercials and teaching preschool.  They settled in Granada Hills, an area candy coated with tract-homes and high school suicides. 

I was fortunate to attend the Cleveland High School Humanities Magnet program that opened me up to lifestyles beyond that of my parents.  Children of run-down celebrities and trust funds – something that I never had.  I attended classes with some of the most brilliant and driven students in the state of California that scored high and proved that success can be found even with a heavy cocaine addiction.  I fit in (actually, I never did fit in) by believing that I could possibly find a secluded home like those of my friends in the Hollywood Hills one day – we’ll see about that.

When my brother chose to attend Bard College, a prestigious east coast incubator of brilliant yet addicted undergraduates, I saw some sort of glamour.  The institution looks like an upstate New York oasis of knowledge and a million dollars.  It was impossible to not dream of attending a school like this.  At the time, I was creating a pseudo-reputation for myself in the music industry, but lacked a social life that still existed the morning after.  I decided to enroll myself at Emerson College to see what it was like.

I started my journey at Emerson with a short-lived friendship that made me start to believe in myself as a social individual.  I took classes that challenged my beliefs and learned a lot about my abilities.  I formed some incredible relationships that I hope stay together.  So this is for the few individuals that I continue to share time with: Believe in me and I’ll believe in you.  Talk to me and I’ll talk to you.

I am a nomad and a man of my words.  I many times act on my instincts and find happiness in great risks.  For this, I could not be more excited to land on the west coast.  I have big summer plans ahead of me: a launch of two new companies, the re-launch of The Media Collective, a couple of music video projects, a hopeful release of a friend’s album, a feature film script, and whatever else comes my way!

I wish you the best, Boston.  Cheers. 

**This journal entry was edited after posting.  I apologize if it jumps around.**